I recently grabbed a book at a sale, intrigued by its potential relevance for some of the more challenging school environments where I work. The book centers on six teenagers living together, each with varying degrees of emancipation—some by choice, others forced out by their families. It promises an engaging mix of suspense, romance, and a murder investigation. Unfortunately, the book doesn’t quite live up to these promises.
Although targeted at a grade 8/9 reading level, the content is somewhat mature. One character, who is gay, uses strong language frequently. He’s been thrown out of his home due to his sexual orientation and touches on issues like trading sexual favors for food, money, or safety. Additionally, the character faces derogatory comments from his father in flashback scenes and navigates the fear of HIV testing. While it’s crucial for young readers to encounter characters that reflect real-life experiences, presenting these issues requires careful consideration of the audience.
In terms of romantic relationships, there’s a subplot involving another pair of characters. The book even delves into the group’s sexual experiences, including a scene where two characters move from second to third base as a form of emotional comfort. This content made me hesitant to recommend the book for a middle school setting, which was my initial intention.
Narratively, the plot lacks depth. The story unfolds through changing perspectives, providing insights into each character’s backstory. Yet, once they all converge in the house, the plot stagnates. Its conclusion feels cliche, and the narrative structure seems disjointed. Although it’s a part of a series, it gives off the impression of a singular, fragmented book. A minor gripe I had was the cover art, depicting only five of the six central characters, which initially seemed like a plot hint but turned out to be an oversight.
Overall rating: 1/5 stars