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4.0 out of 5 stars
The life of a unique teenager coming of age makes good reading., July 6, 2011
This review is from: Colt O'Brien Sees the Light (Paperback)
Colt O'Brien is short, and it bothers him. He is aggressive, a good soccer player, and can't seem to please his father in any way. In his efforts to stand out, he wears vividly coloured clothing. He is a senior at high school and has a twin sister who seems to do no wrong in their father's eyes. Four things compensate for his father's lack of understanding: his sister's and mother's support and love, his natural ability to fix computers, his friends, and the support of his principal. There is one other thing that sometimes is a help and sometimes a hindrance. He has a psychic sensitivity, as does his mother. His father, on the other hand, is not able to show his pride nor support, leaving Colt to feel invisible to him.
This book is unique in its format. Each chapter begins with an email. The interplay between the characters is important in understanding what Colt is all about. George Matthew Cole is able to channel in to some of the basic psychological needs and character of teenagers, as well as how the adults in their world can affect them for better or worse. The anger and unworthiness Colt feels, and the feeling of never being able to please his father, are problems that many teens deal with daily.
A new course is offered for Microsoft certification through two parents and in coordination with Mr. Towne, the principal. Suddenly, Colt feels as though his last thread of pride in himself is about to be taken away when two younger students become certified. Isn't he the prime computer expert at the school? Yet, for reasons known only to himself and the reader, he doesn't pursue this certification. He thinks he knows all there is to know about computers. How wrong he is. His father is coming down hard on him about "wasting" his time with computers, he should be pursuing a profession and working toward getting into college. His girlfriend has the same attitude about computers, feeling he spends too much time on them and not her and becomes an ex-girlfriend because of it.
When a new girl comes into his life, everything changes. They are completely attuned to one another and what's more, she is interested in computers. When Colt decides to join the computer group, Amy is right with him, helping him study, and providing support and encouragement. Colt is finally reaching toward his potential.
I felt the storyline was good, the many problems and joy that teens feel, the disappointments and letdowns, the overblown self-pride coupled with insecurity are vividly drawn in this book. The author, in this his debut novel, has immersed us into the life of teens and their struggles. The book is a fairly quick read, but there is a lot adults could learn from it, even though it is a young adult novel.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, December 9, 2010
This review is from: Colt O'Brien Sees the Light (Paperback)
Colt O'Brien feels he knows all he needs to know about computers. Letting his senior year breeze by so he can fix and work on them, his grades are only average. Thinking his life is perfect, he's in for a nasty shock when his mother's friend seduces him with alcohol.
Around the same time, a couple of young computer geeks start up a club at his school where their goal is to become a Microsoft Certified System Engineer. Now, his principal informs him that his grades may not be good enough to get into college unless he can pass the Microsoft test. His only hope is to join the club.
When Colt meets the girl of his dreams, Amy, who brings out the best in him, everything starts to look better. His mom's twisted friend, though, doesn't like that he's dating someone and threatens to destroy his relationship and his chances at passing the test.
Can Colt overcome the odds stacked against him?
COLT O'BRIEN SEES THE LIGHT is quick, realistic fiction with well-developed characters. The author does a good job of setting up the obstacles, and the plot is complex but easy to follow. Readers who like realistic fiction dealing with relationships, computers, and life from the perspective of a guy will enjoy reading this book.
The story, however, does have some mature themes, so it would be best suited for high school-age readers and beyond.
Reviewed by: Kira M
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Colt O Brien sees the light, November 3, 2010
This review is from: Colt O'Brien Sees the Light (Paperback)
A computer wizard (what is in his computer mind is) Colt O'Brian ,Highline High School senior, is a computer genius whom no one can out do despite their training or background when it comes to computers. He thinks his is #1 in the computing world and is reveling in that fact when suddenly his senior year goes awry.
A word from the author lets the reader in on the secret that Colt O'Brian is based primarily on Mr. Cole and a certification program he took focusing on teaching computer networking. In his first novel, Cole, who lives in Burien with his wife and dog, brings the audience into the world of Colt O'Brian without a doubt that Colt is as amazing as he is! Instead of wondering why and how Colt can do what he does, the reader concentrates 110% on the storyline and Colt O'Brian.
Like many computer whiz kids, Colt doesn't think he has anything to prove to anything when it comes to his prowess as a technician. He is without a doubt the most sharp and savvy at Highline High, Burien, Washington. His talents are such that when a computer needs fixing, the phone book and a number under "Computers are us" does not happen. Instead Colt is summoned and with the snap of a finger, the computer is fixed and in Colt's mind, it is fixed by the best. Colt is very
Colt is the best and he knows it. He may be a short, full of excitement attitude is respected and admiration from his classmates and teachers. But he isn't too worried. Soon school will be over and his life will be different forever. He won't have to listen to his girlfriend and her endless ideas on what to do, schoolwork will be nixed, and without a glitch his Senior year, Colt is skating through his serious year but he'd better be careful, things are about to be changed in his life, things that will challenge his crown as Computer King when two freshman nerds open a computer class that will make Highline High famous and challenge Colt's credibility. Add to this three women opens his eyes to the meaning of love. One will show him the meaning of hate. And, much to his surprise, Colt's hidden psychic powers will emerge when he least expects them to. Much happens within this book that certainly don't happen to the average high school senior that the average reader finds himself glued to the storyline line and in one way or another makes a connection to Colt and his life that they never thought possible.
I would definitely suggest this book for those who are looking for some excitement, interesting characters such as Colt and Colt's interesting computer life.
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