Beetle & the Chimera Carnival - (The Beetle Books) by Aliza Layne

About the Book

Beetle, a goblin witch, and her friends are excited for Carnival Night, a decennial event where dragons gather in one place, but when they never appear, the friends set off to uncover what's keeping the dragons away.

Book Synopsis

Beetle and her friends attend a carnival full of dragons and magic, only to discover something sinister at play behind the scenes, in this "wonderful, whimsical" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) sequel to the Stonewall Honor-winning Beetle & the Hollowbones middle grade graphic novel.

Hidden behind the clouds, giant dragons guard the most powerful magic in the world from prying eyes. On one magical night, once every ten years, these leviathans reveal themselves to a fanfare of costumes, music, and parades in the Chimera Carnival.

But this time, something's wrong.

When Beetle, Penny, and Kat decide to check out the empty carnival site one night, they discover an injured dragon screaming for help. And the more Beetle uncovers about the Chimera Carnival, the more sinister it gets. Dragons who arrive for the early festivities disappear without a trace. Beetle's magic begins to go haywire. And Kat's parents come back to town, worrying both girls about whether they have a future together.

In the catacombs beneath the demolished 'Allowstown mall, something hungers for dragon magic. And Beetle and her friends are already more entwined with it than they could possibly imagine.

Review Quotes

* "Layne's phenomenal sequel mixes fantasy, social themes, and an inclusive and unforgettable cast with a gentle, swoonworthy romance. The worldbuilding and magic systems are complex but accessible, brought to life with stunningly rendered, vibrant illustrations. . . . This volume makes a fine jumping-in point, but readers would be remiss to lose out on a single minute in this world. A wonderful, whimsical winner."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review