PIPER AT THE GATES OF DUSK

In this series opener set in the world of the Chaos Walking trilogy, the next generation of young people on New World tackle mysterious new threats alongside more familiar problems of human nature.

Though their mom, Viola, now spends most of her time in the city, brothers Ben and Max have grown up on their family’s farm, doing remote schooling and helping with chores. When a skinless creature—a god—runs screaming from the woods covered in flames, their usual tranquility is shattered. Max has begun suffering from devastating nightmares, and a curious, giant object has appeared in the sky, drawing nearer. Surely these things are related—but how? As more flaming gods arrive, and the situation grows more dire, the brothers and their parents find themselves split, following different paths toward answers. The dual-perspective narration sharpens the white-presenting leads’ edges; the differences between earthy Max, who’s trans and adopted, and nonspeaking, serious-minded Ben create a compelling contrast. The high emotional stakes and plenty of unanswered questions will linger in readers’ minds, and though knowledge of the original series will provide depth to the reading experience, it isn’t necessary to appreciate this book. Ness expertly weaves discussions of environmentalism, xenophobia, disability, gender identity, misinformation and disinformation, and more around explorations of family, personal agency, and belonging, creating a creative science-fiction roller coaster.

An absorbing, deeply human tale of finding common ground in the perpetual struggle to do the next right thing.