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Deposing Nathan

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"A superb story, told in an original and masterly way. Smedley navigates the novel's refreshing ideas about sexuality and religion with grace and intelligence." (The New York Times)

"A heartbreaking and important read." (Caleb Roehrig, author of Last Seen Leaving)

"[A] layered, complex depiction of questioning (bi)sexuality.... A heartbreaking case worth revisiting again and again." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

For 16 years, Nate was the perfect son - the product of a no-nonsense upbringing and deep spiritual faith. Then he met Cam, who pushed him to break rules, dream, and accept himself. Conflicted, Nate began to push back. With each push, the boys became more entangled in each others' worlds...but they also spiraled closer to their breaking points. And now all of it has fallen apart after a fistfight-turned-near-fatal-incident - one that's left Nate with a stab wound and Cam in jail.

Now Nate is being ordered to give a statement, under oath, that will send his best friend to prison. The problem is, the real story of what happened between them isn't as simple as anyone thinks. With all eyes on him, Nate must make his confessions about what led up to that night with Cam...and in doing so, risk tearing both of their lives apart.

©2019 Zack Smedley (P)2019 Audible, Inc.
Bullying Bullying & Abuse Coming of Age Difficult Situations LGBTQ+ Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction
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Terrific debut YA novel about the fraught relationship between two bisexual Catholic boys. In the first chapter (from the startling first sentence) we learn that Cam has been arrested and charged with stabbing Nathan in the gut. By the second chapter, I'm madly in love with Cam and enthralled to find out how everything goes so horribly wrong between him and Nate.

For me, there's something really moving about discovering a relationship (which covers Cam and Nate as friends, enemies, lovers and their mutual sexual awakening all rolled into one) that the reader knows is doomed from the start. I find it's not acknowledged often enough in teen fiction that first loves aren't always meant to last, but that the memories, heartbreak and lessons learned from them are still important formative experiences.

And romance aside, this novel is full of peppy humor and debate on sexuality and religion, together with a complex depiction of domestic abuse. Nate isn't the easiest narrator to get along with, as so many of his decisions are toxic and unsympathetic, but he remains compelling and understandable throughout. And as I said, Cam is utterly adorable. Great page-turny read. I'll be watching out for more from Smedley.

Excellent debut deserving of more attention

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