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Academy of Unholy Boys
372 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
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14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 7, 2025
This book was tragic. I kept thinking about the Dead Poet's Society the whole time I read it. They're nothing alike which is odd! The premise of the story and written with great care and sensitivity.
The book flowed well and it also nicely written. It was descriptive and plenty of visuals. I felt that there were no unanswered questions by the time I had finished.
The characters are all great. I wasn't particularly keen on Foster but he was still part of an excellent dynamic. I liked Tuck. He was a good guy. Basil was a sweet girl. They characters worked well together.
The book is written in first person from the points of view of Jay, Bear, Basil and Tuck. It was very well done and worked tremendously well in the context. It was great to see the story unfold behind four different pairs of eyes.
I recommend this. It was tragic and well worth a read.
The book flowed well and it also nicely written. It was descriptive and plenty of visuals. I felt that there were no unanswered questions by the time I had finished.
The characters are all great. I wasn't particularly keen on Foster but he was still part of an excellent dynamic. I liked Tuck. He was a good guy. Basil was a sweet girl. They characters worked well together.
The book is written in first person from the points of view of Jay, Bear, Basil and Tuck. It was very well done and worked tremendously well in the context. It was great to see the story unfold behind four different pairs of eyes.
I recommend this. It was tragic and well worth a read.
March 31, 2025
This is a deep and tragic YA story that explores sexuality, influence, peer pressures, falling in love, empathy and morality. It navigates traumas, violence and a need to escape reality, balanced against the evolving moods of teenagers, a need to be in control, desires to be understood, and toxic power plays.
Foster is dangerous, narcissistic and corruptive with his charisma, knowledge and ability to manipulate those around him.
Bear is obsessed, loyal and tragically in love, unable to step away from his bond with Foster, and accept how he negatively changes the course of his life.
Jay is sweet, naive, easily swayed, and wholly unprepared for the influence of his two new friends to make him spiral into chaos, under the guises of friendship, brotherhood and love.
The story explores dark themes including suicide pacts, indoctrination, blackmail, the pressures of teenage life, grief, drugs and loss.
It's also a poignant story about wanting to fit in, be seen and accepted, falling in love, embracing yourself and finding your own identity away from the influence of others.
✨"We're trapped together somehow, linked... A warped bond"
✨"What the hell is Foster Gold to me now? First crush? Lover? Maestro? Nemesis? Arrogant fool, coward? Scumbag! Or was it something even worse?"
✨"You can't doubt me like that. I'm the sanest one here"
Foster is dangerous, narcissistic and corruptive with his charisma, knowledge and ability to manipulate those around him.
Bear is obsessed, loyal and tragically in love, unable to step away from his bond with Foster, and accept how he negatively changes the course of his life.
Jay is sweet, naive, easily swayed, and wholly unprepared for the influence of his two new friends to make him spiral into chaos, under the guises of friendship, brotherhood and love.
The story explores dark themes including suicide pacts, indoctrination, blackmail, the pressures of teenage life, grief, drugs and loss.
It's also a poignant story about wanting to fit in, be seen and accepted, falling in love, embracing yourself and finding your own identity away from the influence of others.
✨"We're trapped together somehow, linked... A warped bond"
✨"What the hell is Foster Gold to me now? First crush? Lover? Maestro? Nemesis? Arrogant fool, coward? Scumbag! Or was it something even worse?"
✨"You can't doubt me like that. I'm the sanest one here"
April 4, 2025
This is not an easy read. But not all books are meant to be. Some are meant to challenge you, and this is absolutely one of those books. It tackles (pun not originally intended, but I’m sticking with it) some very serious topics, and it does it really well.
The author is not shy about advertising that he has dealt with some of the serious topics he covers in his books, and I really appreciate that. Knowing that the writer has some experience really helps give a lot of depth and gravitas to the subject matter.
I went back and forth with myself when deciding to pick this book up because of the heavy subject matter, but ultimately it intrigued me greatly. I also appreciate that it was set approximately a decade ago in a period from 2014-2018 (which feels insane to consider that 2014 was over a decade ago). The high schoolers in the book would be well into their 20s and almost 30s by now.
Possibly the most important thing highlighted in this book is that, despite all the pressure and focus on good parenting, there are still plenty of really bad parents out there. There was only like one good parent in this book as far as I could tell, and the kid still wasn’t impressed by him. In case we doubt it, this highlights how important good parenting is. The kids in this book were seriously messed up!
I was really impressed with all the representation in this book – LGBTQIA-plus, ASD, mental illness, disability, and more. And it was very realistic because it ran the gamut of good, bad, and in between.
Who’s It For?
It’s a rare day when I’m at a loss, but I’m not really sure what kind of reader would enjoy this. I did enjoy it, but it was also more that is a very impactful read. It has a lot of content warnings, so be sure to check those out!
Content Warnings: This book contains topics that may disturb some readers, including, but not limited to, Suicide and Ideation, Cult-like Behavior, Sexual Assault, Homophobia, Child Neglect/Abuse (including Child SA), Underage Sex, Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
The author is not shy about advertising that he has dealt with some of the serious topics he covers in his books, and I really appreciate that. Knowing that the writer has some experience really helps give a lot of depth and gravitas to the subject matter.
I went back and forth with myself when deciding to pick this book up because of the heavy subject matter, but ultimately it intrigued me greatly. I also appreciate that it was set approximately a decade ago in a period from 2014-2018 (which feels insane to consider that 2014 was over a decade ago). The high schoolers in the book would be well into their 20s and almost 30s by now.
Possibly the most important thing highlighted in this book is that, despite all the pressure and focus on good parenting, there are still plenty of really bad parents out there. There was only like one good parent in this book as far as I could tell, and the kid still wasn’t impressed by him. In case we doubt it, this highlights how important good parenting is. The kids in this book were seriously messed up!
I was really impressed with all the representation in this book – LGBTQIA-plus, ASD, mental illness, disability, and more. And it was very realistic because it ran the gamut of good, bad, and in between.
Who’s It For?
It’s a rare day when I’m at a loss, but I’m not really sure what kind of reader would enjoy this. I did enjoy it, but it was also more that is a very impactful read. It has a lot of content warnings, so be sure to check those out!
Content Warnings: This book contains topics that may disturb some readers, including, but not limited to, Suicide and Ideation, Cult-like Behavior, Sexual Assault, Homophobia, Child Neglect/Abuse (including Child SA), Underage Sex, Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
April 10, 2025
This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time!
It takes us on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish and I absolutely love a book that can make me feel so many emotions, sometimes all at once!
The characters, although not the nicest of people, were so relatable and authentic.
We see them struggling with navigating so many issues that plague teenagers today and I think this is why it felt so poignant.
We see some tough topics explored and these are, at times, uncomfortable to read.
However, I thought these were so well written with a sensitivity and understanding that had me captivated.
Being a mum myself, this really got me thinking about my own boys and the importance of being open and available to them at all times.
This does take a little time to get into as the beginning does start of with quite a slow pace - but this in-depth place and character setting is what eventually sucks you all the way down and holds you fully immersed for the whole book!
My first read by this author, but I know it won't be my last - a really great read.
It takes us on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish and I absolutely love a book that can make me feel so many emotions, sometimes all at once!
The characters, although not the nicest of people, were so relatable and authentic.
We see them struggling with navigating so many issues that plague teenagers today and I think this is why it felt so poignant.
We see some tough topics explored and these are, at times, uncomfortable to read.
However, I thought these were so well written with a sensitivity and understanding that had me captivated.
Being a mum myself, this really got me thinking about my own boys and the importance of being open and available to them at all times.
This does take a little time to get into as the beginning does start of with quite a slow pace - but this in-depth place and character setting is what eventually sucks you all the way down and holds you fully immersed for the whole book!
My first read by this author, but I know it won't be my last - a really great read.
April 4, 2025
This is a hodge podge of every emotion and trope found in a book. Peer pressure coupled with power plays, result in a tragic story. Jay’s new friend is nothing short of a narcissist and seasoned manipulator. Bear’s obsession will change the course of his life. Jay is naive, putty in Foster’s intentional chaos. Trigger warnings include suicide pacts, grief, and drugs. Sometimes, fitting in isn’t the best course. Well written, with a deep plot, it kept me engrossed throughout.
April 8, 2025
Academy of Unholy Boys by David Fitzpatrick.
This was a difficult read for me. I did like the cover of this book. I did struggle with this one at the start. I liked the writing style and the story. I just wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. The topics was hard as well. I didn't have any favourites. I didn't like Foster or Bear. This does deal with sensitive topics. I'm still processing this book. This was a very hard read.
This was a difficult read for me. I did like the cover of this book. I did struggle with this one at the start. I liked the writing style and the story. I just wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. The topics was hard as well. I didn't have any favourites. I didn't like Foster or Bear. This does deal with sensitive topics. I'm still processing this book. This was a very hard read.
April 30, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ because I appreciated all the representation. Cult, drugs, mental illness, LGBTQ, disability etc. The ending felt a tad rushed and at times the middle of the story dragged for me. Still, a good read.
February 20, 2025
Slow start but I decent storyline.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews