Thank you for this ARC! This was a great follow up to Watchers. I love A.M. Shine's writing style! Looking forward to more books from this author.

I love The Watchers. I have not seen the movie, but I've read the book several times. I was curious to see what's going on with Mina and it was a good update. The Watchers are everywhere, and it's terrifying. You don't know who to trust and everyone is a suspect. At the same time, Sean, the son of the professor from the first book, is continuing his father's work and doing a dig to try to find the origins of these creatures his father was obsessed with, and to try to find out what happened to his father.

Pros: Mina is still a strong character. She doesn't make the "final girl" dumb decisions. She really tries to save people and to warn the world, but what she's talking about seems so outlandish. You can feel her frustration. The ending was intense - I don't know if there will be another book (I would assume there will be) but I don't know how we'll get a resolution. I'm very curious.

Cons: Sean might be THE most unlikable man I've ever read. There is nothing good about him. He's disgusting. He thinks he's brilliant, he is pompous, he inserts himself into situations that don't concern him, he's gross about women and keeps hitting on women that show him no interest, he's jealous, and he's pretty dumb. He doesn't listen to warnings and is incredible self-serving. I mean this guy is the worst. I don't know if he was supposed to be written that way, but I hope so, because otherwise, the author does not know how to write a decent male character.

This pains me to say, but I didn't love this book like I expected to. (book 1 -The Watchers was a 5 star read for me.) Stay In The Light almost feels like an entirely different book with an entirely different vibe. It was such a slow burn, some parts felt unnecessarily long especially Seans POV, most of which felt like filler, I think a lot of Seans POV could have been cut back and made this book a little more fast paced.

What I loved so much about The Watchers was the edge of your seat mystery, the creepy atmosphere, tension, and just over all scary vibes and I think these were all missing from Stay in the light.

I thought the "big twist reveal" happened in a childish kind of way, it felt very scripted end of a Scooby Doo episode "let me spell it out for you step by step" way and this just made me roll my eyes.

The very end of the book took me by surprise, I really liked this part. I was originally going to give this 2.5 stars but the very end of this book bumped it up for me to a 3 star.

Am I still looking forward to and will I read book 3? yes. LOL. but also crossing my fingers that in book 3 Mina finally names the bird!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for sharing a digital copy, as always, opinions are my own.

Stay In The Light by A.M. Shine is the second in this horror series.  It may be the last.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Head of Zeus - Aries, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.



Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books)
A forest on the west coast of Ireland holds many secrets.  It's not on any map, but cars often break down on the edge.  Mina and others who ventured into it could not get out.  The "lucky" survivors stayed in a concrete bunker to escape the creatures in the area.  Lights come on at dusk and go off at daylight.  The doors are locked at night, but the residents are awake, and on display.  For at night, they are watched by something that screams.  Madeline tries to look after them.



My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Thanks to Madeline, Mina (and her parrot)  have escaped the forest.  Mina is staying at a secluded cottage on the coast.  She spends most of her time drinking, while trying to research the monsters in that forest on-line.  She keeps her eyes open for those monsters, and when a stranger appears she is wary.  Then the few people she has met start to disappear.  The problem is that no one believes her tale.

Ciara, who also escaped, is living in her own little world, sorely missing her husband, who disappeared in that forest.

Meanwhile, Sean Kilmartin is following his father's dream, and has drilled into a massive cavern.  His father had believed in the gods and fairies, and so does Sean.  He truly believes that these shapeshifters were real, and he thinks he has found where they hid.

 

My Opinions:
First....you must read The Watchers before attempting this book....as good as this book is, I truly believe you would be lost without reading the first one.  

This was another atmospheric horror tale, which continues off from the last book quite well (although a bit of a rehash or recap would have been good at the beginning).  I did feel it started fairly slowly, and while I understood Mina using alcohol to try to keep her mind from remembering the horrors, I didn't like it.  She was bright enough to realize that this would let her defenses down, so I don't think she would have drank so much.  It didn't feel right.

However, I loved Madeline, and I loved the overall plot.   I'm surprised Ciara lived this long.  The story continued building on Irish mythology and fairy tales.  Although it was easy to figure out Ash,  some of the other plot twists were a surprise.  Jennifer, for one.

So, between Mina's drinking, and the slow pace at the start, it wasn't the 5 stars the first book deserved, but this was still really good.  The author again ended it with a bit of a cliff-hanger (which I absolutely hate), but it does sound like there will be a third book, so I'm okay with that.

This was the perfect sequel to the watchers in my opinion.

Picking up right where we left off from book one, and adding in other POVs, the story builds from the professor’s original research, other cases of watcher sightings, and continued expeditions to find out where these creatures could be if they existed. All this is happening while Mina is still trying to survive the past memories in the forest, and the continued dread that the watchers will find her at any moment.

Filled with paranoia and suspense from all POVs, you’ll be flipping through the pages to find out who’s going to make it and who’s going to get ripped apart. I really enjoyed it from beginning to end!

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC!

What a fantastic follow up to The Watchers. The ending of the first book was such a gut punch that I couldn't imagine what a sequel would be like. I was very pleasantly surprised. Stay in the Light definitely has a different feel completely from The Watchers, in that we trade isolation for paranoia, and claustrophobia with agoraphobia, at least in my opinion. Truly the only complaint I have for this book is that it was over so fast, which may strike some readers negatively. I could easily see it being criticized for having a more transitional feel, because yes, there is a third book set up by the end.

Some of the eerie mystic feel of the first book is lost as the creatures are much more concrete. In my opinion, the more you see the monster, the less scary it is. However, having to try and decipher who was real and who was a Watcher definitely leaves you with uncanny valley vibes. More of that please!

I said I only had one real complaint, but I guess there's one and a half. We have part of the story told from the point of view of Kilmartin's son, whom I don't remember being mentioned at all in the first book, or even alluded to. Shine does a decent job at tidying this in the second book, but it still came off as just a wee bit fanfic-like. I know a lot of these stories have to do with duality, and you get it with Sean Kilmartin, but honestly, he could have been any other benefactor, and it would have been just as interesting.

We get to learn more about Kilmartin as a man and not just The Professor, so that was nice and only possible from his son's point of view since his wife is deceased. I would have liked to see more of he and his wife's life, there's so much mystery there, and as much as I'm chomping at the bit for another sequel, I think a prequel would be amazing.

Madeline is still my all-time favorite character from this series and I could read an entire book from her point of view, so it was nice to be in her head for a little bit of the story. That being said, everything with Sean Kilmartin was a nice vehicle for further understanding the lore of the changelings, but there were parts of it that felt rushed. This could have been two hundred more pages, and I would have gladly read every single one.

If you loved The Watchers for its mood and slow burn, then be ready for a much faster paced story with more action. Basically, if you liked The Creeper, you'll like this. And as always, every little drop of mythology and history we get from A.M. Shine is a treasure.

STAY IN THE LIGHT, by A.M. Shine, is the sequel to THE WATCHERS, and should be read AFTER that one in order to fully understand the premise.

While this novel takes place directly after the events of book one, I did find myself confused at times regarding certain characters in the beginning (simply having forgotten some of the previous events), and wish there had been a bit of a "recap" of some details--particularly concerning the Professor--in the beginning. However, those who have re-read, or read WATCHERS more recently likely won't have that issue.

In addition to Mina (and the "yellow one"), Madeline, and Ciara, the book focuses on Sean, son of the Professor who built the bunker in WATCHERS. Apparently, he knew nothing of his father's final days, but shared his passion for Changelings, and is about to dig up an entrance to what he believes may have been an underground "living place" for the species. This section was quite riveting in my opinion, as it really focused on the lore of the creatures, and fleshed out "what" they were--in theory, at least. I can't say that I "liked" any of the characters there, as they all were present for selfish reasons and seemingly cared little for anyone else's safety. However, that felt like the perfect way to characterize them.

In contrast, Mina and Ciara--living separately, but in contact daily--were unable to go back to "reality" truly after what they had been through. Knowing she was still being watched, Mina goes away in the hopes of finding peace, but things are really amping up with the Watchers.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this novel. The fast pacing kept me wanting to read more, and my initial confusion was swept away by the ongoing events. I will say that this felt like a "middle" book, and by the ending, I would be very surprised if the author doesn't have a book 3 planned out. (Which I would absolutely buy!)

Recommended.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance eCopy of this book. All opinions are my own.*

I loved The Watchers and was stoked for this sequel but also a bit apprehensive because sequels (as we all know) are fairly hit or miss. I also haven’t seen the film version yet, simply because I have a tendency to dislike film/tv adaptions unless a good bit of time has passed and I’ve forgotten the plot entirely.

Luckily, Stay in the Light delivers. We have some of the same characters from The Watchers, Mina, Ciara and Madeline are featured and some new players inserted. Sean Kilmartin is one of the new characters who is hellbent at proving his father’s lifelong research into changelings was not all for naught. He decides drilling into a hidden chamber deep in the Earth is her best course of action. Things don’t go quite as he planned. This storyline gives off vibes of one of my favorite horror genres which is CAVES. The Descent and As Above, So Below are two of my most well loved horror films, so the cave storyline was hair raising in the best way. Literal nightmare fuel.

Some complain the book starts off a bit slow but I didn’t find it that way. We’re not given much time before things get wonky and the parallel timelines make for a really solid buildup into the third act.

The third act goes hard. There definitely appears to be a third coming in the series and I’m looking forward to it. We’re definitely heading into apocalyptic horror and that’s another fun genre for me. I can’t wait to read more from Shine in the future.

Tense and suspenseful, this one grabbed hold of me at the start and didn't let go. I enjoyed this book more than the first book in the series, The Watchers, and from the ending, I get the sense that there will be another book. I enjoyed spending time in Mina's POV again as her battered character struggles to survive in a world where The Watchers are all around and searching for her. The audiobook narrated by Jacqueline Milne was so captivating. Fans of horror, especially creature horror, would enjoy this series. Thank you Bloomsbury US for the advanced ebook, and thank you libro.fm for the advanced audiobook.

It has been three years or so since I first read A.M. Shine’s The Watchers and while I remember enjoying it at first I couldn’t remember the specifics (and I’ve yet to get a chance to see the movie version), but once I started reading Stay in the Light it all came rushing back to me. Now if you haven’t read The Watchers, stop now and do that first as Stay in the Light picks up where that one ends. Some may disagree (and I honestly can understand their point of view) but for me I think I liked this one a little more than the original. After the events of the first book, Mina dealing with coming back society, the trauma, was it all even real? And what is happening now? Sorry if I’m being vague, but I really don’t want to include spoilers. This is an intense, atmospheric, and very unique horror novel. I’m hoping there will be a third book in the series, and if so that the wait for it won’t be long. I’d like to thank Bloomsbury USA | Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Stay in the Light.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RJ6TW2UFM0VND/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Stay in the Light, the chilling sequel to The Watchers, by A.M. Shine, is a follow-up book that builds on the terror and suspense of the first novel. The story continues to explore the horrifying consequences of straying into the shadows. Shine’s masterful pacing and atmospheric writing create a relentless tension that keeps readers on edge. However, I did like the first book better. Thank you to A.M Shine, Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA for this ARC.

Really enjoyed The Watchers and was excited when the second book was announced, maybe I went with high expectations but I felt this one added pretty much nothing to the story.
The only thing that peaked my interest was when we learned a little more backstory about the Watchers (about 80% into the book) and the ending was interesting, it definitely build some excitement for book 3.
I’m hoping the next book is more like book 1, looking forward to it.
Like always, this is just my opinion and if the story interests you please go ahead and give it a try!

3.25 Stars

I had high hopes for the follow-up to “The Watchers,” which was easily a 5-star read.

The narrative picks up shortly after the ending of book one.
Mina is isolated and hiding, fearing the changelings will continue coming for her.

Unbeknownst to her, Kilmartian has a son eagerly working on a secret project to further his father's work.

I honestly felt very neutral about this book. Before I read it, I knew I didn’t think it was necessary, but I was inquisitive to see the direction the story would take. And it was fine, but not really my preference.

The tone is shifting into more of an action-packed creature feature, whereas the first in the series is quietly unsettling and mysterious. “Stay in the Light” is a bit slow and transitional. I felt like the entire book was setting up a very different kind of story than the one I loved.

I will still be checking out the final(?) installment, but I unfortunately can't say I loved this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up!

first things first — you absolutely *have* to read the watchers (the first book in this excellent series) before you get anywhere near this one. stay in the light picks up right where the watchers ends, so there's no time to waste. you need the background information to proceed.

now, allow me to say that i whole-heartedly loved this story. it utilizes much of the same creeping dread as the first book, but manages to build it into something new and somehow just as good. where the first book worked well in ambiguity, this one excels with offering more lore and exposition to anchor yourself to. between the beautiful prose, irish folklore, and atmospheric thrills, i was fully immersed throughout. we get some complex new characters while still paying plenty of attention to our old favorites (i'm looking at you, yellow one 🐤).

my only complaint? i wish this book was a hundred pages longer!! the ending feels correct, but also over much too soon. i hope there's another sequel on the way. i have a feeling we're not done here yet.
 
thanks to head of zeus for the digital copy of this book on net galley in exchange for an honest review!

I'll be the odd one out who found this .....I missed both the first book and the movie and that no doubt contributed to my difficulty becoming engaged with either the characters or the plot. I may have DNF but I'm certain there is a wide and enthusiastic audience for this.

I had read The Watchers and absolutely loved it, so I was very curious to read this one! 🤔

To be honest, I think The Watchers might have been better off as a standalone, as it really was THAT good, but this one did have some good creepy moments that I enjoyed!! 🙌

Thank you to NetGalley, Head of Zeus, and A.M. Shine for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC

3.5⭐️

While this sequel felt unnecessary for me, it was still interesting to dive deeper into the lore of the Watchers. I will say that this felt like a middle book. I hope there's a book 3 to wrap up the story.

Great read! I’ve loved every book that I have read from this author. This was dark and really captivated me. Prefect for spooky season.

This is pretty different from the first book, which I enjoyed. It’s not contained to one mysterious location this time. Mina is pretty smart for the most part, but does make a couple of frustrating mistakes. (If you knew the truth about The Watchers, would you really expect people in authority to believe your story? Mina apparently does.) The overall premise of this sequel was not as interesting to me. Since we now essentially know what we're dealing with, the suspense isn't as strong. However, the parts of the story involving the creatures were good. Creepy, suspenseful and frightening. Those were by far the best scenes. The problem was, there weren't enough of them.

The writing itself was dense and a bit tough to follow. It felt like it was written specifically to sound good when read aloud, like the focus was mainly on how nicely the audiobook would flow. There were quite a few times that I had to go back and read a few sentences more than once because I didn’t quite understand what I just read. Shine also did something repeatedly that annoyed me just like it did in the first installment, formatting sentences like this: “Flanagan was seen to grin.” Why write like this? Just say that he grinned.

But, aside from the effective parts with the creatures themselves, I was also somewhat invested in Sean's storyline even if it was a bit weighed down by exposition in places. I also appreciated getting more insight into Madeline, and there were good details there. (Her appreciation for free water, the story behind her appearance, etc.) She's an interesting and complex character, and her interactions with everyone else were great, too.

I like pretty much anything that involves doppelgangers or a being that can shapeshift/mimic someone's appearance, so the concept of The Watchers is very cool to me. I think this story went a little TOO deep into their backstory, though, if you can believe it. Sometimes I like a monster more when I know less about it. The third act suffered a little bit from Villain monologuing, as well, which always bothers me and lessens the impact of a good reveal.

I guessed part of the ending but there were some nice surprises that I wasn't expecting. I'll probably read part 3 just to see what happens. (Yes, there was set-up for another one!)

One request, though. I am BEGGING you, Mina: Just give your damn parrot an actual name. I can't read "The Yellow One" again. If you're going to lug a giant cage with you everywhere you owe it to him to give him a moniker.

3.5 Stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.