ALA Booklist (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

The sequel to Asylum (2013) lacks the potency and freshness of the first title, partially because of the need to summarize previous events and circumstances, but primarily because even creepy carnivals can't begin to compete with haunted abandoned madhouses. High-school seniors Daniel, Abby, and Jordan return to New Hampshire College, ostensibly on a college tour, but really to follow the clues poor possessed Felix gives them to solve the mystery of Brookline Asylum's insane warden. This time the scary elements are a traditional carnival (a campus tradition revived for the visiting prospective students) and a tour of various haunted houses. With plentiful old photographs of carnival acts, Roux works the creepy verisimilitude that made Asylum such a page-turner. The haunted-house explorations are especially cinematic and spooky. While the side plot involving a secret society is more than a little hard to believe, Roux knows how to keep the action rolling and the reader hooked. A confusing and abrupt ending promises a third volume in the series.

Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Dan, Abby, and Jordan (Asylum) return to haunted psychiatric-hospital-cum-college-dorm Brookline to investigate an ominous message. This time they uncover connections among Dan's unscrupulous asylum-warden ancestor; a secret society gaining influence by hypnotizing and lobotomizing townsfolk; and a creepy on-campus carnival. Despite some inconsistent logic, the slightly gory suspense and atmospheric stock photos will keep horror fans turning pages.

School Library Journal (Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Gr 9 Up- Dan, Abby, and Jordan are forced to revisit their traumatic past at Brookline Asylum when mysterious photos draw them back to town and to dark secrets. This is a seriously spooky tale; purchase this series where quirky horror is popular.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Dan, Jordan, and Abby barely survive their summer program for gifted students. Brookline Asylum, now part of New Hampshire College, tries to relive its past and suck the three of themas well as their friend, Felixinto the dangerous cycle of control. Dan feels like he will never be able to leave the terrible events of the summer behind. Felix, now in a mental health facility after he committed murder, reveals the coordinates of houses near the Brookline campus and begs Dan to follow his directions. Dan convinces Abby and Jordan to join him on the hunt for the rest of the story, in hopes that they will all be able to move on. The terrifying history of the asylum is closer than they expect, however, and wider-spread than they could have imagined.This frightening second offering in the Asylum series will not disappoint fans who enjoyed the first book, and should also appeal to older readers who enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Antique photos of carnival performers add to the creepy setting and help build anticipation for the resolution of the story. This is a solid horror offering for teens who do not mind graphic descriptions of medical procedures and torture.Kate Conklin.