I loved Malamander....so had to continue reading this magical middle grade series! Gargantis continues the legend of Eerie-on-Sea, with the awesome quirky characters from the first book! Eerie-on-Sea is a magical place....a place where folklore and legends are part of every day life. Herbie Lemon is at the Grand Nautilus Hotel where he takes pride in being the resident Lost and Founder. Herbie finds things....and keeps them in his Lost & Foundery until claimed. He's joined by his friend Violet in this newest adventure. Something has awoken an ancient, legendary creature -- the Gargantis. The creature seeks its stolen treasure. If anyone can find out who took the treasure and figure out the mystery, it's Herbie and Violet!!

Another magical story in this series! The town, its inhabitants, and its folklore are quirky and wonderful! This tale is just as entertaining and fun as Malamander! The books are written for middle grade children....but as an adult, I love them too! I'm definitely eagerly awaiting the next book!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Candlewick Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

This was such a fun sequel! This is a magical series, with whimsical character names that remind me of food (all food in books makes me happy!) like Herbert Lemon. With just a touch of magic and sci-fi vibes, some danger and mystery, this might be a perfect intro to genred fiction for a hesitant child - and I really enjoyed the illustrations that were included, I’d be excited to see the finished product.

“A book is like a mirror. We always see ourselves inside.”

Gargantis tells the story of a new adventure leading to the discovery of another mysterious creature at Eerie-on-Sea. As the title suggests, this creature is called Gargantis!

The adventure begins when Herbie, our professional Lost-and-Founder, receives a task to find the rightful owner of something that was brought to him. Together with his partner in crime, Violet, he will need to solve this mystery soon before Eerie-on-Sea goes to ruins.

I really enjoyed reading this book but not as much as the prequel. I love the mystery in the storyline although it made the plot throughout the whole story a little too slow. However, once it reached the climax, it was so exciting that I was at the edge of my seat!

I also enjoyed the small parts of humor that were weaved into the most nerve wreaking scenes. It gave the writing style more dynamics which helped drive the slow plot with a little more excitement.

Besides that, my adoration for Herbie and Violet as main characters have grown. But I would have loved to see more of the other minor characters involved in the story.

As for the antagonist, I was impressed that the author decided to use him to connect this book to the prequel. I was so thrilled when he was revealed as who I thought he would be! I’m just curious if he will return in the next installment. Will he?

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Candlewick Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

No doubt about it, Gargantis is a highly sea-worthy book. Filled with its quirks and oddities, the Eerie-on-the-Sea series is just what the middle grade fantasy genre needs. Instead of wizards and magic, you get sea monsters and tall tales and legends. So, batten down the hatches because this story brings you a whale of a time!

I’ll admit it – I would love to visit this crazy and peculiar town that Eerie-on-the Sea is. I want to smell the salt in the air and see Mrs. Kraken’s cameraluna in action or take a peek at Herbie Lemon’s Lost and Foundery cellar items dating 99.9 years back or consult the mermonkey for a book that is just perfect for me! I want to tell Mr. Mollusc at the Grand Nautilus Hotel that Herbie is here to stay and he needs to just get over it already. And I want to know where I can get fish and chips because reading this book really makes me want to go down to Seegol’s Diner and get some.

Gargantis is the second book in the Eerie-on-Sea middle grade series. It definitely doesn’t suffer from second book syndrome because I almost believe I might like it better than the first one, but it’s really a toss up because they are both terrific. Featuring Herbert Lemon, the Lost and Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, and his friend Violet Parma, together they face “Deep Hood,” monster storms, an electrical fishing boat with a windmill, an inescapable whirlpool, and a fun take off of the Millennium Falcon’s kessel run quote, and many more that I would mention, but don’t want to spoil anything.

The story begins when Mrs. Fossil finds “the greatest beachcombing treasure.” It was an ancient looking bottle with an inscription on it that uses old Eerie script. Although Mrs. Fossil found it, when Dr. Thalassi sees it he decides he wants it for the local museum instead. A bit of fuss ensues about who has rightful claim to it when it is decided that Herbie should be the ultimate decider of who gets to keep it. After all, it was a ‘found’ item and he is the official Lost and Founder. So Herbie and Violet take on the quest to learn more about it, which of course leads them into more and more danger.

All in all this is a terrific addition to the series and one I recommend to anyone looking for a fun sea-faring and sea-side adventure type story that has come through with flying colors.

I Loved Malamander, and this was a very worth sequel. Set in seaside village Eerie-on-sea our heroes have to deal with a massive storm and save the town from the Gargantis. Another perfect blend of atmosphere, folklore and unique people.


Eerie-on-sea has so much character. The people with their odd jobs and wonderful names as well as the quirky shops and restaurants they run make for a unique setting. In this book we see more interaction between the townspeople, and the fisherman have come to land as well because of the storm, bringing in another fun layer to the story.

The main characters Herbert and Violet are such a joy to follow as well. Their friendship is spot on, and the complement each other incredibly well. Violet throws herself into everything head first, while Herbert tends to be overcautious. By balancing these traits the author has created a very well paced plot with great moments of tension and real danger, but without the reader being annoyed by the 'stupid' things the characters do. Taylor doesn't dumb the story down for his audience, and the great level of intrigue, mystery and danger make it perfect for readers of all ages. Add to this wonderful writing that perfectly creates the haunting atmosphere, and you have the recipe for a book you cannot put down.

My only issues with the book was a reference to Disney princesses. I really cannot think of anything else that wasn't absolutely perfect. Seriously, do yourself a favour and pick this series up. I am so so intrigued for the third book.

This sequel to Malamander was absolutely fantastic. My son and I were so happy to return to Eerie-on-Sea and join Herbert and Violet on another adventure.

Gargantis is the second book in the Malamander series and I loved it as much as Malamander. Great for anyone looking for a middle grade with exciting mysteries, seaside town, legendary creatures, lost things and amazingly quirky characters.
Herbert Lemon the Lost and Founder of the Great Nautilus Hotel is a cinnamon roll and I love him with all my heart.
Herbert takes his job very seriously in finding the rightful ownership to lost things and finds himself getting into danger with his best friend Violet Parmer who is a brave, smart and bold girl.
The writing was amazing, making sure we can visualise everything, while making the characters and setting so unique.

Thank you Netgalley for approving me a copy.

Netgalley approved me for Gargantis, so I made the 2 books priority. I finished this last night, & OMG!! I loved it so much! I don’t know which one I like more, this one or the first book... maybe this one. That’s a big accomplishment for a second book in a series! Herbie still has my heart! Violet is still awesome of course..she’s so spunky, brave, & SMART! They face a whole new adventure this time & this story was so creative & so thought out. This authors brain is just amazing! Lol like the first one, the descriptions were so good! I could visualize everything perfectly. Loved seeing our MG cat Erwin again too.💜 I just love this whole town of characters, & even the hotel, the museum, & all the other little amazing shops. So unique and wonderful. Highly recommend! This book comes out on May 26th!

This is the second book in the Malamander series and I think I may have enjoyed it even more than book one. When Herbie and Violet get caught up in an argument of ownershop for an ancient bottle it leads them to an adventure far more dangerous than they ever thought. But is everything as it seems? It's up to the both to get to the bottom of it all before Eerie-on-Sea pays the ultimate price.

Herbie is such an amazing character, I find him completely endearing and get very protective when anybody picks on him. I worried for him a lot in this book and my heart broke for him when more about his past was revealed. Violet is a good contrast to him being more bold and loud than he is, though sometimes this is a front she puts on. The adventure and mystery aspect of this book was super enjoyable and I really liked the way things were revealed.

I highly recommend this book to adults and kids alike. A fun, engrossing story with wonderful illustrations throughout.

Still Eerie After All These Years

I very much enjoyed "Malamander", the first book in the "Legends of Eerie-on-Sea" series, and so was delighted to see this second volume coming out. I must admit I approached it with some trepidation. Could the author catch lightning in a bottle a second time? Well, at least for me, the answer is "Yes". (Indeed, without SPOILING the plot, our hero almost literally catches lightning in a bottle.) This book has the same odd quirky charm as the first. If pressed I might favor the first volume by a smidgen, but that's probably because the first book devoted considerable space to establishing the two main characters and introducing the major town locals. For me, those cast members are the heart and soul of the series and the main source of its appeal.

Anyway, we again get the resilient and imperturbable Herbert Lemon and his sidekick/instigator Violet Parmer. Again we have a mysterious ancient macguffin and lots of supernatural and fantastical shenanigans. All of our favorite supporting characters are front and center, and they are all in fine fettle.

These books do present something of a challenge. On the one hand we have Herbert and Vi, who are two of my favorite characters. Resourceful, good-humored, fiercely loyal, impetuous, and clever -- they make a great double act, with Herbert providing a bit of restraint on Violet, and Violet nudging Herbert along when he's too cautious. They come across as human and real, and are tremendously appealing. On the other hand, we have plots that are so far out there that they strain the patience of even favorably inclined readers such as myself. There are creatures out of legend, fantastical developments, cryptic clues, bits of magic, some odd steam punk, weird inventions, horrible villains, and so on. The best I can say on that score is that for some authors that sort of stuff usually comes into play because the author has written himself into a corner and can't get out without a magic sword or some such. At least here all of the weird elements serve a purpose, and in both books the very weirdest parts all come together in the very end to make a resolution that makes sense. With that the reader generally ends up forgiving the more outrageous excesses. And for younger readers I imagine that riotous plotting goes with the territory anyway.

So, another wild ride and ripping fantastical adventure, but still in the capable hands of two great kid characters. There are hints about a larger story arc involving Herbert Lemon's true identity, so I'll stay tuned for at least one more volume.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

ARC COpy...oh yeh! I was super excited to get the ARc for this since I enjoyed the first one after I discovered it in Europe! Just a not so normal day (that's saying something!) in Eerie as the stakes are higher with a much bigger monster as the central focus and...a bigger storm is brewing!

Gargantis is the second book in The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea series. Both books are the perfect kind of middle-grade read for anyone who enjoys seaside towns, mysterious parental disappearances, clockwork devices, and a grand hotel filled with quirky characters. This time around Herbert Lemon and Violet have to contend with an ominous storm raging over the town of Eerie-on-Sea and a legendary creature who might just be the reason behind the storm.

Herbert Lemon is the resident Lost-and Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, he's both diligent and duty-bound to match lost things to their owners. But this time things start out a bit different when a mysterious man comes to Herbert not looking for something he's lost but instead brings him something he's found. To be exact, a spiky, pearly white shell with a small hole, perhaps it's part of a necklace or maybe that small opening requires a key. Either way, the man as Herbert now refers to as "Deep Hood," suddenly disappears after leaving the shell in Herbie's care. After logging the item into his lost and foundery ledger, Herbert sets out to figure out just what the mysterious item is. Joining in his quest is his best friend Violet. Violet and Herbie first met when she climbed through Herbie's cellar window pleading for his help in the first book of the series. Since then they've bonded over the fact that both of their parents are missing.

As Herbert and Violet begin their sleuthing, there is a terrible storm raging over the town of Eerie-on-Sea. Legend says that it is caused by a monster called Gargantis who resides in a cave somewhere below the town. The monster was awakened when something very valuable was stolen from it. Then Mrs. Fossil is found all tied up in netting, holding a large fish-shaped bottle with a message written on it in Eerie Script. Everyone in town lays a claim to the fish-shaped bottle, but Herbie is tasked with deciding its fate. A very important task as what he is holding might be just the thing that Gargantis has been looking for.

I really adore this series. it's filled with quirky people and so far each book has featured some legendary monstrous creature, the Malmander and now Gargantis. I found the latest creature was way more creepy and absolutely loved it. Another thing I particularly enjoyed about this newest book was the additions of Blaze and his Uncle Squint Westerly. They're fisherfolk who are tied to Gargantis and Blaze is instrumental in helping Herbert to overcome one of his fears. Deep Hood or the man who declares he also has claims to the fish bottle was also a fun addition. The illustrations by Tom Booth really make him look creepy and sinister, just loved them. Violet is so adventurous and headstrong while Herbert is more of a thinker, somewhat timid. They compliment each other so well. I feel like there is still so much to learn about the disappearance of their parents, still so many unresolved questions that I was hoping to get answers to. There were a few more clues or hints as to what happened to them, but I'm really hoping to learn more about them in future adventures. Overall this is an exciting adventure filled with folklore and legends and wonderful characters. Be sure to not miss out on the lovely black and white illustrations by Tom Booth too.