Beauty Queens

Bookseller recommendation

“This is my favorite book, ever. Bray's premise, teen pageant girls stranded on a hostile island, is executed with satire, humor, and heart. Among many other quirks, this novel features James Bond-esque tropes, hilarious 'commercial breaks' from an evil corporation, and himbo pirates. The female main cast is diverse in a way that doesn’t feel like a checklist–the trans representation in particular feels ahead of its time. Just as it took quarantine for so many people to reflect on their lives, it takes a deserted island for these young women to embrace their true selves. The author herself reads this audiobook in all its campy glory.”

— Sam • Phoenix Books