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Underdawgs
Sixteen-year-old Jason Clarke wants a future, but his father Robert couldn’t care less. Depressed after the recent death of Jason’s mother, Robert has chosen the bottle over his two children and without support, Jason is quickly falling to the temptation and violence of the inner-city.
That is until he meets Lily Evans, a beautiful and intelligent girl who has just enrolled in Jason’s school. The two hit it off, as Jason sees in Lily qualities he wants to emulate.
But when a brawl Jason’s entangled in results in one of his friends getting stabbed, Jason finds himself swept up in a series of escalating gang confrontations, spinning out of control.
As sirens blast through the air, what will be the price for Jason's to have a future?
That is until he meets Lily Evans, a beautiful and intelligent girl who has just enrolled in Jason’s school. The two hit it off, as Jason sees in Lily qualities he wants to emulate.
But when a brawl Jason’s entangled in results in one of his friends getting stabbed, Jason finds himself swept up in a series of escalating gang confrontations, spinning out of control.
As sirens blast through the air, what will be the price for Jason's to have a future?
- GenresYoung Adult
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 7, 2019
Wow, I did not expect this book to be so violent. Pretty much the entire book is Jason getting into fights, getting hurt, and hurting other people. He's sixteen, so he also runs his mouth constantly and says some pretty bad things. I did like Sarah, his sister. She was younger and more innocent. She wanted Jason and her dad to get along and be happy. Lily also tried to help Jason. She discouraged him from fighting and told him to make amends with his dad.
Spoiler alert, this book is a bummer. Sad things happen and the ending left me like, what just happened?
Spoiler alert, this book is a bummer. Sad things happen and the ending left me like, what just happened?
June 3, 2019
Underdawgs by Harry McKenzie tells the story of Jason "Jase" Clarke. Taking place in Australia, readers follow Jase through his rendezvous with his delinquent peers, the impact of a friendship turned relationship and exposure to chaos in the home. Living with his single, alcoholic father and younger sister, Jase finds himself dealing with the difficult obligation of being a steadfast protector for his sister and living his own independent life. Jase's mishaps and wrongdoings frequently go un-noticed, casting an ugly shadow with him with every turn.
At times, Jase’s actions as a character felt so contradictory but not due to storytelling but instead poor writing. Just a few pages prior Jase would make the promise not to leave his sisters side and then soon after would storm out the home after a fight with their father. I recognize such thought process was likely difficult for a character like Jase however as the reader I often wondered “oh no, what’s happening to Jase’s sister right now?”
Midway through the novel we are introduced to a rival “gang” - if you will. It honestly felt more like “this group of troublemakers” vs. “that group of troublemakers”. With the development of a feud, predestined to end badly, the story felt like a (bad) retelling of West Side Story. You may say to yourself, “but Annie, West Side Story was a love story”. Well y’all I’m getting to it but in all honesty it wasn’t that great.
Jase fell in love with Lily. Lily is the new girl from the “other side of the tracks”. Not to sound cliche but she does she live on the the other side, considered to be populated by residents of a more middle to high class status and she comes from a two parent household. It may not be my place to say but it was definitely ‘puppy love. The romance in the novel felt somewhat juvenile compared to all the adult like issues the main character has to face. Also, I just didn’t believe in Jase and his love interest as a couple. The dynamics of their relationship gave off vibes as something meant to be temporary. This quite possibly could have been influence by Jase’s impulsive and sometimes poor decision making.
To end this review, I would have to say that the novels completion was not satisfying. So many dramatic events took place, that were all fine and very much connected to the storyline, however everything felt so rushed. It’s as if the author was in some sort of hurry to tie up all these loose ends. This resulted in a finish that seemed unrealistic compared to he every other event was written.
**I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review**
At times, Jase’s actions as a character felt so contradictory but not due to storytelling but instead poor writing. Just a few pages prior Jase would make the promise not to leave his sisters side and then soon after would storm out the home after a fight with their father. I recognize such thought process was likely difficult for a character like Jase however as the reader I often wondered “oh no, what’s happening to Jase’s sister right now?”
Midway through the novel we are introduced to a rival “gang” - if you will. It honestly felt more like “this group of troublemakers” vs. “that group of troublemakers”. With the development of a feud, predestined to end badly, the story felt like a (bad) retelling of West Side Story. You may say to yourself, “but Annie, West Side Story was a love story”. Well y’all I’m getting to it but in all honesty it wasn’t that great.
Jase fell in love with Lily. Lily is the new girl from the “other side of the tracks”. Not to sound cliche but she does she live on the the other side, considered to be populated by residents of a more middle to high class status and she comes from a two parent household. It may not be my place to say but it was definitely ‘puppy love. The romance in the novel felt somewhat juvenile compared to all the adult like issues the main character has to face. Also, I just didn’t believe in Jase and his love interest as a couple. The dynamics of their relationship gave off vibes as something meant to be temporary. This quite possibly could have been influence by Jase’s impulsive and sometimes poor decision making.
To end this review, I would have to say that the novels completion was not satisfying. So many dramatic events took place, that were all fine and very much connected to the storyline, however everything felt so rushed. It’s as if the author was in some sort of hurry to tie up all these loose ends. This resulted in a finish that seemed unrealistic compared to he every other event was written.
**I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review**
December 23, 2018
This book is loosely set in Melbourne (Australia) and is about five guys from the innercity struggling to survive in a world that doesn't care about them. The story is told through the eyes of protagonist Jason Clarke, as we explore this period of his life as he battles with a volatile relationship with his father, the constant violence and substance abuse of the world around him and meeting the girl of his dreams. After a violent confrontation with a group of graffers, his friend DJ is stabbed, triggering a series of tit-for-tatt retaliation attacks, that come to a head when the two gangs face off against each other one last time.
I loved this book and read it in one session. It is extremely well placed and one of the easiest to read books i've ever read. I have not heard of this author before, but will definitley be keeping and eye out to see what he brings out next!
I loved this book and read it in one session. It is extremely well placed and one of the easiest to read books i've ever read. I have not heard of this author before, but will definitley be keeping and eye out to see what he brings out next!
June 1, 2019
3.75*
Harry mckenzie is a new author to me, who I'm Glad I come across. I throughly enjoyed reading this book. I found it a very easy and quick read and read it within one sitting! The story is told by a 16 year old boy named Jason Clarke. It has a lot of drama in it and keeps you wanting to read more.
I very much look forward to seeing more by this author!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Harry mckenzie is a new author to me, who I'm Glad I come across. I throughly enjoyed reading this book. I found it a very easy and quick read and read it within one sitting! The story is told by a 16 year old boy named Jason Clarke. It has a lot of drama in it and keeps you wanting to read more.
I very much look forward to seeing more by this author!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2018
Wow!! I've been looking for something for my teenage son to read for a while now and boy i found it. He absolutely loved this book, first book his actually ever finished. Beware their is swearing in it though.
December 20, 2018
Great book! Read it in one sitting would definitely recommend for anyone who likes contemporary YA!!!
December 22, 2018
Made me laugh, made my heart race, made me cry. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
December 26, 2018
Great book ++++ Would recommend to anyone who likes S.E Hinton or even John Green.
January 2, 2019
Well John Green, It looks like you've got some serious competition!
January 2, 2019
Man this book is dope as shit! I don't read much, neither do my high school mates but got convinced by my girlfriend to read this. First book i ever properly read. light up, kick back and enjoy ;)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews