On the Edge of Gone

A biracial, autistic teenager and her drug-addicted mother take shelter in a temporarily grounded generation ship as a comet threatens life on Earth; they must prove their usefulness to earn a spot on the Nassau or risk getting left behind to fend for themselves. Told from the perspective of 16-year-old Denise, the story examines the aftermath of the cataclysmic event and her search for her transgender sister, Iris, among the wreckage near Amsterdam while raising important questions about social issues that are as applicable today as in the not-so-distant future of 2035. On the ship, stringent rules and regulations attempt to define who is worthy of supplies and survival while Denise struggles to find a way to belong and weighs the risk of sneaking her mother on board. Readers are immersed in the tics and tactile aspects of Denise's condition as Duyvis (Otherbound) skillfully incorporates an exploration of complex mental conditions, addiction, and gender identity into her narrative. It's a riveting apocalyptic thriller with substantial depth. Ages 13%E2%80%93up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Mar.)