I was not expecting to like this sequel even more than the first one, but here we are. 

It focuses a lot on the AIDS pandemic and the fears of not only growing up but growing up as a queer man in the 80s. 

We finally get Ari coming out of his shell and developing beyond Dante, who in turn gets to show he's not always the confident and carefree boy from the first book. 

This is real and raw and full of grief, and I loved every second of it.