Kirkus Review
Return to the frighteningly familiar world of violent entertainmentthis time the murder is crowdfunded.When she loses one of her moms in a car crash shortly after Dee Guerrera and her friends killed The Postman and brought down the reality show-based death row Alcatraz 2.0, white 17-year-old Becca Martinello doesn't really care much about the resulting political and online fallout. That is, until a strange, attractive girl shows up claiming that Becca's mom lived a second life as Molly Mauler, one of the Alcatraz 2.0 eccentric executioners. The only way Becca can prove her mom's innocence (or guilt) is to audition for a new, supposedly nonlethal serial killer reality show "Who Wants to Be a Paniac?" and uncover its connection to The Postmanprovided, of course, that she can survive long enough. With an established world to work with, McNeil (#Murdertrending, 2018, etc.) has eased up on the throttle with this sequel, letting elements such as political intrigue simmer effectively in the background and steadily integrating them to underpin the main action. Still heavily driven by fight and flight, the plot gains an extra layer of complexity as it alternates between Becca's investigation and Dee's continued crusade until the two collide. Inclusive efforts at representation continue here but are marred somewhat by "bury your gays" fallbacks.Another gruesomely engrossing installment with the promise of more to come. (Thriller. 14-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Who cares if Alcatraz 2.0 is finished? A new show is on the horizon, Who Wants to Be a Painiac?, which pits would-be Painiacs against victims in a battle royal (but don't worry the deaths are totally fake!). Most fans have aligned themselves with the Postmodern Painiacs, who want to find the original survivors, or the Fed-Exers, who want to punish family members of the deceased Painiacs. Enter Stef, who accuses Becca's dead mom of being the infamous Molly Mauler. The two grudgingly work together to find the truth by applying to be contestants. Unfortunately, it looks like the show isn't as billed when the contestants are kidnapped and forced to face off against the Postman's second wave of hand-chosen Painiacs. Fans of the first book will be delighted with this sequel as McNeil introduces new teens to love, revisits Dee and her crew, and highlights new Painiacs with fun twists (such as Psychoman and Gorefunkel a Bill and Ted-esque deadly musical duo). While this appears as a stand-alone sequel, knowledge of the first book is recommended.--Lindsey Tomsu Copyright 2019 Booklist
