The inevitable train wreck of her lies looms on the horizon for months in an overlong morality play building to the climax that includes tidy resolutions to all the character arcs that are quite heartwarming but, in the case of Cass’ estranged mother, narratively unearned.ĭespite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod.Quiver is an online platform that connects people with similar interests and hobbies. But Rowan doesn’t want to be a dirty little secret and doesn’t see why Cass can’t be honest about this part of her life. Pansexual Taylor is a gamer, a little bit punk, White like Cass, and so, so great-but she still can’t help comparing her to Rowan, Cass’ online best friend and role-playing ship partner. But on the other hand, Cass is finally dating her amazingly cute longtime crush, Taylor. Also, her mom has suddenly left Minneapolis and moved to Maine to be with a man she met online. And sure, maybe she’s missed a college application deadline. ![]() Now, turning to her role-play friends to cope with her fighting parents, she worries that people will judge her for her fannishness and online life. Back in middle school, she had what she calls a gaming addiction, playing “The Sims” so much her parents had to take the game away. The humor is spot-on, as is the representation of the black diaspora the opportunity for broader conversations about other topics is there, however, the uneven buildup of detailed, meaningful exchanges and the glibness of Norris’ voice detract.ĭespite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice.Ĭan a 17-year-old with her first girlfriend prevent real-life folks from discovering her online fandoms?Ĭass is proudly queer, happily fat, and extremely secretive about being a fan who role-plays on Discord. A scene where Norris is confronted by his mother for getting drunk and belligerent with a white cop is diluted by his refusal or inability to grasp the severity of the situation and the resultant minor consequences. The scenes showcasing his emotional growth are too brief and, despite foreshadowing, the climax falls flat because he still gets incredible personal access to people he’s hurt. Norris’ ego, fueled by his insecurities, often gets in the way of meaningful character development. He’s greeted in his new life by an assortment of acquaintances, Liam, who is white and struggling with depression Maddie, a self-sacrificing white cheerleader with a heart of gold and Aarti, his Indian-American love interest who offers connection. His professor mom’s new tenure-track job transplants Norris mid–school year, and his biting wit and sarcasm are exposed through his cataloging of his new world in a field guide–style burn book. Norris Kaplan, the protagonist of Philippe’s debut novel, is a hypersweaty, uber-snarky black, Haitian, French-Canadian pushing to survive life in his new school. The primary cast assumes a white default except for Zo’s friend Claire, a Thai-American transgender girl.ĭespite some issues, the novel opens important conversations about faith, family, independence, and identity.Ī teenage, not-so-lonely loner endures the wilds of high school in Austin, Texas. Disappointingly, readers don’t gain much insight into Zo’s genderfluidity and are never introduced to Zo’s personal pronouns (Libby presumes she/her/hers). Although the somewhat stiff narration alternates between Libby’s and Zo’s perspectives, the story belongs to Libby as she questions what she’s been taught (“The only way I’ve ever been is the way I’ve been told to be”). Crucially, neither teen attacks the other’s beliefs or way of life instead, Zo gently challenges Libby’s teachings about a woman’s subservience. When Libby’s parents cease contact with their neighbors, Libby must decide whether to obey her parents or maintain her friendship. Zo’s family, liberal and fully supportive of Zo’s genderfluidity, are the antithesis of Libby’s family. ![]() Things change when Zo’s family moves into the neighborhood and the two teens strike up a friendship. She’s prepared to fulfill her duty of marrying young and bearing children, even if she’s beginning to realize that’s not what she wants. Libby, who has five younger siblings, has little exposure to life outside her family’s isolated home, where her father’s word is law. When genderfluid Zo moves in next door to Libby and her evangelical Christian family in rural Tennessee, their unlikely friendship changes Libby’s life.
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