I absolutely adore this series and the second book was another cute and cozy adventure! I loved watching Eve and Vlad and Lyla all grow as characters. Parsnip the scarecrow dog was an absolute joy to the story. This was a good second book in the series and was as much fun as the first book and just as action and magic packed. There were some twists I wasn't expecting as well! I really hope there will be more books in the Hollowell world as I enjoy Eve and The Pumpkin King's adventures so very much!

The Pumpkin Princess And The Buried Castle by @stevenbanbury

I am SO THRILLED I got to read this early on Netgalley! Eve and Lyla and Vlad and everyone else in Hallowell are forever cemented in my mind as favorite characters. I love this world so much! This story started where book 1 left off and WOW! There was so much action, so many secrets being uncovered and figured out, and I was shocked at the ending reveal! These stories are full of villains, flawed good guys, and heartwarming moments. I LOVE THE SETTING(s). We get a harvesty farm, a vampire castle, a cute little town, creepy woods, and something lurking in a flooded swampy area. 👀 I can’t recommend this series enough! I’m so excited to read anything else in this world or anything else Steven writes! These are middle grade books but they’re so enthralling and grown up feeling. If you still haven’t picked up a middle grade book as an adult, you are missing out on some seriously good writing and addicting stories. I felt so transported to this world as I was reading it and I can’t say enough good things. I can’t wait to have the book in my hands! These covers are absolutely stunning! 😍

Thank you @netgalley @littlebrownyoungreaders for the arc!
Pub date: 9/2/2025

I adored the first book in the series and I was so, so excited to get my hands on the second book. This story picks up with Eve who is living life as the Pumpkin Princess with her adoptive father the Pumpkin King in Hallowell, the land of the undead. Since the events of the last book, Eve has discovered that there has been some effects of her transfusion giving her strange new powers. While trying to master these new powers, Eve and her friends Lyla and Vlad must deal with a new enemy that threatens all of the residents of Hallowell.

While this one has a bit of a slow start, the second half of the book totally delivered and I loved being back in the world of Eve and her Pumpkin King dad along with the adorable scarecrows. It has all of the magic, charm, and found family that I loved from the first book. The higher stakes added a new dimension to the story with a big reveal I did not see coming. I can’t wait for the next book in this delightful series! Recommend if you love Halloweentown, charming middle grade, and stories of found family.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this early arc! All opinions are my own.

What a gorgeous Halloween-themed book! (says this October child)

I read the first book--The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night--awhile back and fell in love with the magical land of Hallowell. Some fantasy lands get very annoying with their lame features. However,

Hallowell charms with its details, especially during the Harvest Festival and Halloween, such as the little spirits that chased the children down the path and then exploded into mist and sweets.

I loved reading about what a good dad that the Pumpkin King was becoming, and how Eve was learning to be a good daughter. Really, the whole book was a delight and I'm fervently wishing for a third book.

This is a sequel and it is just as delightful and fun as the first. I loved the continuation of the story. Eve is a great character making tough decisions. A definite must for middle grade readers.

Truly a stunning addition to The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night. Banbury continues creating a world of idyllic Halloween in which anything is possible. The character relationships are strong as ever, and we see them expanded on throughout the book. Several questions from the last book are answered in ways that allow Eve to show her strengths in facing her trauma, and even go as far as to explain some of it. Fan favorites, such as Scrags and Ellie, return alongside new wholesome friends. This continuation of the Pumpkin Princess series focuses less on familial relationships and more on Eve's friendships than the last book, but it is a cozy read nonetheless. Absolute marvelous job that could not be done by anyone other than Mr. Banbury himself.

HEAVILY recommend for teachers who want some adoption representation in their bookshelf.