David Winkler

The Mystical Knights of Aragon David Winkler

"I think about that summer. I think about it often." It's the summer of 2007. The Iraq War is in full throttle. Fifteen-year-old Leda Townley misses her brother Roark, whom she imagines to be in the crosshairs of every sniper's rifle. Inspired by a mythical band of warriors that he and his friend PeeWee invented in junior high school, Roark's concept of heroism is about to clash with reality, resulting in consequences tragic and irreversible. In addition to worrying about her brother, Leda wrestles with the usual pangs of adolescence: romantic yearnings, parental strife, and a friendship that is both fragile and enduring. At the heart of it all is Leda's wayward, free-spirited Aunt Lucille who upends the Townleys' staid and comfortable lifestyle with music, laughter, illegal drugs, and an attitude that defies conventional morality. Yet it is Aunt Lucille who, in the crucible of her self-destructive ways, brings a sense of salvation to the damaged spirits around her, pointing Leda in the direction of young womanhood.