Really solid debut. Hard in some ways, but that’s what grappling with this kind of content is about (religious cults, trans-ness, apocalypse, plague, etc) AND still was challenging emotionally in some ways. 

More when on the comp. 

Edited to add: a dark foray into the world of religious cults, dystopian futures, and more. Our protagonist, 16 year old trans boy Benji, is running from the religious cult his mother leads that shaped his upbringing and understanding of the world. After being infected with a bioweapon, as part of the church's plans, Benji escapes with help from his father, and is desperate to find anywhere the cult can't reach him. Benji ends up rescued, after the assassination of his father, by a group of youth who are/were part of an LGBTQNIA2S+ center prior to civilization's downfall. Benji is offered respite with the group, but one of their leaders quickly learns his secret, and may use Benji for his own devices. Coming of age tell combined with coming into self tale, dystopian future combined with hopeful found family tropes, the battles that wage in those of us who are forced to choose to divorce ourselves from our families (by blood and extended) when they want to use us for purposes not of our choosing. Dark, gritty, this novel isn't for the faint of heart, but is exceptionally well-written, and was a very solid debut.