A delightful sequel, equal to the first book! Batcat and Al are pals and roommates, but sometimes Batcat still likes "me time," so they head off to the beach...but the beach is covered with mermaids, because something in the water is leaching the color out of their tails. Batcat reluctantly agrees to investigate in return for fish tacos, then has a very frightening day when they visit a kraken and a cloud of flying fish, and wind up stranded on a rock in the ocean. Fortunately, Al comes to check on Batcat, and a ghost sailor (Captain Yargh) helps them return to shore. They're pursued by a vampire penguin who sucks color instead of blood, and thus the original problem is resolved. Humor (I love Batcat's interactions with the narrator), adventure, and themes of identity and fear/courage.

Back matter includes an author's note, nonbinary facts, how to draw Batcat at Al, and emanata and acknowledgments.

Quotes

"Youre the helpful adventuring type!" (mermaid to Batcat, 11)

Narrator in caption box: A perfect plan. What could possibly go wrong?
"HEY!! WHAT GIVES?!" (34)

Narrator: As Batcat sat on the rock, dark thoughts started to creep in.
"CAN THEY NOT?!" (56)

Batcat: "Today was filled with scary things. But I made it back here. And everything is OK. It's kind of like what the narrator said."
Al the ghost: "The narrator? What narrator?" (85) ( )