Don Silver

Jonas Shore is coasting through life as a 15 year old in 1974. He relishes in his new found freedom and defiance as he takes up selling drugs at parties as a way to earn some money and support his mother. When the consequences from the drugs catch up to him and Jonas' father dies, Jonas is sent to Lafayette boarding school for boys. Jonas is paired with four other boys, known as a quint, who do everything together. Jonas finds his place at Lafayette, doing well in school as well as within the diverse quint of boys. Before graduation, the quint takes a celebratory trip to Atlantic City where a tragedy befalls them and a secret is born. Years later, Jonas runs a successful business when one of his quintmates shows up and threatens to derail everything he has built.

Scorched is a slow burn, coming of age thriller. I was pulled in by Jonas' character and the dichotomy he projected with selling drugs and defying his father while wanting to be a good student and supporting his mother. As Jonas' life took a turn, Jonas was faced with a lot of change at once, I was taken up by his journey and the choices he made as he came to Lafayette. Lafayette was definitely an interesting place and I was intrigued by it's operation and the boys that were there, The quint created a tension with five different personalities and walks of life as well as built in camaraderie and brotherhood. Throughout Jonas' time at Lafayette, it was evident that something would happen with the quint, but I could have never guessed what bonded the group in the end and yet separated them. Jonas' adult life was also compelling. I was rooting for him, his business and his family as he dealt with mental illness. Through everything, Jonas seemed to grow to be a decent person; however, one of his quintmates threatens to dismantle everything for the sake of getting what he believed is due. From here, the plot quickens considerably as pieces of the puzzle are put together and consequences begin to unfold.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (mehr)