Review: League Of Strays

Sep •  3 •  2012

Title: League Of Strays
Series: No
Genre: Young Adult-Contemporary
Author: L.B. Schulman
Publisher: Amulet
Release Date: October 1, 2012
Book: ARC Sent by publisher

“This suspenseful debut follows a group of teenage misfits in their delicious quest for revenge on those who have wronged them at their high school. When a mysterious note appears in Charlotte’s mailbox inviting her to join the League of Strays, she’s hopeful it will lead to making friends. What she discovers is a motley crew of loners and an alluring, manipulative ringleader named Kade. Kade convinces the group that they need one another both for friendship and to get back at the classmates and teachers who have betrayed them. But Kade has a bigger agenda. In addition to vandalizing their school and causing fights between other students, Kade’s real intention is a dangerous plot that will threaten lives and force Charlotte to choose between her loyalty to the League and her own conscience.”

This story is far different than what I thought it would be. Extremely thrilling and mysterious, the story line caught me.
Going into this book, I honestly that it would be more paranormal.. It wasn’t. Instead, I found that this story is generally intriguing. The plot brings in Kade, a dark and mysterious boys searching for friends beyond friendship. He wants what everyone wants to have. A loyal friendship that will go to the death for each other.   Kade gathers misfits who he feels will fit this mold and calls them out. Of course, these misfits hear what he has to say and in turn, find themselves finally wanted. The downside? Things are always what they seems. Kade way get more mysterious with every once asking questions as well as dangerous. Now, I love this plot. In a way, it was like Kade is forming his own little cult following. He answered their questions with questions. He took their side to the extreme with raising doubt sin their head over their feelings or a person. Creepy!
The love interest is just what you guessed. A dangerous love with a dangerous guy. Kade likes to be in control of everything. Once you are his, he KNOWS everything. Which is again, creepy. He knew where she called, who she talked to, what she asked, etc. There was no way out for her once he got her in his grasp. It wasn’t love. It’s stalking!
Now, there is some controversy over the supposed gay bashing in this book. Let me clear the air when I say yes, the gay kid got pick on. Isn’t that what happens in high school? Mean kids bullying others. Instead, one of the redeeming parts of this book is this kid getting saved by his friends. They come to his rescue and set everyone straight! 
League Of Strays is undoubtedly a thrilling book. It’s faces hard, raw issues in a way few dare to tell. This thought-provoking story, hits the reader with the unseen menace of who Kade really is. League Of Strays is a effective tale of isolation laced with a deep fear of going to far. The questions is, just how far is he willing to go? You have to read it to find out.
I give it 4 BITES!
Happy Reading!

2 Comments

  1. Oh Kade sounds evil. I also don’t like the bashing, but can see it as a lesson that it hurts. Plus, I like the fact that the boy comes out fine in the end. I would have to have that. Great review!

  2. Elizabeth Barbarick
    Sep 4, 2012

    This book was definitely different then I thought it would be too! Your review hit the book right on the nose. Thanks for posting.