Graphic Novel Review - 'Beetle & the Chimera Carnival (The Beetle Books #2)' by Aliza Layne

The second I heard there was going to be a sequel to 'Beetle & the Hollowbones' - one of the cutest, most magical LBGTQ+ fantasy graphic novels ever - I thought, "Just hook it to my veins!"

I couldn't wait for its publishing release date, and, finally, when I ordered it online on the day, it was late in delivery, and it arrived on the same day I was going on holiday abroad, so I had to wait until after that to read it. Typical.

But through it all, it was worth it. 'Beetle & the Chimera Carnival' is as magical, cute, and lovely as its predecessor. The stakes are much higher now, and there is much more of the worldbuilding and people-building (quite literally) to explore. There is a lot more plot, too; maybe too much plot, as it gets convoluted and a bit helter-skelter and clunky, especially towards the end, which sets up yet another sequel.

It isn't a complete story, and the "twist" (meaning, quite obvious) villain's motivation and backstory are never made clear.

One or two major characters are forgotten about, as well.

Where did the fun, geeky, fanfiction-writing element from the first book go? Not to mention the cat ears?

But but but, it is all such a colourful, blooming, booming joy to behold. There is the overarching theme of hiding-turning-into-a-"monster"-from-family-as-a-metaphor-for-puberty-but-predominantly-it's-for-remaining-closeted-from-family. Pretty much from the beginning towards its triumphant conclusion, the graphic novel is more proudly, explosively queer than ever before. It is, in every sense, beautiful.

The love story between Beetle the goblin girl/dragon girl(?)/dog girl(?!) and Kat the skeleton girl - both witches and sorceresses (and I think they're still preteens?) - is so adorable.

Beetle's relationship with her grandmother is wonderful and warm, too. At one point her gran says to her, "BEETLE! USE EXPLOSION MAGIC ON MY BUTT! NOW!". No I will not give context. Gran is the best, and hilarious.

Oh, and there are a magic ton of dragons in 'Chimera Carnival'. There's even a female dragon doctor. Vampires are in this volume. Anything goes in this fantasy world.

Except there's homophobia in some areas. Boo! But those wastes of life are definitely portrayed as being in the wrong, and not worth anyone's time and effort.

The colourful artwork looks cartoony, and it can be chaotic, but there are instances where it looks serious, beautiful and well drawn when it needs to be, depending on the situation. It is varied, and always expressive and charming.

Another thing: there are at least two minor male characters, which is a step up from the first volume. The girl power and presence dominates!

'Beetle & the Chimera Carnival' - and the 'Beetle' series as a whole - is just like the 'Unfamiliar' series, the 'Meesh the Bad Demon' series, 'The Tea Dragon' series, the 'Witchy' series, 'Hellaween', 'Nimona', 

'Star Knights', 'The Baker and the Bard', 'Witch Hat Atelier', 'Once Upon a Witch's Broom', 'Leila, the Perfect Witch', 'The Owl House', 'Wicked', 'The Nightmare Before Christmas', and 'Undertale'.

Great, witchy, bright, colourful, otherworldly stuff.

Final Score: 4/5