I can’t say enough good things about The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson! It’s a fantastic (and fantastical) story and the perfect release for Pride Month.
Near the end of World War I, The Spark released something supernatural into a small part of the population. We don’t know what caused The Spark or how people were chosen, only that suddenly some people could teleport or change appearance or create illusions from thin air. Now, several years later, the war has ended and the Sparks have a traveling circus where they show off their magical abilities while using them to help people. But, through her own powers, the Ringmaster learns that the Great War wasn’t the last war, and something terrible is on the horizon. Meanwhile, the competing Spark circus, helmed and used for evil by the Circus King, is getting closer and poses an even more present danger.
The story is just out-of-this-world, and the queer representation is a beautiful way to celebrate people being who they are and loving who they love. This book is one of my favorite releases of the year (and heck, right now, it’s the frontrunner for best book of the year, period). I hope there will be a sequel so we can spend more time with all the Sparks I came to love ❤️