The universe is vast, mysterious, almost inscrutable. Yes, inscrutable. However, in brief moments of startling clarity, we are able to see into its very depths, and we are never quite ourselves again. Benjamin Alire Sáenz gifts us two very relatable characters - broody, reserved Aristotle Mendoza, and carefree, quirky Dante Quintana. Happenstance makes them meet, and life is never the same again. Sáenz's easy writing conjures up vivid images of two boys on the brink of adulthood, treading the delicate path between innocence and maturity, a friendship that runs deeper than the very foundations of El Paso (where the story is set), and their determination to believe in each other and overcome the challenges that life has in store for them. A must read for everyone, whether you are a rebellious teen or a doting parent.