The second book of The Doomsday Archives series focuses on Hazel, the rational scientist of the trio of kids who have taken on the duty of protecting New Rotterdam from a sinister arcane cabal. Hazel possesses the Magnus Crown, a relic that gives her the potential to transmute objects, an ancient practice known as alchemy. She has not had any luck getting it to work, and circumstances have driven her to the point of desperation. There’s a new threat, a being who kills under the guise of giving its victims exactly what they want, and Hazel is the next target. Can the friends work together to stop the latest evil threat, before it exacts a very personal price?

The Doomsday Archives once again captures the scary and Gothic feel that manages to be kid-friendly, but also captivating for older readers who enjoy classic horror motifs. It is genuinely scary in parts, with very creepy imagery. The inclusion of wiki articles for a website involving paranormal events in New Rotterdam is ingenious. It tackles very real life issues for kids, such as having parents who have to work overtime just to make ends meet, and the helplessness of being a child and unable to financially pitch in, how it feels to be the poor kid, and even developing potential romantic feelings for the first time. In this book, these kids face some serious jeopardy, and while it’s not overtly gory, the subject matter does not shy away from getting gruesome. Although it feels a little short, and the pacing at the end was somewhat rushed, The Heart-Stealer Mask lives up to the potential of the first book, The Wandering Hour.

4.5 stars

The Doomsday Archives: The Heart-Stealer Mask is a creepy MG novel. The story is interesting and the characters are relatable. The characters deal with problems that kids deal with today. It's a real page turner that is hard to put down once you start reading. Any horror fan will enjoy reading this book.

Thank you so much to Zando and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

The second book in the Doomsday Archives series, this time the story follows Hazel as she struggles with her self, the difficulties in her life, not getting all that her friends get and being unable to channel her charm. All whilst more Supernatural beings haunt the town of New Rotterdam.

These are always so much fun and so creepy, so many monsters, ghosts and more supernatural beings lurk in this small town. With wiki pages throughout that give you an insight to other beings in this town. I also love that our three protagonists are now learning so much about all the world’s relics, what they do, how they work. They have a big responsibility to protect them.

Hazel is really struggling within this story, her family life has changed and though her friends can afford to do fun things she knows financially that she can’t. Which makes her embarrassed as she cannot go to the convention as easily as her friends could, she has to figure things out herself as she can’t just ask for the help.

The monsters are always so creepy, built up by urban legends and myths, all backed up with the wiki pages. This time was a mimic who lures his prey in with his illusions of the things their hearts desire most. Truly creepy, the way these monsters are all created are truly amazing, you are so drawn into them and love figuring it all out with the friends.

Another great book in the doomsday series, if you like all things horror, supernatural, creepy and weird and also love a great friendship group, who have to care for all the magical relics of the world then this series is for you. It’s written so well and it really draws you in right from the start.

Another hit from The Doomsday Archives series. These characters are so lovable and relatable. I think there’s wonderful discussions being had with each of them. In The Wandering Hour, we see Emrys struggling with his ADHD and anxiety, something that you didn’t used to see in middle grade fiction. In The Heart-Stealer Mask, we see Hazel, the second member of our dynamic three, struggling with a sense of shame that comes from having less than her friends while also grappling with this mindset that she has to do everything on her own and not ask for help. The character development in this series has been wonderful to see.
Beyond the characters though, the monsters these authors come up with are truly frightening. This book deals with a mimic whose illusions and lures are reminiscent of an angler fish and its lure. I loved it. I also love the wiki entries for all the other New Rotterdam legends. It really helps give us a full picture of this creepy little town while being fun and interesting instead of info dumpy and dry. It takes me back to the days of the creepypasta wiki haha