A quiet ace balloon-lover uncovers a conspiracy and joins a ragtag band of rebel to spread word through an airborne radio show.
Henry Schmitt wants nothing more than a quiet life and a daily ration of instant noodles. At least until he learns the terrible secret that drove his father away—the Plague that killed his mother and ravaged his country was created by those now in power. His only chance to expose the truth is through a ragtag band of outlaws who knew his father and an airborne radio broadcast, but he’d have to dig into his family’s past and risk the wrath of a corrupt government.
Viral Airwaves is a standalone novel sitting firmly between dystopia and solarpunk and centering queer characters. If you love hopeful stories about overcoming desperate odds, nemeses working together, and larger-than-life characters, don’t miss out!
After finding trust in himself from an aromantic friend, Seraphin leaves his town to join the army and stand up for his ideals… but soon finds the new life may come at the price of his old one.
Between bisexuality and albinism, Seraphin always felt like an outsider in his own town. He finally finds companionship in Alex, an agender and aromantic teenager who interns over the summer. With them he learns to trust himself and his instincts. It leads Seraphin to leave his town and join the army invading his country, but when his squad is ordered to raid his hometown, Seraphin finds his new life may come at the price of his old.
The White Renegade is a prequel novella to Viral Airwaves and sets the stage for Seraphin’s backstory. If you enjoy queer teens discovering themselves through friendship and sticking together through dark times, this one is for you.
Representation of note
for viral Airwaves
Henry: cis asexual man
Seraphin: cis bisexual man, albinism
Maniel: cis Black bisexual woman
Vermen: cis gay man
REPRESENTATION OF NOTE
FOR White Renegade
Seraphin: cis bisexual man, albinism
Alex: Black, agender, and aromantic
content notes
Murder, abuse, firearms, illness, experimentation on humans, casual homophobia, police brutality,
riots, torture, and queer character death.
TROPES
Government Conspiracy
Enemies to Lover
Bilbo Baggins-type Hero
OTHER INFORMATION
Genre/Age Category: Adult, Science-Fiction (Solarpunk), Queer Fiction
Publisher: Claudie Arseneault
Publication Date:
November 2016
Cover Artist: Gabrielle Arseneault (Viral Airwaves) and Laya Rose (Baker Thief)
ISBN-13 (paperback): 978-1-7753129-4-9 (Viral Airwaves) and 978-1-7753129-5-6 (The White
Renegade)
FAQ
In what order should I read these?
You can read in any order, and they’ll still work! The chronological order would be White Renegade first, then Viral Airwaves, but I personally would recommend starting with Viral Airwaves,
and if you enjoy it, moving to White Renegade as a complement and look into Seraphin’s life.