When characters, backstories, and settings are as complex, imaginative, and interesting as those Giles created in The Edge of Everything (2017), chances are the sequel won't stand alone. That's certainly true here: Giles' unique and fascinating vision of Hell, contrasting with the determinedly quirky and iconoclastic characters of rural Montana, allows no time to provide a summary of previous events. Star-crossed lovers Zoe Bissell, Montana high-school student, and X, bounty hunter from the Lowlands (aka Hell), find themselves unwilling to give up their chance at happiness, despite the obstacles in their path. Giles provides a marvelous set of secondary characters who help or hinder them, from doomed souls in Hell to depressed, gay foster children and a determinedly goth Chinese ski-lift operator. Although the overall tone is set primarily by Zoe's snarky and quick wit, there's also some lovely meditative thoughts on the nature of parenting and friendship, and a heartwarming and thoroughly romantic happy ending.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The giant push for The Edge of Everything continues here, with a national tour and a major marketing campaign planned.

Gr 9 Up-X and Zoe's love story continues but not without further pain and heartbreak. X tries to find a way out of the dreaded lowlands, a task that will put him in search of his true mother. The lord, Dervish, will do anything in his power to keep X right where he is. Giles's focus is on X this time, his story, who he really is, and how he will make his was back to Zoe. Zoe still has her own demons to reckon with and will never stop fighting for X. The pacing starts off slow as the opening chapters wrap up some of the events from the first book. This heartrending love story fits right in the paranormal fiction and romance genres that center on the devotion and sarcifice of true love. VERDICT Purchase where books by Meg Cabot, Maureen Johnson, and A.G. Howard are popular. Kayla Casiello, Woods Memorial Library, Barre, MA