I loved Beetle and the Hollowbones with my whole heart, so hearing that there would be a sequel was not only some of the best news that I’ve heard, but also the realization that there would be a sequel to utter perfection. And honestly, how can you compete? There really is no competition when you create another banger of a story.

Beetle and Kat were very obviously a thing at the end of book 1, but coming into Beetle and the Chimera Carnival, we got to see them as actual girlfriends. Albeit, without a title on the relationship, but STILLLLLLLL. They were everything to eachother and history would say “they were roommates.”

This book was like a coming out party to a religious family, only to then come out to loving friends immediately after. One may condemn you, but the other is your chosen family and aren’t they the ones that really matter? The ones that accept you.

I loved everything about this and can’t wait to see it in full color.

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!