“Party School” by Jon Hart is a book about how people get shamed for the colleges they go to. Just because someone goes to a school that is deemed bad or has a negative reputation, does not mean they are a bad person themselves. However, going to a school with a positive reputation does not necessarily mean someone is a good person. Even though someone has a powerful title it does not mean they are a perfect person.
I enjoyed this book. It had many good elements and the story was interesting. My favorite part was the characters. All of the characters are unique. Each of them had a different story and many traits. They all had different backgrounds and lives. Their personalities were shown throughout the book. They had realistic strengths and flaws. The main character, Dylan, was not a perfect person. In the story, he upset people and did wrong things. However, he owned up to his mistakes and chose the right things in the end. That is what makes him realistic. The book was in first person using Dylan’s perspective, so it was nice to see his thoughts throughout the book.
Another good character was Rosemary, Dylan’s girlfriend. She was flawed and written as a kind of antagonist, but she had positive moments and realized her mistakes towards the end of the book. I like how she grows as a character throughout the book. In the beginning, she hurt Dylan. In the end, she made it up to him and they were able to work out their problems.
The relationships between characters were interesting as well. They were complicated and made the reader want to see what happened next with them. Dylan and his friends were relatable and funny. They were close from the start and felt like a family. Their banter and humor was amusing. Rosemary and Dylan were dramatic and complex. Their relationship was rocky. One wanted one thing and the other wanted something else. Many of the relationships were duos that were never separated. Dylan’s parents were always together and they had a unique relationship. Mr. and Mrs. Zelman, who lived in Dylan’s hometown, were also another duo. They were humorous and interesting characters. They made the story engaging and created amusing moments.
Another aspect I enjoyed was the plot. It was unique and had many surprises. However, some might see that as a bad thing. It was a little confusing at some points and hard to keep track of. It made me feel overwhelmed. The story starts with Dylan in his hometown. He moves to his college shortly after. The timing between those points is difficult to understand. Another confusing aspect is what other characters are doing in the story. It is difficult to know what the characters are doing directly. That is the main complaint I have with the book.
If someone is looking for a new book with drama and full of surprises, then “Party School” may be for them. As someone who loves to read, I recommend this book to anyone, especially students in high school and college. If somebody is insecure about the school they go to or feels like they do not fit in, this is good for them. It is also good for people struggling in a romantic relationship. It shows how even if a relationship is rocky, it does not mean it will end up badly. This book is relatable and a great choice for anyone who likes to read.
