Doppelganger

The protagonist is a shapeshifting creature who survives by killing humans and assuming their identities. When he targets a teen named Chris, he expects an easy transition. Instead, he inherits a life defined by a dying mother, a distant father, and a web of social lies. As he navigates high school and family grief, the monster begins to develop a conscience, leading to a profound internal struggle between his predatory nature and his burgeoning humanity. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with murder, terminal illness (cancer), and abandonment. The approach is metaphorical regarding the monster's nature but starkly realistic regarding human suffering. The resolution is bittersweet and ambiguous, leaning into the reality that redemption has a high cost. EMOTIONAL ARC: It begins with a cold, detached perspective and builds into an intense, heavy exploration of guilt and empathy. The ending provides a sense of growth but remains somber. IDEAL READER: A high schooler who feels like an outsider or who enjoys dark, philosophical questions about what makes someone a good person. It is perfect for the teen who prefers 'gritty' stories over happy endings. PARENT TRIGGER: The opening of the book features the protagonist killing the 'real' Chris to take his place, which is cold and clinical. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware of the depictions of parental illness and the protagonist's initial lack of remorse. It is best read after a brief discussion about the book's central metaphor of 'wearing a mask.' AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens will focus on the horror and supernatural elements. Older teens will resonate with the social commentary on high school performance and the burden of family secrets. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many YA paranormal novels, this is not a romance. It is a psychological study of identity that uses a horror premise to explore the very human experience of empathy.