Valedictorian: An Origin Story

by Thomas Murlin

THE FORMULA IS ALWAYS THE SAME …

Tragic Backstory + Accidental Power + Symbolic Costume + Moral Test = Transformation

… THE OUTCOME IS NOT.

High schooler Jack Shaw never asked for greatness.
He never asked for his uncle’s comic book collection.
He never asked for the stories—or their rules—to bleed into his life and test him in ways he never imagined.

No … he never asked for any of it.

But now—it’s asking everything of him .

382 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2026

About the author

Thomas Murlin has taught 10th-grade English at Cazenovia High School in upstate New York for eighteen years and coaches golf. A graduate of Syracuse University’s film program, he spent fifteen years writing Valedictorian: An Origin Story—a novel built as a deliberate modern counterpart to Lord of the Flies, the book he teaches. He published through Emory House, an independent press he founded and named for his school’s street address. Valedictorian is the first book of a trilogy.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valedictorian was a quick, engaging read that was hard to put down. I really enjoyed the cast of characters and watching their development throughout the story. Each character brought a unique perspective that kept me invested from beginning to end. There are plenty of pop culture references throughout the book, especially to superheroes and comics, but the author provides enough context that readers who aren't into those topics never feel left out or lost. I also think this would be an excellent choice for classroom use, as it offers plenty of opportunities for discussion about relationships, personal growth, identity, and the challenges students face. Overall, it's an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that I would recommend.

[Rachel L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and perplexing. The powerful teenage emotions captured in this novel were reminiscent of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

[Kaylee Havington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t Put it Down

Not my usual genre but was so amazingly written that I couldn’t put it down and stayed up late to finish it.

[Wendy Everard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. Character-driven story with a likable yet flawed protagonist which adds a layer of complexity to the story. Great twists, especially at the end. Engagingly written with allusions to comics and pop culture that those in the know will enjoy and that those not in the know should Google. :) Made me eager for a sequel to see how things turn out for the three main characters. Highly recommend.

[Thomas Murlin]

Professional Review — Midwest Book Review

"Original, exceptional, and a simply riveting read from start to finish..."
—Midwest Book Review

"An extraordinarily entertaining read... with an identifiable resonance for adolescent readers."
—Midwest Book Review

"Especially and unreservedly recommended...for middle school, high school, and community library YA Fiction collections for ages 14-18."
—Midwest Book Review

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself thinking of the characters and story line long after I put the book down. Though I was worried I wouldn’t get the comic book references, the relevance was easily explained. I enjoyed the character development and look forward to a sequel to help solve unanswered questions. Well done.

[Jenny Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow start for me but the pace quickly picked up. It has a superhero comic vibe and many comic references but I found it to be a good read. There were many twists that kept it interesting. I would recommend this book!

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will rattle some. Will make others think. This reader LOVED it. Smart. Compelling. Unpredictable.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow burn hybrid mystery with bite - Harry Potter meets Brightburn meets The Sandlot meets Scream. Impossible to put down.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read books in this genre, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The story started off a bit slowly, but once it found its stride, I was completely hooked. It's definitely a slow burn, and the payoff was well worth the wait.
I especially enjoyed the many pop culture references woven throughout the story—they added a lot of fun and personality. At its heart, this is a compelling coming-of-age story with memorable characters and plenty of emotional moments.
By the end, I was left with so many questions that I'm hoping will be answered in a sequel. I especially need to know what happens next with Jack! I'll definitely be looking forward to continuing his story.