I requested and received an eARC of Earth to Alis by Lex Carlow via NetGalley. The novel focuses on Alistair Woodson, a high school student, who seems to exist in near total social isolation. After a betrayal from his former best friend, Jordan, Alis finds himself labeled an arsonist and the target of increased bullying by Jordan’s boyfriend and the group of friends she seemingly chose over him. Between constant academic pressure from his mother, overwhelming anxiety, and the stinging rejection from Jordan, he finds it difficult to enjoy himself on his class graduation trip to Europe. Things begin to turn around when Craig Miltenberg, a somewhat goofy and sappy classmate, begins to pay attention to him, drawing him into a new circle of friends and experiences. Despite these new found sources of joy and companionship, Alis finds himself unable to escape the intrusive thoughts that plague him.

I really enjoyed this story, particularly because of the wonderful characters that inhabit it. I found Alis to be very relatable. Much like Alis, something I have always struggled with is the ability to show true vulnerability. The way he fumbled his way through the story, learning to open himself a little bit more at his own pace, felt very healing. His decisions often angered me and saddened me and I wanted nothing more than reach through the page and give this poor kid a hug. Carlow did a really magnificent job of creating a history for Alis and Jordan that made the wreckage of their friendship feel very real, despite Jordan not physically appearing in the story aside from flashbacks. The tenderness and understanding that Craig demonstrates with Noor (and vice-versa) felt so special and served as an excellent foil for the friendship between Alis and Jordan.

Thematically, this book is very heavy. It is targeted for older, YA audiences, and I would encourage paying close attention to the content warnings for this particular book. I don’t say that to deter anyone from reading this story, but rather to fully prepare them. Suicidal ideation, self harm, anxiety/depression, and abuse all play a role in this novel. There were a few scenes in the novel that were difficult to read, but they always felt necessary to the story. It’s refreshing to see such a nuanced approach to mental health issues, particularly as the author doesn’t attempt to shield their characters from the attitudes and realities of the world they inhabit. Carlow has crafted an exceptional experience for any reader who chooses to follow Alis’ journey, and while the path may be bumpy, it is certainly worth the effort. I think the blurb suggests that this is perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and The Perks of Being a Wallflower and I couldn’t agree more. The darkness of the story is balanced by moments of joy and hopefulness and the result is very moving.