Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes’s best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.

Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.

But Garlic is experiencing another change too–finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn’t so sure that she’s ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary…and what if she doesn’t want to be human after all?

This sequel was a huge letdown for me. I really enjoyed the first book, but this second one did not have the same charm as the first, and the story was not nearly as interesting. Garlic goes on another adventure, but it is really lackluster and feels weak. There wasn’t any “danger” or risk in this story, and it was sort of boring. It wasn’t nearly as creative as the first book. It also didn’t feel as warm and cozy. I found myself not caring as much about this story.

I also hated how it ended. I feel like the author did herself a disservice with the ending because this could’ve been a long series of graphic novels. But not now with that ending. Very disappointed with the direction this sequel took. 

But what really appalled me was the forced woke checklist that is highly inappropriate for young children, which this book is targeted at. The vampire turns out to be gay, and one of the vegetable characters is non-binary, using they/them pronouns. It all felt very contrived. 

I will not be reading any more of this series if it continues. I do not recommend this one, but absolutely read the first graphic novel.