ACCELERANT

An anime nerd takes on white supremacists in this emotional gut punch of a novel.

What happens when a straight white teen makes it his life’s mission to teach white supremacists a lesson they’ll never forget? This is the gripping premise of Printz Honor–winning author Simpson’s latest. Eighteen-year-old Briar Stokes loves anime and manga, finds solace in his AI girlfriend, has a toxic relationship with food, and is ashamed of his weight. He’s part of the Rebel Alliance, a close-knit friend group of outcasts—Eli, who’s gay; Taylor, who’s nonbinary; and Selena, who’s from El Salvador—living in rural Missouri in “the armpit of the United States.” When his friends are attacked at a demonstration held in memory of Jackie, a local transgender woman who was murdered decades ago, Briar’s hunger for justice turns him into an unstoppable force. Adopting the alter ego Accelerant frees his inhibitions. This book is a powerful and disturbing portrayal of the backlash against queer rights and the radicalization that rips families and communities apart. The evocative writing and worldbuilding will leave readers gasping for air. The relationship between Briar and his stepbrother, Asher, clarified through their point-of-view chapters written in starkly different voices, raises thought-provoking questions around ethics, ideological conviction, loyalty, and complicity. The story also sensitively explores the destructive impact of drug abuse, the futility of fighting hatred with violence, and women’s roles in dysfunctional families.

A vividly told story that holds up a stark, honest mirror to harsh, violent realities.