Nice follow up to the first, with one important reveal and the introduction of a new secret regarding Anna and Kat’s childhood. The mutation storyline is pretty weird, but I’m enjoying Anna’s development as a character and her interactions with Kat and Flora. ( )

The second volume of Megan Rose Gedris’ SPECTACLE doesn’t really do much to move the story along; if nothing else, there are more layers added to a secondary mystery that has no resolution come the end of this volume, let alone finding out anymore about who murdered Anna’s sister, Kat. So, there’s the continued murder mystery, a mystery concerning a demon who has something to do with Kat, a mystery concerning the circus possibly being cursed, and a mystery about when the twins were young girls and something to do with their grandmother. Lots and lots and lots of mysteries. And little to no movement of the story along this volume. My library doesn’t have the next volume, but I discovered the series is serialized on Gedris’ website, so I’ll pick it up there. I’m invested enough now to know what’s going on, I just wish it was moving a bit faster. ( )

The second fantasy series this week where I'm disappointed by a second volume that goes nowhere after a promising first volume. (See also: Norroway by Cat and Kit Seaton.)

The likable enough introverted main character ambles and rambles around the circus and freak show not solving the murder mystery that has linked her to her sister's ghost. We spend more time with the other members of the show, but really don't get to know them beyond the mysterious mutations that have started to plague them all. No one seems particularly concerned about that development, which signals to me that I shouldn't be either.

I see that two more volumes are being released this year, and I have to wonder if the mystery will ever be solved and if I care enough to invest more time. Hmmm. ( )