About the Book
-
Author:
- Candice Iloh
- Genres:
- Contemporary
- Verse
- Voices:
- Black
- Cis Boy
- Cis Girl
- Non-Binary
Cover Story: After the Flood
BFF Charms: Nay, Big Sister x4
Talky Talk: Bronx Poetry
Bonus Factor: Awesome Grownups
Anti-Bonus Factor: Awful Grownups
Relationship Status: All’s Well That Ends Ambiguously
Cover Story: After the Flood
If you’re someone who takes cover art literally, you might find this one misleading. The story doesn’t actually take place in a flooded ruin of New York (although there’s an idea). The character does fit Cerulean’s description, though.
The Deal:
Cerulean Gene, a non-binary Black teenager growing up in the Bronx, is frustrated by a public school system that stunts them intellectually and tries to make them conform to standardized rules. They dream of moving to California after graduation, growing their own food and living off the grid with their friends. When a confrontation with a teacher and a family crisis derail their plans, however, Cerulean must decide what freedom really means.
BFF Charms: Nay, Big Sister x4
I’m probably the wrong person to read this book, being too privileged on too many levels to understand what Cerulean was thinking. That being said, what were they thinking?! I couldn’t wrap my mind around some of their decisions. It’s one thing to dismiss a bigoted teacher, quite another to do the same to family and friends who have done nothing but love and support you.
Later, we get chapters from Cerulean’s friends, lover, and younger brother, struggling to understand Cerulean’s mystifying behavior. Their loneliness, confusion and empathy was heartbreaking to read, especially when I found out a secret one character has been keeping from the rest of the group. I wished someone would give these kids a hug, followed by a scholarship to some agricultural college so they could actually carry out their plans.
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Cerulean has a girlfriend, Zaria, but their relationship felt more sad than swoonworthy to me. Cerulean makes a promise to Zaria that they have no intention of keeping, and Zaria is left alone to deal with the consequences. (Also, I can’t find a scene sexy if it has the phrase “arm hair” in it. Sorry.)
Talky Talk: Bronx Poetry
This is a novel in verse, written in a style that reminds me of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Like him, Cerulean could write fluently in standard (white) English if they wanted, but chooses not to in honor of their heritage.
Bonus Factor: Awesome Grownups
“[We] gon’ build us/a good life here/no matter what’s going on outside”, is how Cerulean’s parents describe their approach to parenting. Their house is a sanctuary, where Cerulean can let out all their stress about school and be met with a home-cooked meal and a listening ear. Bonus points go to Chanel, who runs the school’s gardening club with a genuine love for growing things, and is Cerulean’s fashion icon as well as the only teacher they respect.
Anti-Bonus Factor: Awful Grownups
Mr. Schlauss, Cerulean’s English teacher, repeatedly misgenders them, talks down to them, plays with his phone during class, and turns the basic right of going to the bathroom into a power struggle. A saint couldn’t stay quiet through all that, let alone a kid who’s smart enough to teach the class themself.
Relationship Status: All’s Well That Ends Ambiguously
This book has the kind of ending that literature students (at least, ones with a better teacher than Mr. Schlauss) could write essays about. It’s not at all my cup of tea, but I do respect Iloh’s choice.
Literary Matchmaking
Although not written in verse, Michelle Ruiz Keil’s Summer in the City of Roses features a non-binary main character and very poetic prose.
Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X is a moving and powerful novel in verse.
Anna-Marie McLemore’s Lakelore features contemporary non-binary characters in a magical setting.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received no compensation for this review. Salt the Water is available now.
