Ride or Die

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. Agent: Lauren Bieker, FinePrint Literary Management. (June)