In war, family means everything.

“High-pitched laughter drifted out of the Wet Lizard as the first soldiers threw alcohol on the wooden walls and material under. Seraphin’s heart clenched. That might’ve been Nanny Julia. He tried not to think of it as he watched the liquid roll down the walls and soak the flammable pile at its feet.
They were going to torch the Wet Lizard.”

~~~~

Seraphin has always felt like an outsider in his own town. He finally finds companionship in Alex, an agender teen who interns over the summer. Together with Alex, 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.