I loved the world TJ created, the characters, the themes it touched on, and the ending. I also appreciated the complexity of Linus’s situation.

However, there were some things that kept me from loving this book as a whole. I found the writing too descriptive which made it longer than it needed to be and slowed down the pacing. I also thought the messages in the book were too overt for an adult reader. With that being said, this is a great book for pre-teens in teaching them about individual and societal prejudices born from the fear of those who are “different”, the role the government plays in creating and amplifying injustices in society, and the effect it has on those who are marginalized. It also shows the power of love and how finding your tribe can help you thrive.