Acceleration Paperback – September 11, 2012

This book was AMAZING from start to finish! Every day when I read this book I felt like I was part of the hardships and conflicts that Duncan (main character) had went through. The author did a PHENOMENAL job with the writing style of the book. His figurative language use throughout the novel is BEAUTIFUL and VERY VERY HUMOROUS.There were also glorious parts of suspense as well that I can't forget and it made my heart race for dear life! I cannot tell you how many times I would randomly start falling on the floor laughing! I was laughing so hard that i accidentally fell back in my chair while reading!! However, I was very tied in while reading and I never recalled any part of the book being as bland and boring as a lullaby. Every page had something juicy and intriguing to the point where I could not put the book down. The plot is very interesting and would appeal to an audience that is interested in mystery/investigation genres. I feel that the plot is somewhat unrealistic to what a seventeen year old would do in the real world but that's what pulls the audience in. When I finished reading the book I was very distraught because it was so amazing and I felt like I had taken a long, unpredictable,suspenseful,comical adventure with Duncan, Vinny and Wayne. I will definitely read this book again. It is a quick read and for me and took about 2 weeks to read . I was highly satisfied with it and everything that happened. The author did everything to the best of his ability, although this is Graham McNamee's first time writing a mystery novel. The use of all the literary elements is part of what made me fall in love with it spend more time reading it. The other part of what made me drool over this book was the fictional plot. SUPERB! Overall, I would rate this book a 9.5/10!!!

I just read Acceleration with two classes of "reluctant reader" 7th graders and they were riveted. I had previously read it aloud with a ninth grade class, which also received i well, but the reaction of my 7th graders was amazing. They loved the smart alec, irreverent voice of the protagonist, the fact that the characters talk the way "real" kids talk, and the fast paced action McNamee delivered. Amazingly, the students actually burst into spontaneous applause when we finished it, and they carried on about the book and asked if the author has written anything else. I'll definitely be adding a couple more books by McNamee to my class "read aloud" list. Teachers should be sure to read the books through before sharing them with students though, especially if you live/teach in an area that is super sensitive about language in books. In Acceleration, McNamee's swearing was mild and certainly nothing 7th graders haven't heard before, but you need to be prepared for how to handle the hoots and howls as students find themselves actually allowed (and expected) to read things like, "Oh, hell, how was I supposed to know that?" in front of their teacher and their peers.

My sister told me about this book. Although it is written for young adults, we are 60+. I enjoyed it. True to life teenage boys lulling through a hot summer. Just enough suspense to keep it interesting. I wouldn't recommend this for under 13 years old because it does have a creep factor. Easy read and I liked it.

Good characterization from Duncan to Vinny, Wayne, and Duncan's boss Jacob. Even the parents have personalities without taking up valuable story time. McNamee is able to develop these people through his scenes without annoying pauses from the story to set down details. McNamee also establishes the mood through Duncan's job at the Lost and Found (the Morgue). Duncan himself belongs at the Lost and Found as he sorts out his failure of last summer. Is he a hero or is he just like everyone else? The mood also comes through with Duncan's father's work on the night shift--his vampire habits which come across with humor and realism--and their home in the Jungle. McNamee establishes Duncan's life, past to present, and shows how the 17 year old is in a rut. His discovery of the skin-covered journal revives him into action. With solid details about the true habits of serial killers, McNamee lends credibility to Duncan's tale. The one flaw, which is the same flaw as Speak, is the tidy ending. However, changing the end would be a mistake. This ending allows for McNamee's theme to come through and allows us to cheer for the hero. A great read. I had to read the thieving of the toilet scene out loud to my wife--very funny. The best book I've read this summer.

Ok. Not the ending I was hoping for.

Acceleration is a wonderfully written suspense novel. This book actually got my heart rate up. Finding out what acceleration means is an interesting part of this novel.Some who are critical of this novel must not have read all of it because all of the preliminary facts and details suck the reader into the world of the main character, Duncan. By the time you realize you are totally immersed in the cold, dark, murky existence of Duncan and his nightmares, you are hooked.McNamee does a tremendous job with the setup, which makes the climax a thrilling peak to the intriguing story of a lost soul who finds himself depressed by his recent past, and looking for a way to make up for mistakes he feels so much responsibility for.The main character, Duncan, gets himself in WAY over his head and nearly drowns himself in a world of terror and PURE FEAR and adrenaline that moves this novel to a perfect conclusion.Whatever the author did, he did it right because I forgot where I was and actually became immersed in the world that exists in the novel. I FELT the fear and the adrenaline rush that leads to the book's climax and resolution.Fantastic book!

(The author himself says once you read something it’s forever in your mind.). So why would we want kids to polite their minds. What are we doing?

This book was a great read. It was funny and the characters were very relatable. The story line was interesting and exiting! I would recommend this book to people who are a fan of serial killers and shows like criminal minds.

I'm a teacher and I've used this novel multiple times in Gr. 9 Applied English classes. It is well written and a relatively quick read, thanks to short chapters and plenty of figurative language. I particularly like it because the main protagonist, Duncan, and his two friends Wayne and Vinny are not much older than my students and not exactly straight and narrow types. They are relatable for my kids. The suspenseful plot with Roach, the predatory, serial-killer-wanna-be also grabs their attention. Finally, teaching in Toronto, the novel being set in the city makes it even more relevant.

I had never heard of the Author, but read and really enjoyed this book, I read a lot and if I can read a book and not guess who-done-it, it is good writing. Wa surprised to learn in the Daily |Mail books reviews his 3 books were written for teenagers, (I am in my 60s) just goes to show. No-one knows nything about this Author, he is a mystery, (perhaps it is a well known Author writing under a different name?

This book is written for young adults I gather, and its central character is a young adult. But it's well worth a read by older adults too as it is tremendously well written and that teen voice comes through very authentically without ever being annoying. Great story with an engaging and believable central character. Loved it.

Nice!

Ended up reading whole book in a day, couldn't put it down at all. Good story would recommed another one called bonechiller