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Random by Tom Leveen is a young adult novel with a very current subject matter-- cyberbullying. It begins with Tori receiving a phone call and while it seems to be a wrong number, the caller makes her promise not to hang up. First he needs something from her; a reason not to kill himself. Tori isn't sure if he's serious, but it hits pretty closely to home considering Tori is already facing the threat of jail after her Facebook page became a exhibit in the trial for a classmate that committed suicide.
Unfortunately, even though this short novel managed to keep me hooked and reading, I both didn't like the main character, nor the big "twist" that happens at the end. It is an intense novel, but beneath that intensity there wasn't much that I'd have to recommend about this novel, which is disappointing because I have read a contemporary book--Zero--by Leveen a few years ago that I really enjoyed. I also can't really explain how weird and bad the ending is without major spoilers, but take my word, with Random you might as well skip finding out.
Unfortunately, even though this short novel managed to keep me hooked and reading, I both didn't like the main character, nor the big "twist" that happens at the end. It is an intense novel, but beneath that intensity there wasn't much that I'd have to recommend about this novel, which is disappointing because I have read a contemporary book--Zero--by Leveen a few years ago that I really enjoyed. I also can't really explain how weird and bad the ending is without major spoilers, but take my word, with Random you might as well skip finding out.