Sunderworld, Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry

Sunderworld #2

by Ransom Riggs

The final installment in the instant NYT bestselling new fantasy duology from Ransom Riggs, author of the #1 global phenomenon Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series.

As a kid drowning in grief, Leopold Berry escaped into the shabby fantasy world of an old TV show. As a teenager in a world seemingly stripped of wonder, he’s stunned to discover Sunder is real—hidden under the skin of Los Angeles—and in dire need of a hero. Convinced it must be him, Leopold charges in with best friend Emmet and declares himself the long-awaited channeler . . . only to fail the required test in the most humiliating way possible, nearly die, and get kicked out in record time.

He never planned to go back—until an enchanted street atlas and a trail of clues from his dead mother pull him in again. Unwanted and expelled, he has to break into Sunder like a criminal—where he finds that footage of his humiliation has gone viral, and he’s famous for failure in the world where he’d dreamed of being a hero. But when the trail leads to a mysterious girl and a powerful ring whose magic works only for him, he realizes there’s more to his story.

Now the magical world that wanted nothing to do with him won’t leave him alone. Stalked by tabloids, fly-by-night talent agents, and shadowy figures who want the ring, Leopold must unlock the secret of its power before someone kills him for it and uncover his family’s connection to Sunder while the trail is still warm. Meanwhile, Sunder is coming apart at the Noxum attacks are spiraling, panic is rising, and the need for a channeler has never been greater. The walls are closing in. And time is running out.

With his team of misfit allies—loyal Emmet, battle-scarred Isabel, eccentric Uncle Norm—Leopold fends off enemies while scouring Los Angeles for answers in the unlikeliest the decaying underbelly of a fading magical lyceum, the shimmering blood of a monstrous pet who won’t stop eating the furniture, and in the most unmagical person he knows—his overbearing father.

It all waits to be discovered as Leopold Berry’s extraordinary journey reaches its epic conclusion.

He might not be a channeler, he might not be very good at magic—but Leopold Berry might be the hero Sunder needed anyway. Because what makes a hero isn’t power, and what breaks one isn’t failure.

It’s what you do after disappointment that matters most.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 13, 2026

About the author

Hi, I'm Ransom, and I like to tell stories. Sometimes I tell them with words, sometimes with pictures, often with both. I grew up on a farm on the Eastern shore of Maryland and also in a little house by the beach in Englewood, Florida where I got very tan and swam every day until I became half fish. I started writing stories when I was young, on an old typewriter that jammed and longhand on legal pads. When I was a little older I got a camera for Christmas and became obsessed with photography, and when I was a little older still my friends and I came into possession of a half-broken video camera and began to make our own movies, starring ourselves, using our bedrooms and backyards for sets. I have loved writing stories and taking photographs and making movies ever since, and have endeavored to do all three.

Reviews

[Rimon]

I'm glad it's taking so long to write. The first one felt kinda rushed but was otherwise great, so I'm pretty hyped for this one.

[Darya]

So thrilled for this to be scheduled for publication later this year — and for having been approved for an ARC. The first installment of the duology was one of the best YA (urban) fantasy titles I have read over the past few years. I will gladly start my way into the second volume by rereading that one. Actual review to come closer to the publication date in October.

[donutdot]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!!

i was so excited to start this after book 1 and i gotta say i would be more than happy if this series expanded as big as miss peregrine's. this world just gets bigger and bigger and i don't think i could tire of leopold and gang's adventures.

i feel like this one really goes a lot deeper into his arc, his relationships with his friends and surprisingly with his family too. i really enjoyed their tight knit trio of found family which has grown stronger since the first book. there wasn't a focus on the romance between leopold and isabel and i liked the slow burn friends to lovers going on. and of course emmet and leopold's friendship is always a treat. and of course norm. norm is great.

"whenever his frustration with the suits reached a boiling point, or their search for answers hit another dead end, or the extremes of their new reality threatened to unhinge him, being able to glance over and see then a few feet away always pulled him back to centre. convinced all of this strangeness was survivable. reminded him he wasn't alone."

and of course for his bestie: "twisting around to look at him, leopold felt a rush of affection for his friend. how could he ever repay emmet for all he'd done, all he'd risked? he couldn't."

the central mystery of the object and the noxum really raised the stakes, and the action which i was pleasantly surprised by. (spoilers from here on!!) never did i expect that they would keep a noxum for a pet now but orville is absolutely adorable like a magic big dog. and now with a baby noxum picked up too!! the whole plot that it was the noxum and their blood that powered the magic is insane and i would love to see the fallout of when this news hits sunder.

and of course richter berry (kilroy). we all hated him in book 1. it is no small feat to redeem such a horrible character in a single volume but ransom riggs did!!! to me, at least. i mean i did suspect that richter had some magic ties, like monica but i did not expect him to be a channeler and for the object to have his powers?? honestly it broke my heart when i read the letters between him and monica, to know his memories were changed and it changed him into the horrible person in book 1.

it's honestly devastating, because they loved each other. they tracked each other on the thomas guide so they would never lose each other. ('i can live without magic. i cannot live without you' ended me) and the implications for leopold too.

in fact the whole arc of acceptance and forgiveness leopold goes through for his dad in this volume is done so well. chef's kiss. perfect. no notes.

and of course hal. who knew hal could be so cool with all this magic stuff?

honestly i'm so happy with the ending of this volume? hillstrom (director of sunderworld and murderer of both isabel's parents and monica berry) is dead as shit and richter with his memories and magic again, the whole crew literally speeding away in bessie (!!). can't wait to see what other adventures they get up to next.

[Jenny]

I really enjoyed this second volume of Sunderworld. I liked seeing how the characters all grow and develop, especially Leopold, after their adventures in book one, and the story itself was more complex and entertaining. I enjoyed the action and finding out more information about Sunder and Leopold's family. Some things were obvious to me, but I still enjoyed watching them unfold. There were also some nice surprises and happy moments, of course humor, and cute exchanges between Leopold and his friends. I find it interesting how Riggs plays up on cliches and storylines from other fantasy series. I don't know a ton, but there's a line about how "it wasn't pity that stayed Leopold's hand," which is obviously a reference to the famous line in Lord of the Rings that Gandalf says to Frodo about it being pity that "stayed Bilbo's hand" against Gollum. I also love that Leopold, Emmett, and Isabel are like Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I don't know if this is intentional, but there's also a parallel with the magic source in Robin Hobb's Elderlings books. If Riggs did all this on purpose, then, it's really cool and would be an homage to all these fantasy books, paralleling Sunderworld in the novel and the real Sunder. I like that there are layers of meaning in the story, but it's also just an entertaining read if that's all you want it to be. It also turns out to be a love letter to L.A. even though, again, the book also makes me question why anyone wants to live there! But I can tell Riggs loves L.A. or, at least, that Leopold does.
Overall, I recommend this book to YA fantasy lovers mostly, but it's also fun for people who like fantasy in general, old fantasy TV shows and movies, and second-world stories. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-book!

[Amanda Favor]

I have been looking forward to reading this for sooo long, especially after the year delay so I was determined to enjoy this! I turned off the progress meters on my Kindle so I wouldn’t feel the need to rush and forced myself to relax and enjoy the book. I highly recommend doing this, I felt immersed in this Sunderworld sequel and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Both Sunderworld books are just fantastical, other worldly adventures. Vol. 2 was just as action packed as the first, bringing new mysteries to light, answering questions from the first book and neatly wrapping everything up with a bow at the end. I wish so badly there were going to be more of these books, I hate that it’s a duology.

I want to know what happens next!!

Leopold really grows into himself this book and I love to see his character progression throughout the whole book. The world of Sunder and its history really expands in this volume as well and it’s great to have answers this go round.

I recommend this for anyone looking for a unique magic system, full of suspense, not TOO much violence (there’s a bit, don’t get me wrong), nothing too creepy (it’s not Stephen King) but with some dark moments, lovable lead characters you can root for, animals (some nice, some naughty), and plenty of shocking secrets.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the opportunity to read this ARC. My review is voluntary and my thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

[Laura]

Sunderworld, Vol. 2 is everything I wanted in a sequel and more. Ransom Riggs expands this world in all the best ways, with imaginative, immersive world-building that makes every discovery feel exciting. The magic system continues to evolve naturally, revealing new layers while still maintaining a sense of mystery.

The story is fast-paced and packed with action, but it never loses sight of its characters. Leopold's journey feels authentic, and the friendships, emotional stakes, and character growth add real heart to the adventure. Every twist kept me invested, and the balance between humor, suspense, and darker moments was handled beautifully.

The creativity on display is incredible, from the strange magical creatures to the hidden corners of Sunder, making this a world I never wanted to leave. The ending delivers on the buildup while leaving me eager for more.

I sincerely hope this is only the second installment in a long-running series. This is a world I'd happily return to again and again, and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

[Kim]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the Advance Review Copy!

This is a sequel to Sunderworld Volume 1, so if you haven't picked that one up yet, I recommend you start there. It's a great book, and covers what you need to know to start Volume 2.

Leopold has a lot going for him. He's got some great friends, access to a magic world, and even a bit of magic power himself. He's also a laughing stock and in trouble with the magic law, and his father is relatively cruel.

Picking up shortly after the first book, Leopold is left questioning the realities of the magical world, how his family connects to magic, and what can be expected of him - and what he can possibly do about magical government agents constantly tailing him and sending him fruit baskets.

Expect lots of twists and turns and secrets uncovered. Sometimes the past is not what we believe it is. And sometimes people can surprise us.

I recommend this book for young adult readers who enjoy urban fantasy, a good bit of chaos, magical creatures, and hijinks while digging deeper to uncover secrets.

[Alisa]

Ransom Riggs does it again with Sunderworld Vol. 2 The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry! Leopold Berry thinks of himself as a failure, and his dad makes sure to enumerate all his shortcomings daily. So much so that Leopold decides to take his car and leave home only to discover that his dad is having it towed to the dump!

Leopold and his friends discover that magic is disappearing from Sunder, the magical world which overlays Las Angeles. They have been banned from Sunder, but are still drawn to it. Isabel’s Uncle Norm lets them stay with him because he needs help with the noxum, a magical creature which is supposed to tear people to shreds, they left him to feed and care for.

The plot is worth following through both the first and second books, the story is captivating and “magical” in a kind of masculine way. At the risk of giving too much away, read this suspenseful and at the same time funny book! You will not regret it!

Thank you to Netgalley for the prepublication copy to read and review.

[Amber]

Leopold Berry, nice normal kid, nothing of note, is back. He's got a new permanent friend in Isabel, and a new pet. His last adventure led him to the realization that his mother had a secret life in Sunder while she was alive, and he and his friends are trying to learn more. Through their investigating, they find out that someone else they know may have been there too and that there is more going on in Sunder than they previously knew. Then that person is kidnapped. New mission: rescue.

Like the first book, this is really fun to read and interesting. This one is longer, or it feels longer maybe. The pace is slowed down a bit so you can take in a lot of new information, all of it important to the plot. I liked the way that the author slowly redeemed a character that seemed harsh and kind of evil. I liked the story itself and the reveal of the corruption in Sunder. The kids are great. When book three is ready, I'll be ready too.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for review.

[Kelly Hall]

Thank you to the publisher, Ransom Riggs and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first Sunderworld book more than I can explain, and while I was a bit worried that I might not love this one as much, it immediately proved me wrong. It’s fast-paced, funny, delightfully weird, and so absorbing that I started reading in the morning and was very confused as to why it was suddenly dark and my dog was whining for dinner.

One of my favorite things about Ransom Riggs’s writing is his use of unusual, specific vocabulary and descriptions. This is one of those books that I get to break out my unhinged conspiracy theories and I loved watching seemingly small details become important as the story unfolded

I’m sad this is currently the end of Sunderworld series because this world feels like it could support so many more stories. At the same time, the ending gave me the answers and resolution I needed while leaving the world feeling bigger than these two books. I would happily come back for more.

[Alanna Metz]

It's rare for a second book in the series to be better than the first, but this is one of those books! A bit of a cliffhanger at the end, just like the first one. In this book we learn more about Sunder and Leopold's connections to it. I loved seeing his friendship with Emmet and Isabel deepen. Norm is one of my favorite characters and he shows up a few times in the book. You get to see Leopold's relationships with his family evolve, which is a bit bittersweet. It's such a fun and action packed book. I kept telling myself I'd put it down after one more chapter and then found myself halfway through the book. I'm really excited to see where the story goes in the rest of the series, hopefully the third book comes out soon!

I was given an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Rhonda]

Great ending this book! I really liked how this one ended, and I feel like it helped make up for some of the faults in the rest of the book. For the longest time, it felt like all the characters except Leopold and Isabel were just caricatures trying to outdo each other. It made the book read much younger than I anticipated—more middle grade than YA. It felt like the world could have used some more development; different words could have been used instead of “Executive” and “the Department” and the “object.” I got tired of reading “the object” and wondered why it wasn’t called SOMETHING that was more descriptive or more interesting and wouldn’t get confusing when someone might object to something. 😬

While I would be opposed to reading more about this world and what happens now, I’m not sure I can foresee this series going any further. I guess time will tell.

[Katie]

4.5⭐️ I really love the world in this series. It just feels fun and whimsical. I really like the characters and their relationships with each other and how they all do their own parts and support each other. This book was just as fast paced and action filled as the first and had good twists. My only issue is that I heard this is only going to be a duology now and not a trilogy. I feel like the ending was rushed and ending the series here leaves some things cut short. I wish we got more information about Leopold’s and Isabel’s parents and what exactly they were working on together. I also wish we got more in depth with the Noxum. A clearer picture of who they are and also seeing the team free them. Overall I really great book I just wish there was more so I’m hoping maybe in the future it will be picked up again.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Teen for the digital ARC.

[Natasha Gunn]

Volume two is so much fun, I couldn't put it down!

Being a HUGE fan of the first book, I was incredibly excited to see how Leopolds story wrapped up. Ransom Riggs covers a lot of ground in this one. It's about twice the size of volume one and does a great job of building on it. It also has its surprises, as I did not expect this to go where it did with the storyline.

If you enjoyed volume one, it really is a must to grab this and finish the duology. My only disappointment is that it's over for now! I can only hope that we see more of this world in the future. It's wacky and weird. Truthfully, who doesn't wish there was a magical world living just within our own?

I received an advance copy of this novel from the author/publisher.

[Erin]

My only complaint is that I want more!

Vol 2 jumps back in quite nicely. I think it would be fine to start with this book but I went back to reread the first one to refresh my memory. The first book ended on a substantial cliffhanger, so if anyone was hesitant to pick it up before, now is the time to start this amazing duology.

I love how more details about their magical world are slowly revealed throughout the book. This was very fast paced and enjoyable.

I’d highly recommend these books for YA readers who enjoy urban fantasy. I found this series by looking for books that featured lost media and I do think that fits.

[Melinda]

Wow! What a ride!

Loved this book, continuing the adventures of
Leopold, Emmet and Isabel. This book follows the trio as they search for clues and information about Leopold’s mother and eventually his father as well.
There are some sweet magical characters (talking about you, Orville!) It is a fun story filled with literal magic and the magic of a great story , well told. If you haven’t read volume 1, definitely read it first and then pick up this volume 2. If you love fun, magical adventures, then this book is for you!!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sarah]

Ransom Riggs has done it again - this sequel had me hooked! The author created a phenomenal variety of settings, & I loved returning to the secret magical society with its own day-to-day problems (as well as an undercurrent of government corruption) juxtaposed against modern Los Angeles. The nostalgia factor with the books looking like the VHS tapes that introduced our main character to Sunderworld is also extremely well-done.

Thank you very much to NetGalley & Penguin Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Francesca]

Volume 2 of Sunderworld has similar beats, mystery, and twists to Volume 1. Ends all tie up, perhaps a little too neatly, and the final climax pretty much resolves itself in a rather anticlimactic way. None of the twists really shocked me. But I really enjoyed Hal as a new character, Orville, and Emmet's relationship with the Lyceum. The humor and strong friendships of the first volume carry into this one, and overall it's a fun, page-turning read.

[Megan]

Yes! Another thriller from Ransom Riggs! An excellent continuation of Leopold's story and the world of Sunder. Old friends and new work together to investigate what's going on with Sunder and what truly happened in the past. No details - don't want to spoil anything! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Reneé Lasswell]

I really enjoyed this second installment of Sunderworld. We're back with Leopold Berry and friends as they continue to explore the not so hidden magical world that overlaps our own. They spend most of the time digging deeper into the mystery of Leopold's mother and how she could have ever connected with his problematic father.

[Lindsey]

What a riveting conclusion to Sunderworld! Of all of the ways I thought the series might wrap up, this one never occurred to me, but it was absolutely perfect.

I love the action, humor, and cast of characters. It was great watching Leopold and his family all grow into better people as they saved themselves and the entire magical world.

[tori]

just requested on netgalley and praying to all that is holy that I get accepted.

[Tayla]

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this book!

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and I didn’t disappoint. I loved seeing Leo, Emmett and Isobel again and the plot line following the Noxums and Leopald’s parents had me hooked from page one. I know Ransom Riggs said this will be a duology but I feel like this book ended in a way that it could be picked back up later on.
When this releases, I’ll be sure to grab a copy & read the final book!