What do you think?
Rate this book
New Kid #1
The New Kid
Will Hunter is used to being the New Kid; Harrisburg High School is his fifth new school in less than three years. By now, he knows not to be fooled by the bright pep rallies, the wholesome jocks, the innocent cheerleaders. He knows the evil lurking underneath. It's the same evil that took his dad eight years the same evil he battles every day.
Natalie Holand's life fell apart the night her sister Emily disappeared. No one believes her when she tells them what she yellow and green eyes, glowing beneath the surface of the water in which Emily supposedly drowned. And Emily isn't the only person to go missing in Harrisburg lately. The town is changing, not for the better, and Natalie doesn't know why. What she does know is that, whatever's happening, it's bad, and the New Kid is right in the middle of it.
Because Will's got a secret even bigger than Harrisburg's . . . and there's more to it than even he knows.
Natalie Holand's life fell apart the night her sister Emily disappeared. No one believes her when she tells them what she yellow and green eyes, glowing beneath the surface of the water in which Emily supposedly drowned. And Emily isn't the only person to go missing in Harrisburg lately. The town is changing, not for the better, and Natalie doesn't know why. What she does know is that, whatever's happening, it's bad, and the New Kid is right in the middle of it.
Because Will's got a secret even bigger than Harrisburg's . . . and there's more to it than even he knows.
281 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2009
19 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Temple Mathews
12 books63 followersA graduate of the University of Washington and a producer at the American Film Institute, Temple Mathews has written dozens of half-hour animation TV episodes and several animated and live action features and direct-to-DVD and video films. Mr. Mathews has sold scripts and/or worked for hire at every major studio in Hollywood. His credits include the Walt Disney animated feature films "RETURN TO NEVERLAND" and "THE LITTLE MERMAID II," and the MGM feature film "PICTURE THIS!"
Temple Mathews was Story Editor on 35 half-hour episodes of "THE JUDGE", a daytime courtroom drama and Story Editor on two seasons of "INSIDE OUT," an anthology series produced by Propaganda Films and Producer Alan Poul ("SIX FEET UNDER"). On that series Mr. Mathews worked with directors Antoine Fuqua ("TRAINING DAY"), Alexander Payne ("SIDEWAYS," "ABOUT SCHMIDT"), Richard Shepard ("THE MATADOR") and others. Additionally, he was Writer and Producer of the feature film ("OFF THE MARK") starring Terri Ferrell ("BECKER, DEEP SPACE NINE") and Barry Corbin ("ONE TREE HILL."). Mr. Mathews lives in Santa Monica with his daughter, actress Manon Mathews
Temple Mathews was Story Editor on 35 half-hour episodes of "THE JUDGE", a daytime courtroom drama and Story Editor on two seasons of "INSIDE OUT," an anthology series produced by Propaganda Films and Producer Alan Poul ("SIX FEET UNDER"). On that series Mr. Mathews worked with directors Antoine Fuqua ("TRAINING DAY"), Alexander Payne ("SIDEWAYS," "ABOUT SCHMIDT"), Richard Shepard ("THE MATADOR") and others. Additionally, he was Writer and Producer of the feature film ("OFF THE MARK") starring Terri Ferrell ("BECKER, DEEP SPACE NINE") and Barry Corbin ("ONE TREE HILL."). Mr. Mathews lives in Santa Monica with his daughter, actress Manon Mathews
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 7, 2009
Reading this book took me by surprise, I couldn't put it down. I finished it in one day and still wanted more, this book is so well written it's amazing. One of my favorite books ever!
October 9, 2012
Wow, this book was terribly cliche, I had to skim most of the middle. I am really glad I did because the ending, oh the horrible ending.
Let's meet Will Hunter the main character who is a super secret 16 year old. He is super rich, super smart, and is a super bad ass.
Will is also super humble, super nice, and super shy.
Um, what?
Yes we have a male version of the Mary Sue, is there a name for them?
In the beginning of the book the author brand drops showing Will has what I guess is impeccable style.
I wouldn't know because I do not, so Will is also super stylish.
Will loves his mom, hates his step father, and pines after his missing father who was abducted when he was eight.
This is when he started on his path to super secret awesomeness that is chasing his fathers abductor.
I am just going to go over the first day of school for The New Kid, you will recognize him for everyone including Will himself refers to him as The New Kid.
Even though he could drive himself to school, he is super rich remember, he wants to blend so he rides the bus.
This is where he meets Natalie, a super cute girl he is just sure thinks of him as pond scum. He also meets the obligatory douche canoe from the football team.
On the way to school the bus is attacked by demonic crows, and he ends up sitting with Natalie, no really.
When he gets to school he is warned by the Principal that he has a clean slate here, and that all his past indiscretions are in the past.
*cough* Buffy The Vampire Slayer *cough*
Will, still wanting to appear like a normal teenager is all nice and humble and agrees, but he doesn't even make it to his first class before showing off his super skills. He stops and saves the school geek, Rudy, from the football team as they are dunking him head first in the toilet.
Cue fight scene, very low key.
He then makes it to his first class and purposely gets questions wrong so he seems normal.
Now we have our school lunch table choice moment, where he, you guessed it, he sits with Rudy.
In mid conversation he notices that the head cheerleader, who is teenage girl perfection, is about to be blown up. He can't let that happen, but long story short he saves the girl but blows up the homecoming float only to be sent home by the Principal still holding on to his clean slate?
WTF!
Now at home in is secret lair in the basement, surrounded with all his super secret demon hunting toys, he pulls out his instant healing cream.
With The Fucking Window Open.
Yup, you guessed it Natalie was looking in the window, and Rudy is hiding in the bushes.
*sigh*
Yeah, and it gets worse.
I can't even.
I am done.
This books sucked.
The ending is worse.
Yeah, that fucking stupid.
Thank you Netgalley and BenBella Books.
Let's meet Will Hunter the main character who is a super secret 16 year old. He is super rich, super smart, and is a super bad ass.
Will is also super humble, super nice, and super shy.
Um, what?
Yes we have a male version of the Mary Sue, is there a name for them?
In the beginning of the book the author brand drops showing Will has what I guess is impeccable style.
I wouldn't know because I do not, so Will is also super stylish.
Will loves his mom, hates his step father, and pines after his missing father who was abducted when he was eight.
This is when he started on his path to super secret awesomeness that is chasing his fathers abductor.
I am just going to go over the first day of school for The New Kid, you will recognize him for everyone including Will himself refers to him as The New Kid.
Even though he could drive himself to school, he is super rich remember, he wants to blend so he rides the bus.
This is where he meets Natalie, a super cute girl he is just sure thinks of him as pond scum. He also meets the obligatory douche canoe from the football team.
On the way to school the bus is attacked by demonic crows, and he ends up sitting with Natalie, no really.
When he gets to school he is warned by the Principal that he has a clean slate here, and that all his past indiscretions are in the past.
*cough* Buffy The Vampire Slayer *cough*
Will, still wanting to appear like a normal teenager is all nice and humble and agrees, but he doesn't even make it to his first class before showing off his super skills. He stops and saves the school geek, Rudy, from the football team as they are dunking him head first in the toilet.
Cue fight scene, very low key.
He then makes it to his first class and purposely gets questions wrong so he seems normal.
Now we have our school lunch table choice moment, where he, you guessed it, he sits with Rudy.
In mid conversation he notices that the head cheerleader, who is teenage girl perfection, is about to be blown up. He can't let that happen, but long story short he saves the girl but blows up the homecoming float only to be sent home by the Principal still holding on to his clean slate?
WTF!
Now at home in is secret lair in the basement, surrounded with all his super secret demon hunting toys, he pulls out his instant healing cream.
With The Fucking Window Open.
Yup, you guessed it Natalie was looking in the window, and Rudy is hiding in the bushes.
*sigh*
Yeah, and it gets worse.
I can't even.
I am done.
This books sucked.
The ending is worse.
Yeah, that fucking stupid.
Thank you Netgalley and BenBella Books.
March 26, 2013
The New Kid is so over the top with cliches that it is up in space, orbiting the moon. I knew coming in, after reading my friend’s review, that the book would be full of cliches. However, knowing it is one thing, reading it — experiencing it — was another. It was a head-tilting-back, eyes-popping-out type of experience.
+ the Gary Stu hero
The protagonist was 120% a Gary Stu. 120%! Every third page and I am not exaggerating honest to goodness, the book would tell me how hot Will Hunter is, hot smart Will Hunter is, how lonely but cool Will Hunter is, how Will Hunt is this and that, how he is awesome, how he is awesome, how he is awesome — I get it! I fucking get it! Every time the book extolled Will, I felt as if an anvil dropped on my head. Even when the book went outside of Will’s 3rd person POV that predominated the story and onto another character’s POV, I still got the Will-Is-Fucking-Awesome “character development.”
The only time the book was not extolling Will was when it was lamenting his father complex. “Father, I will save you.” “Father, come back.” “Father, I never give up.” I get it. Will loves his father A LOT.
+ the love interest
His two friends were, thankfully, were not completely cliche. One of Will’s friends and also his love interest was the Girl Next Door, Natalie. I was very thankful that the book didn’t make her out to be a Damsel in Distress when it easily could have. She did, however, have a slight Tortuous Soul trope going on, but thankfully it never took front stage.
+ the doomed sidekick
Will’s other friend, Rudy, stopped short of being a Geeky Sidekick but his characterization still bothered me. The book portrayed Rudy someone who only looked like a geek, which is why he got bullied. To add insult to injury, it portrayed him as the definition of Below Average — not Average but Below Average. This kid couldn’t catch a break. If book made Rudy an outright geek, at least he would have something good going on for him.
I pitied Rudy a lot. His character was nothing more than a convenience for Will to showcase his I-stand-up-to-bullies attitude. Will did eventually consider Rudy a friend but continued to treat him pretty badly. Rudy was more like a friend he put up with rather someone he actually gave a damn about and protected. Otherwise, what happened to Rudy towards the end would have been avoidable.
+ other characters
All the parents were clueless and incompetent; the book made me think that a good parent was like a unicorn, only a myth. The book dressed the bad guys as goth kids and bikers. Villains were named Rage and Dark Lord — enough said.
One of the very few characters that was not a cliche was the stern, ugly, handicapped principal, and thank goodness he turned out to be a good guy. For a few minutes, I was almost led to believe that the book was sending a message about how people not looking or being a certain way are bad people, people under the influence of demons. Anyway, the principal was a missed opportunity. The book could have made him a clued-in, competent adult Will and his friends could come for help and mitigated the flood of cliches.
+ the writing
The book needed to learn the lesson “show, not tell” because it was tell-y for about 90% of the book. The whole book read like it was made to become a TV show. At one point, the writing annoyed me so much that I decided to flip back to the author and see who the author was, and I never do that. It was there in the author’s bio that I learn that the author was a TV show/movie script writer. Made perfect sense. It not only explained the writing, but the cliches and why the plot had an unusual hold on me.
+ the plot
Reading The New Kid was like watching TV. Not so good, not at all original, but yet not so bad that I didn’t want to know what happened at the end. The flashbacks served as the character development info-dump. The pacing moved at a steady pace with action scenes occurring intermittently. The plot even had an obligatory school dance.
Finally, the big twist at the end put a cherry on top on how cliche the book was and how more of a Gary Stu the protagonist was, which I didn’t think was possible but there it was. Upon hindsight, I should have known better and seen the twists coming.
In Conclusion
I rate The New Kid 2-stars for it was okay. The book had the story depth of a paper, here are the good guys, here are the bad guys, cliches everywhere. I like Gary Stu, wish-fulfillment stories, but this book went about it in an anvil-on-head manner.
+ the Gary Stu hero
The protagonist was 120% a Gary Stu. 120%! Every third page and I am not exaggerating honest to goodness, the book would tell me how hot Will Hunter is, hot smart Will Hunter is, how lonely but cool Will Hunter is, how Will Hunt is this and that, how he is awesome, how he is awesome, how he is awesome — I get it! I fucking get it! Every time the book extolled Will, I felt as if an anvil dropped on my head. Even when the book went outside of Will’s 3rd person POV that predominated the story and onto another character’s POV, I still got the Will-Is-Fucking-Awesome “character development.”
The only time the book was not extolling Will was when it was lamenting his father complex. “Father, I will save you.” “Father, come back.” “Father, I never give up.” I get it. Will loves his father A LOT.
+ the love interest
His two friends were, thankfully, were not completely cliche. One of Will’s friends and also his love interest was the Girl Next Door, Natalie. I was very thankful that the book didn’t make her out to be a Damsel in Distress when it easily could have. She did, however, have a slight Tortuous Soul trope going on, but thankfully it never took front stage.
+ the doomed sidekick
Will’s other friend, Rudy, stopped short of being a Geeky Sidekick but his characterization still bothered me. The book portrayed Rudy someone who only looked like a geek, which is why he got bullied. To add insult to injury, it portrayed him as the definition of Below Average — not Average but Below Average. This kid couldn’t catch a break. If book made Rudy an outright geek, at least he would have something good going on for him.
I pitied Rudy a lot. His character was nothing more than a convenience for Will to showcase his I-stand-up-to-bullies attitude. Will did eventually consider Rudy a friend but continued to treat him pretty badly. Rudy was more like a friend he put up with rather someone he actually gave a damn about and protected. Otherwise, what happened to Rudy towards the end would have been avoidable.
+ other characters
All the parents were clueless and incompetent; the book made me think that a good parent was like a unicorn, only a myth. The book dressed the bad guys as goth kids and bikers. Villains were named Rage and Dark Lord — enough said.
One of the very few characters that was not a cliche was the stern, ugly, handicapped principal, and thank goodness he turned out to be a good guy. For a few minutes, I was almost led to believe that the book was sending a message about how people not looking or being a certain way are bad people, people under the influence of demons. Anyway, the principal was a missed opportunity. The book could have made him a clued-in, competent adult Will and his friends could come for help and mitigated the flood of cliches.
+ the writing
The book needed to learn the lesson “show, not tell” because it was tell-y for about 90% of the book. The whole book read like it was made to become a TV show. At one point, the writing annoyed me so much that I decided to flip back to the author and see who the author was, and I never do that. It was there in the author’s bio that I learn that the author was a TV show/movie script writer. Made perfect sense. It not only explained the writing, but the cliches and why the plot had an unusual hold on me.
+ the plot
Reading The New Kid was like watching TV. Not so good, not at all original, but yet not so bad that I didn’t want to know what happened at the end. The flashbacks served as the character development info-dump. The pacing moved at a steady pace with action scenes occurring intermittently. The plot even had an obligatory school dance.
Finally, the big twist at the end put a cherry on top on how cliche the book was and how more of a Gary Stu the protagonist was, which I didn’t think was possible but there it was. Upon hindsight, I should have known better and seen the twists coming.
In Conclusion
I rate The New Kid 2-stars for it was okay. The book had the story depth of a paper, here are the good guys, here are the bad guys, cliches everywhere. I like Gary Stu, wish-fulfillment stories, but this book went about it in an anvil-on-head manner.
March 11, 2009
Will Hunter is no stranger to moving. He has been to five schools in three years. You might think his parents are the ones uprooting him all the time, but you’d be wrong.
Will is a demon hunter like his father and grandfather before him. He has developed a way of making enough money to support his development of new weapons while at the same time providing a cover for his mother being “transferred” wherever he needs to go next.
Will spends his time monitoring demon activity, constantly looking for the tell-tale signs of evil. His latest stop is Harrisburg, WA. This once quiet town has recently suffered from disappearances, instances of severe bullying, and outright deviant behavior.
The only trustworthy person Will meets is Natalie. Natalie’s sister is one of the teens to recently disappear. She has always had a feeling something sinister was involved and once she sees the things Will deals with on a daily basis, her suspicions are confirmed.
In spite of his better judgement, Will decides to let Natalie into his world. Never before has he trusted someone with his secret. Doing so would put an innocent person in danger and as his feelings for Natalie grow, he realizes just how dangerous it can be.
Will and Natalie face the ultimate evil on their journey to find the people they’ve lost. Will is confronted with knowledge that threatens his sense of self and is forced to make some big decisions.
Can Will face his demons and rid Harrisburg of its evil?
Will is a demon hunter like his father and grandfather before him. He has developed a way of making enough money to support his development of new weapons while at the same time providing a cover for his mother being “transferred” wherever he needs to go next.
Will spends his time monitoring demon activity, constantly looking for the tell-tale signs of evil. His latest stop is Harrisburg, WA. This once quiet town has recently suffered from disappearances, instances of severe bullying, and outright deviant behavior.
The only trustworthy person Will meets is Natalie. Natalie’s sister is one of the teens to recently disappear. She has always had a feeling something sinister was involved and once she sees the things Will deals with on a daily basis, her suspicions are confirmed.
In spite of his better judgement, Will decides to let Natalie into his world. Never before has he trusted someone with his secret. Doing so would put an innocent person in danger and as his feelings for Natalie grow, he realizes just how dangerous it can be.
Will and Natalie face the ultimate evil on their journey to find the people they’ve lost. Will is confronted with knowledge that threatens his sense of self and is forced to make some big decisions.
Can Will face his demons and rid Harrisburg of its evil?
June 22, 2009
Great plot, badass new kid, colorful characters, very creative, good violence. I enjoyed the story, but the screenplay-like parts distracted me a little bit.
August 5, 2012
I didn't like this book. Obviously. But this is the first time in a few months that I've read a book that truly made me angry, so this review is going to be fun.
I divided this book into two halves that I had differing reactions to.
The first half was the worst. It was obviously supposed to be funny, but I don't think I was ever amused. The humor never worked, it just annoyed me. It was also supposed to set up the characters, namely Will and Natalie, as amazing. Both of them. But instead of showing you that they're amazing, it tells you that they're amazing. The character development had all of the subtlety of a rusty nail being driven through my eye, and I enjoyed it about as much. Instead of heroic, Will just seemed whiny. Half of the crap that came out of his head was about how he couldn't have friends or date girls because it was too dangerous. And the other half was how "badass" and "tough" and "beautiful" Natalie was, and how much he liked her. It was creepy, considering he barely knew the girl. She didn't really do anything during the first half, except stalk Will at his house and stick her nose in his business. Which brings me to my next point; Natalie sucked just as much. Beyond just the stalking and the bitchiness, she fell into the same trap as Will. After about fifteen minutes, she started to fawn over him. Sure, he's apparently hot, but come on. Maybe the characters weren't that bad, but my gut kept telling me that this freaking sucks, this really freaking sucks and I'm inclined to go with my gut. Also, the science fiction aspect. I don't even want to call it that, it disrespects the genre. Will's arsenal of bizarre weapons felt cheesy to me. Inexplicable. Like the author just wanted to add some cool weapons, and didn't bother trying to have them make sense. Like almost everything about this book, it didn't click with me.
The second half was...more bearable. Maybe my hate exhausted me enough that I fell into apathy, but the second half blew by with less anger and even a tiny smidgen of interest. It's because, when the action really got going, the author dropped his attempts at humor and romance and spent his time with story and world-building. And those were the only aspects that I liked at all. The story was interesting enough, and he did a decent job of setting up a world of demons and the Devil and all of that. But I still have a complaint; Temple Mathews obviously holds a certain amount of contempt for "goth" or "emo" kids, and it was a bit...annoying. I'm neither of those, but I certainly don't hate them, and it came off as pretentious when he pigeonholed them into becoming actual demons.
The action was half and half. Hand-to-hand combat between Will and whatever villainwas always weird. Written without grace. Clunky. Bad. But Mathews could paint a great picture when he wanted to. I liked the little things, like blood vessels being used as ropes to tie up prisoners .
When I really think about it, though, the good things can't save it. Too much of it made me want to tear my hair out. My overall impression of this book is bad. Really bad.
And on a side note, I'm super pissed that this book sucks. I bought it. Without bothering to read it first. That usually turns out well, but this time, it turned out horribly.
I divided this book into two halves that I had differing reactions to.
The first half was the worst. It was obviously supposed to be funny, but I don't think I was ever amused. The humor never worked, it just annoyed me. It was also supposed to set up the characters, namely Will and Natalie, as amazing. Both of them. But instead of showing you that they're amazing, it tells you that they're amazing. The character development had all of the subtlety of a rusty nail being driven through my eye, and I enjoyed it about as much. Instead of heroic, Will just seemed whiny. Half of the crap that came out of his head was about how he couldn't have friends or date girls because it was too dangerous. And the other half was how "badass" and "tough" and "beautiful" Natalie was, and how much he liked her. It was creepy, considering he barely knew the girl. She didn't really do anything during the first half, except stalk Will at his house and stick her nose in his business. Which brings me to my next point; Natalie sucked just as much. Beyond just the stalking and the bitchiness, she fell into the same trap as Will. After about fifteen minutes, she started to fawn over him. Sure, he's apparently hot, but come on. Maybe the characters weren't that bad, but my gut kept telling me that this freaking sucks, this really freaking sucks and I'm inclined to go with my gut. Also, the science fiction aspect. I don't even want to call it that, it disrespects the genre. Will's arsenal of bizarre weapons felt cheesy to me. Inexplicable. Like the author just wanted to add some cool weapons, and didn't bother trying to have them make sense. Like almost everything about this book, it didn't click with me.
The second half was...more bearable. Maybe my hate exhausted me enough that I fell into apathy, but the second half blew by with less anger and even a tiny smidgen of interest. It's because, when the action really got going, the author dropped his attempts at humor and romance and spent his time with story and world-building. And those were the only aspects that I liked at all. The story was interesting enough, and he did a decent job of setting up a world of demons and the Devil and all of that. But I still have a complaint; Temple Mathews obviously holds a certain amount of contempt for "goth" or "emo" kids, and it was a bit...annoying. I'm neither of those, but I certainly don't hate them, and it came off as pretentious when he pigeonholed them into becoming actual demons.
The action was half and half. Hand-to-hand combat between Will and whatever villainwas always weird. Written without grace. Clunky. Bad. But Mathews could paint a great picture when he wanted to. I liked the little things, like blood vessels being used as ropes to tie up prisoners .
When I really think about it, though, the good things can't save it. Too much of it made me want to tear my hair out. My overall impression of this book is bad. Really bad.
And on a side note, I'm super pissed that this book sucks. I bought it. Without bothering to read it first. That usually turns out well, but this time, it turned out horribly.
November 17, 2012
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
Will Hunter is no stranger to moving. He has been to five schools in three years. You might think his parents are the ones uprooting him all the time, but you'd be wrong.
Will is a demon hunter like his father and grandfather before him. He has developed a way of making enough money to support his development of new weapons while at the same time providing a cover for his mother being "transferred" wherever he needs to go next.
Will spends his time monitoring demon activity, constantly looking for the tell-tale signs of evil. His latest stop is Harrisburg, WA. This once quiet town has recently suffered from disappearances, instances of severe bullying, and outright deviant behavior.
The only trustworthy person Will meets is Natalie. Natalie's sister is one of the teens who has recently disappeared. She has always had a feeling something sinister was involved, and once she sees the things Will deals with on a daily basis, her suspicions are confirmed.
In spite of his better judgement, Will decides to let Natalie into his world. Never before has he trusted someone with his secret. Doing so would put an innocent person in danger, and as his feelings for Natalie grow, he realizes just how dangerous it can be.
Will and Natalie face the ultimate evil on their journey to find the people they've lost. Will is confronted with knowledge that threatens his sense of self and is forced to make some big decisions.
Can Will face his demons and rid Harrisburg of its evil?
On a personal note: On the one hand, I don't think the writing in THE NEW KID was spectacular, but on the other hand, I wanted to keep reading. I really enjoyed the story. So, overall, I believe it to be worth the read.
Will Hunter is no stranger to moving. He has been to five schools in three years. You might think his parents are the ones uprooting him all the time, but you'd be wrong.
Will is a demon hunter like his father and grandfather before him. He has developed a way of making enough money to support his development of new weapons while at the same time providing a cover for his mother being "transferred" wherever he needs to go next.
Will spends his time monitoring demon activity, constantly looking for the tell-tale signs of evil. His latest stop is Harrisburg, WA. This once quiet town has recently suffered from disappearances, instances of severe bullying, and outright deviant behavior.
The only trustworthy person Will meets is Natalie. Natalie's sister is one of the teens who has recently disappeared. She has always had a feeling something sinister was involved, and once she sees the things Will deals with on a daily basis, her suspicions are confirmed.
In spite of his better judgement, Will decides to let Natalie into his world. Never before has he trusted someone with his secret. Doing so would put an innocent person in danger, and as his feelings for Natalie grow, he realizes just how dangerous it can be.
Will and Natalie face the ultimate evil on their journey to find the people they've lost. Will is confronted with knowledge that threatens his sense of self and is forced to make some big decisions.
Can Will face his demons and rid Harrisburg of its evil?
On a personal note: On the one hand, I don't think the writing in THE NEW KID was spectacular, but on the other hand, I wanted to keep reading. I really enjoyed the story. So, overall, I believe it to be worth the read.
June 21, 2011
Was this book self-published? If not, the editor really failed this author. Why, in heaven's name, would you publish a book that made your author look like an idiot? The action sequences and dialogue were fine, but the character development was non-existent, the writing style florid and all over the place and the plot predictable and linear. I found the main character as 3 dimensional as a paper drawing and the supporting cast bizarre rather than quirky. I have played computer games with better story.
March 26, 2009
This book is purely amazing. It has awesome action and romance. I never expected it to be this good. It's a must buy. Amazingly written.
September 4, 2009
this book was great... it was a very entertaining book that i couldn't put down. The characters were great! I love a good ending
January 16, 2013
Will Hunter is a special teen who fights the evil lurking around every corner. With his gift to detect the demons, he moves from town to town, fighting for good, saving humanity, always hoping to find his father, who disappeared in the hands of the Dark Lord eight years prior. Now in the town of Harrisburg, Will finds allies in a teen girl, Natalie, whose twin disappeared in a strange incident involving creatures with glowing eyes. They are joined by one of the school's outcasts and make a formidable team.
Will comes across as a great kid, with responsibilities and knowledge far beyond his years, far beyond what any person should have to deal with and does so with resolve and acceptance of his role as a 'larger than life' hero. He is brilliant, and if you know of Jimmy Neutron, you will see the similarities right away!
To me, sometimes the wording seemed too adult, not in line with a teen. Other times, I felt the book would be better aimed at younger teens, male or female. The pace is good, the attention to small details almost made it seem like a movie script, while the twists add character to the story and Will is up to the challenges laid out for him! He's a great action/hero for boys and I'm happy to see another book aimed at young male readers who will identify with the techno gadgets!
This copy was provided by NetGalley and BenBella Books in exchange for an honest review! 3.5 stars!
Will comes across as a great kid, with responsibilities and knowledge far beyond his years, far beyond what any person should have to deal with and does so with resolve and acceptance of his role as a 'larger than life' hero. He is brilliant, and if you know of Jimmy Neutron, you will see the similarities right away!
To me, sometimes the wording seemed too adult, not in line with a teen. Other times, I felt the book would be better aimed at younger teens, male or female. The pace is good, the attention to small details almost made it seem like a movie script, while the twists add character to the story and Will is up to the challenges laid out for him! He's a great action/hero for boys and I'm happy to see another book aimed at young male readers who will identify with the techno gadgets!
This copy was provided by NetGalley and BenBella Books in exchange for an honest review! 3.5 stars!
March 3, 2011
What I like about this book is the plot. We have a boy who is a teenage demon hunter. How cool is that? Plus along the way he finds a very cute girl and a sidekick. Although things don't always seem what they are, he fight for what is right. Will Hunter has know since his thirteenth birthday who he is. He moves form town to town hunting down demons living up to his father's legacy. Until he finds out what that legacy.
I admire Will strength and in your face attitude. He didn't with everyday stuff because he knew what to save his strength for. There was worse out there. He is always alone because he knows the danger of out. I like that he got two new friends who stuck by him no matter what. They knew what they got themselves into and help him. Will didn't show it much, but I knew he enjoyed the company. Fighting for so long on his own has taken it toll on him.
The love interest is good. I admire Nat for Will. She is strong just like him and is a good complent for him. The fought well side by side and when one fell the other was there to help the other out. Very loving.
I admire Will strength and in your face attitude. He didn't with everyday stuff because he knew what to save his strength for. There was worse out there. He is always alone because he knows the danger of out. I like that he got two new friends who stuck by him no matter what. They knew what they got themselves into and help him. Will didn't show it much, but I knew he enjoyed the company. Fighting for so long on his own has taken it toll on him.
The love interest is good. I admire Nat for Will. She is strong just like him and is a good complent for him. The fought well side by side and when one fell the other was there to help the other out. Very loving.
December 13, 2009
A YA novel about a boy who is, by day, just the New Kid in school, but by night is one of the most talented demon hunters alive. He falls in love with a girl named Natalie, therefore exposing her to the dangers of his existence. When Will was young, he witnessed the Dark Lord come and take his father. Natalie's twin had also been abducted by the evil forces, so the two of them join together in a mission to rescue their loved ones. Plenty of blood, guts, gore, gas, and vomit along the way...
I didn't find it to be the most well-written of novels, and the dialogue often seemed cheesy or forced, but it was an entertaining enough story to see through until the end.
I didn't find it to be the most well-written of novels, and the dialogue often seemed cheesy or forced, but it was an entertaining enough story to see through until the end.
September 17, 2010
This book first turned me off with the phrase "goth punks" and the authors use of black leather jackets and tattoos to depict the bad guys (who were essentially demon possessed kids?). Apparently the author has something against people who like goth, leather, tattoos and hard rock, as these were things that helped the "new kid" find the "demonteens" in town. I assume if you feel the same way about "goth punks" and tattoos and leather jackets, or wearing black clothing as signs of "demonteens" then you might enjoy this book. I however, found it cliche, and over dramatized as well as stereotypical and insulting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2010
The Ending was a little bleh. Temple Mathews leaves it fairly open for another book and i was left wanting more.
Read
May 15, 2009Really good also pretty weird. Hate how it ends though. Wish there were more to it.
February 20, 2018
So, some of you that see my updates on things I read and keep track of on here. Know that I once said that: "This is a cross between Anna Dressed in Blood and Percy Jackson." Well I stand with that still. Seeing as it has the monsters, that like Cass from Anna Dressed in Blood. But it also has the weapons and the quick pace of the Percy Jackson books. Granted it did take me almost a month in a half to finish reading it but that's what happens when sadly you have a life outside of reading.
Do I wish I hadn't read this book? No. But I think it is like things I've read before. Just with a little mixed up mixed in as well. But it also did keep my attention, and makes me want to read the second an third book. Even though I would anyways, because I already own them.. so that's on me. The only real thing I had a problem with, with this book was there seemed to be too many of '!' these things. Like you would expect something to happen because it was kind of predictable at points but instead of ending it with a period he'd end it with a '!' like it was SO shocking! When really it wasn't all that shocking at all.
While you got to learn about Will's life and what his past was like and he did make friends along the way, no real action happened until towards the end. Seeing as most of the book he was either tracking the demons trying to find a way to meet with Rage. Or something else. So no real fighting and kicking ass until about 6 or 7 chapters towards the very end. Even though the fighting was fun to read about, I've still read better fight since. Plus after a while even then it started repeating. The only really good fight since is when they're in the big dome like thing and Will faces off with The Lord of Darkness. Seeing as that was kiiiiiiind of intense. And the stuff after words but that was abut it. But despite all of the repeats and stuff, like that there is a really big shocker in there as well. After he's done facing off with Rage. Then it's like BOOM! Plus given that theirs two other books after this one I can say that I was happy with the ending.
Would I recommend this to someone? Maybe. I think it would depend, on what your into and what your age is. Personally I think if I was a bit younger I would of enjoyed this a little more then I did. Seeing as I think this even though it's YA. I think it's more for 14- 17 year old's then the older ones that still like reading YA. as in 20- 30 year old's . But that's just me.
Hoped this helped!
Do I wish I hadn't read this book? No. But I think it is like things I've read before. Just with a little mixed up mixed in as well. But it also did keep my attention, and makes me want to read the second an third book. Even though I would anyways, because I already own them.. so that's on me. The only real thing I had a problem with, with this book was there seemed to be too many of '!' these things. Like you would expect something to happen because it was kind of predictable at points but instead of ending it with a period he'd end it with a '!' like it was SO shocking! When really it wasn't all that shocking at all.
While you got to learn about Will's life and what his past was like and he did make friends along the way, no real action happened until towards the end. Seeing as most of the book he was either tracking the demons trying to find a way to meet with Rage. Or something else. So no real fighting and kicking ass until about 6 or 7 chapters towards the very end. Even though the fighting was fun to read about, I've still read better fight since. Plus after a while even then it started repeating. The only really good fight since is when they're in the big dome like thing and Will faces off with The Lord of Darkness. Seeing as that was kiiiiiiind of intense. And the stuff after words but that was abut it. But despite all of the repeats and stuff, like that there is a really big shocker in there as well. After he's done facing off with Rage. Then it's like BOOM! Plus given that theirs two other books after this one I can say that I was happy with the ending.
Would I recommend this to someone? Maybe. I think it would depend, on what your into and what your age is. Personally I think if I was a bit younger I would of enjoyed this a little more then I did. Seeing as I think this even though it's YA. I think it's more for 14- 17 year old's then the older ones that still like reading YA. as in 20- 30 year old's . But that's just me.
Hoped this helped!
December 24, 2022
This was a pain to get through. The main character is infuriating, a supposedly kind-hearted young man that depends on stereotypes to weed out "demonteens" and infantalizes who is apparently his first ever friend. He's overpowered, a true "Gary Stu" in the most boring way possible.
The climax clearly wasn't as gripping as the author had hoped, killing any and all suspense and gravitas surrounding Edward by the time his reveal occurs. I would not recommend this by any means, unless you're a fan of every awful YA novel troupe known to man.
The climax clearly wasn't as gripping as the author had hoped, killing any and all suspense and gravitas surrounding Edward by the time his reveal occurs. I would not recommend this by any means, unless you're a fan of every awful YA novel troupe known to man.
January 29, 2021
I read this book in middle school (2009) and adored it (The cover was my phone background). Around 2015 I wanted to read it again but couldn’t remember the title. I’ve spent the past 6 years posting on Reddit, Facebook, and library sites trying to find it just for the book to be....mediocre. I definitely know why my 13 year old self liked it, but my 24 year old self has a different taste in books 😂. Good, predictable, story with a lil romance, also very cliche.
July 26, 2018
This is the worst piece of poorly written, hot garbage that I have ever exposed myself to. The only part of the book I enjoyed, is when our "hero" buys the girl he likes a BEBE top that she cannot afford. Thank god I borrowed this trash from the library and didn't waste any money on it that could of been better spent on anything else. A BEBE top perhaps?
June 30, 2021
So I read this book in like, seventh or eighth grade and had been looking for it ever since. I finally found it and re-read it and it still pulled me in. Something about those sci-fi demon hunting fantasies mixed with the struggles of being a sixteen year old trying to navigate high school, ugh. Incredible.
January 19, 2018
One of the most badly written books I have ever read. Don’t get me wrong, the plot was fun and in the hands of abetter editor, it could have been really good. But I feel like this editor saw so much work that this book needed that they spontaneously combusted before they got to work on it.
August 5, 2018
A young adult horror novel about a teen who hunts demons. Will Hunter travels from school to school, killing infestations of demon possessed teens. There is a lot of violence in this book, and a lot of death. He meets a love interest, Natalie, then spends most of the book telling himself he can't fall for her because it will put her in danger.
I thought the plot was interesting. The fact that Will is a super genius with unlimited funds did seem a bit cliche. Overall this was fun and quick to read.
I thought the plot was interesting. The fact that Will is a super genius with unlimited funds did seem a bit cliche. Overall this was fun and quick to read.
February 24, 2017
This book was a really good read, interesting, and hooks you from the begging to the end.
May 17, 2019
This book has a great plot full of adventure, mystery, and romance!
March 6, 2021
Junk! This author isn’t worth the read even if it were free.
November 5, 2021
If you want a book with thrills, cliffhangers, chills and a little bit of romance this is the book for you.
August 1, 2022
Best first book I ever read! Loved it!!! And recommend it
October 22, 2012
- 4 Stars -
The synopsis of this book reminded of another one at the beggining, but there was something about this story that made me wanted to read it and see for myself it they were so alike... And even when there were some chapters that really remind me of the other story, halfway through this book, the story took its own course and I deeply enjoied it.
The book is told from a third person point of view, that’s why the story switch between Will and the other characters in the book, which lets the reader to get to know what is happening in the minds of each one of them… I just loved when an author doesn’t focused in just the lead character, but allows the other characters to have their spotlight for a while, and if we add that Temple Mathews has a very easy way of writing the events of this book that made me finished it in just a few days, because Mr. Mathews’ writing style is fun and juvenile, and has the exact amount of necessary descriptions in it, which turns this into a face passed read.
And the action, this book is full of action scenes, where Will becomes this kick ass ninja guy that can dispatch a twice larger demon than him with just a twitch of his pinky, besides, all those demons where so ugly that in my head I was like “O.K. now is not the best time to have a hyperactive imagination”, but I still enjoyed reading all those scenes. But I’m still kind of sad because there weren’t a lot of romantic scenes and I was looking for those scenes, but I still have hope for the sequel ;)
The only thing that didn’t get into my head was the fact that Will moved all over the country, chasing demons, and his mom was convinced that it was because of her work and had nothing to do with his little baby; is just that I know that moms have this sixth sense when it comes to weird things that their kids are doing (I should know, been there, done that) , but Will’s mom just acted like everything was normal and Will just drag her around with him like an old piece of furniture… I don’t know, it didn’t feel right for me and I really hope all this will change in the next books…
And now, let’s get to the characters: I really like Will, he’s this kind of bad boy that doesn’t want to accept his bad boy status or his good looks, which is kind of cute in a guy, and with all that, he has a great personality and a really sharp tongue that he lashes with a lot of sarcastic comments (I just love that in a guy!), but he also has this soft spot that makes him really vulnerable and lovable, which makes Will an imperfectly perfect boy!
Natalie was kind of plain and sometimes I wonder if she was lacking common sense, but I really liked how she turn up at the end; she’s not wonder woman or anything like that, but the girl knows the place where she’s standing and will fight with teeth and nails for the ones she love ;)
The New Kid is an interesting, fun and dark book, that nestle between its pages a story that made me turn page after page at an erratic peace, and didn’t let me go until I reach the end, and end that let me grasping for more, wanting to know what will happen next ;) Temple Mathews delivers an amazing debut novel that can be enjoy for kids and adults alike, and I highly recommend it!
The synopsis of this book reminded of another one at the beggining, but there was something about this story that made me wanted to read it and see for myself it they were so alike... And even when there were some chapters that really remind me of the other story, halfway through this book, the story took its own course and I deeply enjoied it.
The book is told from a third person point of view, that’s why the story switch between Will and the other characters in the book, which lets the reader to get to know what is happening in the minds of each one of them… I just loved when an author doesn’t focused in just the lead character, but allows the other characters to have their spotlight for a while, and if we add that Temple Mathews has a very easy way of writing the events of this book that made me finished it in just a few days, because Mr. Mathews’ writing style is fun and juvenile, and has the exact amount of necessary descriptions in it, which turns this into a face passed read.
And the action, this book is full of action scenes, where Will becomes this kick ass ninja guy that can dispatch a twice larger demon than him with just a twitch of his pinky, besides, all those demons where so ugly that in my head I was like “O.K. now is not the best time to have a hyperactive imagination”, but I still enjoyed reading all those scenes. But I’m still kind of sad because there weren’t a lot of romantic scenes and I was looking for those scenes, but I still have hope for the sequel ;)
The only thing that didn’t get into my head was the fact that Will moved all over the country, chasing demons, and his mom was convinced that it was because of her work and had nothing to do with his little baby; is just that I know that moms have this sixth sense when it comes to weird things that their kids are doing (I should know, been there, done that) , but Will’s mom just acted like everything was normal and Will just drag her around with him like an old piece of furniture… I don’t know, it didn’t feel right for me and I really hope all this will change in the next books…
And now, let’s get to the characters: I really like Will, he’s this kind of bad boy that doesn’t want to accept his bad boy status or his good looks, which is kind of cute in a guy, and with all that, he has a great personality and a really sharp tongue that he lashes with a lot of sarcastic comments (I just love that in a guy!), but he also has this soft spot that makes him really vulnerable and lovable, which makes Will an imperfectly perfect boy!
Natalie was kind of plain and sometimes I wonder if she was lacking common sense, but I really liked how she turn up at the end; she’s not wonder woman or anything like that, but the girl knows the place where she’s standing and will fight with teeth and nails for the ones she love ;)
The New Kid is an interesting, fun and dark book, that nestle between its pages a story that made me turn page after page at an erratic peace, and didn’t let me go until I reach the end, and end that let me grasping for more, wanting to know what will happen next ;) Temple Mathews delivers an amazing debut novel that can be enjoy for kids and adults alike, and I highly recommend it!
November 11, 2012
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to BenBella Books, and Netgalley.)
Will Hunter is starting over at a new school again. He does it all the time, he’s used to being ‘the new kid’, but Will isn’t the average new kid. He’s got weapons, cash, a fast car, and he knows how to fight. Unfortunately he also has people who follow him around looking for a fight.
An incident on his very first day at this new school ends with him in the principle’s office for blowing up a parade float.
Natalie is not your average teen either. Her twin sister has been missing for a long while. Everyone thinks that she died after accidentally drowning in the river one night, but her body was never found, and Natalie knows that she is still alive somewhere. Sometimes she even thinks that she is sharing her dreams with Emily.
Will an Natalie are now about to come up against something evil, something that kidnapped Will’s father, and kidnapped Natalie’s sister.
But what is Will really? And can he really hope to save both his father and Natalie’s sister?
The book starts off with lots of hints that Will is not your average teenager, but no hints as to what he actually is. Is he a secret agent? Is he working for the government? Is he an alien? Is he a spy? We don’t know, what we do know is that he’s got money, weapons, and intelligence, as well as some kick-ass fighting moves, we just don’t know why.
Hints are also dropped as to the fact that he constantly has people following him, and that his family have to move around so much because of him. The principle also comments on how disaster seems to follow Will, as it seems that (like buffy the vampire slayer) he seems to have a habit of burning down school buildings and stuff.
When what Will is is eventually revealed, it turns out that he doesn’t even really have a reason for being special; he just believes that the heavens made him that way so that he can rescue his father?! I found all of this quite unrealistic and unbelievable. I mean we’d all like to be super intelligent, physically superior, and rolling in money, but the odd workout and wishful thinking isn’t going to make that happen for us!
There were also quite a few other ‘as if!’ moments (as I like to call them). I just thought that a lot of the ideas were too far-fetched, and Will was possibly just too good (with no apparent reason for his brilliance).
The big revelation at the end of the book was just really a step too far for me as well. Totally cheesy, overdone, and even slightly cringe-worthy (sorry), although younger teens probably wouldn’t feel this way so I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt here.
This book is recommended for boys age 12-16, and I suppose this might appeal to kids that age, there’s action, there’s excitement, and there’s also getting one over on the school bully, but kids aren’t stupid, they’re going to spot these little flaws too.
Overall; action and excitement, but the hero is a little too perfect. Most suited to young teens.
6 out of 10.
Will Hunter is starting over at a new school again. He does it all the time, he’s used to being ‘the new kid’, but Will isn’t the average new kid. He’s got weapons, cash, a fast car, and he knows how to fight. Unfortunately he also has people who follow him around looking for a fight.
An incident on his very first day at this new school ends with him in the principle’s office for blowing up a parade float.
Natalie is not your average teen either. Her twin sister has been missing for a long while. Everyone thinks that she died after accidentally drowning in the river one night, but her body was never found, and Natalie knows that she is still alive somewhere. Sometimes she even thinks that she is sharing her dreams with Emily.
Will an Natalie are now about to come up against something evil, something that kidnapped Will’s father, and kidnapped Natalie’s sister.
But what is Will really? And can he really hope to save both his father and Natalie’s sister?
The book starts off with lots of hints that Will is not your average teenager, but no hints as to what he actually is. Is he a secret agent? Is he working for the government? Is he an alien? Is he a spy? We don’t know, what we do know is that he’s got money, weapons, and intelligence, as well as some kick-ass fighting moves, we just don’t know why.
Hints are also dropped as to the fact that he constantly has people following him, and that his family have to move around so much because of him. The principle also comments on how disaster seems to follow Will, as it seems that (like buffy the vampire slayer) he seems to have a habit of burning down school buildings and stuff.
When what Will is is eventually revealed, it turns out that he doesn’t even really have a reason for being special; he just believes that the heavens made him that way so that he can rescue his father?! I found all of this quite unrealistic and unbelievable. I mean we’d all like to be super intelligent, physically superior, and rolling in money, but the odd workout and wishful thinking isn’t going to make that happen for us!
There were also quite a few other ‘as if!’ moments (as I like to call them). I just thought that a lot of the ideas were too far-fetched, and Will was possibly just too good (with no apparent reason for his brilliance).
The big revelation at the end of the book was just really a step too far for me as well. Totally cheesy, overdone, and even slightly cringe-worthy (sorry), although younger teens probably wouldn’t feel this way so I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt here.
This book is recommended for boys age 12-16, and I suppose this might appeal to kids that age, there’s action, there’s excitement, and there’s also getting one over on the school bully, but kids aren’t stupid, they’re going to spot these little flaws too.
Overall; action and excitement, but the hero is a little too perfect. Most suited to young teens.
6 out of 10.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews