League of Strays

That cover is sure beautiful..gives a twilight-ish and paranormal-ish impression ...WAIT THATS WHERE YOU ARE WRONG .... came as a wonderful surprise and a marvelous read. I present before you all League of Strays by L.B. Schulman.

Here is the summary of the book:

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.

Beautiful cover....gorgeous cover models. A very inviting cover this is too. This book is one of the cases where I look at the cover, be at awe at the excellence of it all and without finding out what the synopsis says get it....at the start have the feeling that I shouldn't have gotten but as soon as I go to the middle I become speechless at the sheer magnificence of the book. Oh! I so loves it.

This is one story a lot of us can relate to. We have all gone through that, the time of life where you just want to fit in somewhere. And there are some who gravitate towards dangerous things just to make a mark and fit in. This is the idea that bases the book. Taken in by the mysterious, charming and the gorgeous looks of one Kade Harlin, four innocent students, form the League of Strays. A group designed to look out for its own. A group that dances to the tune of Harlin. But commenceth the acts of revenge......it is upto the other inmates to learn to say 'NO'.

Kade, Charlotte, Richie, Zoe & Nora form the league of strays. While the five member team has some good scenes it is evident enough that Kade and Charlotte form the protagonist quota of the book. Kade Harlin, gorgeous, charming, mysterious, dangerous and manipulative.....oh there is so much more I want to name for him but it would give up the story. He is the leader...definitely a manipulative leader. He sure knows how to play up on the emotions of others, twist them to suit his own purpose. Do anything for his need for revenge. Then there is Charlotte, naive and rather too meek. I definitely hated her at first, because she was out to do everything Kade asked her to do, a girl with issues regarded mixing up with others, the perpetual wallflower. But as the story progresses she grows to be more confident and much more independent and I liked that.

Alongwith these two, the other three felt somewhat well rounded and very natural. Also a little slow at first, the book does pick up speed as it picks up speed and I very much liked that Schulman maintained the suspense tone till everything began to unravel. The book could have been a bit better but it was a very good read. Good work by the author L.B. Schulman. It was a sure thrilling ride.

"Dark, twisted, manipulative and suspenseful, Schulman's work takes us through the halls of high school to the hearts of those lonely and looking to do anything to change that"

Genre :      Young Adult, Contemporary


Publisher: Abrams


My Copy:  Publisher and Netgalley


Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)