Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Todd Sweeney: The Fiend of Fleet High

AUTHOR: David Pratt

PUBLISHER: Hosta Press

LENGTH: 174 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2019

BLURB:

Every gay boy needs an ally who will kill for him. And no boy could have a better ally than Todd Sweeney. When Todd’s best friend, Toby Ragg, is threatened by homophobic guidance counselor Ashford Squeers, Todd swings into action. But he swings just a bit too hard. Enter best pal Nellie Lovett, who has very creative ideas for making the mess disappear. But then Fleet High bad boy Ryan Plouf threatens Toby and Nellie. Suddenly, Ryan is missing, too, and local cop Tarron Littey is asking some very inconvenient questions. Meanwhile, Toby’s parents threaten to put him in a gay conversion camp. Can Todd and Nellie save Toby before the cops discover just what happened to Fleet High’s worst? To find out, dig in and devour Todd Sweeney. And yes, it’s okay to use your hands.

REVIEW:

First and foremost, TRIGGERS, TRIGGERS, TRIGGERS! They range from conversion therapy, rape, beatings, abuse, verbal abuse, assault, murder, etc. Those are the main ones. If these affect you in any way, please take care of yourself first.

Otherwise, this was one hell of a book. But it will pull your emotions. There were times when I laughed or giggled to raging for the victims. The writing is so well done but it’s rough. Knowing what some kids have to go through… It’s an outstanding read though.

Squeers. The name alone strikes fear in anyone who may be different. The man is the high school ‘counselor’, but in truth, he’s a racist, homophobe who gets joy out of beating kids or setting them up so they are forced to go to juvie or conversion therapy. Something of the sort. That’s what happened to Todd. And while Todd was gone, Squeers preyed on his widowed mother and his gay friends. Even the other raced kids. Now that Todd is back, he’s squeezing Todd more, putting him in the position of obeying or worse will happen. He’s forced Todd into meeting him after school everyday with the warning of not being late. Todd has had enough, but has yet to figure out what to do. He’s purposely late and when Squeers goes to punish him, Todd swings first, and second, etc. He calls his friend Nellie to help him clean up. And they do in ways that are unbelievable.

But where one bad guy disappears, more crop up. There are mysterious disappearances in town and the cops are hot on Todd and Nellie’s trail. When the cops get too close to home, they realize it’s time to go, with a pitstop on the way. Now on the run, they have to figure out how to escape with their 3 ‘kids’. They know it’s best to leave them behind, but they’ve vowed to protect them. Now they have to figure out what’s best for everyone before they get caught.

The main characters in this book are, of course, kids. They are put through some very trying times because of adults. Adults who are closeted rapists, bigots, homophobes, and much more. Some scenes in this book broke my heart in ways I dont think will ever heal. Not to say the book was bad. Far from it. But to know what kids especially, have to deal with day in and out, is too much. And much like Todd in this book, you feel like you have to do something or snap. Sometimes snap is what unfolds.

What had me chuckling in this book, however, was the relationship between Todd and Nellie. She didn’t blink twice when it came to helping him dispose of the body. But what was funny is how…and kind of…well, seriously gross. But it was the conversations. It was like watching squirrels bouncing from tree to tree. It really was comical. But then I have a twisted sense of humor.

I loved Todd though. Even being a kid himself, he took up the role as protector. He knew what people were doing was wrong, and he wanted to make it right. He wanted to make people better and happy. He wanted to make the world a better place for his friends and family. For everyone.

This is a bit dark of a book because of what it deals with. But there is humor and most of all, love and acceptance. The most important of all. I really loved it.

RATING:  

BUY LINKS: 

amazon

hostapress