Lavender Spike

This gritty and relentless dystopian novel from Tremblay (Off My Feet) posits a near-future world with an economy built on art. Isobel “Izzy” Ker is a Purist artist, working in an archaic, bland style that makes her an enemy of the New Art Government and the Triggers, celebrated artistic leaders whose “gore-porn” creations are incredibly addictive, and who have cultlike followings of cruel lackeys called Hounds. Living in the resource-poor Dumps outside the protective dome of rich Mahl City, Isobel struggles to survive and keep painting. When Hounds raid her hideout, she’s forced to join the Half-Lights, a crew of anti-art rebels and thieves determined to bring down the government. The Half-Lights send Isobel into Mahl City as their spy—but Isobel’s new life posing as a Trigger proves seductive, and when her friend and fellow rebel Joanie tries to help her, the danger only increases. In an adventure that is twisty, cathartic, and extremely fast-paced, the two friends discover a new side to their world and themselves as they experience both the pleasures and horrors the art-worshipping city has to offer. The worldbuilding occasionally feels heavy-handed, especially in early chunks of exposition, but there’s no denying its originality. Replete with mind-bending thrills and chills, this proves hard to look away from. (June)