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Becoming a Queen

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( 769 ratings, 234 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
After a tough high school breakup, Mark Davis has lost faith in love and struggles with his identity in suburban Annondale. His older brother Eric is his rock, but when Eric faces his own challenges, Mark’s world is shaken. In a bid to find escape and connection, Mark takes refuge in wearing a sequined dress, which opens up new paths to authenticity and understanding. Becoming a Queen is a heartfelt story about love, loss, and the transformative power of a purple princess dress.
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Format: Hardback
$3999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for young adults navigating identity, love, and self-acceptance, especially those interested in LGBTQ+ themes and contemporary coming-of-age stories.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A vibrant and emotional YA debut about a boy who turns toward love, self-acceptance, and the power of drag to overcome grief when the unthinkable happens—perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Julie Murphy.

A vibrant and emotional YA debut about a boy who turns toward love, self-acceptance, and the power of drag to overcome grief when the unthinkable happens-perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Julie Murphy.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Fresh on the heels of a high school breakup, Mark Davis has given up on love. He's too much for suburban Annondale-too weird and too feminine for the only other gay guy at school. Thankfully, his big brother, Eric, is always there to stop Mark from spiraling into self-loathing. But as things start looking up for Mark-in the form of Ezra Ambrose-he sees signs that his wise older brother might have problems of his own. When the source of Mark's strength suddenly becomes the source of his greatest pain, the path back to happiness seems impossible. Desperate for a way out, to briefly live a different life, Mark slips into a dress. His sequined escape becomes an unexpected outlet-a path to authentic connection and an opportunity to see others as fully as he wants to be seen. Beautifully written, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting, Dan Clay's debut novel is a stunning story about love, loss, and the ineffable power of a purple princess dress.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"A stunning tale of grief, friendship, loss, and love" that resonates deeply, according to New York Times-bestselling author Jason June. Jennifer Mathieu praises it as "real, tender, heartbreaking, and joyful all at once," calling it a must-have. Publishers Weekly highlights its "mosaic of well-drawn characters" and themes of healing and self-acceptance. Readers appreciate Mark's witty, energetic narration balanced with deep emotion, making it "enjoyable, tragic, and very real."

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781250843098

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 25 April 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: St Martin's Press

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 40.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 220.0mm

Weight: 496g

Pages: 416

About the Author

Dan Clay is a writer and drag queen thrilled to be making his debut as a novelist with Becoming a Queen. Until now, he focused on spreading love and positivity online through his drag persona, "Carrie Dragshaw." His writing as Carrie has been featured in hundreds of magazines, newspapers, and television shows-from Cosmopolitan to People to Watch What Happens Live-and his TED Talk on being your "whole self" details his first-hand experience with the healing power of drag. He lives in New York. writerdanclay.com

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