Blog Archives
Hero Journey
Malanoche’s Curse follows two teenage sleuths who investigate a devastating drought and eerie supernatural events, and wind up uncovering an ancient curse threatening their Texas hometown. How does this installment in the series build upon the characters, relationships, and adventures established in the earlier Arthur and Marya mysteries?
I think that from the very beginning my intent was that the Arthur and Marya mysteries would be a trilogy. The events and key characters in the first book reappear in the second, and now the third. This is really one story told in three parts. In a sense, I think, it is Arthur and Marya’s hero journey.
How did you develop the supernatural forces at the center of your story, and what inspired their connection to the town’s history?
I knew from the beginning of this process that these kids were going to have to face some adversity. That’s what a hero journey is about. And not just ordinary adversity, because I also knew that their adversity would involve magic and would place them squarely in the timeless battle between good and evil. Even though they don’t understand it at first, they have been chosen to do some pretty amazing things in the name of “good,” while their adversaries tend to be people or creatures who are at least imbued with all sorts of magical qualities and abilities.
As for their connection to Coronado Springs, several factors come into play. First, I knew before I started that the story would be set in my favorite part of Texas. But beyond that, because magical events are featured so prominently in the story, I figured that the city itself should have a role to play. Thus, Dr. Chomsky reminds the kids that many worlds exist beyond the one we can see and feel. Sometimes, those worlds intersect our world at a particular, special place, and Coronado Springs is one of those special places. He also reminds them that only special people can experience that intersection, and they, Arthur and Marya, are among those special people.
How does Malanoche’s Curse explore how historical events and traditions can continue to influence the present?
Well, that’s really at the core of the story because it was an event that occurred in 1890 that set the entire story in motion. The event was the cruel treatment of a native American family by the white people in Coronado Springs. It was an event that some never forgot, and an event that stoked an ongoing desire for revenge. As William Faulkner said, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”
What do you hope readers take away from the story’s emphasis on courage, curiosity, and questioning appearances?
That’s a good question because it goes to one of the things I hoped to achieve in all three of these books: encouraging the young reader to look around, to be aware of the magic all around him. That, of course, is easier said than done, but it was very much in the forefront of my mind as I was writing. In fact, it was probably the primary motivating force behind the trilogy. I wrote the first book for my Grandson on his ninth birthday, and I knew from the beginning that what I hoped to impart to him was that magic does exist, but one must be open to it.
Malanoche’s Curse
Malanoche’s Curse by Tom Blanton is an engaging blend of mystery, supernatural adventure, and historical intrigue set in the fictional town of Coronado Springs, Texas. The third installment in the Arthur and Marya mystery series brings back two resourceful teenage friends whose talent for uncovering secrets keeps landing them in extraordinary situations. This time, their hometown is suffering through a devastating drought, and a series of increasingly disturbing events suggests something far more sinister than a stretch of bad weather. Mysterious owl-headed figures, unexplained electrical failures, and an old legend involving a powerful curse gradually draw Arthur and Marya into a mystery with roots stretching back generations. Blanton does a wonderful job establishing the small-town Texas atmosphere, from a lively Fourth of July rodeo to the dusty countryside surrounding Skeleton Rock. The contrast between these familiar surroundings and the strange forces threatening the community gives the story an appealing sense of unease. There’s something especially intriguing about watching an ordinary summer turn into an adventure where local history, ancient traditions, and supernatural forces become deeply intertwined.
I liked the relationship between Arthur and Marya. Their friendship feels comfortable and genuine, built on shared experiences, mutual trust, and plenty of playful teasing. Arthur is thoughtful, observant, and inclined to analyze situations, while Marya brings confidence, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit to their investigations. Their different personalities complement each other, and their conversations provide welcome moments of humor when the story grows tense. Blanton also surrounds them with an entertaining supporting cast, including the mysterious Dr. Chomsky, the outspoken talking crow Alexander, and the influential Don Pedro Guzmán. Each brings something distinctive to the adventure, whether it’s wisdom, comic relief, or a connection to the town’s complicated past. The story also benefits from its attention to family relationships and community ties. Arthur and Marya may find themselves confronting extraordinary dangers, but their concern for the people around them keeps their journey grounded in recognizable emotions and motivations.
Readers familiar with Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief will recognize a similar appeal in Malanoche’s Curse. Both stories place young protagonists in situations where ancient powers influence the modern world, and both use humor, friendship, and dangerous challenges to make their adventures entertaining. Like Riordan, Blanton understands that young heroes become more compelling when they rely on clever thinking and cooperation as much as courage. The two authors approach their supernatural material from different cultural and storytelling traditions, however. Where Riordan draws heavily from Greek mythology, Blanton builds his mystery around Southwestern history, archaeological discoveries, Indigenous-inspired legends, and the enduring consequences of events from the distant past. Blanton’s storytelling also has the feel of a traditional mystery, with clues, suspicious encounters, and conversations that invite readers to piece things together alongside the protagonists. The combination gives the novel a personality of its own, blending the investigative appeal of a detective story with the imaginative possibilities of fantasy adventure.
I think what makes Malanoche’s Curse particularly enjoyable is the way its mystery expands from troubling incidents in a small community into a much larger adventure involving unfamiliar places, unusual creatures, and challenging decisions. Blanton has a knack for introducing curious details that encourage readers to keep turning pages, and his imaginative settings provide some of the book’s most memorable moments. The pacing occasionally slows during extended conversations explaining the history and supernatural forces behind the mystery, but those passages help establish the background that gives the adventure its significance. There’s also an appealing emphasis on trusting one’s instincts, questioning appearances, and finding courage in uncertain circumstances. Although this is the third book in a series, Blanton provides enough context for newcomers to follow the story while giving returning readers the pleasure of reconnecting with familiar characters. With its likable young detectives, colorful personalities, intriguing historical elements, and imaginative supernatural encounters, Malanoche’s Curse offers an entertaining reading experience for younger audiences and adults who enjoy mysteries with a generous helping of fantasy.
Spiritual Questions and Quantum Mechanics
Lexie Diamond and the World’s Greatest Virtual Romance follows a fourteen-year-old girl who runs an otherworldly portal for Lost Souls and takes on an unauthorized solo mission, leading her to the perfect boyfriend and danger. What inspired the idea of a teenager operating a portal where Lost Souls arrive with unfinished business?
When the idea came to me, I was standing in the middle of three different areas of interest: I was seeking answers to spiritual questions that often drifted into quantum mechanics. My beloved grandmother died and I missed her terribly. And lastly, I was thrilled by the future possibilities of technology. My stories usually begin with the question in my mind, what if? From the cauldron of those distinct areas—spirit/science, heart and tech—my imagination cooked up the first book in the series, The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond. In that novel, Lexie is longing for her dead mother, and because Lexie is a computer nerd/genius, I thought what if she found her mom through a portal like a hole in the quantum field? Does love live on past death? Can technology prolong or aid our connection to our loved ones?
How did you develop Lexie’s distinctive way of understanding people through computers, algorithms, and programming?
I became obsessed with the graphic poetry of Eric Raymond’s Hacker’s Dictionary. The language was fun and different, and it helped me ‘show’ Lexie’s discomfort with people and so-called reality without having to explain it. She’s an introvert who anthropomorphizes her computer Ajna-Mac, treating it as her guru. To move beyond her limitations and develop friendships or date people, she must expand her mindset.
What led you to incorporate the Enneagram into a supernatural young adult adventure, and why did you want an ancient system of personality understanding to exist alongside Lexie’s very modern technological worldview?
I’ve been a student of the Enneagram for over two decades. When my literary editor, Judith Searle, introduced me to it, the information transformed my understanding of my personality. How I wish I possessed this knowledge before I came into adulthood. I have since used it as a writing tool, to cast films, to run a business, even to parent. As you suggest, the ancient roots of the Enneagram provide an interesting contrast to Lexie’s fantastical sci-fi world. When I worked out the plot for Lexie Diamond and the World’s Greatest Virtual Romance, I was excited to share the Enneagram with YA readers.
What does Lexie’s experience teach her about the difference between popularity, belonging, romance, and authentic connection?
Let’s face it, Lexie is desperate for love and attention. She wants to belong to someone or something. Like most young people, she does not yet fully believe in herself and is vulnerable to attention. When she falls in love with Romeo (who wouldn’t?) and her wildest dreams come true, she forgets who she is and all that she believes in. Only when her world comes crashing down, and she exerts her true power, does she learn that words, no matter how sweet, mean nothing unless combined with sincere action. It’s a tough universal lesson that we all must learn.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Author Website | Virtual Believers Website
The Road Beside
Fred Gracely’s The Road Beside is an imaginative young adult novel that blends dystopian science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and coming-of-age storytelling into an engaging exploration of identity, belonging, and personal transformation. At its center is Willow, a sixteen-year-old struggling to navigate life in Warwick, a deteriorating city plagued by corruption, technological excess, and social unrest. Still grieving her mother’s death and coping with an emotionally absent father, Willow has developed a defensive wit and a deep distrust of the world around her. Her life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious encounter draws her into a journey involving unusual characters, unexplained phenomena, and a community unlike anything she’s known. As Willow begins to question her understanding of reality, she also confronts the beliefs and fears that have shaped her life. Gracely establishes an intriguing premise, combining the excitement of an extraordinary adventure with the emotional struggles of an ordinary teenager searching for connection and purpose.
I enjoyed the story’s richly imagined setting, particularly the contrast between Warwick and the secluded community of Harmony Hollow. Warwick’s crowded streets, oppressive atmosphere, and dependence on technology reflect a society struggling with the consequences of its choices. Harmony Hollow, by comparison, offers a compelling vision of communal living, shared responsibility, and an intimate relationship with nature. Gracely brings this environment to life through colorful descriptions, distinctive customs, and memorable inhabitants. The supporting characters, including the mischievous Benjamin, spirited Charlotte, perceptive Oka, and complicated Deckler, contribute humor, warmth, and interpersonal tension. Their relationships with Willow provide opportunities for both conflict and growth. The dialogue is frequently playful, with Willow’s sarcasm serving as an effective counterbalance to the story’s more serious concerns. At times, the conversations become lengthy or overly explanatory, but the characters’ individual personalities help maintain the narrative’s energy and accessibility.
Beneath its adventurous premise, The Road Beside examines the relationship between individual choices and the larger world. Gracely incorporates environmental concerns, artificial intelligence, human connection, and the responsibilities people have toward one another into a story driven by personal discovery. The novel also draws inspiration from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, incorporating literary references and spiritual ideas about the influence of past experiences, present decisions, and future possibilities. These elements give Willow’s journey an additional dimension, encouraging readers to consider how their perceptions shape their actions. Benjamin captures one of the book’s central ideas when he observes that what matters about distance “is what fills the space between them.” The sentiment reflects the novel’s emphasis on experiences, relationships, and the meaning found along life’s unpredictable paths. Gracely also handles Willow’s grief with sensitivity, allowing her vulnerability to coexist with her stubbornness, humor, and growing curiosity.
The novel’s ambitious combination of speculative concepts and emotional storytelling creates an expansive narrative filled with imaginative surprises. Its pacing occasionally slows when characters explain the community’s philosophies or the workings of its unusual world, yet these passages also contribute to the book’s thoughtful examination of human behavior. Willow remains a sympathetic and convincing protagonist because her struggles with insecurity, loss, friendship, and trust feel recognizable even amid extraordinary circumstances. Her mother’s encouragement, “Let your light shine, Willow,” provides a meaningful expression of the novel’s interest in courage, authenticity, and the willingness to engage with others. Gracely approaches these themes with sincerity, presenting kindness and compassion as qualities with genuine transformative power. The Road Beside is a thoughtful, inventive adventure that will appeal to readers who enjoy character-centered fantasy, speculative fiction, and stories that connect personal growth with larger questions about humanity’s future.
Pages: 345 | ASIN : B0HH84WZBZ
I Start With A Cover
As The World Burns follows a 15-year-old boy who is confined seventy-five miles underground after a catastrophic experiment links his body to the planet’s destruction. What inspired you to write a science fiction thriller around a teenager whose very existence threatens the survival of Earth?
As with most of my novels, I’m inspired by a title that I see – or a wordplay on a familiar line – and then I get inspiration visually for a cover. I know I’m a bit of an anomaly in that regard (book cover first) but I’m very visually inspired, so I design an alluring cover and title first, and then that greatly motivates me to sculpt an alluring story to match it. I let the visuals tell me what the story is about. And then, in true pantser fashion, I plunge in having no idea where I’m going to go with it other than a basic premise. I let the chips fall where they may, let the characters bumble around and knock their heads against walls, and then finally, before I know it, I’m typing the words “The End.” And oh what an adventure it always is. 🙂
How did you develop Cooper’s personality, particularly his combination of sarcasm, intelligence, vulnerability, and longing for a normal teenage life?
I think I wanted someone who was worthy of rising above the doldrums of a life lived in captivity. His existence transcends his fate. I myself am fascinated with words, though I’m no verbal raconteur (OK, based on that, maybe I am, ha!) but I wanted a good dose of smarts, cynicism, optimism, frustration, longing, and growth. I don’t know anybody who embodies that better than someone going through one of the most vulnerable stages of their life, the teenage years.
How does the conflict between Cooper and Xandrius reflect the challenges of communication, trust, and protection within ordinary parent-child relationships?
I’m very fond of father-son relationships (I have two boys, 10 and 7) and I really enjoy exploring that dynamic. They aren’t altogether different, but their sameness sort of repels them at times, and they have to work through that. Xandrius carries guilt; Cooper carries angst. Xandrius carries a huge burden as the President of the United Countries of America amidst a global crisis, and he knows, deep down in his core, that deep down in the core of the Earth sits his son, whose predicament is Xandrius’ own fault. There’s tremendous guilt there. And there are demands and expectations placed upon him by the entire planet once they find out that his own son is tied to the Earth’s fate. He has to reconcile balancing their needs with his son’s. In the end, I think I wanted him to really rise to the challenge, shoulder the blame, and sacrifice himself (spoiler, sort of) in order to ensure that his son’s name could be cleared. Sort of making himself the bigger target. That reveals to Cooper his father’s incredible love and honor.
What do you hope readers, particularly those who enjoy Christian speculative fiction, take away from the novel?
A father’s relationship with his son is tremendously powerful. It’s either polarizing, or affirming beyond belief. Also, the notion that grief and regret can be swallowed up in redemption. In a way, As The World Burns mirrors the greatest story ever told: a father sacrificing his son so that humanity could survive. I desperately wanted that parallel to be evident in my novel, because it’s the most beautiful story ever told as well.
Author Links: GoodRead | X | Facebook | Website
A father. A dying planet. A sacrifice that mirrors the greatest story ever told. As The World Burns weaves faith, prayer, and biblical allegory into a gripping sci-fi catastrophe.
In 2557, 15-year-old Cooper Calloway lives 75 miles underground in a sealed plastic habitat because metal clings to his irradiated skin. Every heartbeat steals momentum from the planet, shortening the days and setting continents on fire. It is a lean, emotionally-direct Christian dystopia: an android guard named Valente, a girl who whispers Cooper’s name across a lava gulf, a first love written clean. In the end, what will one father give out of love?
For readers who want their theology embedded in genuine human stakes, this one delivers. Fans of Away by Megan E. Freeman and The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker will devour this book!
Of Inklings and Willowpillars
Brent K. Newcomb’s Of Inklings and Willowpillars, the first book in The Chronicles of Ber’Ebrin, is a wonderfully eccentric fantasy adventure that combines Victorian charm, fairy-tale magic, and a mischievous sense of humor. Set in 1877, the story follows five imaginative children who call themselves the Inklings, along with their absentminded mentor, Professor Augustus E. Peabody. When the professor discovers a mysterious map pointing toward the legendary paradise of Ber’Ebrin, the group embarks on a journey into a world filled with strange creatures, dangerous kingdoms, and surprises that challenge everything they thought they knew. Meanwhile, a sinister creature known as the Beast has been given a particularly troubling assignment involving fifteen-year-old Mary Doyle. This darker thread adds an intriguing tension to an adventure that frequently delights in the ridiculous. Newcomb creates a story where curiosity opens doors to extraordinary possibilities, even when what’s waiting on the other side is considerably more dangerous than anyone anticipated.
Newcomb clearly enjoys inventing unusual creatures, peculiar customs, and fantastical locations, and that enthusiasm comes through on nearly every page. From the mysterious Colorless Kingdoms to the enchanting Woodrealm, each setting has its own personality and dangers. The creatures are especially entertaining, including the endearing willowpillars, unruly imps, intimidating drakes, and other beings that seem to have wandered out of a particularly inventive collection of folklore. The world feels expansive, with its own histories, rivalries, magical artifacts, and rules that the characters must gradually understand. Newcomb also has a fondness for elaborate descriptions, playful dialogue, and unexpected comic interruptions. His narrator frequently addresses the reader directly, adding a storytelling quality reminiscent of an eccentric grandfather sharing a fantastic tale beside the fireplace. The result is a richly detailed adventure that invites readers to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Readers familiar with C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia will recognize a similar affection for children discovering magical worlds where goodness, temptation, and courage carry real consequences. Both authors understand how fantasy can explore moral choices through exciting adventures and memorable creatures. Newcomb, however, brings a more rambunctious personality to his storytelling, with a distinctly Victorian flavor and a generous helping of absurdist comedy. His eccentric professor, in particular, adds a delightful unpredictability to the proceedings. There are also echoes of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the colorful assortment of companions and strange societies encountered along the way. What makes Newcomb’s approach engaging is the balance between whimsical adventure and genuine peril. The young characters face situations that require resourcefulness, loyalty, and difficult decisions, and their individual personalities help give those moments emotional weight. Mary’s struggle between growing up and holding on to her imagination is especially compelling, while the younger children contribute warmth, humor, and an infectious curiosity.
Of Inklings and Willowpillars is a story about friendship, innocence, temptation, and the courage to choose what’s right when doing so becomes difficult. Newcomb gives these themes room to develop through an ambitious narrative filled with intersecting adventures, amusing detours, and a substantial cast of characters. The pacing occasionally slows as the author explores another corner of his elaborate world, but those diversions contribute to the book’s old-fashioned storytelling appeal. There’s something refreshing about a fantasy novel so willing to linger over a strange encounter, an amusing conversation, or a peculiar bit of magical history. Although its youthful protagonists make it accessible to younger fantasy enthusiasts, the book’s darker elements, literary references, and layers of humor offer plenty for adult readers to appreciate as well. With its lively imagination, memorable creatures, and underlying belief in the importance of goodness, Of Inklings and Willowpillars offers an entertaining introduction to a much larger fantasy universe. It’s an inviting choice for readers who enjoy traditional portal fantasies, eccentric characters, and stories that still believe there’s something marvelous waiting beyond the familiar world.
Pages: 276 | ASIN : B0HJFRXBTQ
A Game of Chess
Blood of Iron follows a desperate king trying to save his kingdom who seeks to use an ancient blood-powered weapon to defeat his enemies, forcing his children to choose between loyalty and conscience. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This is a very good first question. I always wanted to write my very own sword and sorcery story, where good and evil are not very clearly defined, and each character has a motive for his or her actions. Working on this story, I was paradoxically inspired by vampire movies, particularly by the first Blade movie with actor Wesley Snipes in the title role. The idea of using blood as an awakening catalyst, was inspired by a scene of a final battle where Blade faced a Blood god called La Magra, a powerful vampire entity summoned by an evil vampire Deacon Frost through a blood ritual that involved the sacrifice of vampire elders and use of Blade’s own blood. And while the inspiration came from a vampire movie, I think I managed to create a good story involving blood and dark magic.
While the king sees salvation for his kingdom, his children, Prince Hares and Princess Alesta, begin questioning the morality of his plans. How do the characters’ relationships challenge their assumptions about loyalty, authority, and the responsibilities they owe to one another?
King Herman the Ironfist, crown prince Hares and his sister, Princess Alesta are the three very important characters in the story. The King, facing a massive invasion of his lands by an enemy coalition, cares about his children, his dynasty and his kingdom. His motive is a mix of desperation, mixed with desire to crush his enemies once and for all. For him, awakening the ancient super weapon named Sanger is a necessity, and the sacrifice of one thousand men to have it, makes him fully believe that the end justifies the means. In contrast, Prince Hares and Princess Alesta have less influence and power than their father, and while Hares is a warrior and Alesta is a scholar, both of them have a strong sense of justice and morals. In their minds, there are lines powerful people should not cross if it means the deaths of innocents. That makes them people with a strong moral compass, who would rather seek an alternative solution.
What interested you about exploring the conflict between loyalty to family, loyalty to one’s country, and loyalty to personal principles?
All fiction takes its inspiration from real historical events. I read many interesting books about powerful people forced by fate, destiny and circumstances to make very hard choices. In some cases, life, just like war, is a game of chess, where players are willing to sacrifice pawns and then even more powerful and important figures to win the game. An ordinary person with little or no power or influence can do little, but a person who has the power to command men, economies and armies sometimes is faced with hard choices he or she has to make. As far as the loyalty to family and loyalty to one’s country, it is often a Catch 22, because love for the family must save the family, while love for the country can save millions. In regard to personal principles, I think that every good person has them, and will only be willing to compromise them to save the people he loves.
Do you envision returning to Tarkonia or expanding the world of Blood of Iron through future stories?
To be honest, the thought had crossed my mind in regard to the Kingdom of Tarkonia and the world I built around it to create this particular story. I believe that there is a lot of food for thought, and there might be a possibility to do just that. In order to expand the world of Blood of Iron, I would have to rethink a few things in regard to the events I presented in Blood of Iron, and create a time frame where another expanded the story will take place. Since Tarkonia is just one of the countries that has an important role to play, other countries and dominions must be created, explored, and given their own history, motives and conflict outcomes. The story is definitely worth thinking about, but for now, I will put it on a shelf, until I get inspired again to expand this unique world. I will probably draw a map of the realm, give it life and work on the people who inhabit it. There is much to think about, and I will patiently wait for an inspiration to write a new novella.
Stray
Angélique Jamail’s Stray, the second book in the Animal Affinities series, takes a fascinating premise and turns it into a deeply personal coming-of-age story about identity, friendship, family, and finding where you belong. Set primarily in Houston, the novel imagines a world where people develop animal affinities that influence their physical characteristics, instincts, and relationships. At the center is Raqia, a Lebanese American teenager navigating the already complicated experience of growing up while waiting for her own affinity to emerge. Her closest friend, Anabelle, has been a constant presence in her life, but adolescence brings changes that test even their longest-held assumptions about each other. Jamail weaves the supernatural elements into everyday teenage experiences so naturally that the animal affinities feel like another dimension of growing up. There’s something especially compelling about watching Raqia figure out who she is while everyone around her seems to have an opinion about who she should become.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how convincingly Jamail captures the shifting dynamics of teenage relationships. Raqia and Anabelle’s friendship has a believable history, complete with inside jokes, familiar routines, insecurities, and moments of tension. Their interactions feel authentic because Jamail understands how friendship can become complicated when two people start developing different priorities. Eddie, Anabelle’s older brother, adds another emotional dimension to the story, introducing questions about attraction, loyalty, and what it means to feel genuinely understood. Raqia’s grandmother, Taita, is another particularly memorable character. Her warmth, protectiveness, and cultural traditions give the story an emotional foundation, especially as Raqia works through questions about her family and Lebanese heritage. The relationships are layered, and Jamail gives readers plenty of opportunities to understand why these characters behave the way they do, even when their decisions create friction.
Readers familiar with Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver will recognize a similar interest in the complicated intersection of human emotion, animal instincts, and romantic connection. Both authors explore how extraordinary biological changes can intensify the experiences of adolescence, particularly the desire for intimacy and acceptance. Jamail brings her own perspective to that territory by developing an entire social landscape around animal affinities. In Stray, these traits influence everything from family expectations to public perceptions and social hierarchies. The story also touches on prejudice, personal autonomy, and the expectations people place on others based on their identities. Jamail’s writing is especially effective during quieter scenes, when conversations reveal underlying tensions or a small gesture communicates more than a lengthy explanation. Her attention to Raqia’s internal reactions makes the character’s uncertainty, excitement, and frustration easy to connect with. The pacing gives these emotional developments room to unfold, creating a reading experience driven as much by relationships as by the fantasy premise.
What makes Stray particularly engaging is its understanding that finding your place in the world often means reconsidering what belonging actually looks like. Raqia’s experiences raise interesting questions about the connection between instinct and choice, the responsibilities that come with relationships, and the difference between being accepted and being understood. Jamail also gives meaningful attention to cultural identity, allowing Raqia’s Lebanese American background to inform her worldview and family relationships. These details bring specificity and warmth to the story while making its larger themes feel relatable. The novel’s combination of contemporary teenage life, emotional complexity, and speculative worldbuilding gives readers several reasons to become invested in Raqia’s journey. Fans of character-driven young adult fantasy, especially stories that explore friendship and romance alongside questions of identity, will find plenty to appreciate here. Stray is an emotionally attentive novel about growing into yourself, learning to navigate changing relationships, and discovering that belonging involves both the people who surround you and the choices you make.
Pages: 239 | ASIN : B0GR6S7Y6D
