"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!