The Collection Awakens (Catastrophe Incoming #2), by Aimee Donnellan

The Collection Awakens is the second book in the episodic fantasy series Catastrophe Incoming, written by the Kiwi author Aimee Donnellan. In this second instalment, we will be spectators of a locked room mystery, with the humor that characterizes this saga, and with some characters from The Chase Begin returning.

After her brother is struck down in a skirmish, Reverie Rosetia is ready to continue carrying the legacy of greatness associated to her family; but firstly, she must find his sword. With her lyre and Ferdinand, the evil goose, she travels to the Collection, a place full of magical artifacts and oddities.
However, soon she finds herself trapped inside the Collection, in the company of the eccentric owner and the weird visitors this place seems to attract; but that's not the worst, as a magical object seems to have unleashed a force that is trying to mentally break the group one by one. Solving how this attacker works inside, and opening the collection is a mystery that will need of Reverie's ability.

If there's something that shines in The Chase Begins is the characters, and that doesn't change in The Collection Awakens; apart from the own Reverie being sassy and chaotic, the company of Ferdinand just adds a bigger point of hilarity to the situation. Lark and Wren reappear in this volume, a charming pair, and we can't forget to spotlight how eccentric the owner was.

The pacing is slower in comparison, getting more time to admire the marvels that are contained inside the Collection, while also allowing the characters to take a more protagonist role, instead of just moving with the situation.

The Collection Awakens is extremely fun, the perfect sequel to The Chase Begins; if you like queer fantasy and want a great bite, you should try the Catastrophe Incoming series. I cannot wait to see how Reverie works together with Lark and Wren in the next books.