Starred review from May 6, 2019
In this intense thriller, tech-savvy Kya Caine and social media expert Fuse Fallon have little in common save their bitter rivalry and their friendship with Paris Secord, also known as popular teen DJ ParSec. But after ParSec is killed, a group of obsessive fans known as the Dark Nation compel the two to overcome their mutual distrust and solve the mystery behind her death. The dangerous investigation pits them against cops, rival musicians, and shady business managers, among others, and, as they delve deeper into ParSec’s last days, their own safety becomes increasingly imperiled. Told in alternating voices by Kya and Fuse and with flashbacks giving ParSec’s side of the story, this fast-paced tale seizes attention from the first thrown punch to the final curtain call, with the unlikely protagonists forming a strong bond despite their initial friction. Giles (Overturned) never loses sight of his characters’ personal struggles as he ramps up the tension with each new clue or failed lead, and his skillful interweaving of hip-hop culture, social media realities, and urgent social justice issues give this compelling story further immediacy. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.