The Viper Within

June 23, 2008
U.K. author Mills's U.S. debut about a kidnapping gone haywire ventures into Edward Bloor/Ouida Sebestyen territory, but lacks the tension and shrewd psychological calculation to pull off its sensationalist plot. Jeremiah, an obviously sociopathic high-school student, has founded the Religion of the Hebetheus and persuaded a handful of his damaged peers to join his cult. Convincing his followers that he has overheard a beautiful, supposedly Muslim classmate named Padma (she's Hindu) tell a friend that she has plans to plant a bomb in her locker, he masterminds her kidnapping. The “brethren” hold her hostage for days in a cottage whose tenant, an old lady, lies in her bed, newly dead. Jon, the book's confused narrator, predictably falls for Padma and has a change of heart, as do other disciples; as none of them are any too bright, readers will find it hard to stay interested in their thinking. The fiery Waco-like showdown at the end feels not only obvious but overdue. Ages 14–up.

December 1, 2008
Gr 7 Up-In this dark and dour novel, Jon, 16, willingly joins a small cult called the Brotherhood of the Hebetheus, headed by Jeremiah, a charismatic classmate at St. Sebastian's. They kidnap a suspected terrorist, code-named SNAKE, to prevent a bomb from going off at school. Bumbling doesn't begin to describe the ineptitude and neediness of this sorry gaggle of disaffected misfits who liberally sprinkle their dialogue with racist and misogynist epithets throughout the repetitive and convoluted plotline. Will Jon complete his initiation into the Brotherhood by complying with Jeremiah's order to hang SNAKE, aka Padma Laxsmi, a beautiful and terrified classmate, against whom Jeremiah seems to harbor a personal grudge? Or will Jon succumb to his desire for SNAKE and somehow help her escape? From the dead body of an elderly woman festering near their hideaway to the adolescent Hebethian "scriptures" and rules Jeremiah spouts to control his small flock, this is a putrid tale, albeit in keeping with various nutcase religious personality cults throughout time and from around the world. Unfortunately, the plot has too many holes. Significant details, such as Jon having twice had access to weapons that he could have used to free Padma, are dropped without explanation. Absurdities, such as killing for peace, are hammered home without subtlety, but relationships among the lads, between Jon and his estranged father, his mother, and Padma are unresolved, leaving a story that is raw and muddled."Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
In two hours time Iand the rest of the Brotherhoodwill kidnap a terrorist. From its opening line to the stunning conclusion, this psychological thriller will keep readers eagerly turning the pages. Disenchanted with his familys religion, Jon falls under the spell of Jeremiah, leader of the Brotherhood of Hebetheus, a youth cult seeking peace. Jeremiah convinces the group to kidnap a classmate, Padma, or Snake, telling them she is a Muslim terrorist planning to set off a bomb at school. Most of the action takes place in a remote house where the Brotherhood is holding their hostage, filming videos with their demands, and preparing Jon for his initiation: hanging Padma. In an effort to survive and escape, Padma initiates intimate overtures with Jon, who is the most compassionate and empathetic of the captors. While the snake metaphor is a little heavy at times, the gripping crime story and insight into cult psychology will fascinate readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)