Wab Kinew's YA novel The Everlasting Road tackles grief by way of the supernatural — read an excerpt now

The Everlasting Road is the latest book from Wab Kinew. 

In the follow-up to his YA fantasy debut, Walking in Two Worlds, Kinew picks up where he left off: main character Bugz, an Indigenous teen with an online alter ego, continues to navigate the real-life stresses of growing up on the Rez and virtual battles of life in the Floraverse, an online multiplayer video-game universe.

The only difference is, this time, Bugz may have met her match in the form of a new villain in the Floraverse. 

Grieving the loss of her brother, Bugz begins building a bot in her brother's likeness, known as Waawaate, as a weapon against the Clan:LESS and other villains plotting against her. At the same time, her relationship with Feng, a teen boy on Rez, continues to grow as they explore the 'Verse together. 

When the pair detect disturbances in the virtual world and the new bot attains powers beyond her control, Bugz and Feng might have more on their hands than they can handle. 

Based in Winnipeg, Kinew is the leader of the New Democratic Party in Manitoba and bestselling author. In addition to his two YA novels, Kinew also wrote the memoir The Reason You Walk, about mending the relationship with his father before his death, and Go Show the World, a children's picture book about Indigenous heroes throughout history. 

A member of the Midewin and an Honorary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, he is a former hip-hop artist and broadcaster, hosting the CBC series 8th Fire and Canada Reads in 2015. As a panellist on CBC's great book debate, Kinew won the 2014 edition for his defence of The Orenda.

Kinew told CBC Books that readers can expect "the same sort of action-packed scenes in the virtual world as Walking in Two Worlds," but that The Everlasting Road sees Bugz and Feng maturing — both in their relationship and in the challenges they must wrestle with in both worlds, including overcoming grief. 

"Speaking with people across North America, I've learned to appreciate how much of a challenge grief can be for all of us — and young people in particular," Kinew said.

"I want this book to encourage people — whether you find strength in a traditional culture like Bugz does as an Anishinaabe person, or whether you find ways to process your grief in the online world, there are healthy ways you can find support."

 "It's okay to feel the way we do and it's okay to ask for help. Even the strong, world-conquering heroes like Bugz need a shoulder to cry on."

The Everlasting Road will be available on Jan. 10, 2023. Read an excerpt from the book below.

Bugz turned sharply and, with a kick of her legs, darted behind a giant stone column, pulling Feng in behind her. She waved at the lake bed and a wall of rocks swirled up around them, concealing the pair completely. The Valkyries swam by within inches of their hiding place, none the wiser. Bugz grinned at Feng, who nodded. In the low light, she studied his strong jaw and round cheeks. He looks like he could be Anishinaabe, she thought.

Once the warrior women were out of sight, Bugz emerged from behind the rock shroud and motioned for Feng to follow her discreetly, before the crowd gathering ahead noticed them. The tourists were taking screenshots around a giant stone circle that looked to be Mishi-pizhiw's nest. Others in the crowd were clearly trying to activate the nest and supercharge weapons they'd brought with them, all to no avail.