2 stars
Pretty disappointed with the second volume of this series. While there were some pacing issues that I was able to get past in the first because of the amazing universe created and the awesome characters, this one just didn’t live up to the standard previously set.
For starters, I’m not sure why the art style changed. Specifically with Selena. At first I wasn’t even sure if it was supposed to be the same character. Did she have freckles in the first one? Where did that patterned hair come from?
The pacing for this one was also very awkward. The stakes for the plot felt much lower than in the first and half the time I wasn’t clear about what was going on. After the first book’s villain literally separates characters from their magic (also, with such an abrupt ending to the first book I was hoping for some follow up in this one but nothing about the previous plot is even alluded to), the whole fairy frat versus sorority plot was a bit dull.
The book seems to lack direction and has lost sight of its actual characters, pulling in other magical creatures’ drama instead of advancing the characters already established. Julie and the gang felt like they were just along for the ride on this one rather than furthering their own stories.
Again, Julie and Selena’s relationship was confusing at best and unhealthy at worst. I don’t really see why Selena got so upset with Julie. As with the first book, the fight comes out of nowhere and all of a sudden the characters are mad at each other. It really pulled me out of the story and disconnected me from both characters. Also, the resolution of the fight was lackluster. They don’t even talk about what happened, just kind of the let the fight burn itself out.
Chet remains my favorite character. Would have liked to have seen more of them in this one. I think they carried a lot of the first book and that element was missing in this one.
Still enjoyed the art overall. But on the whole, this book wasn’t as engaging for me as the first.
The Ask a Know-It-All section was still fun, though some were more confusing than usual. I did like how well the Pleasant Mountain Sisters pages worked in with the plot and gave some backstory.
These are pretty quick reads so I’ll probably read the third book at some point, but this one was such a let down after how much I enjoyed the first. The promise behind Julie and Selena’s romance gets overshadowed by the confusing fights, unhealthy expectations, trust issues, and quick anger. I’d like to see their relationship develop in a healthier way.