I am on the Book tour for The Fatal Oath by Michael L. Lewis on behalf of Rachel’s Random Resources. Thanks to Rachel and The Book guild for my copy of the book.
1957. Blackleigh is an elite public school for boys in Yorkshire where prejudice and seething hatreds are never far below the surface. Violence erupts against any Junior who the Seniors deem unfit.
Jonathan Simon is 16, in his third year, and is self-conscious about being Jewish and having a birthmark on his cheek. He knows that: 1) The school code of conduct mandates no snitching, 2) The student Prefects, not the faculty, have absolute power to discipline and 3) Mr. Paul Wood, the temporary Headmaster, is weak and ineffectual.
Jonathan meets Bobby Stuart, an American transfer student, who is also worried about being accepted. Their friendship binds them together as they soon run afoul three ruthless and ambitious Seniors in the House; Gabriel, Murray and Hausman – also known by their fanatic followers as ‘The Black Armbands’.
As the pressure mounts, ambitions grow, friendships become closer and scheming increases. As for Jonathan, the year is only beginning…
This is the third book in the Oath series I have read by Michael L. Lewis. The first two being The oath and The Wicked Oath. I enjoyed the first two so have been looking forward to this book since I discovered it would be on another tour. I do love this cover, the creep out factor is high with this one! These books can be read separately as they all have their own storyline that means it doesn’t make much difference if you don’t read the others.
We return to Jonathon Simon and of course, Blackleigh, a boarding school in Yorkshire. This is his third year there and as old bullies have left the reader can only cross their fingers for a better year for him. He feels like the odd one out, Jewish with a birthmark on his face. He meets Bobby an American transfer student who is another boy who is not as confident as he should be. These two allies face third year with all the challenges to come.
This is a school whose temporary headteacher allows the Prefects to rule and mete out punishment as they see fit. Jonathan and Bobby soon get on the wrong side of the Seniors known to their followers as ‘The Black Armbands’. As things grow worse for the boys the worst thing about it all is…this is only the beginning.
Another great read that shows how friendship, bravery, hope, growing up and most of all surviving to live another day. Michael L. Lewis has the knack of creating characters that really make you feel for them… or truly dislike them, with no in-between. They have their unique traits that brings the story to life before your eyes.
An absorbing read that’s not without its twists and turns throughout. The pace is perfect for this book, it definitely kept me wanting to know how it would all pan out. Another book by Michael L. Lewis that I would recommend.
Purchase Links
Book Gook Guild https://www.bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/book/343/The%20Fatal%20Oath/
Bookshop.org https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-fatal-oath/9781914471278
Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fatal-Oath-Michael-L-Lewis/dp/191447127X
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-fatal-oath/michael-l-lewis/9781914471278
WHSmith https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/the-fatal-oath/michael-l-lewis/paperback/9781914471278.html
Author Bio
Michael L. Lewis was born and raised in England. After preparatory school in London, he was educated at Stowe School, Buckingham. This is the third novel in the Oath series, taking readers on a journey through the lives of three dynamic schoolboys between the ages of 13 and 15, and the extraordinary triumphs and tragedies that they experience. Michael now lives in Los Angeles, California, has a law degree, and writes full-time. He was on the Board of Trustees for several schools and has been a member of the same book club for twenty-five years.
Michael says, “The books in the ‘Oath’ series are all inspired by my incredible experiences at a Boarding School in the North of England and on School Boards in Los Angeles. Each book in the series stands alone with totally separate main themes united by the exploration of prejudice, the unequal playing field in education, and the abuse of human rights. They will appeal to adults as well as young adults and are entirely set in an elite public school in Yorkshire.”
Social Media Links
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