YA LGBT Books discussion

The first of two winners for June-July 2024 is

Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender

(do note content warnings)
Infinity Alchemist is a spellbinding novel about a quest that leads three young alchemists toward unexpected love and unimaginable power.

For Ash Woods, practicing alchemy is a crime.

Only an elite few are legally permitted to study the science of magic―so when Ash is rejected by the Lancaster Mage’s College, he takes a job as the school’s groundskeeper instead, forced to learn alchemy in secret.

When he’s discovered by the condescending and brilliant apprentice Ramsay Thorne, Ash is sure he's about to be arrested―but instead of calling the reds, Ramsay surprises Ash by making him an offer: Ramsay will keep Ash's secret if he helps her find the legendary Book of Source, a sacred text that gives its reader extraordinary power.

As Ash and Ramsay work together and their feelings for each other grow, Ash discovers their mission is more dangerous than he imagined, pitting them against influential and powerful alchemists―Ash’s estranged father included. Ash’s journey takes him through the cities and wilds across New Anglia, forcing him to discover his own definition of true power and how far he and other alchemists will go to seize it.

Featuring trans, queer, and polyamorous characters of color, Infinity Alchemist is the hugely anticipated young adult fantasy debut from the extraordinary author of Felix Ever After, King and the Dragonflies, Queen of the Conquered and more.

Content warnings: (view spoiler)[abandonment, abuse, animal death, blood, body horror, bullying, child abuse, classism, confinement, cursing, death, death of a loved one, domestic abuse, dysphoria, emotional abuse, fire/fire injury, genocide, grief, hate crime, injury/injury detail, medical content, murder, physical abuse, police brutality, religious bigotry, sexual assault, sexual content, torture, violence. (hide spoiler)]

I look forward to seeing the group opinions on this one.