A review by bookshelvesandtealeaves
The Merciless King of Moore High by Lily Sparks

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you North Star Editions and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This one was an absolutely wild ride. You’re thrown straight into the action from the beginning and it’s entirely high stakes throughout the whole story.

This is a dystopian but not quite like any other I’ve read. It reminds me of some mix of The Society combined with a zombie apocalypse, only the zombies are giant beasts made up of multiple humans combined.

I don’t really know how to describe this plot without giving anything away but it’s one that keeps you guessing. You never quite know who to trust, who’s on whose side, which way is the ‘best’ or ‘right’ way. These characters are all so complex and I truly believe they all want what’s best, at the end of the day, but the chaos of their lives has skewed that idea for more than one of these kids.

And they are just kids. I think that’s what makes this story work the way it does. These teenagers are forced to grow up, to survive in a world designed to kill them, to find ways to govern and maintain order and keep hope alive. Of course they’re messy and scared and they make so many mistakes at every turn.

I’ve not seen this advertised anywhere as the first in a series but if it is, the ending is a little frustrating. I hope we get a sequel to tie off all the loose ends.