What do you think?
Rate this book
Sun Chasers: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26From bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callendar comes a tender and moving novel about two boys who find solace in each other while their worlds fall apart, perfect for fans of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
You stood still. Stared out at the ocean. Like you were searching for something. Maybe the same thing I was searching for, too. Something that belongs in my chest. Warm and bright.
Kole has mastered the art of deflection. He explains away the real reason why he had to move to St. Thomas to live with his father and his new family. He makes excuses for any bruises or limps people notice. He starts dating a girl at his new school to avoid questions about who he’s really attracted to.
But he can’t seem to hide how drawn he is to Gabriel.
Gabriel wishes he could disappear. But everywhere he goes on the island he calls home, he can’t escape the people who misgender him, who threaten him. He’s haunted by the memories of a painful past. And with his single mother barely making ends meet, he knows there’s no hope for a better life after high school.
As Kole and Gabriel slowly start to share their struggles with each other, their connection becomes a lifeline. But can a young love survive in a world determined to tear them down? Are there some wounds that can never be healed?
You stood still. Stared out at the ocean. Like you were searching for something. Maybe the same thing I was searching for, too. Something that belongs in my chest. Warm and bright.
Kole has mastered the art of deflection. He explains away the real reason why he had to move to St. Thomas to live with his father and his new family. He makes excuses for any bruises or limps people notice. He starts dating a girl at his new school to avoid questions about who he’s really attracted to.
But he can’t seem to hide how drawn he is to Gabriel.
Gabriel wishes he could disappear. But everywhere he goes on the island he calls home, he can’t escape the people who misgender him, who threaten him. He’s haunted by the memories of a painful past. And with his single mother barely making ends meet, he knows there’s no hope for a better life after high school.
As Kole and Gabriel slowly start to share their struggles with each other, their connection becomes a lifeline. But can a young love survive in a world determined to tear them down? Are there some wounds that can never be healed?
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 27, 2026
3 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Kacen Callender
18 books2,602 followersKacen Callender is a Saint Thomian author of children's fiction and fantasy, best known for their Stonewall Book Award and Lambda Literary Award-winning middle grade debut Hurricane Child. Their fantasy novel, Queen of the Conquered, is the 2020 winner of the World Fantasy Award and King and the Dragonflies won the 2020 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
Callender is Black, queer, trans, and uses they/them and he/him pronouns. Callender debuted their new name when announcing their next young adult novel Felix Ever After in May 2019.
Callender is Black, queer, trans, and uses they/them and he/him pronouns. Callender debuted their new name when announcing their next young adult novel Felix Ever After in May 2019.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 2, 2026
”I think the kind of hatred people have for others is a sickness on its own—a mental illness.”
Sometimes I find it hard to put into words what a book does to me. Sun Chasers was one of those reads. I went in prepared because I had read the blurb and checked the content warnings, and still I felt that quiet, growing uneasiness in my chest from the very first page. Stories like this one always make me angry and sad because why is it so difficult for people to simply treat each other with respect? To be kind? And at the same time, I do understand to a certain extent, because we all know what might happen when you are the different one, right?
Sun Chasers reminded me of another 2026 release, One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram. Also by a BIPOC, queer author. Also written in second person. Also a dual narrative. Also a short book. Both are YA stories about hurt, friendship, love, and the way wanting or not wanting to fit in shapes who we become.
I read Sun Chasers a week after the USA men’s hockey team won gold and the aftermath in the locker room. It made me think. Because it’s not just kids or teens who stay silent when someone says or does something ugly. Adults do it too. They laugh along even when they don’t agree, even when it hurts others. I can’t believe there was not at least one man in that locker room who felt that uneasiness. But he probably didn’t dare to speak up, so he laughed with the rest.
How are we supposed to change anything if we do not feel safe enough to say what’s on our mind? To see each other as equals? To protect each other? To stand up for one another?
And still, I understood why Kole laughed with the others, why Gabriel told him to pretend they were not friends. Because being friends with Gabriel would have made Kole’s life miserable. And one miserable life is better than two, right? Or…
Kole’s life might already be miserable. He’s terrified of becoming like his father, though part of him suspects he already has. Gabriel, meanwhile, is bullied, misgendered, and haunted by memories of someone named Reid. On the surface, their worlds couldn’t be further apart.
This story is tough and gritty, so please, please check the trigger warnings. But it’s also necessary. Because when grown men still laugh at a woman-unfriendly joke from that man, what do we expect from our kids? How can we ask them to be brave, to speak up, to protect one another, when the adults around them don’t dare to do it either?
This book might not be for everyone and at the same time, I want to urge you all to read this it. I even want to smash it in some people’s faces and force them to read each word, each sentence, each page. Yes, it might feel too heavy. Awful even. But I’m telling you, that’s not the book. It’s our world that is awful. It’s us. Sun Chasers will hurt. It’s uncomfortable. It’s disturbing. It will make you feel unsettled. But sometimes that’s needed if we want a better world. If we all want to do better.
The cover is gorgeous and so is the ending. Because despite all the darkness in this story, there’s hope. There’s light. There’s love.
And for those who’ve read Stars in Your Eyes, think a YA Stars at least times two.
Thank you, Amulet Books and Edelweiss, for this gut-wrenching ARC.
Follow me on Instagram
Sometimes I find it hard to put into words what a book does to me. Sun Chasers was one of those reads. I went in prepared because I had read the blurb and checked the content warnings, and still I felt that quiet, growing uneasiness in my chest from the very first page. Stories like this one always make me angry and sad because why is it so difficult for people to simply treat each other with respect? To be kind? And at the same time, I do understand to a certain extent, because we all know what might happen when you are the different one, right?
Sun Chasers reminded me of another 2026 release, One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram. Also by a BIPOC, queer author. Also written in second person. Also a dual narrative. Also a short book. Both are YA stories about hurt, friendship, love, and the way wanting or not wanting to fit in shapes who we become.
I read Sun Chasers a week after the USA men’s hockey team won gold and the aftermath in the locker room. It made me think. Because it’s not just kids or teens who stay silent when someone says or does something ugly. Adults do it too. They laugh along even when they don’t agree, even when it hurts others. I can’t believe there was not at least one man in that locker room who felt that uneasiness. But he probably didn’t dare to speak up, so he laughed with the rest.
How are we supposed to change anything if we do not feel safe enough to say what’s on our mind? To see each other as equals? To protect each other? To stand up for one another?
And still, I understood why Kole laughed with the others, why Gabriel told him to pretend they were not friends. Because being friends with Gabriel would have made Kole’s life miserable. And one miserable life is better than two, right? Or…
Kole’s life might already be miserable. He’s terrified of becoming like his father, though part of him suspects he already has. Gabriel, meanwhile, is bullied, misgendered, and haunted by memories of someone named Reid. On the surface, their worlds couldn’t be further apart.
This story is tough and gritty, so please, please check the trigger warnings. But it’s also necessary. Because when grown men still laugh at a woman-unfriendly joke from that man, what do we expect from our kids? How can we ask them to be brave, to speak up, to protect one another, when the adults around them don’t dare to do it either?
This book might not be for everyone and at the same time, I want to urge you all to read this it. I even want to smash it in some people’s faces and force them to read each word, each sentence, each page. Yes, it might feel too heavy. Awful even. But I’m telling you, that’s not the book. It’s our world that is awful. It’s us. Sun Chasers will hurt. It’s uncomfortable. It’s disturbing. It will make you feel unsettled. But sometimes that’s needed if we want a better world. If we all want to do better.
The cover is gorgeous and so is the ending. Because despite all the darkness in this story, there’s hope. There’s light. There’s love.
And for those who’ve read Stars in Your Eyes, think a YA Stars at least times two.
Thank you, Amulet Books and Edelweiss, for this gut-wrenching ARC.
Follow me on Instagram
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is a hard one, I can't say I enjoyed this book as much as I suffered through it. It's very heavy, trigger warnings for all types of violence and abuse, and it just made me feel awful.
It was beautifully written, the second person pov is a little jarring but nothing major. It's also really short thankfully because it was hard to finish.
I don't really know if I recommend it or not, I'm just really conflicted.
Thank you Edelweiss and Amulet Books for the ARC.
It was beautifully written, the second person pov is a little jarring but nothing major. It's also really short thankfully because it was hard to finish.
I don't really know if I recommend it or not, I'm just really conflicted.
Thank you Edelweiss and Amulet Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with an ARC of Sun Chasers in exchange for an honest review.
Sun Chasers is an emotional and character-driven story that follows Kole and Gabriel, two boys whose lives come from very different worlds but who find connection in each other. From early in the story, I was drawn into the author’s writing style and the emotional depth of the characters.
Gabriel grows up in a lower-income household with a hardworking single mother, while Kole comes from a wealthy family but struggles with feeling like an outsider in his own home. Despite their very different backgrounds, both characters carry deep emotional wounds, and the story does a powerful job of showing how those experiences shape the way they interact with the world and with each other.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how attentive Kole is to Gabriel. The small observations he makes—like noticing the details of Gabriel’s routine or the way he organizes his locker—show how much he truly sees him. Moments like these added a lot of depth to their connection.
The writing style also stood out to me. There are moments where the characters seem to reflect internally while the other’s perspective responds, almost like reading dual journal entries. It created an intimate and emotional reading experience.
Watching Kole and Gabriel navigate their feelings could be frustrating at times, but in a way that felt very realistic. Their relationship shifts depending on what they are going through individually, especially when outside pressures affect how they treat each other. As a reader, you want to tell them to stop worrying about what others think and just be themselves—but that struggle also reflects the reality of being young and still figuring out identity, love, and self-worth.
I also found the character dynamics toward the end of the story interesting, especially how certain circumstances shift the balance between them. Without giving too much away, it added another layer to their relationship and growth.
Overall, this was a very emotional read that made me feel deeply for both Gabriel and Kole. While it is a heavy story at times, it is also a meaningful exploration of identity, trauma, and connection.
Content warnings: suicidal thoughts, bullying, abuse, sexual abuse, and violence.
Sun Chasers is an emotional and character-driven story that follows Kole and Gabriel, two boys whose lives come from very different worlds but who find connection in each other. From early in the story, I was drawn into the author’s writing style and the emotional depth of the characters.
Gabriel grows up in a lower-income household with a hardworking single mother, while Kole comes from a wealthy family but struggles with feeling like an outsider in his own home. Despite their very different backgrounds, both characters carry deep emotional wounds, and the story does a powerful job of showing how those experiences shape the way they interact with the world and with each other.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how attentive Kole is to Gabriel. The small observations he makes—like noticing the details of Gabriel’s routine or the way he organizes his locker—show how much he truly sees him. Moments like these added a lot of depth to their connection.
The writing style also stood out to me. There are moments where the characters seem to reflect internally while the other’s perspective responds, almost like reading dual journal entries. It created an intimate and emotional reading experience.
Watching Kole and Gabriel navigate their feelings could be frustrating at times, but in a way that felt very realistic. Their relationship shifts depending on what they are going through individually, especially when outside pressures affect how they treat each other. As a reader, you want to tell them to stop worrying about what others think and just be themselves—but that struggle also reflects the reality of being young and still figuring out identity, love, and self-worth.
I also found the character dynamics toward the end of the story interesting, especially how certain circumstances shift the balance between them. Without giving too much away, it added another layer to their relationship and growth.
Overall, this was a very emotional read that made me feel deeply for both Gabriel and Kole. While it is a heavy story at times, it is also a meaningful exploration of identity, trauma, and connection.
Content warnings: suicidal thoughts, bullying, abuse, sexual abuse, and violence.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy of Sun Chasers. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read and review this story.
Sun Chasers by Kacen Callender was a book I simply couldn’t put down.
From the very beginning, I found myself deeply invested in the two main characters and the care with which Callender builds them. Their voices feel thoughtful, layered, and profoundly human. Through dual perspectives, each chapter reveals new emotional depths, allowing the reader to understand not just what these characters are going through, but how their experiences shape the way they see themselves and the world around them.
What struck me most about this novel is its ability to make young readers, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, feel seen. The story explores identity, grief, anger, healing, and love with sincerity and compassion. It doesn’t shy away from difficult realities either. The book confronts the lasting emotional, mental, and familial consequences of abuse while still holding space for hope and resilience.
At its heart, Sun Chasers feels like a beacon. It’s the kind of book that I hope readers will pass along to one another; one that quietly says you are not alone.
One of the most powerful aspects of the story is the relationship between Gabriel, a trans young man, and another young man, Kole, who is coming to understand and identify his own sexuality. Their connection is tender, complex, and deeply moving, and it anchors many of the novel’s themes about self-love, acceptance, and healing.
The dual-perspective structure also works beautifully to build emotional intimacy with the characters. As the story unfolds, the reader gains insight into their fears, their grief, and the ways they are both learning how to survive and grow beyond the pain they carry.
If I had one critique, it would be that I found myself wanting even more depth toward the end. The first three-quarters of the novel felt incredibly immersive, but the ending moved a bit quickly for my taste. I also felt that some minor characters and story threads, especially ones closely tied to the main characters, could have benefited from a little more backstory or resolution. At times I found myself wondering about motivations or histories that were hinted at but never fully explored.
Still, these elements didn’t take away from the emotional impact of the story.
Ultimately, Sun Chasers is a thoughtful and compassionate novel about identity, trauma, healing, and love. It acknowledges the struggles many young people face, particularly queer youth, while still offering a sense of hope and light.
This is a book I would recommend widely, especially to readers who are drawn to emotionally rich stories about self-discovery, resilience, and finding connection in a world that can sometimes make those things feel impossible.
Sun Chasers by Kacen Callender was a book I simply couldn’t put down.
From the very beginning, I found myself deeply invested in the two main characters and the care with which Callender builds them. Their voices feel thoughtful, layered, and profoundly human. Through dual perspectives, each chapter reveals new emotional depths, allowing the reader to understand not just what these characters are going through, but how their experiences shape the way they see themselves and the world around them.
What struck me most about this novel is its ability to make young readers, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, feel seen. The story explores identity, grief, anger, healing, and love with sincerity and compassion. It doesn’t shy away from difficult realities either. The book confronts the lasting emotional, mental, and familial consequences of abuse while still holding space for hope and resilience.
At its heart, Sun Chasers feels like a beacon. It’s the kind of book that I hope readers will pass along to one another; one that quietly says you are not alone.
One of the most powerful aspects of the story is the relationship between Gabriel, a trans young man, and another young man, Kole, who is coming to understand and identify his own sexuality. Their connection is tender, complex, and deeply moving, and it anchors many of the novel’s themes about self-love, acceptance, and healing.
The dual-perspective structure also works beautifully to build emotional intimacy with the characters. As the story unfolds, the reader gains insight into their fears, their grief, and the ways they are both learning how to survive and grow beyond the pain they carry.
If I had one critique, it would be that I found myself wanting even more depth toward the end. The first three-quarters of the novel felt incredibly immersive, but the ending moved a bit quickly for my taste. I also felt that some minor characters and story threads, especially ones closely tied to the main characters, could have benefited from a little more backstory or resolution. At times I found myself wondering about motivations or histories that were hinted at but never fully explored.
Still, these elements didn’t take away from the emotional impact of the story.
Ultimately, Sun Chasers is a thoughtful and compassionate novel about identity, trauma, healing, and love. It acknowledges the struggles many young people face, particularly queer youth, while still offering a sense of hope and light.
This is a book I would recommend widely, especially to readers who are drawn to emotionally rich stories about self-discovery, resilience, and finding connection in a world that can sometimes make those things feel impossible.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sun Chasers is told in dual POV, with chapters that read almost like letters written to one another — intimate, and deeply personal.
Set on the small Caribbean island of St. Thomas, the story follows Gabriel, a transgender teen who is relentlessly bullied. His mother, a housekeeper, is emotionally distant, and he lives in poverty in a place where he already feels like he doesn’t belong. Gabriel’s perspective is absolutely heartbreaking.
Kole arrives from a life of privilege, sent from his New York boarding school to live with his father. He’s the product of his father’s infidelity and carries the bruises of that reality — including abuse and the constant pressure to hide who he truly is. Wealth shields him in some ways, but it doesn’t protect him.
When Gabriel and Kole find each other, it begins quietly — a private kinship that slowly grows into friendship and then into something deeper. Kole is the first person to show Gabriel real kindness, and what unfolds between them feels tender, fragile, and desperately needed. In many ways, they save each other.
The writing is beautifully poetic — almost lyrical in its prose. At first, the style felt so poetic it was hard to fully sink into the story, but as the narrative unfolded, that lyricism became a powerful contrast to the heaviness of the subject matter. This is a slower-paced novel that gradually builds both emotion and connection.
The ending wraps up more quickly than the rest of the book, but it’s deeply satisfying. It’s not a traditional HEA, but it leaves you with something just as meaningful — hope, healing, and the sense that their futures hold light after so much darkness.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Set on the small Caribbean island of St. Thomas, the story follows Gabriel, a transgender teen who is relentlessly bullied. His mother, a housekeeper, is emotionally distant, and he lives in poverty in a place where he already feels like he doesn’t belong. Gabriel’s perspective is absolutely heartbreaking.
Kole arrives from a life of privilege, sent from his New York boarding school to live with his father. He’s the product of his father’s infidelity and carries the bruises of that reality — including abuse and the constant pressure to hide who he truly is. Wealth shields him in some ways, but it doesn’t protect him.
When Gabriel and Kole find each other, it begins quietly — a private kinship that slowly grows into friendship and then into something deeper. Kole is the first person to show Gabriel real kindness, and what unfolds between them feels tender, fragile, and desperately needed. In many ways, they save each other.
The writing is beautifully poetic — almost lyrical in its prose. At first, the style felt so poetic it was hard to fully sink into the story, but as the narrative unfolded, that lyricism became a powerful contrast to the heaviness of the subject matter. This is a slower-paced novel that gradually builds both emotion and connection.
The ending wraps up more quickly than the rest of the book, but it’s deeply satisfying. It’s not a traditional HEA, but it leaves you with something just as meaningful — hope, healing, and the sense that their futures hold light after so much darkness.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first book by Kacen & about 30% in, I decided I would be reading the rest. The care in which they handled the characters and everything they dealt with. The way they made sure that they were each seen, not only by each other but by us. The book deals with heavy topics so please read the TW. But, it is such an important story.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews