A struggling Alaskan teen must overcome many hardships to achieve his professional auto-racing dreams in Alexander’s YA novel.

For Tayen “Tay” Stormrider, nothing beats rounding the track and winning car races. It’s 2016, and the 16-year-old envisions no trouble ascending to the NASCAR circuit within a year. But it’s also clear that he’s carrying the weight of unresolved traumas that could derail his plans. His dream nearly implodes when Tay’s abusive, alcoholic father beats his mother to death, which leads to Tay losing an eye and retaliating with lethal force of his own. Although Tay avoids murder charges, the fallout from the incident unleashes a series of misfortunes; first, he moves in with his troubled uncle, Nash, and later, he ends up in a camp of unhoused people known as Camp Turnagain, where he briefly falls under the spell of drink and drugs. On top of all this, Tay must reckon with the fact that he has unfinished business with his bitterest rival, Sable Cruer, who openly brags about his role in finishing Nash’s pro racing career. The story of how Tay reclaims his racing dreams amid such searing personal losses reads like a cross between a Charles Bukowski–inspired chronicle of lovable losers and the National Geographic Channel’s documentary series Alaska State Troopers. Indeed, Trooper Raven Corbitt seems cut from that reality show’s cloth; he’s one of several old-school figures, along with racing promoter Derek “the Snowman” Snowcrest, who hope to steer Tay back on track. Alexander develops them into full-blooded, memorable characters, and they help to move the story relentlessly along. Certainly, readers staring down Tay’s dilemma—how to reclaim one’s mojo, and brush past old ghosts—will find no lack of nitty-gritty resolve in these pages: “Do what is right. Damn the consequences.”

A fast-paced and moving story of a youth’s past and present struggles.

A teenager with strange abilities faces off against a demon in Alexander’s YA horror series-starter.

It’s 1990, and the Sanz family is moving into a new home in Virginia. When they first checked out the house,teenage Luke saw a figure with white eyes and bloody, scarred skin standing in one of the windows. However, he said nothing to his parents and two brothers. He’s long been able to see past and future events in his dreams or by touching people; his family member find it so unnerving that they avoid his touch, so he tries hard to suppress his ability, which results in anxiety. It isn’t any easier for him when he sees spirits, though; he even spies them at his new high school, and he can’t always distinguish them from living people. He quickly realizes that the creature haunting his new home is something that’s much more vicious than a spirit—it’s a demon who’s not only a danger to his family, but also to anyone that comes to visit the house. It’s looking to add more souls to those it’s already taken. Over the course of Alexander’s story, Luke proves to be a memorable protagonist; he’s an introvert by nature, but his long hair and habit of regularly working out to help his anxiety make him stand out at his new school. The author’s straightforward prose briskly moves from one tense scene to another as Luke’s uncontrollable visions hit without warning in public. Readers get a bit more insight into the demon than Luke does, although it remains a creepy mystery. The strong supporting cast give Luke several potential allies, including Luke’s dependable younger brother, Junior; his charming schoolmates Benji and Alyssa; and a centuries-old spirit who promises to be Luke’s guide, but proves to be much more. The final act delivers a satisfying wrap-up and a glimpse at where sequels may head next.

Well-developed characters enliven this frightfest.

Alexander’s YA sequel finds a Virginia teen, who experiences psychic visions, dealing with a bully who’s pushing drugs at his high school.

Seventeen-year-old Luke Sanz has only been at Lansburg Center High School for a year. He’s settled in, and he’s made new friends, including best pal Benji Laio and girlfriend Alyssa Mars. However, he makes a new and troubling acquaintance as his senior year begins in the summer of 1991. Jimmy Cladhaire had been in jail for assault and battery and, now that he’s back in school, he seems intent on cementing his reputation for vicious bullying. Luke has already seen Jimmy in a vision; he has the power to see future or past events in his dreams, or when he makes physical contact with someone. Jimmy similarly has “psychic glimpse[s]” into people’s minds, although he can’t read the mind of muscular, longhaired Luke, whom he nicknames “Sasquatch.” In addition to tormenting and attacking his fellow students, Jimmy peddles illegal drugs, which is easy to do with his corrupt police officer father running the county’s drug task force. Luke, whose dad is a federal agent, soon realizes that a shocking number of people in local law enforcement are dirty and willing to shield Jimmy from punishment—and they may also keep Luke from hindering Jimmy’s drug dealing business. Nonetheless, Luke is determined to get the drugs out of his high school, especially after five students overdose on Jimmy’s product in a single night. When someone directly threatens Luke’s loved ones, things become more dangerous for everyone involved.

This sophomore series installment, after Under the Sky(2024), is, first and foremost, a high school drama. Jimmy’s bullying and blatant law-breaking drive the story, but scenes from his third-person perspective also spark a modicum of sympathy; his parents are cruel, and he truly cares for his disabled older sister, Karen. Luke is also a well-developed character; despite his ability to see others’ futures, he hasn’t quite worked out his own. He debates pursuing a career path in the U.S. Customs Service, while also mulling over the possibility of joining the U.S. Army. The story’s paranormal components, meanwhile, are understated. Luke has myriad visions, as hugs and handshakes result in a lot of physical contact. However, these brief moments only provide him with bits of insight into people; he still judges someone’s trustworthiness by their actions. Another of his abilities—seeing and interacting with ghosts—is, at least in this book, centered mainly on his friend Sebastian, who died centuries ago and offers Luke sagelike advice; his scenes can be endearing, as when he’s taken aback by the sight of a helicopter. Still, there’s plenty of suspense, as well. Cold-blooded Jimmy is consistently unnerving, and his apparent protection from authorities makes him even more dangerous. As in the opening installment, the author’s unadorned style begets easygoing dialogue and a steady stream of dramatic conflicts. The novel also drops plenty of hints regarding the possible direction of the next series entry.

A diverting thriller that tackles relatable adolescent issues with believable characterization.