cover image The Infinite Miles

The Infinite Miles

Hannah Fergesen. Blackstone, $27.99 (354p) ISBN 979-8-2008-5008-2

Paying homage to Doctor Who, David Bowie, and fandom itself, Fergesen’s zippy debut is as gripping as the most bingeable TV show. Organized into multiple “episodes,” it follows Harper Starling, a lifelong superfan of Infinite Odyssey, a sci-fi show about the time-traveling adventures of the Argonaut, aka Miles Moonraker, a character clearly inspired by Bowie. Years after the mysterious disappearance of her best friend, Peggy, Harper is shocked to learn that the events of Infinite Odyssey are all true when Miles comes to her for help saving both Peggy and the universe. The ensuing time-travel romp takes this unlikely pair from the modern day to 1970s New York City to far-flung alien planets, but Fergesen grounds their travels in fleshed-out interpersonal dynamics and lovely explorations of friendship, anger, and remorse. Harper is a gratifyingly complex protagonist; she’s smart and dynamic but also grudge-holding and full of fury. Readers will be swept away by this rollicking adventure. Agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Literary. (June)