Strange Bedfellows

Gr 10 Up–In the future, being born with superhuman abilities is common and everyone seems to have a place in the world. College dropout Oberon feels left behind, but things begin to look up when he finally develops superpowers that allow him to manifest his dreams, thanks to the guidance of Oberon’s other half, who appears as a version of Kon, his former high school crush. Much like Oberon, this story finds itself juggling too many elements at once, attempting to tackle topics of queer identity, family issues, mental health issues, recovery from a dramatic breakup, and reuniting with former friend groups. All of these are alongside the complicated magic system and future worldbuilding. The piece overall is a valiant effort that will certainly hit the mark for some readers, but others will be bogged down by undeveloped ideas or unnecessary details. The relationship and romance between Oberon and Kon are engaging and fun, with the dream logic allowing the two characters to get into a variety of riveting adventures across various genres and time periods. Reis’s illustrations are the standout element of the book, heightening these moments with humor and charm.