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Cameron, an Ordinary High School Student (with a bit of a pot problem), is cruising through his 16th year of life with low expectations and very few problems.

Then, he starts seeing fire giants, guys in freaky black armor, and finds out he's dying of mad cow disease.

Fortunately, a bit of hope arrives in the form of Dulcie, an angel with a chocolate addiction, a hatred for snowglobes, and good taste in punk outfits. She tells him that in order to live, he has to find Dr. X, who tried to open a portal into an alternate dimension and ended up pulling dark energy through, which is what caused all of Cam's new problems. So he embarks on an insane road trip with Gonzo, a death-paranoid gamer dwarf, and meets along the way a lawn gnome who happens to be the Norse god Balder. Their mission? Save the world, get a cure for Cam, and maybe even discover what really matters in life.

Yes, it's just as insane as it sounds. But it's really good, even if you just take it all at face value. It includes, along with the Urban Fantasy candy-coating, some brilliant satire and a Coming of Age Story as a delicious, gooey caramel center. And maybe some frosting or sprinkles. Or even nougat. Mmm... nougat....

Written by Libba Bray, the author of the Gemma Doyle trilogy.

Examples of Going Bovine include:


  • Badass: Balder. But really, what do you expect? He's a freaking Norse god!
  • Big Bad: The Wizard of Reckoning.
  • The Big Easy: A large portion of plot significant stuff happens in New Orleans.
  • Brand X: Let's see... ConstaToons, Rad XL soda, and...
  • Burger Fool: Buddha Burger.
  • Cluster F-Bomb: These little beauties are smattered throughout the book. Don't read it while swearing-sensitive people are around.
  • Chekhov's Running Gag: The Copenhagen Interpretation. Their music is what sent Dr. X on his trip to an alternate dimension and is what ends up saving the world.
    • Shithenge, started off as an off-hand joke about a kid's project. One point "Shithenge" is written on a t-shirt.
  • Church of Happyology: Almost literally, with CESSNAB (Church of Everlasting Satisfaction and Snack-'N'-Bowl).
  • Crowning Moment of Heartwarming: Just before Cameron and Dulcie resolve their UST.
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 Cameron: "If we do this, will I die?"

Dulcie: "Everyone's dying, Cameron. A little, every day. Make it count."

Without another word, she pulls me to her. Those huge, soft wings fold around me like I'm being held for the first time. Like I'm drifting toward that black hole in the sky and I'm not afraid.

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