This series is genuinely upsetting.

If you read the first book, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. This sequel picks up right up from the cliffhanger of Skinless. The tension from the events of the last book is so heavy and you can feel how it weighs on the characters. Seeing them try to come to terms with what happened is heartbreaking. It’s hard to say whose perspective is more interesting to read.

While Ruben felt more like the main character in the last book, this is where Roswell comes center stage. If you didn’t love him before (and who didn’t?), you’ll definitely love him after reading this one. His backstory is a real tear-jerker. Without spoiling anything, it’s so satisfying to read how it was the flip-side of what happened to Ruben.

There’s so much to uncover in these terribly traumatized characters. They’re both so lovable. (Even when they’re being frustrating!) They feel like real people with all their little quirks and contradictions and desires.

These boys are put through so much (especially Roswell who feels responsible for getting Ruben out of the mess). The suspense was too much sometimes! As heavy as this book can be, there are light moments too. So many times, I laughed out loud. This book, like the first one, ends in a cliffhanger, which is exciting because it means there’s another book! I also feel like the cliffhanger was written well, not done purely for shock value.

This YA book is tense and emotional and such a page-turner. After another torturous cliffhanger, I’m both thrilled to read the next book… and scared.

Such a quick-paced, lighthearted read! Pulled this off the shelf on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. Definitely one for my future children's library, right next to George MacDonald's "The Princess and the Goblin."