A/S/L by Jeanne Thornton (Paperback)

Set in 1998, A/S/L by Jeanne Thornton follows three queer teenagers—Lilith, Sash, and Abraxa—who create Saga of the Sorceress, a video game meant to transform their world, even if only for themselves. As they navigate adolescence, identity, and the challenges of queer friendship, the game becomes both a refuge and a catalyst for self-discovery.

Eighteen years later, the three friends have drifted apart. Lilith works as an Assistant Loan Underwriter in Brooklyn, Sash juggles life as a research assistant and part-time webcam dominatrix, and Abraxa sleeps on a floor in Jersey City, all while remaining physically disconnected from one another. Yet the memories of their shared creation—and the unfinished quest of the sorceress—continue to shape their lives. Despite years of separation, the game’s story lingers, reflecting their growth, regrets, and enduring bonds.

Jeanne Thornton blends literature, technology, and the complexities of queer identity to craft a narrative that examines friendship, ambition, and the codes we learn to survive. A/S/L is a story of nostalgia reimagined through a queer lens, exploring how the past, even fragmented and distant, continues to influence the present. Readers are drawn into a world where gaming, memory, and identity intersect, creating a powerful and transformative reading experience.

With a deft mix of emotional insight and literary innovation, A/S/L is a thought-provoking exploration of creativity, community, and the lasting impact of the worlds we build together.