Item: The Drowners
Rating: 4
Author: Gina

The Drowners by David A. Anderson

Quick Summary:

The Drowners by David A. Anderson is a poignant coming-of-age novel that explores the complexities of adolescence, identity, and self-discovery, with a particular focus on LGBTQI themes.

Recommended Reading Age:
Due to mature themes such as mental health struggles, sexual identity, bullying, and emotional trauma, The Drowners is best suited for readers aged 15 and up. While not explicit, the novel deals honestly with difficult subjects and is most impactful for older teens and adult readers who can appreciate its depth and nuance.

The Drowners by David A. Anderson ~ 4✨~ #BookReview #ComingOfAge #YALit #LGBTQBooks #MentalHealth #Friendship

Book Details

The Drowners
By David A. Anderson
Published by Independent on March 18, 2025
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, LGBTQIAplus, Own Voices
Formats: eBook
Pages: 350

For Aaron, this world is an unfathomable puzzle. Haunted by disturbing dreams, he drifts through empty days, shielding himself behind sarcasm and cynical wit. After being expelled, he sees an opportunity to rewrite his future at a new school. Connecting over a shared love for De Niro films with Robbie, an aspiring actor of Jamaican descent, he unexpectedly finds his companion piece, one person who truly understands him. Together, they navigate the chaotic waters of adolescence, from dramatic first dates to sociopathic bullies, iconic concerts, drugs, and a dead body.

With adulthood fast approaching, can their unique bond survive the crushing weight of societal pressures and devastating revelations? Confronted by the ghosts of his past, Aaron must choose whether to blaze bright or fade away.

A funny and poignant meditation on the forces that shape us, The Drowners transports us back to a time when our tolerance for hypocrisy was zero and life seemed infinite.

An early draft of this novel won a 2021 YA Watty award.

Source: Received from the author or publisher for review.

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My thoughts on The Drowners

A messy, beautiful story about growing up, figuring things out, and finding your way back to yourself.

Some books don’t just tell a story; they reach in and stir something deep inside you. The Drowners by David A. Anderson is one of those rare reads that doesn’t feel like reading at all. It’s more like remembering something personal, something buried, something that still matters. Through Aaron’s raw, unfiltered voice, we follow a teenage boy who’s stumbling his way through grief, identity, queerness, and all the messy bits of growing up. And this book never sugarcoats it. It leans into the confusion, the loneliness, the flickers of hope—and somehow makes it all feel real.

After getting kicked out of school, Aaron’s trying to start over. He’s angry, guarded, and carrying more than he knows what to do with. Then he meets Robbie, a classmate who’s into De Niro films and somehow sees past all of Aaron’s defenses. Their connection isn’t flashy or forced; it’s gentle, believable, and precisely what Aaron needs, even if he doesn’t know it yet. As their friendship deepens, Aaron starts peeling back the layers he’s been hiding under for years.

Anderson’s writing has this quiet power to it—introspective, lyrical, and at times, it drifts into stream-of-consciousness territory. It might take a little patience, but once you settle into Aaron’s voice, it’s like being inside his head. This isn’t a neat, polished story, and that’s kind of the point. Queer teen life rarely comes in tidy little chapters. There’s pain here—bullying, mental health struggles, shame—but there’s also warmth, dry humor, and these small, meaningful moments that shine through.

What I really appreciated is that the story never tries to “fix” Aaron or wrap his journey up with a bow. There’s no dramatic coming-out scene or fairytale romance. Instead, we get the quiet, powerful truth of a boy trying to stay afloat in the deep end. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.

The Drowners may not be for every reader, but for those who see themselves in Aaron—or want to understand someone like him—it’s unforgettable. It sticks with you long after the last page, tugging at your heart and nudging you to think a little deeper. If you love raw, character-driven stories that don’t shy away from the hard stuff, this one’s worth your time.

I received a digital copy of the book from the author, publisher, or tour company.

This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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About David A. Anderson

David A. Anderson Author image Black jacket over a t-shirt staring straight at the camera

The award-winning author of The Drowners, David A. Anderson, hails from Dublin's cold, wet streets. Like a Hummingbird, after college, he migrated south to warmer climes. Namely, sunny Spain, where he teaches students who are bemused by hearing the Queen's English delivered in an Irish brogue.

He caught the writing bug in his early thirties and won a YA Watty award in 2021.

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