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The sequel shifts gears from the playful campiness of its predecessor, opting for a slightly darker and more serious tone—which, in my opinion, is a bit of a letdown? What I loved most about the first book was its slightly over-the-top and silly moments, and I found myself missing that sense of fun. That said, this installment does introduce some really intriguing elements, especially for fans of zombies and necromancy (big fan myself). I feel that necromancy magic is underutilized in fantasy, so I was thrilled by the body horror aspects and, well... the curry horror too, which was pretty quirky.

The diversity in this book is beautifully woven in. It’s refreshing to see such a broad range of identities and orientations, and it adds authenticity to the world and characters. The new characters, especially the "Beast" figure, are interesting. Their struggle with fear, and how it limits their interactions and changes their choices, is one of the most compelling parts of the story.

That said, I desperately needed a summary of the previous book. Without it, I felt lost at the start, and it negatively impacted my experience—seriously, ALL series should include a recap at the beginning! PLEASE, publishers and authors. It is so useful.

Though the book has its high points it also feels a bit too predictable at times. It leans heavily towards the younger adult side, but without the delightful campiness that made the first book so memorable. It’s enjoyable, but for me, it doesn’t quite live up to the fun of the original even if I liked the new characters more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity and complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.