KING'S LEGACY

Queer Jewish teen archaeologist Tennessee Russo embarks on a new adventure—this time to find King David’s legendary lyre.

After 17-year-old Tennessee and his dad recovered the wedding rings of the Sacred Band of Thebes, the audience for their archaeological adventure show exploded. Now they have a new contract with a major streaming network. Days before they start filming the next season, new evidence changes their plans: King David’s lyre, a gift from Jonathan (who Tennessee is sure, based on contextual clues, was his lover) is real. Joined by his best friend and sometimes sexual partner, Gabe, who’s Black, Tennessee races to Rome to find the artifact before their competition does. However, when Tennessee meets Sterling, the straight white woman from the network who was sent to film and produce the new season, his excitement curdles into discomfort. Wooing a bigger audience comes with a high price: selling a version of himself and his relationship with Gabe that no longer feels authentic. From the first pages, the story captures readers’ attention with high stakes, danger, and fast-paced action. As Sterling pushes Tennessee to market himself for sponsors and appeal to a broader audience, he grapples with what it means to share his story—and what he’s willing to compromise in order to share queer history with the world. Although some growth in secondary characters is a bit heavy-handed, the adventure balances relevant real-world concerns with absorbing, treasure-hunting fun.

Thoughtful, enthusiastic, and diverting.