Item 202

The first science fiction tale from June’s issue of Lightspeed is a pleasantly written queer coming-of-age story. The protagonist (related in the 2nd person) goes on the titular joyride with classmate crush Eddie, unsure if he is in the friend zone or not. Just as that is about to get cleared up, they are pulled over by a cop, and some mild tension ensues. The story is written in a clear style, and the protagonist and Eddie are both likeable characters. The story is ostensibly SF (spaceships, etc.) but it doesn’t need to be. It could be a story about two kids who hotwire a car and go for a joyride on the highway and it would be the same story with different tropes. As a coming-of-age tale it is well-meaning but nothing really sets it apart.