Review: Powerful start, 3.5 stars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 18, 2013
Bullies. It's this generation's awareness cause, but bullying cuts across all ages, cultures and classes. And it is never more poignant that during childhood, especially during grade school and high school.Seth is a poor resident of a small town, and has been bullied all his life. On the first day of his senior year, an acquaintance of his parents gives him an amulet - made of bone? - and tells him it is magic and can change his life. But be careful, because it can be used for good or evil.The bullying we see in this novel is extreme. I won't say that it's unrealistic, but it is on the far end of the curve, which can occur in a smaller community because for the bullied there are less targets and fewer places to hide. It reminds me in many ways of a male version of "Carrie", with touches of "Christine", where the main character is outcast because of circumstances involving his home life.This little novella is written very well, I can imagine just who these characters are from the descriptions and dialogue. Grammar and formatting is extremely well done; this isn't self-published dreck!I feel for Seth's sense of helplessness and despair. I understand his rage, yet am frightened by it as well. I am bothered by the portrayal of the teachers' complicity, yet I have also experienced it personally. I just feel that it was shown in extreme, yet we don't see the flip side quite as much. The side where the teachers know bullying is happening, but proving it is difficult if no one will come forward. And that they can't control what happens off of school grounds. People are somewhat delusional when they talk about the innocence of youth, because school aged kids are sneaky! I also like how a few people step forward to say that what's happening is wrong, but it's realistic in that it doesn't immediately make everything better. And how everyone says, "Stand up for yourself!", but sometimes things get worse if you do.It's a very extreme look at the darkness, within and without. This story ends abruptly, with way too many loose ends. So, if you are not prepared to read on, you might be disappointed. But it is really good and I look forward to the next book.