A review by mcf
IQ by Joe Ide

5.0

This is another one of those books that it's impossible to believe is a debut. The grace and nuance with which Ide writes seem like those of someone who has been published many times, and has had occasion to hone his craft carefully before the public. Even without that, though, his characters are strikingly well developed -- including those whose appearances last only a page or two -- and his storytelling is laughably confident and kinetic. The most complicated backstories are handled with matter-of-fact ease, and Ide's deft handling of his characters and tale remains surprising to the unexpected, deeply satisfying end.