Stranger Things: Lucas on the Line

By: Suyi Davies

Narrated by: Reginald James

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Dive into this revealing portrait of Stranger Things fan-favorite Lucas Sinclair and get to know Lucas like never before.

The thrilling adventure of Stranger Things continues where season three left off, with fan-favorite Lucas Sinclair finally telling his own story in his own words.

Lucas has been in the fight against the evil forces in his town since the beginning, but he is tired of feeling like an outsider. When the start of high school presents Lucas with options beyond D&D and being bullied, he wonders if he can be more than invisible. After connecting with one of the few other Black students at school, Lucas starts to learn more about himself apart from his friend group. And he begins to understand himself as a Black teen in Hawkins, which feels unlike anything—in this world or any other—he’s ever experienced.

From Suyi Davies, contributor to the New York Times best-selling Black Boy Joy, comes an exploration of love and identity within the beloved Stranger Things universe, through the eyes of Lucas Sinclair.

©2022 Random House (P)2022 Listening Library

Even a not Lucas fan can enjoy

I’m not a huge Lucas fan (the guy can sometimes be a jerk for not much reasoning), but that being said I don’t hate him either. I loved that this painted the missing picture season 4 had for why he suddenly went from full blown nerd to complete jock. Not only that, but it also painted a tiny bit of story about him the show never once touched on. And the narrator making it very bubbly and upbeat really makes you think it’s future Lucas reading.

Not too shabby.

A great Lucas POV story, and a way to bridge the gaps between seasons 3 and 4 of the show. Great narration too. I feel a lot of us can relate to his situation, wanting to be something more than an outcast, or geek at times.

Best of the Stranger Things books, so far

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Lucas on the Line covers two stories. Parts 1-4 are about Lucas' year of self-discovery as a freshman in high school. He begins to explore his identity as one of the few black kids in Hawkins, Indiana-a very white, suburban community. He meets a mentor named Jermaine who introduces Lucas to the possibility of joining the basketball team, and, more importantly. to find pride in being black, a topic that Lucas' father and mother don't like to talk about.

Part 5 picks up with Lucas, Max, and the Hawkins' gangs' storyline from season 4 of Stranger Things.

I thoroughly enjoyed Parts 1-4. They were well-paced, and though Lucas's voice was clearly authentic for his age, there are still some profound (but not heavy-handed) moments throughout the novel. I gained more appreciation for Lucas because of Suyi Davies.

Part 5 felt rushed and tacked on. There were not enough Vecna-related cookie crumbs sprinkled throughout the first four parts to transition to part 5 organically. That said, I was never bored with this book, and that accomplishment deserves the extra half-star.

I would recommend this book to fans of Stranger Things, but it is also a good middle grades book for Black History Month- providing a soft, starter discussion on race and race-related issues.

I’m impressed.

I like the idea of listening to Stranger Things books between seasons, and was pleased to see an installment centering around Lucas Sinclair. Little did I realize.

Want to know more about why Lucas joined the basketball team, his new haircut, and the schism between him and Max? This book goes WAY deeper than who gets to dress as Venkman and why. It was a lot more than the choice between being popular vs. being labeled a freak.

Although “Runaway Max” was harrowing and illuminating, “Lucas on the Line” was surprisingly powerful. Generational trauma is explored without sounding either preachy or condescending: we’re learning it as it occurs to Lucas to consciously process it against the chaotic backdrop of Hawkins, Indiana.

This is my favorite “Stranger Things” book so far.

Yes please

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