The Books of Fell

Fell #1-3

by M.E. Kerr

A fateful car accident with a mysterious stranger sets a young man on a startling new path, tangled with promise, mystery, and danger. Presented with an offer too good to refuse, working-class John Fell gives up his name to run with the rich kids at a fancy prep school. It's a place ruled by an elite association of young men, whose members pledge to watch out for their own -- for life. Soon, like it or not, Fell is drawn into a complicated world. And even when the last thing he wants to do is get involved, it seems that somehow, he already is...and getting deeper by the minute.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery

608 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

About the author

M. E. Kerr was born Marijane Meaker in Auburn, New York. Her interest in writing began with her father, who loved to read, and her mother, who loved to tell stories of neighborhood gossip. Unable to find an agent to represent her work, Meaker became her own agent, and wrote articles and books under a series of pseudonyms: Vin Packer, Ann Aldrich, Laura Winston, M.E. Kerr, and Mary James. As M.E. Kerr, Meaker has produced over twenty novels for young adults and won multiple awards, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her lifetime contribution to young adult literature.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book involves many motifs that are generalized to fiction, but what I found most riveting was the way in which the author used these motifs in the different ways. The story was not 'trite', I actually had to read to understand what was going on. The third book was confusing, but by the end of the story it left you with a 'wow' of understanding.

This is a very complex read, even for my age.

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before Riverdale, there was the quirky, culty, ever so slightly campy high school neo-noir of M. E. Kerr. As disaffected master chef in training turned unexpected preppie John Fell ambles aimlessly through a series of love affairs and convoluted mystery plots, the world of Gardner Prep School reveals itself to be a much more eccentric and macabre place than it initially appears. Fans of "Brick," "Riverdale" or "Veronica Mars" will find much to like here, though its deadpan, oddball charm may be off-putting to some.

[Hayley Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two books in the trilogy are amazing... the third gets very strange! No clue where she came up with it. Overall - this book is great and is a wonderful YA read - even for adults.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book to read, and I did enjoy reading it, the plot is enjoyable, and yet there are several "weaknesses" with this book trilogy that really disappointed me.

1st- I guess I'll start at the very end, and with the part of these books that both disappointed me, and kind of made me angry. Throughout most of the books the main character, John Fell keeps going on and on about this girl that he loves, but who pretty much royally screwed him over, Delia. At the very end of the book he walks in to a room, sees who he thinks is her, says her name,and the girl replies, "No, I'm her sister" and then the book ends. WTF I want and need more!!! You can't just leave it with a cliff-hanger like that, it's not fair!!! Grrr

2nd- I found that at times the dialogue was kind of hard to follow, since everyone seemed to speak the same, so I'd get lost of who said what. And at times it's almost like I just had to infer how they were saying things, because it wasn't written.

Other than those two things though, I can't think of much else that I found I didn't enjoy about these books. There are very enjoyable,and each book is pretty short and easy to read. I did find myself enjoying the 3rd book a little better than the other 2, but that might just be because the characters were already known to me, and it was just a change from the 1st two. I would have greatly enjoyed another book in this series to just wrap some thing up with the plot. Since we never even get to know whether or not he graduates or if something happens between him and his former lover's sister. It's really annoying and I hate books that end open-ended, yet I hate this one the most because it never continued.

I would recommend these books to anyone who likes reading books about prep schools or like a book with mystery, love, and heart-break.

[Lisabet Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I picked this book up at a used book sale that it was intended for young adults. I enjoyed it anyway. The author does a great job creating creepy, compelling characters. The main weakness in the book (actually, a compendium of three short novels) is the dialogue, which sounds the same regardless of who's speaking - and not very realistic in most cases. I think teenagers would enjoy this tale of an impoverished young man, the offer he can't refuse, and the surprising consequences.

[Hope Broadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Fell way back in high school and loved it. I've matured some, so the books aren't quite as sophisticated as I once though, but they hold up. Great stories by M.E. Kerr. I wish there were more Fell stories. I feel like the idea of one was at the end of the third one. I wish there had been one.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have re-read this book every year for the past 8 years. It has been one of my favorite books from the age of 15 to 23. The way the author get's you involved in the characters lives is outstanding. It really feels like you are going through the events yourself.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason that I did not give this a higher rating is because the last book in it got a little weird for me. I've never been a big fan of vantriliquists so it was a little weird.

[Sash · Rating 5 out of 5]

captivating

[Lori Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are among my favorites of all time. I still reread them. Too bad the awful cliffhanger she left us with won't ever be resolved.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every author is a genius when you’re 12

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really into the idea of prep school when I was a kid, so I loved these books.