Mason

By Thomas Pendleton

Some kids say Mason Avrett is slow. What they don't know is that he also has a terrifying power that he's just beginning to understand. But that's not his worst problem: Mason lives with a sadist. His older brother, Gene, doles out punishments so brutal that all Mason can do is cover his head for the beating and try to forget the horrific things he's seen. Rene Denton, one of Mason's only friends, knows that Gene is evil, but she doesn't know how evil until the terrible night she becomes a victim of Gene's cruelty. Suddenly Mason's power--raging beyond his control--becomes the only thing that might just be as frightening as Gene. Horror, revenge, and the twisted images born of a lifetime of pain are woven into a masterful tale of suspense and redemption.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061177369
• ISBN13: 9780061177361
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Harperteen
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Enchanting Review: Mason

MASON THOMAS PENDLETON YA horror Harper Collins Rating: 4 Enchantments Mason Avrett is shunned at school as being the local `pudding head.' Not too bright, others ridicule him. No one knows that he has a power so terrifying that even he's not sure how to use it. He lives with his aunt and sadistic older brother, Gene, who likes to beat Mason when things don't go his way. Rene Denton, used to be a childhood friend of Mason. Even though she doesn't talk to him, that doesn't mean she likes to see others take advantage of him. One night of standing up for Mason sets off a string of horrific events. For Mason, the lifetime of pain come out in ways more terrifying than even his brother Gene. This is one of those stories that you need to keep the light on when reading. Especially at night. Creepy and chilling, I couldn't put this book down. I liked Rene's character, especially when she refuses to stay silent when others mock Mason or when she watches one of her friends make a dangerous choice. Mason's loyalty to Rene is shown in his way to send scary images to those who hurt her. But Pendleton doesn't just dwell on this. He shows the qualities of Mason that still believe in hope and redemption. Once again Pendleton shows the reader a world where horror coexists with everyday life. His tale is suspenseful and a real page turner with a powerful conclusion that will be remembered long afterward. Thomas Pendleton has coauthored with Stefan Petrucaha another recommended edgy series--THE WICKED DEAD. MASON is Pendleton's first solo novel for teens. He currently lives in Austin, Texas. [...] Kim ENCHANTING REVIEWS January 2009

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

To everyone around him, Mason Avrett isn't the smartest or brightest person on the planet. He has no friends, no parents, and no one to look out for him. The only thing he has going for him is his drawing, and even that can't help him. He does have his Aunt Molly, but she can't protect him against the evil forces of his brother, Gene. One look at Gene and everyone can tell that he spells trouble. Gene just so happens to find satisfaction in hurting those around him. Since the very beginning, Gene has hated Mason, his parent's "special" son. Gene uses Mason's gullibility as an advantage, making sure and influencing his brother that he is always doing something wrong, that he is "as dumb as a doorknob," someone who just doesn't deserve to even be alive. Rene Denton is at first skeptical of Mason, but after continuously seeing how rude and dangerous Gene can be, she suddenly feels like she needs to become friends with him. Not caring what her other friends think, Rene begins to spend time with Mason, only to get a better view of what Mason thinks and how his life is. Getting closer to Mason makes Gene want to hurt Rene even more, and he begins to plot a plan to take his brother's only friend away from him. Even though people might think Mason's mind is weak, he will soon find out that it is the strongest thing he has and, even though it may help him, past events will show Mason how it ruined his life forever. Unique, lovely, and all the more scary, MASON takes readers on an adventure they will never forget. Mind-over-matter is important in this novel, and Thomas Pendleton creates well-developed characters you will both love and hate. With an ending that will take your breath away, this is a story that will be remembered forever. Reviewed by: Rnadstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen