 |
Fields’ knack for frenetic, fast-paced storytelling is featured prominently: a school shooting upends all sense of normalcy at Robert E. Lee Academy, thrusting star track athlete Lucas Bradshaw into a world of personal chaos. Set in the early 1980s, Fields finds a way to incorporate a number of pertinent themes in modern times, from school safety to educational literacy and post-traumatic stress disorder. Nevertheless, no topic is more compelling than the racial tension and law-enforcement abuses of power that are exhibited by a few rogue cops.
The first encounter between Deputy Russell (who is waiting outside of the school while the tragedy unfolds) and Lucas is jarring. Severed friendships and the ashes of love await Lucas, whose African American heritage puts a target squarely on him. To avoid a similar fate, Lucas is moved discreetly to Bloomington High School, where he forms genuine friendships, particularly with Jeremiah Willis, a resourceful, mountain-dwelling, newly-enrolled student and grandson of decorated veteran Eli Willis. Nevertheless, the specter of the cops and their thirst for revenge is unyielding, resulting in a collaborative partnership between Lucas and Jeremiah.
Though the characters are interesting, the story is undoubtedly plot-driven; a slew of plots featuring the Willis clan, high school romances, and the consequences of a realtor attempting to build a dream home in the mountains are given their own mini-stories. Ultimately, navigating through all the plots leads to the intersection of all the themes mentioned above and the inevitable encounter with Lucas and Deputy Russell—an opportunity for Lucas to set the truth straight or for Deputy Russell to silence Lucas with his hate.