Review: almost too scary
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 7, 2013
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  Subject 19 by Todd Young is a coming of age type novel with some spine-chilling twists.  Joel Makerston is a young man not quite comfortable with his life.  After finishing his first year away at college, he does not want to go home.  However, he finds himself not sure what to do next as he has no job, no car, and no close friends.  When a chance acquaintance tells him about a three-week clinical trial that pays a small fortune he seriously considers it.  Besides, he has a crush on a guy who will be there, and the contract says the program is in compliance all state, federal and local laws.  Almost immediately the warning signs are there; bizarre architecture, mysterious man in the penthouse, the secured perimeter with the guard advising him away.By the middle of the book, I was almost not able to continue.  If this had been a scary movie, it would have been the stage where I would put a pillow over my eyes.  Todd Young's writing was strong enough for me to identify really strongly with the characters and had tapped into some my very basic fears; loss of control, body image, stressful personal interactions.  I did finish the book and I am happy to say there is an interesting and happy resolution.