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Orion & the Cloudkillers
Picking a new name was easy. Finding himself? Not so much.
Starting university in a new city after coming out as trans is Orion’s best chance to press reset. It’s an opportunity to join clubs, make new friends, and forget who he used to be. But before he can find his feet at his very first Pride festival, he bumps into Sebastian Holmsted, the drummer for an all-queer local rock band called Cloudkillers – and a childhood crush he’s not-so-over.
At first, it seems as though Orion’s been given a chance to start over with Seb; his best friend and wingwoman Andy certainly thinks so. But when a crisis with another member results in Orion joining the band and the two of them grow closer than Orion could have dreamed of, past and present begin to intertwine. And when things start to become real between Seb and Orion, he finds himself wondering whether a relationship with Seb is truly what he wants after all.
Jealous exes, asexual crises, and bubble tea abound in this heartfelt story of identity, self-acceptance, and love.
Starting university in a new city after coming out as trans is Orion’s best chance to press reset. It’s an opportunity to join clubs, make new friends, and forget who he used to be. But before he can find his feet at his very first Pride festival, he bumps into Sebastian Holmsted, the drummer for an all-queer local rock band called Cloudkillers – and a childhood crush he’s not-so-over.
At first, it seems as though Orion’s been given a chance to start over with Seb; his best friend and wingwoman Andy certainly thinks so. But when a crisis with another member results in Orion joining the band and the two of them grow closer than Orion could have dreamed of, past and present begin to intertwine. And when things start to become real between Seb and Orion, he finds himself wondering whether a relationship with Seb is truly what he wants after all.
Jealous exes, asexual crises, and bubble tea abound in this heartfelt story of identity, self-acceptance, and love.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2025
1 person is currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 4, 2025
I didn’t realize how much I needed to read this until I was gifted it by my boyfriend. This book spoke to me on so many levels, and I felt so very seen by Orion. I realized I was trans in university and met my boyfriend shortly after. This book is so wonderful and it will stay with me for a while
March 27, 2025
This book is everything I wish I could've read in high school!!
From the get go, you gain a sense of familiarity with the characters and their world - to the extent that they start to feel like your own friends. The author doesn't hide the complexities and hardships of queer identity exploration, and takes the audience through the highs and lows of self-realisation and the development of new feelings with the stress of university looming in the background. We needed more queer romcom novels and more musical stories, and this novel serves both purposes at once with absolute ease!
A definite recommendation from me, an ideal read for anyone who loved Heartstopper, lives in Brisbane, or has a soft spot for the Aussie music scene!
*review of Spotify audiobook
From the get go, you gain a sense of familiarity with the characters and their world - to the extent that they start to feel like your own friends. The author doesn't hide the complexities and hardships of queer identity exploration, and takes the audience through the highs and lows of self-realisation and the development of new feelings with the stress of university looming in the background. We needed more queer romcom novels and more musical stories, and this novel serves both purposes at once with absolute ease!
A definite recommendation from me, an ideal read for anyone who loved Heartstopper, lives in Brisbane, or has a soft spot for the Aussie music scene!
*review of Spotify audiobook
February 11, 2025
4.25/5⭐️
After reading this book, Orion has my whole heart. This was such a sweet coming of age story about a young trans man who just started finding out so many things about himself at the same time he is starting university.
The characters were definitely the best part for me, they felt so real and lovable at the same time, and I was ready to ride for Orion and Seb anytime someone threatened their happiness.
I would love a sequel book and get to know more about what happened later, and would specially like knowing more about Seb and his personal history.
Overall, this was a beautiful story and I recommend it a lot 🤍
After reading this book, Orion has my whole heart. This was such a sweet coming of age story about a young trans man who just started finding out so many things about himself at the same time he is starting university.
The characters were definitely the best part for me, they felt so real and lovable at the same time, and I was ready to ride for Orion and Seb anytime someone threatened their happiness.
I would love a sequel book and get to know more about what happened later, and would specially like knowing more about Seb and his personal history.
Overall, this was a beautiful story and I recommend it a lot 🤍
April 10, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 Stars – A Tender, Funny, and Uplifting Queer Rom-Com with Heart
I went into Orion & the Cloudkillers expecting a cute queer rom-com, and what I got was that—and so much more. Harris D. Gordon has crafted a story that hits hard on identity, first love, found family, and the terrifying, exhilarating freedom of starting over. Spoilers ahead—because I can’t talk about how much I loved this book without getting into the details.
The premise is simple but powerful: Orion, freshly out as trans, is starting university in a new city. It’s his clean slate, and he’s ready to leave behind the awkward, closeted version of himself. But his plans to lay low unravel spectacularly when he literally collides with Sebastian Holmsted at Pride—Seb, the effortlessly cool drummer for Cloudkillers, the queer band that turns out to be the heart and soul of this whole book. Also? Orion’s childhood crush. Of course.
The chemistry between Orion and Seb is electric from the jump, but what sets this apart from your typical YA/NA romance is how authentic their dynamic feels. There’s awkward flirting, yes—but also miscommunication, emotional landmines, and the very real fear of being seen too clearly too soon. The fact that Seb doesn’t immediately recognize Orion from their shared past is a blow, but it also opens up a new layer of tension. Orion wants a fresh start, but he also wants to be known. That push and pull is written beautifully.
I adored how the band—Jules, Harper, and Max—welcomes Orion without hesitation. It’s the queer found family dream, messy and supportive and hilarious. There’s a scene where they play a stripped-down version of “Meteor Heart” in a cramped kitchen, and Orion is just sitting on the floor, surrounded by sound and laughter and light—it made me tear up. It’s not even a dramatic moment; it’s just safe. Gordon understands how powerful safety can feel when you’ve gone so long without it.
And let’s talk about the emotional climax: Orion finally confronting Seb about who he used to be—before he transitioned—and Seb doesn’t freak out. He apologizes for not seeing it sooner. He listens. And then he says, “I’ve always had a thing for stars, you know. Orion makes sense.” I screamed. I cried. I reread that scene three times.
By the end, Orion isn’t magically cured of insecurity, and Seb isn’t perfect, but they’re trying, and that’s what makes it land. The last scene, with Orion on stage with Cloudkillers, mic in hand, is the perfect ending—not because he gets the guy (he does), but because he’s claiming space, loudly and joyfully.
This is a book about being queer and messy and hopeful. It doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, but it leads with love—self-love, romantic love, and the love that grows between people who see the real you and stay.
I wish this book existed when I was a teen. I’m so glad it exists now.
5 Stars – A Tender, Funny, and Uplifting Queer Rom-Com with Heart
I went into Orion & the Cloudkillers expecting a cute queer rom-com, and what I got was that—and so much more. Harris D. Gordon has crafted a story that hits hard on identity, first love, found family, and the terrifying, exhilarating freedom of starting over. Spoilers ahead—because I can’t talk about how much I loved this book without getting into the details.
The premise is simple but powerful: Orion, freshly out as trans, is starting university in a new city. It’s his clean slate, and he’s ready to leave behind the awkward, closeted version of himself. But his plans to lay low unravel spectacularly when he literally collides with Sebastian Holmsted at Pride—Seb, the effortlessly cool drummer for Cloudkillers, the queer band that turns out to be the heart and soul of this whole book. Also? Orion’s childhood crush. Of course.
The chemistry between Orion and Seb is electric from the jump, but what sets this apart from your typical YA/NA romance is how authentic their dynamic feels. There’s awkward flirting, yes—but also miscommunication, emotional landmines, and the very real fear of being seen too clearly too soon. The fact that Seb doesn’t immediately recognize Orion from their shared past is a blow, but it also opens up a new layer of tension. Orion wants a fresh start, but he also wants to be known. That push and pull is written beautifully.
I adored how the band—Jules, Harper, and Max—welcomes Orion without hesitation. It’s the queer found family dream, messy and supportive and hilarious. There’s a scene where they play a stripped-down version of “Meteor Heart” in a cramped kitchen, and Orion is just sitting on the floor, surrounded by sound and laughter and light—it made me tear up. It’s not even a dramatic moment; it’s just safe. Gordon understands how powerful safety can feel when you’ve gone so long without it.
And let’s talk about the emotional climax: Orion finally confronting Seb about who he used to be—before he transitioned—and Seb doesn’t freak out. He apologizes for not seeing it sooner. He listens. And then he says, “I’ve always had a thing for stars, you know. Orion makes sense.” I screamed. I cried. I reread that scene three times.
By the end, Orion isn’t magically cured of insecurity, and Seb isn’t perfect, but they’re trying, and that’s what makes it land. The last scene, with Orion on stage with Cloudkillers, mic in hand, is the perfect ending—not because he gets the guy (he does), but because he’s claiming space, loudly and joyfully.
This is a book about being queer and messy and hopeful. It doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, but it leads with love—self-love, romantic love, and the love that grows between people who see the real you and stay.
I wish this book existed when I was a teen. I’m so glad it exists now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
Listened to the audiobook narrated by the author. The author has an interesting accent, which is a little bit distracting, and he’s not a professional voice actor, but considering both of these details, it’s actually quite well narrated. I’ve found legit narrators harder to listen to.
From the looks of the author’s instagram, this might be a semi-autobiographical story. I gather the protagonist, Orion, is very much based on the author himself.
The story reads as an earnest exposition of the trans experience. It explains some of the complexities, contradictions, things that don’t make sense or aren’t obvious, things that cishet people might assume or take for granted. Sometimes, in doing this, it takes you out of the story and gives you the impression you’re listening to a Ted talk instead. I don’t know that it’s a bad thing. I think we need more stories from minority voices, and they need more exposition so we can better understand different perspectives. It’s how we learn.
From the looks of the author’s instagram, this might be a semi-autobiographical story. I gather the protagonist, Orion, is very much based on the author himself.
The story reads as an earnest exposition of the trans experience. It explains some of the complexities, contradictions, things that don’t make sense or aren’t obvious, things that cishet people might assume or take for granted. Sometimes, in doing this, it takes you out of the story and gives you the impression you’re listening to a Ted talk instead. I don’t know that it’s a bad thing. I think we need more stories from minority voices, and they need more exposition so we can better understand different perspectives. It’s how we learn.
February 12, 2025
I loved this book so much. I have never felt so closely connected to character in my life. Orion and the Cloudkillers is now going to be one of my comfort reads. There is mild transphobia and homophobia. But for a book surrounding a trans man, its tame (and its the transphobia is mainly from another trans person). I love that its not the main focus and is more about the honestly adorable relationship of Orion and Seb.
This book lowkey gave me hope for finding love myself. As an asexual trans guy.
Also it being in Australia made it ten times better for me. But even the book isn't overwhelmingly Australian so anyone could enjoy it.
This book lowkey gave me hope for finding love myself. As an asexual trans guy.
Also it being in Australia made it ten times better for me. But even the book isn't overwhelmingly Australian so anyone could enjoy it.
February 19, 2025
Beautifully written! Queer romance set in Brisbane, with lighthearted references to several local sights. I instantly fell in love with the characters and laughed and cried and finished it all in a day because I couldn’t put it down. Equally heartbreaking in its reality and joyful in its hope. I’ve never seen the asexual experience so well captured in a book, and I’d love to see a sequel and this progression. Highly recommend to anyone interested in romance, queer and trans identity and the human experience.
January 16, 2025
This book grew on me super quickly. The uniquely Australian take on trans identity in this book is amazing, and it's hard not to enjoy a GYG reference.
The romance is cute, the homophobia is gut-wrenching, and characters are diverse and loveable. While this book and the writing may not be for everyone, I definitely enjoyed it a lot.
The romance is cute, the homophobia is gut-wrenching, and characters are diverse and loveable. While this book and the writing may not be for everyone, I definitely enjoyed it a lot.
September 12, 2025
I loved Orion's personal development and I saw a lot of myself in his story, which is always a nice surprise. The romance, however, was a big fail for me. There was a lot of telling me the couple was pining for each other, but I didn't feel it, which made the romance fall flat for me. There was a lot of potential, but sadly this book didn't quite work for me in the end.
April 24, 2025
Loved it! Fun, realistic rom-com between queer young adults making it through the slog of University. Love the Brisbane references, the music focuses, overly relatable mental health struggles and anxiety management, definitely a must-read.
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May 18, 2025Orion from Orion & the Cloudkillers is asexual!
Ren from Orion & the Cloudkillers is asexual!
https://aspeccharactersoftheday.tumbl...
Ren from Orion & the Cloudkillers is asexual!
https://aspeccharactersoftheday.tumbl...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews