Tennessee Russo is having a really bad day. He found out his boyfriend has been cheating on him and his estranged father, Henry, shows up out of the blue acting like nothing is wrong. A famous reality show archeologist, Henry wants Tennessee to join him as he searches for the rings of the Sacred Band of Thebes. The Sacred Band of Thebes was a fearsome army comprised of 150 gay couples in ancient Greece. Can Tennessee pass up the chance to show the world that not only have queer people been here forever, but that they were respected, and they were formidable?

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:

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 one-hundred-and-fifty 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.

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Union Square (May 2, 2023)
• ISBN-13: 978-1454948056