This book came to me via an ARC program, and the preview was intriguing so I chose it.

The Premise

When his younger brother Stevie disappears from in front of their house, Michael wants to pitch in to help find him. He’s relieved when Stevie soon mysteriously returns — until around him, everyone seems to be acting strange: his parents and grandparents, and even his crush Detective Ito. He soon realises that all is not as it seems, and Stevie may not be safely returned as he first thought. Even worse — other young Asian boys are also disappearing in their neighbourhood. Can he figure it out and solve the case before it’s too late?

The Pros

This was an intriguing mystery/suspense featuring a young gay male protagonist, and I really enjoyed seeing this representation. Michael is a great character to root for: smart, savvy, and endearing. I also loved the representation of Stevie and his quirks due to his autism. Their brotherly bond was undeniable and brought the story to life. Another aspect that drew me in was the elements of history that are interwoven throughout. We learn about a war that shaped the nation and its people, but instead of it being the main feature, we see it through the eyes of later generations that only witness the effects it left behind on their elders.

Overall, the story’s shining glory is the relationship between Detective Ito and Michael. As his grandfather’s friend and former student, he is protective of his young protégé, and there is never a disrespectful moment between them — he is older, and married with children; still, he has a connection with Michael that is undeniable. I loved seeing this type of crush that is not over-sexualised, and it is heartwarming to see their friendship grow into something that nurtures Michael’s character and development.

The Cons

Though I enjoyed the story and there is a lot to love here, I have to admit that the plot gets a little tangled sometimes, and let me wanting for a more consistent flow and a bigger “reveal” moment. For a teenage mystery, I wasn’t entirely sure about who the target audience would be — the main character is 16, but at times the voice feels a bit more innocent and younger than that, and there are parts coming down to the end that get quite dark for a teenage audience. Nevertheless, overall the writing style shines through to uplift these areas.

Conclusion

Overall, I really appreciated that this is a unique story unlike any other I have read before. It combines the gravitas of war history and child abuse with a coming-of-age story that is not often told: Asian, male, and gay — but these aspects are not the core focus; they just form the background of the character who has so much more to offer than just these categories. This was a great introduction to a series, and leaves you wanting more as the main character’s genius has a lot of room to grow and bloom more stories. I look forward to what’s next!

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