Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Gotham High, by Melissa de la Cruz {ends 5/3}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to a classic American high school

No matter how many feel-good, guidance counselor-approved, school spirit-encouraging mandatory events there are, the fiefdoms are as rigid as the rules that govern them.

The jocks never sit with the nerds

The joiners hate the slackers.

But everyone worships the rich and beautiful people.

Why not? I’m one of them

And so is Bruce.

There seem to be so many versions, or maybe just different sets of details, from Batman stories. This graphic novel seems to look at a time of Bruce Wayne’s life that hasn’t had a lot of scrutiny.

Official synopsis:

After being kicked out of his boarding school, 17-year-old Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City to find that nothing is as he left it. What once was his family home is now an empty husk, lonely but haunted by the memory of his parents' murder. Selina Kyle, once the innocent girl next door, now rules over Gotham High School with a dangerous flair, aided by the class clown, Jack Napier.

When a kidnapping rattles the school, Bruce seeks answers as the dark and troubled knight--but is he actually the pawn? Nothing is ever as it seems, especially at Gotham High, where the parties and romances are of the highest stakes ... and where everyone is a suspect.

With enchanting art by Thomas Pitilli, this new graphic novel is just as intoxicating as it is chilling, in which dearest friends turn into greatest enemies—all within the hallways of Gotham High!

This graphic novel had both gorgeous illustrations, and a story line that wasn’t entirely expected. The glimpse into Bruce Wayne’s middle years was a welcome change from the story of his parents dying when he was young, and his escapades as Batman as an adult.

While this is currently listed as Book 1 of 1, an expansion to cover the eventual alter-egos of several students with Wayne at Gotham High would be easy to imagine. At Gotham High, we meet Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle, Jack Napier, Harvey Dent, and Ivy (who works with herbs at the apothecary). Without spoiling who’s ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ let’s just say that we see a bit about each of their characters in this book.

Overall, I’d give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I’d recommend it for young adults and adults who enjoy graphic novels, but not necessarily for diehard Batman fans. The characters are not the same at this age as they are portrayed traditionally as adults.

{click here to purchase}

Becki Bayley is a reader, a weeder, and a popcorn eater. Find more of her Cherry Coke-fueled book meanderings at SweetlyBSquared.com.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Gotham High!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Sunday, May 3rd, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email the next day, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

Gotham High, by Melissa de la Cruz