Underlying all the fun is a gentle, unforced message about life’s interdependence. Human, animal, and mechanical characters (especially the charming hermit crab) are a winning assortment: enchanting or horrifying, quirky or droll, invariably original. Enticing mysteries remain to be solved…Evocative settings, ingenious plotting, sly humor, and shivery suspense render this sequel an unmitigated delight.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Fortunately, Herbert has several allies, notably pushy but clever Violet Parma and Clermit, a small but well-armed clockwork hermit crab, to help him quiet the monster but keep it alive. Said quest bears fruit, but only at the climax of a suspenseful narrative awash in old legends, secret codes, strange local characters, and hints of startling revelations to come.
—Booklist
Having already dealt with one legendary sea creature in Malamander (BCCB 9/19), Herbie Lemon and his pal Violet must now face another monster that threatens Eerie-on-Sea…Fans of the first will continue to delight in Taylor’s wry humor, and one can only hope for more strange adventures in Eerie-on-Sea.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
