Losing Hit Points is a nerdy queer romance book set against the backdrop of a tabletop Dungeons & Dragons game. A romantic story filled with goblins, adventure, and the healing power of admitting our mistakes.
Equal parts touching and laugh-out-loud funny, trans teen Journey has the chance to play an epic game of Dungeons & Dragons. Surprise encounters are common in D&D but what they don’t expect is to reconnect with an ex-friend who they still love and have wronged in the past.

Kristopher Mielke's newest novel melds the fun of the popular fantasy role-playing game with a touching plot about admitting one's mistakes and making up for the past, while looking ahead towards a brighter future — together.

Kristopher Mielke (he/they) is the co-author of Victory Lap with Riley Alexis Wood. They love drinking too much coffee, watching long video essays about philosophy and cartoons, and writing about queer heroes and hungry monsters. They live outside of Erin, Ontario.

Kristopher Mielke's profile page

The strength of Losing Hit Points is in its character reflections and celebration of queer joy. Journey is a flawed character who admits their flaws and becomes better because of it while allowing the reader to better understand one person’s exploration of their gender identity. The host of side characters are all wonderful additions to the plot and bring their own essences and unique personalities...

Losing Hit Points is a fun read with important conversations about identity and acceptance. Recommended.

CM: Review of Materials

Losing Hit Points is delightfully queer, wonderfully geeky, and brimming with heart—not to mention a fantastic introduction to Dungeons and Dragons for all ages.

Darian Rudderham, Game Master, Djinn & Tonics Podcast

This accessibly written title will draw in reluctant readers and appeal especially to gamers. Journey and their friends come across as true-to-life nerds… Will engage readers, leaving them alternately cheering and screaming at the cast.

Kirkus Reviews