Beyond the Chocolate War

Anyone familiar with Cormier's books knows of his pitch-black view of human nature, so the outcome of this follow-up to TCW will not surprise in that regard.However, this predictability does not go far in making this book a compelling read, especially when you figure out the themes are pretty much identical to the first installment.I had very high hopes for this book. Cormier's writing is top notch, as is his character development, and even by the first 3/4 of the book, you are primed for greatness. Even the back of the book leads you to believe that some monumental (no pun intended) retribution lies in wait for Archie and his evil minions. But, instead, we get the same old denouements in a different wrapper.Now, I like dark books and don't particularly enjoy happy endings if they're not believable, but this book's unhappy endings are no more plausible. At the time and place of the original book --- before the horrific "showdown" on the athletic field --- it was somewhat imaginable that things would remain status quo at Trinity. But after those events, and the subsequent seismic rumblings that follow (which the sequel expends great effort at communicating to the reader), it is unimaginable that here be no real repercussions (aside from the suicide of one character that, while masterfully drawn, doesn't address the vileness of the school and it's roots of evil --- or where that evil comes from).I would have preferred some interaction from the many mute parents (including David Caroni's parents or Jerry Renault's dad) that could have really ignited a powderkeg under the whole affair.Good fiction contain lots of conflict, and there just isn't enough to warrent the amount of text here. It's a lot of energy to expend only to see the same scapegoats hauled out and abused again and again. Real people --- at least not all --- are seldom so cowed by tyranny, unless it's executed by a more omnicient force, such as goverment. And the Vigils aren't on that caliber, not even close.

In the sequel to the "Chocolate War", Archie retains his position but, on the other hand, he's a senior now and must pick his successor. Who will it be? Brother Leon also remains an arch villain.

The Chocolate War hurt my sense of justice so deeply, I wanted to forget Trinity High and all its characters. But the plot and the boys were so well-written, there was no way I could forget. In the sequel, Obie becomes more of a developed character. Jerry learns how to live in the aftermath of a crippling defeat. Carter watches his empire crumble. A tomato is thrown. There’s a psychotic episode.Archie Costello, however, remains the same despicable villain that he was in the original story. In my mind, he has become a new standard of bad guy. Every evil character I read from here on out will be measured against Archie Costello. His perversity is unique in for its ability to take the bad in others, bring it out, and amplify it. In his own words, “…Because I’m you. I’m all the things you hide inside you.”

I didn’t care as much for this book as I did the first but still liked it although it seemed to take long to build to a climax. It covered many different boys, which was a little hard to keep straight at first. If possible, it even got darker than the first one in my opinion. It too though is a quick read.SPOILER ALERT – STOP IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THIS BOOK YET. I was shocked really to see how Obie got so caught up in revenge that he became as bad as Archie. Once again, Archie is in control and even after he graduates, keeps his control over the school. It’s pretty amazing how he manages it.

The novel, Beyond the Chocolate War, is the second of two books that provide riveting and heart-breaking stories that take place throughout the high school years. The novel is set in an elite, private, Christian high school for young men. Located within, is the secret society, the Vigils and their calm yet menacing leader, Archie Costello. The Vigils assign deadly tasks to meek students, which keep an undercurrent of discipline, evil, and extreme fear throughout the student body. In the beginning of the book, Archie realizes that his right hand man, Obie, is abandoning him and the Vigils, because Obie realizes that without Archie, his life wouldn't be falling into pieces. Thus, he sets up a plan to end Archie's life in front of the entire school. With the help of a new and lonely teen, by the name of Ray Bannister, and Ray's magic, fool proof guillotine, Obie cleverly is able to get Archie to put his head on the block during the last day of school before graduation. With the guillotine rigged, Obie confidently pushes the button to make the blade slice through human skin. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to teens. The novel touches on topics such as suicide, loneliness, depression, anger and jealousy, all of which are common problems in the high school years, and the reader is able to connect to it with his or her own past dilemmas.

My 12 year old daughter loved this story. Very thought provoking. Book arrived on time as described.