This is what a sequel should do: raise the stakes, expand the world, make us care even more about the surviving characters, rip our hearts out just as much as the first book. Deadline feels like the natural continuation to Feed without getting predictable or repetitive.

It's near impossible to talk about specifics without getting into spoilers, so I'm just going to say that I knew I shouldn't get attached to the new characters but I loved them almost immediately. The plot was exciting from start to finish. And I liked this more than the first book, but I'm also cautiously optimistic that the third book will become my favorite.

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content warnings:

precanon major character death, grief, suicidal ideation, self-harm (punching walls until bleeding), blood, gore, ableist language, major character death(s), animal lab testing, on-page panic attack, non-graphic sexual content, suicide (shooting), implied (adoptive sibling) incest

rep: 

Chinese-American (Cantonese speaking) major character, Indian-British major character, Latina major character

CONVERSION: 13.25 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 8 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 9 / 10
Emotional Impact: 10 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 5 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 4 / 5
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: 4 / 5