Great Books, part 3

I usually go for the dead teens books. However, last year's "No more dead teens" group really must have meant it because there were no dead teen books this year. So I chose "An Element of Danger".

1. In Epoch by Timothy Carter, everyone is going to die. Because the world is going to end. Vincent has been waiting for this, since his parent's religion has been proclaiming the end of the world for years. However, he discovers that it really is going to happen when he starts to see elves, pixies, and demons. And he learns that every civilization has its epoch and when it's over, it's over. Usually, there are portals that transport creatures from the ending epoch away, however this time something is blocking the portals and Vincent and his friends can't find out why, it's the end of everyone. I liked this story. I thought it was clever and unique. I'd recommend it to those who like fantasy and well as teens into rebellions.
2. In Boot Camp by Todd Strasser, Garrett, an incredibly bright teenager, is kidnapped in the middle of the night sent to a juvenile detention facility for delinquent teens. His parents have arranged this because he skips school once in awhile, breaks curfew, and won't stop dating his former teacher, who is 8 years his senior. A Lake Harmony, teens must admit their mistakes and confirm to their parents expectations to be released. If they don't, they will stay there until they are 18. Garrett is forced to endure both physical and mental abuse. This story is very powerful and is a strong and disturbing indictment of the boot camps that have sprung up all over the world.
3. In Right Behind You by Gail Giles, 14 year old Kip McFarland has spent the last 4 years in a psychiatric ward for violent offenders. When he was 9, he killed a young friend after setting him on fire. After his release, "Wade" moves to Indianna, but life is too good and his secret is revealed. Forced to relocate once again to Texas, Wade wants to trust Sam, his beautiful neighbor, who has her own past. But will she ever accept him for what he is? This is an interesting story told as the story is revealed to Sam. I thought it worked well.
4. This year's Kevin Brooks contribution is Being. This is the story of 16 year old Robert who goes to the hospital for a routine endoscopy (are endoscopy's really routine for 16 year olds?). Once there, he discovers that he is not human and mysterious people are after him. I thought the story dragged, especially after Robert and Eddi skip to Spain. I don't want to reveal too much, but the ending was really awful. I don't know why all the violence, especially when no answers resulted. No who is Robert, no who are these people after him. Not satisfying at all. After a pretty good start, there was so much potential in the story, but none of it was realized. I did not enjoy as much as last year's much more powerful, and equally violent, but fully wrapped up Road of the Dead.