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The Merciless King of Moore High
When the adults of Brockton, Connecticut, morphed into gigantic, bloodthirsty monsters nine months ago, the students at Jefferson High barricaded themselves inside their school.
Now eighteen-year-old Kay Kim is one of the Student Council members trying to keep her classmates from starving. Kay has no poker face and can't keep her mouth shut when she knows she's right, so when she accidentally learns a secret that threatens the delicate power balance at Jefferson, she's dragged out of the school in the dead of night and dumped in the middle of town in a secret assassination attempt.
But when a raiding party of cheerleaders from crosstown rival Moore High comes to her rescue, Kay finds herself among ruthless, hard-partying road warriors who have adopted the feudal trappings of a once-popular video game. Life at Moore is violent and cliquish, but everyone is thriving. Everyone, that is, who survives the kingdom's periodic monster hunts.
For Moore's beloved King Max demands only two absolute fealty and that everyone at Moore help kill the "dragons." If Kay wants to survive, she must be granted asylum at Moore–which means slaying dragons, not asking the wrong questions, and navigating the rival factions, love triangles, and political intrigues at court.
But when Kay discovers a deadly secret that reaches all the way to Jefferson, her inability to hide the truth might spark the revolution that burns both schools to the ground.
Now eighteen-year-old Kay Kim is one of the Student Council members trying to keep her classmates from starving. Kay has no poker face and can't keep her mouth shut when she knows she's right, so when she accidentally learns a secret that threatens the delicate power balance at Jefferson, she's dragged out of the school in the dead of night and dumped in the middle of town in a secret assassination attempt.
But when a raiding party of cheerleaders from crosstown rival Moore High comes to her rescue, Kay finds herself among ruthless, hard-partying road warriors who have adopted the feudal trappings of a once-popular video game. Life at Moore is violent and cliquish, but everyone is thriving. Everyone, that is, who survives the kingdom's periodic monster hunts.
For Moore's beloved King Max demands only two absolute fealty and that everyone at Moore help kill the "dragons." If Kay wants to survive, she must be granted asylum at Moore–which means slaying dragons, not asking the wrong questions, and navigating the rival factions, love triangles, and political intrigues at court.
But when Kay discovers a deadly secret that reaches all the way to Jefferson, her inability to hide the truth might spark the revolution that burns both schools to the ground.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2024
21 people are currently reading
4031 people want to read
About the author
Lily Sparks
6 books229 followersBorn in Norwalk Connecticut, started my career in Los Angeles. Hid out in the mountains for a while, now I'm setting down roots by the beach.
Telling stories is what I do to be happy and help make sense of the world.
I hope you have as much fun reading my books as I do writing them.
Telling stories is what I do to be happy and help make sense of the world.
I hope you have as much fun reading my books as I do writing them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
August 11, 2024
If you like this book, tell someone to check it out! There is a lot more of this story to tell, but that depends on if there's enough demand, so please share this book with people who will get it.
The AUDIOBOOK of MKMH comes out 8/27/24!
And the VIDEO GAME is out NOW for Windows, Mac & Android! (iOS coming soon!)-- if you think you could do better than King Max at leading a post-apocalyptic high school cut in a world filled with flesh-eating dragons, you can play through the book's premise on MERCY right now : https://ebbenflow.itch.io/mercy
The AUDIOBOOK of MKMH comes out 8/27/24!
And the VIDEO GAME is out NOW for Windows, Mac & Android! (iOS coming soon!)-- if you think you could do better than King Max at leading a post-apocalyptic high school cut in a world filled with flesh-eating dragons, you can play through the book's premise on MERCY right now : https://ebbenflow.itch.io/mercy
December 19, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and North Star Editions for the ARC!
Thoughts I had while reading :
this book is CRAZY I need a sequel now.
- I loveee how this started I feel like a TON of dystopian/fantasy books start with exposition and I really enjoyed how we jumped right into the interesting part that’s in the synopsis
- From the dam to the beach, Brockton will be free 🍉
- The love triangle is boring I’m way more into the political lines drawn between rooms and cliques and such !! Wish that got more (all) the page space
- Using food as a scare tactic yup !
- Re: love triangle every interaction between Kay and Leo or Kay and Brick is soooo cliche and I roll my eyes !!
- Let teenagers swear ! Especially in an apocalypse!!!
- Merlin the girl wizard is gay, yippee !!
- Genuinely idk who to trust or who is a “good guy” and that hasn’t happened in a book in a long time
- This plot is so BUILT. it makes sense. It’s linear. Genuinely it’s complicated but so smart and well done.
- There’s so many characters but they feel different. I remember who they are. That’s pretty big for such a large cast
- Kind of obsessed that this author will straight up kill her characters ! Props for that
- EPILOGUE? No. I need another book
Final thoughts
- I actually,,, kind of like the love triangle now. Because it’s not a love triangle. It’s a political mess and I’m here for it
- I’m dead serious about needing a sequel and genuinely I wish I could beta read for it or at the very least get the next one as an ARC too
One of my favorite books I’ve read this year
Thoughts I had while reading :
this book is CRAZY I need a sequel now.
- I loveee how this started I feel like a TON of dystopian/fantasy books start with exposition and I really enjoyed how we jumped right into the interesting part that’s in the synopsis
- From the dam to the beach, Brockton will be free 🍉
- The love triangle is boring I’m way more into the political lines drawn between rooms and cliques and such !! Wish that got more (all) the page space
- Using food as a scare tactic yup !
- Re: love triangle every interaction between Kay and Leo or Kay and Brick is soooo cliche and I roll my eyes !!
- Let teenagers swear ! Especially in an apocalypse!!!
- Merlin the girl wizard is gay, yippee !!
- Genuinely idk who to trust or who is a “good guy” and that hasn’t happened in a book in a long time
- This plot is so BUILT. it makes sense. It’s linear. Genuinely it’s complicated but so smart and well done.
- There’s so many characters but they feel different. I remember who they are. That’s pretty big for such a large cast
- Kind of obsessed that this author will straight up kill her characters ! Props for that
- EPILOGUE? No. I need another book
Final thoughts
- I actually,,, kind of like the love triangle now. Because it’s not a love triangle. It’s a political mess and I’m here for it
- I’m dead serious about needing a sequel and genuinely I wish I could beta read for it or at the very least get the next one as an ARC too
One of my favorite books I’ve read this year
December 14, 2023
Wow! What a great way to end off my 2023 Goodreads reading goal! (Even though this book doesn't actually come out until 2024)
The Merciless King of Moore High is a fresh take on a YA post-apocalyptic story with the feels of the classics from 2010. This is like Divergent meets Gone with a twist of role-playing games. In the city of Brockton, (and likely everywhere else), the adults have all turned into monstrous creatures and all that's left are the young adults who have divided into factions bases on their high schools. Kay is tossed out of her high school and gets picked up by Moore High which has learned to survive by treating the world as a fantasy game ruled by King Max.
This book has it all: mystery, adventure, teen drama, plotting and romance. It's like the Gossip Girl of post-apocalyptic survival and you definitely need it on your TBR for 2024.
The Merciless King of Moore High is a fresh take on a YA post-apocalyptic story with the feels of the classics from 2010. This is like Divergent meets Gone with a twist of role-playing games. In the city of Brockton, (and likely everywhere else), the adults have all turned into monstrous creatures and all that's left are the young adults who have divided into factions bases on their high schools. Kay is tossed out of her high school and gets picked up by Moore High which has learned to survive by treating the world as a fantasy game ruled by King Max.
This book has it all: mystery, adventure, teen drama, plotting and romance. It's like the Gossip Girl of post-apocalyptic survival and you definitely need it on your TBR for 2024.
May 7, 2024
The Merciless King of Moore High by Lily Sparks was a joy to read. Captivating at every turn, it never lagged and had excellent pacing. But where it truly shines is its entirely unique premise. Going in knowing the success of Lily Sparks’ previous series, I was concerned that we’d see a similar cast of characters with names switched around. We see this too often with authors who have had success in the past, and I was worried that the titular character King Max would just be Erik from Teen Killers in a crown. This couldn’t have been further from the truth.
This book cemented Lily Sparks, in my mind, as an automatic buy for me. Anything she writes, I will purchase and tirelessly recommend to others. Sparks is a breath of fresh air in YA fiction, a much-needed voice who doesn’t pull her punches for the audience’s comfort but still manages to write the stories of survivors (of various types of abuse, sexual assault, etc.) with respect and verisimilitude. I can’t wait to see what she writes in the future.
This book cemented Lily Sparks, in my mind, as an automatic buy for me. Anything she writes, I will purchase and tirelessly recommend to others. Sparks is a breath of fresh air in YA fiction, a much-needed voice who doesn’t pull her punches for the audience’s comfort but still manages to write the stories of survivors (of various types of abuse, sexual assault, etc.) with respect and verisimilitude. I can’t wait to see what she writes in the future.
December 10, 2023
This book was strange, intriguing and magnetic. I was giddy with the the “what the actual hell?!!” feelings it gave me. One of my favorite genres of media is an apocalyptic / lord of the flies / end of the world type story. Not sure what this says about me, but all things aside this book is ALL OF THAT WRAPPED IN A BIG BOW.
In the town of Brockton Connecticut, all of the adults morph together into bloodthirsty monsters and all of the teenagers are holed up in their high schools trying to survive. One of the schools is on the brink of starvation while the other has flourished into a shocking royal hierarchy with a king, dukes & wizards. Our story starts when one character crosses over into the opposite world causing a chain reaction of events (read: every single twist and turn is CRAZY)
This was my first read by Lily Sparks (and my first ever ARC!!) and it did not disappoint!!! I want to read all of her books now!! So grateful for the chance to read this one!
In the town of Brockton Connecticut, all of the adults morph together into bloodthirsty monsters and all of the teenagers are holed up in their high schools trying to survive. One of the schools is on the brink of starvation while the other has flourished into a shocking royal hierarchy with a king, dukes & wizards. Our story starts when one character crosses over into the opposite world causing a chain reaction of events (read: every single twist and turn is CRAZY)
This was my first read by Lily Sparks (and my first ever ARC!!) and it did not disappoint!!! I want to read all of her books now!! So grateful for the chance to read this one!
November 13, 2023
I unhinged my jaw and swallowed this book whole. Once again, Lily Sparks has written the kind of book that made me fall in love with reading in the first place. This story is so daringly griping and brutal, that it's impossible to put down.
This feels like Euphoria meets Game Of Thrones in the most interesting way possible. The political intrigue and the backdoor scheming everyone seems to be pulling are much more vibrant and angst-riddled with the high schools as the backdrop.
Loved this so much, and crossing my fingers for a sequel!
This feels like Euphoria meets Game Of Thrones in the most interesting way possible. The political intrigue and the backdoor scheming everyone seems to be pulling are much more vibrant and angst-riddled with the high schools as the backdrop.
Loved this so much, and crossing my fingers for a sequel!
April 3, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Flux for the eARC.
CONTENT WARNING: blood, death, gore, body horror, alcohol and drug use.
OMG.
Lily Sparks has done it again, she wrote a book (the first of a new series, I hope!) that captured and captivated me within its pages from the beginning - so much so that I devoured it (pass me the term here because it takes on a rather macabre meaning given the contents of the book) in just two days because I couldn't tear myself away from the story and the characters.
I was attracted to this book primarily because it's written by Lily Sparks, who also wrote one of my favorite books of all time (Teen Killers Club) and gave me one of the most psychopathic and attractive bookish boyfriends ever (hi, Erik), but also because the high school setting where the kids barricade themselves inside to hide from bloodthirsty monsters reminded me of another of my all-time favorite books written by one of my all-time favorite authors: This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers.
But there are no zombies here, there is much more - and we never really know everything, we don't know why and we don't know how, but all the adults have turned into monsters and I won't say anything else so as not to ruin the surprise for you. Kay, the protagonist, tells us little or nothing because she is clearly traumatized, but we see some things about the day that changed everyone's lives forever through the points of view of other characters.
After a trilogy like Teen Killers Club, there was the risk that some characters would end up resembling others - but that's not the case. Kay is not Signal, the titular King is not Erik, none of the male characters are Javier, and none of the female characters are Jada. But the way I was involved with all of them was the same.
The story begins exactly how the plot tells us: Kay is out of school, exiled in a coup for something she discovered, in the middle of nowhere and at the mercy of the monsters - the Growns, as Jefferson calls them. But a group of girls saves her and takes her to the other school in town, Moore High. In addition to being surprised that she and her classmates are not the only survivors, she is also amazed by the way they are all healthy and not starving like them at Jefferson. But what leaves her most dismayed of all is the difference between the two schools: while Jefferson has adopted a policy of seriousness, rationality and no nonsense where everything is discussed and approved or not by the Student Council during public assemblies, the Moore lives as if they were still in the Middle Ages based on an old video game - the boy who first killed a dragon is King, his best friend Captain of the Guards, the other friends Knights, the girl who takes care of treating the wounded calls herself Wizard Merlin and the rest of the school each occupies a room with a name defining their clan and they all form the King's court.
King Max doesn't trust Kay right away, believing her to be a spy and therefore entrusts her to the custody of his best friend - and if Kay wants to gain trust and asylum at Moore, she must train and go out with the others in the next Expansion to kill a dragon. If this doesn't kill her first.
And, between one training session and another, one driving lesson and another, she discovers that not everyone is loyal to the King and that there is a faction just waiting for the right opportunity to rebel against tyranny. But she also discovers something that links both schools and Kay, who is incapable of lying, must now guard the biggest secret of all.
What else could I tell you? I can't say more.
I can't tell you the names of the other characters because I risk spoiling big things and I certainly don't want to.
I can tell you that I turned my nose up at the idea of a love triangle, but in reality the triangle never comes together because of the feelings that two of the people involved have for other people and because in the end it was just part of a political intrigue.
I can tell you that it is difficult to identify a real villain within these pages because everyone thinks they are doing the best for their people, but then you see how the new reality they are forced to live in has brought significant changes in their personality. So yes, maybe in the end someone really is a villain.
I can tell you that the skepticism felt by Kay in having to bow before the King when the King in question is a boy of her age - and when in her school everything is decided together after being the subject of a discussion - is also real for the reader. But then the story moves forward and you understand why everyone has adopted that lifestyle - whether it's out of desperation, hope or because everyone else has already done it, but believing in something, believing in the power to defeat "dragons", gave all of them at Moore a purpose and the desire to continue living.
I can tell you that you will never be bored because there are twists and turns on almost every page, court intrigues, shadowy plots, changes of alliances, duels and betrayals - you'll be anxious sometimes.
I can tell you not to get attached to anyone because Lily Sparks - as I already knew - is not afraid to kill her characters if it serves the story. And I still cry when I think about a certain death in this book.
I can tell you that I loved Brick.
I can tell you that, although the story has its own conclusion, as was the case with Teen Killers Club there is still a lot of space, a lot of margin, a lot of unknown to explore and the story can only grow - this pun too refers to the content of the novel.
I can tell you that the epilogue is something illegal and that leaves the reader astonished because it does not coincide with what was known before about the Growns - or dragons, as you prefer. So we need other answers to just as many questions.
So Lily, give us a sequel!
CONTENT WARNING: blood, death, gore, body horror, alcohol and drug use.
OMG.
Lily Sparks has done it again, she wrote a book (the first of a new series, I hope!) that captured and captivated me within its pages from the beginning - so much so that I devoured it (pass me the term here because it takes on a rather macabre meaning given the contents of the book) in just two days because I couldn't tear myself away from the story and the characters.
I was attracted to this book primarily because it's written by Lily Sparks, who also wrote one of my favorite books of all time (Teen Killers Club) and gave me one of the most psychopathic and attractive bookish boyfriends ever (hi, Erik), but also because the high school setting where the kids barricade themselves inside to hide from bloodthirsty monsters reminded me of another of my all-time favorite books written by one of my all-time favorite authors: This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers.
But there are no zombies here, there is much more - and we never really know everything, we don't know why and we don't know how, but all the adults have turned into monsters and I won't say anything else so as not to ruin the surprise for you. Kay, the protagonist, tells us little or nothing because she is clearly traumatized, but we see some things about the day that changed everyone's lives forever through the points of view of other characters.
After a trilogy like Teen Killers Club, there was the risk that some characters would end up resembling others - but that's not the case. Kay is not Signal, the titular King is not Erik, none of the male characters are Javier, and none of the female characters are Jada. But the way I was involved with all of them was the same.
The story begins exactly how the plot tells us: Kay is out of school, exiled in a coup for something she discovered, in the middle of nowhere and at the mercy of the monsters - the Growns, as Jefferson calls them. But a group of girls saves her and takes her to the other school in town, Moore High. In addition to being surprised that she and her classmates are not the only survivors, she is also amazed by the way they are all healthy and not starving like them at Jefferson. But what leaves her most dismayed of all is the difference between the two schools: while Jefferson has adopted a policy of seriousness, rationality and no nonsense where everything is discussed and approved or not by the Student Council during public assemblies, the Moore lives as if they were still in the Middle Ages based on an old video game - the boy who first killed a dragon is King, his best friend Captain of the Guards, the other friends Knights, the girl who takes care of treating the wounded calls herself Wizard Merlin and the rest of the school each occupies a room with a name defining their clan and they all form the King's court.
King Max doesn't trust Kay right away, believing her to be a spy and therefore entrusts her to the custody of his best friend - and if Kay wants to gain trust and asylum at Moore, she must train and go out with the others in the next Expansion to kill a dragon. If this doesn't kill her first.
And, between one training session and another, one driving lesson and another, she discovers that not everyone is loyal to the King and that there is a faction just waiting for the right opportunity to rebel against tyranny. But she also discovers something that links both schools and Kay, who is incapable of lying, must now guard the biggest secret of all.
What else could I tell you? I can't say more.
I can't tell you the names of the other characters because I risk spoiling big things and I certainly don't want to.
I can tell you that I turned my nose up at the idea of a love triangle, but in reality the triangle never comes together because of the feelings that two of the people involved have for other people and because in the end it was just part of a political intrigue.
I can tell you that it is difficult to identify a real villain within these pages because everyone thinks they are doing the best for their people, but then you see how the new reality they are forced to live in has brought significant changes in their personality. So yes, maybe in the end someone really is a villain.
I can tell you that the skepticism felt by Kay in having to bow before the King when the King in question is a boy of her age - and when in her school everything is decided together after being the subject of a discussion - is also real for the reader. But then the story moves forward and you understand why everyone has adopted that lifestyle - whether it's out of desperation, hope or because everyone else has already done it, but believing in something, believing in the power to defeat "dragons", gave all of them at Moore a purpose and the desire to continue living.
I can tell you that you will never be bored because there are twists and turns on almost every page, court intrigues, shadowy plots, changes of alliances, duels and betrayals - you'll be anxious sometimes.
I can tell you not to get attached to anyone because Lily Sparks - as I already knew - is not afraid to kill her characters if it serves the story. And I still cry when I think about a certain death in this book.
I can tell you that I loved Brick.
I can tell you that, although the story has its own conclusion, as was the case with Teen Killers Club there is still a lot of space, a lot of margin, a lot of unknown to explore and the story can only grow - this pun too refers to the content of the novel.
I can tell you that the epilogue is something illegal and that leaves the reader astonished because it does not coincide with what was known before about the Growns - or dragons, as you prefer. So we need other answers to just as many questions.
So Lily, give us a sequel!
March 10, 2025
Really cool concept, unfortunately plagued by really annoying characters.
We had some good stuff here! All the adults in the world turn into monsters, leaving the teenagers trapped in their high schools facing the end of the world? One high school forms a corrupt democracy on the brink of collapse, another turns into a chaotic fantasy style monarchy? Genius.
But then you make me wade through pages and pages of the most meaningless drama imaginable. I had to pause the audiobook several times to take a deep breath every time Kay said or did something egregiously stupid. However, the last half of the book was much stronger than the first. It veered on the edge of convoluted and incoherent with all its random twists and turns, but the action made it infinitely more interesting than the melodrama of the first half.
I will say, part of my issue was definitely with the audiobook narrator. Everything she said either sounded incredulous or on the verge of tears, which made Kay feel even more incompetent and whiny than she already was. I stopped listening to the audiobook halfway through and switched to a physical copy of the book, and ended up enjoying it more.
The style of this book is very much 2014 era Wattpad. Interesting and unique plots, immature and unpolished writing. Give me 20% less teenage love triangles and 20% more post-apocalyptic teenage politics and I would be pretty happy with it.
We had some good stuff here! All the adults in the world turn into monsters, leaving the teenagers trapped in their high schools facing the end of the world? One high school forms a corrupt democracy on the brink of collapse, another turns into a chaotic fantasy style monarchy? Genius.
But then you make me wade through pages and pages of the most meaningless drama imaginable. I had to pause the audiobook several times to take a deep breath every time Kay said or did something egregiously stupid. However, the last half of the book was much stronger than the first. It veered on the edge of convoluted and incoherent with all its random twists and turns, but the action made it infinitely more interesting than the melodrama of the first half.
I will say, part of my issue was definitely with the audiobook narrator. Everything she said either sounded incredulous or on the verge of tears, which made Kay feel even more incompetent and whiny than she already was. I stopped listening to the audiobook halfway through and switched to a physical copy of the book, and ended up enjoying it more.
The style of this book is very much 2014 era Wattpad. Interesting and unique plots, immature and unpolished writing. Give me 20% less teenage love triangles and 20% more post-apocalyptic teenage politics and I would be pretty happy with it.
May 25, 2024
Welp this hit the spot for a very fun read with a surprising amount of substance. I never knew what twist was coming next. Absolutely off the wall and hilarious one minute, terrifying the next.
August 28, 2024
what in the 3 am fever dream is this
January 3, 2024
ENGLISH
It is an intriguing and somewhat strange book, bizarre in some ways and interesting in others. It's between Hell Followed With Us and The Hunger Games for me! If anyone likes both books, I think this will be a very interesting read and you will love it.
It's got intrigue, gore, political/teen romance drama, and LOTS OF PLOT TWIST!
I'm not going to lie, I would have liked to know more about what happened in the Before or to show us some more specific things about the moment when the adults became monsters and the world began its apocalypse but I think that is a plus.
It's understandable that the protagonists did not want to relive those moments.
What intrigued me most about the story was the psychology behind the Moore High kids. While everyone at Jefferson takes it very literally, the characters at Moore High try to survive the disastrous events using a kind of fantasy mask to cope with them. At first the terms they used bothered me, but as I read and understood their ideology, I realized that these kids needed to believe it to not go crazy. The author, in my opinion, explored that side of the story very well.
On the other hand, the romance between Kay and Bricks or Kay and Leo did not catch my attention too much, I would have loved that kind of drama where there are love triangles in a dystopia years ago but I have read so many that now they do not catch my attention. Mind you, reading Kay's POV was refreshing because honestly, that girl is a mess and made me worry about her many times.
Overall it was a good read and I do recommend it 👌🏻.
ESPAÑOL
Es un libro intrigante y medio extraño, bizarro en algunas cosas e interesantes en otras. Está entre Hell Followed With Us y The Hunger Games para mí! Si a alguien le gusta ambos libros, creo que este será una lectura muy interesante y les encantará.
Tiene intriga, gore, drama político y de romance adolescente y UN MONTÓN DE PLOT TWIST!
No voy a mentir, me hubiera gustado saber más sobre lo que pasó en el Antes o que nos mostraran algunas cosas más especificas de el momento en que los adultos se convirtieron en monstruos y el mundo empezó con su apocalipsis pero creo que, dentro de lo que cabe, es comprensible que los protagonistas no quisieran revivir esos momentos.
Lo que más me intrigó de la historia fue la psicología detrás de los chicos de Moore High. Mientras en Jefferson todos se lo toman de forma muy literal, los personajes de Moore High intentan sobrevivir a los desastrosos eventos usando una especie de mascara fantasiosa para poder sobrellevarlos.
Al principio me molestaban los términos que usaban pero conforme fui leyendo y entendiendo su ideología, me di cuenta que estos chicos necesitaban creerla para no volverse locos. La autora, en mi opinión, exploró muy bien ese lado de la historia.
Por otra parte, el romance entre Kay y Bricks o Kay y Leo no me llamó demasiado la atención, esa clase de drama donde hay triangulos amorosos en una distopía me habría encantado hace años pero he leído tantas que ahora no me llaman la atención.
Eso sí, leer el POV de Kay fue refrescante porque, honestamente, esa chica es un desastre y muchas veces me hizo preocuparme por ella.
En general fue una buena lectura y sí la recomiendo 👌🏻.
It is an intriguing and somewhat strange book, bizarre in some ways and interesting in others. It's between Hell Followed With Us and The Hunger Games for me! If anyone likes both books, I think this will be a very interesting read and you will love it.
It's got intrigue, gore, political/teen romance drama, and LOTS OF PLOT TWIST!
I'm not going to lie, I would have liked to know more about what happened in the Before or to show us some more specific things about the moment when the adults became monsters and the world began its apocalypse but I think that is a plus.
It's understandable that the protagonists did not want to relive those moments.
What intrigued me most about the story was the psychology behind the Moore High kids. While everyone at Jefferson takes it very literally, the characters at Moore High try to survive the disastrous events using a kind of fantasy mask to cope with them. At first the terms they used bothered me, but as I read and understood their ideology, I realized that these kids needed to believe it to not go crazy. The author, in my opinion, explored that side of the story very well.
On the other hand, the romance between Kay and Bricks or Kay and Leo did not catch my attention too much, I would have loved that kind of drama where there are love triangles in a dystopia years ago but I have read so many that now they do not catch my attention. Mind you, reading Kay's POV was refreshing because honestly, that girl is a mess and made me worry about her many times.
Overall it was a good read and I do recommend it 👌🏻.
ESPAÑOL
Es un libro intrigante y medio extraño, bizarro en algunas cosas e interesantes en otras. Está entre Hell Followed With Us y The Hunger Games para mí! Si a alguien le gusta ambos libros, creo que este será una lectura muy interesante y les encantará.
Tiene intriga, gore, drama político y de romance adolescente y UN MONTÓN DE PLOT TWIST!
No voy a mentir, me hubiera gustado saber más sobre lo que pasó en el Antes o que nos mostraran algunas cosas más especificas de el momento en que los adultos se convirtieron en monstruos y el mundo empezó con su apocalipsis pero creo que, dentro de lo que cabe, es comprensible que los protagonistas no quisieran revivir esos momentos.
Lo que más me intrigó de la historia fue la psicología detrás de los chicos de Moore High. Mientras en Jefferson todos se lo toman de forma muy literal, los personajes de Moore High intentan sobrevivir a los desastrosos eventos usando una especie de mascara fantasiosa para poder sobrellevarlos.
Al principio me molestaban los términos que usaban pero conforme fui leyendo y entendiendo su ideología, me di cuenta que estos chicos necesitaban creerla para no volverse locos. La autora, en mi opinión, exploró muy bien ese lado de la historia.
Por otra parte, el romance entre Kay y Bricks o Kay y Leo no me llamó demasiado la atención, esa clase de drama donde hay triangulos amorosos en una distopía me habría encantado hace años pero he leído tantas que ahora no me llaman la atención.
Eso sí, leer el POV de Kay fue refrescante porque, honestamente, esa chica es un desastre y muchas veces me hizo preocuparme por ella.
En general fue una buena lectura y sí la recomiendo 👌🏻.
November 27, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
The Merciless King of Moore High by Lily Sparks is the Ren-Faire love child of the Netflix shows Daybreak and The Society.
It is an apocalyptic survival story, rom-com, and action/adventure with equal parts teen-drama, politics, and body-horror. If that seems like a lot of proverbial plates to keep spinning, fear not- Sparks handles them all masterfully.
The novel starts out in media res after all the adults in town (and presumably the world) have dropped dead and melded into bloodthirsty monsters leaving only teenagers stranded in their high schools. The action and intrigue kick off right away with the protagonist, Kay, being rescued after her exile from Jefferson High. I was immediately hooked, and my interest after meeting the cheerleaders, Brick, and the titular King Max, did not lag.
While the entire premise of all the adult corpses morphing together like a rotting megazord that brings about a Lord of the Flies-esque apocalypse is fantastical, and that one school was able to create a “Spring Break” paradise on the ashes of civilization is, dare I say it, less likely, there were moments within all the zany fun that rang true to me. Kay and Nirali especially had real moments of grief for the people that they had lost before the world as they knew it ended, and I wish there had been more glimpses of that.
It is, however, refreshing for a dystopian novel to have a main character who isn’t naturally gifted at everything after one training session. Kay has her skills, but is not enveloped in plot armour. She is relatable, and a character I found myself rooting for. In fact, all of the characters were multifaceted- the villains weren’t comically evil, and the heroes weren’t incorruptibly good- which made all the reveals along the way surprising, and kept me wondering who we could really trust.
There are some topics, like murder, starvation, familial death, and suicidal ideation, that might be upsetting for some readers, but I have still pre-ordered it for my library and will be promoting it with the same fervor I promote Teen Killers Club.
If you liked Lily Sparks’ Teen Killers Club trilogy, this is a departure from that, for sure, but still has a lot of “Teen Killers” heart shining through. I am rating this book 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars, and all I can say is there BETTER BE A SEQUEL!
The Merciless King of Moore High by Lily Sparks is the Ren-Faire love child of the Netflix shows Daybreak and The Society.
It is an apocalyptic survival story, rom-com, and action/adventure with equal parts teen-drama, politics, and body-horror. If that seems like a lot of proverbial plates to keep spinning, fear not- Sparks handles them all masterfully.
The novel starts out in media res after all the adults in town (and presumably the world) have dropped dead and melded into bloodthirsty monsters leaving only teenagers stranded in their high schools. The action and intrigue kick off right away with the protagonist, Kay, being rescued after her exile from Jefferson High. I was immediately hooked, and my interest after meeting the cheerleaders, Brick, and the titular King Max, did not lag.
While the entire premise of all the adult corpses morphing together like a rotting megazord that brings about a Lord of the Flies-esque apocalypse is fantastical, and that one school was able to create a “Spring Break” paradise on the ashes of civilization is, dare I say it, less likely, there were moments within all the zany fun that rang true to me. Kay and Nirali especially had real moments of grief for the people that they had lost before the world as they knew it ended, and I wish there had been more glimpses of that.
It is, however, refreshing for a dystopian novel to have a main character who isn’t naturally gifted at everything after one training session. Kay has her skills, but is not enveloped in plot armour. She is relatable, and a character I found myself rooting for. In fact, all of the characters were multifaceted- the villains weren’t comically evil, and the heroes weren’t incorruptibly good- which made all the reveals along the way surprising, and kept me wondering who we could really trust.
There are some topics, like murder, starvation, familial death, and suicidal ideation, that might be upsetting for some readers, but I have still pre-ordered it for my library and will be promoting it with the same fervor I promote Teen Killers Club.
If you liked Lily Sparks’ Teen Killers Club trilogy, this is a departure from that, for sure, but still has a lot of “Teen Killers” heart shining through. I am rating this book 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars, and all I can say is there BETTER BE A SEQUEL!
December 14, 2023
This book is pure chaos and I LOVED it!
Lily Sparks can have the most unhinged plots and craziest group of characters and nails the execution perfectly EVERY SINGLE TIME!
We follow two rivaling groups of teenagers, when their Connecticut town becomes home to monsters. All the adults have changed into grotesque and bloodthirsty monsters and all the kids take up residency in the schools… Kay has been exiled from Jefferson High, just left behind by her people. So she makes her way over to their rival, Moore High, where their King Max rules with a vengeance.
The characters in this book are just freaking wild! They are so over the top and simultaneously, incredibly realistic. The shenanigans they get up to are just mind boggling, but what would you do if EVERY adult was a monstrous creature? Their systems of politics and hierarchy and so intricate, which cracked me up.
I had to keep reminding myself that these are just kids, and that some of them long for their parents and the way things were before. There is fear of the inability to sustain life. There are all of the major contenders to think about in any post apocalyptic situation, like food!!
There is such ingrained humor to this book, while still giving you high stakes intensity. We get secrets, betrayal, romance, and TONS of action. This book is pretty epic! I enjoyed myself through every single minute.
Lily Sparks can have the most unhinged plots and craziest group of characters and nails the execution perfectly EVERY SINGLE TIME!
We follow two rivaling groups of teenagers, when their Connecticut town becomes home to monsters. All the adults have changed into grotesque and bloodthirsty monsters and all the kids take up residency in the schools… Kay has been exiled from Jefferson High, just left behind by her people. So she makes her way over to their rival, Moore High, where their King Max rules with a vengeance.
The characters in this book are just freaking wild! They are so over the top and simultaneously, incredibly realistic. The shenanigans they get up to are just mind boggling, but what would you do if EVERY adult was a monstrous creature? Their systems of politics and hierarchy and so intricate, which cracked me up.
I had to keep reminding myself that these are just kids, and that some of them long for their parents and the way things were before. There is fear of the inability to sustain life. There are all of the major contenders to think about in any post apocalyptic situation, like food!!
There is such ingrained humor to this book, while still giving you high stakes intensity. We get secrets, betrayal, romance, and TONS of action. This book is pretty epic! I enjoyed myself through every single minute.
January 31, 2024
So. This is both fantastic and a little clunky.
I immediately saw the book's cover and fell in love. It's based on my favourite tarot card, so how could I not? Next, the description! It reads like the Walking Dead meets a teen drama, and that's EXACTLY what this is.
The book grabs you right from the beginning and pulls you along with it. It's got a great pace, and you're immediately drawn into the horrific world the teens find themselves in. It would have been nice to have a little more world building -- the monsters are just there with no interest, theorisation or explanation. It sets them as a mechanic to cause horror and ensure the world they're in is cut off from everyone else.
For the characters, they were great, there were no totally overdone tropes, but the book did try to fit a LOT in within a short about of time. This feels like it would have sat better broken into a series. There was the introduction of different POVs a bit far into the book, which felt jarring. The book also ended on a way that I didn't feel satisfied with, it felt a bit too unresolved.
The queer rep is one of the pseudo-main characters has a something with another woman. It's main, but would have liked to pull at that thread more.
Did I enjoy reading it? Yes. Would I recommend it for everyone? No. Would I recommend it for fans of teen horror? 100%.
I immediately saw the book's cover and fell in love. It's based on my favourite tarot card, so how could I not? Next, the description! It reads like the Walking Dead meets a teen drama, and that's EXACTLY what this is.
The book grabs you right from the beginning and pulls you along with it. It's got a great pace, and you're immediately drawn into the horrific world the teens find themselves in. It would have been nice to have a little more world building -- the monsters are just there with no interest, theorisation or explanation. It sets them as a mechanic to cause horror and ensure the world they're in is cut off from everyone else.
For the characters, they were great, there were no totally overdone tropes, but the book did try to fit a LOT in within a short about of time. This feels like it would have sat better broken into a series. There was the introduction of different POVs a bit far into the book, which felt jarring. The book also ended on a way that I didn't feel satisfied with, it felt a bit too unresolved.
The queer rep is one of the pseudo-main characters has a something with another woman. It's main, but would have liked to pull at that thread more.
Did I enjoy reading it? Yes. Would I recommend it for everyone? No. Would I recommend it for fans of teen horror? 100%.
October 9, 2024
It’s tough to really invent something new in the YA Dystopia subgenre anymore, but Lily Sparks has done exactly that here in this fun and original story.
Part monster dystopia and part modern day Lord of the Flies, this is a terrific story about who winds up in charge when all the adults are, um, absorbed into enormous, murderous monsters.
If that sounds kinda bonkers that’s because it is, but in the best possible way. There’s a good balance of action and menace with social hierarchy and politics, and of course, the age old idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Suffice it to say that the actual monsters aren’t the only monsters in town.
I can’t stress enough how much we NEED a sequel to this one, so I hope this excellent story gets the attention it deserves. It’s sweet and funny and never tips over into the saccharine, and it avoids the whiny angst that we too often get in YA fantasies. This one really made me care about its world and its characters, and I need to know what happens to them after the concluding chapters of this book.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Part monster dystopia and part modern day Lord of the Flies, this is a terrific story about who winds up in charge when all the adults are, um, absorbed into enormous, murderous monsters.
If that sounds kinda bonkers that’s because it is, but in the best possible way. There’s a good balance of action and menace with social hierarchy and politics, and of course, the age old idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Suffice it to say that the actual monsters aren’t the only monsters in town.
I can’t stress enough how much we NEED a sequel to this one, so I hope this excellent story gets the attention it deserves. It’s sweet and funny and never tips over into the saccharine, and it avoids the whiny angst that we too often get in YA fantasies. This one really made me care about its world and its characters, and I need to know what happens to them after the concluding chapters of this book.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
January 6, 2024
This book was So. Good. It grabbed my attention right away and did not let go. There were so many twists and turns along the way, I was fully invested. You were never sure who you could really trust and there was so much at play. Yet, it wasn't overly complicated. Everything had a purpose and everything worked together well to make a good story. The only thing I had an issue with was that, unless I misses something, only high schoolers managed to survive into the apocalypse and they all survived within their school kingdoms. I get that older teens would've had the best chance but no middle school aged sibling made it out? No elementary kids managed? Not a one? With so much other good world building, this one little detail bugged me, but maybe that will come up in future books, because I really, REALLY hope there are future books.
4.75 Stars Rounded up
4.75 Stars Rounded up
February 10, 2024
[4.25⭐️]
What a great book!
In this world where adults transformed into gigantic monsters, the students have to survive on their own and rebuild society. The premise of the story was really interesting to me so I knew I had to read it as soon as possible.
This book is filled with political intrigues, murders, love stories, betrayals and so much more. The plot is full of twists and turns and until the end you don’t really know who to trust so you are literally glued to the pages and have to read chapter after chapter to know how the story will continue.
I was also absolutely in love with the characters, we had such a diverse cast and all of them were really well characterized, like you could actually tell them apart, something that is not at all obvious!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
What a great book!
In this world where adults transformed into gigantic monsters, the students have to survive on their own and rebuild society. The premise of the story was really interesting to me so I knew I had to read it as soon as possible.
This book is filled with political intrigues, murders, love stories, betrayals and so much more. The plot is full of twists and turns and until the end you don’t really know who to trust so you are literally glued to the pages and have to read chapter after chapter to know how the story will continue.
I was also absolutely in love with the characters, we had such a diverse cast and all of them were really well characterized, like you could actually tell them apart, something that is not at all obvious!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
January 30, 2025
Screaming from the rooftops, imploring you to read this ridiculously fun, campy book following teenagers in a dystopian world where all the adults have become dragon-like creatures they have to fight Mad Max style while also navigating their own complex personal relationships, dealing with politics, and trying to rebuild their world.
This book DELIVERED on CW realness. I feel like I just binge watched an entire season of my favorite show and want to gab to all my friends about it. I giggled and kicked my feet at the romance, gasped at all the plot twists, and was genuinely taken aback by the interesting world building. Ugh, such a good time.
If you liked Netflix’s The Society, the CW’s 100, or The Woods graphic novel series, I highly recommend it!
This book is so underrated and I actually need more people to read it because I NEED the sequel as soon as possible.
This book DELIVERED on CW realness. I feel like I just binge watched an entire season of my favorite show and want to gab to all my friends about it. I giggled and kicked my feet at the romance, gasped at all the plot twists, and was genuinely taken aback by the interesting world building. Ugh, such a good time.
If you liked Netflix’s The Society, the CW’s 100, or The Woods graphic novel series, I highly recommend it!
This book is so underrated and I actually need more people to read it because I NEED the sequel as soon as possible.
November 14, 2023
Hot dog! Was this a tense action packed ride all the way to the last page. I couldn't be more impressed by Sparks newest work. She created a world that puts most mainstream writers attempts at YA apocalypse/dystopian fiction to shame. I loved how she focused on the kids and the world they built to survive.
I would scream to the rafters if this became a TV show. Highly recommend.
Thank you to North Star Editions, Flux, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.
I would scream to the rafters if this became a TV show. Highly recommend.
Thank you to North Star Editions, Flux, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.
December 4, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.
I really wanted to like this as the concept sounded fun. But if I didn’t get this as an arc I would have DNFed.
The characters all felt fairly one-dimensional and flat. I really didn’t like Kay, who is the main character. She was whiny and disliked by those who she lives with. But nothing about her personality made her an underdog that you could root for. Rather I was shocked she was still alive with how childish and reckless she was.
The book got mildly better when we got other POVs, but the motivations behind the other characters made little sense, especially Nirali. She is meant to be a very intellectual character and one of the more mature ones, yet her actions at the end of the book are incredibly short sighted and frankly stupid.
The book did have good tone differences between our POVs and their personalities (what little we got) was clear in their chapters. I also think the idea of the Growns was very cool and honestly a horrific monster. I was the most intrigued by the Growns and how the world got that way. I would have liked more background/world building as that’s where a lot of the potential was.
I really wanted to like this as the concept sounded fun. But if I didn’t get this as an arc I would have DNFed.
The characters all felt fairly one-dimensional and flat. I really didn’t like Kay, who is the main character. She was whiny and disliked by those who she lives with. But nothing about her personality made her an underdog that you could root for. Rather I was shocked she was still alive with how childish and reckless she was.
The book got mildly better when we got other POVs, but the motivations behind the other characters made little sense, especially Nirali. She is meant to be a very intellectual character and one of the more mature ones, yet her actions at the end of the book are incredibly short sighted and frankly stupid.
The book did have good tone differences between our POVs and their personalities (what little we got) was clear in their chapters. I also think the idea of the Growns was very cool and honestly a horrific monster. I was the most intrigued by the Growns and how the world got that way. I would have liked more background/world building as that’s where a lot of the potential was.
January 9, 2024
Innovative, intense, and stuffed with awesome world building and characters, I wasn't able to put this one down. One of the most creative medievalism dystopias I've read in a while; now that's some good, good court intrigue.
May 10, 2024
this was a wild book! really well put together and interesting plot. just a little much for me but i enjoyed it
May 27, 2025
This is one of the greatest books I have ever read! I'm so glad I came across this! I can't wait for if there will be a part 2!
Read
December 17, 2025DNF at 40% .. I absolutely loved the plot here but I just couldn’t get into it. 😢
July 4, 2025
damn good book
I like the mix of teenage drama and also political intrigue that is very grounded and realistic (???)
definitely reads like it sets up for a sequel, and ya know what, I'm here for it
I like the mix of teenage drama and also political intrigue that is very grounded and realistic (???)
definitely reads like it sets up for a sequel, and ya know what, I'm here for it
July 17, 2024
This book was excellent and relentlessly fun to read. I decided that I would concentrate on YA books for vacation as an inducement to read more while sitting around, and it paid off. A kind of perfect melding and imagining the high-drama of high school and the high-stakes of having to create a society from the ruins of one that came before, it manages to be both deadly serious in its concerns and mordantly funny because teens can be painfully dumb and awful. I very much hope there's more to come--I will read them all, frankly.
November 23, 2023
All the adults are dead. The teenagers (not sure about the children?) are holed up in their various high schools, just trying to survive. But when Kay finds out a secret that leadership at Jefferson High are keeping from the populace, she is abandoned outside at the mercy of the monsters that the adults have become.
This is such a gruesome and gripping story! Loved the characters and the twists and turns and the world building ... in fact, there was nothing that I didn't love! Definitely one I'll be recommending to people.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This is such a gruesome and gripping story! Loved the characters and the twists and turns and the world building ... in fact, there was nothing that I didn't love! Definitely one I'll be recommending to people.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
January 22, 2024
Thanks for an ARC copy! I'm so happy to read this! Having just turned the last page of "The Merciless King of Moore High" by Lily Sparks, I am absolutely reeling from the experience.
From the very beginning, Sparks throws us into the deep end. There’s no tedious exposition, just an immediate plunge into the heart of a thrilling, complex plot set in a dystopian world that feels eerily tangible. The way the story starts sets a frenetic pace that doesn’t let up.
One of the book's central elements, the love triangle involving Kay, Leo, and Brick, initially struck me as rather mundane. I found myself rolling my eyes at their cliché interactions, craving more focus on the fascinating political dynamics within the school. However, as the story progressed, my perception shifted. It’s not just a love triangle; it’s a convoluted political entanglement that is absolutely engrossing.
Oe of the most striking aspects of the novel is Sparks’ ability to create a vivid, almost palpable atmosphere. Moore High is depicted not just as a setting but as a living, breathing entity that plays a crucial role in the story. The social dynamics within the school are portrayed with a realism that takes you back to the hallways of your own high school experience, making the story incredibly relatable.
The story doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of its apocalyptic setting, which includes allowing teenagers to swear – a small but realistic touch that adds authenticity to the characters’ voices.
A delightful surprise was the character Merlin, a girl wizard who is gay. Her representation is both casual and significant, adding depth to the diverse cast of characters. Speaking of characters, Sparks masterfully handles a large ensemble, giving each one a distinct identity and voice. It’s impressive how she manages to make us remember and care about each one in such a crowded landscape.
The plot construction deserves special mention. It’s intricate, smart, and impeccably linear. The narrative is a labyrinth of well-thought-out events and revelations that kept me guessing at every turn. It’s been a long time since a book made me question who to trust or what a "good guy" looks like.
And let's talk about stakes – Sparks looks pretty unafraid to be not nice to her characters, which adds a raw, unpredictable edge to the story. It’s a bold move that pays off, keeping the tension high and the outcomes uncertain.
The plot is a rollercoaster of emotions and twists that keep you hooked from start to finish. Sparks has a unique talent for balancing the thrill of suspense with the emotional depth of her characters’ journeys. The relationship dynamics, particularly the interactions between the protagonist and the 'Merciless King', are written with a sensitivity and understanding that adds a rich layer to the narrative.
Furthermore, Sparks’ writing style is both eloquent and accessible, making the book a smooth read. She has a knack for dialogue that captures the authentic voice of teenagers, filled with wit, humor, and sometimes, heart-wrenching honesty.
However, the real shocker comes in the epilogue, which left me desperate for a sequel. The story ends on such a note that it's impossible not to crave more of this brilliantly crafted world.
In my final analysis, I’ve done a complete 180 on the love triangle. It’s not a mere romantic subplot; it’s a crucial element of the political intrigue that drives the narrative. "The Merciless King of Moore High" is a book that defies expectations, combining intelligent plot construction with deep character development in a way that is both rare and exhilarating. "The Merciless King of Moore High" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that goes beyond the typical YA tropes. It's a story about power, identity, and the complexities of human relationships set against the backdrop of a terrible world that feels all too real. Lily Sparks has created a world that captivates and a narrative that stays with you, making it a must-read for not just young adults but anyone who appreciates a well-told story.
Lily Sparks, you’ve earned a fan, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment.
From the very beginning, Sparks throws us into the deep end. There’s no tedious exposition, just an immediate plunge into the heart of a thrilling, complex plot set in a dystopian world that feels eerily tangible. The way the story starts sets a frenetic pace that doesn’t let up.
One of the book's central elements, the love triangle involving Kay, Leo, and Brick, initially struck me as rather mundane. I found myself rolling my eyes at their cliché interactions, craving more focus on the fascinating political dynamics within the school. However, as the story progressed, my perception shifted. It’s not just a love triangle; it’s a convoluted political entanglement that is absolutely engrossing.
Oe of the most striking aspects of the novel is Sparks’ ability to create a vivid, almost palpable atmosphere. Moore High is depicted not just as a setting but as a living, breathing entity that plays a crucial role in the story. The social dynamics within the school are portrayed with a realism that takes you back to the hallways of your own high school experience, making the story incredibly relatable.
The story doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of its apocalyptic setting, which includes allowing teenagers to swear – a small but realistic touch that adds authenticity to the characters’ voices.
A delightful surprise was the character Merlin, a girl wizard who is gay. Her representation is both casual and significant, adding depth to the diverse cast of characters. Speaking of characters, Sparks masterfully handles a large ensemble, giving each one a distinct identity and voice. It’s impressive how she manages to make us remember and care about each one in such a crowded landscape.
The plot construction deserves special mention. It’s intricate, smart, and impeccably linear. The narrative is a labyrinth of well-thought-out events and revelations that kept me guessing at every turn. It’s been a long time since a book made me question who to trust or what a "good guy" looks like.
And let's talk about stakes – Sparks looks pretty unafraid to be not nice to her characters, which adds a raw, unpredictable edge to the story. It’s a bold move that pays off, keeping the tension high and the outcomes uncertain.
The plot is a rollercoaster of emotions and twists that keep you hooked from start to finish. Sparks has a unique talent for balancing the thrill of suspense with the emotional depth of her characters’ journeys. The relationship dynamics, particularly the interactions between the protagonist and the 'Merciless King', are written with a sensitivity and understanding that adds a rich layer to the narrative.
Furthermore, Sparks’ writing style is both eloquent and accessible, making the book a smooth read. She has a knack for dialogue that captures the authentic voice of teenagers, filled with wit, humor, and sometimes, heart-wrenching honesty.
However, the real shocker comes in the epilogue, which left me desperate for a sequel. The story ends on such a note that it's impossible not to crave more of this brilliantly crafted world.
In my final analysis, I’ve done a complete 180 on the love triangle. It’s not a mere romantic subplot; it’s a crucial element of the political intrigue that drives the narrative. "The Merciless King of Moore High" is a book that defies expectations, combining intelligent plot construction with deep character development in a way that is both rare and exhilarating. "The Merciless King of Moore High" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that goes beyond the typical YA tropes. It's a story about power, identity, and the complexities of human relationships set against the backdrop of a terrible world that feels all too real. Lily Sparks has created a world that captivates and a narrative that stays with you, making it a must-read for not just young adults but anyone who appreciates a well-told story.
Lily Sparks, you’ve earned a fan, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment.
April 8, 2024
What in the actual fuck did I just finish???
I received an eARC from North Star Editions via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That will be coming once I let all the mindfuckery sink in.
Less than twelve hours later, and I think I’m ready to try and parse out what I thought. Maybe.
THINGS I LIKED
•The overall premise was insanely creative.
•I liked that both Jefferson and Moore had pros and cons to how their schools were run. Moore was obviously thriving compared to Jefferson being on the brink of starvation, but being at Moore was contingent on participating in Expansion (killing the Growns/dragons and reclaiming more land) and basically feeding into the ego of a tyrant. Neither option was appealing but biting the bullet and tolerating some of the less than stellar aspects was what ensured survival.
•Kay and Brick’s romance was adorable, yes it was cliche for them to think the other wasn’t interested, no I don’t care because I loved it.
•Some of the twists were well-done and it literally left me guessing up until the very end what would happen.
•Leo’s murder was devastating and showed just how in over their heads these kids were. It highlighted that disconnect they had between real life and what they thought a trial by combat would look like; that mob mentality fell away for a moment to showcase their shock that someone had been killed right in front of them. They may be the authority in this new world, but they’re all still kids, or barely adults at least, and this scene was a brutal reminder of that.
THINGS THAT MADE ME GO “HUH?”
•Navigating politics and having next to no characters who were truly altruistic got to be exhausting after a while. I was okay with everyone having their own selfish agendas at first, but it just got to be a little much seeing so many people want others dead. (Max, Tyler, Stokes, Simon, Merlin, and Nirali especially all had my blood boiling from their choices and attitudes.) Maybe I’m just not cut out for a world like this, but Starr coming in and pointing out how messed up it was for no one to actually be looking out for each other made me realize how much I truly didn’t like most of the characters. The past four years has brought out the worst in humanity and seeing it echoed here in a dystopian scenario was uncomfortable, to say the least. I realize some of them were looking for someone to blame for their grief, and others were trying to maintain order, but ffs…everyone dogpiling Kay over and over again was annoying. Switch it up a little, at least?
•I would have loved more flashbacks about Before. The revelation that Brick and Max are half-brothers didn’t really get to sink in all that much due to it being at the end of the book.
•There were at least two other schools in Brockton that may or may not have had more survivors. What were their societies like? Starr had no interest in going back to either, but I need details!
•There wasn’t really an ending. The book just stops after the epilogue, which raises more questions that won’t be answered. If there are more books coming, then this wouldn’t bother me too much, but there was so much left that didn’t get a resolution. How long will Brick need to pretend to be Kyle? What is Moore going to look like with Max and Merlin still in power but with Jess still alive? Is anyone going to get their comeuppance? What in the hell did Leo turn into and does that only happen to the dead?
NITPICK CORNER
•A good nitpick this time: Frank the dog lived! Yay to this book for little to no animal cruelty!
My opinions are all over the place, so I think three stars is the closest rating I can give that lines up with that. If more books are planned, then I might come back and change my rating, but as is, this was interesting and very different from what I usually read…so there’s that, I suppose.
I received an eARC from North Star Editions via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That will be coming once I let all the mindfuckery sink in.
Less than twelve hours later, and I think I’m ready to try and parse out what I thought. Maybe.
THINGS I LIKED
•The overall premise was insanely creative.
•I liked that both Jefferson and Moore had pros and cons to how their schools were run. Moore was obviously thriving compared to Jefferson being on the brink of starvation, but being at Moore was contingent on participating in Expansion (killing the Growns/dragons and reclaiming more land) and basically feeding into the ego of a tyrant. Neither option was appealing but biting the bullet and tolerating some of the less than stellar aspects was what ensured survival.
•Kay and Brick’s romance was adorable, yes it was cliche for them to think the other wasn’t interested, no I don’t care because I loved it.
•Some of the twists were well-done and it literally left me guessing up until the very end what would happen.
•Leo’s murder was devastating and showed just how in over their heads these kids were. It highlighted that disconnect they had between real life and what they thought a trial by combat would look like; that mob mentality fell away for a moment to showcase their shock that someone had been killed right in front of them. They may be the authority in this new world, but they’re all still kids, or barely adults at least, and this scene was a brutal reminder of that.
THINGS THAT MADE ME GO “HUH?”
•Navigating politics and having next to no characters who were truly altruistic got to be exhausting after a while. I was okay with everyone having their own selfish agendas at first, but it just got to be a little much seeing so many people want others dead. (Max, Tyler, Stokes, Simon, Merlin, and Nirali especially all had my blood boiling from their choices and attitudes.) Maybe I’m just not cut out for a world like this, but Starr coming in and pointing out how messed up it was for no one to actually be looking out for each other made me realize how much I truly didn’t like most of the characters. The past four years has brought out the worst in humanity and seeing it echoed here in a dystopian scenario was uncomfortable, to say the least. I realize some of them were looking for someone to blame for their grief, and others were trying to maintain order, but ffs…everyone dogpiling Kay over and over again was annoying. Switch it up a little, at least?
•I would have loved more flashbacks about Before. The revelation that Brick and Max are half-brothers didn’t really get to sink in all that much due to it being at the end of the book.
•There were at least two other schools in Brockton that may or may not have had more survivors. What were their societies like? Starr had no interest in going back to either, but I need details!
•There wasn’t really an ending. The book just stops after the epilogue, which raises more questions that won’t be answered. If there are more books coming, then this wouldn’t bother me too much, but there was so much left that didn’t get a resolution. How long will Brick need to pretend to be Kyle? What is Moore going to look like with Max and Merlin still in power but with Jess still alive? Is anyone going to get their comeuppance? What in the hell did Leo turn into and does that only happen to the dead?
NITPICK CORNER
•A good nitpick this time: Frank the dog lived! Yay to this book for little to no animal cruelty!
My opinions are all over the place, so I think three stars is the closest rating I can give that lines up with that. If more books are planned, then I might come back and change my rating, but as is, this was interesting and very different from what I usually read…so there’s that, I suppose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2024
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC
This is one of the stranger books I read this year. It is a post apocalyptic book where all the adults turned into monsters, merged together. The survivors are high schoolers who survived inside their schools.
Kay is from Jefferson High, which is ruled by the student council (who were all elected before the apocalypse). Things aren't going well, they are starving, the school is dirty and infested with roaches, and Kay learns a secret the council has been trying to keep from the people.
The story opens in the middle of the action, which was a little confusing at first but I got the hang of it quickly. If anything, it worked well that we didn't get a lot of exposure beforehand, you figure everything out soon enough. Kay is kidnapped and dropped in the middle of the city so she doesn't spill the secret, and they presume the monsters will kill her. She is saved by a group of scavenging cheerleaders from Moore High, another high school.
Moore High functions very differently from Jefferson. The school is turned into a medieval video game. the titular character, Max, is King of the school and everyone must bow to him etc. And everyone in this school has to go out to slay dragons (which is what they call the monsters). And they're actually quite succesful! Killing a dragon keeps other dragons away until the corpse is decomposed, so they use this time to put up fences to expand their safe territory.
I thought the characterization of the two schools was so interesting. Jefferson seems very organized, run by the student council, but in reality it is a total shitshow. Moore on the other hand looks like a total shitshow, and in some ways it is, but they are also quite succesful at killing these dragons, expanding their safe territory.
What I also thought was great about this book is that none of the characters are truly good or evil. Everyone is trying to survive, of course, and some people are better than others, but there were absolutely times I thought someone really sucked and it turned out maybe they don't? Politically, it's a total mess.
I was not super fond of the love triangle, the romance itself was kind of cheesy, but I did like the political undertones within the love triangle. It's not just about love, it's about loyalty, survival and who supports who.
I did love Nirali and Merlin, I think they are my favorite characters so far. Both are complex, not fully good, but I can see where they're coming from and I hope to see more of them in the next book.
Going into this, I thought it was a standalone, but the ending does indicate it's part of a series, it ends very open, though it is a well rounded story on its own. I'm curious where it's heading next.
One thing I do want to mention that I'm a bit conflicted about: in the book, the characters use the phrase "From the dam to the beach, Brockton will be free", and I think the author included this in support of Palestine, which is great, but I'm honestly not sure if this is the most sensitive way to include a reference to this phrase in post apocalyptic fiction. I haven't lowered my rating because of this because I'm honestly not sure how to feel, I truly do think the author meant well and did it out of support, but I do think it worth mentioning.
This is one of the stranger books I read this year. It is a post apocalyptic book where all the adults turned into monsters, merged together. The survivors are high schoolers who survived inside their schools.
Kay is from Jefferson High, which is ruled by the student council (who were all elected before the apocalypse). Things aren't going well, they are starving, the school is dirty and infested with roaches, and Kay learns a secret the council has been trying to keep from the people.
The story opens in the middle of the action, which was a little confusing at first but I got the hang of it quickly. If anything, it worked well that we didn't get a lot of exposure beforehand, you figure everything out soon enough. Kay is kidnapped and dropped in the middle of the city so she doesn't spill the secret, and they presume the monsters will kill her. She is saved by a group of scavenging cheerleaders from Moore High, another high school.
Moore High functions very differently from Jefferson. The school is turned into a medieval video game. the titular character, Max, is King of the school and everyone must bow to him etc. And everyone in this school has to go out to slay dragons (which is what they call the monsters). And they're actually quite succesful! Killing a dragon keeps other dragons away until the corpse is decomposed, so they use this time to put up fences to expand their safe territory.
I thought the characterization of the two schools was so interesting. Jefferson seems very organized, run by the student council, but in reality it is a total shitshow. Moore on the other hand looks like a total shitshow, and in some ways it is, but they are also quite succesful at killing these dragons, expanding their safe territory.
What I also thought was great about this book is that none of the characters are truly good or evil. Everyone is trying to survive, of course, and some people are better than others, but there were absolutely times I thought someone really sucked and it turned out maybe they don't? Politically, it's a total mess.
I was not super fond of the love triangle, the romance itself was kind of cheesy, but I did like the political undertones within the love triangle. It's not just about love, it's about loyalty, survival and who supports who.
I did love Nirali and Merlin, I think they are my favorite characters so far. Both are complex, not fully good, but I can see where they're coming from and I hope to see more of them in the next book.
Going into this, I thought it was a standalone, but the ending does indicate it's part of a series, it ends very open, though it is a well rounded story on its own. I'm curious where it's heading next.
One thing I do want to mention that I'm a bit conflicted about: in the book, the characters use the phrase "From the dam to the beach, Brockton will be free", and I think the author included this in support of Palestine, which is great, but I'm honestly not sure if this is the most sensitive way to include a reference to this phrase in post apocalyptic fiction. I haven't lowered my rating because of this because I'm honestly not sure how to feel, I truly do think the author meant well and did it out of support, but I do think it worth mentioning.
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