UNDER SHIFTING STARS

Fraternal twins Clare and Audrey have always been together, but after the death of their older brother, Adam, a rift has grown between them.

Clare explores her gender and orientation, weighing her identity and growing attraction to nonbinary student Taylor against her social life in public school. Meanwhile Audrey struggles to accept her neurodivergence and attendance at Peak, an alternative school for gifted students derided by her friends, who say it is for freaks. She tries to keep both facts hidden from her new friend and love interest, Calvin, who introduces her to the joys of LARPing. These two narratives are punctuated by bumbling attempts at a reconciliation between the twins; born 13 minutes apart, Clare is a Taurus and Audrey is a Gemini, a difference that is presented as symbolic of their contrasts. Latos’ prose is highly relatable, giving an accurate and gut-wrenching depiction of the uncertainty of growing up and finding oneself. She emphasizes the pain that comes from knowing that someone you love has changed without you along with the fear of being left behind. Bullying of queer and neurodivergent students is shown in all of its bitter truth. At the same time, Latos reassures readers that these situations are not hopeless. Fourteen-year-old Clare and Audrey, along with the rest of the cast, are cued as White.

A painful page-turner with heartwarming moments sprinkled throughout.