Traitor

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the weight of expectations and the desire to define their own path. It is an ideal choice for the young adult who feels like an outsider or who is navigating the complexities of loyalty versus personal integrity. The story follows a protagonist caught between a rigid upbringing and an emerging sense of self, set against a high-fantasy backdrop of magic and courtly intrigue. Through the lens of a treacherous journey, the narrative explores themes of LGBTQ+ identity, the courage required to be a 'traitor' to a toxic system, and the resilience needed to survive when the world demands conformity. Parents will appreciate the nuanced handling of agency and the realistic portrayal of how difficult it is to break away from the only life one has ever known. It is a sophisticated, emotionally resonant story that validates the teen experience of self-discovery and standing up for one's own truth.