Teenage lesbian monsters and I love 'em. This is the second in this graphic novel series, and the character growth was wonderful in this one. We also get a deeper dive into the magic lore of this series, which is really well done. Beetle and the Hollowbones is one of my top middle-grade graphic novels ever, and this sequel was a great addition.
Thanks to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Children's, and Atheneum Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I didn't realize that this was the second novel, but I thought that the art was very pretty. I didn't think that the spacing of the words were great though and it seemed very cluttered.

"Beetle and the Chimera Carnival" is the second middle grade graphic novel in the Beetle series by Aliza Layne. Beetle and Kat are now dating, but are keeping it a secret. This weighs on them. Currently, the town is planning the magical Chimera Carnival where dragons from everywhere will come to celebrate. Unfortunately, the dragons that have arrived early are disappearing as if they have been kidnapped. Beetle is also dealing with the fact that she is changing into some kind of creature (which is normal for goblins, but very stressful for her. Will Kat still like her?). A must-buy for middle grade graphic novel collections, especially if you have the first novel (and if you don't, you should get it)!

I loved the first book in the series and love the second as much, if not more. It's not entirely necessary to have read the first graphic novel to enjoy this one, although it does fill in a great deal of the back story. The short version is that this is a series about teenage lesbian monsters (a goblin and a necromatic skeletal cat girl) and their ghostly friend who is drawn a bit like Kirby, but even cuter. This specific volume focused on a mystery related to dragons, the pressures of coming out to family, and learning to be okay with all of yourself. The illustrations are adorable and the characters are excellent. More, please!