Powerful portrayal of grief, guilt, family

I thought this book would be a pretty straightforward story of a teen's investigation into the death of his cousin, but the author does an incredible job to create a complicated story - with plot surprises! - about guilt, grief, and family. This book captures the complexities and nuance of the "war on drugs" in the Philippines under President Duterte, beyond the headlines we see in the U.S. media. Beyond just putting a face on the state's crimes, the author captures the complexities and nuance of the issue from all sides (Jay's uncles and aunts and cousins, as well as Jun, are more than meets the eye). As a YA book it is very accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with the Philippines. Ultimately, this book forces us to confront not only the realities of life in the Philippines, but also what family means.