I Was a Teenage Death God - by M J Beasi Hardcover

Book Synopsis

HIGH SCHOOL IS HARD ENOUGH WITHOUT BASICALLY BEING A DEATH GOD

Every time seventeen-year-old Charlie Ford touches someone, they absorb seconds of their life . . . which adds up when Charlie has no way of giving that time back. It feels like enough of a curse without Lou--the bratty bully of a ghost who's hung around Charlie since childhood--forcing them to hand over that stolen life for her to use.

Charlie will steal life from whomever Lou tells them to, as long as she doesn't hurt Charlie's twin Sam or their best friend and secret crush Ravi. So when Lou tries to force Charlie to take life from Ravi, Charlie refuses, and Lou retaliates.

When Lou goes after Sam, Charlie breaks down and finally tells Ravi about their life-stealing abilities--and after some internet sleuthing, Ravi finds out that Charlie might not be the only person born with that power. Along with Sam, they embark on a weekend road trip to meet a pair of self-proclaimed "death gods," hoping for answers and, if they're lucky, a solution to the whole Lou problem. But the answers about their powers only bring up more questions. With dark discoveries at every turn, Charlie must wrestle with a supernatural legacy that redefines their relationships to Sam and Ravi--and calls their very humanity into question.

Review Quotes

"Beasi delivers absorbing drama, romantic tension, and a first-person narrator who balances snarky humor with vulnerable self-awareness."
--Kirkus Reviews

"[I]n debut author Beasi's action-packed romantic dramedy...motifs of seeking--and accepting--support freely given imbue this supernatural adventure with tenderness."
--Publishers Weekly

"Wrapped in humor and hauntings, the real marrow of this story is a fierce love for queer youth. Seamlessly balancing sharp wit against a tender emotional core, Beasi holds a mirror to readers and quietly demands to know how far each of us would go to change an unfair fate. Angry but hopeful, this stunning debut is both a love letter and a call to action, and marks the beginning of a career to watch."
--Stonewall honoree, H.E. Edgmon

"Written with so much heart, I Was A Teenage Death God brings us back to the beloved YA touchstone of sassy, fast-paced supernatural adventures--this time with an all-queer twist."
--Andrew Joseph White, New York Times-bestselling author of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth

"I Was a Teenage Death God lives up to its incredible title: fast-paced and threaded together with an exciting plot, there was a twist I simply did not see coming."
--Kacen Callender, New York Times bestselling author of Infinity Alchemist

"A compulsively readable whirlwind of ghosts, death powers and messy family history, with a compelling T4T love story at its core, this book will steal hours of your life in the best way!" --Elias Cold, author of The Duke Steals Hearts and Other Body Parts

"This is an unapologetically queer story rife with dark family secrets, twists, and thrills--it'll haunt you long after you've read the last page."
--Louangie Bou-Montes, author of Til the Last Beat of My Heart

About the Author

Like the cat they play on their near-daily livestreams, M.J. Beasi has lived multiple lives as a singer, actor, songwriter, journalist, arts educator, and founder of a teen opera workshop in western Massachusetts, determined to tell stories across as many mediums as possible. As an educator, M.J.'s job is to help teens discover and celebrate their true voices. As an author, they hope to continue that tradition. In the off-hours, M.J. can be found reading, gaming, binging cartoons with their spouse, and wishing they knew how to draw. Keep up with M.J.'s many lives at mjbeasi.com. I Was a Teenage Death God is their debut novel.