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

Sunderworld #2

by Ransom Riggs

The bestselling Sunderworld saga reaches its epic conclusion in this thrilling fantasy from Ransom Riggs, author of the #1 global phenomenon Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series.

The magic was failing. The monsters were coming. Sunder was desperate for a hero, and Leopold Berry was certain he’d been chosen to save it.

He was wrong.

After flunking his channeler test in spectacular fashion and getting kicked out of Sunder in record time, Leopold swore he was done with magic for good—until a trail of clues from his late mother dragged him back in, then led him to a mysterious ring that might just be the most powerful object in magical history. If only he can figure out how the damn thing works.

Now the walls are closing in.

Famous in Sunder for all the wrong reasons, Leopold is being stalked by paparazzi, threatened by government agents determined to get their hands on the ring, and hunted by terrifying creatures hungry for its power. His only hope is to learn to wield the ring before someone kills him for it and then use it to uncover his family’s buried connection to Sunder before the trail goes cold—and the magical world collapses around him.

Because the magic is still failing. The monsters are everywhere. And Sunder still needs a hero.

With loyal friends Emmet and Isabel at his side, Leopold must decide who he can trust in a city built on illusion—and whether the kid who was never chosen is willing to risk everything for the world that didn’t want him.

Welcome back to Sunderworld.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy

477 pages, Kindle Edition

First published 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.

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review

Leopold Berry grew up watching cheesy VHS tapes of adventures in Sunderworld. He thought it was just a story until a token a bus ride proved differently. Sunderworld is a real place and somehow there is a large mystery surrounding Leopold and magical artifact that was his father's wedding band. We are just getting started in this world and it seems that Sunderworld Vol 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry the second book in the Sunderworld series is ready to crack open some things the reader thinks they know, spill out the gooey insides and mix everything all up.

I enjoy Ransom Rigg's writing. He is one of the few authors in the Middle Grade/Young Adult genre that I think are fun to read no matter what age you are. The dialog of the kids feels like they are teenagers. The problems in the book sometimes need a little adult help/supervision and even though the kids are the main characters to the story not every adult is the bad guy. One of my favorite parts to this story in particular is Leopold's relationship with his father and at least one of his step brothers gets explained bit. I didn't think Leopold's dad Richter had any redeeming qualities but, maybe we were all wrong and there is more there than meets the eye.

It was unimaginable that this frustrating, pedantic man, who endlessly lectured and never listened— who seemed allergic to the existence of wonder in the world— could have any association with magic, much less its most powerful practitioners.

Leopold, Emmet and Isabel are looking to discover how to make the magical artifact work and keep it away from all the 'suits' looking to cajole or intimate Leopold into working with them. Sunderworld has a crisis happening with Aether, the material used for spellcasting running out. Some think that Leopold has a key that may unlock what is at the heart of this crisis, but he can't imagine a world where that is true. With his friends they will look for answers while trying to keep the artifact safe.

Leopold is easy to like. He is the chosen one, kind of, but in the messiest way possible. Leopold is absolutely average in everyway, there was even a test to confirm that. Somehow he became a bit famous, not so much in a 'you did great things' kind of way, but in a Tictok viral funny why when he said whoopsie while falling trying to fight a Noxum (think big magical dog). Still now everywhere he goes he is known as the Whoopsie kid in Sunder. It was so much fun to see how Emmet embraced the notariety of his best friend when Leopold wanted nothing to do with it.

“Don’t freak out, I’m kidding. If there were collectible action figures, I’d have the whole set. I’ve already got the Leopold hat, keychain, both T-shirts—” He opened his unbuttoned denim jacket to reveal one of them. Underneath a stylized illustration of Leopold being menaced by a Noxum in silhouette, it read I BATTLED A NINTH REALM HELLBEAST AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY EXISTENTIAL DREAD

“You’re going to burn that. Immediately.”

“Hell no, that’s a fire hazard. And this is a priceless collectible.”

I think this series has a lot of potential. The plot of the second book was even more fun that the first. Sunder is in trouble and it looks like there are things that have been lied about, changed and memories erased to protect. I also liked that Leopold has a best friend in Emmet and a potential love interest in Isabell. Still the love interest part is going super slow and is just a cute little side thing as Leopold's trying to figure out his first real crush. As a great friend trio, it was fun to see how they all helped and motivated one another. Their three musketeer pack might just have a chance to expose the lies, get some new allies and save Sunder.

Super fun book if you are ready for a magical mystery that is good from most ages.

[Taylor Reads Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just such a fun read! I mean I devoured both books in TWO DAYS!

This one definitely has more of a YA feel to it, in my opinion (there is a LOT of angst), but the writing is just so freaking addicting that I couldn’t put it down. I’m really loving how the storyline is progressing, and the twists were so well done! The plot was still packed with action, but I felt like I could actually keep track of everything this time around which was something I struggled with in the first book. There were also quite a few unexpected turns that I absolutely loved!

I also really enjoyed the character development in this one. Even though barely any time has passed between books 1 and 2, the characters felt so much more fleshed out and complex. I especially loved getting to know more about Leopoldo’s father and his history. Their relationship at the beginning of the book was both infuriating and heartbreaking, but then you get to the end and see a completely different side of this man. The absolute 180 my feelings did toward him was INSANE. I went from being so frustrated with him to having a whole new understanding of his character, and I loved that!

And of course, that ending left us with even MORE unanswered questions and some relationships that desperately need to be explored. I’m so invested in these characters and their messy little lives at this point and I cannot wait to see where book 3 takes us!

Seriously, this series has been such an unexpectedly addicting ride and I’m having the best time with it!

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for an e-copy of this book via NetGalley. All options are my own.

[Jyanx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this book. This was such a satsfying follow up, and such a fun twist on the chosen one trope. I really appreciated how much the characters grew, and changed over the course of these books. I loved seeing the bond they all shared, and how much heart it brought to the story. They all were important, and they all added so much to the series. No side kicks, or damsels in distress. I also appeciate that so many characters weren't exactly how they first appeared. That so many of them were not exactly as they seemed at first, and that they were given room in the story to develop. It made the story feel that much more alive to me. The ending was well done, and I really enjoed it. It felt sutiably climatic while not wrapping everything up in a neat little bow. I am so glad I read these stories, and I have to add how much I loved the covers. As someone who was a kid in the 80's they felt so nostaligc.

[Don LeClair · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This is book two of the Sunderland stories. The main storyline is about Leopoldo Berry and two friends as they seek to understand the magical object and how it can be used.

Leopold learns quite a bit about his parents along the way, and faces down the real villain behind the troubles he has experienced, as well as the residents of Sunderland.

The pace builds throughout the book and the big showdown is done very well. I ended up reading the book in two sittings because I didn’t want to stop.

I don’t think you should read this without reading book 1 first as too many things would be unexplained. Also there will definitely be at least one more book in this series based upon n the dialog at the end. I will be looking forward to it!

[Haley ♡ · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!

The first one was such a cute and fun read!! I will preface by saying I decided to give this one a read in the midst of all my other fantasy books so I felt it didn't resonate as much as I would have liked.

Also recommend you read shortly after the 1st book to really connect with the characters, world building, and the plot line. Because man I felt I was trying to play catch up for the beginning portion to see what was what and who was who.

It felt a bit chaotic for me, so much happening. I was trying to follow along while also making sense of these creatures that kept re-emerging. I wasn't able to connect as much with Leo and honestly won't be continuing (if the book decides to do so).

[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.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m delighted to return to Sunderworld. SUNDERWORLD, VOL 2: THE UNFORTUNATE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEOPOLD BERRY left me reeling as Leopold ‘Larry’ Berry, Emmet and Isabel faced challenge after challenge. Surely, they’d endured enough in book one? Apparently not! This finale introduces seemingly evil characters, explores Leopold’s connection to Sunderworld and delivers an ending that left me wanting more.

Please, Ransom Riggs, take us back to Sunderworld with a novella or prequel. Many readers, including me, would love to immerse themselves in your dystopian fantasy world again.

Despite the gap since book one, I easily picked up the story, though Riggs keeps the reasons behind events tantalisingly elusive. Seeing the trio united warmed my heart as they sought answers, challenged lies about Leopold and investigated his parents. His pain over his father’s distance and lingering grief for his mother felt almost tangible. Their support for one another moved me. Leopold and Isobel shoulder far too much, yet remain positive and determined to find justice, even at the expense of their safety and physical and emotional well-being.

I wanted to start as soon as my Waterstones order arrived, but with five books already on the go, I had to wait. Once I began, I couldn’t put it down, reading over 300 pages in one day. Riggs’s addictive writing kept me invested as the story hurtled between crises. Leopold and his friends really are magnets for trouble! I also enjoyed discovering more about his father. Strict and distant, he clearly has hidden depths, and Riggs skilfully opens that particular Pandora’s box. Then there’s Orville, one of Sunderworld’s monsters, collectively known as Noxom. Terrifying and dangerous yet hilarious, he brings welcome humour to tense, unsettling moments.

I could say so much more about this duology. I loved every moment of returning to Sunderworld, with its adventures, diverse and intriguing characters, and the bizarre, unsettling wonder Riggs is known for. I’m glad curiosity led me to book one, but sad to have finished book two. For all the danger and uncertainty, the trio’s bond kept me emotionally invested throughout. That blend of friendship, mystery and strange humour made this return so compelling. I’m still craving more.

[Jenna “Meadow” | The Book of Meadow · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I was excited to dive back into Sunderworld and see what Leopold Barry would get up to next. I did have to give myself a refresher on the first book, though, as I found I wasn’t remembering enough of the details.

Overall, I enjoyed this installment, and we definitely get some important information and answers to questions left hanging from the first book. I was surprised by the direction things took with Leopold’s father, and that storyline turned out to be quite the development!

A few new secondary characters are introduced, and while I enjoyed them, I felt they could have been fleshed out a bit more. I would have liked a little more time to get to know them and see their personalities develop, rather than feeling like we were only getting glimpses of who they are. Hopefully, they’ll have more opportunities to shine in the next books.

There’s still plenty of action, and while we do get some answers, I sometimes found it difficult to follow all the different plot threads, especially when so many questions were left unanswered for much of the book. At times, these side plots took away from the main storyline rather than adding to it. The big emotional revelation at the end also didn’t quite land for me the way I think it was intended to. Instead, it felt abrupt and, honestly, a bit farfetched. I could understand some of the reasoning behind this person’s actions, but other parts didn’t quite make sense to me. Sorry, this is difficult to explain without getting into spoilers!

Overall, I’m still enjoying the Sunderworld series, and I’m excited to see how Leopold and his friends will help save the failing magical community. However, I didn’t enjoy this installment quite as much as the first. I’m hoping the third book will bring back some of the magic that initially drew me into this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

[Anniek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to PRH International for the digital review copy! This book is out now.

Unfortunately, this wasn't entirely the series for me. I am happy I read this sequel though, because it gave a lot of answers. I also appreciate how this series turns the chosen one trope on its head. Still, like with the first book, I didn't really feel hooked on it.

[Crystal Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book free of charge from Penguin Young Readers Group | Dutton Books for Young Readers through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A much stronger finish than Volume 1, but I am still left wishing the whole book moved like that ending did.

I read Sunderworld, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 back to back, so I went into this one still holding onto the hope I wrote about in my review of Book 1: that Volume 1 was doing all the heavy lifting of world building so Volume 2 could dive straight into the action, adventure, and magic I was craving.

That hope only partly came true. The dragging feeling that slowed me down in Book 1 showed up again here, though not quite as badly. I would put it at about the first 70% of the book moving slowly, with things finally picking up in that last stretch.

And that last 30% is genuinely where this book shines. The pace kicks in, the stakes feel real, and I finally got the sense of adventure and magic I had been waiting two whole books for. I just wish the entire novel could have moved at that speed, because it made me realize how much I had been missing.

Looking at the two books together now, I cannot help but feel like there was a leaner, tighter single book hiding inside this duology. A little more editing, a little more trimming of the slow stretches, and Sunderworld could have been one really strong, fast-moving adventure instead of two books that each take a while to get going.

I am glad I stuck it out for that ending, and I can see the world Riggs has built having real potential. This one just needed a tighter edit to fully deliver on it.

3.5 stars.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing the first book in the Sunderworld duology, I was excited to jump back into Leopold's adventures. I had plenty of questions left over from the first book, and I was looking forward to seeing how everything would come together.

What I Loved:

I really appreciated that this book picked up shortly after the events of the first one without spending a lot of time reminding us of everything that had already happened. Sometimes sequels spend so much time recapping the previous book that it takes forever to get back into the story. Thankfully, that wasn't the case here!

I also enjoyed the pacing much more this time around. Since we'd already spent the first book getting to know Sunderworld, we could jump straight back into the adventure. There was plenty of action, magic, and mystery, and I found myself much more invested in what was happening.

It was fun getting to spend more time with Leopold and the other characters, too. I enjoyed watching them navigate the increasingly strange situations they found themselves in, especially as more secrets about Sunderworld and Leopold's family began to surface.

And, of course, I still love Riggs's imagination. Sunderworld is such a weird and wonderful place, filled with unusual creatures, magical objects, and all sorts of unexpected surprises. It's one of those worlds where you never quite know what you're going to encounter next.

What I Didn't Love:

The unanswered questions.

I went into this book expecting some of the mysteries from the first installment to finally be explained, especially since this is the conclusion of a duology. And while we did get some answers, I finished with quite a few questions still rattling around in my head.

As I got closer to the final chapters, I kept wondering how everything was going to be tied together. We were running out of pages, and there was still so much I wanted to know!

The main adventure wrapped up, but I felt like some of the bigger mysteries surrounding Leopold's family, the magic, and certain important objects never got the explanations I was hoping for. I didn't need every little detail spelled out, but after spending two books following these mysteries, I would have liked a little more closure.

It wasn't enough to ruin the story for me, but I did finish wishing we'd gotten just a little more.

Rating:

4/5 stars.
I enjoyed this one more than the first book! The adventures were more exciting, and I loved getting to explore more of Sunderworld. While I would have liked a few more answers, I still had a good time with Leopold and his friends.

I'm glad I read both books, and I continue to enjoy Riggs's wonderfully strange imagination.

Would I Recommend?

Absolutely! If you enjoyed the first book, I think you'll have a lot of fun with this one. There's more action, plenty of magical weirdness, and some interesting surprises along the way.

I'd recommend reading the two books fairly close together, though, since the second picks up where the first left off and doesn't spend much time recapping everything.

Just be aware that while the main adventure reaches its conclusion, you might find yourself with a few lingering questions. And if Riggs ever decides to revisit Sunderworld and answer them, I'll happily be back for another adventure!

One Compelling Sentence:

I loved getting lost in Sunderworld again; I just wish I'd found a few more answers before leaving.

I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[donutdot · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Stress Reader · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Sunderworld Vol 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry - ARC Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 rounded down

🗓️ Oct 13, 2026

Thank you to Ransom Riggs, Penguin Young Readers, Dutton Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

What if the chosen one failed his audition, the magical world was falling apart, and the only thing that could save everyone was an artifact he couldn't even figure out how to use?

Welcome back to Sunder, where being the hero is considerably less glamorous than all the other stories promised.

A failed chosen one
+
A decaying magical underworld
+
A mysterious family legacy
+
Monsters, magic, and unlikely allies
+
The burden of becoming your own kind of hero
= Weird, witty, darkly whimsical urban fantasy about finding purpose after destiny lets you down.

A strange, gritty magical underworld collides with modern Los Angeles in this sequel packed with monsters, mysteries, unusual magic, and family secrets.


📙 What happens when the world insists you are destined for greatness, then promptly shows you the door? In Sunderworld Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry, Ransom Riggs returns to a magical underworld that's as wonderfully bizarre as it is dangerous, where family secrets run deep, the monsters are very real, and being a hero is far less straightforward than the legends suggest. Building on the first book's subversion of the chosen-one fantasy, this sequel promises a story about the messy space between failing to become who you thought you should be and discovering who you might actually be. It's an invitation to embrace the weird, question destiny, and remember that being an unlikely hero can be its own kind of magic. Sunderworld Vol 2 is a strange, spirited fantasy about being the wrong hero for the right reasons.

The most interesting question in Leopold Berry's story isn't whether he can become the hero Sunder wants. It's whether he can stop measuring himself against that expectation long enough to decide what kind of hero he wants to be.

I especially loved the story's deeper questions about identity, responsibility, belonging, and what happens when an ordinary life becomes entangled with something extraordinary.

Sunderworld Vol. 2 is strongest when it embraces the things that make Leopold's story distinctive: an unconventional protagonist, a bizarre and decaying magical world, family mysteries, and the idea that failure can be the beginning of self-discovery rather than the end of a person's potential.

The worldbuilding, character growth, and subversion of the chosen-one trope were its standout strengths. The main reservation for me was structural: the pacing and numerous plot threads didn't quite work for me like I wanted. The first half of the book felt too slow. By the time I was really into it, only ~25% of the book remained. The emotional payoff at the end felt blunted, and I prefer when a book makes me feel strongly.

[Sophia Dyer • bookishly.vintage · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

After being obsessed with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children for years (and having strong opinions it should have stayed a trilogy), I have been a fan of Ransom Riggs and will read anything he publishes. Then when The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry came out, I was instantly in love and felt like we were back. This was originally announced as a new trilogy as well, double hype! So I am a little sad that this is the end of Leopold's story, and that the author decided he only needed 2 books to tell it.

I honestly regret not reading book one again before diving into this. This story picks up right where the first left off, and even though I only read it a year ago I definitely forgot a lot of details. So I feel like I had a hard time getting into this, because I was spending a good amount of time trying to figure out what was happening and what had happened previously. I think if I read the two back to back I would have understood the plot earlier and would have had a more enjoyable time reading this.

Still, the story was intriguing and I enjoyed diving back into Sunder. I liked being able to see more of the magical side of things, as well as finally have a reason why it seems to be dying out. The explanation for that felt a little rushed and I feel like it could have been explored more, but we have an explanation so I will take it. This book also gives explanations on what The Object is, why Richter is a terrible human being, what happened to Leopold's mom, and we even get to meet the guy who created the Sunderworld show that Leopold grew up watching. In short, there is a lot that happened in this book, and some parts felt more fleshed out than others.

Overall, while I would have loved to see some topics slowed down and fleshed out more, I think Riggs did a good job of wrapping everything up and not leaving any loose threads. There is a bit of an ambiguous ending, just because we don't know what the future of Sunder will bring, but I would like to think it is a little better off than when Leopold first discovered it. The concept behind these stories feels very unique and fresh, and I love reading Riggs writing. I am excited to see what he does next!
Content warnings: loss of a loved one, abandonment, kidnapping, violence, animal cruelty

[Tori · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐💫

SUNDERWORLD, VOL 2: THE UNFORTUNATE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEOPOLD BERRY by Random Riggs (October 13, 2026)

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Teen for the eArc

Leopold's famous in Sunder now. He's stalked, threatened, and hunted. All because of the ring her found using his mother's clues. He must learn how to use it before someone else gets there hands on it, and the magical world of Sunder collapses.
THE UNFORTUNATE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEOPOLD BERRY is a YA fantasy novel. This is the second volume of SUNDERWORLD, and picks up with Leopold and his friends facing consequences of their previous time in Sunder.
Going into this, I did struggle a bit. The first book came out in 2024, and I didn't remember much from it (Honestly, I should have read the first for a refresher---if you're not reading this immediately after book one, might I suggest a reread).
Okay, onto the actual review (I always struggle with sequel reviews, so bear with me).
A lot happens in this, and at times it is hard to keep up with everything. There's a magic and monsters that help draw everything together, and I really liked Leopold, Emmet, and Isabel's characters (specifically the continuation of found family because if you read the first book you know Richter sucks---and that Emmet and Isabel need Leopold as much as he needs them). I also appreciated the short chapters. This was quite a long book, so that really helped the reading/book fatigue. Especially since it's a little less action-forward, so the pace feels a lot slower than I would have liked. There were some scenes in the earlier parts that had some action, but it felt like a lot of research/investigation on Leopold's et al 's part. This does change toward the end, so that's a plus.
I don't know if there will be another SUNDERWORLD book, but I do think the way this one ended, there should be. We need the aftermath of what Leopold and his friends did, what they unleashed into the world of Sunder.

[Linda (The Arizona Bookstagrammer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the free ebook Netgalley @netgalley , Penguin Random House @penguinrandomhouse , Dutton Books for Young Readers @duttonbooks and Ransom Riggs @ransomriggs
“Sunderworld Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry” by Ransom Riggs. Genre: YA Fantasy. Location: Sunderworld/Los Angeles, California, USA.

THE SERIES: Leopold Berry (17) sees weird things: a parking meter that accepts teeth, a lizard-tongued woman, a blazing mechanical raccoon. Leopold and best friend Emmet endlessly watched videos of the 1990s fantasy tv series “Max’s Adventures in Sunderworld”. But when they take Angels Flight Trolley up LA’s Bunker Hill, they end up at the gritty Sunder Hill trolley station with its eternal pinkish dusk. It’s LA’s magical underworld, full of loss, triumph, friendship, and magic.

SYNOPSIS OF THIS BOOK: Sunderworld’s magic is failing; the monsters are coming! Now famous in Sunder (for all the wrong reasons), Leopold is stalked by paparazzi, threatened by government agents, hunted by terrifying creatures. With friends Emmet and Isabel, the 3 teenagers and Orville (a medium-sized monster) must uncover Leopold’s Sunder connection before the magical world collapses. Will the kid who was never chosen risk everything for a world that didn’t want him?

FAVORITE BIT: Riggs’s descriptions:
🦝”A row of antique sconces whispered cones of light down…”
🦝”A suffocation of ivy wreathed the exterior…”
🦝”A subtle, undefinable Elsewhereness”
🦝”That’s LA. Three exits down the freeway, and you’re in another world.”

So I say-Hold my Aetherblast-I’m going in! FREE WHOOPSIE!📚👩🏼‍🦳

#SunderworldVol2TheUnfortunateResponsibilitiesofLeopoldBerry #NetGalley

[Fallon · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I didn't remember much from book one, so it took me a minute to get back into this story and remember all the details this world built up before. Also, I would like to say I love these covers. They are genius, so Kudos to that graphic designer. Ok lets go. For some reason, I thought this was going to be a middle grade book. Maybe I remember it feeling like a middle grade book, but this one is definitely not. Mostly because we talk about drinking and drugs and have a few swear words. I see this as more of a YA for sure. So Leopold is famous as the Whoopsie kid in Sunder. There are attacks by monsters happening all the time, the Aether is acting up, and of course we have the infamous device that we are hiding. Plus Leopold, Isabel, and Emmet wind up harboring one of these dog-like monsters, a Noxum, and they aren't as bad as people think. Kind of like Pit Bulls, but bigger and scarier, they have a bad rap, but they can be cuddle bugs...that eat a lot. Anyway, these guys are going on another adventure, except they drag in Leopold's dad, who winds up getting dragged into this battle, and everyone is trying to figure out why the bad guys are targeting them. It's all over the place. Leopold winds up finding out more about the romance between his mom and dad, and everyone discovers what is going on with the Aether. It's a fun adventure on par with the first book. I enjoyed the writing; it's easy to follow, and though targeted at the YA audience, it is easy to enjoy as an older person. The adventure is fun; there is heart, a dash of romance, and some magic and fight scenes, plus a monster dog. Who doesn't love monster dogs?

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Dutton Books for Young Readers for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

I was so excited to get an early reader copy of the second volume of the Sunderworld duology. After finishing the first book, I was dying to know what would happen next. If you are just as curious as I was, Volume 2 is out today!

Ransom Riggs does a great job of weaving the history from the first book into the opening chapters of the second. This helped refresh my memory, but also made it easy for someone new to the story to read this as a standalone and follow along.

In this second installment, Leopold, Emmett, and Isabel are still on the hunt for the truth behind Leopold's mom's history of magic. However, the scope of the investigation broadens when they uncover an unexpected secret involving another member of Leopold's family. During all of this, Leopold is fending off government agents and mystical creatures trying to get their hands on the ring, all while battling internal doubts about what he owes to Sunder and whether he has the confidence to save it. As the story progresses, we get more peeks into the neighboring spaces of the slack world and the magical one.

This was a phenomenal follow-up to volume one. I was elated to find out that Riggs has publicly stated that he is "excited to return to Sunderworld in the future." I can't wait to see what's next for this trio, and whatever new characters join the mix!

Read more of my book reviews here...
https://fortandfield.blogspot.com/202...

[Amanda Favor · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Danita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry is the second (and presumably final) book in the Sunderworld series. You'll definitely want to read Volume 1 first, as Volume 2 continues the story, taking place a few weeks later. I ended up liking this one even more than the first book. I really like how much Leopold has grown in multiple ways since the beginning of the series. There's a lot going on in this book that keeps it engaging and interesting. It was easy to keep reading and flying through the pages. Sometimes I was very surprised about a turn of events, even though I had been constantly making my own theories. Things do get a bit gruesome during some of the battle scenes, but it wasn't more than I personally could handle. Things wrapped up pretty well by the end, though there are things that are left a bit open-ended. There was at least one thing I was hoping to see more of a resolution of, but it also wasn't something that was the main focus of the story. Orville turned out to be a fun and surprising new character that I loved, and even Leopold's dad grew on me by the end. This book is obviously written for young adults, though I was able to enjoy it despite being much older than the target audience.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group, Dutton Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for providing a free review copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

[Jodie · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

After reading an ARC of volume 1 in this series through Net Galley, I was looking forward to reading volume 2. In both books, I liked being immersed in a magical world of Los Angeles that made so much sense since that is a land of films and dreams. The details, such as the abandoned amusement park rides, the quirky coffee shops, the warehouse district where bands play, are true to LA. That made these books quite appealing because I could imagine a magical world set within LA. The parallels to Harry Potter also appealed to me (2 guys and 1 girl, monsters that could be befriended, castles, a school for magicians). The writing is not as intense as HP so both books are a little more accessible as YA books although as adult, I liked them.
Ransom Riggs has a great imagination that clearly can commandeer the big picture and tiny details. Sometimes I thought the twists and turns through many hidden places and some of the adventure part was overdone, however. The characters were will written and the plot kept twisting along in ways that I was not quite expecting.
Overall, these two books are fun to read. Knowing Los Angeles makes them a bit more fun. I am not sure if these two books are the end of the story. The storyline is rich and could be extended for several more books. The ending of Vol 2 is satisfying but leaves open the possibility for more. I hope Riggs extend the series.

[Addie O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADVANCED READER COPY
I was given a chance to review this book in exchange for an honest and free review. Thank you Ransom Riggs, Penguin Young Readers Group | Dutton Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for this adventure!

This is the first time I have read and ARC and purely wanted to keep it to myself. I am jealous of everyone who get to experience their first time with Sunderworld, Vol. 2: The Unfortunate Responsibilities of Leopold Berry. I found the first 40% to be foundational, but slow. Once I got past that, I could not put it down! I was immersed back into Sunderworld, and I did not want to leave. My only fear of writing intentionally about the book is giving away any easter eggs, because I want everyone else to experience this book as authentically as I did with no opinions but my own.

5 stars! We experience the coming of age and a little romance dare I say. Are we main character or side character? Do we have catch phrases? Pets? We suddenly love who we hated? Family over everything. And dare I say it, Larry brought the lunch! Absolutely brilliant in every way I didn't know I needed it to be. Thank you Ransom for giving us Larry, Emmet, Isabel, Norm, Richter, Hal (who would have thought), and Xavier. My heroes.

[Hannah Ferguson · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I was so excited to see that the second Sunderworld novel was releasing. I loved the first one, and this drops you right back into their crazy world.
The magic system is so unique, Sunder is a place that I would love to visit and maybe live in, and I hope that this isn't the end for our friends.

Sunder feels like a show that we would have all watched and created a cult following for. Knowing that it is real, but also most of the population doesn't know it's real is fun and confusing.
I didn't think there were any lulls in the story. We were constantly moving and jumping to the next adventure. But it also didn't feel like too much.
He has the best friends helping him, a solid team. There was some mild secret keeping, which is one of my least favorite troupes, but it was all fixed pretty easy.
I will absolutely keep going with the series if more come out. We had such a happy ending, but still some mystery.
Leopold and his friends are still in HS and thinking about college, but they also act very mature and I would put them as early college. There is some language, no spice, and no adult themes.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.