I wasn't actually aware that this was Twarnoite's second novel about the character John Boggle until I'd finished the book and had a scan through the reviews. Not that it mattered as I've found the book to be accessible even as a stand alone novel in itself.

There are some very dark themes throughout this YA story in which the author doesn't gloss over. Decent use of Dante's Divine Comedy as inspiration.

Was pleasantly surprised by it, I have to say.

Originally published at my blog Chasing Empty Pavements

This is the Twaronite's second novel and it skips ahead two years when John Boggle is 15. Not only does his age set him up so that is novel feels more YA, but the title alone seems to fit in well with YA themes.

The Good: This was QUITE a change from The Family that Wasn't yet Twaronite's humor and voice shined through on this novel as well. The dark nature of this novel immediately set itself apart from his first novel as the main character deals with some hefty issues. Retribution, sexual abuse, cruelty, hope and inspiration all come into play in this novel. John is facing some really tough decisions and I think Twaronite guides him seamlessly through the obstacles in this novel. I love that the novel is based partially on Dante's Inferno but that a lot of it is also the way John interprets and depicts Dante's Inferno that influences his own personal "hell." I think the tough situations and issues are handled wonderfully by Twaronite and I would highly recommend young adults read this book.

The Bad: Nothing too negative to say, there were a few dialogue passages that I felt were out of character and jolted me out of the reading but otherwise, the book was wonderful.

I give this one an A too!

**I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions are my own and I was not obligated to write a favorable review.

The main characters in this book is John and Virgil. It starts off with John daydreaming five minutes until summer vacation and he lands himself in hell. Soon he comes across his good friend Virgil who is his trusty guide throughout hell. The adventure moves through the nine zones of hell each one with something new for the boys to discover. Each realm of hell showing their bullies and their places in hell and a appearing monk that helps them through hell and its problems. At zone nine each boy must take their own path as they are writing their own story/handbook now. Do both of the boys make it back from hell? Is this just John's imagination can he just wake up or is he really stuck in hell? Both boys are fighting a similar trouble from their past that is pretty disturbing. In order to leave hell they must find the right door.

Fast pace, humorous book about two fifteen year old boys that travel through hell. There are no dull points and you will not be able to put this book down!