STARFALL

A teen harboring a special ability stumbles onto his town’s peculiar history and a chilling plan in Charles' debut YA novel. 

Lonely 17-year-old Nathan Hawkins was orphaned as a young child. He now lives with his aunt and his younger cousin in Anne Falls, a somewhat obscure city in the eastern United States. Digging into his genealogy for a class project, Nathan discovers that his late father had investigated Starfall, a UFO that allegedly crashed in Anne Falls 20 years earlier. In the process of his own investigation, the teen also learns he’s not the only high-schooler with a superpower: Nathan can create and shoot fire from his hands, and he’s just one of the so-called and mostly unidentified Children of Starfall who, it’s believed, wield similar abilities. (“Despite our powers, we are human.”) When Nathan meets others of his kind, he truly fits in—it’s a glaring contrast to his relationships with his estranged family at home and the bullies at his school. But will Nathan use his powers to help those in need, or will a thirst for revenge push him into becoming a supervillain? Charles' character study consistently engages. Nathan is sympathetic as readers witness bullies accosting him as the girl he likes blatantly ignores him. The cast evolves as the story continues; not every mean teenager turns out to be completely heartless, and Nathan himself has surly moments. As a potentially lethal plot comes to light, the story’s supernatural aspects gradually move to the foreground. Various mysteries unravel, from Nathan’s parents’ connection to Starfall, to who among his peers is likewise hiding a special ability. The author’s concise prose sets an unwavering pace, even as Nathan conducts his research and characters chat, bicker, and occasionally voice their regrets. It’s clear that Charles has sequels in mind, as he only reveals a few abilities and closes this book with hints of a larger story that’s just beginning.  

Relatable and superpowered youths lead a sublime cast and a riveting story.