Rory Harrison's beautiful novel about identity, home, and fresh starts recounts one boy's quest to discover a world where he can thrive, one adventure at a time.
Dylan doesn't have a lot of experience with comfort. His room in the falling-down Village Estates can generously be categorized as squalid, and he sure isn't getting any love from his mother, who seemed to--no, definitely did--enjoy the perks that went along with being the parent of a "cancer kid."
His only escape has been in the form of his favorite video game--World of Warcraft--and the one true friend who makes him feel understood, even if it is just online: Arden. And now that Dylan is suddenly in remission, he wants to take Arden on a real mission, one he never thought he'd live to set out on: a journey to a mysterious ship in the middle of the Salton Sea.
But Arden is fighting her own battles, ones that Dylan can't always help her win. As they navigate their way west, they grapple with Arden's father (who refuses to recognize his daughter's true gender), Dylan's addiction, and the messy, complicated romance fighting so hard to blossom through the cracks of their battle-hardened hearts.
About the Author :
Rory Harrison lives in the American Midwest and is sorted into Slytherin. She's a geek and a gamer: she and pop culture are >>likedis Nick Podehl is a professional voice actor. He has narrated numerous audiobooks, many of which have won prestigious awards, including fourteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. He currently lives and works around Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife.
Review :
"Boldly thrusts transgender issues into the spotlight in a way unheard of before. A satisfying read I'll return to again and again."
-- "Zac Brewer, New York Times bestselling author"
"Debut author Harrison takes on several substantial topics, including the aftermath of disease, prescription pill abuse, gender identity, and sexuality. The characters' conflicts gracefully counterbalance their growing intimacy as they move toward a destination that is less significant than the journey itself."
-- "Publishers Weekly"
"Harrison's writing is often lovely as she portrays Dylan's kaleidoscopic emotions...Dylan's first-person narrative is deeply introspective and intense."
-- "Booklist"
"This book is a triumph, allowing honesty, excitement, humor, and heart to step over gender and sexuality constraints and tell a beautiful story."
-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"
