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Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Nine” by Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, She Writes Press, August 20, 2019 part of Suzy Approved Book Tours
Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, Author of “The Nine” has written an intense, captivating, intriguing, thought-provoking, and emotional novel. The Genres for this Novel are Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction, with Suspense. The timeline for this story takes place mostly in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her dramatic characters, as complex, complicated, each having their own set of problems.
Hannah Webber is an obsessed mother, who wants only the best for her son. Hannah and her husband are at odds what might be best for Sam. When the opportunity arises, Hannah decides that Sam should go to an elite and prestigious high school. Dunning is a boarding school with a specific set of rules. Hannah wants to be involved in her son’s life.
Sam’s adjustment to Dunning is difficult. The younger students are treated much differently by the other students and there is peer pressure. It seems that there are secrets. Sam feels very alone and thinks his way of belonging will be by “entering a side door”. Sam discovers some disturbing evidence of inappropriate things that are going on. This is also a coming of age book, and Sam has to think of where his loyalties are. There is a tremendous amount of pressure and betrayals.
I love the way the author discusses the important issues in contemporary society today. Bullying, drugs, sex, peer-pressure are some of the topics discussed. A mother-son relationship is explored. The author also mentions the importance of family, trust, emotional support, communication, love, and hope.
I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel. Happy Reading!
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