*I got this book for review from the publisher*

I thought this was adorable sequel to the first book in this series. It was a very different type of book. I loved how it was a very different type of book than the first book but still connected back. I liked how this book really took Herbie out his comfort zone alot. I like how this book had a fun mystery at its heart with new fun creature. I also liked how we learned more about herbie past. I also liked the new characters that we got to meet. It was super fast pace story and I am really excited for book 3. ( )

*I got this book for review from the publisher*

I thought this was adorable sequel to the first book in this series. It was a very different type of book. I loved how it was a very different type of book than the first book but still connected back. I liked how this book really took Herbie out his comfort zone alot. I like how this book had a fun mystery at its heart with new fun creature. I also liked how we learned more about herbie past. I also liked the new characters that we got to meet. It was super fast pace story and I am really excited for book 3. ( )

I loved Malamander....so had to continue reading this magical middle grade series! Gargantis continues the legend of Eerie-on-Sea, with the awesome quirky characters from the first book! Eerie-on-Sea is a magical place....a place where folklore and legends are part of every day life. Herbie Lemon is at the Grand Nautilus Hotel where he takes pride in being the resident Lost and Founder. Herbie finds things....and keeps them in his Lost & Foundery until claimed. He's joined by his friend Violet in this newest adventure. Something has awoken an ancient, legendary creature -- the Gargantis. The creature seeks its stolen treasure. If anyone can find out who took the treasure and figure out the mystery, it's Herbie and Violet!!

Another magical story in this series! The town, its inhabitants, and its folklore are quirky and wonderful! This tale is just as entertaining and fun as Malamander! The books are written for middle grade children....but as an adult, I love them too! I'm definitely eagerly awaiting the next book!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Candlewick Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

The continuing adventures of Herbert Lemon and Violet Parma in the seaside town of Eerie-on-Sea.

This is a strong sequel that is as much fun to read as the first one. The town was still as quirky, and still oddly real feeling and the characters are still fun and while I missed some of the characters we spent more time with n the first book, the new cast introduced were an interesting addition and helps flesh out the town even more.
The "monster" this time round, the Gargantis, was fascinating if not as fleshed out and a bit more OP mystical feeling than the Malamander, but it works with the overall magical feeling of the town as a whole.

I had a few more problems with the story this time around than I did with the first one. One may be a factor of my age instead of being an actual problem...this problem was a group of adults who were a bit more willing to bring harm to the children characters for what felt like very poorly set up reasons and adults who did care about them...not looking out for them at all. I know in books like these children at risk and clueless adults are built into the fabric of the genre, it just really bothered me this time around.
Another of my issues was the inclusion of a pop culture reference. It was very jarring and felt out of place for the tone of the book and the timeless feeling the town usually has. I doubt it would bother younger readers, I found it took me out of the story for a few minutes.
My last issue is...Violet and how disrespectful she was to Herbert. I did not like her in this book at all every time she tricked or lied to Herbert, to force him to do things her way despite how he felt about it, or if he was ready for it, I wanted to throw the book against the nearest wall. And the fact that she was rewarded for this at the end instead of being called out for it, angered me at times.
I know I'm taking this way too seriously, but children need to know they have agency, they can say no and that will be respected by the people who say they care about them....deep sigh here. I am letting go...

Getting back to the story. I enjoyed the new mystery, I enjoyed the outcome and felt the build-up to the ending was handled well and was the right amount of exciting, and my issues from above notwithstanding, I did have a lot of fun reading this book and look forward to more adventures with these characters, I just hope they don't continue down this path with Violet because she clearly triggered something deep within me. I really love Eerie-on-Sea and Herbert and want to spend more time with them. ( )

Gargantis is the sequel to Malamandar, the first of the Legends-of-Eerie-on-Sea books. I'd enjoyed Malamandar so much that I was very happy to also win an advance copy of book two through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. The book did not disappoint. ( )