Secret of the Reaping (The Vanquishers #2)

by Kalynn Bayron (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Vanquishers

The Vanquishers are back and ready to defend their town against the undead in this spooky middle grade from New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron.

Boog and her best friends, Cedrick, Jules, and Aaron--aka the Squad--stick together, no matter what. Now that vampires are back, they'll need to take their Vanquisher lessons more seriously than ever. But who is behind this return of the undead?

When strange disappearances keep happening across their community and the Department of Vampire Affairs not-so-subtly warns Boog's mom to keep quiet about vampires returning, it looks like uncovering the truth won't be so easy. The Squad is eager to kick some undead butt, but will they be able to convince their parents they are ready to fight alongside the Vanquishers?

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Kirkus

A riveting follow-up that will delight readers.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8--This second installment in Bayron's "Vanquishers" series picks up where the first book left off. Boog and her friends Cedrick and Jules are now taking classes in Vanquishers history from Mr. Rupert, who doesn't seem any less grumpy, even though his role in the Vanquishers is out in the open now. Their tight-knit community in San Antonio is rallying around Aaron and his mom, and nightly vampire-prevention measures are taken to make sure all the families on their street will stay safe now that vampires are active again. As in the first novel, the heart of this story is the relationships among Boog and her friends, and the intergenerational support system of their parents who were once Vanquishers. The first half of the book is a little slow, with musings about what is going on from Boog and her group, largely kept in the dark by the adults. Just when readers may start to despair over all the secrecy, the action ramps up, with a final reveal that will leave tweens thirsty for the next book. All main characters are coded Black and Latinx. Jules uses they/them pronouns and Cedrick has two dads. VERDICT A solid follow-up that will keep readers invested in this exciting series.--Dana West

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"A sharp vampire tale full of bite, heart, and humor that's sure to please any 'thirsty' reader. The undead don't stand a chance with Malika 'Boog' Wilson and her friends on the case." —Rena Barron, author of the Maya and the Rising Dark series, on THE VANQUISHERS

"A heart-pounding and hilarious reimagining of classic vampire mythology. Boog and her friends will capture your heart in an instant. You'll cry, laugh, and ache in this stunning, unique adventure. I'm ready to become a Vanquisher!" —Mark Oshiro, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of THE SUN AND THE STAR, on THE VANQUISHERS

"Combining mythology and science to produce a fresh take on modern vampire lore, Bayron erects a fantastical San Antonio that is as chock-full of personality as each of the story's characters. Pithy dialogue and sensational description make this a speedy, eerie read." —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on THE VANQUISHERS

Kalynn Bayron

Kalynn Bayron is the author of young adult novels Cinderella Is Dead, This Poison Heart, and This Wicked Fate, and is a classically trained vocalist. She grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. When she's not writing you can find her listening to Ella Fitzgerald on loop, attending the theater, watching scary movies, and spending time with her kids. She currently lives in Ithaca, New York with her family.

www.kalynnbayron.com
@KalynnBayron

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781547611577
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publication date
October 10, 2023
Series
Vanquishers
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV058000 - Juvenile Fiction | Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Schools
Friendship in children
Paranormal fiction
Vampires
Middle schools
Novels
Vampire fiction

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