Review by Karl Verhoven

Twins Billy and Milly Ting have always known there was something a little odd about their family, but it’s taken until they’re adults themselves for the full revelation of their being part demon. In She Eats the Night their parents Ipo and Keon had to see off a supernatural threat having for decades shunned their places in the society beyond the mortal veil. It’s left Billy and Milly knowing they’re different, but without knowing the extent of what they can do.

Time has moved on, and Marjorie Liu opens with Adira, the daughter of another immigrant family grasping at an opportunity to give her parents a chance at a better life. It doesn’t end well, and it’s what’s left of Adria seen in the sample art asking for help. Liu’s very good at presenting real people goofing around in a recognisably real world and then dropping the bomb along with some great lines like “seeing you makes my membranes shrivel”. That’s in connection with Ipo poking around. She realises things have been disturbed and her isolation has to end, and she’s equally fearsome out in the world as she was in the house last time.

Remember the creepy dolls from She Eats the Night? Well, they’re back, or one of them is, and as drawn by Sana Takeda even creepier than before as they’re now communicating. To begin with the horror Takeda illustrates here is a more human form, and while there’s much murmuring about threats, it’s well into Her Little Reapers before the full demonic presence takes hold. Before then Sana has designed some memorably distinctive characters, but fully comes into her own when hell break loose. However, notice should also be taken of all the neat little effects drawn around magic, which are extremely decorative.

In keeping with her taciturn methods, Ipo offers no help to her children as they navigate a dangerous world, feeling it’s better they learn for themselves. That’s why this time they carry most of the plot, going from place to place learning about the past and of a cult that certainly seems nefarious even if they can’t figure out exactly what their aim is. Along the way there’s more insight into how Ipo and Keon operate, while Keon’s brother is a good new character. There’s a clever reveal about Ipo’s past as seen in She Eats the Night, and as we move into the final scenes the way Liu has Billy and Milly find their way is audaciously funny.

Anyone who enjoyed The Night Eaters Book 1 is going to be more than pleased with how things continue. Both characters and plot develop, and the art is to die for. Their Kingdom Come completes the trilogy.