Leila is an adopted teen living with her foster parents, Liz and Jon. The arc hooked me right away. My own dad was adopted and raised by loving parents who later had biological kids, so watching Leila navigate her new life while searching for her birth parents felt deeply personal.
Leila and her friends are passionate about saving the world, especially the environment. I’ve never been to Philadelphia, but the book made the city come alive so vividly that I wanted to run the Rocky steps with my wife and kiss her at the top.
The story delivered a first for me: I actually got sad over an owl. What Landen does for that bird is both heartwarming and brilliantly creative.
There are beautiful, tear-jerking moments, especially between Leila, Liz, and Jon, and a wonderfully genuine friendship between Leila and Sarika. The prose feels gentle yet elegant throughout.
Without spoiling anything, Leila’s journey with her biological parents weaves in mysticism and voices that only she can hear. The reveal about Leila’s biological parents caught me completely off guard, equal parts surprising and unsettling.
This book surprised and moved me in ways I didn’t expect. Eric Smith has serious talent for creating characters who feel real and stories that stick with you. If you’re looking for a heartfelt YA read with heart, environmental passion, and a touch of magic, pick this one up. I know I’m glad I did.
Bonus points: Eric Smith also gave my own query letter a sharp, helpful edit that made a real difference in how I approached submissions. Writers might also learn something from his interview with Kelly Writers House.
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