A pleasant but unremarkable coming-of-age tale.
Accidentally separated at birth, gay identical twin brothers Edward and Billy are thrown into a royal whirlwind when their unexpected reunion interrupts both of their plans for the future.
Crown Prince of Canada Edward Dinnissen is starting his senior year of high school at an elite prep school in New York City. He’s ready to shed the bad press from a mishap on his last birthday and is busy preparing for his upcoming investiture ceremony. Meanwhile, Montana native Billy Boone is trying to find his place in the world, torn between working on his family’s ranch and carrying on his recently deceased father’s legacy and feeling like he's meant for something bigger. A gifted violinist, Billy is elated to be invited to try out for Juilliard. The two boys’ worlds are turned upside down when an accidental run-in while Billy is in New York City for the audition leads to the discovery that the presumed White 18-year-olds are in fact long-lost twins. Pax, Billy’s best friend from home, is a Black, nonbinary aspiring fashion designer whose attraction to Prince Edward takes an exciting turn. The plot is relatively engaging, with scenes that will keep many readers interested. Unfortunately, character development is weak, and as a result, the characters’ motivations come across as inconsistent and ungrounded. Since many deeper themes and feelings are spelled out rather than emerging organically, events that should evoke serious emotions often fall flat and lack resonance.
A pleasant but unremarkable coming-of-age tale. (Fiction. 13-18)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-335-42592-8
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice.
A teenage, not-so-lonely loner endures the wilds of high school in Austin, Texas.
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. 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. 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. Norris’ ego, fueled by his insecurities, often gets in the way of meaningful character development. 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. 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 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.
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-282411-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
Despite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod.
Can a 17-year-old with her first girlfriend prevent real-life folks from discovering her online fandoms?
Cass is proudly queer, happily fat, and extremely secretive about being a fan who role-plays on Discord. 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. 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. To be fair, her grades are suffering. And sure, maybe she’s missed a college application deadline. Also, her mom has suddenly left Minneapolis and moved to Maine to be with a man she met online. But on the other hand, Cass is finally dating her amazingly cute longtime crush, Taylor. 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 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. 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.
Despite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-06-324332-3
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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