The After-Room

by Maile Meloy

First published 2015

Benjamin Burrows and Janie Scott want nothing more than ordinary lives in 1955 America. They possess abilities that could stop nuclear catastrophe, but using such power draws unwanted attention from dangerous enemies. When a duplicitous magician offers guidance, his counsel sends the pair toward mortal peril and the realm of death itself. Across the Pacific, their ally Jin Lo finds herself stranded on an isolated island with an American intelligence operative. She uncovers evidence of a lethal conspiracy brewing in China, but the vast ocean separates her from Benjamin and Janie. The young heroes must find a way to bridge impossible distances and reunite before their separate battles overwhelm them. This final installment brings together threads of friendship, sacrifice, and the weight of responsibility that comes with extraordinary gifts.

Genres: science-fiction, historical-fiction, adventure, fantasy

Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family

Setting: America, Pacific Ocean, China

Period: 1955

432 pages · Hardcover · G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Content warnings: violence

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