Ride or Die
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu's adrenaline-packed joyride of a debut is an ode to Gen Z and chaotic teens—perfect for fans of Grace D. Li, Ebony Ladelle, and Baby Driver.
Best friends Loli Crawford and Ryan Pope have earned their nickname, the “Bonnie and Clyde of Woolridge High.” From illegal snack swapping in kindergarten to reckless car surfing in high school, they have been causing trouble in their uptight California town forever. But everyone knows that the mischief starts with Loli; when it comes to chasing thrills, drama, and adventure, no one is on her level.
At least until Loli throws the wildest party Woolridge High has ever seen and meets X, a strange, unidentified boy in the coat closet, who challenges her to a game she can’t refuse—one that promises to put her love of danger to the ultimate test.
Loli and X begin an anonymous correspondence, exchanging increasingly risky missions. Loli’s fun has always been free and easy, but things spin out of control as she attempts to one-up X’s every move. As Loli risks losing everything—including her oldest friend—she’ll face the most dangerous thing of all: falling for someone she shouldn’t.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Black 16-year-old Naloli Tamryn Crawford and her white-cued best friend, Ryan Pope, are daredevils; they live for the thrill of adventure, even when it sometimes gets them into trouble, as when a car-surfing incident results in a hospitalized classmate and Loli's indefinite grounding. But resourceful Loli is used to maneuvering her way around obstacles, and punishments are no exception. After sneaking out to a party, Loli encounters an unidentified boy in a dark closet, whom she calls Mysterious Voice. She later receives a handwritten note from MV challenging her to a game of risks ("Life does get a bit dull sometimes. So why don't we spice it up and play a game?"). Via letters and anonymous chats sent over several months, Loli and MV exchange dares that include breaking and entering and sneaky thievery. As the dares become more hazardous—and as Loli starts to fall for MV—Loli jeopardizes her relationships with Ryan and her parents, and even her own future. While character motivations feel thin, Loli's adrenaline-seeking personality makes for a propulsive first-person narration that boasts edge-of-the-seat thrills and fast-paced mystery in Musikavanhu's high-octane debut. Ages 14–up.
