Booklist Review

After the destruction of the haunted house at the end of Steele's series starter (The Watcher's Test, 2018), manager Norma and demon Courtney rebuild the structure as a hotel and make their portal an officially recognized hub for interplane transportation. Meanwhile, Barney, who's been avoiding Dead End and Norma, finds work wrestling demons it pays great money, but he's keeping it a secret from his boyfriend. As in the first volume, Steele strikes a captivating balance between over-the-top humor and genuine heart. The friendships are deep and complex, and the personal realizations characters work toward are marvelously poignant. The continued subtext of accepting differences and imperfections as a true mark of goodness is carried out in the artwork, which renders the frequently demonic angel characters in a bold, eerie style that visually underscores the idea that divinity isn't all it's cracked up to be. Plus, the demon wrestling matches are riotous, zany fun. The rounded lines, cartoonish action, and saturated color palette might make this seem less than serious, but there's more to Deadendia than meets the eye.--Sarah Hunter Copyright 2019 Booklist