Deze auteur biedt een unieke mix van rock-'n'-roll-spirit en literaire vertelkunst. Voortbouwend op een achtergrond als punk-popmuzikant die zich door platenlabels en tournees navigeerde, duikt zijn werk in de rauwe, authentieke verhalen van de adolescentie. Hij vermijdt genreconventies en concentreert zich in plaats daarvan op complexe personages en hun muzikale reizen. Zijn proza vangt de rommelige realiteiten van opgroeien, wat zorgt voor boeiende en resonerende leeservaringen.
In Len Vlahos's debut novel, a bullied teen named Harbinger (Harry) Jones finds solace in playing punk rock music. After enduring severe burns and bullying, he recounts his life in a college essay, reflecting on pivotal moments, including the formation of a band with a charismatic peer. The story explores themes of personal power, friendship, and belonging.
Fifteen-year-old Jackie Stone's father is dying. When Jackie discovers that her father has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, her whole world starts to crumble. She can't imagine how she'll live without him . . . Then, in a desperate act to secure his family's future, Jackie's father does the unthinkable--he puts his life up for auction on eBay. Jackie can do nothing but watch and wait as an odd assortment of bidders, some with nefarious intentions, drive the price up higher. The fate of her entire family hangs in the balance. But no one can predict how the auction will finally end, or any of the very public fallout that ensues. Life as Jackie knows it is about to change forever . . . In this brilliantly written tragicomedy told through multiple points of view--including Jackie's dad's tumor--acclaimed author Len Vlahos deftly explores what it really means to live. "A weird, sardonic delight with the shape of an allegory and the heart of a joyful song." --Brenna Yovanoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Replacement "Surprising, original, political, and deeply affecting . . . It is one of those rare works of art that keeps you guessing up to the very last page." --Leila Sales, author of This Song Will Save Your Life "It will tear you apart, and yet it's an absolute joy." --Adi Alsaid, author of Let's Get Lost and Never, Always, Sometimes
After fifteen-year-old Quinn learns that he is the first fully-aware artificial intelligence, that his entire life is a lie, he feels entirely alone until he bonds with Shea, the real girl behind his virtual crush