Hothouse

by Chris Lynch

If you do it right, it can be a life. The hothouse, the guys, the glory. But just like that, it can all go up in smoke.

In the beginning it was strange, ya know, because of all that we had lost. But there was something about it that felt so good and so right, too: "I'm so proud of you, Russ." "We'll always be here for you, man." "Heroes don't pay for nothin' in this town." It was nonstop. The mayor shook my hand. Ladies sent food. I've never eaten so much baked ham in my life.

And now? Now the phone won't stop ringing from the crazies ready to blame me. My mom has to cry herself to sleep. They take a firefighter, a man, and they pump him up so big. . . . But once they start taking it away from you, they don't stop until they leave nothing on the bones.

First they needed heroes, then they needed blood.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Family, Contemporary, Teen, Friendship, Grief

198 pages, Hardcover

First published August 24, 2010

About the author

Chris Lynch is the Printz Honor Award-winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including KILL SWITCH, ANGRY YOUNG MAN, and INEXCUSABLE, which was a National Book Award finalist and the recipient of six starred reviews. He is also the author of FREEWILL, GOLD DUST, ICEMAN, GYPSY DAVY, and SHADOWBOXER, all ALA Best Books for Young Adults; EXTREME ELVIN WHITECHURCH, and ALL THE OLD HAUNTS.

He holds an M.A. from the writing program at Emerson College. He mentors aspiring writers and continues to work on new literary projects. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow -- I was surprised to see how much other people loved this book. I actually found it (oh the guilt!) rather ridiculous & the overall story just didn't strike me as credible. (Or maybe all the boy's club / over-the-top community pride thing just isn't my cup of tea). Whatever the reason, hard to swallow.

[Zach Berndt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hothouse by Chris Lynch is about two kids named DJ and Russell. Their dads are firefighters at the towns fire station named the Hothouse. One day there was this horrible incident that happened where they both gave their lives in a firefight and they were deemed heroes for a short time until a routine investigation took place. They were found having drank alcohol before that fire and also have taken drugs. So this story is mostly about the two kids figuring how to deal with this news and having to deal with their fathers not being around anymore. My favorite character was Russell because he goes to try to keep his father's name in good will. He will not settle for their dads not being heroes. The author also did a great job making characters in this story feel real. It felt as though the author knew how these sort of things happen and the story felt really real. One thing I disliked about the book was how it would cut to certain times were Russell and his dad where talking randomly throughout the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is going through a loss of a family member or anyone who wants to learn about what firefighters and their families give up so their parent can be a firefighter. I gave this book a three because although it was a good book I disliked the random talking between Russell and his father, also it was not really a clear ending.

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the book my thoughts are mixed off good, and somewhat disappointed. The benign started out strong with the family aspect; it was wholesome. Learning about Russ and Dj, who have grown up together and how their family are similar both being in a firefighter family.The book starts off strongly showing a great connection between Russ and his dad, “His way of asking.How everything is, if everything is right.”(Lynch 1) Coming off ass his dad could be one of his biggest role models he has and admires.

Reading about how both Djs, and Russ dads both died in a fire accident was a big connection between the two. “It is the best dad moment I have had, since I haven't had a dad.” This is a big moment for him because growing up truly he hasn't had a lot of ket moments with his father so getting this feeling of a dad moment is gonna stick with him for awhile because of the loss.Dj still has grief with his dads loss. Later it was sweet how the community around them supported them both. Russ is better at handling the grief that he has but Dj not so much. The relationship between Russ and Dj becomes distant. Russ loves the spotlight and Dj doesn't. Russ and DJ's relationship has tension. It starts getting weird because Russ talks about trying to be like his dad. It starts getting side tracked and that's where I started getting lost. The end Russ, and Dj found the truth between what really happened with the dads and how their mistakes could have led to their dads death. The relationship is weird with the kids. It is left in an uncertain place, Dj has dealt with the loss in his own way, remaining distant from the public and their interest in them due to what Russ started.

For a rating I give the book a 4 stars, it has a good emotional aspect to the entire book, how it explores grief and loss. It had good character development between both of the boys and how the same situation can make people not all act the same after showing how everyone is different. I didn't say 5 out of 5 because of the Complex themes and how it was wobbly at the end because of Russ and his thoughts.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading Chris Lynch, and I for the most part I enjoyed it. I didn’t exactly care for the underage drinking ( though it was nessesary for the climax) or for Russ’s tattoo. I was also disappointed by having it implied that DJ spent the night with a girl( though she later claimed they just were talking ). It certainly could of been even more risqué, much more. What I loved about the book was of course the friendship between Russ and BJ and how they were able to rekindle it ( no pun intended ) through their shared tragedy. Russ’s friendship with Adrian was also likeable. It seems that Chris Lynch usually explores male friendship in his books,so I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of his work.

[Eric Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a valanteer firefighter and i really enjoyed this book I would recommend a lot of people to read it I would also love to continue reading the story 8 time it if or if he has any difficulty joining the fire department since then what he has to do to work up to it other than being what I would call an explorer

[Krista Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It got very confusing

[*Weebles* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished it a couple days ago, but forgot to update. 😐

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a whirlwind and then a sudden ending.

[John R Urry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming , joyous , and sad ……. Many emotions in this father and son relationship as told by the 17 year old son ……very good characters throughout !

[Carrie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Russ’s father was a firefighter, and for as long as Russ could remember, he wanted to be a firefighter, too. He loved the camaraderie of the Hothouse (firehouse) team, the shiny, no-fingerprints engines, the brave deeds, and the mustaches. Being a firefighter was the highest calling for a man as far as Russ was concerned. Then, his father and his best friend’s father are killed in a fire, killed being heroes, and Russ’s world shifts on its axis. But, Russ’s father is a hero… he died in the line of duty. Everyone in the community honors the sacrifice that Russ’s and DJ’s fathers made – they get free bus rides, free tattoos, free drinks. There are community barbecues; there are memorials; there are billboards. Everyone wants in on the memory of Courageous Outrageous heroes. Until the findings of the Board of Inquiry come out. Then, Russ’s world shifts on its axis again.

I’ll be honest. I don’t like the voice that Chris Lynch uses for his characters. I remember hating it when I read “Inexcusable,” and I hated it when I read “Hothouse.” It’s a tough voice to describe. In one way, it is very close to the way people actually talk. However, it is written without punctuation to make it clear. I don’t mean to imply that Chris Lynch published a book sans punctuation – that would just be absurd! What I mean is that there are phrases that are actually separate sentences or clauses that should be set apart with punctuation, but they aren’t. Phrases and clauses and sentences are sometimes all mushed together into one sentence, making it confusing to read. And I don’t like to be confused by the grammar/conventions when I read. I don’t like to be confused by the plot, either, but I REALLY don’t like to be confused by something that is so easy to fix and make clear.

Additionally, I didn’t like this book because it was well over half-way through the book before the conflict was introduced. Initially, I thought the conflict was Russ grieving for his father’s death, and in some small way, I think that is part of the conflict. But, the bigger conflict is the results of the Board of Inquiry, and those aren’t even brought up until over halfway through. I remember at about page 70 looking at my husband and saying, “So far, my summary of this book will only consist of: ‘Russ’s father died. Russ is grieving.’” For over half the book, that is the whole of the plot. Sorry. Not enough for me.

My final complaint is that the book feels like it just ends. ”Inexcusable” felt the same way. The conflict has finally been introduced; another major event has just occurred; then, literally 13 pages later, the book ends. Ends! Done! Finito! Sorry. Not okay.

If you can’t tell yet, I’m not in love with this book. Looking back over this review, it’s really negative, and the book wasn’t THAT bad; I mean, I DID finish it. And it had a few emotional moments – it’s a moving topic. I think there are boys who might like this book if they can get past the 70 pages of virtually no plot. However, I was not, and am not now, a huge Chris Lynch fan. I held out hope for this book but Chris, make me read a bad book once, shame on you; make me read a bad book twice, shame on me. You will NOT get me a third time.

[Clement Yeboah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynch’s purpose in writing his book, Hothouse is to tell his audience that together you can achieve your dream but being apart won’t end up a success. When Russell and DJ worked together to achieve their fathers dream, togetherness made them successful. This book is very motivational and inspirational because it teaches never to give up on what we want to do. As you read on you begin to experience hatred against two people but they faced it and continued following their dreams. This will inspire many among us.
Anyone who read this book will develop a skill which teaches them to show care. For example when Russell’s dad returned from work because he had bad fever, he told his son that “Oh, I’m fine. It’s just this bad knee of mine” (Lynch 86). He said that because he didn't want his son to feel horrible and because he cares about him. People with a lexile score below 900 should consider reading this because the book have ways of putting together sentences and also have good vocabulary words which can improve reading levels. The author explains why certain events are the ways they are in the book and what also caused certain things. This book can also be emotional to people who are warm hearted and feel sad for certain situations because death is a major key in this book.
This book is in some ways well written and other cases not well Written. My reason for saying this is because, the book only shows Russell having flashbacks of his dad and conversations he had with him but doesn't really tells what happened to his dad. This book is somewhat captivating. The story told in the book is inspirational but I find no sense of Humor at any other parts of the book. As a suggestion, people likes book that are mind-blowing, inspirational and at the same time funny.
The greatest strength to this book is how it connects to real life events. My connection to this book is when people told me to not enter the career I want to do because it’s too risky. This book connected to my situation when I ignored people and said it’s what I wanted to do and don’t care what the fears are. The main character in the book wanted to be a firefighter even though he knew the dangers and how his life could change for doing it. The greatest weakness is how some other friends are included in the book. Some of Russell’s friends mentioned in the book have no relation to what is actually going on in the book For example; one page reads how Adrian another friend of Russell slaps DJ. I strongly encourage the author to always make sure outside events presented in the book always have relation to what’s going on in the book.
I would recommend this book to a friend but also alert him about the emotions and the language in the book. I would not recommend it to a teacher what so ever because the ways teachers reacts to students when they see them use improper language. The reason why I will recommend this book to a friend is because it teaches a moral lesson. Pages 26 and 27, Russell failed but himself back up. This will motivated my friend because he easily gives when he makes a mistake. This book have a positive influence on teens and most likely parents.

[Int'l librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the beginning of this book. Like a cold open in a TV series. A simple warm scene to show how much Russell’s dad means to him. How much of a hero he is.

Lynch is able to maintain that balance of low-key action and emotional intensity throughout the entire book. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a stronger father-son attachment.

Russell’s dad was a fire fighter. Killed in action, trying to save an old lady from her burning home.

The open is a flashback. All italics. Lynch uses the same style to highlight more memories throughout the book. I’ve seen this technique before, and it doesn’t always work, but here it does. The flashbacks are often funny, always touching, and they form a helpful sequence of reveals as the plot develops.

Back in the present, the entire town rallies around Russell and his mom. The ceremonies and memorials get overblown and oppressive, but that’s intentional. It’s easy to imagine people reacting this way, and it’s easy to imagine Russell’s schizoid responses. He wants time to grieve, time to be alone. But he loves the affection his friends and neighbors pour out to him.

Russell’s two best friends are great in their supporting roles. Adrian is not above resorting to gallows humor, as when their end of summer party goes sour.

“That’s kind of s__t man… Now you got no father and no date.”

DJ and Russell have an even closer bond – DJ’s dad was Russell’s dad’s best friend. Another fire fighter, killed in the same fire. It adds another dimension, to see the different ways the two sons remember their fathers and work through their pain.

And then the memories, and the more immediate circumstances, get complicated. It’s a perfect plot twist, and adds some serious rage to the emotions that were already there.

That brings up one of the aspects of the story I didn’t like: the jealous classmate, Montgomerie. At one point there’s a contrived fight between this idiot and Russell. “I am kneeling on Montgomerie’s chest, with one hand squeezing his throat and the other covering his face like a claw, and I am bouncing his skull hard enough off the ground, I actually hyperextend my elbow and lose half my strength. Half is enough, though, because I can still manage to bounce his head seven, eight, nine times.”

I guess I should mention that Russell is also a fire fighter in training, and built like a truck. My next goal is to get past the nausea of that scene. And then I wonder, how could Montgomerie walk away from this fight without severe brain damage? I don’t have an answer, because Lynch never explains.

And I’m not so keen about the romantic potential Lynch introduces with “The Girl,” a super-tough and gungho fellow trainee fire fighter. It probably helps the storyline to keep her to the periphery, but she presents another set of questions that never seem to get answered.

Whatever, that’s not the heart of this story. And this story has the kind of heart to overcome just about anything.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel kind of bad that I didn't love HOTHOUSE because it's supposed to be this deep read about kids getting over the deaths of their firefighter dads. It's supposed to be touching and endearing and I think it was supposed to make me cry but overall I didn't feel all that much.

I liked the topic of essentially canonizing the dead and then realizing, after the fact, that they might not have been perfect. That was probably my favorite part of the book because it elicited the strongest emotion from me. The way the town just turned on these two innocent boys was quite frankly disgusting. They elevated the two dead firefighters to god-like levels. They set up their own expectations. But these guys ended up not meeting those expectations and instead of looking in on themselves for blame the town projected it onto innocent people, as if it were them that did all the saint-claiming. That was kind of hard to read, especially when it got to reading how poorly Russ was treated. It even got physical and that was pretty disgusting. It shows the whole mob mentality all raw and front and center. I liked that for how horrifying it was.

But the rest of it, I felt like there was this distance to the MC that I just couldn't close. I got him talking about how his dad's death was affecting him and all of that but it seemed to gloss over the really important parts, like the actual death, the inquiry, the newspaper articles, things like that. All of that was skimmed by and you kind of got this afterthought reaction from Russ about everything that was going on. He's essentially gone through his life naive and not willing to see what was right in front of his face and I felt the narrative was that kind of distant. It kind of came crumbling down at the end and that gap closed a little but not that much and it was really too little too late.

The voice was kind of irksome too. Hanging out on the edge of trying to be a little too hip and teenage-ish. It rubbed me the wrong way a bit right from the beginning. I'm sure that played into how closely I didn't get to the text but nothing I can really do about that.

Ultimately it wasn't a bad read and I did enjoy reading HOTHOUSE but I didn't really connect with it. The elements that Russ was reacting to were kept in the background, thus eliminating weight from his reactions, I thought. They weren't grounded out at all. I was in Russ's head the whole time but I still felt a distance, like you could see him lying to himself, which he really was with all of those flashback memories he kept having. But I think those ended up doing the story a disservice because it kept him too far away from the present. It's a bit subdued in terms of recent contemporaries but not bad. It's different so it has that going for it, especially since it's a male POV. I've read better but it's still okay.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes a hero? What makes a good father? It is these questions that lie at the core of Lynch's newest release. Russell finds himself confronted with these deep questions as he deals with the death of his father, who served the community as a firefighter for many years. In fact, Russell's dad and the father of an old friend and neighbor (DJ) are killed when they rush into a blazing fire. They were the first from the Hothouse, the nickname given to the local firehouse, to arrive. Unfortunately things went terribly wrong. They were both killed, and the elderly woman living in the home ended up in intensive care.

At first, the whole town comes together and to mourn the two main and rain praise and adulation down on Russell and DJ as well as their mothers in the hopes of honoring the two men who died in the ultimate service. Both DJ and Russell have grown up in the firehouse community, wanting to grow up and be just like their dads. In fact, Russell is very active in the Young Firefighters training group. In recent years they simply grew apart, but find their new status as heroes-by-connection as they deal with their loss as something that allows them to reconnect just a little.

Things start to change one day at school when Russell is accosted by one of his classmates, the son of a local disgraced police officer. Montgomerie, the other student, throws out an accusation that indicates that Russell and DJ's father's may not be the heroes everyone believed at first. As it becomes public that a series of internal investigations are taking place, Russell finds himself looking back to consider what he might have missed and whether his father was the great dad and firefighter he always believed him to be.

The book runs heavily on the emotions that are driving Russell, and the reader can't help but empathize. Lynch has done an incredible job of bringing the reader into Russell's mind not only as he deals with his loss and the surprising twist, but also as he sorts through his feelings for fellow Young Firefighter Melanie and his possibly reinvigorated friendship with DJ, who is dealing with the situation in very different ways. Raw is the word that best describes the emotions that simply emanate from the pages.

This is definitely not a book full of action, but if you are looking for a book that will leave you really thinking and pondering, then this is a perfect choice. Just make sure to have a box of tissues nearby because you are going to need it.

[Barb Novak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Russ always idolized his father, Russell. A brave firefighter (with a formidable mustache) and an upstanding man, Russell was a hero and a mentor to his son. When Russell (along with a fellow firefighter, the father of Russ's childhood friend and neighbor, DJ) dies rescuing an elderly woman from a house fire, he becomes an idol and hero for the entire town. Russ becomes a local celebrity, honored and recognized almost every where he goes.

Things get complicated for Russ when his father's reputation and skills are called into question with the fire department's routine investigation into the blaze that killed Russell. Russ has always dreamed of becoming a firefighter himself; he questions his future career because of his father's choices. Russ is shuned by the community for his father's actions, especially when the elderly woman injured in the fire dies. Most importantly, Russ begins to question his relationship with his father.

It is clear from reading the dust jacket of Hot House that Russell's choices and actions are going to be called into question. Yet, this part of the plot wasn't actually revealed until more than halfway through the book. The first 100 pages are all about how much the town builds up Russ, DJ, and the image of their fathers. It didn't need to take 100 pages to establish that.

The last half of the novel progresses quickly and compellingly. We learn that Russell and his co-worker were both abusing drugs and alcohol and were drunk and high at the time of the fire that caused their death. Russ tries to atone for and understand his father's actions and becomes closer to his childhood friend in the process. Despite being shunned repeatedly by the community (someone even vandalizes his father's grave), Russ remains committed to his decision to become a firefighter and steadfast in his view of his father as a hero.

The pace of the first portion of the novel and the writing style (long chapters and choppy sentences) factored into my rating. I would recommend Hot House to seventh to ninth grade boys. There isn't much objectional language or content to be concerned with, although there are a couple of drinking parties mentioned. The difference between perception and reality and the issue of image will appeal to adolescent readers.

[Paula Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Lynch has written another great book for guys that girls will also like, too. Some have scored this book less it does contain emotional issues, but I think that is one of its strong points because Russell, the protagonist, experiences a gamut of emotions, and the reader understands how this feels through a guy's point of view. Just because our society has some idiot belief that guys are not supposed to feel or to be emotional does not make it true. Guys feel emotion--they just do not always know what to do with it. Yes, this is not an adventure--it is a problem novel, and I think it is a gem. Hothouse is not a long novel but it successfully explores the relationship between a father a son--both its success and failure. A father/son relationship is just as complicated as mother/daughter. The son looks to the father as a role model, but what happens if the father disappoints?

Russell and D.J.(David James) have firefighter fathers who are upheld as heroes in their precinct and in the community. Russell is named after D.J.'s father, and D.J. is named after Russell's father because their fathers are best friends and their families are close. Somehow over the past couple of years, D.J. and Russell have grown apart and go to different high schools. When trying to rescue a neighbor woman, their fathers lose their lives, and Russell and D.J. have to figure out how to go on without them. The community lifts up the families and pronounce theeir fathers as fallen heroes. However, all is not what it seems, and the word "fallen" takes on a whole new meaning. As these young men grapple with the aftermath, Russell and D.J. move beyond their fathers' shadows and find answers that many other young men are seeking. YA literature: Recommended for grades 9+ because of the intricate characterizations and connections to personal values and social consciouness. This is a good guy novel and for fans of realistic fiction/problem novels.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Two local firefighters are heroes. They are dubbed Outrageous and Courageous. Members of the fire station, known as the Hothouse, they have rescued many in their careers. Even in this last big fire, they managed to save an old woman, but unfortunately not her cat or themselves.

Russ and DJ are the sons of those two brave firefighters. The boys are just beginning to adjust to the losses in their lives. The funerals are over and the mourners have left. Now, the remaining family must learn to carry on.

Over the years, the two boys have grown apart. Best of friends in the early years, they worshiped their fathers and dreamed of following in their footsteps. After awhile they headed in separate directions, different schools and different interests, but now this tragedy has brought them back together. Although each is mourning in his own way, they lean on one another for support.

After a huge neighborhood celebration honoring the two fallen men, life begins to calm down, and the boys get ready to return to school. They step back into the reality of their old lives just when news reports are released indicating the possible involvement of drugs and alcohol in the deaths of their dads. Russ's reaction is to fight back and prove the rumors untrue, and he is totally shocked that DJ doesn't share the same feelings about the situation. How can people believe that these fine men were anything other than honorable and brave?

In HOTHOUSE, Chris Lynch portrays two teens struck by tragedy struggling to make sense of the events and connect them to the memories they have of their lost loved ones. Their story is proof that facts can dramatically change when someone scratches below the surface, and what is discovered in the process will often impact the lives of many.

[Shannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for boys!

From the look of the cover, I thought this was going to be a story about a motorcycle. I guess I thought it was a motorcycle patch or something. I just feel silly now because it is named Hothouse for goodness sake. If I had just looked at the cover more closely, I may have truly seen it for what it is; a badge of honor.
So, imagine my surprise when I start reading, not knowing a darn thing about this book (one of my favorite things!), and low and behold it is about a boy, his heroic dad, and a firehouse. Sure, there is more to the story. However, the bottom line is this; Russell, a senior in high school, wants to become a fireman like his father, whom he believes is a hero through and through. He worshiped his father, so that when tragedy strikes, he can’t believe the things people are saying. Did they happen or can Russell just not see past his love and pride for his father? How will Russell cope with the town, friends, and the father he thought he knew?
Chris Lynch writes a loving story of a father and son. It’s one with great depth and knowledge. It was a delightful treat to dive into this story and be surprised and feel a forgiving love. Yes, it’s “winnin’”.
One thing I must warn you about. There is cussing in probably every chapter. I would think this would be a great book for boys, however the 12 and up ranking should be 14 and up! I strongly urge the publisher to change this recommended age and grade.
I give Hothouse 4 Stacks
Excited to read a well written book for boys, STACKGirl Shannan
For more reviews, head to www.girlsinthestacks.com

[Oscar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hot house is about a 17 year old tee Russel and his childhood friend D.J. The two friends had alot in common, starting with thier dads being friends and firefighters on the same team. Thier fathers were heros and everyone treated Russel and D.J with the respect they treated thier fathers with. Untill one day thier father went on a job like usual, but this time they never returned. The boys suffered a great loss, and everyone did thier best to cheer up Russel and D.J. That was untill a dark secrete was found out about thier dads, a secrete that change how the whole town looked at them. Thier fathers became hated, as well as them too! Peoplelook at them in disgust for what thier fathers did, and the boys are shocked as well, making it hard to look at thier father the way they once did.
This is a very emotional book, yet not that interesting. The book says that Russels dad died, but never explains how. Only flashbacks from when the father was alive. His glory which was his job and his moustache! I mean moustaches are awesome, but it seems the guy'd give his son over the moustache. And the fact that the kids lost thier dads are sad and all but when the whole town hates them, geez thats bad. The secrete should have stayed a secrete then, as they say curiosity killed the cat. So over all this was kinda boring, and sad. I would not recommend this and should pay attention to what I grab off the shelf next time

[Peter D. Sieruta · Rating 3 out of 5]

HOTHOUSE is narrated by high school senior Russell, whose fireman father was recently killed on duty. The father of Russell’s former best friend, DJ, also died in the incident. The tightly-focused novel does a good job exploring the deep pain experienced by both boys, as well as the pride they feel as the community salutes their fathers as heroes. However, halfway through the book, things suddenly change. First come rumors…then an investigation by the Fire Department’s Board of Inquiry. Then it’s revealed that both firefighters were under the influence of alcohol and drugs during their fatal call; their actions may have made things worse for the elderly neighbor they were trying to save. Lynch has written an elemental tale of hero-worship leading to inevitable disappointment -- made that much worse because, in this case, the object of Russell’s adulation is now deceased and any reconciliation must be one-sided. This is a powerful story, honest its emotion, yet -- as with many of Lynch’s recent novels -- I questioned the voice. The author employs an affected, almost experimental, writing style replete with repetition, run-on sentences, and self-conscious banter. Although beloved by critics, award committees, and English teachers, I wonder if teenage readers will find the reading experience tedious.

[Tyler Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quote i found was "heros dont pay for nothing in this town". I think this is important to the story, because it shows that his dad dosent have to pay for everything because he is a firefighter, i think this is a very nice thing to do because he risks his life everyday and thats the least the people in the town can do.

In hothouse russ is a boy who idolizes his dad who is a firefighter, And of course like most young men who idolize there father russ wants to become a firefighter, just like his father But then tragedy strikes, and the young boy russ is left with out a father, when the young boy russ gets the bad news he is very devestated, but the firefighter community bands together and has a cook out at the station in memory of russes father, and helps russ through a very rough time in the young boys life.

This book made me feel very bad for russ because he had to loose his dad in those teen age years, witch I think is the hardest because you already have enough going on and you need your father to help support you.

The writing style is very good and i just wanted to keep reading, I dont know if it was the strong and emotionoal topic or the way the author expressed it to us the readers, this was my first time reading a book by Chris Lynch and it wont be my last.


Chris Lynch

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot House

I would recommend the book Hot House by Chris Lynch to a friend because the story has a very action-packed story line about firefighters, dealing with loss, and being there for friends. The first claim I chose was conflict because of the fist fights. Like it says, “Runs in the family, murder incorporated, I look in his eyes, I’m furious”. Montgomerie was in school when he started making fun of Russell because his dad got killed in a fire so Russell got furious and attacked him. Counterclaim: The story skips around from when Russell’s dad was alive and when he was not alive so it can get confusing sometimes. The second claim I chose was imagery. Like it says, “I take the dumbie and heave him over my shoulders up the spiral stairs.” That makes me picture Russell running up the stairs with a dumbie, training to be a firefighter. The last claim is characterization. It says “You want some fried dough? You want some barf?” Russell’s personality is funny and humorous but he can also be a jerk sometimes like he was in that situation to his friend.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Russ always idolized his firefighter father and knew that he'd one day follow in his footsteps. When his father dies while trying to rescue an old woman from a fire, Russ is crushed, but also fiercely proud because he knows his father died as he lived - heroically. At first, the whole town pays tribute to his father and the other firefighter who was killed in the blaze, but when people begin thinking that there might be more to the story of what happened that day, Russ has to face the fact that even heroes are only human.

This was an interesting story about the nature of heroism, with some great descriptions of the firefighter lifestyle. I didn't love the somewhat showy writing style, and caught myself skimming more than once, but that's probably a matter of personal taste.

This would be good for teen guys who are interested in firefighter/police/military careers and those who want a relatively short, easy read with strong male characters & friendships.

[Jody Bachelder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two young men are treated like heroes when their firefighter fathers die fighting a fire. The town can't do enough for them -- free drinks, bus rides, parties, memorials. Russell was very close to his dad and is having a hard time dealing with his death, and the public adoration helps, a little. Until new details come to light, and there is some question if these men were really heroes after all. This story is completely character-driven; there's virtually no action, with the exception of a couple of parties. It's an interesting look at the grieving process and the psychology of mass emotions. The firefighter theme is a draw, but this will be hard to recommend to an audience of young men who may need more action and less emotion. I started to lose interest after 100 pages of grieving......

[Jessica S · Rating 2 out of 5]

One word to describe this book is anticipation. From the start of Hothouse I kept anticipating what was going to happen next and I was expecting a suspenseful surprising twist in the plot. At some points, I wanted to give up on this book, but as I said, the anticipation was there. I kept convincing myself that I wouldn’t be let down if I continued and finished the book. However, although Hothouse did a good job at showing the differences in ways people react to death, I was ultimately let down by the book and just felt that it lacked something.

What’s most disappointing is that the premise of Hothouse will interest potential readers, especially those that have lost a close family member or friend. Nonetheless, Hothouse is not a book I would recommend to readers, especially reluctant readers.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hothouse was an interesting look at how much we need heroes, how much we require them to be more perfect than we are, and the things we do to them when they fail us by being the fallible and flawed humans that they are.

It was also a different perspective on grief and loss. Russ had to share his hero father with strangers, and share even more when his father died. He had to comfort the grieving strangers and put up a heroic-son-grieving front.

I liked best that Russ loved his father and that his memories were mostly good ones. Russ may have wanted to be a fireman because his dad was, but that had long ago been replaced with wanting it because it was what he wanted. His father may have provided the initial interest, but Russ was the one who did the work and made it his own dream.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book kind of dragged for me. It is about a teen named Russell whose firefighter father is killed in the line of duty. At first, his father is idolized as a hero, but then evidence arises that his father was an alcoholic and took drugs while on the job. Russell is at first in complete denial, but then has to come to terms with the truth and find a way to forgive his father.

I liked that the novel addressed the notion of heroism. Our heroes must be perfect, without flaw. Once a flaw is discovered, we turn on them with the vengeance of the Furies.

But the narrative just did not propel the reader--everything is driven by the theme. Russell just did not take shape for me as a fully developed character.

[Sandra]

After Russ's father, a fireman whom he idolizes is killed in the line of duty, he has to deal with the grief. Everyone in town is talking about the heroism of the firefighters who died in that fire. Russ doesn't have to pay his bus fare or for his bowling. That all ends when an investigation into the deaths of the firefighters reveals that they may have been under the influence of drugs. Now Russ and his mother have to deal with insults and threatening phone calls. This ordeal causes Russ to look back at his relationship with his father. This terse yet thoughtful novel is a provocative look at father/son relationships as well as recovery.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell and DJ, friends since before they can remember, have both lost their fathers. Their dads were best friends and firemen stationed at the Hothouse. In a tragic house fire, both men were killed and an old woman left in critical condition. The men are declared heroes, until the routine investigation results leak out...I am particulary fond of contemporary, realistic fiction that is character driven and this book fits that description perfectly. It is a heart rending yet hopeful coming of age story. Hothouse will appeal to readers that want a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of a once happy, now tormented young man as he struggles to piece together truths.

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lynch did an incredible job unfolding this story. The novel is about two teenage boys whose firefighter fathers die in a fire. They are trying to grieve, but the public is hovering over them, declaring their fathers as heroes. The story almost made me feel claustrophobic, as the crowds and public praise made me understand Russell's need to be isolated to grieve. The book quickly changes course, as the public begins to blame the boys, and their statuses change as the messages from the public emanate with hatred. The book is quite sad and depressing, and I was left feeling a bit forlorn and hopeless.