Nightstruck by Jenna Black
This novel was absolutely terrible as teens face evil invading their city. There is no meaningful discussion in this protracted uninsightful mess. This makes no logical sense as perceived notions of reality are upended. This was not evocative or challenging.
Best Line:
“The Edith Goldman School for Girls doesn’t admit stupid people-”
~
Killer Game by Kirsty McKay
Kids in a remote boarding school play a dumb-ass game. This starts out with some promise but rapidly goes downhill. A girl feels all alone in a threatening world as various boys circle around her. No, just no.
Best Lines:
“Pulling his best misunderstood-rock-star face.”
“He’s drama, but not even in a fun way.”
“But I thought it was made up, like a triffid.”
“I’ve been sleeping in ditches for the last three nights, it’s not exactly conducive to coding elaborate traps.”
~
Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris
St Oswald’s is an old, long-established boys’ grammar school. A new term has begun and the elderly eccentric Latin teacher Roy Straitley is looking forward to it. But something is amiss. Someone who eyes St Oswald’s with hostile scrutiny has arrived under false pretences. St Oswald’s failed to live up to their impossible expectations and now they’re on a mission to bring down the school that filled them with embittered rejection and dead-eyed contempt.
The St Oswald’s lot are widely disdainful of the local working class oiks unaware that such distain is behind the personality and motivation of their persecutor. This is a deliciously dark tale of poignant pretension, base instincts and ruthless logic. There is a twist that delves into the psychosocial factors of the persecutor and gives new meaning to the social cachet that the St Oswald’s mob take for granted. This was excellent.
Best Lines:
“Halfwit Jimmy.”
“Looking criminal, as most men do when seen on the front page of a newspaper.”