Following events in The Road to Epoli, undead-skeleton/bard Rickety Stitch and his sidekick, the Gelatinous Goo, continue their quest to discover Rickety Stitch's identity, this time venturing down the deadly Middle-Route Run. Vibrant colors, movement-filled panels, fantastical creatures, deadpan humor, and exuberant protagonists combine to create an entertaining adventure story in graphic-novel format.

In this sophomore effort, skeleton Rickety Stitch and his amorphous amigo attempt to solve the mystery of Rickety's shadowy past.Reanimated skeleton and bard Rickety Stitch, along with his gelatinous companion, Goo, is still trying to find mythical Epoli in hopes of learning about his formerly living self. To get there, the pair must journey up the Middle-Route Run, a precarious path where travelers race through endless danger and vandals. Rickety and Goo join a musical ensemble on a caravan transporting a vast, dubiously obtained treasure down the route; double-crosses, hijinks, and surprises ensue. Propelled by constant, comical action, most of the scenes, although busy, only offer enough to tantalize and not satisfy; Rickety discovers only the barest tidbits about his past, leaving readers hopeful that more will be revealed in later offerings. Evinced through large, bright panels, the art is alluringly vivid and kinetic, with a strong animated feel. While the previous volume was suffused with wonderfully irreverent humor, however, this one shies away from such cheek, veering into middle-grade-level jokes and gentler insults. Readers expecting banter on par with Noelle Stevenson's Nimona might be a bit discouraged to see it more comparable to Jeff Smith's Bone.A bit of a sophomore slump but not enough to dampen fans' spirits for subsequent adventures. (Graphic fantasy. 11-14)

Gr 6 Up-Accompanied by his jiggly sidekick Goo, skeleton minstrel Rickety Stitch is still seeking his origins and the kingdom of his dreams: Epoli. To get there, the duo must negotiate the infamous Middle-Route Run, the most dangerous road in Eem, filled with outlaws and monsters. Rickety and Goo join a caravan transporting stolen treasure across the Run, dogged by betrayals and menace. This high-octane entry broadens the world of Eem and creates a host of unforgettable new characters, many of whom turn out to be unexpected heroes. As in the first book, dream sequences are drawn in stark black-and-white lines with somber gray shading while lurid colors depict the rest of the scenes. The plot is a fun blend of derring-do and humor, but not much of Rickety's backstory is revealed. This, together with another cliff-hanger ending, will have readers clamoring for the next installment. VERDICT A must for fans of the previous entry. Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT