While ‘Bullet Boys’ features a trio of teenage boys at its heart, and some fairly mature action, it is a relatively straightforward read. I can see it appealing to boys and girls, particularly those who like their action and aren’t too bothered about understanding why it happens or even whether the action is particularly credible. That’s not to say it’s a bad read, but I didn’t find it quite as good as ‘Berserk’ or ‘Beast’.
It was, without question, entertaining once things got going.
Alex, Max and Levi are an unlikely group of friends. Alex is calm and steady, content to watch those around him, and he is handy to have around in a crisis (useful by the end of this novel). Levi is desperate to improve his lot in life. His initial actions spark a lot of the problems that come later. However, they could probably have avoided a lot of these problems if it weren’t for Max – a definite character to avoid if you ever came across him in real life!
This novel focuses in part on the boys’ developing relationships and their progression to adulthood. It’s successful here, and in the moments when we are watching the boys out in the wilds of Dartmoor. Where I found it less successful was with the plot concerning the Army and the hidden cache of guns. Made for some interesting scenes, but it all got so far-fetched by the end that I was keen for it to be over. I’m sure others will put it down in a much more positive frame of mind…