Alice's Story

Reach for this book when your older teenager feels a sense of disillusionment with the real world or is struggling to find fulfillment despite their achievements. This story follows Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant but depressed teen who discovers that the magical world of his childhood books is real, yet far more dangerous and morally complex than he ever imagined. It is a sophisticated coming of age story that explores the heavy weight of expectations and the reality that magic cannot fix internal unhappiness. Because of its intense themes involving substance use, sexual encounters, and graphic violence, this book is strictly for the 16 to 18 age range. It serves as a powerful deconstruction of fantasy tropes, making it a perfect choice for parents of mature readers who are ready to transition from juvenile fiction to adult literature that mirrors the complexities and messy emotions of early adulthood.