Sleepwater Static, crafted by Kathrin Hutson, is a near-future science fiction that glues you to the pages with a meticulous combination of nostalgia and momentum. While I haven’t read the first book in the series, this easily stands on its own, with the questions and callbacks well-crafted enough for me to enjoy the mystery, rather than be left wanting. The prejudice against those who can tell special stories is backlit with historic moments of racism and homophobia, a juxtaposition that is honest and pointed, without becoming didactic. This is exactly the series our world needs to see today.

Hutson slips from the present--a group of fugitive adults hiding out in an abandoned cabin while one of their members labors with childbirth--to letters and events from the main character, Bernadette’s, past. The characters, who can each spin a magical “beat” with their words, are unique and distinct. Huston weaves an honest portrayal of a found-family without slipping into the stereotypes of many ensemble casts. Like the “beats” themselves, this story oozes with intricate subtlety and pacing that slips between languishing summer and biting action. 5 out of 5 stars!

Pre-order now!

*I received an Advance Review Copy in exchange for my honest opinion*