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In this stunning graphic novel by two-time Ignatz award–winning graphic novelist Ariel Slamet Ries, Oberon must choose between fantasy and reality when he develops the ability to conjure his dreams in real life—including the facsimile of the boy who got away.
In the not-too-distant future, most of humanity resides on its last-ditch effort at utopia: Meridian, a remote alien planet where you're more likely to be born superhuman than left-handed.
None of that is important to Oberon Afolayan. Since his mildly public breakdown, his whole life seems to be spiraling out of control—from dropping out of university to breaking up with his boyfriend, it seems like only a karmic inevitability when he wakes up one day with the ability to conjure his dreams in the real world.
Oberon's newfound powers come with a facsimile of his high school crush, Kon, who mysteriously dropped off the face of the planet almost three years ago and who is a little more infuriating (if not also infuriatingly hot)than Oberon remembers.
Kon makes it his mission to turn Oberon's life around, and while they struggle to get a handle on his powers and his disastrous personal life (not to mention the appearance of strange nightmare creatures), it turns out this dream version of Kon has secrets of his own—dangerous ones.
Oberon might have more on his plate than he originally thought, but is giving up his dreams—even the one he might have accidentally fallen in love with—the only way to find happiness in reality?
"In this luminous love story, Ries examines issues surrounding mental health using vibrantly colored cartoon-style illustrations whose intricate details complement the dreamlike science fiction setting." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Ries' narrative weaves in literary references and science-fiction lore. The work features stunningly surreal illustrations and explores forgiveness, love, and family in a futuristic, racially and culturally diverse world that's body positive and inclusive of queer folks." —Kirkus Reviews
"Reis's illustrations are the standout element of the book, heightening moments with humor and charm." —School Library Journal
"The art gorgeously supports the story, depicting the new world as well as the twisting surreality of Oberon's dreams. A great book for teens looking for understanding and hope about adulthood's uncertainties." —Booklist
"Superbly written, sublimely drawn, Strange Bedfellows will pull you into its solarpunk world and make you never want to wake up from the dream." —Wendy Xu, author and illustrator of The Infinity Particle
"I'm going to put this comic in my mouth and keep it in there like a huge, delicious gourmet jawbreaker." —Maria Costa, author of Belle of the Ball
"An ambitious, lushly detailed blending of genres and brilliant cartooning— and the chemistry between Oberon and Kon is electric." —Victoria Grace Elliott, author of Please Be My Star
This information about Strange Bedfellows was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Ariel Slamet Ries is an award-winning cartoonist and illustrator residing on unceded Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri lands in Australia. After studying animation in Denmark for four years, they lost their degree in the post and unceremoniously bumbled into making comics for a living. Their first two major publications, Witchy and Cry Wolf Girl, notably received the 2020 Ignatz Awards for Outstanding Online Comic and Outstanding Comic, respectively. Ariel is interested in telling stories about imperfect marginalized characters dealing with real-world dilemmas in fantastical settings. They just wrapped Strange Bedfellows—a queer YA sci-fi romance about dreams.
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