The Headmasters

by Mark Morton

How do you learn from the past if there isn’t one?

Sixty years ago, something awful happened. Something that killed everyone except the people at Blue Ring. Something that caused the Headmasters to appear. But Maple doesn’t know what is was. Because talking about the past is forbidden.

Everyone at Blue Ring has a Headmaster. They sink their sinewy coils into your skull and control you, using your body for backbreaking toil and your mind to communicate with each other. When someone dies, their Headmaster transfers to someone new. But so do the dead person’s memories, and if one of those memories surfaces in the new host’s mind, their brain breaks. That’s why talking about the past is forbidden.

Maple hates this world where the past can’t exist and the future promises only more suffering. And she hates the Headmasters for making it that way. But she doesn’t know how to fight them – until memories start to surface in her mind from someone who long ago came close to defeating the Headmasters.

But whose memories are they? Why aren’t they harming her? And how can she use them to defeat the Headmasters? Maple has to find the answers herself, unable to tell anyone what she’s experiencing or planning—not even Thorn, the young man she’s falling in love with. Thorn, who has some forbidden secrets of his own . . .

Praise for The Headmasters

“Mark Morton’s The Headmasters is a brilliant science-fiction debut from one of Canada’s best-loved nonfiction writers. This compelling YA novel is a spot-on updating of Robert A. Heinlein’s classic The Puppet Masters for the new millennium, with intricate world-building, a great science-fiction puzzle, and — ironic for a novel about suppressed memories — a main character you’ll never forget. I loved it.” - Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of The Downloaded

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[Tricia Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read dystopian fiction in a while and I thoroughly enjoyed this take on a society inhabited by alien life. The writing drew me in and set me in the story and their world, so I could picture the landscape easily. The author did an excellent job of showing their lives over time, how they evolved and grew. This is a unique story and I wouldn't have expected how the characters were able to overcome their situation. This book is a definite must read for fans of dystopian fiction like The Hunger Games and Divergent. I'll be reading other books by this author.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. What a disturbing book! I read it in one day, could not put it down. I absolutely loved the world and how it affected all the characters. There's a lot that remains unexplained, and it works really well. I especially enjoyed the ending - I thought it struck a perfect balance that fit the rest of the story.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[The St. Louis Literary Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Morton's “The Headmasters” emerges as a striking contribution to the young adult science fiction genre, blending elements of speculative fiction with an exploration of autonomy, identity, and the intricate dance between control and resistance. Through the eyes of its protagonist, Maple, Morton crafts a dystopian world where young individuals are coupled with Headmasters—parasitic entities that exert control over their hosts, dictating their actions and suppressing their autonomy. This novel stands as a modern allegory of societal control and individual freedom, echoing concerns that resonate deeply in our contemporary digital landscape.

The narrative unfurls in a future where the remnants of humanity live under the constant surveillance and control of the Headmasters, with Maple's journey from submission to awakening serving as the core of the story. Morton's intricate world-building introduces us to a society stratified by roles assigned by these parasitic overlords, from Pickers and Catchers to Nesters and Netters, each role defining the limits of an individual's life. Yet, it is in the nuanced development of Maple and her interactions with characters like Thorn, Silex, and Lark that Morton's storytelling prowess shines, weaving a tale of resilience, the quest for self-discovery, and the yearning for freedom.

The novel excels in its ability to juxtapose the bleakness of its setting with the vibrancy of its characters' spirits. Morton employs a rich, descriptive language that vividly brings to life the oppressive environment of the compound and the wild, untamed beauty of the surrounding forest—a place of both danger and refuge, where the seeds of rebellion quietly germinate. The dynamics between the characters, especially within the context of the Inwards group, highlight the diversity of responses to oppression, from acquiescence to subtle defiance.

Morton does not shy away from delving into the philosophical underpinnings of his narrative, posing critical questions about memory, identity, and the essence of human experience. The Headmasters, with their ability to erase and manipulate memories, serve as a chilling metaphor for the power of external forces—be they governmental, technological, or societal—to shape our perceptions, beliefs, and ultimately, our identities.

In conclusion, “The Headmasters” stands as a testament to Morton's imaginative prowess and his ability to infuse a riveting plot with profound thematic depth. It is a novel that not only entertains but also invites readers to reflect on the nature of control, the importance of memory, and the indomitable spirit of resistance that defines the human condition. With its blend of suspenseful narrative, rich character development, and thematic complexity, Morton's novel is a compelling addition to the canon of young adult science fiction, offering a mirror to our contemporary world and the timeless struggle for personal autonomy and freedom.

[Kalin O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this will end up being one of my favorite books of 2024. It's a perfect marriage between world building and character development. Sometimes sci-fi can feel empty when you're excitedly waiting for the twist and then it comes and that's all there was. The pacing is great, as well as the reveals, and even if those weren't as exciting, I was deeply invested in Morton's characters. I didn't see it was YA until I was almost done and was surprised but the author does a great job of writing a book accessible to teens that is in no way juvenile.

[Sam Cardini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read from ARC Copy — I really enjoyed this book! It was unlike any book I’ve ever read in terms of plot. It kept me completely engrossed in the story throughout the book.
One issue I had was that sometimes the time jumps had me confused and I didn’t notice until a little bit into the chapter. However, once I got my bearings again, the time jump would make a lot of sense and help the story along. Speaking of the time change, this story happens over the course of 7(?) years, which was really beneficial to the plot. I found this much more interesting than books with a similar premise, but the story unfolds over weeks which feels a lot less “realistic” in terms of timeline.

[Genevieve Chinaza.N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Morton writes a compelling and well-developed book called The Headmasters, which is both captivating and tense. The readers are just made more curious about the main protagonists, Maple and Thorn. The reader is exposed to the mythos of this story while the author skillfully constructs the world, allowing the mystery surrounding these animals and the fall of humanity to solidify in their minds. The Headmasters are indeed terrifying, and the unsettling and eerie society they have created for themselves via humanity helps the reader fully comprehend the horror they stand for.

However, the character growth contributed to the story's larger sci-fi aspects feeling vivid and interesting. Readers will be able to relate to the emotional core of Maple and Thorn's journey and the losses they experience along the way, and the author's use of visceral imagery will stick with them long after the story has ended, providing the protagonist with a narrative that is simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.
To everybody who appreciates science fiction and dystopian world situations, I would unquestionably suggest it.

[joshua williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Headmasters. It's an interesting concept and felt the pacing was good. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys SciFi and dystopian world settings.

[Opal Edgar · Rating 3 out of 5]

An anticipation novel with a very pin-pointed narrative looking just over the shoulder of its narrator. Part survival story, part alien invasion in the body-snatcher sense, this book is very well written in terms of atmosphere and pace.
We look at a tiny community entirely cut off from the world with the complete inability to save themselves. It's full of anguish and we yearn for the narrator, Maple, to free herself.
That said, the story was missing an essential element for me, I would have liked to see the other side of the narrative, to get a little more explanation and insights into what the Headmasters were thinking, and were trying to achieve. I would have liked to know how the rest of humanity was going beyond those lost communities. I was a little disappointed by the ending as I had hoped for more and it felt a little easy.
This is still a good book for people who like end-of-the-world novels with a humane narrator.

[Fatma · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finalist for the Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy. And the official winner. It has vibes of The Giver by Lois Lowry with its strong protagonist trying to figure out what has happened in this dystopian tale.

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maple is a member of Blue Ring, a community in what was once Canada after an unexplained global event that left those in Blue Ring among the many survivors. Those in the Blue Ring survived by coupling themselves with those called the Headmasters. Parasitic aliens fused onto the bodies of humans and controlled their thoughts and actions. Each Headmaster fused with different humans before finding another body. This becomes problematic when Maple begins to share memories and consciousness with the former host body, a woman named Zara, whom Maple had a previous connection with. Some of her memories include life before the Headmaster’s arrival along with knowledge and information that had been repressed and banned. The more that Maple learns from Zara, the more that she questions the world around her. She starts to take a stand against the oppression that she and the other Blue Ring citizens apathetically allowed.

Opinion:
The Headmasters is a provocative and intelligent Science Fiction novel that challenges its readers to think about oppression and domination, what it means to truly resist, and what motivates one to fight against a tyrannical system even when the citizens don't know that they are being tyrannized. The description of humans and Headmasters grafted together is deliberately painful and traumatic. The physical and psychological torture of one living being joined with and controlling the other is present. While the Headmasters are not a voice in one’s head or a force controlling the body like a robot, the invasion is always present and more insidious. Maple describes it as a continuous feeling that something is watching and monitoring them. If they act contrary to the Headmaster’s commands, they receive electric shocks.

However, there are times, such as when the Headmasters shut off during a procedure called the “slackening,” and places where the Headmaster’s hold is weakened, like the Deep (in reality what remains of a Deepak Chopra Center), so they are vulnerable. What is particularly interesting and upsetting about this parasitic life is that the human characters make little move to protest or take advantage of the Headmaster’s vulnerabilities. True, the shocks are torturous, but there is another subtle reason about why they don’t rebel. They lost the desire to do so. They willingly surrender to a life of apathy and ignorance to creatures that exploit them. The humans do very little to revolt and line up for the joining regardless of how painful and dehumanizing it is. These characters are so far gone that they are too weak and listless to fight. That this is the third generation since the Headmasters arrived and have undergone this procedure shows how brainwashed and apathetic that the human race has become.

There are vague glimpses of rebellion and they aren’t revealed until almost halfway through the book. Some tried to remove their Headmaster only to be perceived as merely insane and were quietly “released from the community” (i.e. executed by other Blue Ring residents). A close friend and potential love interest to Maple reveals that he learned to read on his own during his time in the Deep. Maple's sister, Lark shows obvious physical and psychological discomfort in her pre chosen assignment as “Birthmother” (a woman selected to sleep with multiple men and bear children for the community). Maple’s grandfather, who raised Maple and her siblings after their Birthmother's death, is from the old generation before the Headmasters arrived, one of the few remaining. He remembers the time before and those precious and now extinct memories. He is willing to share that time with those who will listen, like Maple.

Maple herself does not desire to rebel until halfway through the book. In fact her character meanders a bit, providing exposition to the reader until she takes action against her oppressors. It is only when she begins to see the world through Zara’s eyes and thoughts and recognizes how much her grandfather lost and the grief that he carries but hides, that she takes bold steps to fight the Headmasters and their human slaves. When she takes a proactive stance first within the community and then when she is in exile and encounters survivors, does Maple come into her own as a fully fleshed protagonist and heroine. What helps ignite Maple’s characterization is the awareness of a passage of time within the narrative.

Many dystopian novels seem to take place over a short time long enough to acquaint the readers with the world, the oppressive regime and its laws and standards, the protagonist as a willing participant and secret rebel, the point when the protagonist heeds the call, how they challenge the system and involve others because no one can topple a system alone, and the denouement which results in either the dictatorship defeated or continued with a dead or converted protagonist. Most of these points often occur over the course of a few months or a year or two from inciting incidents to the denouement. What makes the Headmasters different from them is approximately seven years go by from when Maple is joined to her Headmaster to the end. This gives Maple an evolution that comes with age and experience but also emphasizes how slow moving changing from small acts of rebellion to a full scale revolution can be. Sometimes revolution begins with little acts like learning to read or remembering life with families, homes, private spaces, and choices, and wanting to bring them back. Maple has to go through that long growth and development before she is able to have the confidence and strength to learn how to manually shut off her Headmaster permanently, walk away from Blue Ring, and lead the community and outsiders in a new world that will emerge and not make the mistakes of the old world that became subservient.

[kenneth m gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first fiction work, The Headmasters by Mark Morton, is an excellent read. The story takes place after a vague apocalyptic event. A young girl, Maple, and her fellow survivors are now controlled by the parasitical Headmasters who force them to toil at their assigned tasks. Apocalyptic stories are not a favorite of mine, but the author does a great job explaining why humans now can't remember the past and how they cope. We learn very little about the Headmaster's origins or motivations, but perhaps there will be a prequel.
The characters are engaging and well wrought, and the story is moving and thought provoking.
I have seen this book referred to as YA. I feel even though it has a young main character, adolescent and adult readers will enjoy it. Highly recommended. I look forward to the next Mark Morton book.

[Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminds me too much of every other piece of fiction where the dystopian construct is living in your head man. This at least has the cool idea of making it into a weird tick thing. Almost there.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did love the premise of this story. I loved the flashbacks. But these are all from our humans pov. I wish there more or where or why or how the headmasters came to be there.

[Toby Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Morton has created a fascinating world in The Headmasters. Blue Ring is an interesting place to spend a chunk of time if you are into science-fiction.

The front of this book is so cool - kudos to the cover artist. At first it looks like abstract black and green art but upon closer examination, the top half is a glimpse at the back of a young woman’s head from her shoulders up, her hair in a neat bun. The bottom half is hard to know with certainty but my best guess is that it’s an upside-down view of a creature’s skull. Regardless of what it really is, it’s a beautiful picture and it inspired me to jump straight into The Headmasters.

Unlike my original assumption that ‘Headmasters’ refers to people who are heads of schools, in this book the word refers to hand-sized parasitic entities (for lack of a better word). Headmasters attach to humans, who become their hosts. The Headmasters first made their appearance sixty years before the start of the book, a time when everyone died except for the people at Blue Ring. All remaining humans have a Headmaster and the Headmasters are transferred to another person when the body they are inhabiting dies. When Headmasters transfer, they take the memories of their person with them to the next body.

Humans are powerless to fight the Headmasters. They go along with whatever the Headmasters direct them to do as the entities control their bodies and minds. But will Maple, a resilient twelve-year-old and an unforgettable main character, be able to do something that no one else has pulled off - defeat the Headmasters?

I enjoyed that Morton keeps his writing concise yet also descriptive. Unlike authors who can take a paragraph to describe something - or even a whole page - Morton is able to keep it to one sentence while still ensuring that readers can get a real sense of what he is discussing. It is a skill that not enough writers have (in my humble opinion) and one that I greatly appreciate.

If you are looking for a quick read, this isn’t it. Morton takes close to 450 pages to flush out his memorable characters and thoroughly develop a plot that will stick with readers long after they turn the last page. As you meander through the seventy-three chapters, the journey you go on is a gripping one.

This is Morton’s first foray into science-fiction and I hope it will not be his last. Morton is more known for his award-winning nonfiction writing but he clearly has a successful future in the fiction realm if he goes that route.

If you like diving into intriguing fantastical worlds, The Headmasters needs a spot on your bookshelf.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM

[Don Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you hated ticks before reading The Headmasters (and who doesn’t), you will positively loathe them by the time you’ve finished this riveting dystopian horror/thriller. Blue Ring, somewhere north of Sudbury, is a community of 218 people utterly isolated after an unnamed human-made catastrophe has, as far as the small group knows, destroyed all other humans. Of course, they have no way of knowing this for sure since they are controlled by the Headmasters.
The story is told from the point of view of Maple, who we first meet as a 12-year-old girl who has just been “harvested” – a headmaster, cut loose from its recently deceased host, attaches itself to Maple’s back and extends it tentacles through the base of her skull and into her brain. The size and appearance of a “tick the size of a dinner plate,” these creatures descended on Blue Ring during the Arrival. We never learn where they came from or even what their objective is, but for three generations they have enslaved the population through punishment (most brutal of which is “blood punishment”), rigidly regulated behaviour (including the “darkening” when it is, quite literally, lights out), strict role assignment, and the forced eradication of memories.
But a few of the elders alive at the time of the Arrival still cling to past knowledge, and even for those born after the conquest of the Headmasters, occasionally a memory from a Headmasters’ previous host will break through. When this occurs, the subject it punished or, if necessary, terminated.

But the memories that begin slowly and subtly (beautifully integrated into the story in, at first, puzzling italicized intrusions) to emerge in Maple’s consciousness are not from a former Headmaster host. Her memories are her grandmother’s, Zara, who led the initial resistance to the Headmasters and, using a deep meditative tradition learned from her mother, very nearly brings down the bugs by entering their world and overwhelming them with grief. But alas, just as things are gong well, the Headmasters rally and compel the others (most cruelly at the hands of her beloved husband Jason) to “neutralize” Zara neutralized. Now elderly and only one of the three remaining pre-Arrival residents, Papa, as Maple knows him, now devotes himself to supporting and protecting Maple as she begins to understand the power of the Headmasters and struggles to defeat them.

Morton is a superb writer, and though the elaborate and chilling world he builds emerges incrementally in all of its complexity and horror, the reader is continually engaged as the tale unfolds toward a satisfying conclusion that is both a triumph for the people of Blue Ring and of love itself.

[Mercy N · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't quickly forget Maple, the main character of The Headmaster. Her narrative is one of bravery and love as she makes her way through a perilous and fascinating environment. After being harvested, Maple's life was changed by the procedure of mating her with a parasite called "the headmaster." Maple endures labor and suffering at the hands of the headmasters, an enigmatic entity that rules Blue Ring. She had to put in a lot of effort or else pay the price. Like many other harvested characters, including her grandfather Jacob, her boyfriend Thorn, her brothers Lark and River, her pals Crest, Rose, and Silex, and many more, Maple was carried from the Aery to Blue Ring. How are they chosen?

Thorn, Maple's boyfriend, and Lark, her sister, set out on a potentially deadly quest to free themselves from their headmasters' authority. With the knowledge she gains from her grandma Zara's memories, will Maple be able to rescue them? I was waiting anxiously to see what brave Maple would do, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

The reader was able to completely comprehend the characters' emotions because to Mark's vivid and emotional depiction of their emotions. I think it admirable how the story's protagonists come up with inventive methods to handle their circumstances, and their responses teach us a lot about the persistence of the human spirit. While some characters turn to escapism during the slowdown, others look for meaning and purpose in their circumstances. The Thankfuls have a peculiar appreciation to their headmasters, the Inwards watch nature, the Jimsons utilize narcotics, and the Listeners find comfort in tales. Throughout the whole novel, the author used a great deal of humor, as shown in passages like "Some of the beams that held up the roof were so rusty... It seemed as if a couple more dust layers may topple them. The relationships in the narrative are also very great. They care for one other no matter what, and their relationships are durable and powerful. Being a selfless and perceptive individual, Silex is very fascinating.

It's interesting how each chapter's name corresponds with an important event in the related tale. I have to admit that The Headmaster was a really compelling book to read. I was captivated from beginning to end, and upon finishing, I felt a mixture of wonder and pleasure. The only issue I had with the book was that I noticed a few mistakes, but they had no impact on how I understood the information.

[Chris Cowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two or three chapters into this book I was hooked and wanted to know where things were going, but frankly, I was anticipating disappointment - an experience I’ve come to expect in most novels labeled YA. Not this time!
What I found most compelling is how indigenous themes in are woven effectively into the narrative through their integration with the book’s broader exploration of identity, power, and reconciliation. Morton manages to use these themes to highlight historical injustices and their lasting impact, not as an afterthought but as a central element of the story's moral fabric. The indigenous perspectives provide a counterpoint to the dominant narratives of authority and tradition symbolized by the headmasters themselves, enriching the text with a sense of urgency and authenticity.
The themes are not presented didactically, an occupational hazard for many YA authors, but are embedded in the characters' lives, their stories, and the settings, which allows readers to engage emotionally rather than feel like they are being taught a lesson. Maple is a wonderful character and I found that the subtlety of her alignment with indigenous sensibilities served as a bridge between cultures within the story. Morton’s thoughtful approach to this character enriches the narrative without overt exposition, showing rather than telling—a hallmark of effective storytelling. The nuanced portrayal avoids stereotypes, instead emphasizing resilience, culture, and the complexity of indigenous experiences in a way that feels integral to the plot rather than a separate commentary.
This is a great YA book that you can read, along with your teenager, and both be equally enriched.

[The Opal Grove Editing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting novel with an engrossing plot line. It feels like you're walking with the main character, Maple, all the time, and this really situates the reader within the story. Because of this, I really felt that I was experiencing everything that she was. The concept of the Headmasters controlling memories, and the society that the people built in the wake of this invasion was fascinating, and I loved learning about the different ways of life amongst the community. The writing was descriptive and visceral, and conveyed the tension and dread that permeates the story.

Maple was a really interesting main character, and I enjoyed following her as she grew up. The discovery of the journal was a great way to introduce the initial invasion by the Headmasters, and really helped to build a better idea of the people living there.

At times, the story did feel a little slow, with too much irrelevant information added in which made it drag. Whilst this slowed the pacing of the novel down, and made it feel a bit laborious sometimes, it did lend the story a more immediate feeling in the sense that the author was able to capture the monotomy of daily life on the compound, and allowed the reader to feel as if they were experiencing it firsthand.

Overall, a really good book with a great main character, an interesting and unusual plot line, and great writing! I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Rukhsana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Morton’s dystopian novel The Headmasters is by far the most unique and creative take on the dystopian world. There are thousands of thousands of novels written in the dystopian genre, but they usually follow the same kind of patterns everyone has seen over and over again. This genre can get quite boring at times because the same ideas have been overused. For example, look at the Hunger Games and Divergent; their dystopian worlds are run by governments formed by people with the goal of fixing society, but if you look at The Headmasters, it is not a government running them but rather these creepy creatures that attach themselves on the back of people. For me, a dystopian has always been about fixing the human race (often in ways that do not work) but in this novel, it is more about erasing the human race by taking away things that make humans human. You can see this by how the people do not raise their own children, how they do not have romantic relationships that lead to children, and so on. The point I have hopefully made is that The Headmasters has taken the dystopian genre and made it once again unique and interesting. At times it had me on the edge of my seat, had me teary eyed, and had me wanting more once the book ended.

If someone were to ask me “would I recommend this book to anyone else?”, I would respond, I already have! Within the first section of the book, I told my friends all about how they should read it. So yes, I would recommend this book, even to people whose favourite genre is not dystopian because of it not being a typical dystopian novel!

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crisp dystopian fiction about the destruction of modern life through a disaster at a Northern Ontario physics research facility. 3 generations have passed, during which a race of insect-like parasites has take control of humans in their vicinity and forced them into a brutal slave labor social structure that kills most humans far too early and damages their psyches in multiple ways.

The novel explores religious and spiritual responses to these abnormal circumstances as well as showcasing human adaptability and the drive for survival. Then one brave girl finds her lost grandmother’s guidance on how to break free of the parasite, and threatens the survival of the whole colony. Will she get a chance to try, or will those humans most vested in pleasing their parasites stop her from even trying?

Mark Morton is better known as a food writer. I can only imagine what it cost him in visceral disgust to describe the 'biscuit' that the human hosts are forced to eat every day to keep them going through their mandatory hours of hard labour.

This novel stands out for the clean, crisp, writing, sympathetic main character, and strong secondary characters, as well as for the very credible examination about how the will to live rises and ebbs, both under occupation and during/after a rebellion against one's overlords.

Highly recommended Canadian speculative fiction from Shadowpaw Press.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

What a thrilling and enthralling sci-fi and dystopian YA read. The author did an incredible job of world-building here, allowing the mystery of these creatures and the fall of mankind to take hold in the reader’s mind as they are introduced to the mythos of this narrative. The Headmasters themselves are genuinely chilling, and the society they have made for themselves through humanity is disturbing and creepy, allowing the terror they represent to sink in for the reader, much like the classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers film.

Yet the character development helped make the grander sci-fi elements of the story feel alive and engaging on the page. The emotional core of Maple and Thorn’s journey together and the losses they incur over time will resonate with readers, and the visceral imagery the author brings into play will stay with readers long after the story ends, giving the protagonist a narrative that is both exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

The Verdict

Memorable, thrilling, and entertaining author Mark Morton’s “The Headmasters” is a must-read sci-fi and dystopian YA read. The emotional and engaging journey the protagonist goes on and the epic world-building mixed with the spine-chilling terror of the Headmasters made this a one-of-a-kind and a great start to the 2024 season for sci-fi and YA readers everywhere.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Headmasters by Mark Morton is a well-developed and intriguing science fiction fantasy book. Enthralling and suspenseful, Mark Morton creates a novel I cannot resist reading. It's dark, dangerous, and deadly. It is dystopian in nature for sure. There are so many mysteries surrounding the biggest mystery of all. The main characters, Maple and Thorn, only provoke more intrigue among the readers. The scenes plunge me further into the unknown yet highly addictive world building from Mark Morton. Fast-paced, engaging, this thrilling sci-fi novel is a must read for all readers. It contains a little of everything to satisfy a reader's wants.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wild and incredible ride.

[Ariel Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book: the world-building was incredible! Here's hoping that Morton is working on a sequel...