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Reject High #1
Reject High
Reject High is the first book in a four-part young adult science fiction superhero series
After his latest fight, Jason Champion is sent to a rundown alternative school, nicknamed "Reject High." Fine by him, except a girl named Cherish died there under strange circumstances. At first glance, it's a suicide. But the girl's best friend, a Goth with an attitude named Rhapsody, suspects something different at work. . .
One day during detention, Rhapsody shows Jason a crystal that turns her invisible. He tries one on and he jumps over a city.
Their classmates, Sasha and Selby, see Jason and Rhapsody in action and receive crystals of their own. They keep a low profile until Jason discovers they are being studied by people they trust.
With eleven days until Reject High is destroyed, Jason and his friends must dodge their pursuers, solve the mystery of Cherish's death, and save their power source from falling into the wrong hands.
The first installment in a young adult fantasy series, Reject High combines engaging characters inside of a page-turning adventure. Equal parts sci-fi, fantasy, and action-adventure, Reject High is written from the perspective of Jason Champion, a 15-year old teenager with rage blackouts and a penchant for getting in trouble,
Book 1: Reject HighBook 2: Sophomore Freak Book 3: Forgotten Book 4: Champion Immortal (2016)Young Adult Science Fiction Categories>Science Fiction Book for Teens>Thrillers for Young Adults>Young Adults Action Adventure
After his latest fight, Jason Champion is sent to a rundown alternative school, nicknamed "Reject High." Fine by him, except a girl named Cherish died there under strange circumstances. At first glance, it's a suicide. But the girl's best friend, a Goth with an attitude named Rhapsody, suspects something different at work. . .
One day during detention, Rhapsody shows Jason a crystal that turns her invisible. He tries one on and he jumps over a city.
Their classmates, Sasha and Selby, see Jason and Rhapsody in action and receive crystals of their own. They keep a low profile until Jason discovers they are being studied by people they trust.
With eleven days until Reject High is destroyed, Jason and his friends must dodge their pursuers, solve the mystery of Cherish's death, and save their power source from falling into the wrong hands.
The first installment in a young adult fantasy series, Reject High combines engaging characters inside of a page-turning adventure. Equal parts sci-fi, fantasy, and action-adventure, Reject High is written from the perspective of Jason Champion, a 15-year old teenager with rage blackouts and a penchant for getting in trouble,
Book 1: Reject HighBook 2: Sophomore Freak Book 3: Forgotten Book 4: Champion Immortal (2016)Young Adult Science Fiction Categories>Science Fiction Book for Teens>Thrillers for Young Adults>Young Adults Action Adventure
270 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2013
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Brian Thompson
8 books13 followersWith eight novels in print, including his highly-successful science-fiction teen series, Reject High, Brian Thompson continues to shape his career as a storyteller who fuses high-concept plots with down-to-earth characters. As a child, Brian could always be found drawing superheroes or etching out action stories in a notebook. Leaning on his experience as a well-respected journalist and writer and with his love for science fiction classics, Brian formed Great Nation Publishing, LLC. – an independent publishing company aimed at promoting creative projects with integrity. Its published works include historical fiction novels The Lost Testament (2010), and The Revelation Gate (2011), with the latter landing on Amazon's Top 80 List for Historical Fiction-Africa. With those works under his belt, Brian turned to his first love of science fiction and released the dystopian/speculative fiction work, The Anarchists (2012), and he introduced the Reject High series geared toward young adult readers. When he is not urging others to pursue their writing passions, Thompson chases his own: preparing for the summer 2023 release of The Doomsday Clock: A Reject High Legacy Novel, being a full-time high school English/Language Arts teacher, and co-running the day-to-day operations of Great Nation Publishing. A proud graduate of both Morehouse College and Temple University, Thompson and his family live in Covington, Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 13, 2016
Reject High an alternative High School for at-risk of behaviors, fighting and getting put out of mainstream school. Jason (main character) suffers from anxiety and rage issues. Well his father stuck him with his ex-wife and mom is deceased. Rhapsody, cute Goth Chick blends into Reject High literally and wears a crystal that possess magical powers her deceased best friend left her as clues.
Jason fins himself leaped across town after a car accident with his step-mother, the only person who believes in him after coming in contact with the crystal. The crystal displays super-natural abilities for each person that comes in contact with it. Trying to escape the school bully (Selby) Rhapsody tells Jason to kiss her which is inappropriate for display in the school lunchroom, they find themselves on a three day suspension, after school for "dungeon duty." In the dungeon is where the book takes a action field, riveting and suspenseful turn.
This book was so excellent for young adults into science fiction and adults alike. I rated it a 5 star for excellent and would give it to a young adult that I mentor for reading.
Marilyn Diamond
AAMBC Reviewer
Jason fins himself leaped across town after a car accident with his step-mother, the only person who believes in him after coming in contact with the crystal. The crystal displays super-natural abilities for each person that comes in contact with it. Trying to escape the school bully (Selby) Rhapsody tells Jason to kiss her which is inappropriate for display in the school lunchroom, they find themselves on a three day suspension, after school for "dungeon duty." In the dungeon is where the book takes a action field, riveting and suspenseful turn.
This book was so excellent for young adults into science fiction and adults alike. I rated it a 5 star for excellent and would give it to a young adult that I mentor for reading.
Marilyn Diamond
AAMBC Reviewer
April 21, 2015
Not your average down and out, rise to occasion, story.
I recently had the opportunity to read Reject High (A Young Adult Science Fiction Series Book 1) by Brian Thompson
Reject High is an alternative school for high school students who have been removed from the mainstream school system. These are mainly at risk students, those with behavior issues, threat issues, and so forth. It’s a place where they are given a final chance to finish their education as close to normal school environment as possible or be fully removed from the originated education system.
Jason is the main character of this book and he is new to the school (he is there due to ADHD and rage blackouts; he was thrown out of mainstream school due to a fight with another student at his old school that was the last in a series of rage events). At the new school he meets Rhapsody who has been at the school a while and tells him some of the ins and outs. Not everything is as it seems on the surface with Rhapsody as Jason soon learns.
She has an ability granted to her through a crystal she wears around her neck and when Jason ends up with a crystal of his own he too gains powers he must manage and control.
The pair soon have to deal with not only the responsibilities of having the powers but also keeping their friends and family safe. They also end up needing to keep the source of their powers out of the hands of others who they believe they would misuse them.
I am a big superhero fan and while this story is geared for the young adult set I found it enjoyable. It did start out a little slow but the pace picked up and it was a great read.
Just a quick FYI – there were some borderline mature / adult parts to the story and depending on your sensitively level to what you want your teens to read, I think it makes sense to read the story for yourself first to make sure your teen is either good with the content or if you should talk some of the issues the characters deal with in the story out with them first.
I recently had the opportunity to read Reject High (A Young Adult Science Fiction Series Book 1) by Brian Thompson
Reject High is an alternative school for high school students who have been removed from the mainstream school system. These are mainly at risk students, those with behavior issues, threat issues, and so forth. It’s a place where they are given a final chance to finish their education as close to normal school environment as possible or be fully removed from the originated education system.
Jason is the main character of this book and he is new to the school (he is there due to ADHD and rage blackouts; he was thrown out of mainstream school due to a fight with another student at his old school that was the last in a series of rage events). At the new school he meets Rhapsody who has been at the school a while and tells him some of the ins and outs. Not everything is as it seems on the surface with Rhapsody as Jason soon learns.
She has an ability granted to her through a crystal she wears around her neck and when Jason ends up with a crystal of his own he too gains powers he must manage and control.
The pair soon have to deal with not only the responsibilities of having the powers but also keeping their friends and family safe. They also end up needing to keep the source of their powers out of the hands of others who they believe they would misuse them.
I am a big superhero fan and while this story is geared for the young adult set I found it enjoyable. It did start out a little slow but the pace picked up and it was a great read.
Just a quick FYI – there were some borderline mature / adult parts to the story and depending on your sensitively level to what you want your teens to read, I think it makes sense to read the story for yourself first to make sure your teen is either good with the content or if you should talk some of the issues the characters deal with in the story out with them first.
June 3, 2015
Reject High by Brian Thompson is a wonderfully crafted YA science fiction and fantasy novel for teens and adults alike.
The story centers on Jason and Rhapsody, two teens who have been placed in an alternative school for "troublemakers". The school is nick-named Reject High. Both Jason and Rhapsody have had a hard life and both come from broken homes. Each one is portrayed as a typical teenager, but both have some very strong, negative emotional baggage that they must deal with to get through the last weeks of going to Reject High before the semester ends. With any luck, the two will be able to go back to their regular school after they complete the semester.
A third of the way through the book, the path of the story takes a supernatural turn when Rhapsody confides in Jason that she can become invisible while wearing a green stone that she found in the basement of Reject High. Jason decides that he wants a green stone as well and while wearing it, he has superhuman strength and jumping power. Both Jason and Rhapsody must learn to control their emotions in order to control when and how their superpowers come to the surface - sometimes a monumental feat for a teenager. As the story progresses, Jason and Rhapsody are put into various situations that endanger their lives and well-being. It also becomes apparent that the adults at Reject high are not what they claim to be, thus bringing more tension and suspense to this already thrilling book.
I enjoyed reading this and could definitely see it as a movie. The characters were well-developed and likable and the subjects of bullying at school, teen sex along with other teen issues made the storyline that much more believable. I would recommend this to teens aged 13 and up as some of the subject matter may not be suitable for those that are younger.
All in all a very good read!
The story centers on Jason and Rhapsody, two teens who have been placed in an alternative school for "troublemakers". The school is nick-named Reject High. Both Jason and Rhapsody have had a hard life and both come from broken homes. Each one is portrayed as a typical teenager, but both have some very strong, negative emotional baggage that they must deal with to get through the last weeks of going to Reject High before the semester ends. With any luck, the two will be able to go back to their regular school after they complete the semester.
A third of the way through the book, the path of the story takes a supernatural turn when Rhapsody confides in Jason that she can become invisible while wearing a green stone that she found in the basement of Reject High. Jason decides that he wants a green stone as well and while wearing it, he has superhuman strength and jumping power. Both Jason and Rhapsody must learn to control their emotions in order to control when and how their superpowers come to the surface - sometimes a monumental feat for a teenager. As the story progresses, Jason and Rhapsody are put into various situations that endanger their lives and well-being. It also becomes apparent that the adults at Reject high are not what they claim to be, thus bringing more tension and suspense to this already thrilling book.
I enjoyed reading this and could definitely see it as a movie. The characters were well-developed and likable and the subjects of bullying at school, teen sex along with other teen issues made the storyline that much more believable. I would recommend this to teens aged 13 and up as some of the subject matter may not be suitable for those that are younger.
All in all a very good read!
September 29, 2015
A terrific and unusual take on the down-and-out boy becomes superhero gig, Reject High definitely lacks for neither pace nor attitude - piles of attitude. At its heart this is a story about overcoming obstacles and choices. The obstacles are there in the form of a system that is pitched against kids ever succeeding, an inner-city landscape of broken families and relationships and more teen issues than you can shake a stick at. The school itself is called Reject High, a failing school for ... society's rejects. Of course. Our hero Jason Champion is one with a difficult past and ADHD which is well portrayed, and the fulcrum of the story is about the decisions and choices he makes - how he chooses to use his powers and to what end. This is very well delivered by the author.
A slowish start picks up and by the ending is moving at such a breakneck pace that the storytelling began to suffer due to the unrelenting action. While that makes for an exhilarating read I also found it frustrating to have to backtrack and re-read to try to pick up the story threads or try to work out what had happened.
While pitched for the YA genre some of the content comes with an advisory for a mature audience. An ultimately fulfilling and memorable story, with a twisty plot - well recommended for budding superheros and superheroines everywhere.
A slowish start picks up and by the ending is moving at such a breakneck pace that the storytelling began to suffer due to the unrelenting action. While that makes for an exhilarating read I also found it frustrating to have to backtrack and re-read to try to pick up the story threads or try to work out what had happened.
While pitched for the YA genre some of the content comes with an advisory for a mature audience. An ultimately fulfilling and memorable story, with a twisty plot - well recommended for budding superheros and superheroines everywhere.
July 14, 2015
Reject High tells the adventure of Jason Champion, a so-called "reject" shipped to the alternative school for behavior problems. To say the least, the author definitely thrilled me in this book. I love the character development, how I thing can lead to another unexpectedly. I love the quirky character names too! It's definitely different from the other books I've read and I can't wait to read the sequel.
Thank you to @mswriterchick for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
Thank you to @mswriterchick for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
July 6, 2014
I'm a Reject
Reject High is a school for children with behavior problems. Jason Champion is sent to Reject High after having another bout of misbehaving. Once there he meets a cast of unforgettable friends. After receiving a crystal, he is introduced to a “new” world. Jason finds him entangled in an unexpected turn of events, including solving a murder.
Let me start off by saying this – I was captivated by the cover before reading the first page of this story. I have become a fan of YA novels in the past few years, so I was very excited to review this title. I absolutely loved this story. The characters and their individual powers made the words leap off the pages. This book is far from predictable. Readers will find themselves engrossed in this story from beginning to end.
Author Brian L. Thompson does an excellent job of creating a story that transports readers to another dimension. I know as a kid I wished I had supernatural powers – from being invisible – being able to tell the future – fly – leap over tall buildings and etc. This author doesn’t miss a beat in book one of this series. There is adventure, mystery, and some intense subjects.
If you are a fan of the supernatural then this is the book for you. If you are looking forward to stepping out of your comfort zone then this is the book for you. I can’t wait to read more from this series.
Reviewed by: Orsayor
Reject High is a school for children with behavior problems. Jason Champion is sent to Reject High after having another bout of misbehaving. Once there he meets a cast of unforgettable friends. After receiving a crystal, he is introduced to a “new” world. Jason finds him entangled in an unexpected turn of events, including solving a murder.
Let me start off by saying this – I was captivated by the cover before reading the first page of this story. I have become a fan of YA novels in the past few years, so I was very excited to review this title. I absolutely loved this story. The characters and their individual powers made the words leap off the pages. This book is far from predictable. Readers will find themselves engrossed in this story from beginning to end.
Author Brian L. Thompson does an excellent job of creating a story that transports readers to another dimension. I know as a kid I wished I had supernatural powers – from being invisible – being able to tell the future – fly – leap over tall buildings and etc. This author doesn’t miss a beat in book one of this series. There is adventure, mystery, and some intense subjects.
If you are a fan of the supernatural then this is the book for you. If you are looking forward to stepping out of your comfort zone then this is the book for you. I can’t wait to read more from this series.
Reviewed by: Orsayor
May 11, 2016
Reject High an alternative High School for at-risk of behaviors, fighting and getting put out of mainstream school. Jason (main character) suffers from anxiety and rage issues. Well his father stuck him with his ex-wife and mom is deceased. Rhapsody, cute Goth Chick blends into Reject High literally and wears a crystal that possess magical powers her deceased best friend left her as clues.
Jason fins himself leaped across town after a car accident with his step-mother, the only person who believes in him after coming in contact with the crystal. The crystal displays super-natural abilities for each person that comes in contact with it. Trying to escape the school bully (Selby) Rhapsody tells Jason to kiss her which is inappropriate for display in the school lunchroom, they find themselves on a three day suspension, after school for "dungeon duty." In the dungeon is where the book takes a action field, riveting and suspenseful turn.
This book was so excellent for young adults into science fiction and adults alike. I rated it a 5 star for excellent and would give it to a young adult that I mentor for reading.
Jason fins himself leaped across town after a car accident with his step-mother, the only person who believes in him after coming in contact with the crystal. The crystal displays super-natural abilities for each person that comes in contact with it. Trying to escape the school bully (Selby) Rhapsody tells Jason to kiss her which is inappropriate for display in the school lunchroom, they find themselves on a three day suspension, after school for "dungeon duty." In the dungeon is where the book takes a action field, riveting and suspenseful turn.
This book was so excellent for young adults into science fiction and adults alike. I rated it a 5 star for excellent and would give it to a young adult that I mentor for reading.
January 5, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. This is not your typical superhero story. The main characters aren't selfless and trying to save the world. They are troubled teens with real problems who find themselves in situations they don't know how to cope with. It makes the story more realistic and the characters are easy to relate to. The action is non-stop, the mystery adds to the story, and both keep you turning the pages wanting to learn what comes next. The writing is excellent. Both YA and adults will enjoy it.
July 4, 2014
This is such a mysterious and awesome story!!!
I love the entire feel of the book…everything from the setting to the characters, the mystery of their abilities and the secrets of what happened to Cherish.
I literally could not put it down (there were definitely some really intense moments!!!) and can’t wait to see what the author has planned next!!!
If you love YA fiction with memorable characters that you can cheer for, don’t miss Reject High!!!
I love the entire feel of the book…everything from the setting to the characters, the mystery of their abilities and the secrets of what happened to Cherish.
I literally could not put it down (there were definitely some really intense moments!!!) and can’t wait to see what the author has planned next!!!
If you love YA fiction with memorable characters that you can cheer for, don’t miss Reject High!!!
July 31, 2015
Great book both YA and a quick adult read from my friend Brian L. Thompson
July 5, 2014
Submitted this review to OOSA Bookclub
May 25, 2015
Loved the book, fresh twist on super heroes. Am looking forward to the next one, see my complete review on Amazon.
Brian Thompson is a very talented writer and tells one heck of a story.
Brian Thompson is a very talented writer and tells one heck of a story.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews