For readers pondering the passage of time and the weight of choices, this haunting tale explores the longing for belonging and the true cost of eternal youth.
When your teen is feeling like an outsider or contemplating big questions about life, death, and what it means to truly live, this book offers a poignant exploration. It tells the story of Maite, a girl who meets a mysterious, seemingly immortal boy in her new town. Together, they uncover the boy's tragic past and the true cost of his eternal youth. This haunting fantasy delves into profound themes of loneliness, grief, the search for belonging, and the bittersweet nature of change. Best for ages 12-16, its philosophical and slightly melancholic tone makes it a powerful read for thoughtful teens ready to discuss the value of a finite life and the importance of human connection.
Some mysterious, atmospheric scenes might be unsettling for sensitive readers.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with death and grief. The boy's immortality is a result of losing his entire family in a tragic accident, and he is perpetually grieving. The approach is secular and metaphorical, using immortality to explore the pain of being left behind. The resolution is ambiguous and bittersweet, offering connection but no easy answers to the boy's predicament.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful, introspective 13 to 15 year old who enjoys atmospheric, character-driven fantasies like "A Monster Calls" or "The Ocean at the End of the Lane." They might be feeling a bit different or lonely themselves, and are beginning to ponder existential questions about time, loss, and the meaning of life.
Parent Prep
No specific pages need previewing, but parents should be prepared for the book's overall somber tone. It is best to introduce it not as a fun adventure, but as a thought-provoking, beautiful, and sad story. A pre-reading conversation about how fantasy can explore real feelings might be helpful. The parent notices their teen is more withdrawn, perhaps expressing feelings of being an outsider or asking philosophical questions about death and what comes after. The child might seem to be struggling with the idea of change or friendships ending.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12-13) will likely focus on the mystery and the friendship, seeing it as a sad but magical story. An older teen (14-16) will connect more deeply with the philosophical and existential themes: the curse of immortality, the nature of memory, and the pain of outliving everyone you love. They will appreciate the ambiguity more.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA fantasies that treat immortality as a superpower, this book portrays it as a profound and isolating curse. Its quiet, lyrical, and philosophical approach, rooted in a Latin American magical realism tradition, sets it apart from action-driven fantasy. It is less about the "how" of the magic and more about the emotional "why."
Read plot summary
Maite and her family move to a remote, rainy town where she feels isolated. She meets a mysterious boy, known to locals as "the Immortal Boy," who lives alone and seems to have existed for decades without aging. As they form a cautious friendship, they investigate his past, uncovering a tragic history involving a magical flower, profound loss, and the lonely burden of eternal life.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The boy says his immortality is a curse, not a gift. Do you agree? What do you think would be the hardest part of living forever?
2
Maite is new to town and feels like an outsider. How does her friendship with the Immortal Boy help her find a sense of belonging, even though he is also an outsider?
3
The townspeople have many different stories and superstitions about the boy. Why do you think people create stories about things they don't understand?
4
The ending is not a simple 'happily ever after.' How did the final scene make you feel? What do you think the future holds for Maite and the boy?
