What do you think?
Rate this book
A Million Tiny Missiles All At Once
Being a teen’s a tough gig, but what if one gig
could save your family?
Elias’s brain is a swamp of fears and bad things. His once-loving
brother Bo has become a stranger, and his parents are at
breaking point.
When Bo falls in with dangerous people, Elias decides he’s
the only one who can bring his family back together. But what
begins as a simple pizza-night plan quickly spirals into chaos.
Can Elias find a way to reach the people he loves the most
before it’s too late?
The stunning debut novel from Lucas Maxwell, winner of
the Times/Chicken House Competition 2024
Set in wintry Nova Scotia, Canada and inspired by the
author’s childhood, this special novel explores themes of
family addiction and growing up neurodivergent
Perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower,
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
and Orbiting Jupiter
For readers aged 12 and up
- GenresYoung Adult
240 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 14, 2026
✰ 3 stars ✰
This was a poignant and touching YA story. 14yo Elias' firm and sadly private resolve in protecting his 17yo brother, Bo, was heartbreaking. It was heartbreaking because most people, including his parents, didn't really see him as someone to be taken seriously due to his neurodivergence, so it wasn't necessary for him to be privy to the more serious matters concerning his brother. 😟
I felt his annoyance and frustration in that regard, especially since he was more intuitive, more perceptive, and more determined to prevent Bo from falling deeper into the wrong hands. I’ve been told I think too much. How he longed for the caring, more friendly version of his older brother to return. It was painful to see how hard he tried to hold it together when so much around him was falling apart. 💔
“Stop feeling so sorry for yourself. You are going to do whatever you want to do. You are.”
The story is set in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1993, which I felt contributed to the story. Since it is partly inspired by the author's own childhood, it does make a little sense. The winter cold was a tangible presence in Elias' desperation while tracking his brother down. Their parents' slight lack of attention and awareness regarding their kids' antics also felt more relevant and convincing due to the time period.
Ofc, no one is ever entirely to blame, and I know it's not their fault either that Bo became the troubled teen that he was. I just felt there was a certain neglect of their kids that enabled their lives to head in certain directions - which, sadly, were difficult and dangerous ones. 😔 Elias' family slowly falling apart due to Bo's disruptive nature was heart-wrenching; they were helpless against his erratic behavior.
But what is prevalent and palpable throughout is the quietly affirming sibling love that needs no explanation for how innate it is. It is Elias' driving force, the first chapter sets up how far the brothers would go for each other, so it's not even a question that he would do anything for Bo. 🫂
“... and I thought we’d already chosen, chosen to survive whatever the hell this life was.”
The tension and fear built up like a distant echo, where I felt that evil forces still had Bo in their grasp, and when it took that sharp, drastic turn for the worse, at a moment Elias had the chance to shine on his own to show his own worth - he proved that their brotherly bond was an unbreakable force; I feared the worst... (no spoilers) 🥺
As the story is written from Elias' perspective, there were certain instances where the writing relied heavily on telling rather than showing. It disrupted the flow, imo, and made it difficult to fully connect with the dynamics and scenes. 😕 And while it did end on a hopeful, bittersweet note, I still felt bereft of --- something. I don't think I ever got a clear cut idea of why Bo was the way he was or that his problems entirely went away. It felt lacking of explanation, which I felt it should have offered a little more clarity. 😥
I do applaud the author's ability to balance the heavy and serious tone with the quirky and humorous levity of Elias' jokes, that desire to win a Pizza Hut dinner that he hoped would fix all their problems. It was subtle but effective, and it was a notably meaningful inclusion, especially as it breathed character into Elias' personality and heart. 💟
“I’ve got a joke.’
‘Spill it, I need one right now.’
‘I’ve been thinking of taking up meditation.’
‘Is that so?’
‘Yeah, I figure it’s better than sitting around doing nothing.”
“Get up, boy, you ain’t licked yet.”
This was a poignant and touching YA story. 14yo Elias' firm and sadly private resolve in protecting his 17yo brother, Bo, was heartbreaking. It was heartbreaking because most people, including his parents, didn't really see him as someone to be taken seriously due to his neurodivergence, so it wasn't necessary for him to be privy to the more serious matters concerning his brother. 😟
I felt his annoyance and frustration in that regard, especially since he was more intuitive, more perceptive, and more determined to prevent Bo from falling deeper into the wrong hands. I’ve been told I think too much. How he longed for the caring, more friendly version of his older brother to return. It was painful to see how hard he tried to hold it together when so much around him was falling apart. 💔
“Stop feeling so sorry for yourself. You are going to do whatever you want to do. You are.”
The story is set in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1993, which I felt contributed to the story. Since it is partly inspired by the author's own childhood, it does make a little sense. The winter cold was a tangible presence in Elias' desperation while tracking his brother down. Their parents' slight lack of attention and awareness regarding their kids' antics also felt more relevant and convincing due to the time period.
Ofc, no one is ever entirely to blame, and I know it's not their fault either that Bo became the troubled teen that he was. I just felt there was a certain neglect of their kids that enabled their lives to head in certain directions - which, sadly, were difficult and dangerous ones. 😔 Elias' family slowly falling apart due to Bo's disruptive nature was heart-wrenching; they were helpless against his erratic behavior.
But what is prevalent and palpable throughout is the quietly affirming sibling love that needs no explanation for how innate it is. It is Elias' driving force, the first chapter sets up how far the brothers would go for each other, so it's not even a question that he would do anything for Bo. 🫂
“... and I thought we’d already chosen, chosen to survive whatever the hell this life was.”
The tension and fear built up like a distant echo, where I felt that evil forces still had Bo in their grasp, and when it took that sharp, drastic turn for the worse, at a moment Elias had the chance to shine on his own to show his own worth - he proved that their brotherly bond was an unbreakable force; I feared the worst... (no spoilers) 🥺
As the story is written from Elias' perspective, there were certain instances where the writing relied heavily on telling rather than showing. It disrupted the flow, imo, and made it difficult to fully connect with the dynamics and scenes. 😕 And while it did end on a hopeful, bittersweet note, I still felt bereft of --- something. I don't think I ever got a clear cut idea of why Bo was the way he was or that his problems entirely went away. It felt lacking of explanation, which I felt it should have offered a little more clarity. 😥
I do applaud the author's ability to balance the heavy and serious tone with the quirky and humorous levity of Elias' jokes, that desire to win a Pizza Hut dinner that he hoped would fix all their problems. It was subtle but effective, and it was a notably meaningful inclusion, especially as it breathed character into Elias' personality and heart. 💟
“I’ve got a joke.’
‘Spill it, I need one right now.’
‘I’ve been thinking of taking up meditation.’
‘Is that so?’
‘Yeah, I figure it’s better than sitting around doing nothing.”
December 2, 2025
A beautifully written YA debut by Lucas Maxwell that is inspired by his own childhood, providing insight into how addiction affects family life and what it can be like growing up neurodivergent.
April 10, 2026
Moving, funny and family centric, this story about a neurodivergent teen trying to win a pizza meal for his family made me laugh and shed a few tears too. Very evocative of what it’s like growing up in a small town where everyone knows your business, the characters are relatable and addiction is dealt with very sensitively whilst still showing the effects on loved ones.
April 11, 2026
Couldnt put it down, truly emotionally fantastic in all the best ways possible. So many pages bookmarked, so many feelings felt. Just as it should be 🤞
May 3, 2026
I love books with heart. This is one of them. Set in wintery Canada and following the life of Elias and his family. I loved the relationship with the two brothers; I loved being taken to Canada in the nineties; and I loved a story that has empathy at its core. Bravo Lukas Maxwell! Stunning debut.
April 12, 2026
I want to wrap Elias and Bo in heavily insulated bubble wrap so that no person (or windsnap) can hurt them.
Loved this book.
Loved this book.
December 3, 2025
A multi emotion experience reading a proof copy of A Million Tiny Missiles: Nostalgia, heartache and hope.
I could feel Elias' cold fingers and toes as well as his yearning for his brother, told through his wonderfully honest (and at times relatable) perspective that was so easy to become swept into.
An absolute delight to read.
I could feel Elias' cold fingers and toes as well as his yearning for his brother, told through his wonderfully honest (and at times relatable) perspective that was so easy to become swept into.
An absolute delight to read.
July 11, 2026
This is a phenomenal debut that I will be pushing into everyone and anyone’s hands.
An absolutely beautiful exploration of what it’s like to grow up neurodivergent, the impact of addiction (on one person and their whole family), the strength of brotherly love and the importance of true friendship.
Elias, our protagonist, will always have a place in my heart — his compassion, resilience and bravery is truly beautiful and admirable.
An absolutely beautiful exploration of what it’s like to grow up neurodivergent, the impact of addiction (on one person and their whole family), the strength of brotherly love and the importance of true friendship.
Elias, our protagonist, will always have a place in my heart — his compassion, resilience and bravery is truly beautiful and admirable.
April 16, 2026
A really great read! Really evocative of a time and place. A very moving depiction of brotherly love and neuro divergence.
April 10, 2026
This is a fictional story about fourteen-year-old Elias, whose brother Bo is expelled from school and begins to fall in with the wrong crowd. As Bo drifts away, Elias grieves the loss of their once-close bond, while his neurodivergence heightens his anxiety, often pushing him into overwhelming sensory overload.
The harsh brutality of the Canadian winter is brought vividly to life, but what truly stands out are the beautifully observed relationships—between Elias and his family, as well as with the friends who shape life in their small town.
Though written as a YA novel, it is both funny and deeply relatable for readers of all ages. I read this in one sitting and found it utterly heart-wrenching, completely compelling, and an absolute joy to read.
The harsh brutality of the Canadian winter is brought vividly to life, but what truly stands out are the beautifully observed relationships—between Elias and his family, as well as with the friends who shape life in their small town.
Though written as a YA novel, it is both funny and deeply relatable for readers of all ages. I read this in one sitting and found it utterly heart-wrenching, completely compelling, and an absolute joy to read.
August 9, 2026
Such a unique, emotional read!
March 31, 2026
This story about an autistic teen who tries to win his family one perfect pizza dinner will break your heart and mend it again.
Based on events from the author’s own life, it explores bullying, family struggles, prejudice, brotherhood, addiction and rehabilitation through the sweet and sensitive mind of Elias, a fourteen-year-old wannabe comedian with a quick wit and a heart of gold.
Elias has always looked up to his brother, Bo, who he knows will do anything for him. So when Bo falls in with the wrong crowd, Elias worries he’ll end up in the back of their dad’s police car (or worse). And what’s more, their parents are arguing, and their dad is thinking of moving away. All Elias wants is to win the school talent show pizza prize, so they can spend some time together. But with shady characters hanging around, a body that’s often at odds with his mind, and people picking fights with him at school, Elias’s only hope is to make good friends, do his best and hope it doesn’t all fall apart.
Reading this, you’ll laugh, gasp, want to yell at (or hug) the characters, feel the cold of a Canadian winter on your cheeks and learn a ton of puns and jokes. Fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower won’t want to pass it up; it has the same perceptive, simple style that makes scenes and phrases stick in your head. It’s a quick read (easily devoured in one sitting), but the characters remain with you long after. Especially Elias, who just wants to cause joy, and his grumpy mentor, Crawford, who sees the good in him and encourages it.
I’m so glad this book is being published, providing a relatable voice to young, neurodivergent teens tackling the difficulties of growing up. The realistic (if very sad) family circumstances explored, and the fact the story doesn’t shy away from hard themes, make it important representation as well as an eye-opening read for those of all ages. I’ll be recommending it.
A huge thank you to @chickenhousebooks and @lucasjmaxwell for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Based on events from the author’s own life, it explores bullying, family struggles, prejudice, brotherhood, addiction and rehabilitation through the sweet and sensitive mind of Elias, a fourteen-year-old wannabe comedian with a quick wit and a heart of gold.
Elias has always looked up to his brother, Bo, who he knows will do anything for him. So when Bo falls in with the wrong crowd, Elias worries he’ll end up in the back of their dad’s police car (or worse). And what’s more, their parents are arguing, and their dad is thinking of moving away. All Elias wants is to win the school talent show pizza prize, so they can spend some time together. But with shady characters hanging around, a body that’s often at odds with his mind, and people picking fights with him at school, Elias’s only hope is to make good friends, do his best and hope it doesn’t all fall apart.
Reading this, you’ll laugh, gasp, want to yell at (or hug) the characters, feel the cold of a Canadian winter on your cheeks and learn a ton of puns and jokes. Fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower won’t want to pass it up; it has the same perceptive, simple style that makes scenes and phrases stick in your head. It’s a quick read (easily devoured in one sitting), but the characters remain with you long after. Especially Elias, who just wants to cause joy, and his grumpy mentor, Crawford, who sees the good in him and encourages it.
I’m so glad this book is being published, providing a relatable voice to young, neurodivergent teens tackling the difficulties of growing up. The realistic (if very sad) family circumstances explored, and the fact the story doesn’t shy away from hard themes, make it important representation as well as an eye-opening read for those of all ages. I’ll be recommending it.
A huge thank you to @chickenhousebooks and @lucasjmaxwell for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2026
There’s something extra special about reading a first novel from someone you know, and A Million Tiny Missiles All at Once did not disappoint. Lucas created a story full of heart and vulnerability. I’m so proud of what he’s created here — a remarkable first book and the beginning of what I hope is a long writing journey.
June 13, 2026
This is such a special book. And I truly believe every single person should read it.
It is moving, heartfelt and humorous. The first line has you chuckling and feeling shocked all at the same breath. As we move through the story you experience so many emotions. It is very rare to have a story move you in so many ways.
This book tackles tough and hard hitting themes. It is not easy to show others the world through the lenses of someone who is neurodivergent and how those around them respond and treat them. Maxwell does this in a way that I have never seen in a book, it very raw and very real.
This book moved me in a way that I haven’t been in a very very long time. It is a story that will stay with me.
Thank you chickenhouse books & Lucas Maxwell for sending me a proof copy of this book ahead of its release.
It is moving, heartfelt and humorous. The first line has you chuckling and feeling shocked all at the same breath. As we move through the story you experience so many emotions. It is very rare to have a story move you in so many ways.
This book tackles tough and hard hitting themes. It is not easy to show others the world through the lenses of someone who is neurodivergent and how those around them respond and treat them. Maxwell does this in a way that I have never seen in a book, it very raw and very real.
This book moved me in a way that I haven’t been in a very very long time. It is a story that will stay with me.
Thank you chickenhouse books & Lucas Maxwell for sending me a proof copy of this book ahead of its release.
November 26, 2025
I managed to pick up a proof of this brilliant book at a recent Chicken House event, I was eager to read it as it sounded amazing and it didn’t disappoint!
Winner of the Chicken House/Times Children’s Fiction Competition for 2024 which will be published next year. It’s a brilliantly executed story about a 14 year old autistic boy who also has anxiety. When his brother starts hanging with the wrong people his life starts to implode! Lias is also a wannabe comedian and is determined to win the school talent show as he is convinced this will bring his family together again! I was totally hooked on this story which only took me a day to read, I love finding stories that are realistic with male characters as I feel there isn’t nearly enough around and this feels like a classic in the making!
Winner of the Chicken House/Times Children’s Fiction Competition for 2024 which will be published next year. It’s a brilliantly executed story about a 14 year old autistic boy who also has anxiety. When his brother starts hanging with the wrong people his life starts to implode! Lias is also a wannabe comedian and is determined to win the school talent show as he is convinced this will bring his family together again! I was totally hooked on this story which only took me a day to read, I love finding stories that are realistic with male characters as I feel there isn’t nearly enough around and this feels like a classic in the making!
Read
December 27, 2025This book is full of heart and humour. A magnificent story about a family going through a hard time and a boy who wants to fix it all. It will shatter your heart and help you put the pieces back together. Maxwell deliveries a stunning book that will remind every reader what it is like to be young and want the best for the people you love.
January 7, 2026
An incredibly powerful and moving #YA novel with an autistic teen protagonist navigating family upheaval in a small Canadian town.
My full review can be found here: https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...
My full review can be found here: https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...
August 13, 2026
I felt like putting this book down after the first four chapters because I didn't know where the story was going. But then I reached the next chapter, and I was absolutely awestruck. I found myself thinking, “Can you get through this, Elias?”
This is the story of a 14 year old boy who has a brother he loves, Bo. But Bo is struggling with many problems as he grows up, and the family starts to fall apart. One thing is certain, Elias believes he can bring his family back together despite all the struggles they are facing. One day, his school organises a competition, and he really wants to win it. If he can win the competition and convince his family to celebrate together over pizza, maybe things will finally feel normal again. But as Elias tries to fix his family, he begins to realise that some problems are much bigger than he can handle alone.
It's quite heartbreaking to get through this book, knowing what Elias himself is going through. But the author successfully balances these heavy themes with humour. Elias has this quirky and sometimes unintentionally funny way of looking at the world. At one point, he asks his mom, “Was I a mistake?” Other than that, even when things around him are difficult, his little observations and reactions bring some much needed lightness to the story.
The story is simple. It's about a boy who simply wants his family to be okay. Elias's journey made me laugh, well...broke my heart a little, and reminded me that we cannot always fix the people we love, even when we desperately want to.
Sometimes, all we can do is love them wholeheartedly!
This is the story of a 14 year old boy who has a brother he loves, Bo. But Bo is struggling with many problems as he grows up, and the family starts to fall apart. One thing is certain, Elias believes he can bring his family back together despite all the struggles they are facing. One day, his school organises a competition, and he really wants to win it. If he can win the competition and convince his family to celebrate together over pizza, maybe things will finally feel normal again. But as Elias tries to fix his family, he begins to realise that some problems are much bigger than he can handle alone.
It's quite heartbreaking to get through this book, knowing what Elias himself is going through. But the author successfully balances these heavy themes with humour. Elias has this quirky and sometimes unintentionally funny way of looking at the world. At one point, he asks his mom, “Was I a mistake?” Other than that, even when things around him are difficult, his little observations and reactions bring some much needed lightness to the story.
The story is simple. It's about a boy who simply wants his family to be okay. Elias's journey made me laugh, well...broke my heart a little, and reminded me that we cannot always fix the people we love, even when we desperately want to.
Sometimes, all we can do is love them wholeheartedly!
July 8, 2026
A Million Tiny Stars
This was an exceptional read, with powerful heart wrenching writing, and a protagonist you could really root for (even some of his jokes were all right). For some reason, it reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird, but I can't say why. Just brilliant.
This was an exceptional read, with powerful heart wrenching writing, and a protagonist you could really root for (even some of his jokes were all right). For some reason, it reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird, but I can't say why. Just brilliant.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This has real heart behind it. Has a lot to say about family dynamics and what it like to be someone who is neuro diverse.
May 20, 2026
Its a good POV writing of an autistic person. The familial love is so strong.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a review copy from the publisher in preparation for a UKYASpotlight interview. it has not affected my opinions.
A MIILLION TINY MISSILES ALL AT ONCE is a complex and poignant story of a family struggling with addiction.
Elias is autistic and possibly also has Tourette's (it's mentioned in the book but passingly). I love finding books with neurodiverse characters - there were so few when I was growing up and, while there's still a very long way to go, it is so nice to see more.
I really liked that the focus of the story wasn't "here's a kid struggling with autism". Being autistic is just part of who Elias is. Yes, being autistic means he is facing additional challenges, but much of that is thanks to the ableist bullying of those around him. I really liked that it wasn't a struggle book, wasn't pitting autism (or the community's reaction to it) as the big thing to overcome. We need more books like this.
The book deals with addiction and its cost on the individual but also their community - the strain on friendship and family. However Elias is being kept somewhat in the dark about it all, so the topic is never addressed head on, instead the symptoms are show and the conversations his parents have around him are somewhat oblique. It was an interesting and effective technique for keeping the focus on the consequences rather than the addiction itself.
It's set in 1993, but story wise, it feels like a contemporary novel (they just don't all have smart phones and the internet!) It feels a bit weird that the '90s is now considered "historical" but alas it was 30+ years ago. If you like contemporary novels, it will still appeal!
In all, this is a very solid debut.
A MIILLION TINY MISSILES ALL AT ONCE is a complex and poignant story of a family struggling with addiction.
Elias is autistic and possibly also has Tourette's (it's mentioned in the book but passingly). I love finding books with neurodiverse characters - there were so few when I was growing up and, while there's still a very long way to go, it is so nice to see more.
I really liked that the focus of the story wasn't "here's a kid struggling with autism". Being autistic is just part of who Elias is. Yes, being autistic means he is facing additional challenges, but much of that is thanks to the ableist bullying of those around him. I really liked that it wasn't a struggle book, wasn't pitting autism (or the community's reaction to it) as the big thing to overcome. We need more books like this.
The book deals with addiction and its cost on the individual but also their community - the strain on friendship and family. However Elias is being kept somewhat in the dark about it all, so the topic is never addressed head on, instead the symptoms are show and the conversations his parents have around him are somewhat oblique. It was an interesting and effective technique for keeping the focus on the consequences rather than the addiction itself.
It's set in 1993, but story wise, it feels like a contemporary novel (they just don't all have smart phones and the internet!) It feels a bit weird that the '90s is now considered "historical" but alas it was 30+ years ago. If you like contemporary novels, it will still appeal!
In all, this is a very solid debut.
Review of advance copy
*I pre-ordered from Waterstones and it arrived before pub day.
I loved A Million Tiny Missiles All at Once by Lucas Maxwell.
As a teenager/ young adult, I devoured books like this–character driven books with a distinctive narrative voice, capturing life unflinchingly.
It was fitting that the epigraph was a Ken Kesey quote, as reading this put me in mind of his storytelling including its portrayal of working class lives, its flow and its deep-delving observational narrative style.
Elias is living through the harshest period of his life in every sense. ‘A windsnap out of the north’ has buried Nova Scotia in a thick layer of snow. Elias is navigating high school as a neuro-divergent kid in the 90s and his brother, Bo, is losing himself. What will be left of them when the thaw finally comes?
The writing is at once raw and lyrical, as it combines Elias’s world view, and inner voice, with the gritty reality of their lives. The depiction of life in a poor rural community feels very authentic: some kids leaving school early to enter the sawmill, one of the main opportunities in the area; others falling into crime and addiction.
Add in the cold snap, which seems to hold the community almost in a suspended state, the feeling of captivity intensifies everything. When Elias signs up to tell jokes at the school talent show, it’s an act of resistance; a chance for Elias to transcend; it’s a culmination; it’s a symbol of hope. But will he even make it onto the stage?
A book about family life, coming-of-age and beating the odds with some banging 90s references and some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a really fantastic debut that completely floated my boat.
I loved A Million Tiny Missiles All at Once by Lucas Maxwell.
As a teenager/ young adult, I devoured books like this–character driven books with a distinctive narrative voice, capturing life unflinchingly.
It was fitting that the epigraph was a Ken Kesey quote, as reading this put me in mind of his storytelling including its portrayal of working class lives, its flow and its deep-delving observational narrative style.
Elias is living through the harshest period of his life in every sense. ‘A windsnap out of the north’ has buried Nova Scotia in a thick layer of snow. Elias is navigating high school as a neuro-divergent kid in the 90s and his brother, Bo, is losing himself. What will be left of them when the thaw finally comes?
The writing is at once raw and lyrical, as it combines Elias’s world view, and inner voice, with the gritty reality of their lives. The depiction of life in a poor rural community feels very authentic: some kids leaving school early to enter the sawmill, one of the main opportunities in the area; others falling into crime and addiction.
Add in the cold snap, which seems to hold the community almost in a suspended state, the feeling of captivity intensifies everything. When Elias signs up to tell jokes at the school talent show, it’s an act of resistance; a chance for Elias to transcend; it’s a culmination; it’s a symbol of hope. But will he even make it onto the stage?
A book about family life, coming-of-age and beating the odds with some banging 90s references and some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a really fantastic debut that completely floated my boat.
July 12, 2026
💛 A Million Tiny Missiles all at Once by Lucas Maxwell
💛 Wow - what a compelling and moving book! I devoured it in a day and was engrossed for hours at a time.
💛 The main protagonist is Elias, who is 14 with autism. I think this book really highlights how far we have moved away from the deplorable language of the 90s, when talking about someone with SEND. Elias is such a brilliant character as he battles his demons, is fiercely protective to his brother, Bo, and cracks out some absolutely hilarious and cringeworthy jokes. I loved that his voice narrated the story.
💛 Bowman, ‘Lias’ older brother, gets himself into heaps of bother throughout the book and it was heartbreaking to watch him spiralling out of control. Much of his issues seem to stem from dad’s job as a policeman, which results in him being bullied. He makes a lot of poor choices and gets in with the wrong crowd, which ends up with many unsavoury characters hanging around. Bo’s future is at risk.
💛 Mum and dad have a complicated relationship and they battle and shout in much of the book. Dad seems to drink a lot and takes himself off to the basement, leaving mum to run the household. Mum has a bit of a mental break at some point and poor Elias feels quite neglected.
💛 There are some fantastic characters with this book and lots of big themes! I was shocked by how many times Elias was physically assaulted in this book, just because of his autism.
💛 Wow - what a compelling and moving book! I devoured it in a day and was engrossed for hours at a time.
💛 The main protagonist is Elias, who is 14 with autism. I think this book really highlights how far we have moved away from the deplorable language of the 90s, when talking about someone with SEND. Elias is such a brilliant character as he battles his demons, is fiercely protective to his brother, Bo, and cracks out some absolutely hilarious and cringeworthy jokes. I loved that his voice narrated the story.
💛 Bowman, ‘Lias’ older brother, gets himself into heaps of bother throughout the book and it was heartbreaking to watch him spiralling out of control. Much of his issues seem to stem from dad’s job as a policeman, which results in him being bullied. He makes a lot of poor choices and gets in with the wrong crowd, which ends up with many unsavoury characters hanging around. Bo’s future is at risk.
💛 Mum and dad have a complicated relationship and they battle and shout in much of the book. Dad seems to drink a lot and takes himself off to the basement, leaving mum to run the household. Mum has a bit of a mental break at some point and poor Elias feels quite neglected.
💛 There are some fantastic characters with this book and lots of big themes! I was shocked by how many times Elias was physically assaulted in this book, just because of his autism.
July 19, 2026
Reading this from Elias's perspective was already suffocating. I can't even imagine what it must be like to live inside his mind every single day, every hour, without ever getting a break from the fear, anxiety, and constant need to hold everything together.
The entire novel feels like watching a family slowly fall apart while Elias desperately tries to stop it from happening. Every member of the family is carrying their own pain. Bo is caught in addiction, the parents are at breaking point, and everyone is just trying to survive. Because they're so consumed by their own hurt, they don't realise how much Elias is suffering too. He's quietly drowning, and no one notices because everyone is fighting their own battles.
What hurt the most was watching Elias believe it's his responsibility to fix everything. He's just a child, yet he convinces himself that if he can bring everyone together for something as simple as pizza night, maybe his family can be whole again. You spend the entire book hoping someone will realise that the person trying so hard to save everyone else is the one who needs saving.
I also thought the book portrayed both neurodivergence and addiction with so much compassion. It captures how overwhelming the world can feel when your mind never seems to slow down. More than anything, this is a story about wanting to be seen, wanting to be loved, and how, when everyone is consumed by their own pain, the quietest cries for help are often the easiest to miss.
The entire novel feels like watching a family slowly fall apart while Elias desperately tries to stop it from happening. Every member of the family is carrying their own pain. Bo is caught in addiction, the parents are at breaking point, and everyone is just trying to survive. Because they're so consumed by their own hurt, they don't realise how much Elias is suffering too. He's quietly drowning, and no one notices because everyone is fighting their own battles.
What hurt the most was watching Elias believe it's his responsibility to fix everything. He's just a child, yet he convinces himself that if he can bring everyone together for something as simple as pizza night, maybe his family can be whole again. You spend the entire book hoping someone will realise that the person trying so hard to save everyone else is the one who needs saving.
I also thought the book portrayed both neurodivergence and addiction with so much compassion. It captures how overwhelming the world can feel when your mind never seems to slow down. More than anything, this is a story about wanting to be seen, wanting to be loved, and how, when everyone is consumed by their own pain, the quietest cries for help are often the easiest to miss.
May 13, 2026
Man, this book.
In 2024, Lucas Maxwell won the Times / Chicken House competition with his debut novel A Million Tiny Missiles All At Once. I wouldn’t have been surprised if it had won every competition. In this story, Lucas’s beautiful writing allows us to see the world through the eyes of Elias - a neurodivergent 14-year-old. We see each snow drift of the long Nova Scotia winter. We see Elias’s every intrusive thought and anxiety. But what we see most clearly is the crisis gripping his family. Elias is losing his brother, Bo, to addiction. It’s a deep emotional trauma made more painful by memories of their shared, carefree childhood. There may be a solution, though. Elias wants to be a comedian, and maybe he’s good enough to win the school talent competition. If takes the prize – a family dinner at the newly-opened Pizza Hut – he believes it would be enough to save his family. This book made me feel a lot of things. It’s brutal and optimistic; it’s desperately sad and laugh out loud funny. Every character is so real they could step off the page, and every piece of dialogue snaps with realism. This is a future classic, worthy of its prize, worthy of the love it’s receiving and worthy of a place on the national curriculum. Complete genius.
In 2024, Lucas Maxwell won the Times / Chicken House competition with his debut novel A Million Tiny Missiles All At Once. I wouldn’t have been surprised if it had won every competition. In this story, Lucas’s beautiful writing allows us to see the world through the eyes of Elias - a neurodivergent 14-year-old. We see each snow drift of the long Nova Scotia winter. We see Elias’s every intrusive thought and anxiety. But what we see most clearly is the crisis gripping his family. Elias is losing his brother, Bo, to addiction. It’s a deep emotional trauma made more painful by memories of their shared, carefree childhood. There may be a solution, though. Elias wants to be a comedian, and maybe he’s good enough to win the school talent competition. If takes the prize – a family dinner at the newly-opened Pizza Hut – he believes it would be enough to save his family. This book made me feel a lot of things. It’s brutal and optimistic; it’s desperately sad and laugh out loud funny. Every character is so real they could step off the page, and every piece of dialogue snaps with realism. This is a future classic, worthy of its prize, worthy of the love it’s receiving and worthy of a place on the national curriculum. Complete genius.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
After plowing through 7 of the International Booker longlist in quick succession, a YA palette cleanser was very much welcomed… and this one turned out to be more well-rounded than I usually expect from YA.
Fourteen-year-old Elias lives in a small town in Nova Scotia where everyone knows everyone’s business, his brain is (as he puts it) a swamp of fears and bad things, and whilst he used to enjoy a close relationship with his older brother Bo, that has changed recently and he worries he is getting mixed up in something dangerous. What starts as Elias hatching a (seemingly) simple plan to save his family quickly spirals into something much more dramatic.
As the narrator, Elias really is at the centre of the story and we see everything from his, sometimes naïve, perspective. He is funny (both intentionally and not), honest and completely believable as a 14 year old ND kid and I was rooting for immediately and completely. The author drew heavily on his own childhood growing up neurodivergent in Nova Scotia, and that authenticity comes through.
The writing is genuinely beautiful in places. The descriptions of the locations as Elias wanders around are some of the most vivid I've read in a YA novel and for me, those moments really lifted it.
For me, the one thing I kept wishing for was another perspective… just occasionally stepping outside of Elias's head to see how the people around him were experiencing events would have added another layer. The ending also wraps up fairly quickly, but honestly, it's a YA novel and I can forgive that.
The author is a school librarian and he definitely understands teenagers in general, not just ND ones. I’d be really intrigued to see what he does with an adult novel.
Fourteen-year-old Elias lives in a small town in Nova Scotia where everyone knows everyone’s business, his brain is (as he puts it) a swamp of fears and bad things, and whilst he used to enjoy a close relationship with his older brother Bo, that has changed recently and he worries he is getting mixed up in something dangerous. What starts as Elias hatching a (seemingly) simple plan to save his family quickly spirals into something much more dramatic.
As the narrator, Elias really is at the centre of the story and we see everything from his, sometimes naïve, perspective. He is funny (both intentionally and not), honest and completely believable as a 14 year old ND kid and I was rooting for immediately and completely. The author drew heavily on his own childhood growing up neurodivergent in Nova Scotia, and that authenticity comes through.
The writing is genuinely beautiful in places. The descriptions of the locations as Elias wanders around are some of the most vivid I've read in a YA novel and for me, those moments really lifted it.
For me, the one thing I kept wishing for was another perspective… just occasionally stepping outside of Elias's head to see how the people around him were experiencing events would have added another layer. The ending also wraps up fairly quickly, but honestly, it's a YA novel and I can forgive that.
The author is a school librarian and he definitely understands teenagers in general, not just ND ones. I’d be really intrigued to see what he does with an adult novel.
August 2, 2026
This is a quick read and centres around one family and their two sons. Told from the perspective of the younger, 14 year old Elias, it’s actually about his older brother Bo as the story evolves we learn that Bo has an addiction, and we see the devastating effects this has on their family. The sibling love that Elias has for Bo is one of the most powerful parts of this book. I wish we got to know more about how Bo fell into addiction, and I wish we could have seen more from the Mum and Dad’s perspective. Because of that, I felt that was more telling than showing and that made parts of the book a bit clunky. I’m also not sure it has enough depth to be compared to The Fault in our Stars but it is a good book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book really took me out of myself and into Elias's world. I related to the protagonist – what an authentic voice. What a genuine account of brotherhood.
Pleasingly unpredictable, raw honesty. YA readers (12+) will love it.
Pleasingly unpredictable, raw honesty. YA readers (12+) will love it.
October 26, 2025
A profoundly moving novel, both heart-wrenching and hopeful, Lucas Maxwell's debut is a thing of beauty.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews