Book Review: The Secret of White Stone Gate by Julia Nobel
The Details
Media Type: Ebook
Title: The Secret of White Stone Gate
*Series: Black Hollow Lane #2
Author: Julia Nobel
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Pages/Length: Hardcover; 304 pages
Release Date: March 3, 2020
Source: Netgalley
Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | Indiebound
In this exciting sequel to The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane, Emmy’s adventures continue as she deals with a sinister organization, a missing father, and secrets she’s not sure who to trust with.
After spending the summer at home, Emmy cannot wait to return to Wellsworth for the new school year and reunite with her best friends, Lola and Jack. Before she leaves Emmy receives a note from her father telling her to hide the remaining relics The Order of Black Hollow Lane are after—and to trust no one.
When Lola is framed for a serious crime she didn’t commit, Emmy knows that she and her friends are not safe. The Order wants Emmy to give up her father’s location… if she doesn’t, those she loves will pay the price.
Emmy and Jack need to figure out a way to clear Lola’s name without bending to the Order’s sinister demands. And Emmy needs to figure out who she can trust with her secrets before it’s too late.
The Review
I loved the first book in this series because of its dark and mysterious plot line. Emmy’s harrowing adventure in her first year at Wellsworth had me itching for more. It’s no secret that I love a good secret society, especially when there is a nefarious plot mixed in there. When I was finally able to get my hands on The Secret of White Stone Gate my excitement was palpable. So did it live up to my expectations? Oh yes, yes friends it did.
First off, Emmy was still the same intelligent and feisty young woman that I remembered from the first book. If she was a little more reserved, I understood that was only because the reality of her situation had hit her hard. This new Emmy was more street savvy, and so focused on protecting those around her that it made me heart hurt a little bit. Imagine being responsible for the safety of so many people at such a young age, and what a burden that would be. I knew that this book was likely going to be a bit darker than the first one was, and I was right.
The Secret of White Stone Gate excellently brings Emmy’s story further down the path to fully understanding who The Order of Black Hollow Lane is and what they truly want. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t go too far into detail, but it was very satisfying to finally get more information on Emmy’s father. There is the perfect amount of tension here to balance out the growth that Emmy makes as a person. Plus, as usual, Emmy’s best friends are there to back to her up no matter what dangers face them.
Long story short, this was a wonderful follow up to Julia Nobel’s first book. I genuinely hope that there is more coming, and that Emmy continues to be the type of heroine that I love. My reader heart eagerly awaits the chance to find out what happens next!
