This is another one of those books that I have had on my TBR for far too long, but thanks to my 24 in 2024 reading challenge (and Pride month), I finally got to it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, thanks mainly to the unique premise, beautiful writing, and unforgettable characters.

The book is told primarily through the first-person lens of Henry Denton, a teenage boy who aliens have periodically abducted for years. (No, there were no anal probes, thank you very much. Only the really bad guys get those.)

During a recent abduction, Henry is told (through an interesting process of elimination) that the world will end on January 29, 2016, but Henry will have the ability to save it. All he has to do is push a big red button on their ship, and all of humanity will be saved. For most people, the answer would probably be, “Of course, I’m going to save the world – I don’t want to die,” but Henry’s life kind of sucks, and he isn’t sure humanity is worth saving. Maybe it would be better if the earth was wiped out, and everything could start all over. Maybe if there were a redo, his boyfriend wouldn’t kill himself the next time around, and maybe Henry’s dad wouldn’t leave his family, and maybe Henry wouldn’t be relentlessly bullied. But then Henry meets Diego – another troubled youth – and he begins to see things differently. Maybe, just maybe, if he sticks it out, things will get better. But is it worth the risk?

This book is a captivating read with a unique premise that focuses on themes of love, loss, depression, and self-discovery. While the book’s concept is intriguing, what makes it work is the development of Henry and the characters who grace his life – both in good and bad ways. Hutchinson beautifully portrays Henry’s inner turmoil and emotional conflict, making him a character readers can root for and empathize with. The supporting cast of characters is equally compelling, from Henry’s loving but dysfunctional family to his self-destructive secret lover (who is also one of his bullies) and his friendship with Diego and Audrey; each character adds a layer of complexity to the story.

Hutchinson’s writing is raw, emotional, and brutally honest, capturing the complexities of teenage life in a way that is both relatable and profound. As I followed Henry on his journey to decide the world’s fate, I saw much of myself in him and what he went through. High school was brutal for me, but the thing is, I still had a lot of hope back then. Despite all that happened to me, I believed that once I left my small town, things would get better for me. But now – I’m not sure I would push the button. My life is so much better these days, but the world is such an awful place with so much suffering and injustice… I can see why Henry considered just letting things go.

Overall, I found this to be a poignant, thought-provoking novel filled with aliens, love, grief, and the ultimate question of whether humanity is worth saving. With its compelling premise, rich character development, and emotionally resonant storytelling, this book is a must-read for sci-fi fans, coming-of-age stories, and tales of redemption. Shaun David Hutchinson has crafted a story that will tug at your heartstrings as much as it makes you think. I highly recommend adding it to your TBR if you’ve not yet read this one.