September 4, 2023
Queer teens navigate breakups, familial challenges, and personal tragedy amid surreal apocalyptic visions in this frenetic speculative offering from Schrieve (Out of Salem). James Goldman, a transgender teen who describes himself as “neurotic and feral and gay,” distracts himself from his oppressive small-town high school environment by participating in the local punk scene and volunteering with Compton House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to the LGBTQ community. After a fire breaks out at a well-known venue, devastating the music scene and further imperiling Compton’s already strained finances, James and his found family of fellow queer friends endeavor to stage a rock opera to raise money. In the process, the teens reckon with the bizarre and terrifying visions they’ve experienced ever since meeting Orsino, a mysterious trans guy with apparent telepathic powers. Meandering plot points and stilted pacing sometimes distract from the important messaging of this slice-of-life read. Still, Schrieve’s zingy dialogue shines, and the novel’s punk-rock energy makes the many discussions of gender and sexuality feel punchy and vital. Ages 13–17.
September 15, 2023
Trans teens must save the LGBTQ+ youth center--and the world. Orsino, a rural trans boy, is plagued by visions of aliens, time travel, and destruction. With James, a goth trans boy, he finds that he can share these visions--and even create new realities when they touch. James falls for Orsino but realizes he still has feelings for Ian, a gender-questioning queer Latine punk (Orsino and James are white; James is Jewish). Meanwhile, the boys and their friends attempt to organize a punk music fundraising show. The story combines a familiar tale of youth activism with epic, allegorical science fiction, but the two elements are like oil and water, mingling without fully merging into a satisfying whole. There is a darkness to both parts: The characters experience challenging lives rife with abuse and bullying, adults with terrible boundaries, and the everyday pain of adolescence; meanwhile, aliens offer horrific visions of destruction and existential threats. The end does provide a glimmer of hope, however. The writing can be stiff, but there are moments of evocative description and emotional poignancy. A slur for people with mental disabilities appears several times, used unnecessarily by an abusive dad and adding to the raw tone. Taken as a whole, the book is original and intriguing despite not wholly achieving its ambitious goals. A mixed bag with some gems for adventurous readers to find. (Fantasy. 14-18)
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