An average sequel, it was entertaining if nothing else. Shine expertly creates a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, filled with dread and suspense. The novel's pacing is brisk and it kept my attention throughout, though while I appreciated a return to Mina, I would have liked to see a little more outside of her. That said, this book answered many of the questions raised in the first one, and was overall a solid addition to this series. I am looking forward to #3!

I adored The Watchers, and so was very excited to see that there is a sequel out there. We're back with Mina, this time in a setting that isn't as fixed as the one in the first book was. I really loved the description of the sleepy little seaside town, the harsh Burren and the other settings that we travelled to. I especially loved the depiction of the cave/tomb/prison, unearthed by Sean Kilmartin. I would have loved to have even more of the book taking place in it because it was so gorgeously creepy and left me feeling really unsettled. It took about 40% into the book for the plot to really get going and also for some of my memories of the previous book to come flooding back. I am very excited about the way this author left the ending somewhat open... I can practically taste the third book! Very excited.

This sequel is amazing. It's even better than the first book, which was excellent. The Watchers is one of my favourite horror novels of all time, and this is a worthy follow up. Equally disturbing and atmospheric, it's a triumph of style and substance.

Stay in the Light - 4.5 Stars!

After The Watchers I was so curious to see how this book would unfold. I had no idea how the story would be anywhere near as good as the first one but A.M Shine nailed it!!

I don't think I've ever been as stressed reading a book as I was while reading this one. It was sooo creepy and had me holding my breath in so many moments.

I didn't expect the character of Sean and initially I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy his storyline as much as Mina's but it was so good!!

The first 20% of the book was a bit slow, I found that I had to push myself through it a bit. It was however well worth it.

Highly recommend this book!! I hope they turn this one into a movie too!

Mina may have managed to escape from the Watchers, but in her mind she's still not free in this spooky follow-up to Shine's 2022 novel.

This second book delves much deeper into some of the folkloric origins of the creepy creatures from the original book. There are plenty of genuinely creepy and scary moments, but it feels less tightly plotted. The first book was largely confined to the one horrifying location, while this book jumps around from place to place, and is a little worse off for it.

I did find the sections dedicated to the exploration of a hidden underground tunnel system in the Burren more compelling, again I think because the location and the sense of dread it invokes are as much a factor in the spookiness as the actual unsettling Watchers themselves. There was a strong edge of your seat effect, caused by knowing exactly what horror the expedition was unknowingly getting itself into.

Mina's story was definitely the weaker of the two interwoven tales, and it felt like it bounced around in a way that felt silly at times rather than scary.

Having said all that, I think the ending is probably enough of a hook that I'm likely going to read the next installment anyway, whenever that comes out.

Coming from Wales which has such a strong history of Celtic folklore and ‘chwedlau’ (folktales), I have always had a soft spot for stories that draw upon elements of Celtic myths and legends.

I absolutely loved The Watchers and was so excited to discover that the sequel, Stay In The Light, carries on directly from where the first book ended. It’s such a creepy concept, and that comes across even more in this second book as the ‘watchers’ have learned to imitate humans so well that they have been able to integrate with society. Mina in particular is terrified that literally anyone could be a changeling and her struggles only get worse when she finds out that Professor Kilmartin’s son seems intent on finishing his father’s work and proving his theories.

I thought that the scenes at the archaeological dig, The Burren, were really effective. The dark and claustrophobic atmosphere really allows your imagination to run wild and eerie underground tombs are the perfect setting for a book to read over the spooky season.

With strong returning characters and mix of horror, fantasy, lore and science-fiction, Stay In The Light is the perfect example of how to tackle a sequel. By adding Sean in as another main character and expanding the Irish mythology, the story felt both familiar and fresh at the same time. The author also really upped the pace at the end leading to an incredibly dramatic cliffhanger! At least this opens up the possibility for a third book which I have very high expectations for!

This was such a good sequel! I felt just as captivated with this as I did The Watchers, it really built up the tension and kept me hooked, looking likely for a 3rd book and I cannot wait.

ay in the Light by A.M. Shine, a book review by Jim McLeod

A.M. Shine first exploded onto my radar with his second novel of sheer Irish-based terror, The Creeper. I was so impressed by the story’s originality and the bone-chilling imagery that I had to check out his debut novel, The Watchers, which has recently been turned into a Hollywood movie.

The Watchers is a disturbing and claustrophobic horror novel that uses Irish myth and folklore as the basis for the narrative.
It is a highly effective debut novel that perfectly showcases the talents of an excellent and gifted writer. I was over the moon when I discovered there would be a sequel and possibly a third entry (more about that later) in this series of books.

Stay in the Light by A.M. is a direct sequel to The Watchers; fresh from escaping the mysterious “cabin” in the woods and her terrifying ordeal with the mysterious Watchers, Mina finds her life in ruins.

Physically, mentally, and emotionally battered and bruised by the events in the first novel, Mina retreats to a secluded cottage on the west coast of Ireland. However, any sense of relief and hope that she has found by becoming all but a hermit is short-lived as she once again encounters the dark and sinister forces that haunted her past. Where she always follows the rules, I mean, who wouldn’t? We all know that rules are the most important when dealing with Celtic creatures. Mina once again finds herself in a battle for her life as The Watchers come crashing back into her fragile, peaceful world.

Stay in the Light fundamentally differs from The Watchers’s narrative style. Shifting from being a claustrophobic horror thriller to a more psychological horror was a clever move by Shine. I’m not a huge fan of sequels, and I firmly believe that most horror franchises never need more than two sequels. And more importantly, they should never be a rehash of what came before. They should build and expand on the previous instalments. So, by shifting the narrative tone from a claustrophobic siege mentality horror novel to a more introspective psychological horror, the novel’s first act was a much-welcomed change of pace.

Shine persuasively uses the first act to deliver a heartbreaking look at Mina’s descent into near madness.
Did the events of The Watchers really happen, or was it all a figment of Mina’s warped psyche? Of course, we, the readers, know all too well what the truth is. However, seeing a novel tackle the events and fallout of someone being caught up in a horror story was refreshing. It is something you rarely see in a horror story—witnessing the consequences of a character and their struggles to cope with life after such traumatic events was a welcome addition to the narrative.

With the arrival of Sean, a mysterious archaeologist with an unhealthy obsession with the Watchers, the narrative style takes a quantum shift in style. Shifting to a more standard horror novel style. The dual narrative threads of Mina and Sean’s stories merge seamlessly to provide an utterly gripping tale. Yes, Sean’s story sometimes needs a slight info dump problem. Still, overall, you can overlook this as the revelations offered here are brillaint and add a believable sense of mythology to the story. I hope you paid attention to The Watchers, as Sean is the son of one of the key characters in the previous novel.

One of Stay in the Light’s many strengths is Shine’s handling of the Watchers.
It would have been easy to portray them as purely evil creatures, but Shine takes a different approach. He delves into the old stories of Celtic lore and presents the Watchers as ambiguous in their motivations and desires. This ambiguity adds a layer of intrigue and curiosity to the story, making it even more compelling.

Stay in the Light is a testament to Shine’s growth as a writer. His writing style has evolved with each of his three novels, and it’s particularly evident in this book. His ability to build tension through vivid descriptions has reached a masterful level. Filled with the same ‘Oh my God’ moments that made The Creeper such a compelling horror novel. You’ll need to put the book down so you can caress your jaw after yet another jaw-dropping passage.

Stay in the Light by A.M. Shine is a gripping and masterfully written sequel that delves deeper into the world of Celtic lore, delivering a magnificently terrifying reading experience.

The second book in The Watchers series expands the world and folklore of the first, answering questions readers were left with and continuing a saga of action and survival.

I’m so glad we get to find out more about these characters, from how they get by after almost losing their lives trapped in the woods, to how they try to protect others from the changelings trying to masquerade as people.

There are fast-paced scenes, introspective scenes, and creepy, extremely claustrophobic scenes dripping with atmosphere. The writing style is clever and engrossing, each POV is interesting (even if you do want to scream at Sean for making every horror movie faux pas) and the fantastical aspects are eerily believable, woven through with scientific explanations and realistic human responses.

If you enjoyed the Irish literary horror of The Watchers (which you do need to read first) then I highly recommend it. I for one am eager for more of the story, and hope there will be a book three soon.

4.5 Stars!!

“You may have escaped… but you’ll never be free.”

This is the sequel to The Watchers. I had just finished reading The Watchers and its ending made me so anxious to start this one and boy did it capture my attention. I read it in a day and could not put it down!

There was lots of tension and it answers all the questions that the first book leaves you with. I felt this one was more thriller than horror, but still has the perfect amount of creepiness. Personally that made me enjoy it more as I enjoy creepy thriller more so than horror. I also found it to be a lot faster paced too.

I would say this shouldn’t be read as a stand-alone and you need to read The Watchers first. It also seems it ends to set itself up for a third book- so excited for that!

If you liked The Watchers, then you definitely need to pick this one up!🖤

The author approaches stories in a unique and chilling way. Captivating and creepy. This sequel is equally as cinematic as the first book. Slowly builds up to a chilling crescendo.

I enjoyed the first book The Watcher however found this sequel to be more science fiction based and didn't enjoy that. I did not finish the book .

A.M Shine is back with the sequel to The Watchers… and what a way to continue the story!

Make sure to read The Watchers first and there will be a few small spoilers in this review so you’ve been warned.

The Watchers are creepier, more sinister and more violent than when we first met them and Shine amps up the action, the tension and the general gruesomeness in Stay in the Light.

Mina, Ciara, Madeline and the yellow one survived their encounter with the Watchers but they live in a constant state of fear, always looking over their shoulders suspecting that anyone they meet could be a changeling. Mina is suffering the most, spiralling into alcoholism after running away from her life in Galway city. When she hears about an archaeological dig taking place in the Burren, orchestrated by the son of Professor David Kilmartin, she’s determined to try to stop anyone else suffering at the hands of the Watchers.

In this fast-paced multiple point of view story, Shine excels at ensuring the reader is kept suitably apprehensive about what is on the next page. The Irishness of the book has been dialled up a notch and it really works for the story. The focus on the Burren and the archaeological dig that takes place there is a genius move as it’s a site imbued with an other worldly quality – it’s barren, terrifying to be there at night time, so the perfect setting to add to the tension and eeriness in the story.

I loved seeing the development of the main characters from the first book as well as the introduction of Sean Kilmartin and his crew. The generational obsession with the Watchers and the Tuatha Dé Danann added another dimension to the story. Remind me never to go down into a cave any time soon!

There are so many moments of abject terror, violence and gore in this book, all perfectly timed and placed to add to the sense of dread and chilling fear experienced by the survivors and the innocent bystanders who get in the changelings way. The twists and left-field revelations are sublime- the ending is just jaw-dropping and I’m hoping it’s hinting towards a third book (it needs to happen!)

Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the arc. Stay in the Light is out now.

This is the second installment of the series and follow up to the Watcher which I thoroughly enjoyed last year.
I found this book had a heavier focus on mythology of the creatures which was missing from the first so I enjoyed this.
The story again follows Mia who is highly paranoid and isolated due to recent events and ends up being pulled back into her own personal nightmare.

Stay in the Light by A M Shine is the sequel to the Watcher.

“Stay in the Light” brings back Mina, Ciara, and Madeline. Mina has endured harrowing experiences from the previous book, creating an atmosphere of believable isolation and loneliness. While Mina undergoes character development, the knowledge she carries continues to profoundly affect her life.

The story begins with an archaeological excavation at the Burren, a series of ancient tombs in Ireland. Beneath the stones lies an unexplored cave system, where researchers discover a human-built vertical shaft connecting the surface to a hidden cavern—a shaft clearly meant to remain undiscovered. The narrative is filled with creepy, claustrophobic scenes dripping with atmosphere. The story balances action with introspective moments. The writing style is clever and engrossing, offering something unique. The fantastical elements are eerily believable, seamlessly woven with scientific explanations and realistic human reactions. The portrayal of Mina’s struggle to reintegrate into society, with experiences that no one else can believe or understand, is very realistic and handled well.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to blend atmosphere with action. The claustrophobic setting of underground caverns and tombs is used to full effect, with dark, cramped spaces amplifying the feeling of danger. Shine’s descriptions are vivid, transporting you into the oppressive, stone-filled corridors where any sound could signal an approaching terror. The tension is palpable as the characters navigate this perilous environment. At the same time, Shine balances this external conflict with introspective moments, particularly through Mina’s character development. The psychological effects of trauma are a recurring theme, as Mina tries to make sense of her experiences and the knowledge she carries. This knowledge, left from her encounters in “The Watchers,” becomes a heavy burden, shaping her decisions and worldview. While Mina has grown as a character, the remnants of her past still haunt her, adding depth that readers of the first book will appreciate. Her evolving relationship with Ciara and Madeline also adds layers of emotional complexity, as each woman deals with the past in different ways.

The writing style of “Stay in the Light” is engaging. Each perspective brings something fresh, ensuring that the story does not become monotonous, even when exploring well-trodden horror territory. This variety of voices helps to build a more immersive world, where characters’ motivations and fears come across as believable and grounded. The fantastical elements of the story—though strange and terrifying—are eerily plausible, with a careful integration of realistic human reactions.

For me, “Stay in the Light” is a thrilling, atmospheric sequel that expands on the haunting world A.M. Shine created in “The Watchers.” With its strong character development, chilling setting, and clever balance of action and introspection, this book offers a gripping read that explores both the dark corners of the human mind and the terrifying unknown lurking beneath the earth. Shine’s ability to weave realism with the supernatural ensures that “Stay in the Light” will resonate long after the final page is turned.

My thanks to both NetGalley and Head of Zeus for a free – book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Head of Zeus & A.M Shine for another thrilling and terrifying instalment in this series.

This was so highly anticipated for me and it didn't disappoint! I feel A.M shine filled in so many gaps in information and took the terrifying image of the watchers even further.

This was fast paced and is told in multiple POVs, which meant I was speeding through this book. I could feel the build of suspense and knew that something would totally blow things up! The ending was just amazing and I have got to say I'm already crossing everything that the author releases another book in this series because I NEED MORE.

In this book we revisit characters from our last book and the way it was written made me care even more about them all.

Thrilling, terrifying and so fast paced. I couldn't get enough of this book or this series! This book answers many questions and leaves you with new ones in a perfectly crafted way that leaves you hanging for another book ASAP!

4.5/5

‘Stay in the Light’ by A.M.Shine is a sequel to ‘The Watchers’.

‘After her terrifying experience at the hands of the Watchers, Mina has escaped to a cottage on the west coast of Ireland. She obsessively researches her former captors, desperate to find any way to prolong the safety of humankind.’

Wasn’t for me and DNF.

The Watchers blew me away when I first read it...the suspense, the mystery, the terror. It remains one of my favourite horror novels, and I cannot emphasise how excited I was to find out that A.M. Shine had written a sequel!
From the bottom of my heart, I wish I could give this book a higher rating than I have. It has all the same themes, Shine's trademark writing style, and a decently crafted plot that hints at a further continuation of what seems to be evolving into a potential future trilogy. I just...wasn't that into it. It might be simply that the nameless terror had already been named in the first book. Stay in the Light lacks the themes of isolation horror and blind terror that The Watchers excelled so well in. I can't quite pinpoint where this book didn't work for me. The story was interesting enough, but it took a while to really ramp up and start heading somewhere more interesting...only to end abruptly after a nicely shocking reveal.
Truth be told, I'm not sure that The Watchers needed a sequel. It had a perfectly satisfying ending, and I didn't feel that there were any loose ends unresolved by the final page. While I would never refuse more words from Shine, I hope that future expansion of The Watchers universe doesn't dilute the sharpness and polish of the phenomenal first entry to the series. Even still, I wouldn't hesitate to read anything further from A.M. Shine.

"Stay in the Light" delivers exactly what it promises: the sequel to the brilliant and absolutely original "The Watchers". So it's not at all a standalone; a rather good grasp of the first book is necessary, since it picks up pretty much exactly where "The Watchers" left off.

I was excited to read the second volume, having adored the first one. Though the book does not disappoint, it has to be admitted that it's an entirely different kind of animal: it's neither as atmospheric nor as suspenseful as the "Watchers," and the much larger cast sets its own pacing - reminiscent of a thriller rather than a horror book.

That said, "Stay in the Light" not only answers almost all the questions raised by the first volume, it also expands on the mythology and the lore, adding an unexpected dimension to the original story. Mina (and The Yellow One!) remains the main protagonist, but a surprise figure, Sean, takes his place alongside (as a second voice in the narrative - he and Mina never meet), providing a much needed breath of fresh air to the dangling plotlines. Madeleine also gets her share of the spotlight; to be fair, however, she's lost her eerieness and the uncanny allure she had in the first book. The author has chosen to stress her weaknesses rather than her strengths. Ciara stays mostly in the background, though she has a brief but fascinating and unexpected role to play in the story.

Overall, the book has all the features one expects from the middle book of a trilogy (yep, there'll be a third book!): it takes a bit for the action to heat up, and it ends in a cliffhanger. But the ending is (literally) explosive and I doubt anyone would have ever expected such a turn of events! The third book is gonna be huge!

A great sequel to The watchers, this book had all the spooky and creepy vibes I was looking for.

The story picks up where it was left after the first book (which I would say you need to read to understand this one) and it is a bit of a slow burn and not much happens in the first half of the book, but that's where the sense of uneasiness and danger is set. Then, when things start happening, the pace is fast and almost makes you feel out of breath. I loved it.

And the ending... the final twist took me so much by surprise I could not believe what was happening. It definitely leaves space for another book and I'm here for it!

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for and ARC in exchange for an honest review.