Review by Kirkus Book Review
Following the events of City of Nightmares (2023), desperation leads Ness to make a deal with a dangerous force. Ness may no longer be paralyzed by her fear of Nightmares, but she still finds tons of other things to worry about, such as the high bystander fatality rate in the ultraviolent city of Newham. She's also uncomfortable with the power dynamic between her and Cy, the rich, handsome vampire friend who is letting her live at his apartment rent-free. While she's searching for safety and stability, her path crosses with the Nightmare Phantom, who has a deal for her--in exchange for one favor, he'll turn her into a Nightmare in a way that will take away her vulnerability. When things go wrong, however, Ness draws the attention of powerful enemies, and her fragile confidence is eroded by the reveal of a past manipulation that leaves her having trouble trusting herself. The characters actively struggle to function in a society with widespread corruption and undermined consent; these themes are tackled head-on in between the wild, imaginative action sequences. Questions of fear, agency, society, and interpersonal connections are logically deployed as the results of uncovered revelations. The ending concludes Ness' growth nicely, while also leaving the door cracked open for revisiting this delightfully madcap and casually diverse world. A fantastical exploration of personal agency set in a bold, wild adventure. (Fantasy. 13-adult) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
