This novel is a fairy tale with miraculous deliverance in the modern school background. Author's idea seems to be "actions have consequences". If you act like a good person, life ought to be good for you; if you act like an asshole, life will show you no mercy. The book has a common misbelief in fairness of life, but "Life isn't fair" (Cobra Kai series, Johnny Lawrence).
The novel shows us two bullying victims in school. It's a classic story about those who weak under the pressure of those who stronger. The author makes absolute many character's traits. The arrogant lawyer who protects all sorts of scum and humiliates everyone around. His son not much better than father. The Syndicate of bullies comprised of real scumbags. The school has no power to deal with it.
If you treat this novel as a serious literature, it may be disappointing. Protagonists are irritating. They do nothing with bullying, they do not resist. All they do is praying to God to reveal a man who will replace them as victim of Syndicate and punish the attackers.
If you treat it as a fairy tale, everything makes sense. There are characteristical protagonists, there are characteristical antagonists, deus (diabolus, ha?) ex machina dealing with the situation and happy end.
I like James Batt persona, his infernal story, adore his harsh justice. It's an awesome trick when insignificant person happens to be almighty spirit.
Every evildoer gets what he deserves. Harlot who considered herself as a mistress got fucked, disgraced and "committed suicide". The jock happens to be impaled on the picket fence. Someone has been fried over the fatal degree, someone has been eviscerated by dogs. And this is beautiful because author shows us such a just punishment in contrary with evil made by bad guys.
Amy's character makes me angry. She ruined perfect retribution plan all by her faith in classical "can't kill people".
Bob Gale pointed out that when you see your offender's suffering you could become no better than they.
The epilogue is too mawkish, just like in fairy tale.
I get from this book everything author promised on cover.
Actions have consequences.
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