Robin Reardon

Readers of Robin Reardon's other work know what to expect by now: an endearing, well-developed, and introspective LGBTQ protagonist, a twisting plot worthy of the craziest telenovela, and deep explorations of myriad subjects highlighted by especially deep discussions of religious concerns. Oh, and frank and unapologetic depictions of teenage sex.

Throwing Stones falls squarely within this oeuvre and will not disappoint fans. This time we get to see a slice of rural Oklahoma, learn about show more rockhounding, survive a tornado, and experience Pagan life and rituals. Some previous themes from Reardon's novels reappear as well: high school bullies, Christian intolerance, spirit animals, and scrying have all featured prominently in earlier works. Reardon is adept at bringing disparate pieces like these together into a beautiful and compelling mosaic, and Throwing Stones is a perfect example.

Though the story gets off to a slow start, it's not long before the pages start flying by, the plot jumping breathlessly from scene to scene in unexpected directions. The strength of Reardon's work has always been her well-developed characters, and Throwing Stones has an especially large cast to balance. And yet, no character has been given short shrift, and even when their actions are unexpected, they're never unmotivated.

Jesse Bryce seems like a typical 17-year-old high student just coming out of the closet. He's only out to his best friend and still contemplating the right way to tell his conservative Christian family. A chance meeting with Griffin Holyoke under the bleachers during the high school's Thanksgiving football game seems like it might hold the answers. Though a fellow student, Griffin is very much an outsider in the close knit, rural town of Himlen, OK because he lives in "the village," a small Pagan community on the outskirts of town. Feeling the outsider himself, Jesse is drawn to learn more about Griffin and his way of life, and boy is there a lot to learn. Soon Jesse has made it his mission persuade the town to see the village in a new, non-threatening light, and maybe, just maybe, he'll also discover how to help his family see him in a new light as well.

Though it features a teenage protagonist like her previous novels, Throwing Stones is decidedly more adult than Reardon's previous work. She's always pushed the envelope in terms of depicting teenage sex, a welcome change in a genre that is often overly chaste, but some will find Throwing Stones goes a bit too far. It's definitely an R where earlier novels may have passed for PG-13. This isn't a problem, but it does mean this might be inappropriate for younger readers.

If you are fan of Reardon's other work, I highly recommend Throwing Stones. If you are new to her novels, I suggest starting with an earlier novel like the excellent The Evolution of Ethan Poe, which explores many similar themes but with a lighter touch, before taking on Throwing Stones. Either way, you'll be happy you did, and you just might learn something in the process. (4.5 stars out of 5) show less

I absolutely loved Robin Reardon’s newest book, “A Question of Manhood.” Not only was it a different type of “coming out” story, but it was also thought provoking in an unusual way. Instead of living through Chris, the young man dealing with his sexuality, the reader lives through the gay man’s brother. This brother, Paul, has always revered his older brother, until now. Now he is repulsed by his brother’s admission. After this sad and poignant coming-out scene, Chris returns show more to Vietnam and is sadly killed in action. The remainder of the book deals with Paul’s thoughts and feelings. Should he have been more sympathetic? Should he have told his parents? Why can’t he still feel the love and admiration he once felt for his big brother? The turning point in Paul’s dilemma is when he is forced to work with J.J., a gay employee at his father’s pet supply store. The discomfort between the two boys is frustrating, disturbing, and completely realistic. Slowly but surely however, Paul finally begins to understand and accept JJ, and thereby finally comes to terms with his feeling for his brother as well. An insightful, easy read; highly recommended. show less

Jason Peele is a high school student, good at English and a champion runner for relay and dash events. He is also gay.

I don't know why, but I had a feeling of dread most of the time I was reading this YA novel. It confirmed my belief (derived entirely from films and books) that American high schools are violent hell-holes. And yet, it has a broadly positive message without ignoring the realities of life. Although it does repeat the mythical origin story for the American slur 'faggot'. From show more what I understand human beings are, to put it bluntly, not combustible enough to make good fuel and anyway witches were generally hanged, not burnt - that was reserved for heretics. But anyway, a good read. show less

When Taylor Adams (Tye) comes out to his conservative parents, he is sent to a Christian camp for troubled youth where not all is as it seems. Can he survive six weeks of this with his principles and faith intact?

The author did an excellent job in the first part of the book building up an atmosphere of how disastrous any mis-steps on Tye's part would be as he learns to navigate his new environment. My heart was in my mouth as I cheered him on. Unfortunately, the big reveal and how Tye dealt show more with it in the climax to the book just didn't ring true in the same way. Very disappointing after such a good beginning and middle. show less