Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
In BLOOD BROTHERS, S. A. Harazin combines many "teens will love it" elements sure to be a success for the young adult crowd.
Clay and Joey are best friends, even though their lives are quite different. Clay's mother died when he was just a baby, and while he lives with his dad, there's not much interaction between them. He pretty much fends for himself. Joey, on the other hand, has a great family, gets good grades, and has a terrific future ahead of him.
One night Joey calls Clay. It is obvious that Joey is not himself. He sounds confused and angry, possibly drunk. When Clay arrives, Joey flies into a mad rage, and while attempting to calm Joey and protect himself, Clay shoves Joey. The incident ends in a 911 call with Joey ending up in the hospital in a coma.
Clay works as a nurses' assistant at the hospital and knows just how bad things look for his friend. The personal guilt combined with the hostility he feels from his best friend's parents make Clay determined to investigate exactly what happened to Joey that night. There was some sort of party. Was Joey really just drunk or was it drugs? And if so, what kind of drugs and where did he get them?
Readers are taken along on the wild ride as Clay tries to solve the mystery, do what he can to keep his friend comfortable, and hang on to his own job. Teens will appreciate that S. A. Harazin writes on a realistic level and doesn't try to baby them. The direct, honest approach will attract teen readers and have them recommending this one to their friends.
In BLOOD BROTHERS, S. A. Harazin combines many "teens will love it" elements sure to be a success for the young adult crowd.
Clay and Joey are best friends, even though their lives are quite different. Clay's mother died when he was just a baby, and while he lives with his dad, there's not much interaction between them. He pretty much fends for himself. Joey, on the other hand, has a great family, gets good grades, and has a terrific future ahead of him.
One night Joey calls Clay. It is obvious that Joey is not himself. He sounds confused and angry, possibly drunk. When Clay arrives, Joey flies into a mad rage, and while attempting to calm Joey and protect himself, Clay shoves Joey. The incident ends in a 911 call with Joey ending up in the hospital in a coma.
Clay works as a nurses' assistant at the hospital and knows just how bad things look for his friend. The personal guilt combined with the hostility he feels from his best friend's parents make Clay determined to investigate exactly what happened to Joey that night. There was some sort of party. Was Joey really just drunk or was it drugs? And if so, what kind of drugs and where did he get them?
Readers are taken along on the wild ride as Clay tries to solve the mystery, do what he can to keep his friend comfortable, and hang on to his own job. Teens will appreciate that S. A. Harazin writes on a realistic level and doesn't try to baby them. The direct, honest approach will attract teen readers and have them recommending this one to their friends.
