Violence is the best solution to every problem! At least, that’s what 14 year old Hamish Graham believes. That’s also why Hamish ahs just made the Manukau New Horizons Boys' Institute his new home. Told mainly through the diary of Hamish with the occasional report by adults that watch Hamish, this is a dark look at a brilliant and troubled mind and the very nature of violence itself.
Violence 101 is dark with a capital D, but I liked it anyways. Hamish is a great narrator, because he carefully explains his logical reasons for his violent actions. This is a realistic look at a young teen that has the makings of a sociopathic serial killer. His cunning and logic is really creepy, because sometimes he almost makes a weird sort of sense. There is a good deal of suspense especially in the later chapters. I found some of the later chapters’ action and heroics a little farfetched, but by that point I liked the characters enough that it didn’t ruin anything for me. I liked that Hamish doesn’t have any miraculous changes and the changes he does have make sense. If you like realistic fiction about troubled minds then take a look at Violence 101.
