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Monday, January 6, 2014

The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos


The Scar Boys
 
The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos

Expected publication: January 21st 2014 by Egmont USA

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

“I’m ugly and shy and my face, head, and neck are covered with hideous scars.  I was almost struck by lightning.  I wish I had been struck by lightning.  I was a methadone addict before the age of 10.  It’s my fault that my best friend almost got killed.  I played guitar in the greatest punk rock band you’ve never heard of.  And that was all before my 19th birthday, which isn’t for another five months.”
 
Harry was tied up to a tree by some bullies and left there.  The only problem was that a lightning storm had just started.  At age 8, Harry was struck by lightning and was burned severely.  Since that moment he has been the resident freak at school, lonely, and uninspired by life… that is until he meets Johnny.  Johnny is a popular boy in their middle school, who one day stands up for him and takes him under his wing.  Together they start up a band, The Scar Boys, in high school and slowly Harry realizes that he is holding himself back from living.  Harry also realizes that Johnny might not have his best interest at heart. 

I really liked the story and the direction it took towards the end… sorry Johnny, I guess you will see how life has been for Harry all this time.  I wish there was more time with Harry, but seeing how he was able to process that changes within him in this short read, it is okay that there wasn’t more to the story (the story is short due to the fact that this is Harry reflecting on his life for a college essay.)  I found this to be a complex, compelling, and bittersweet.  If you are looking for a real-fic book with social issues and a main character that is easy to feel for, this is the book for you.

Thank You Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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