Dead Happy (HappyHead #2) Josh Silver. 2024. [May] 416 pages. [Source: Library] [YA fiction, YA dystopia, 3 stars]
First sentence: I used to like video games.
Premise/plot: Dead Happy is the sequel to HappyHead. Seb (Sebastian) and Eleanor are a 'couple' heading to the second phase of Happy Head, Elmhallow. Their 'relationship' is mutually convenient. They need to be a couple to succeed in the program, and perhaps even to survive long enough to escape the program. However, pretending 24/7 may prove challenging--especially for Seb. There are five couples--ten individuals--and they all want to win the competition no matter the cost.
How far will anyone go to 'win' when winning means going against everything you've ever believed to be right?
My thoughts: I'm conflicted. On the one hand, it was a compelling read. It was. I came into the story on the hooked side of things because of the first book. On the other hand, I'm just not sure the second book is *as* good as the first. It doesn't need to be. It doesn't. It felt like ONE book divided into two. There was less world-building and less suspense, in my opinion, than in the first book. The first book had more of a surprise factor, I suppose? That being said, I definitely cared enough to keep reading to find out what happened next....
© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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