This book! This was one of the most unique books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. All the characters were intriguing and fun, and the whole premise was super dope. I loved Tristan—his bravery and his fear, his relatability. He was a great MC to get behind, and I know a lot of children will deeply connect with him. It ended in a very satisfying way, but still set up the sequel really well. I can’t wait for it to come out in October!

One other important aspect of this book were the themes it explored. Not only was it written by a POC from a young black boy’s perspective, but it also dealt with struggling with fear and self doubt, guilt, and grief, as well as a bunch of other really important topics. I could feel the grief not only in the MC over the death of his best friend (not a spoiler—this happens before the book begins) but also in the whole story world. The horror of what is happening is tangible and heartbreaking, and historical. But, like Mbalia discusses toward the end of the book, just because it’s awful doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about it. And Mbalia sure does talk about it, in both overt and covert ways.

So, if you want a diverse, POC book that’s rich and fun and raw and real, grab this up and join the (often sticky, often dangerous) ride.