Kim Reaper, Vol. 2: Vampire Island (Kim Reaper #5-8)

Samuel Edme

Rating: really liked it
Synopsis: In the second volume of Sarah Graley's series, Kim (who works as a grim reaper as the title implies ), her girlfriend Bekka, and Tyler sneak in a party in the titular location where they end up meeting an old friend of Kim. More chaos and perilous adventure ensue from there.

My Thoughts: While some people might be put off by the somewhat cutesy art style, I think that's what makes it stand out in contrast to the morbid nature of the main character's profession and the world she generally interacts with that being the underworld where she has to often deal with her boss for frequently breaking the rules (i.e. being late/absent from her duties and refusing to kill Bekka in the first volume). The comic series' comical treatment of its cast of ghouls, ghosts, and other supernatural phantasmagorias also adds a thick coating of amusement to the intrinsic morbidity. Furthermore, I enjoyed the character development (we get to learn about how Kim became grim reaper) and the geeky jokes and references including that Monty Python Life of Brian quote a great deal. The only issue I did have was how Kim was able to pass as a vampire (while Bekka and Tyler were new bloods) just because she wore what was considered stereotypical vamp fashion though it was very clear she lacked the fangs of one which should be the first giveaway.

Final Thoughts: Overall, Kim Reaper: Vampire Island is a cute and fun quick read worth going through if you liked the first volume and want something light to put you at ease from all the stress and humdrum of real life.

Sasha Elise

Rating: really liked it
they took everything i love and added vampires. kim reaper is the cutest grim reaper since grim from the grim adventures of billy and mandy 💜💀 vampires, goth, purple, pastel, magical girls, queer women, the grim reaper. all of my favorite things y'all and i finally get to log it all as one book.

Ellen-Arwen Tristram

Rating: really liked it
Continuing the series

this is the first sequel to Kim Reaper, and there is a third - I might read it for completion's sake but I was actually more underwhelmed by this than the first.

We get to properly meet Becka's best friend Tyler, who is a massive vampire fan (incidentally also vegan), and then Kim's best friend too. Charlie is a non binary vampire and they haven't seen each other since they were turned - Kim thought they'd died!

But, as a 'date' Becka decides to go to vampire island, insisting Tyler comes along - she's desperate for her bestie and her girlfriend to get on.

Much silliness ensues. This series is a combination of stereotypical web comic humour, a slightly different take on the monster genre, and (in this book at least) two girls trying to figure out their relationship around the difficulties of part time work, friends, and moments of not trusting each other. I feel it was all a bit crammed in tbh.

Basically, this would work about the same without the supernatural - which makes the supernatural secondary and even more silly. I know it's not exactly meant to be serious but it has confirmed that I don't want to bother with this series (although the character development bits at the back are good!)

Meh, I dunno. Maybe if I was in a sillier frame of mind? Just kind of irritAting at the moment! (Although don't be surprised if I read the third one because i really don't like leaving things unfinished!)

Annabel

Rating: really liked it
I just love this! It's light reading, makes me laugh and keeps me entertained!

Sabrina

Rating: really liked it
It is scary how much of myself I see in Becka.

Very much an awesome graphic novel with positive LBGTQIA+ themes and bold illustrations.

Caytie

Rating: really liked it
Still cute, but also kinda weird and random.

Devann

Rating: really liked it
Still a cute book, but for some reason I didn't like it as much as the first one. It still has the same writing and art style so it might have just been the mood I was in, but I guess I didn't find the parody aspects to be as funny this time around or the character designs to be as good. Still, its a short fun read and the main characters are pretty adorable.

Danika at The Lesbrary

Rating: really liked it
This continues to be very cute. Is it a super compelling or complex plot? Nah. But the art is adorable, the relationship is sweet, and this volume introduces a black non-binary (vampire) character who uses they/them pronouns! I look forward to more of this. The cutest spooky comic you can find. (Though "Valley Ghouls" by Kate Leth comes the closest.)

Erica

Rating: really liked it
2.5 stars maybe? the story and dialogue was very meh for me, but I love the color pallette and the characters are cute.

Dax

Rating: really liked it
I just keep wanting these to be better than they are. The ideas are all there but the characters are deeply annoying.

Jessica {Litnoob}

Rating: really liked it
Love this art

And while Becka was once again annoying and inconsistent Kim was a boss and I love that this is her story because then I don’t feel bad continuing on even though I don’t like her gf (who spends way way too much time blaming Kim for her own dumb decisions)

Eden Honey

Rating: really liked it
I'm glad there were two volumes, i really enjoyed the entire series, though i'm unsure of how many times i've read these now, they'll be on my bookshelf for a lifetime. I'm so thankful to live in a world with lgbt+ literature.

Ashlyn Stelmach

Rating: really liked it
Kim and Becka are still so cute together. But Becka is a little possessive over Kim having a best friend when she herself has a best friend. Overall, though, cute and quick and sapphic!

BooksAndRae

Rating: really liked it
Nonbinary vampire let's goooooo

Pretty enjoyable story!

Vanessa

Rating: really liked it
Not really sold on it. I don't really feel anything for any of the characters. The plot and dialog both feel rushed. Illustrations are ok. But the colors are on point.