Michelle’s Reviews > The Roach King of Raleigh > Status Update
Michelle
is on page 9 of 320
Quill hasn't been okay for a while. His support system has crumbled: his best friend Jake moved away, his brother Cam got a full ride to Duke, 30 minutes away, but still has yet to visit. His Dad’s addiction led to reckless financial decisions, forcing Quill’s Mom to sell the house they grew up in to settle the debts. Now, Quill & his Mom live in a dilapidated rental house owned by a neglectful landlord, Mr. Daniels.
— Mar 22, 2026 05:05PM
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Michelle
is on page 206 of 320
“‘That guy begging for money was my dad.’ Since the night of his birthday, Harley hadn’t asked a single question. And I’d been fine burying the memory. So I’m not sure what possessed me to say something now...He clears his throat, watching the ball roll to a stop against the fence. Once it’s totally still, he looks back at me again. ‘I’m sorry, man. That must hurt.’ They’re about the best words he could’ve picked.”
— Apr 02, 2026 09:51AM
Michelle
is on page 194 of 320
“For thirty minutes, we sit in relative silence, with only our shapes and our shades. Then, when I am calm and ready to accept whatever consequences may come. I close my book and stand. Without a word, we climb the stairs. Back to the silence of the halls. Back to the waiting wolves. Together.”
Connor Daniels is the worst. I love Quill & Harley’s friendship. 🤍
— Apr 02, 2026 02:08AM
Connor Daniels is the worst. I love Quill & Harley’s friendship. 🤍
Michelle
is on page 188 of 320
Quill & his Mom take their cat, Freckles, to the vet. Complications arise w/Mrs. Liu’s arrival, the Pet Store manager. Mrs. Liu is happy w/Quill’s business & begins to praise him for his success & asks questions about the roaches. Quill panicks, then his Mom excuses herself to answer a call from Cam. Despite the lucky break, Quill feels guilty for lying to his Mom about working & doesn’t feel good about it…
— Apr 02, 2026 01:29AM
Michelle
is on page 173 of 320
“And then my heart stops. Mr. Robinson is out of the car, wallet in hand. He’s giving money to a man that looks homeless. But it’s not just any man. It’s my father.”
— Apr 01, 2026 10:38PM
Michelle
is on page 149 of 320
Amidst a downpour, Quill drives his Dad home. Drunk & confused, his Dad mistakes him for Cam. As Quill helps his Dad inside his neighbor watches disapprovingly. She calls Quill a good kid but warns him to leave before the others arrive. Before Quill could ask who, she vanished into her apt. Stranded, Quill must call someone for a ride to get him & the roaches inside his backpack to get home—but who did he call?…
— Mar 30, 2026 10:32PM
Michelle
is on page 143 of 320
Mr. Dave spots Quill & the twins leaving the pet store after sealing a deal w/Ms. Liu as official roach breeders. After giving Quill a X-Mas gift, he asks about the egg crates. Quill reluctantly admits he has a job his Mom doesn't know about, worrying Dave might have to lie for him. Dave understands & asks no more q's. They leave & begin walking to Quill's when he see's his Dad's pea-green Chevy Nova parked outside..
— Mar 30, 2026 09:59AM
Michelle
is on page 138 of 320
"'Eat your heart out, Connor Daniels,’ she says. And there, at the top of the paper, is the most brilliant name I never would’ve thought of: The Roach King of Raleigh...Harley high-fives his sister. ‘Perfection,’ he says. Zuri holds one hand out to the side, palm up. ‘Eh?’ she asks. For one brief moment, I see a side of Zuri I haven't seen before...I grin, and high-five her as well. Harley is right. It’s perfect.”
— Mar 30, 2026 09:24AM
Michelle
is on page 138 of 320
Quill, Harley, and Zuri are officially business partners in the roach business 🪳! Quill is riding high on excitement, motivation, and hope—it’s contagious, and I’m rooting for him. My only worry? He still views them as only business partners, rather than the friends he deserves. :( I wonder what his Mom might do if she finds out…
— Mar 29, 2026 03:37PM
Michelle
is on page 102 of 320
Quill fails another geometry test, prompting Ms. P to offer him a choice: get a tutor, or tell his Mom he’s failing. Quill agrees to get a tutor & learns that it's Harley. At first, he felt embarrassed, but the more time he spent w/him the less he felt judged. When Harley’s Dad picks him up, he offers his friend a ride. Immediately, Quill recoils, still insisting that he doesn’t need friends & nothing lasts forever.
— Mar 26, 2026 12:20PM
Michelle
is on page 95 of 320
At the library, Quill begins his secret research on roach breeding but realizes he needs $ he doesn’t have to start. Zuri interrupts, then Harley arrives w/his chessboard & Connor is harassing him to play again. Defying his usual fear, Quill stands up for him by claiming that they were playing together, successfully driving Connor away. Though Quill still isn’t looking for friends, a shared enemy brings them closer.
— Mar 26, 2026 10:43AM
