Mason [Paperback]

Thomas Pendleton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2008

Kids taunt Mason Avrett for being slow. But that-s not his worst problem: Mason lives with a sadist. His brutal older brother, Gene, doles out punishments at will. He-s so brutal that all Mason can do is retreat into his thoughts, trying to escape the horrific beatings. No one knows that he has a terrifying power--one he-s just beginning to understand. Mason-s friend Rene Denton knows that Gene is evil, but she doesn-t know how evil until the terrible night when she becomes a victim of Gene-s cruelty. Suddenly Mason-s rage unleashes a power and his tormentors are going to pay.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—Mason Avrett, who is mentally slow, has an uncanny ability to create realistic images with his imagination. He's been the subject of his older brother's hatred for years: at age nine, Gene, angered by the special attention Mason received from their parents, tried to kill him. Now in high school, the boys live with their aunt, who is oblivious to their animosity. Coldhearted and cruel, Gene is the brains behind a drug-dealing ring and continues to mentally and physically abuse his younger brother. When Rene, Mason's kindhearted childhood friend, is brutally beaten by Gene's thugs and left in a coma, Mason's special talent allows him to "see" her attackers. Using his power to create terrifying images in the minds of his victims, Mason soon becomes a formidable force as he seeks revenge on the perpetrators. This wonderfully written suspense story takes sibling rivalry to a scary level. Torn between his fear of his brother and his affection for Rene, Mason must ultimately move beyond this fear to overcome Gene's bullying. Pendleton has created a hero who is sometimes dark and scary, yet as gentle as a puppy. As the novel moves to its dramatic climax, readers can't help but feel the pain of this poignant young man whose birth places him in a dangerous environment. Horror fans will be thrilled by Mason's story.—Caryl Soriano, New York Public Library
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From Booklist

A coauthor of the Wicked Dead series, who also writes for adults under the name Lee Thomas, presents his first solo YA effort, a paranormal tale of crime and comeuppance in the spirit of Lois Duncan. In the opening chapter, nine-year-old Gene nearly smothers his “retard” sibling, Mason, because he “wanted to see what killing felt like.” Gene grows up to mastermind a high-school drug ring when he’s not abusing Mason, a savant artist, who comforts himself by creating vivid “mind pictures.” When Gene’s flunkies beat Mason’s only friend into a coma, Mason discovers how to project dark visions into others’ minds, and mysterious accidents befall the perpetrators. Chapter titles borrowed from art-world vocabulary, such as “Grisaille,” seem to aspire to a more sophisticated readership than will probably be satisfied by this story’s one-dimensional villain and melodramatic plotting. However, teens who simply want to ride the momentum of a creepy, accessible thriller will seize this option, which includes some mild innuendo and profanity along with sometimes fatal violence. Grades 8-10. --Jennifer Mattson

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061177369
• ISBN-13: 978-0061177361
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,534,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Pendleton is a writer of horror and dark fantasy books for young adult readers. Under a few pseudonyms he's published over 15 books. He lives in Austin, TX where he's currently working on a number of projects.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, July 1, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mason (Paperback)

To everyone around him, Mason Avrett isn't the smartest or brightest person on the planet. He has no friends, no parents, and no one to look out for him. The only thing he has going for him is his drawing, and even that can't help him. He does have his Aunt Molly, but she can't protect him against the evil forces of his brother, Gene.

One look at Gene and everyone can tell that he spells trouble. Gene just so happens to find satisfaction in hurting those around him. Since the very beginning, Gene has hated Mason, his parent's "special" son. Gene uses Mason's gullibility as an advantage, making sure and influencing his brother that he is always doing something wrong, that he is "as dumb as a doorknob," someone who just doesn't deserve to even be alive.

Rene Denton is at first skeptical of Mason, but after continuously seeing how rude and dangerous Gene can be, she suddenly feels like she needs to become friends with him. Not caring what her other friends think, Rene begins to spend time with Mason, only to get a better view of what Mason thinks and how his life is.

Getting closer to Mason makes Gene want to hurt Rene even more, and he begins to plot a plan to take his brother's only friend away from him.

Even though people might think Mason's mind is weak, he will soon find out that it is the strongest thing he has and, even though it may help him, past events will show Mason how it ruined his life forever.

Unique, lovely, and all the more scary, MASON takes readers on an adventure they will never forget. Mind-over-matter is important in this novel, and Thomas Pendleton creates well-developed characters you will both love and hate. With an ending that will take your breath away, this is a story that will be remembered forever.

Reviewed by: Rnadstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

4.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Review: Mason, January 21, 2009

By 

Enchanting Reviews "Lisa" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mason (Paperback)

MASON

THOMAS PENDLETON

YA horror

Harper Collins

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Mason Avrett is shunned at school as being the local `pudding head.' Not too bright, others ridicule him. No one knows that he has a power so terrifying that even he's not sure how to use it. He lives with his aunt and sadistic older brother, Gene, who likes to beat Mason when things don't go his way.

Rene Denton, used to be a childhood friend of Mason. Even though she doesn't talk to him, that doesn't mean she likes to see others take advantage of him. One night of standing up for Mason sets off a string of horrific events. For Mason, the lifetime of pain come out in ways more terrifying than even his brother Gene.

This is one of those stories that you need to keep the light on when reading. Especially at night. Creepy and chilling, I couldn't put this book down. I liked Rene's character, especially when she refuses to stay silent when others mock Mason or when she watches one of her friends make a dangerous choice. Mason's loyalty to Rene is shown in his way to send scary images to those who hurt her. But Pendleton doesn't just dwell on this. He shows the qualities of Mason that still believe in hope and redemption.

Once again Pendleton shows the reader a world where horror coexists with everyday life. His tale is suspenseful and a real page turner with a powerful conclusion that will be remembered long afterward.

Thomas Pendleton has coauthored with Stefan Petrucaha another recommended edgy series--THE WICKED DEAD. MASON is Pendleton's first solo novel for teens. He currently lives in Austin, Texas. [...]

Kim

ENCHANTING REVIEWS

January 2009