This book ... wow. I'm speechless. Every middle schooler needs to read this book. I think it would be great to read as a whole class, or in book circles. The deep dive into the mentality of bullying and popularity is so, so thought provoking and real and necessary.

I loved Mal. I also hated Mal. That's how you know it's a real, breathing character--when you're gripped by fierce love and understanding--and also anger and even hatred. I hated her for what she did. I hated her for what I saw of herself in me. I loved her for how she tried, and who she was in that trying. I loved how the story ended, with things not exactly right, but resolved, and as right as they could be, given the circumstances.

Keller is a master of magical realism. This was a little less magical than her previous work, but it was still delightfully mysterious and fun. I don't know that I've actually read a book about aliens like this one before, where there's an honest to goodness alien hunt going on, and that was really fun. I would have adored this book growing up.

The whole book was very gripping, the plot flitting between two timelines--the present and the then--but it was never confusing. I was right with Mal and her story the whole time. The only reason it took me a while to read was because it was an e-arc on my phone, and I hate reading on my phone. But once I got past the 5th chapter, I was hooked and read it in one sitting. That's saying a lot for it being on my phone!

Thank you to netgalley for the free arc!