The Last Thing I Remember

The Last Thing I Remember
By Andrew Klavan
Thomas Nelson, 2009. 346 pp. Young Adult

Charlie West wakes up strapped to a chair, unable to remember why or how he arrived there. All he can remember is being a regular high school kid leading a normal life--dreaming about what to be when he grows up, crushing on a pretty girl, and living for his karate. Now, covered in bruises, burns, and blood, he overhears a stranger order his death. What happened that got him into such a situation, and will he ever escape?

This is a fast-paced, gripping story. I really appreciated that it is written with such an authentic, believable voice with Charlie as the narrator. The reader immediately feels sympathy for Charlie and is drawn into his story. I was also impressed with what an upstanding character Charlie was--Klavan created a person who is is great example and role model without being sickly sweet or too priggish, even granting a certain coolness to Charlie. I'll be looking forward to the second in the Homelanders series, coming February 2010.

CW