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Unusual book
325 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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About the author
David Klass
35 books168 followersDavid Klass is the author of many young adult novels, including You Don’t Know Me, Dark Angel, and Firestorm (The Caretaker Trilogy). He is also a Hollywood screenwriter, having written more than twenty-five action screenplays, including Kiss the Girls, starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, Walking Tall, starring The Rock, and Desperate Measures, starring Michael Keaton and Andy Garcia. Klass grew up in a family that loved literature and theater—his parents were both college professors and writers—but he was a reluctant reader, preferring sports to books. But he started loving the adventure stories his parents would bring home from the library—particularly Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson and Alexandre Dumas. After his sister twice won a story contest in Seventeen magazine, Klass decided he would win it too, and when he was a senior in high school, he did, publishing his first story, “Ringtoss,” in the magazine. He studied at Yale University, where he won the Veech Award for Best Imaginative Writing. He taught English in Japan, and wrote his first novel, The Atami Dragons, about that experience. He now lives in New York with his wife and two children.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidk...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
April 9, 2019
[Auszug aus meiner Leserückschau März]
Angefangen hat mein März mit diesem Jugendthriller, in dem es um Jeff und seine Familie geht. Diese sind vor 5 1/2 Jahren umgezogen, da ihr ältester Sohn Troy im Jugendalter wegen Mordes verurteilt und ins Gefängnis gesteckt. Da er früher aber fälschlicherweise nicht nach dem Jugendrecht verurteilt wurde, wird er nun auf freien Fuß gelassen und kann bei seinen Eltern unterkommen. Er scheint der geläuterte Sünder zu sein, doch Jeff kauft ihm dieses charmante Getue nicht ab. Hat Troy wirklich einen geheimen Masterplan oder möchte er nur ein normales Leben mit seiner Familie?
Dieses Buch habe ich für eine Präsentation in der Berufsschule gelesen, und es war tatsächlich nicht schlecht. Besonders der philosophische Aspekt ist ziemlich spannend, da es darum geht, ob das Gute und Böse wirklich existieren und man wirklich etwas dafür kann, wenn der eigene moralische Kompass nicht intakt ist. Damit setzt sich Jeff u.a. für die Schule sehr intensiv auseinander, verändert so aber auch seine extremen Ansichten gegenüber seinem Bruder. Jeff ist der einzige aus der Familie, der ihn so dämonisiert, während seine psychisch kranke Mutter und christlicher Vater an seine Buße glauben und ihn zum Engel erheben. Der einzige, der Troys Komplexität wahrnimmt und ihm gegenüber ambivalent eingestellt ist, ist von Anfang an der Leser, denn Troy macht sehr schnell klar, dass er ein Spielchen spielt.
Dadurch hatte das Buch auch eine ständige unterschwellige Spannung, da man nur auf die Enthüllung wartet. Unterdessen wird die Familie nicht nur von der Öffentlichkeit unter Druck gesetzt, auch Jeff wird vermehrt ausgeschlossen und gemobbt, sogar als Komplize seines Bruders bezeichnet, insbesondere als ein beliebter Junge der Schule nach einer Prügelei mit Troy verschwindet. Daher vermischen sich Aspekte eines Gesellschaftsdramas mit dem eines Krimis und konfrontieren einen immer wieder mit der Frage: Was geht hier eigentlich vor?
Es haben sich trotzdem ein paar Punkte sehr klischeehaft angefühlt, insbesondere die Darstellung von Troys Psychopathie und die sehr uninteressanten Nebencharaktere. Auch dass man so einen starken Kontrast zwischen den Brüdern herstellen musste, hat dem Ganzen zwar eine interessante Dynamik verliehen, war allerdings nicht so nuanciert, wie es die Thematik verdient hätte.
Und dann kommt schließlich das Ende, das einen noch Tage nach Beenden begleitet. Denn es endet sehr offen und kann auf verschiedene Arten interpretiert werden, was mir am Anfang überhaupt nicht zugesagt hat, ich nach einem Austausch mit zwei Freundinnen, die das Buch auch gelesen haben, eher verstehen konnte.
Gesamtwertung: 3,5/5
Angefangen hat mein März mit diesem Jugendthriller, in dem es um Jeff und seine Familie geht. Diese sind vor 5 1/2 Jahren umgezogen, da ihr ältester Sohn Troy im Jugendalter wegen Mordes verurteilt und ins Gefängnis gesteckt. Da er früher aber fälschlicherweise nicht nach dem Jugendrecht verurteilt wurde, wird er nun auf freien Fuß gelassen und kann bei seinen Eltern unterkommen. Er scheint der geläuterte Sünder zu sein, doch Jeff kauft ihm dieses charmante Getue nicht ab. Hat Troy wirklich einen geheimen Masterplan oder möchte er nur ein normales Leben mit seiner Familie?
Dieses Buch habe ich für eine Präsentation in der Berufsschule gelesen, und es war tatsächlich nicht schlecht. Besonders der philosophische Aspekt ist ziemlich spannend, da es darum geht, ob das Gute und Böse wirklich existieren und man wirklich etwas dafür kann, wenn der eigene moralische Kompass nicht intakt ist. Damit setzt sich Jeff u.a. für die Schule sehr intensiv auseinander, verändert so aber auch seine extremen Ansichten gegenüber seinem Bruder. Jeff ist der einzige aus der Familie, der ihn so dämonisiert, während seine psychisch kranke Mutter und christlicher Vater an seine Buße glauben und ihn zum Engel erheben. Der einzige, der Troys Komplexität wahrnimmt und ihm gegenüber ambivalent eingestellt ist, ist von Anfang an der Leser, denn Troy macht sehr schnell klar, dass er ein Spielchen spielt.
Dadurch hatte das Buch auch eine ständige unterschwellige Spannung, da man nur auf die Enthüllung wartet. Unterdessen wird die Familie nicht nur von der Öffentlichkeit unter Druck gesetzt, auch Jeff wird vermehrt ausgeschlossen und gemobbt, sogar als Komplize seines Bruders bezeichnet, insbesondere als ein beliebter Junge der Schule nach einer Prügelei mit Troy verschwindet. Daher vermischen sich Aspekte eines Gesellschaftsdramas mit dem eines Krimis und konfrontieren einen immer wieder mit der Frage: Was geht hier eigentlich vor?
Es haben sich trotzdem ein paar Punkte sehr klischeehaft angefühlt, insbesondere die Darstellung von Troys Psychopathie und die sehr uninteressanten Nebencharaktere. Auch dass man so einen starken Kontrast zwischen den Brüdern herstellen musste, hat dem Ganzen zwar eine interessante Dynamik verliehen, war allerdings nicht so nuanciert, wie es die Thematik verdient hätte.
Und dann kommt schließlich das Ende, das einen noch Tage nach Beenden begleitet. Denn es endet sehr offen und kann auf verschiedene Arten interpretiert werden, was mir am Anfang überhaupt nicht zugesagt hat, ich nach einem Austausch mit zwei Freundinnen, die das Buch auch gelesen haben, eher verstehen konnte.
Gesamtwertung: 3,5/5
March 27, 2016
A lot of reviewers describe this book as a mystery. I didn't get that impression from it. Dark Angel is more of a general fiction book. You can't call it a coming-of-age novel because Jeff, the main character, is incredibly mature for his age, but then he's had to be.
When he was 12, his older brother, Troy, murdered another kid and was sent to prison for it under a life sentence. The fallout was so traumatic, Jeff and his parents had to pack up and move to a small town in New Jersey where they managed to put a pretty good life together without Troy. But, thanks to a technicality, big brother's out of prison after a 5 year stint and coming home to reconnect with his family. Jeff knows what Troy's capable of and never drops his suspicion, unlike his parents who are desperate to see the good in their eldest son.
There aren't many novels that explore what it's like to be related to a violent criminal. Dark Angel does that very well and from the perspective of a teenager. After a high school soccer player goes missing following a fight with Troy, Jeff's carefully arranged life is soon under attack from kids he once thought of as friends and he has the added pressure of watching his mother sink into depression while his Dad keeps quoting Bible verses as if that will solve everything.
My one big question -- why didn't the family seek therapy when Troy got out? It might have headed off a lot of problems, but then, the story wouldn't have been as good.
Recommended.
When he was 12, his older brother, Troy, murdered another kid and was sent to prison for it under a life sentence. The fallout was so traumatic, Jeff and his parents had to pack up and move to a small town in New Jersey where they managed to put a pretty good life together without Troy. But, thanks to a technicality, big brother's out of prison after a 5 year stint and coming home to reconnect with his family. Jeff knows what Troy's capable of and never drops his suspicion, unlike his parents who are desperate to see the good in their eldest son.
There aren't many novels that explore what it's like to be related to a violent criminal. Dark Angel does that very well and from the perspective of a teenager. After a high school soccer player goes missing following a fight with Troy, Jeff's carefully arranged life is soon under attack from kids he once thought of as friends and he has the added pressure of watching his mother sink into depression while his Dad keeps quoting Bible verses as if that will solve everything.
My one big question -- why didn't the family seek therapy when Troy got out? It might have headed off a lot of problems, but then, the story wouldn't have been as good.
Recommended.
December 16, 2021
Dark Angel is an outstanding book written by David Klass. It paints vivid illustrations of the story in a reader’s head. The story is about a teen named Jeff, whose brother, Troy, had murdered someone and was sent to jail for several years. Things take a turn for the worse for Jeff, as he has recently found out that his brother is coming home to live with them. Jeff suspects that Troy is planning something awful, but as this is happening Jeff’s world is falling apart since a kid from his school went missing after fighting Troy. The book connects with the reader on a deeper level than most books do. The characters are well developed and seem real. The repetition of the question “is evil a genetic thing and therefore inescapable, or is it a choice?” really emphasizes the message of the story. The overall structure of the book and speed of events is near perfect. This book uses similes heavily to really paint the story. David Klass often pulls at your emotions throughout the book using pathos. The question that is often asked throughout the book appears after key events in the story happen. Throughout the story, hyperbole is used to emphasize the severity of the situation even if nothing at the moment is going wrong. Dark Angel is still an amazing story that continually provokes the reader to dig deeper and answer the question, is evil a genetic thing and therefore inescapable, or is it a choice?
December 13, 2018
Intriguing idea, but I was left wondering what the main character and I were supposed to learn from this. There were a lot of ideas that made me think, "oh, this is what this book wants me to think about and learn" but then they were never quite explored enough. It was a fairly quick read and I didn't mind reading it, but it left me feeling "huh."
Content warning: mild language, some sexual content
2018 challenge: a book with an ugly cover
Content warning: mild language, some sexual content
2018 challenge: a book with an ugly cover
August 7, 2017
A suggested read (for reluctant readers) by the author of Readicide, Kelly Gallagher. It was okay. I liked the suggested thinking about good vs. evil and where those ideas stack up to human biology.
November 7, 2014
I recommend the book “Dark Angel” to whoever likes a good mystery book. This book is about the Hastings family who has a secret that nobody knows but them. Jeff is the main character, he has an older brother, Troy, who was 16 when he committed his first legitimate crime that would send him to prison for the rest of his life. After Troy commits the crime the rest of his family moves far away to a small community town.
After moving they restart their lives. Jeff starts school and starts to play soccer and makes varsity team and meets this girl Beth. Beth and Jeff get together and start dating. Jeff has not told Beth about his brother, he is embarrassed because of his brothers past. After 5 years of living in their new town they get a call from Troy. He’s being let out of jail and his parents’ offer to let him live with them till he gets on his own feet. After that phone call Jeff is upset, he doesn’t want his older moving in with them and ruin their new lives.
Their parents’ go to get Troy the following weekend while Jeff stays home. When the 3 come back they have a little family reunion. Jeff has nothing to say to Troy but his father makes him greet him. When Jeff goes back to school hes isn't focused on anything and his science teacher notices it. Jeff is an average A and B student.
Later on he has a soccer game and his brother shows up, Jeff walks up to him and tell him he doesn't want him there and yells at him to leave. Troy didn’t want to leave so Jeff got mad and walked back to his team. Later on the teams are on break and Jeff walks up to Beth after he find her in the stands. When he gets up to her he saw one of his teammates, Tommy, flirting with her and he starts to yell at him and they get into a brawl and Jeff gets thrown to the ground. Tommy is on top of him hitting him and Troys pulls him off of his little brother, and out of no where Tommy punches Troy dead-square in the jaw and almost breaks it. Troy stumbles back and swings back and knocks him to the ground and threatens to kill him if he touches his brother. The next day Tommy goes missing and they blame Troy because of his criminal record. You will will have to read the book to find out what happens.
After moving they restart their lives. Jeff starts school and starts to play soccer and makes varsity team and meets this girl Beth. Beth and Jeff get together and start dating. Jeff has not told Beth about his brother, he is embarrassed because of his brothers past. After 5 years of living in their new town they get a call from Troy. He’s being let out of jail and his parents’ offer to let him live with them till he gets on his own feet. After that phone call Jeff is upset, he doesn’t want his older moving in with them and ruin their new lives.
Their parents’ go to get Troy the following weekend while Jeff stays home. When the 3 come back they have a little family reunion. Jeff has nothing to say to Troy but his father makes him greet him. When Jeff goes back to school hes isn't focused on anything and his science teacher notices it. Jeff is an average A and B student.
Later on he has a soccer game and his brother shows up, Jeff walks up to him and tell him he doesn't want him there and yells at him to leave. Troy didn’t want to leave so Jeff got mad and walked back to his team. Later on the teams are on break and Jeff walks up to Beth after he find her in the stands. When he gets up to her he saw one of his teammates, Tommy, flirting with her and he starts to yell at him and they get into a brawl and Jeff gets thrown to the ground. Tommy is on top of him hitting him and Troys pulls him off of his little brother, and out of no where Tommy punches Troy dead-square in the jaw and almost breaks it. Troy stumbles back and swings back and knocks him to the ground and threatens to kill him if he touches his brother. The next day Tommy goes missing and they blame Troy because of his criminal record. You will will have to read the book to find out what happens.
May 16, 2016
Personal Response: "Dark Angel" is a book that really puts into perspective the life of an average teenager, that is if the average teenager has a murderous brother. The book looks through the lenses of a teen boy who seems to always have it good, until his brother is released from prison. I find this an interesting way to observe how a teenager perceives something, for instance, "My life is over!" The book acts as a story and a metaphor of a teenager's life, and I really enjoyed it.
Plot: Seventeen year old Jeff has just had one of the best summers of his life, but his life is about to be ruined when his convicted brother, Troy, returns from prison. The book follows a series of agitated situations that Jeff finds himself in because of his brother. Troy seems to make attempts to repair the life of his brother that he ruined, but to no avail, because Jeff doesn't trust him. After a long amount of ruined time, Troy finally leaves Jeff's life, but Jeff is still suspicious and continually investigates his brother. After they spend a few family moments together Troy accidentally murders a friend of his father in an attempt to get more money. Troy gets a boat on the marina near town, and sets off to leave, but before he can Jeff confronts him. The two start a fight dictated by a gun, but in the end Troy is looking down the barrel at Jeff. Instead of killing him Troy lets Jeff go and sets off to leave the town, and is never heard from again.
Recommendations: This book is mainly targeted towards more adult audiences, but is simple enough for a middle schooler to understand the plot. I would personally recommend this book to anyone looking for an action thriller mystery type of book, but I would especially recommend this book to teenagers, as it metaphorically puts into perspective the life they think they live.
Plot: Seventeen year old Jeff has just had one of the best summers of his life, but his life is about to be ruined when his convicted brother, Troy, returns from prison. The book follows a series of agitated situations that Jeff finds himself in because of his brother. Troy seems to make attempts to repair the life of his brother that he ruined, but to no avail, because Jeff doesn't trust him. After a long amount of ruined time, Troy finally leaves Jeff's life, but Jeff is still suspicious and continually investigates his brother. After they spend a few family moments together Troy accidentally murders a friend of his father in an attempt to get more money. Troy gets a boat on the marina near town, and sets off to leave, but before he can Jeff confronts him. The two start a fight dictated by a gun, but in the end Troy is looking down the barrel at Jeff. Instead of killing him Troy lets Jeff go and sets off to leave the town, and is never heard from again.
Recommendations: This book is mainly targeted towards more adult audiences, but is simple enough for a middle schooler to understand the plot. I would personally recommend this book to anyone looking for an action thriller mystery type of book, but I would especially recommend this book to teenagers, as it metaphorically puts into perspective the life they think they live.
April 25, 2009
I was going to give this book 3 stars but decided to give it 4 stars because it thoroughly questioned how and what I think.
This is a story from the point of view of a teenage boy whose brother (a convicted murderer) returns from prison to live with his family. It explores relationships / selfishness / judgment/ friendship / trust / loyalty / good vs. evil / family / obligation / fear / success vs. failure / forgiveness.
I have never really thought about the point of view of the FAMILY of the murderer. They are victims themselves yet are often treated as if they are criminals.
We once lived in a neighborhood where a very nice family lived. After a while we found out that their son was in prison. Then we found out that the dad's brother was a convicted child molestor. He didn't live there but he came over to visit every so often. As I was reading this book, I recalled this family and questioned how my opinion of and interaction with them changed once I learned this information.
This book also brought to mind a situation involving my sister where a convicted rapist (in his late teens) was moving back to live with his parents. He had raped his own sister.
What would I do if I were the parents? The sister? The neighbor? Who do you blame? Who do you trust? How do you protect those you love? I'm not sure my answers would be the same now as they were before I read this book but then again I'm not sure that they wouldn't.
Dark Angel effectively nudged me into enough discomfort to question my beliefs and opinions. To me, that is one of the things that makes a book worth reading.
This is a story from the point of view of a teenage boy whose brother (a convicted murderer) returns from prison to live with his family. It explores relationships / selfishness / judgment/ friendship / trust / loyalty / good vs. evil / family / obligation / fear / success vs. failure / forgiveness.
I have never really thought about the point of view of the FAMILY of the murderer. They are victims themselves yet are often treated as if they are criminals.
We once lived in a neighborhood where a very nice family lived. After a while we found out that their son was in prison. Then we found out that the dad's brother was a convicted child molestor. He didn't live there but he came over to visit every so often. As I was reading this book, I recalled this family and questioned how my opinion of and interaction with them changed once I learned this information.
This book also brought to mind a situation involving my sister where a convicted rapist (in his late teens) was moving back to live with his parents. He had raped his own sister.
What would I do if I were the parents? The sister? The neighbor? Who do you blame? Who do you trust? How do you protect those you love? I'm not sure my answers would be the same now as they were before I read this book but then again I'm not sure that they wouldn't.
Dark Angel effectively nudged me into enough discomfort to question my beliefs and opinions. To me, that is one of the things that makes a book worth reading.
January 10, 2013
The Hastings seemed like the perfect family to their neighborhood because no one knew about them having a convicted murderer for a son. Once the secret spilled some neighbors’ thought that Troy just needed a second chance while others we’re quick to suspect him for being the reason a boy went missing in town. And the first one to try to prove Troy is guilty is Jeff, his younger brother.
I liked reading Dark Angel because the author questioned the reader throughout the book if evil was an effect on unbalanced chemicals in the brain or a choice.
Jeff is 17 years old and living an almost perfect life. He’s on the varsity soccer team, has a pretty girlfriend and couldn’t ask for better parents. But once his older brother Troy comes home from a 6-year sentence in jail the fear of his life being completely different changes Jeff.
Troy is the opposite of his brother Jeff. He’s short, not athletic, and has the same soft grey of eyes of their father. He became a hard worker right when he got out of jail and does everything to win tue approval of his brother Jeff.
Evil = David Klass teaches us that evil is everywhere. So someone needs to learn how to live with the fact that it’s everywhere before they try to change it.
I liked reading Dark Angel because the author questioned the reader throughout the book if evil was an effect on unbalanced chemicals in the brain or a choice.
Jeff is 17 years old and living an almost perfect life. He’s on the varsity soccer team, has a pretty girlfriend and couldn’t ask for better parents. But once his older brother Troy comes home from a 6-year sentence in jail the fear of his life being completely different changes Jeff.
Troy is the opposite of his brother Jeff. He’s short, not athletic, and has the same soft grey of eyes of their father. He became a hard worker right when he got out of jail and does everything to win tue approval of his brother Jeff.
Evil = David Klass teaches us that evil is everywhere. So someone needs to learn how to live with the fact that it’s everywhere before they try to change it.
November 18, 2015
Jeff Hastings' family harbors a dark secret. 5 years ago, the oldest brother killed a boy at school with a knife, and was sent to prison with a life sentence. They've moved on with their lives in a new town, trying to forget the terrible things Troy did, but on a technicality he is being released from prison, and now they have to confront the thing they've tried so hard to avoid.
Dark Angel is a story about good and evil, but not in the sense that the lines are clearly drawn. Jeff has to decide if his brother is truly a bad person or merely a victim of circumstance, and whether or not he is deserving of redemption.
Though on the surface the book definitely feels as though it is intended for teens, it has a surprising amount of depth that was as welcome as it was unexpected. What I thought initially was just going to be a story about a boy dealing with social problems in a high school setting quickly became so much more than that. Sure, there are scenes about bullying and dating problems, but overall plot was much more complex and interesting than that, and I really enjoyed it.
Dark Angel is a story about good and evil, but not in the sense that the lines are clearly drawn. Jeff has to decide if his brother is truly a bad person or merely a victim of circumstance, and whether or not he is deserving of redemption.
Though on the surface the book definitely feels as though it is intended for teens, it has a surprising amount of depth that was as welcome as it was unexpected. What I thought initially was just going to be a story about a boy dealing with social problems in a high school setting quickly became so much more than that. Sure, there are scenes about bullying and dating problems, but overall plot was much more complex and interesting than that, and I really enjoyed it.
May 27, 2009
Gotta love David Klass!
October 29, 2021
Blog:1(The ending) This sort of had a funky ending since I don't really know how I was supposed feel at the very end of the book. As soon as I finished my brain couldn't think of anything else to say than "What." With so much action, conflicts, fights and these crazy settings for a really confusing ending I really thought the author could have capped it off with a much more interesting ending in my opinion. I really feel this book could have been or had lots more potential if the author either ended it on a cliffhanger or just decided to have a crazy twist at the very end of the story. Overall if I had to rate the ending of the book I would give it a 3/5 just for the fact that if they didn't leave all the readers puzzled I personally think that more readers would have enjoyed this novel more.
Blog 2:(Book review) If you enjoy nail biting mystery novels I think this one would be a decent fit for you. For instance when one of Jeff's teammates Tommy decides to flirt with Beth which leads to big a fight with Jeff and Tommy. Troy decides to step in where Tommy connects with a punch that hits Troy square in the jaw. The next day it has been reported that Tommy has gone missing and the whole town starts to suspect Troy. Troy already has committed a felony due to murder which their entire family has to keep a secret of it. If Troy gets caught again who knows what could happen to the entire family lives so they need this information to be kept shut in a bottle. Will the family's secret be kept safe or will they be put in danger? You have to crack down this mystery by completing the whole book.
Blog 3: I feel like the plot and theme was honestly better than I expected it to be, you couldn't possibly think a normal family down the neighborhood that just moved in had a son guilty of convicted murder. Throughout this whole book until nearing the end I was so anxious and the amount of anxiety building up for this family trying to hide this massive secret is just unbearable. This family decided to move away and go to a different place to restart a new life but all of a sudden their son who was a convicted murder gets out of jail and decides to stay at the family's new house. Jeff kept on trying to explain to his parents that it would be better if Troy doesn't live with us but his parents insist that people can change. Who knows what this man could do any second he could just flat try to get rid of them in a blink of a eye. The amount of action and imagery you easily picture is tremendous which is why I personally think that this is why its a pretty decent book.
Blog 4:(cons of the novel)For this blog I will be stating on the cons of this novel. As stating from before I really feel like that the ending in this novel wasn't the greatest since the author didn't end it on like a cliffhanger or dramatic turn it sort of left the reader puzzled. Another con is that this book has a very slow suspense when starting out, sometimes I actually just wanted to skip on through all the slow suspension parts but then I realized that I could miss a crucial part in the story. There was no trill whatsoever it was just simple details that really didn't matter in my opinion. My last con is that for some readers it can be very hard to read this type of writing style that the author writes in, I was able to understand most of the story but nearing the end the imagery wasn't really there so I didn't understand it. I have read other reviews and multiple other people had some time struggling and not being able to picture what the author is trying to say in the novel.
Blog 5(Pros of the overall novel) This novel definitely had some aspects of it where I think are very good. I personally think the writing type is very interesting for me in a good way where in some parts of the novel it was so simple and easy what the author is trying to tell the reader. The plot and conflict I think are spot on since there are so many different ways that situation can go which throws the readers a gigantic curveball. The author gives the reader the slightest hints of foreshadowing which makes it so hard to detect what is gonna happen next. I think the characters stereotypes are good since Troy is this cruel and suspicious brother of Jeff who is super mature and is able to detect signs of things to happen. These two characters combine to make a good formula of conflict which is a such a important thing for any type of story. Overall I think this novel is decent its just that some people won't be able to fully understand the story and will be scratching their heads on what they have just read.
Blog 2:(Book review) If you enjoy nail biting mystery novels I think this one would be a decent fit for you. For instance when one of Jeff's teammates Tommy decides to flirt with Beth which leads to big a fight with Jeff and Tommy. Troy decides to step in where Tommy connects with a punch that hits Troy square in the jaw. The next day it has been reported that Tommy has gone missing and the whole town starts to suspect Troy. Troy already has committed a felony due to murder which their entire family has to keep a secret of it. If Troy gets caught again who knows what could happen to the entire family lives so they need this information to be kept shut in a bottle. Will the family's secret be kept safe or will they be put in danger? You have to crack down this mystery by completing the whole book.
Blog 3: I feel like the plot and theme was honestly better than I expected it to be, you couldn't possibly think a normal family down the neighborhood that just moved in had a son guilty of convicted murder. Throughout this whole book until nearing the end I was so anxious and the amount of anxiety building up for this family trying to hide this massive secret is just unbearable. This family decided to move away and go to a different place to restart a new life but all of a sudden their son who was a convicted murder gets out of jail and decides to stay at the family's new house. Jeff kept on trying to explain to his parents that it would be better if Troy doesn't live with us but his parents insist that people can change. Who knows what this man could do any second he could just flat try to get rid of them in a blink of a eye. The amount of action and imagery you easily picture is tremendous which is why I personally think that this is why its a pretty decent book.
Blog 4:(cons of the novel)For this blog I will be stating on the cons of this novel. As stating from before I really feel like that the ending in this novel wasn't the greatest since the author didn't end it on like a cliffhanger or dramatic turn it sort of left the reader puzzled. Another con is that this book has a very slow suspense when starting out, sometimes I actually just wanted to skip on through all the slow suspension parts but then I realized that I could miss a crucial part in the story. There was no trill whatsoever it was just simple details that really didn't matter in my opinion. My last con is that for some readers it can be very hard to read this type of writing style that the author writes in, I was able to understand most of the story but nearing the end the imagery wasn't really there so I didn't understand it. I have read other reviews and multiple other people had some time struggling and not being able to picture what the author is trying to say in the novel.
Blog 5(Pros of the overall novel) This novel definitely had some aspects of it where I think are very good. I personally think the writing type is very interesting for me in a good way where in some parts of the novel it was so simple and easy what the author is trying to tell the reader. The plot and conflict I think are spot on since there are so many different ways that situation can go which throws the readers a gigantic curveball. The author gives the reader the slightest hints of foreshadowing which makes it so hard to detect what is gonna happen next. I think the characters stereotypes are good since Troy is this cruel and suspicious brother of Jeff who is super mature and is able to detect signs of things to happen. These two characters combine to make a good formula of conflict which is a such a important thing for any type of story. Overall I think this novel is decent its just that some people won't be able to fully understand the story and will be scratching their heads on what they have just read.
February 15, 2018
This is a low suspense fiction book with a little mystery incorporated . In the beginning of the book it was very straight forward and pretty much just told you exactly what was happening and why it was happening. As you kept reading it began to hook you by having a high school mystery that everybody wanted answers to. Things began to get tough and aggressive for the Hastings Family. Who wanted answers just as bad as everybody around them. Their family were not the only ones affected. Another family was hurt and they were very close with Jeff especially the daughter Beth. Due to this mystery there were prices to be paid such as major changes in people's lives.
Things I liked about this book was the way the plot twisted I did not expect that part but I enjoyed not knowing that it was going to happen. Another thing I liked is they used a highschool kid Jeff who was the brother of troy as a main character so I could relate to him easily. I could relate to his problems with his friends and family because every kid has their own problems. The relationship between Beth and Jeff was a good point because it reflected many of the same qualities of relationships I am familiar with. The relationship Jeff had with his family was a little different but added a nice twist in the story because of their long lost secret that would later become the talk of the town and a major point in the book. Another thing the book was good about was showing that not everybody's life is perfect and you can't always run from your problems examples are things such as the pranks and fighting between friends in school and even between former teammates.
Some things I disliked about the book was the that some of the smaller parts that took place were predictable and partially lost my interest. Another thing that could have been better was to add more suspense throughout the whole story instead of just in a few select sections. During the book there was parts that it would randomly switch topics and that sometimes confused me.
The authors writing style was very smooth the words flowed together well and were not choppy. I liked how so many details were used to make it seem as if you could re enact what happened just how it had happened the first time. The details were very important for this book because it includes little things that help you connect parts of the mystery later in the story. Details also began to lead you in different directions trying to not let you know the endings or any answers to spoil it. I would recommend this book to a little older audience such as middle school of highschool could even be a good adult book. The reason I would say a bit older audience is better is because it talks about things that younger kids may not be ready for or need to read. Another thing is I would not recommend this book to somebody who possibly just lost somebody they knew this book may trigger some things that could make you upset. But overall I recommend this book I enjoyed reading it.
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Things I liked about this book was the way the plot twisted I did not expect that part but I enjoyed not knowing that it was going to happen. Another thing I liked is they used a highschool kid Jeff who was the brother of troy as a main character so I could relate to him easily. I could relate to his problems with his friends and family because every kid has their own problems. The relationship between Beth and Jeff was a good point because it reflected many of the same qualities of relationships I am familiar with. The relationship Jeff had with his family was a little different but added a nice twist in the story because of their long lost secret that would later become the talk of the town and a major point in the book. Another thing the book was good about was showing that not everybody's life is perfect and you can't always run from your problems examples are things such as the pranks and fighting between friends in school and even between former teammates.
Some things I disliked about the book was the that some of the smaller parts that took place were predictable and partially lost my interest. Another thing that could have been better was to add more suspense throughout the whole story instead of just in a few select sections. During the book there was parts that it would randomly switch topics and that sometimes confused me.
The authors writing style was very smooth the words flowed together well and were not choppy. I liked how so many details were used to make it seem as if you could re enact what happened just how it had happened the first time. The details were very important for this book because it includes little things that help you connect parts of the mystery later in the story. Details also began to lead you in different directions trying to not let you know the endings or any answers to spoil it. I would recommend this book to a little older audience such as middle school of highschool could even be a good adult book. The reason I would say a bit older audience is better is because it talks about things that younger kids may not be ready for or need to read. Another thing is I would not recommend this book to somebody who possibly just lost somebody they knew this book may trigger some things that could make you upset. But overall I recommend this book I enjoyed reading it.
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March 9, 2018
This book is a mystery/suspense book. It could also be classified as a thriller. It's about a high school boy named Jeff. He has a brother named Troy who has a life sentence for murder. His whole world is flipped upside down when Troy's case is overturned and he is released from prison after serving only six years. His return home divides their family, as well as Jeff's whole life. Troy's return affects Jeff, his family, his friends, and even his girlfriend. One day Jeff's soccer teammate disappears and nothing prepares Jeff for what happens as the truth about the disappearance inches closer. This book has unexpected flashes of humor and incorporates good and evil along with the strong bond of family.
There were tons of things I liked about this book! First and foremost, I overall liked what the story was actually about the most. I'm in love with criminal stories, TV shows, etc. This is all about a criminal so that really got me into and connected to the story. I also really liked how good the character development was. The characters were really easy to picture. If I had to make a movie on this book, I would have no problem finding the right people. Also, the character development isn't just physical, but emotional too. David Klass described the character's thoughts, emotions, and feelings just as well. Therefore, you could almost know what a character was thinking without the author even saying it. He also used great dialogue. All of this in combination made me want to keep reading and reading.
This book doesn't have many weaknesses. The only thing I can think of would be how the book was slow in the beginning. Although it was slow in the beginning, it exponentially grew more fast paced and suspenseful. David Klass used the slow pace in the beginning to his advantage, though. He used this time to develop the characters and show background stories. In my opinion, I think they way in which the characters were developed really added to this book. Even though the beginning was a bit slow, it was crucial to the end of the book and would have been hard to avoid. Even with the slowness, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and didn't mind. The criminal aspect is mostly what kept me going through it, because there was always a sense of mystery even in the slowest sections. David Klass handled it very well.
This author's writing style was easy to follow and well thought out. His use of imagery was exceptional. This book could very easily be made into a movie because everything is very easy to picture. Also, he used great details that really got me into the book. Even the smaller, seemingly unimportant details had a purpose. Many of the details from the beginning came back into play towards the end of the book, helping you connect different details. Another thing he did really well was context clues. There were a few hard words in this book, but it was always pretty easy to figure out what the word meant. There wasn't one time in the book that I was confused about a word. Lastly, his use of dialogue, details, and imagery made the book flow together really nicely. It never jumped around and it never got choppy or confusing.
This is a great book for almost anyone! I definitely would recommend it to people like me, who love criminal TV shows, movies, stories, etc. That aspect of the book kept me reading and reading, even when it got slow. I think people with similar interests would feel the same. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who has gotten "personal" with criminals. By that, I mean if you have a family member who has negatively affected your life with their criminal ways, this might not be the best book for you. This book gets deep with criminals, good and evil, and criminal behavior so if that is something that could trigger you, I wouldn't read it. Other than that, this book is appropriate for all age levels, as well as race, ethnicity, etc. Overall, most people can't go wrong with this book!
There were tons of things I liked about this book! First and foremost, I overall liked what the story was actually about the most. I'm in love with criminal stories, TV shows, etc. This is all about a criminal so that really got me into and connected to the story. I also really liked how good the character development was. The characters were really easy to picture. If I had to make a movie on this book, I would have no problem finding the right people. Also, the character development isn't just physical, but emotional too. David Klass described the character's thoughts, emotions, and feelings just as well. Therefore, you could almost know what a character was thinking without the author even saying it. He also used great dialogue. All of this in combination made me want to keep reading and reading.
This book doesn't have many weaknesses. The only thing I can think of would be how the book was slow in the beginning. Although it was slow in the beginning, it exponentially grew more fast paced and suspenseful. David Klass used the slow pace in the beginning to his advantage, though. He used this time to develop the characters and show background stories. In my opinion, I think they way in which the characters were developed really added to this book. Even though the beginning was a bit slow, it was crucial to the end of the book and would have been hard to avoid. Even with the slowness, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and didn't mind. The criminal aspect is mostly what kept me going through it, because there was always a sense of mystery even in the slowest sections. David Klass handled it very well.
This author's writing style was easy to follow and well thought out. His use of imagery was exceptional. This book could very easily be made into a movie because everything is very easy to picture. Also, he used great details that really got me into the book. Even the smaller, seemingly unimportant details had a purpose. Many of the details from the beginning came back into play towards the end of the book, helping you connect different details. Another thing he did really well was context clues. There were a few hard words in this book, but it was always pretty easy to figure out what the word meant. There wasn't one time in the book that I was confused about a word. Lastly, his use of dialogue, details, and imagery made the book flow together really nicely. It never jumped around and it never got choppy or confusing.
This is a great book for almost anyone! I definitely would recommend it to people like me, who love criminal TV shows, movies, stories, etc. That aspect of the book kept me reading and reading, even when it got slow. I think people with similar interests would feel the same. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who has gotten "personal" with criminals. By that, I mean if you have a family member who has negatively affected your life with their criminal ways, this might not be the best book for you. This book gets deep with criminals, good and evil, and criminal behavior so if that is something that could trigger you, I wouldn't read it. Other than that, this book is appropriate for all age levels, as well as race, ethnicity, etc. Overall, most people can't go wrong with this book!
December 17, 2018
David Klass’s award winning novel, Dark Angel, intrigued me with it’s captivating story line and descriptive style. Overall, Dark Angel was a very well written novel, with a subtle, yet unpredictable plot that will want to make you keep reading, especially towards the end of the book.
Dark Angel radiates a theme of ‘stick to your gut’, which held true for the main character Jeff, does and he ends up being absolutely correct. Without spoiling, Jeff does not like his brother Troy for a very specific reason and that reason will reoccur once more, therefore making Jeff’s gut 100% correct. Klass’s style of writing in this novel is spot on. The author describes everything so well and clearly, so you will always understand a new character, setting, or item, all while not being extensive with them. We only get to see Jeff’s inner feelings in this book, but Klass makes it easy to know what others are feeling, which is unique from any other book I have read.
The characters in this book are well described, but in my opinion could definitely be more characterized. What I mean by this is that there is a well written description as a character is introduced, but from there on we must infer what they feel. Klass makes it easy to like and sympathize with Jeff throughout the book. As with Troy, the opposite occurs. Once again it is easy to dislike troy because of what he’s done, and what Jeff says about Troy and what they do together.
The story of Dark Angel is set in Pineville, New Jersey. Jeff's family moved there from Buffalo, New York after Troy kills a fellow classmate. They chose to move because once everyone found out, Jeff would get bullied to the extreme, and his parents experienced backlash. Pineville is a new start for Jeff and his family. Pineville is a small town near the beach, and is a very seasonal place with beautiful summers and nasty winters, especially the winter in the book.
Although the plot remains mostly sad more than anything else, Klass expertly intertwines some flashes of comic relief and happy moments throughout the story. The book starts out with Jeff admitting his family secret to his beautiful girlfriend, Beth. After this occurs, Jeff begins to experience Buffalo again, but not in the same way. The next day, Beth’s over protective father cuts off their relationship, and soon after he gets into an argument with his best friend. This sends him in to a state of even deeper hatred towards his brother. After Troy gets into a fight with Jeff’s soccer teammate, he goes missing. This is where Jeff sets out to figure out his elusive brother. He starts to hang out with him more and discover who he really is. At the end he and his friend, Smitty, figure him out, but it would spoil the plot if I told you how and what they did.
Dark Angel is easy to make connections to, especially if you are a high schooler. Jeff plays sports, has friends, and has exams like everyone else. The climax also connects really well to an event that happened a few years back, but again I cannot elaborate for it would spoil the end of the book. An easy topic to relate to, especially for high schoolers is siblings. A Lot of people have that stereotypical annoying sibling, and that they ‘hate them’. Jeff’s situation relates to this on an extreme level.
To finalize my opinion on Dark Angel, I recommend this book to any young adult, because it is so easy to sympathize with the main character. With great description and a thrilling plot, this book is a must read and truly a masterpiece.
Dark Angel radiates a theme of ‘stick to your gut’, which held true for the main character Jeff, does and he ends up being absolutely correct. Without spoiling, Jeff does not like his brother Troy for a very specific reason and that reason will reoccur once more, therefore making Jeff’s gut 100% correct. Klass’s style of writing in this novel is spot on. The author describes everything so well and clearly, so you will always understand a new character, setting, or item, all while not being extensive with them. We only get to see Jeff’s inner feelings in this book, but Klass makes it easy to know what others are feeling, which is unique from any other book I have read.
The characters in this book are well described, but in my opinion could definitely be more characterized. What I mean by this is that there is a well written description as a character is introduced, but from there on we must infer what they feel. Klass makes it easy to like and sympathize with Jeff throughout the book. As with Troy, the opposite occurs. Once again it is easy to dislike troy because of what he’s done, and what Jeff says about Troy and what they do together.
The story of Dark Angel is set in Pineville, New Jersey. Jeff's family moved there from Buffalo, New York after Troy kills a fellow classmate. They chose to move because once everyone found out, Jeff would get bullied to the extreme, and his parents experienced backlash. Pineville is a new start for Jeff and his family. Pineville is a small town near the beach, and is a very seasonal place with beautiful summers and nasty winters, especially the winter in the book.
Although the plot remains mostly sad more than anything else, Klass expertly intertwines some flashes of comic relief and happy moments throughout the story. The book starts out with Jeff admitting his family secret to his beautiful girlfriend, Beth. After this occurs, Jeff begins to experience Buffalo again, but not in the same way. The next day, Beth’s over protective father cuts off their relationship, and soon after he gets into an argument with his best friend. This sends him in to a state of even deeper hatred towards his brother. After Troy gets into a fight with Jeff’s soccer teammate, he goes missing. This is where Jeff sets out to figure out his elusive brother. He starts to hang out with him more and discover who he really is. At the end he and his friend, Smitty, figure him out, but it would spoil the plot if I told you how and what they did.
Dark Angel is easy to make connections to, especially if you are a high schooler. Jeff plays sports, has friends, and has exams like everyone else. The climax also connects really well to an event that happened a few years back, but again I cannot elaborate for it would spoil the end of the book. An easy topic to relate to, especially for high schoolers is siblings. A Lot of people have that stereotypical annoying sibling, and that they ‘hate them’. Jeff’s situation relates to this on an extreme level.
To finalize my opinion on Dark Angel, I recommend this book to any young adult, because it is so easy to sympathize with the main character. With great description and a thrilling plot, this book is a must read and truly a masterpiece.
February 16, 2018
Dark Angel by David Klass is a non-fiction novel about a young lad in his teens trying to get through his life. After Jeff, the main character of the story hears that his older brother Troy was released from prison, his world was turned upside down. After Troy was convicted at 17 for a stabbing of another person, he was tried as an adult and sent to serve a life sentence in a federal prison. But after his sentence was overturned by a technicality, he was released from the correctional institute. Jeff and his parents had already moved away and Jeff wanted to forget about his brother. But it turns out that the return of Troy really messes up Jeff's life. especially at home, school and with his girlfriend, Beth.
My best guess of reading level would be at a high school level only because it is put in the perspective of a high schooler. As a high schooler in 11th grade, I could understand why Jeff wouldn't like his brother being back in his life, especially what he's done. In my opinion, I enjoyed the book. What I liked about it was that even though Troy was an ex-convict. He proved to me that people can change as long as there are people to help and love you. I much rather enjoyed the cover in the book because it shows the malice that jeff visualized Troy as like a crow. I would recommend the book to high school teenager who struggles with a brother, or even a family member that was a convict.
My best guess of reading level would be at a high school level only because it is put in the perspective of a high schooler. As a high schooler in 11th grade, I could understand why Jeff wouldn't like his brother being back in his life, especially what he's done. In my opinion, I enjoyed the book. What I liked about it was that even though Troy was an ex-convict. He proved to me that people can change as long as there are people to help and love you. I much rather enjoyed the cover in the book because it shows the malice that jeff visualized Troy as like a crow. I would recommend the book to high school teenager who struggles with a brother, or even a family member that was a convict.
February 10, 2018
Series=n0
Genre=Realistic
Reading level=High School
Grade im in= 11
Dark Angel is a book about a high school boy named Jeff, and he is worried about people finding out what is brother has become. Jeff has a girlfriend named Beth and she has no idea about his murderer brother until he decides to tell her. He recently finds out from his parents that his brother Troy is coming home from prison, Jeff is freaking out his girlfriend wont talk to him, his whole life is falling apart. When Fraser, the most popular guy and most talented sports star at school is seen with Beth, disaster is eminent. Frazer's disappearance after i fight with troy sets in. Evil, sinister events unfold to where people say its inescapable.
Some thoughts i had about the book Dark Angel is that it was a very good thriller, mystery type of book. I liked how it was real life and this could very much happen. Some things i didn't like is that some parts of the book it dragged on to where you as the reader could get less interested. The book itself didn't give me any feelings except nervousness. 1 thing i very much enjoyed was the cover, it perfectly represented the pages in the book. Sadly this book is not part of a series, i would recommend this book to teens that like mystery and thriller.
Genre=Realistic
Reading level=High School
Grade im in= 11
Dark Angel is a book about a high school boy named Jeff, and he is worried about people finding out what is brother has become. Jeff has a girlfriend named Beth and she has no idea about his murderer brother until he decides to tell her. He recently finds out from his parents that his brother Troy is coming home from prison, Jeff is freaking out his girlfriend wont talk to him, his whole life is falling apart. When Fraser, the most popular guy and most talented sports star at school is seen with Beth, disaster is eminent. Frazer's disappearance after i fight with troy sets in. Evil, sinister events unfold to where people say its inescapable.
Some thoughts i had about the book Dark Angel is that it was a very good thriller, mystery type of book. I liked how it was real life and this could very much happen. Some things i didn't like is that some parts of the book it dragged on to where you as the reader could get less interested. The book itself didn't give me any feelings except nervousness. 1 thing i very much enjoyed was the cover, it perfectly represented the pages in the book. Sadly this book is not part of a series, i would recommend this book to teens that like mystery and thriller.
May 10, 2019
“A purple sunset bridged sky and sea. The girl was tall and athletic, and she ran in smooth strides that ate up big bites of toasty sand. Her long brown hair trailed behind her and seemed to float magically out over the line of surf. Beth was her name, and the good news was that she was running to me.” Some backstory on this quote is that it happens near the beginning of the book where the main character Jeff is having an enjoyable summer on the beach, with his girlfriend. So the reason I thought this was a powerful quote is because it represents the fine line or the changing point in Jeff's life. After this point in the book everything just goes into a downward spiral of gloomyness for Jeff. Another reason I chose this passage is because it shows how he thinks of his girlfriend. Jeff thinks of Beth as a godlike person,"seemed to float magically out over the line of surf". Which in turn makes it really hard to break up with her, later in the novel. This difficulty with his girlfriend is a portion of the reason Jeff is so upset throughout the book. In order to find out the main reason Jeff's life goes gloomy, you'll have to read the book.
September 1, 2017
The story itself definitely sounded interesting to me, that's why I was excited to start reading it, but I was disappoointed. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style, it just wasn't able to capture me, I wasn't excited to turn the pages and find out more.
I also expected something different when reading this book. I was expecting to find out more about Troys personality, as well as the ending to be different. The plot was a bit too predictable to be exciting.
But to do the author justice, he did well on portraying the reactions of Jeff's classmates and - in contrast to that - the reaction of his parents when Troy came back. It's horrible to be judged by what your brother did in the past and people hating you exactly because of that - I was definitely feeling sorry for Jeff the entire time. Also, for his parents. It was heartbreaking to read about his mom believing Troy changed while in prison, only to find out he didn't.
All in all, an "okay" book, but I probably wouldn't read it again.
I also expected something different when reading this book. I was expecting to find out more about Troys personality, as well as the ending to be different. The plot was a bit too predictable to be exciting.
But to do the author justice, he did well on portraying the reactions of Jeff's classmates and - in contrast to that - the reaction of his parents when Troy came back. It's horrible to be judged by what your brother did in the past and people hating you exactly because of that - I was definitely feeling sorry for Jeff the entire time. Also, for his parents. It was heartbreaking to read about his mom believing Troy changed while in prison, only to find out he didn't.
All in all, an "okay" book, but I probably wouldn't read it again.
February 16, 2018
Dark Angel by David Klass, is about a kid named Jeff and his family who's older brother went to prison for first degree murder as a minor. It has been 5 years since the incident and the family has moved to a small town called Pinesville. Jeff's life is going great, he is liked by most in school, a good student, athlete, and has a girlfriend Beth. He's happy with everything until he gets news that his older brother is being released from prison and coming home with them. Everything is downhill from there.
Dark Angel is a fiction book that is not part of any series, it is quite easy to read seen as I am in 11th grade. Overall it is a good book with a intriguing story line that leaves the reader wanting to know more and more as they progress deeper into the story itself. The characters are interesting and develop majorly throughout the story. I however thought the ending of the book was a huge let down and that is the reason I have to give this book a four out of five stars.
Dark Angel is a fiction book that is not part of any series, it is quite easy to read seen as I am in 11th grade. Overall it is a good book with a intriguing story line that leaves the reader wanting to know more and more as they progress deeper into the story itself. The characters are interesting and develop majorly throughout the story. I however thought the ending of the book was a huge let down and that is the reason I have to give this book a four out of five stars.
August 27, 2025
Klass’s ability to write accurate teenagers and their decisions is impressive. Also somehow gets you to feel for who eventually becomes a legitimate serial killer. Very interesting dialogue over evil and if it is inherited or created, and what makes something truly evil. Definitely a novel that leaves you wanting more on purpose through little resolution, and it’s the cause for the knocked off star because it wrapped up just a smidge too fast for me. While I can appreciate that ending for what it is- it kind of came out of nowhere. If I hadn’t had a physical book in my hands I would’ve thought there was going to be at least 50 more pages. Though I’m going to go out on a whim and say that’s the whole point. It’s dark in a very different way from other YA’s, and doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be edgy, instead the darker tone coming naturally from the conflicts and characters. Overall, would recommend to both YA and thriller/mystery fans.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2018
William Bickmann
Grade: 11
Series: No
Reading level: High School
Series: No
Genre: Realistic Fiction
This book is about a 17 year old named Jeff. Jeff has been living a peaceful life in Pineville, New Jersey for 5 years. However, Jeff’s life is ruined when Troy, his brother, comes back from jail after being convicted a murderer. This wouldn’t be as bad if Tommy Fraser, someone who is on Jeff’s soccer team, disappears after fighting with Jeff.
This book definitely has its pros and cons. Personally, I prefer fantasy which is probably why I didn’t enjoy this as much as I should’ve. The pace is different as are the morales and perspectives. For example, one thing I loved about this book is how it made you think about your own life. It made me think about what I hide or lie to myself about, mainly being the darker parts of me. The main reason I actually disliked this book was because it shows a lot of the brutal truths in the world. It’s hard to view those things that you don’t want to admit. As for the cover, I believe both the title and drawing depict the ideas. Everyone wants to see this angel part of themselves or others, but we all have our issues.
Grade: 11
Series: No
Reading level: High School
Series: No
Genre: Realistic Fiction
This book is about a 17 year old named Jeff. Jeff has been living a peaceful life in Pineville, New Jersey for 5 years. However, Jeff’s life is ruined when Troy, his brother, comes back from jail after being convicted a murderer. This wouldn’t be as bad if Tommy Fraser, someone who is on Jeff’s soccer team, disappears after fighting with Jeff.
This book definitely has its pros and cons. Personally, I prefer fantasy which is probably why I didn’t enjoy this as much as I should’ve. The pace is different as are the morales and perspectives. For example, one thing I loved about this book is how it made you think about your own life. It made me think about what I hide or lie to myself about, mainly being the darker parts of me. The main reason I actually disliked this book was because it shows a lot of the brutal truths in the world. It’s hard to view those things that you don’t want to admit. As for the cover, I believe both the title and drawing depict the ideas. Everyone wants to see this angel part of themselves or others, but we all have our issues.
July 24, 2013
1 April 2005 DARK ANGEL by David Klass, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Frances Foster Books, October 2005, ISBN: 0-374-39950-6.
"The links between brain chemistry and behavior reveal problems facing research in social and political science if the life sciences are ignored. An estimated 11 million American children take Ritalin and many others exhibit ADD, ADHD, or other learning disabilities. Over 83 million Americans take Prozac, Zoloft and other medications for depression or other psychological conditions, including seasonal affective disorder and sexual addiction. More directly related to politics, environmental toxins such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, or manganese can damage the brain and increase risks of criminal violence and other behavioral problems. These empirical observations are relevant to public policies in education, criminal justice, or health care, and indicate the need to reconsider theories of human and social political behavior. To do so, however, is impossible without a detailed knowledge of human biology."
--BIOLOGY AND POLITICS: Linking Nature and Nurture by R. D. Masters, Department of Government, Dartmouth College.
"My parents went to get Troy in our SUV. It was a Saturday and they left early in the morning. It would take them till about noon to make it to the prison, and I figured they would be home with Troy before nightfall.
"I didn't go. I didn't need to make an excuse or offer an explanation--I just said that I wasn't going, and they didn't press me.
"I figured I would see him soon enough.
From our front porch, I watched my parents walk across our front lawn toward our blue SUV. My mom was all decked out for the reunion in a yellow dress, pumps, and carefully applied makeup. I wondered if while she had been applying her eyeliner and lipstick, she had been conscious of the fact that she was on her way to a state penitentiary.
"My poor mother. When she reached the SUV's door, she turned and waved to me once, and there was such tension in the simple gesture that I wanted to go give her a hug and beg her to stay here with me, and not subject herself to this ordeal. My mom is a tall woman, just an inch or two shorter than my dad. She's had a problem with nervous tension over the past few years, and she's on medication to help her stay calm.
"I could tell by looking at her eyes that she hadn't slept a wink the previous night. I wondered how many pills she had taken that morning."
Seventeen year-old Jeff Hastings used to live in Upstate New York with his parents and his big brother Troy. But the family was totally ostracized by their community--and Jeff seriously beaten up--after Troy was arrested, tried as an adult, and convicted of plunging a seven inch knife into a classmate. Troy received a life sentence for the crime.
The family has made a new start in a small town amid the New Jersey pine barrens. Jeff has a beautiful girlfriend Beth, lots of friends on the soccer team where he's a backup wing, and the reputation for being a good guy.
But after five years in prison Troy is being released on a technicality and coming back to live with his family. Jeff is convinced Troy's coming to Pineville will ruin Jeff's life a second time. More importantly, Jeff is sure Troy is evil and dangerous.
"Had Troy really changed? Do bad people become good through penance and reflection? I sat there on the corner of the bed and watched the afternoon give way to evening, as the branches from the crab apple seemed to twist longer and longer in the fading light, and I couldn't help doubting it. I knew Troy. For years he was my big brother, my closest friend, my teacher. I had learned from him, and then, even as a young child, I had sensed that there was something wrong with him, something missing in him, and I had gradually turned against him. By the time he was arrested for murder, I had become very afraid of him.
"Leopards don't change their spots. Crab apple trees don't suddenly grow cherries. Troy would never change."
"Don't you plead me your case, don't bother to explain
Don't even show me your face, 'cause it's a crying shame
Just go back to the rock from under which you came
Take the sorrow you gave and all the stakes you claim
And don't forget the blame."
--Fiona Apple, "Criminal"
Jeff is incredibly bitter before Troy even arrives. When he informs Beth about the impending arrival of the brother he'd never previously told her about, Beth's protective father immediately forbids her to even talk to Jeff.
Jeff doesn't dare tell anyone else about Troy.
In the most suspenseful young adult novel I've read since the Edgar Award-winning ACCELERATION, David Klass probes the biochemical, societal, and religious theories regarding the roots of evil.
Klass' 2001 young adult novel YOU DON'T KNOW ME remains one of my all-time favorite YAs. In DARK ANGEL, as with YOU DON'T KNOW ME, we meet a beautiful girl and her seemingly overprotective father. The significant teacher character this time is a science teacher, Mr. Tsuyki, rather than the music teacher, Mr. Steenwilly. (We do get an extremely brief look at Beth playing her cello that hints of the band practice descriptions in YOU DON'T KNOW ME.) But the darkness in John's story of abuse from YOU DON'T KNOW ME doesn't begin to compare to this disturbing tale of two brothers.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
"The links between brain chemistry and behavior reveal problems facing research in social and political science if the life sciences are ignored. An estimated 11 million American children take Ritalin and many others exhibit ADD, ADHD, or other learning disabilities. Over 83 million Americans take Prozac, Zoloft and other medications for depression or other psychological conditions, including seasonal affective disorder and sexual addiction. More directly related to politics, environmental toxins such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, or manganese can damage the brain and increase risks of criminal violence and other behavioral problems. These empirical observations are relevant to public policies in education, criminal justice, or health care, and indicate the need to reconsider theories of human and social political behavior. To do so, however, is impossible without a detailed knowledge of human biology."
--BIOLOGY AND POLITICS: Linking Nature and Nurture by R. D. Masters, Department of Government, Dartmouth College.
"My parents went to get Troy in our SUV. It was a Saturday and they left early in the morning. It would take them till about noon to make it to the prison, and I figured they would be home with Troy before nightfall.
"I didn't go. I didn't need to make an excuse or offer an explanation--I just said that I wasn't going, and they didn't press me.
"I figured I would see him soon enough.
From our front porch, I watched my parents walk across our front lawn toward our blue SUV. My mom was all decked out for the reunion in a yellow dress, pumps, and carefully applied makeup. I wondered if while she had been applying her eyeliner and lipstick, she had been conscious of the fact that she was on her way to a state penitentiary.
"My poor mother. When she reached the SUV's door, she turned and waved to me once, and there was such tension in the simple gesture that I wanted to go give her a hug and beg her to stay here with me, and not subject herself to this ordeal. My mom is a tall woman, just an inch or two shorter than my dad. She's had a problem with nervous tension over the past few years, and she's on medication to help her stay calm.
"I could tell by looking at her eyes that she hadn't slept a wink the previous night. I wondered how many pills she had taken that morning."
Seventeen year-old Jeff Hastings used to live in Upstate New York with his parents and his big brother Troy. But the family was totally ostracized by their community--and Jeff seriously beaten up--after Troy was arrested, tried as an adult, and convicted of plunging a seven inch knife into a classmate. Troy received a life sentence for the crime.
The family has made a new start in a small town amid the New Jersey pine barrens. Jeff has a beautiful girlfriend Beth, lots of friends on the soccer team where he's a backup wing, and the reputation for being a good guy.
But after five years in prison Troy is being released on a technicality and coming back to live with his family. Jeff is convinced Troy's coming to Pineville will ruin Jeff's life a second time. More importantly, Jeff is sure Troy is evil and dangerous.
"Had Troy really changed? Do bad people become good through penance and reflection? I sat there on the corner of the bed and watched the afternoon give way to evening, as the branches from the crab apple seemed to twist longer and longer in the fading light, and I couldn't help doubting it. I knew Troy. For years he was my big brother, my closest friend, my teacher. I had learned from him, and then, even as a young child, I had sensed that there was something wrong with him, something missing in him, and I had gradually turned against him. By the time he was arrested for murder, I had become very afraid of him.
"Leopards don't change their spots. Crab apple trees don't suddenly grow cherries. Troy would never change."
"Don't you plead me your case, don't bother to explain
Don't even show me your face, 'cause it's a crying shame
Just go back to the rock from under which you came
Take the sorrow you gave and all the stakes you claim
And don't forget the blame."
--Fiona Apple, "Criminal"
Jeff is incredibly bitter before Troy even arrives. When he informs Beth about the impending arrival of the brother he'd never previously told her about, Beth's protective father immediately forbids her to even talk to Jeff.
Jeff doesn't dare tell anyone else about Troy.
In the most suspenseful young adult novel I've read since the Edgar Award-winning ACCELERATION, David Klass probes the biochemical, societal, and religious theories regarding the roots of evil.
Klass' 2001 young adult novel YOU DON'T KNOW ME remains one of my all-time favorite YAs. In DARK ANGEL, as with YOU DON'T KNOW ME, we meet a beautiful girl and her seemingly overprotective father. The significant teacher character this time is a science teacher, Mr. Tsuyki, rather than the music teacher, Mr. Steenwilly. (We do get an extremely brief look at Beth playing her cello that hints of the band practice descriptions in YOU DON'T KNOW ME.) But the darkness in John's story of abuse from YOU DON'T KNOW ME doesn't begin to compare to this disturbing tale of two brothers.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
February 9, 2018
I foundthis book in a bar in Austria! It tellsthe story of Jeff, a high school kid with an ordinary but happy life. Jeff’s life is thrown into disarray when his older brother comes home from jail. Jeff had never told anyone he had a brother and that his brother was a murderer. Throughout the book Jeff questions the relationships between good and evil and whether it is inherited. Many people give Jeffs brother Troy a chance, but Jeff prejudges him because he feels he knows him inside. A boy goes missing in the town and the finger points to Troy...
March 5, 2018
The story is uneven in characterizations and plot but is a good psychological thriller about a high school boy, Jeff, whose brother, who killed a kid, comes home after 5 years in prison. Jeff wants nothing to do with him (Troy ) and believes he has no remorse and is still dangerous. His parents want to believe that he has changed and deserves a second chance. This wreaks havoc with Jeff's school and personal life.
Suspenseful. Which 'side' is right- evil vs positive change -stays unknown throughout the book.
Suspenseful. Which 'side' is right- evil vs positive change -stays unknown throughout the book.
February 9, 2018
I thought this book was very good and it really makes you think about how things can just be taken away so easily and it is suspenseful which is awesome it also makes you value the little things about life cause if your life is taken from you along with your freedom you wont be able to enjoy the little things.
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March 12, 2020I think the book is amazing. i like how the climax started in the middle of the book and how the little brother sent his bring brother in prison. I like how the author have the some kind of theme that made me got into the book more. Also i like it when the author when the author describes what the characters are doing and they feelings. i like the front cover make it seems dark.
April 9, 2020
This used to be my favorite book in middle school and high school, I would read it every year. For some random reason, years later, I thought of it and found it on Thriftbooks and thought yeah! I would love to reread it! Honestly should have left it in my teenage memory. This book is written for that audience and not for an adult. This reread definitely tainted my memories of this book.
December 10, 2022
ich war positiv überrascht von dem buch! die geschichte ist von anfang an interessant und die entwicklung spannend. an den schreibstil musste ich mich jedoch etwas gewöhnen, da die gedanken des hauptcharakters sehr ausführlich beschrieben werden. daher ziehen sich die kapitel teilweise in die länge.
July 16, 2024
I'm torn about this one. The plot is fascinating, and the main character discerning, and while I enjoy plot twists, this one veers off in ways that aren't necessary a few times. They're short and not too graphic, but those scenes also are completely unnecessary and detract from the big questions that this book raises. I definitely rated this book lower because of those elements.
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