No Kidding marks Brooks's intriguing debut into the realm of science fiction. Transporting readers to a dystopian Washington, D.C. in the twenty-first century, the narrative paints a haunting portrait of an America devastated by the twin scourges of pervasive alcoholism and a plummeting birth rate. These crises, seemingly ignited by an unforeseen, long-term consequence of exposure to the ubiquitous cathode ray tubes found in televisions and computers, have left the nation reeling.

With the technological backbone of electronics in ruins, a staggering sixty-nine percent of the adult populace finds itself ensnared in alcoholism. The only thriving industry in this bleak landscape is the burgeoning business of addiction treatment. Millions of adults, now under the guardianship of their sober, teenage offspring, fill the Soberlife reeducation centers, where they seek redemption and recovery.

The seismic shift in societal structure has reshaped public education, focusing predominantly on the AO (alcoholic offspring) Curriculum. Meanwhile, traditional churches stand largely abandoned, their pews gathering dust. In stark contrast, the Steemers, a fervent fundamentalist sect that damns all alcoholics to eternal Hellfire, are witnessing a meteoric rise in their congregation. Their message strikes a chord in this era of uncertainty, attracting followers at an unprecedented pace.

No Kidding is a narrative woven entirely in the vivid immediacy of the present tense. While we glimpse snippets of Sam's internal world, the storytelling mostly unfolds through meticulous, almost script-like descriptions. Actions of characters are portrayed with precision, yet their motivations remain shrouded in mystery. This narrative style underscores Sam's characteristic AO obsession with controlling every facet of his surroundings. Incapable of acknowledging the full independence of others, perceiving people like his mother and brother as mere reflections of his own will rather than individuals with unique desires, he forms judgments solely based on outward actions, with little regard for the underlying intentions.

This approach also empowers Brooks to cleverly obscure details about Sam and Ollie's circumstances and the enigmatic world they inhabit, weaving an intricate web of mystery. What grants a mere fourteen-year-old such dominion over others? What exactly is an AO? Who are the elusive Steemers? Why do empty homes and factories dot the landscape? As is often the allure of science fiction, the delight of No Kidding lies in the gradual unveiling of Brooks's reimagined twenty-first century Washington, D.C., contrasting sharply with our own reality.

Nonetheless, this method poses its challenges. Like many newcomers to the science fiction genre, Brooks sometimes grapples with seamlessly incorporating essential world-building details without disrupting the narrative flow. As a result, characters occasionally find themselves delivering expository dialogues, explaining Sam's guardianship over Ollie or the therapeutic approaches to managing alcoholic offspring, reiterating facts that every participant in the conversation already understands but that Brooks must somehow convey to the audience.

Brooks understands that for children entangled in the web of abuse, whether it manifests as physical harm or drug misuse, this oppressive environment often engulfs their entire world. Their reality is skewed through the lens of their torment. In this light, a science fiction realm where nearly every individual is either a perpetrator, a sufferer, or both, serves as a poignant symbol for a child navigating life with an alcoholic parent. Although Sam might appear to steer the ship, his existence is inextricably tethered to his mother's battle with alcohol.

One of the most compelling aspects of No Kidding is Brooks's skillful portrayal of each character with dignity, granting them the autonomy to choose their paths while acknowledging their fallibility. Sam's journey is nothing short of courageous, yet he isn't meant to shoulder the burden alone. His mother, despite having...