In “Freakslaw,” the titular circus of outsiders slides into the small Scottish town of Pitlaw, almost without anyone noticing. It quickly becomes clear that the circus has more than fire-breathing and strong-manning on its mind. For reasons that take a while to develop, the Freakslaw crew is bent on revenge.

The zesty title of Jane Flett’s first novel is perfect because it hints at the band of unconventional artists who make up the circus and because it will help readers decide whether or not it’s for them.

The characters, however, are not binary. Instead of a bearded lady, there’s a fabulous drag artist named Gretchen Etcetera. There is a “fat lady,” named Miss Maria, but she’s celebrated for her beauty. The human pincushion, too, has an update — when she swallows swords and takes in other sharp objects, there’s a punk feel to it.

A few Pitlawians are intrigued: Ruth, a teenager who’s chafing at the academic career mapped out for her; classmate Derek, who may not be as strait- laced as he projects; and Curl Up and Dye proprietor Shona, whose willingness to experiment with bangs foretells an eagerness to dive right into the slaw.

Flett creates vivid characters and finds interesting ways to reveal the similarities between the freaks and the townies, often blurring their boundaries so that it’s difficult to say which is which. Flett isn’t as successful at figuring out what to do with her characters when they start interacting. And, although the shocking violence that erupts jibes with the anything-can-happen vibe of “Freakslaw,” it doesn’t always feel earned by the behavior of the characters.

These seem like the kinds of minor missteps a first- time novelist is supposed to make, though. Flett is a confident writer who’s especially good at showing-not-telling.

Plot is not Flett’s strong suit, but when you have a cast of characters as memorable as the ones in “Freakslaw,” maybe that’s not such a big deal? — Chris Hewitt, Minnesota Star Tribune

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em on a multiday, drunk-driving road trip in middle-class middle of America to find their missing father with a garbage goth girl named Yivi whom they met two weeks ago in an Airbnb basement.

That seems to be the mantra for “Make Sure You Die Screaming,” Zee Carlstrom’s debut novel. The first-person narration follows no-name Gunderson, a nonbinary queer person, at what surely must be their rock- bottom. They stole their ex-boyfriend Clinton’s car to drive from Chicago to Arkansas. Also the protagonist has killed their best friend, lost their job and took an oath of radical honesty.

If you were immediately skeptical about this fun, road trip adventure novel due to the clear lack of morals, you’d be right to hesitate. But it’s not all drunken rages and horrible decisions in a misguided attempt to punch back at late-stage capitalism.

The protagonist, while an exceptionally unlikable character at their worst, is also full of heart. Sometimes a nasty, festering, raw-emotions heart; a self-destructive time bomb that is sure to embed shrapnel in those unfortunate people who dare to hang around. Still, Carlstrom manages to shine the light back on the protagonist’s humanity and salvage reader sympathy when it matters most.

The breezy narration contrasts delightfully with the heavy topics laden like buckshot throughout the book, set in the post-truth Now, and Carlstrom’s unique voice is a breath of fresh air with just the right mix of humor and resigned cynicism with a dash of hope.

Carlstrom’s debut has almost everything: comedy, action, adventure, philosophical musings, banter, alcoholism, crimes, weird cult-y things, and even some modicum of closure. And while the ending is abrupt, it’s also comforting, as well as oddly convincing given the sheer absurdity that precedes it. — Donna Edwards, Associated Press