Deficient

by Michael Solis

2026 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Gold Medal Winner
A BookLife Editor’s Pick

Alé Aragón isn’t like the other kids at school. He can’t fly, read minds, or turn invisible like the genetically accelerated majority. As a powerless Deficient, Alé’s reality is one of constant ridicule—tormented by bullies, scorned by his brothers, and barely tolerated by his father.

His greatest refuge is his best friend, Yalamba, an outspoken artist whose drawings come tolife. But when Yalamba vanishes in an ability-related hate crime, Alé is the prime suspect. Desperate to find her and clear his name, he teams up with fellow outcasts to uncover the truth. As they dig deeper, they realize Yalamba’s disappearance is linked to a series of unsolved murders targeting the extraordinarily gifted.

With danger closing in, Alé must confront his deepest fears and insecurities to solve the mystery and rescue Yalamba before it’s too late. And he’ll have to do it all without an ability of his own.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Mystery, Superheroes, LGBT

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2023

About the author

Michael Solis is the author of the YA sci-fi novel Deficient, winner of a Reviewers’ Choice Award from YADudeBooks and nominee for the Pushcart Prize, the Stonewall Book Award, and the PEN/Hemingway Award. He serves as Executive Director of Writers & Books, a literary arts nonprofit and independent bookstore in Rochester, NY, and is an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), where he co-chairs the MG/YA Committee.

For nearly two decades, Michael worked in development and humanitarian action across Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Latin America. A graduate of Princeton University, he also holds master’s degrees in Human Rights Law and Gender Studies.

Drawing from his queer identity and global humanitarian work, Michael’s stories explore power, belonging, and transformation. Beyond the page, he enjoys teaching yoga and creating spaces where people can connect through story.

Michael also shares essays and reflections on writing, creativity, and life on his Substack, Journeys & Words.

Reviews

[holly 🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ALC.

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was SO much fun! I had such a good time listening to Deficient, and I would absolutely recommend it if you're looking for a fun, engaging YA read. The concept of a world where pretty much everyone has superpowers, except for those considered Deficient, was such a cool idea, and I loved the magic system and all the different abilities.

Alé was definitely a highlight for me. He's such a sweet, relatable character, and I really enjoyed following him as he navigates a world where being different can make you an outsider. There's humour, heart and a lovely message about belonging, all wrapped up in a really entertaining story.

I'm also not usually a fan of the bully-to-love-interest trope, so I went into that aspect a little cautiously. However, I think it was handled well here, and I still found myself enjoying the story. This book was funny, sweet and highly engaging, and the concept alone makes it stand out from other YA reads for me. If you enjoy stories with superpowers, interesting worldbuilding and characters you can root for, definitely give this one a go! 💖

[Nic & Ry Meltdownerz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the audiobook copy of this book.

Highly recommend this! This was so fun yay?

I loved this! Once the story got going, I was super into the mystery. The world buiding was so fun. This felt like the movie Sky High which I adored growing up.

I'm extremely invested in the characters now and the world buiding was fab! I need more tbh. If there is a copy for book 2 please get in touch 😂 I need it.

I really enjoyed the message in this as well, the ending was very touching and very intriguing 😝 this was really cool.

[Kiana Stockwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and refreshing read with characters brought to life by their personalities, special abilities, and quests for friendship and belonging. Relatable, funny, and sweet, this is a fast-paced and engaging YA novel for people of all ages.

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book sounded like a cool "average person among superheroes" story. I personally didn't enjoy the execution.

There were a few problematic tropes and aspects that I think need to be called out. I'm spoilering them, as they relate to plot points.

Having the only physically disabled person being the villain isn't a great look. I get that disabled people (like any other group of people) can be both good and bad, but it's hard to convey that kind of nuance when that's the only representation in a book. Also, in a society that's built on "accelerated abilities," it's hard to believe that Simon wouldn't have experienced at least some othering for being disabled.

The bully-turned-love-interest thing was deeply uncomfortable. Alé not only seems to forget about all the bullying but he downright kisses him back? That's not great... (And what is it with everyone kissing Alé without asking permission? Consent is important, people.)

[Kim Catanzarite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superhero story that's super unique. Poor Deficient Ale can't catch a break. He attends a school in which everyone has a special supertalent except for him. Consistently picked on by a large and muscled Atlas, and experiencing some serious miscommunication with his Feral best friend, Yalamba, he soon finds himself miserable and friendless. Then Yalamba goes missing and the quest to find her ramps up, but he can't do it alone. This book has all of the coming-of-age feels as well as a mystery and some serious darkness. It builds to an action-packed peak that you won't see coming. Solis's worldbuilding is as good as his storytelling. Don't miss this one!

[Jay T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe nobody told me about Deficient because WHAT WAS THIS BOOK? 😭🔥

This was futuristic academia, superpowers, mystery and suspense all wrapped into one bloody good story.

Alé being treated differently for being deficient genuinely broke my heart. But watching him slowly find his voice and stand up for himself? LOVE THAT FOR HIM.

The mystery had me suspicious of everybody because the plot twists kept coming.

Kazuki was my quirky little pipsqueak and Gwen? MY GIRL. Fierce and powerful. I loved the unlikely friendships and how the mystery felt like watching an actual investigative series. I won't forget Alé's love interest Landon hopefully I get to see a better version of him in Book 2 he was a d**ck for most half of this book

The author did an amazing job building suspense because I genuinely could not predict where things were going.

Also, the audiobook narration was fantastic and made the experience even better.

A BLOODY FIVE-STAR READ. Michael Solis, I NEED BOOK TWO BECAUSE YOU HAVE ME HOOKED!!!😂

[Lisa Philipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a boy who has no powers in a society where almost everyone has one. The kids in the school he goes to harass him and abuse him. When his best friend goes missing he has to find her and figure out what is going on. In the end he finds he has more friends than he thought, and his own special power.
This is a good book for a YA audience. The relationships between the kids, and the interactions with the authority figures are all things that young adults can relate to. A solid first novel.

I received an advanced copy in return for a review.

[Erica Knoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wondering how I was going to review Deficient because YA Science Fiction is not a genre I have ever read before. I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Solis at a book festival and I was instantly captivated by how he described Deficient.

I must say I was very pleasantly surprised. This is not just a 5-star rating because I know Michael. This is a 5-star rating because I didn’t want to put the book down!

Michael does an amazing job with bringing the characters to life. You get a clear picture of each one and I was immediately invested from Chapter 1. I felt like I knew them in real life! You want to really immerse yourself in this new world and get curious about what it would be like if it were real.

For being sci-fi, it’s actually quite relatable. There’s teenage challenges, unlikely friendships, humor, romance, pain points, heroism, and more all packed into Deficient.

Whether you are a fan of this genre or not, I highly recommend checking this book out. Michael is an excellent writer and you absolutely will not be disappointed!

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this audio ARC of Deficient by Michael Solis.

Deficient was a great start to a YA dystopian world. In a world where nearly everyone has super-human powers, there are few, like Ale, who have none.

I think the first book did an excellent job at setting the narrative of the world and introducing us to the characters. There wasn't much magic/power lore, but that was to be expected considering our main character doesn't have any.

This reminded me of being a teen reading Divergent, Legend, or the Maze Runner.

I loved the author as the narrator. He did a great job with the narration and the distinguishing between characters. I love when an author narrates, because they understand their characters best!

I will look forward to the continuation of this series.

3.5★

[Olivia B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
It picked up a lot in the last 40-ish pages. I thought the beginning was awkward in terms of dialogue. It didn’t feel like the characters were truly interacting with each other. It got better though, and I like their dynamic now. I don’t understand some of the relationships though.

Alé and Landon are kind of weird to me. I don’t understand the big picture with Yalamba. Yalamba has probs liked him for a long time, but it seems she completely over him. Alé even tells Yalamba about him and Landon, which may make things easier, but there’s no hint of sadness.

They’ve all been through a lot, so maybe Yalamba is just happy to have Alé as a friend. I just hope that she isn’t suppressing her feelings and that it won’t come back to hurt her again later.

[Nati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Mintaka Press for this alc copy of Deficient!

At first it was difficult for me to immerse myself in the story, it felt more middle grade than YA, but in the end I enjoyed it. It's a fun read for younger readers, and the audiobook was greatly narrated.

The plot was very fast paced and the characters really felt like teenagers, so that was great. What bothered me was the (⚠️ SPOILER) bully romance, that was disappointing.

Overall, a fun book to read for younger teenagers.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first listened to this book on Audible. But it was so good that I purchased the hard copy and read it in print to catch anything I might have missed. Michael hit a home run with his debut novel. He creates a deep and rich world through a clear and concise writing style that is very character driven. The plot is well written and the story arc has a great crescendo that pulls you in more and more until it resolves. I'll be purchasing yet another copy to gift to my teenage niece for the holidays. I'll also be patiently awaiting any future releases by this talented young author.

[Milica B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was perfectly immersed from the first pages! I don’t usually read futuristic themes often but was able to connect with the characters and understand this world as if I were personally witnessing their lives in front of me. Congratulations on such a perfect debut novel, and thank you for introducing us to your thoughtful and brave characters, we all needed to have them in our lives!

[Helen Kangiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book focuses on the inequality in the treatment of those with accelerated abilities vs those without. It creates a parallel with the experiences of high school students who experience the same mistreatment as Ale, who spends the entirety of the book being grossly mistreated by the majority of those around him.
The surprise ending of the book comes hard and fast, leaving the reader wanting to start the book all over again!
The futuristic setting of the story goes above the normal imagination and creates a world that the reader would love to see translated into a movie.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable YA scifi. In Deficient, the majority of humanity is gifted with certain superpowers: strength, speed, flight, telepathy, etc. Protagonist Alé is one of the unlucky few who never develop a gift, labeled deficient, and ostracized by most. His best friend/ only friend Yalamba makes his life worthwhile, until she disappears in what appears to be a hate crime targeting those with special gifts like hers. With the help of some unexpected allies, Alé must solve the mystery of Yalamba's disappearance before it's too late.

I was immediately invested in this superhuman world. Reminded me a lot of the movie Sky High, which I really enjoyed. This world is full of unique characters, and I could easily see this becoming a series. The school setting felt realistic, minus the superpowers of course. I loved watching Alé's confidence grow throughout the story. Nice friendships and an engaging mystery. Honestly the only thing I wasn't a fan of was the little romance thrown in at the end, just because I wasn't able to root for the love interest. They need to do a lot more to redeem themselves before I would be able to accept them. Other than that, I really loved this one. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Chris P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deficient is a fun and engaging read. The characters are all relatable and interesting. They keep you guessing as they evolve and grow and adapt through the book. It is a hopeful and inspiring story of the world we can create when we look past the surface assumptions we can all make about each other.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former educator reading Deficient, I was impressed by the myriad of messages and lessons a reader of any age will be able to identify with. Solis' portrayal of characters and incorporation of controversial themes shine in this masterfully crafted novel. A must-read for all.

[Alisa Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deficient is a beautifully written debut YA novel that allows the reader to connect and feel the emotions of each and every character. Although the story takes place in a futuristic world, this world is very similar to the one we live in, in so many ways. The subliminal lessons that are revealed while reading are great learning opportunities/reminders for readers of all ages. I am so happy my elementary aged son, aged 9, is also reading this book! There are so many lessons that will help him navigate the world we live in. Hoping for a movie or sequel in the near future!

[Darcey · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something for everyone in this book. Not just young adults.
Each archetypical character is intriguing and familiar.
Fast paced, smart, witty and relevant.
I loved this book and want to read more….

[Aimee Edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! Lots of twists I didn’t expect, amazing characters and character relationships. It was really well written and I loved it so much!

[SinE. Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the audiobook.
Young Adult, Sci fi, Mystery

The world building was so fun! In a world populated by gifted Alé is one of the few Deficient without powers. I loved seeing how the world was portrayed through his eyes, he is bullied and only has one ally, his best friend. But when she goes missing he is left alone, people are pointing the finger at him and no one seems to be making any progress in finding her. It is up to him.

The character development of Alé was really good, at the start of the book he is seen as weak and timid, unable to stand up for himself to his Gifted bullies. However as the book progressed he started standing up for himself, sure, he is not able to launch people flying across the room like they can with him, but he stops hiding from his oppressors.

One thing I didn't like was the relationship developed between Alé and another character at the end of the book, as it felt unnatural. It is bully to lovers but it is not developed properly throughout the book. It is obvious to readers from halfway through that the bully likes Alé, and he (the bully) has a huge character developement so I can see them having a relationship further along in the future, but for Alé to forgive and forget so quickly felt wrong.

I have not read many audiobooks before but I found this was quite good, that is to say I liked the character expressions of the narrator. The story is told through Alé's POV.

Overall I would recommend if you enjoy this genre. 😆

[Susan Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT: I really enjoyed the story until a person who has been abusive to the main character becomes a romantic interest.

[Kevin Mwachiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I'm not the target audience and this is not a genre I'd read, it is a very well-written book. Michael does a good job of creating a sense of hope and helping us imagine what a better world would look like. Kudos, Michael.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, and a true page turner! I found myself so riveted by the protagonist’s narrative and the arcs of the supporting characters. As someone who also struggled socially as a teen and an “unseen” at my school, sometimes the MC’s setbacks resonated poignantly with me. But, ultimately, the story is such an uplifting one with a satisfying, beautiful conclusion. And after the last page, I’m now yearning for a sequel! It’s definitely a standalone tale, but if the author does decide to continue with this newfound friendship in another book—I’m there for it!

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alejandro Aragon is fifteen and attends the Achewon Egalitarian Academy. His mother, Paquita, is a teacher of accelerated students. His father Los and his brothers are very hateful towards Alejandro. At the age of eight children have gained their special abilities, for Alejandro that did not happen. He was tested for accelerated ability, because of his mother and it allowed him to attend Achewon. But Ale was considered useless because he had no abilities and was identified as a Deficient. Alejandro has a best friend, Yalamba Koroma, whose also identified as a Feral. But she gained her ability to draw objects and bring them into existence.

The Achewon Academy has an hierarchy. Those with common abilities are: Atlases, Racers, Sky Gliders, Know-it-Alls, Mind Movers, and Unseens. Those with rare abilities are: Legions and Ferals, those that are anomalies are Deficients.

The 4th year Atlases are bullies, especially Landon Waters and his followers. Landon and his friends constantly bully Alejandro. Yalamba isn’t afraid to come to Alejandro’s defense. She’s always supportive of him and encourages him to defend himself. He would be an asset as a friend to anyone. She’s also encouraging him to apply for his career plan for postgraduate assignment. But Alejandro just doesn’t have the confidence.

When Yalamba is suspected of being kidnapped Alejandro becomes immersed in finding her. The troubles don’t stop there as he’s also suspected of murder and tragic situations continue. Alejandro will do anything he can to find his best friend and figure out what’s happening with other students. Will he find he has allies? What will he discover about himself?

“Deficient” is an interesting look into a dystopian system that effects an education facility. It’s has just a touch of dark theme with the hierarchical system that was formed by humans and how it really effects young people. Michael Solis did well in bringing out what young people have to go through just trying to fit in: coming out, homophobia, abuse, being misunderstood, bulling, dealing with adults and the struggle to just be themselves. The lesson is how to be strong and be yourself while facing difficulties along life’s path.

Besides Alejandro, the author created a beautiful cast of characters that make this novel shine: Yalamba Koroma, Gwen Manghi, Kazuki Tanaka, Mixie Trait and Kaylee Kerrain.

Michael Solis has done superbly with “Deficient” his debut novel. It has high potential and will certainly appeal to the anyone not just the YA generation. It has the feel of: super powers and not necessarily a super hero but just a hero. Along with the serious issues “Deficient” has humor, surprises, suspense, action and mystery. Well done and worth the read!

[Tara Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterfully written, Deficient is a book that you won’t be able to put down. Every reader will see themselves in Solis’s beautifully crafted characters. You will be cheering them on while they take you on an adventure you will never forget.

[Vatsal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice story, the characters are nicely written. The story is very well written and fun to read.
I would a 100% recommend this to anyone who might be interested in reading the book!

[Amanda Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-developed, compelling, and diverse cast of characters. Well-paced and intriguing story. I am not usually drawn to the YA scifi genre, but I couldn't put this one down and was left wanting for more. I think there is more to this story—hopefully we'll get it!

[Aisling Walsh]

Sitting somewhere between all my favourite Sci-fi - X-men, The Umbrella Academy, Hunger Games - Deficient has an added twist where those born with special powers are in the majority, where a small minority of powerless humans are left open to all kinds of bullying and discrimination. Solis has created a universe rich with meaning, a thrilling plot and characters which have you rooting for them from page one. Deficient could be read as a powerful allegory for (dis)ability or the experience of living on the margins for many socially excluded groups.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set against a backdrop of a dystopian society where people have special abilities, this story is an intriguing mystery about the disappearance of a girl and her best friend who is intent on finding her. The main character Alé is a boy who has no special abilities and faces oppression from almost every area of his life. His is a charcater so many will be able to relate to at some point in their lives. Throughout the book he teams up with a cast of vibrant characters, learning to trust others as well as himself. Despite this being set in a superhero-esque society the book portrays the relationships (both good and bad) of young people in a very relatable way. The characters each have their own unique voice and struggles, and the plot of the book is well paced.

This isn't the type of book I wouldn't usually pick up but I'm so glad I did. I would recommend to anybody who enjoys YA mysteries or dystopian books.