School's Out

Third book in The Afterblight Series, third different author.

School's Out might be the bloodiest book yet of the series. Although written about children, the main protagonist is 15 years old at the start to the book, this is not a young adult book. What it is, is a treatise on leadership of a vulnerable population. What makes an effective leader, and is there a difference in an effective leader and a good one. Can people be both? Mac is an effective leader. He brought together the boys of the school and held them together with an iron fist using fear and hostility. Lee tries to lead the boys by firm but thoughtful control, and by killing only when necessary. The cannibal leader uses religious mania to keep a cult-like hold on his followers. None of these ultimately make a good and effective leader.

The story is told from Lee's point of view, and he is the protagonist. That does not make him right and did not make him the best leader of men. I am looking forward to reading more from the author in this series. There are two more books in this story arc.