Lion's Legacy

by L. C. Rosen

Overview

Seventeen-year-old Tennessee Russo’s life is imploding. His boyfriend has been cheating on him, and all his friends know about it. Worse, they expect him to just accept his ex’s new relationship and make nice. So when his father, a famous archaeologist and reality show celebrity whom he hasn’t seen in two years, shows up unexpectedly and offers to take him on an adventure, Tennessee only has a few choices:
 
1. Stay, mope, regret it forever.
2. Go, try to reconcile with Dad, become his sidekick again.
3. Go, but make it his adventure, and Dad will be the sidekick.
The object of his father’s latest quest, the Rings of the Sacred Band of Thebes, is too enticing to say no to. Finding artifacts related to the troop of ancient Greek soldiers, composed of 150 gay couples, means navigating ruins, deciphering ancient mysteries, and maybe meeting a cute boy.

But will his dad let Tennessee do the right thing with the rings if they find them? And what is the right thing? Who does queer history belong to?

Against the backdrop of a sunlit Greek landscape, author L. C. Rosen masterfully weaves together adventure, romance, and magic in a celebration of the power of claiming your queer legacy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454948070
Publisher:	Union Square & Co.
Publication date:	03/05/2024
Series:	Tennessee Russo
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	109,971
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

L. C. Rosen writes books for people of all ages, most recently Lavender House, which the New York Times says “movingly explores the strain of trying to pass as straight at a time when living an authentic life could be deadly” and was a best book of the year from Buzzfeed, Library Journal, Amazon, and Bookpage, among others. His prior novel, Camp, was also a best book of the year from places such as Forbes, Elle, and the Today show. He lives in New York City with his husband and a very small cat. You can find him online at LevACRosen.com and @LevACRosen.

Editorial Reviews

03/06/2023

A gay teen pairs up with his estranged treasure hunter father to seek out a Grecian artifact in this gripping series kickoff from Rosen (Lavender House) that’s both thrilling escapade and simmering romance. White Jewish 17-year-old Tennessee Russo and his renowned archaeologist father, Henry Johnson, haven’t spoken for two years following a fight over the proper guardianship of the artifacts they uncover: while Henry feels that those with money are best able to protect these objects, Ten believes that it’s wrong to remove them from their native country. But when Henry appears with a proposal to track down a magical item rumored as once belonging to an army of queer Greek soldiers, Ten agrees. In Athens, Henry hires 17-year-old Athenian Leo, a queer history buff, to be their translator, and there’s an immediate spark between the two teens. After they discover that Henry’s excavation partner wants the artifact for themselves, Henry, Ten, and Leo must race against the clock to find it first. Through Ten and Leo’s visits to a museum of queer history and culture, and the meticulous detail with which the author recounts underreported events in Grecian history, Rosen makes an insistent case for recognizing and teaching LGBTQ history and understanding legacy. Ages 12–17. (May)

Publishers Weekly

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023

Booklist Editors' Choice 2023: Books for Youth 

“Flirtatious friendships and a fun summer romance, Indiana Jones-esque booby traps, and the logistics of filming reality TV mesh seamlessly with heavier discussions of rightful ownership of historical artifacts, erasure of queer history, and the power of an actual apology. Rosen emphasizes the importance between connecting the historical existence and contributions of queer people to the queer community in the present and includes many small tidbits of queer history throughout . . . . [A]ction-packed and illuminative.” —Booklist, starred review

“Lion’s Legacy by L.C. Rosen is a heart-pumping adventure filled with tributes to queer history and community as well as thoughtful discussions about the ethics of archeology. This series opener is reminiscent of an Indiana Jones caper, with its near-death escapes, almost impossible puzzles, and dangerous bad guys. Rosen elevates his version with deft discussions about straight-washing, and encourages LGBTQ+ people to ‘take back our history’ and ‘control the story.’ Rosen delivers a mesmerizing mix of adrenaline-inducing escapades and queer legacy.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review

“Rosen has balanced a thrilling adventure with a flirtatious queer romance, while highlighting moments from history most won’t learn about in school and discussing what responsible archeology entails. While the magic rings are not real, the Sacred Band of Thebes was, and readers who enjoy Greek mythology and history will be riveted by this adventure . . . . A page-turning action-adventure that highlights the importance of reclaiming queer history and culture.—School Library Journal

“This action-packed adventure inspired by history and legend engages in a conflict-driven exploration of the ethics of archaeology. Tennessee grapples with tangled emotions about his relationship with his father, his longing for community, and what it means to be in love . . . . An entertaining, emotional rush tackling critical subjects.” —Kirkus Reviews

“[G]ripping series kickoff from Rosen (Lavender House) that’s both thrilling escapade and simmering romance . . . . Through Ten and Leo’s visits to a museum of queer history and culture, and the meticulous detail with which the author recounts underreported events in Grecian history, Rosen makes an insistent case for recognizing and teaching LGBTQ history and understanding legacy.” —Publishers Weekly

“L.C. Rosen’s Lion’s Legacy is an entertaining queer adventure reminiscent of classic movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Mummy. Firelit hidden chambers, puzzles with deadly stakes and a fun, casual romance hit all the essential blockbuster buttons in Lion’s Legacy! However, Rosen’s take on the genre actively interrogates the ethics of treasure hunting, posing questions about the ownership of history and the responsible way to handle historical artifacts . . . . Lion’s Legacy is a celebration of the strength of queer community, whether felt by two queer people passing on the street, or resounding through the uncountable queer lives that have intersected throughout history. Ten knows queer history can be fun, weird, tragic and beautiful, but above all he knows it’s a history worth protecting.” —Bookpage

“Rosen’s delightfully adventurous romp puts a clever spin on Indiana Jones.” —Buzzfeed

“Step aside, Harrison Ford. There’s a new Indiana Jones in town, and his name is Tennessee Russo.” —Nerd Daily

“Rosen’s books are a treasure for teens who may feel like they have to placate others by toning down their identity.”—Kveller

“Rosen really embraces the best parts of pulp adventure, with fantastic puzzles, bad guys you love to hate, a dash of romance, and artifacts full of both wonder and hidden dangers. The narrative is also unabashedly queer: it frequently refers to how much queer history has been hidden or erased . . . . Ten doesn’t have time for any of that revisionism—and neither does Rosen.”—PASTE Magazine

From the Publisher

01/19/2024

Gr 8 Up—Seventeen-year-old Tennessee Russo has been estranged from his reality TV star father, a famous archeologist and treasure hunter, ever since they fought over what should be done with the (occasionally magical) artifacts they recovered. His dad thinks the rich have better resources to preserve them—in addition to landing him a nice payday—while Tennessee thinks they should remain with their country of origin. After two years of radio silence, his dad comes back with a new hunt, and he wants Tennessee's help to find the magic rings that belonged to an elite army of gay Greek soldiers in the fourth century: the Sacred Band of Thebes. Ten wants to ensure his father doesn't sell off this vital piece of queer history to the highest bidder, while his father's business partner has plans of their own. The logistics that go into filming a reality show—which involve removing all references to magic for believability—put a fun twist on the Indiana Jones vibes as Ten's group begins to explore. Rosen has balanced a thrilling adventure with a flirtatious queer romance, while highlighting moments from history most won't learn about in school and discussing what responsible archeology entails. While the magic rings are not real, the Sacred Band of Thebes was, and readers who enjoy Greek mythology and history will be riveted by this adventure. Tennessee is white and Jewish; there is racial diversity throughout the cast. VERDICT A page-turning action-adventure that highlights the importance of reclaiming queer history and culture. Recommended for general purchase.—Emmy Neal

School Library Journal

2023-02-25
A 17-year-old treasure hunter reunites with his estranged father to uncover a buried relic of queer history.

Tennessee Russo, a White, Jewish boy, used to live for the thrill of adventuring side by side with his archaeologist father for their popular TV documentary series. Together, they solved puzzles, evaded deadly traps, and witnessed real magic (edited out of their show for believability). However, their relationship changed when Tennessee realized his father wasn’t returning the artifacts they found to their owners but selling them to museums for profit. After Tennessee confronted him, his father abandoned him in Japan, and they haven’t spoken in two years. As much as he misses the bond and the excitement, Tennessee never intends to adventure again…until his father shows up without warning, offering apologies, promises, and an irresistible invitation to join him on a hunt for the magic rings of the Sacred Band of Thebes, an army of gay couples established circa 379 B.C.E. Finding the rings means more to Tennessee than chasing adrenaline; it’s an opportunity to show the world proof that queer people have always existed. This action-packed adventure inspired by history and legend engages in a conflict-driven exploration of the ethics of archaeology. Tennessee grapples with tangled emotions about his relationship with his father, his longing for community, and what it means to be in love. The world around Tennessee is broadly diverse, including casual, positive representation of fat love interests.

An entertaining, emotional rush tackling critical subjects. (discussion questions, author’s note) (Fiction. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews