Thirteen-year-old Mina and friend Swan are finally back with the Blood City Rollers after a summer separated from their team, in this graphic novel sequel to Blood City Rollers. The two girls are the needed human “jammers” on the otherwise vampire-filled squad, per the requirements of the Paranormal Roller Derby league.
The Rollers, led by Mina’s crush Val Halla, are now living an old, abandoned asylum, with a basement full of zombies. But a motley team of varied monsters also wants the attractive (?) locale for their home, leading to a challenge: the two teams will fight it out in a Sudden Death Scrimmage.
Mina feels the pressure, not only because of the stakes, but because she’s still trying to prove herself to the team. And Swan’s skating skills are improving, making her a challenger for the starting lineup. Will their friendship have to fracture in order for the team to win? Or is the only way to victory by letting friendship lead?
As with the first volume, there’s a ton of queerness here, not only because of Mina, but also in the gender identities of the skaters. Half of the skaters we’re introduced to use nonbinary pronouns (including they/them, she/they, and they/he), and no big deal is made about this.
The paranormal fun is grounded in the authenticity of the author and illustrator’s experiences as derby skaters themselves, and underpinned with a thoughtful look at what it means to be a teammate, a friend, and a community. Highly recommended.
Mina and her family are White; other characters reflect a variety of racial/ethnic identities.
