Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Last #Disney review for today. That's sort of sad. But # Stuffed Into Darkness will make you smile. #Liz Braswell has written a fun novel. Centered around camp, friends and Monsters and Stuffiest. Are you curious yet.......
Thank you for the advance copy,
#Netgalley, #Liz Braswell, and # Disney Publishing Worldwide 💜🐾🐾

DNF @ 27%

I enjoyed the atmosphere of this book and I thought it was a cute idea but something about middle grade horror just isn't for me

I absolutely adored the first book in this series and was so excited to dive back into these characters lives. Their new adventure definitely did not disappoint. I enjoyed seeing how the Stuffies knowledge evolved over time as they learned more about the Monsters they were battling. Based on the ending I suspect there will be at least one more book in this series and I can't wait! I will be happy to handsell this to children that love their stuffed animals as much as I always have or any who simply love a good adventure story!

This is action-packed, funny, and a little frightening--a perfect combo for the adventurous middle grade reader. The world of Stuffies is one all kids can relate too, and so many adults (because who didn't have/still has their favorite Stuffy?).

A fun sequel to the first book about a boy and his friends who know that the stuffed animals you carry with you as child are what keeps the monsters away! Depending on what type of stuffy you have depends on the amount of points it gets when it comes to taking on a monster. :) Just a cute, fun read.

Stuffies vs Monsters? What's not to enjoy about this middle grade creepy-ish book? I do wish I had read the first book, but it wasn't a dealbreaker.

Who doesn't love a good Stuffie Vs Monster adventure? I will seriously pick up any story with stuffies. I find the whole thing delightfully creepy. Two thumbs up

Into Darkness is one of the first books I've read in a long while that is second in a series and neither explains its setup nor tries to re-introduce its cast.

And I really like it for that.

The plot jumps between two different points of view: that of the human child Clark and that of the stuffy warrior Foon. (Who I cannot stop picturing as my favorite raccoon plushie from my childhood, even though he's not exactly described that way. The nostalgia hits hard.) The creatures of the darkness are hatching a revenge plot against Foon for his deeds in the previous book, and while Clark doesn't know this directly, he does know there's something unsafe out there. He also knows that his stuffies provide protection, so he and his friends bring them along to summer camp, planning to ignore any teasing that might come up. But there's some tension between Clark and his friends, and interactions between the campers stress the friendship. This is largely the part where it's clear these kids have a past together, and there's still some unresolved friction from previous events. But rather than pause the action to explain everything, the story moves forward with the expectation that the reader will either catch up or do what most readers do who pick up a series in the middle--figure out that they should probably read the first book, well, first.

Meanwhile, Foon and his stuffy allies are trying to discover the source of the strange goings-on at camp. Some of the previous staff has been replaced, and stuffies seem to be confiscated with almost no reason at all. With a little creativity, they work to increase their numbers and Foon searches for a way to take the fight directly to his enemies rather than waiting for them to come to him.

Without spoiling too much, there's a few moments where the lines between good and evil get blurred a bit, which I really appreciated. The book also has a great sense of humor. Not over the top, but you can't ignore the level of seriousness with which the stuffed animals take their mission and the villain who takes destroying them just as seriously. There's just a fun, adventurous vibe to the story. Definitely recommended. And, yes, for anyone who is curious, I have purchased the first book and look forward to reading it.

When I first requested this book - it sounded really interesting - I didn't know it was part of a series. Not that surprising though, seeing as Liz typically writes series in general.

Well, first, I gotta talk the basics. Y'all know that because I didn't know it was a series, it was slightly confusing to understand. The author expected me to understand everything already. There was some re-introducing, but, meh, that was it. I had to figure out most of it by myself. And y'all know I don't like that.

As for the characters, I found 'em pretty unique and interesting. There were some unfunny jokes here and there, but it was okay, ya know? Tropes were decent. The story was somewhat disturbing, but Imma still love stuffed animals lol.

All in all, I think I'm just kinda upset that I didn't get it. The author definitely should have provided more summaries for the new readers, who didn't read the previous book.

I still like the book?? I think it's a cool idea, maybe just not my cup of tea. I need to check out the first book to know more, that's for sure :')

I have always been a fan of Liz Braswell's writing and this book is no exception to that. I have not read the first book in this series, but I feel that the author did a great job of catching you up on the important things that you need to know to not be lost in this book.

Clark is excited to go to camp I Can this year because he will actually have friend there unlike his previous years. He is looking forward to spending some quality time with those friends that are going and he is going to be inducted into the exclusive club that his friend C.L. always talks about. This club is one that knows all things about Monsters and stuffies.

Stuffies are our stuffed animals that we have to take with us everywhere. The ones that grandma's and mom's have made that have special meaning. I love that there are instructions to make your own Stuffy like in the book. I know that kids of all ages would love to be able to make a Stuffy like in a story they are reading to make it seem more real to them.

Clark and the other campers notice immediately upon arriving at camp that some things are off this year. Strange gooey stuff keeps showing up, the adults are all acting strange, the stuffies end up eventually going missing. Clark and the other campers can't quiet put their finger on what is going on. The food is horrible at camp this year and no one is eating it.

When Clark and a few of the other campers go on the hike that they have all been looking forward to, the weather send them seeking shelter in an old abandoned cabin they find. Little do they know that all of this has been orchestrated by the Monsters to get revenge on Foon. They plan on doing this by getting to Clark first. Will the Stuffies be able to block the revenge or will the Monsters prevail in their attack? You will have to read this one to find out! I think kids of all ages will get sucked into this battle and read until the very end. Very well written and planned out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. I can't wait for the next book in this series, as I am sure there is going to be!

Into Darkness was a fun middle grade adventure perfect for kids of all ages. Full of action, intrigue and adventure it's enough to keep any kid entertained.

This was a cute middle grade book. At first I didn’t know it was a series.
Clark is going to camp again and all their stuffies go missing.
I like how they include recipes and diy.
It was a cute entertaining book

On this episode of Everything is Canon, Steve talks to Liz Braswell all about her latest book, Stuffed: Into Darkness!

You might know Liz from her A Twisted Tale books, where this September she releases her seventh book in that series, What Once Was Mine, but she’s returned to the world of stuffies with Into Darkness which picks things up one year after the events in the first book, Stuffed.

Yes, Clark and Foon are both a year older, but are they wiser?

Stuffed is one of those series, while meant for kids, has a ton of crossover appeal as it explores themes that adults can certainly relate to, whether you’re looking for that fountain of youth or not.

Steve and Liz talk about all sorts of things including A Twisted Tale books, her personal history with stuffies, Stuffed: Into Darkness of course, and a whole lot more.

For the full interview with Liz Braswell, click the link below!

https://www.cinelinx.com/off-beat/shows/everything-is-canon-stuffed-into-darkness/

My teen and I had so much fun reading this one - there's just something about summer camp stories that make me feel so nostalgic, and this one has MONSTERS & STUFFIES - it was like a dream! I found this such a fun, whimsical story & would highly recommend it for any middle grade reader!

While I didn't realize until later that this one was part of a series, it was just fine as a stand-alone but I would have preferred reading the first one. Still, a cute story with a little bit of creepy, full of fun interactive elements like DIY camp activities that are sure to delight those in this age group!

Thank you to NetGalley + Disney-Hyperion for the eARC + finished copy to read and review with the opportunity to be a part of the book tour with Rockstar Book Tours!

honestly, i feel like Netgalley should have some sort of system where it tells you that it's the second book in the series, cause before i requested and even started reading it, i didn't know that it would be the second book in a series. but, i honestly felt with reading this book i just didn't have any clue what was happening, since i didn't read book 1. but, this book was honestly pretty cute, and i would have read the rest if i knew what was happening, especially since we even got to see the stuffies pov. with that being said, i do honestly feel like this would be the perfect middle grade series, if you read book one. but, thank you for an arc!

Into Darkness is a fun middle-grade novel about a boy whose stuffed animals come alive to protect him. This is the second book in the series and while I did not read the first, I found it easy to follow. The main story is about the kid going to camp and the stuffed animals basically going to war with some monsters to protect the kid. The main part of the story was good, I enjoyed reading about Clark and the camp but the stuffie side of the story was a bit drawn out. One thing I found super cool was the instructions on how to make your won Danger Mouse and the instructions for the badge patch. That was such a cool addition to the story. All in all, it is a really clever book.

Another one of my favorite authors, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

I requested this without realizing it was a sequel, however I think the book did a decent enough recap that I wasn't lost, just missed out on little inside things. It was still a cute read, and the book included DIY activities like making your own stuffed mouse!

I'm turning thirty-seven this year and I still keep, buy, name, sleep with, and talk to my plushies/stuffies/stuffed animals. When I was a kid, you better believe I thought they came to life while I slept, and I would make sure I said goodnight to every one of them and tucked in whichever ones were sleeping with me. So, this book resonated something nostalgically fierce with me.

Pros: Referenced *Maus* & elasmosaurus & axolotls, has positive message overall and lines/quotes throughout; good example from a Barbie being - "I suspect that if you're lucky and live long enough--you <i>never</i> stop making mistakes.....(L)ife is growth, Stuffy. Change is life. There is no such thing as perfection." No romance present (or, if there was, it was hella subtle), just friendships and love between kids and their toys. Also, a possible subtle trans Stuffy?

Con: Aahhh, no, the author used the falsely spread rumor about eating spiders in your sleep! Alas, everyone has mobile devices now to confirm that, so hopefully readers do their research?

Book ends with a set up for third installment.

By the Grace of the Velveteen!

I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS STORY!!!!!

As someone who has had stuffies since she was a baby, this book--though written for Middle Graders--spoke volumes to me.. The idea that stuffies are trained to fight monsters to keep kids safe as they learn to become brave themselves is so endearing!

My suggestion? Find your favorite teddy and thank them for all their years of loyal service and read this story to them. Appreciate them. By reading this amazing book, you'll understand why.