Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school in a new town under a new name, makes a few friends, and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die-of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, moving on to the next target.
But when he's assigned to the mayor of New York City, things change. The daughter is unlike anyone he has encountered before; the mayor reminds him of his father. And when memories and questions surface, his handlers at The Program are watching. Because somewhere deep inside, Boy Nobody is somebody: the kid he once was; the teen who wants normal things, like a real home and parents; a young man who wants out. And who just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's mission.
In this action-packed series debut, author Allen Zadoff pens a page-turning thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, introducing an utterly original and unforgettable antihero.
Boy Nobody is not an ordinary teen. He has been shredded apart by grief, hardened by his superiors, and remolded into the perfect little piece to their puzzle. He was trained to kill, making him their most prized possession. The best part was that nobody noticed him. He just slipped in and out of peoples' lives as he pleased. Those who befriended him never attempted to uncover who he was. All they saw was someone to help guide them through their problems. And that's exactly how he liked it. They poured their heart out, he gained their trust. They invited him over, he killed one of their loved ones. Discreetly, of course. All signs of death seem to lead towards a heart attack. How could he have caused that? Although, all it takes is a small lethal injection from Boy Nobody's special ballpoint pen. Who would know the true cause of death if the drugs were untraceable?
It is all too easy for Boy Nobody. Once he does the deed, he slips away. Perhaps his parents got a divorce, and he has to leave. Or maybe he was transferred to a different school. Everyone believes his simple excuses. After all, when he has The Program to back him up, there is no reason for them not to believe him.
That's how it's like every time. People only care about themselves. When Boy Nobody is there, they take advantage of him. They never suspect that he might just return the favor.
Boy Nobody wasn't always a ruthless killer. He once was a boy who lived a normal life. He had a loving mother and father, good education, and a wonderful little home. All that changed when he met a boy who called himself Mike. Mike seemed to understand him more than anyone he ever met. That being said, by the end of the week, Mike was sleeping over at his home.
One day, Boy Nobody found his father tied to a chair - mouth duct taped shut - with Mike standing next to him. Mike then betrays Boy Nobody by drugging him, and tossing him into a cab.
That was how Boy Nobody met Mother and Father, and became apart of The Program.
The Program is dedicated to righting the wrongs of the world. If you are plotting murder against someone of great importance, they will eliminate you. No one escapes when The Program has their eyes on them.
Not even they mayor of New York.
Boy Nobody was given the assignment of taking him down. Sam Goldberg, the Mayor's daughter, is the one who is bound to lead him to his target. Having only five days to rid of the mayor, Boy Nobody - under the name of Benjamin - goes to the Upper West Side. He enrolls in Sam's private school, and makes himself known to her. Little does he know that things are not as easy as he previously thought. It seems as though Sam is causing emotions to stir in him he hasn't felt in a long while. In fact, he doesn't feel emotions anymore. He only feels sensations, such as the stickiness of syrup, or the cool of the breeze.
Knowing that she is making him feel again only serves to disturb him. However, trying to fight off feelings is harder than expected. While he doesn't like The Program one bit, he knows better than to disobey them. After all, they are working for the greater good.
As the five days come closer to an end, The Program becomes impatient. Benjamin knows it's only a matter of time before they terminate him instead. Suddenly, The Program changes the objective. He only has four days to end it, and the mayor of New York is no longer the target.
The target is Sam Goldberg.
This book was one of the better action books I've read. While parts of this review may make it seem like some sappy love story, I assure you that it's anything but. Boy Nobody is action packed, heart stopping, and full of energy. Once you start reading, you can't stop. It has all the elements of a good mystery, suspense, action, and romance novel in one book. I'm beyond impressed. You won't want to miss this one!
My rating:
Four and a Half out of Five Stars!
