Reunion

Aug 23, 2011 Lou rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very real the incident of mass killing of students, something you see on the Headlines often. The author gives you the backstage pass to a school shooting, the run up to the day and lives of the survivors after. As the community tries to pick up life again as if it never happened an idea of a school reunion comes up but are they really prepared for what is to follow this one quite strange reunion of sorts.
Written in a good haunting pace with few surprises round the corner.
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Nov 26, 2011 Vone Savan rated it 4 of 5 stars

When people are traumatized, we often internalize the source of that trauma for fear of having to relive it. Without help, those fears will manifest and eventually cripple us, ultimately preventing true happiness. Reunion by Jeff Bennington was a novel that delves headfirst into this issue—and the results were great. Bennington was able to create a book that was all at once: touching, thoughtful, metaphysical, suspenseful, and smart.

The book starts with David Ray, an extremely damaged teenager....more When people are traumatized, we often internalize the source of that trauma for fear of having to relive it. Without help, those fears will manifest and eventually cripple us, ultimately preventing true happiness. Reunion by Jeff Bennington was a novel that delves headfirst into this issue—and the results were great. Bennington was able to create a book that was all at once: touching, thoughtful, metaphysical, suspenseful, and smart.

The book starts with David Ray, an extremely damaged teenager. He was bullied in school, neglected by his mom, beaten by his stepdad, and completely friendless. He had no self-esteem, no one to comfort him, and no one to turn to—and so, fueled by his deep-seated rage and lifetime of pain, he turned to violence as a means of retribution. After killing his stepfather, David Ray marched into his high school in Crescent Falls, Idaho around 9:30 a.m. and killed eight more people, wounded several others, and then finally, took his own life.

Twenty years later, a few of the surviving students, decides to return to the scene of the crime, and back to their old high school. This “reunion” was an attempt to face their demons and bring closure to their lives. But, little did they know, attempting to face their demons also meant opening doors—both emotionally and metaphysically—into a world that they weren’t quite ready for.

I really enjoyed Reunion. It was a fast-paced, thrilling, well thought-out book and reminded me of a cross between Stephen King’s It and John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club (both I love).

The main characters in the novel were well fleshed out. Bennington was able to formulate a clever backstory for each character, explaining how the massacre from their youth had now affected them all the way into their thirties. People like Maria Vasquez, the previous valedictorian who now helped run a Crisis Center in New York; and Bryan Jacobs, the nice guy from school who aspired to be a doctor was now a deputy in Crescent Falls; and Lana Jones, the head cheerleader who was crippled in the shooting was now a motivational speaker and author; and every other main character in the book. Bennington was able to truly capture the relevance of the psychological effects of trauma on fictional characters—and make it believable. That was a great and admirable feat. Two thumbs up!

In addition, trying to articulate each person’s independent voice can be a very difficult process. But for Bennington, that wasn’t the case. The dialogue flowed well and captured the personality of the diverse characters. So again, two thumbs up!

With so many different characters, I also wanted a conclusive ending to the novel—and Bennington delivered here, too. Every single character got addressed, and though I didn’t like everyone’s ending (Lana and Noah), I still appreciated the fact that it was addressed.

With all that said, there was one thing in the novel that I was mildly irked by, and that was the subtle religious overtone near the end of the novel. Perhaps, though, this interpretation could have also fallen into the “spiritual” category, which is how I’m ultimately perceiving it—as this interpretation helps me to enjoy the novel even more.

Lastly, the one thing I was most impressed with was the humanizing of David Ray. We often condemn the “villain” without exploring any objective angles. Everyone loves to instantly point the finger or start throwing stones. But in this novel, Bennington forces the reader to be objective. It would have been very easy for him to simply graze David Ray’s history, which would stifle our empathy of his character—but Bennington didn’t. Through several thoughtful and revealing flashbacks, we were able to witness the pain and anguish he experienced, and to finally see why he chose to do what he did. That was much appreciated.

I highly recommend Reunion to anyone who’s into psychological/supernatural thrillers. But even beyond that, this book offers a little bit of everything for everyone. It even offers a light case study on the potential psychological effects of an extreme violent situation. Kudos to Bennington for writing a great book.

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Apr 29, 2011 Courtney Conant rated it 5 of 5 stars

While making my way through this ARC that I received from Jeff Bennington, I found myself entranced. It was the first book that I read on my Kindle (an entirely new experience for me) and I couldn't put it down. I have to say that this was an excellent book and worth the read.

Bennington really grabs the reader with this supernatural tale, dragging them kicking and screaming the whole way. Now keep in mind, this is not a horror novel but it does have many horrific aspects to it. He brings you int...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Sony rated it 1 of 5 stars

Terrible! I don't understand the 3 1/2 star rating on this book at all. It's the epitome of lazy, self-indulgent, preachy writing. The depiction of the school shooter was so stereotypical and shallow that it made me wonder if the author was writing this book in reaction to a recent tragedy, rather than using it as a part of the set up to a real story. I hate cardboard characters, and preachy writing, so this book really annoyed me. But what really makes me angry is the writing. It's clumsy, and...more

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Apr 14, 2011 Erika rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, 5-stars, fiction, review-books-suddenly

Let me begin by saying that I can’t do this book justice in the short amount of space that is THE REVIEW. The concepts presented here were too breath-taking, the characters too realistic, and the supernatural elements just the right touch of creepy, heart-pounding, other-worldly thrill ride. BUT I can tell you a bit about my experience that was my reading of REUNION.

David Ray and the school shooting – David Ray, the school shooter, is one of those characters I had a really hard time putting my f...more Let me begin by saying that I can’t do this book justice in the short amount of space that is THE REVIEW. The concepts presented here were too breath-taking, the characters too realistic, and the supernatural elements just the right touch of creepy, heart-pounding, other-worldly thrill ride. BUT I can tell you a bit about my experience that was my reading of REUNION.

David Ray and the school shooting – David Ray, the school shooter, is one of those characters I had a really hard time putting my feelings together for. I would despise him one moment and then the story would reveal something more about him and I’d feel really sorry for him. It went back and forth like that for the whole entire book. I don’t know why I think this is a good thing, but I do. Probably something to do with complex characters that make you think outside my comfort zone. As for the school shooting – it was so disturbing! I know any book about a school shooting would make me feel this way. But it’s more than just the idea here, it’s the writing too. It felt really cold and really calculated. I’m not sure how to describe what I was feeling here, except that if you’ve seen the movie Elephant, it was kind of like that. Succinct and to the point. Then on top of that you have all these XXX’s in handwritten font every time there is a break in the writing and there were chills running down my spine.

The other characters – First of all, they were all just so darn likeable. Of course, each of them have their flaws, but I just wanted to love them all the same. I felt like I could really connect with each and every one of the characters. They all had something fresh and interesting to say. They all experienced the same thing as kids in the school shooting, but of course, all in different ways. And each of them had to deal with that experience in their own way too. I think this is what I really got out of the book as a whole. The life of a school shooting victim 20 years later would likely all depend not just on how close they were to those who died or where they were in relation to the shooter, but also on what was going on in their life at the time of the shooting. What were their dreams and hopes? Who did they love? What was their attitude on life and relationships in general? And I think this is why it was so easy for me to relate to all of them. Because it’s not necessarily about the characters themselves, but the experience. And I think it’s quite easy to relate to that breaking point in your life where something happens that just changes everything. At least, that’s what I thought.

The supernatural thrill – No doubt about it, this book was thrilling! I loved the supernatural elements to the story. It kept me guessing, wondering if everything happening was REALLY happening or if maybe this was all just PTSD rearing it’s ugly head. And if it was all REAL, then wow, I NEEDED to know how it was all going to turn out. I was going to say it was “on the edge of your seat” material, but seriously, I kept ending up on the floor reading BESIDE my couch. The couch was too much of a distraction, whispering in my ear to “just relax” when all I wanted to do was to read as fast as I possibly could.

In short: If you’re remotely interested in thrillers, if you’re remotely interested in supernatural stories, if you’d love to see more stories about how victims cope with issues in the long term. If anything I said above interests you at all, I highly recommend this book to you!

....

Initial commentary (Interview coming this Saturday, April 16th):

This book comes out in April. It's a paranormal thriller about the aftermath of a school shooting. It looks SO good. I'm really excited to be reading it and Jeff will be joining me on my blog in April for his Blog Tour interview. Yay!(less)

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May 01, 2013 Rachel rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-challenge

Wow, where to start. I'm not even sure how to classify this book... horror? It wasn't really that scary or even eerie. Religious? The soliloquies about God's divine plan in the last third of the book seemed to suggest something of a religious agenda (one that felt VERY out of place).

There are so many things about this book that bothered me. Like seriously, a ton. But I'll limit myself to one because I don't want to spend too much time reviewing this book.

Spoilers ahead... but seriously, you sho...more Wow, where to start. I'm not even sure how to classify this book... horror? It wasn't really that scary or even eerie. Religious? The soliloquies about God's divine plan in the last third of the book seemed to suggest something of a religious agenda (one that felt VERY out of place).

There are so many things about this book that bothered me. Like seriously, a ton. But I'll limit myself to one because I don't want to spend too much time reviewing this book.

Spoilers ahead... but seriously, you shouldn't bother reading this book so go ahead and read if you want to.

The character of Nick... He's the high school a-hat whose constant bullying is one of the catalysts for David Ray to shoot up his school. There are other reasons (religious, not surprisingly) for David's actions, but one is because Nick is a class-A douche he treats everyone like crap, including his high school girlfriend Kate. Flashforward twenty-years, Nick is married to Kate (because the trauma brought them closer together, naturally...), he's unemployed, a drunk, and physically and emotionally abuse towards Kate. Nick is also seeing flashes of David Ray's ghost at the school but no one believes him because, well, he's a raving alcoholic. Kate gets fed up with Nick after he hits her and tries to leave him, the only smart action of any of the characters in the whole story, unfortunately it does not last long. Once everybody realizes that David is actually back in the form of a ghost (even though he isn't actually dead... didn't quite understand that), Kate realizes that Nick was right all along and BEGS FOR HIS FORGIVENESS!!! She apologizes to him!! And takes him back! The drunk, abusive, bully with no redeeming characteristics whatsoever! One character looks at Kate and Nick hugging it out and "smiles to himself thinking about about this example of God's reunion of kindred souls" or some crap like that. Just when I thought the book couldn't blow my mind I'm being asked to cheer for the asshole getting the girl. Because God meant for them to be together.

Ugh.(less)

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Apr 25, 2013 Rachel Whitley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, 3-stars-and-below

There is a five-star novel within these pages, and it's a must-read, because it contains one of the most powerful beginnings ever. The reason it received only three stars from me is more of a positive than a negative, to my way of thinkin. This book tried "to be all things to all people", and in so doing, it lost some of its luster.

In my mind, there are two novels inside this book. The "five star" tells a reality-based story of teenagers who face the tragedy of a school shooting and live to tell...more There is a five-star novel within these pages, and it's a must-read, because it contains one of the most powerful beginnings ever. The reason it received only three stars from me is more of a positive than a negative, to my way of thinkin. This book tried "to be all things to all people", and in so doing, it lost some of its luster.

In my mind, there are two novels inside this book. The "five star" tells a reality-based story of teenagers who face the tragedy of a school shooting and live to tell about it. The "supernatural" tale brings in ghosts, poltergeists, and the like. Both stories are worth reading, but for me, they just didn't mesh. "Reunion" would have been a good supernatural horror story, but it would have been a tremendous human drama. This may be the first novel for which I can envision two separate versions of the book. That would be an interesting concept, and as far as I know, one never attempted, to publish one novel with certain events and characters, and then to publish a separate one, telling the same story, but from a completely different genre and vantage point.

"The Real Story"
"Reunion" contains what may be the best opening I've ever read in a book. It was riveting, chilling, terrifying, emotional, and mind-altering! Sadly, in 2013, we're all too familiar with news reports of school shootings, and my heart hurts for the victims in each case. If I gave any consideration at all to the gunmen, I dismissed them as "monsters." This book opens by revealing the human being behind the monster. With heartrending clarity, the author portrays a tortured young soul who, having cried for help and received none, lets his rage consume him so that he is propelled to do the unthinkable. The fact that I could feel compassion for such a villain is a testament of this author's ability to bring characters to life.

It goes without saying that I felt for the victims in the aftermath of the tragedy. This was another area where the book shined, for it seemed the author must have researched carefully, and treated such a sensitive subject with great dignity. Each character's journey from terror to tranquility was beautiful to behold! If the book had stayed on this course, I think it would have been a masterpiece.

The "Trouble"
I love paranormal, horror, and supernatural novels. But it just felt as if this book was trying to tell too many stories, and because of that, each one lost some of its impact.

In summary, "Reunion" is definitely worth reading, its beginning carries the mark of a mastercraftsman at work, and I look forward to reading more from this author. As for the three-star rating, it's always better to try to do too much than to "coast" with too little, and I applaud the effort that went into this novel.(less)

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Jun 19, 2012 Resa rated it 3 of 5 stars

David Ray is in hell. His mother traded in his abusive father for an abusive step-father and broke her promise to keep him safe. The other guys at school think he’s weird, they taunt him, harass him, and make things even worse. But David’s going to get them all back some day…

Inspired by the horrific accounts of shootings on high school and college campus Bennington creates a unique story. He deals with what makes bad people evil, coming to terms with your past, redemption, and moving on. The mai...more David Ray is in hell. His mother traded in his abusive father for an abusive step-father and broke her promise to keep him safe. The other guys at school think he’s weird, they taunt him, harass him, and make things even worse. But David’s going to get them all back some day…

Inspired by the horrific accounts of shootings on high school and college campus Bennington creates a unique story. He deals with what makes bad people evil, coming to terms with your past, redemption, and moving on. The main story takes place twenty years after the infamous school shooting when several members of David Ray’s class decide they need to revisit their old school to get some closure. Once there they find out David Ray might have died…but he isn’t gone. The school is haunted with a spirit that seems intent on killing the survivors unless they give it what it wants. The book is well written and well edited (a major plus). It is easy to sympathize with the characters but only because of the trauma they’ve gone through. Bennington introduces quite a few characters in a short time and well he does a decent job of telling us who they are I didn’t feel quite as connected to them as I would have in a book of this length that only dealt with two or three main characters. That being said, it’s not really the characters that make the book but rather the experience they’ve gone through and their struggle to move on.

While this book is listed as horror the book takes a religious twist at the end which may leave the diehard horror fan disappointed. I enjoyed the book all the way up to this point but the ending left me feeling a little skeptical. I felt that things were tied up too neatly in an ending that was just a little too sugary for my taste. Taking this into account I think there are a lot more good aspects of this book than bad and if you’re a fan of ghost stories I don’t think you’ll be too disappointed. Bennington takes a very sensitive topic and treats it with respect while still crafting a page-turner.
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May 30, 2012 Wendy Cartmell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Twenty years after surviving a school shooting, Tanner Khan and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion. Although they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, they come back to their hometown and reunite in the defunct school building.
I enjoyed the first half of the book, was intrigued by the premise and looked forward to Mr Bennington's self proclaimed efforts to commemorate those involved in high school shootings. The cast of characters was interesting and the book moved...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Mary Maddox rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reunion is a horror novel, and it delivers the expected scares and suspense. I enjoyed reading it although I wasn't altogether satisfied with the characters.

The story starts off strong, introducing several teenage characters involved in a mass killing at a high school, giving each a distinct personality. When the violence erupts,the reader knows them well enough to care whether they survive.

Bennington shows convincingly how the survivors have changed -- and how the trauma has scarred them -- whe...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Veronica Noechel rated it 1 of 5 stars

Wow. Um. Where do I begin. I'm hesitant to write a review, under the "if you can't say somethin' nice" clause. I thought the concept of a horror/supernatural novel based on the whole school shooting phenomenon was promising. Unfortunately, the characters didn't ring true and their dialogue was extremely wooden. It was almost as if the story was being written by someone who had never met an actual human, but had seen a lot of prime time television. The people didn't *act* like people. Spoiler ale...more Wow. Um. Where do I begin. I'm hesitant to write a review, under the "if you can't say somethin' nice" clause. I thought the concept of a horror/supernatural novel based on the whole school shooting phenomenon was promising. Unfortunately, the characters didn't ring true and their dialogue was extremely wooden. It was almost as if the story was being written by someone who had never met an actual human, but had seen a lot of prime time television. The people didn't *act* like people. Spoiler alert....please don't read further if you don't want the plot given away....
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For example, if your high school was having a reunion, and I said to you and your group of friends, "No! Don't go there! It's haunted!" I can pretty much assume that at least 99 out of 100 of your friends are going to laugh at me and go anyway. Not in this book.

Let's say a ghost *is* haunting a building, and it tosses you and your friends around like toys while his comatose, ventilator-assisted body is across town, all because he wants to be killed and put out of his misery. Does it seem strange that this ghost can lift someone off their feet miles away and skewer them on a flagpole and yet can't pull the plug of the ventilator six inches to his right?

And worst of all, when you're reading a book about the damage and horror that has been inflicted unjustly on a group of people by an individual who held them hostage at gunpoint, and then the HERO does the same thing to a bunch of people in a hospital (though only one of the hospital hostiges dies by the gunman's hand as far as I could tell...there's a neck snapping at one point so I figure he didn't make it) does it seem inconsistant when those same traumatized people (the first group. We never hear about the hospital crew.) laud him as a hero? If this was a point being made about the futility of human ethics and the inevitability of violence, that could work, but it's really not. I hate to be so negative in a review, but this just didn't work for me.

I love a fun, not-too-heavy novel as much as the next person, but I really think this book just wasn't edited very thoroughly. (less)

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Jan 14, 2012 Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: readers of mystery, thrillers, paranormal, psychological fiction

This is the first novel dealing with school shootings I’ve been able to bring myself to read, yet I’m glad that I did. Mr. Bennington excellently defines the path that led to the creation of a dead-eyed, soulless killer, and makes such a life realistic, if abhorrent. Even the temporary “possession” is not thrust on the reader, but rather subtly drawn, so that in the end it is the reader’s choice whether to assign a spiritual or metaphysical category to the killer, and the killings.

I don’t know...more

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Jan 04, 2012 K.C. Rivers rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, suspense

I'll admit that the writing style of this book felt occasionally disjointed. But it kept my attention and the storyline proved to be intriguing enough that I was able to overlook minor/petty details. It's definitely not for the faint of heart, for the graphic scenes involving the school shooting were pretty unsettling. It really made you feel like you were there, which says something for the author. I really appreciated that he told the story from all sides, from the killer to the victims to the...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Laura Mcquillen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reunion is an interesting take on something that happens in society all too often - school shootings. At least that's the basis for everything else that happens in the story. Taking such a controversial subject and writing a story about it is what writers do. Sadly, they don't always do it very well...but Mr. Bennington has done an excellent job with this topic. He is respectful, and takes the time at the beginning of the book to pay a small tribute to other victims and survivors of such horrifi...more Reunion is an interesting take on something that happens in society all too often - school shootings. At least that's the basis for everything else that happens in the story. Taking such a controversial subject and writing a story about it is what writers do. Sadly, they don't always do it very well...but Mr. Bennington has done an excellent job with this topic. He is respectful, and takes the time at the beginning of the book to pay a small tribute to other victims and survivors of such horrific events. The majority of this book, however, is not about the shooting itself, but what happens to the survivors as they go on with their lives.

I started this book on a whim, in between other books. I figured I'd just start it and see what it was because I was kind of in the mood for a thriller. I started it on a break from work, not really having any intention at that time to continue reading it right away. This author does such a fantastic job of immediately grabbing you, that I had a really hard time putting it down to go back to work. Throughout the evening I continued to read it every chance I got, including sitting at my desk reading a couple of pages here and there while I worked. My plans to only check it out went right out the window and I read it start to finish that same day.

The first few chapters are the lead up to the school shooting, showing most of our cast of characters as young, high school students. After the shooting, we flash forward about twenty years as they prepare for a reunion of the event that changed their lives forever and to honor the victims. Mr. Bennington did an excellent job with the tension in the first chapters - well, throughout the book, really, but with the first few chapters, especially. He made you care about these kids he was showing you in a very short time and by the time the unimaginable happened you were cringing in the your seat.

The author also does a very good job with handling the number of characters he is dealing with. As a writer, it can be hard to give that many main characters separate, distinct enough personalities that they stand out from each other, but he did well. It was interesting to see how these kids that we met in the first chapters had grown up, the impact that the violence had on their lives and what they became. It was also interesting to see how the underlying high school stereotypes shaped who they became as well.

On the surface, this is a tension filled, haunting, suspenseful read that kept me turning the pages well into the night. Beneath all of that though, this book really shows a problem that is becoming an epidemic in this country. That problem is bullying at school and the lack of compassion that a lot of kids have for each other, and the circumstances that some of their fellow classmates have to live with.

There's an interesting twist at the end - definitely not what I was expecting. Roles are reversed, quite adeptly, and by the end I was rooting for the one guy throughout the book that seemed like a jerk. I had also stopped rooting for the guy that seemed like the "good guy" throughout the book. Over all, very well written. If you are in the mood for a suspenseful, creepy read then this one is well worth checking out.
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Aug 17, 2011 Jeannie Walker rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book of fiction takes us into a world that is all too realistic in the horrifying trend of school violence that has been taking place too often in our society. Bullying and violence have no place in our schools and the practice should be stamped out before it causes violence.
The author starts out with a terrible shooting at a high school where several students were killed and injured. Thankfully, at the end of the horrific rampage, the deranged shooter turns the gun on himself. However, la...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...

Actual Rating: 2.5/5

MY THOUGHTS
Reunion catapults us into a world that is both disturbingly realistic in its focus on the horrifying trend of school violence and also frighteningly fictional as the terror of the paranormal is added to human cruelty. We are exposed to the permanent emotional, mental, and physical scars of a school shooting, our senses kicked into overdrive as we realize the trauma for the survivors is not over, b...more Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...

Actual Rating: 2.5/5

MY THOUGHTS
Reunion catapults us into a world that is both disturbingly realistic in its focus on the horrifying trend of school violence and also frighteningly fictional as the terror of the paranormal is added to human cruelty. We are exposed to the permanent emotional, mental, and physical scars of a school shooting, our senses kicked into overdrive as we realize the trauma for the survivors is not over, but rather just beginning. The premise of Reunion is solid, the combination of real and concrete events with supernatural intangibility one that is certainly intriguing enough to have us speed-reading to see what nightmares await those who deserve nothing but peace.

While the foundation of Reunion is strong and its characters varied and likeable, there are a few drawbacks in the execution. The dialogue is often forced and lacking in emotional resonance, the words delivered with little intonation and missing the quality that brings flat black letters to life as they flow from the pages into our hearts and take root. The conversations are a bit soap-opera like in nature, sometimes crossing the line of believability to remind us we are dealing with a piece of fiction as opposed to being able to lose ourselves in interactions that feel as though they're taking place in front of and around us. Mr. Bennington provides us with the skeletons of some characters with true potential, they could just use a few additional layers to shift them from shades of gray to vibrant color.

Though the characters suffer from a small substance deficiency, Mr. Bennington does surprise us with an unexpected chain of events toward the end, ratcheting up the paranormal aspect and twisting and molding it in his own unique way. The final pages, as events and characters are wrapped up neatly and tidily (something we are grateful for after all they've survived), do dissolve into a mild case of religious preaching, however it's nothing so extensive as to be overwhelming. Despite my issues with this particular story, Mr. Bennington is an author I would read again, his imagination and ability to push a story in an unforeseen direction enough to earn my continued curiosity.
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Jun 27, 2011 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, kindle

This book is about a group of students who survive a school shooting and what their lives are like 20 years later. I knew the subject matter could be sensitive to some people but I found that the author did a great job of giving it respect but also changing it enough so it was a good fiction story.

I enjoyed how the author developed each of the characters and adequately described how different people would be affected by PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Each character faces challenges with...more

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Jun 27, 2011 Nathiel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jeff kindly sent me this book for reviewing and I am still in awe with it, it was so good.

The characters are amazing because they seem so real, as none of them are perfect (far from it actually)

David Ray was a haunted young man, who while I hated him for what he did, I also found myself feeling very sorry for what he had suffered.

As for Tanner, Maria, Lana, Noah, Nick, Bryan and Kate, well we get to see how they are coping with seeing their friends dying infront of them, 20 years later and the t...more

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May 21, 2011 Jay Krow rated it 4 of 5 stars

David Ray walked into school, pulled out a gun and killed eight students; that’s how this paranormal thriller, written by Jeff Bennington begins. From the first sentence you know this won’t be your ordinary tale of the paranormal. Bennington melds great prose with a social voice that explores the trauma that survivors of school shootings deal with every day.

It’s evident that Bennington did his research for this story. The pain and the range of emotions the characters exhibit is raw, and as real...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 5 of 5 stars

*read by my friend Anna*

"Reunion” (by Jeff Bennington) is fictional, and not based on anything that has happened in real life. It is the author’s third story, with more on the way.

Reunion” can be described as a paranormal thriller, but as the author writes in the foreword, it is also a mixture of “supernormal, horror, romance, suspense, and dark fiction”.

The story starts with a school shooting in Crescent Falls, a small fictional town in Idaho. A young man, David Ray, opens fire in his high scho...more *read by my friend Anna*

"Reunion” (by Jeff Bennington) is fictional, and not based on anything that has happened in real life. It is the author’s third story, with more on the way.

Reunion” can be described as a paranormal thriller, but as the author writes in the foreword, it is also a mixture of “supernormal, horror, romance, suspense, and dark fiction”.

The story starts with a school shooting in Crescent Falls, a small fictional town in Idaho. A young man, David Ray, opens fire in his high school cafeteria, killing several students and seriously injuring others. The shooting occurs only days before the summer holidays.
The story then jumps 20 years into the future, and follows a number of survivors that were graduating in the year of the shooting. The survivors all have one thing in common; they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They all, however, deal with the PTSD in different ways, whether it is writing books, drinking or treating other people with PTSD.

Maria Vasquez, the Valedictorian in the graduating year who is now treating other people with PTSD, feels that the only way to put the shooting behind them, is to go back to Crescent Falls and have a reunion. And what would be better than to have the reunion 20 years after the tragedy? She contacts old school mates and some of them reluctantly agree to return to the town, which they have avoided for two decades, although some of the survivors remained in Crescent Falls the years after the shooting.

The survivors return to Crescent Falls well in time for the reunion, as there need to be a lot of preparations done. The high school has been closed ever since the shootings, and it is decided that the old school building shall be renovated before the big day. As the reunion day draws closer, the tension grows and the survivors continues to have flashbacks from the event 20 years earlier.

But there is something terrible going on in the school and the sheriff’s department is unwilling to tell the real truth to the survivors. Will they be able to have the reunion in the school after all? The sheriff Larry Richards is determined to find out what is really happening in the old high school and to solve the mystery before it is too late.

“Reunion” is hard to put down, once you have started to read it. You just have to find out what happens next. The different characters are all very well described in the book.

But “Reunion” also makes you think. Is David Ray such an evil monster, knowing what happened to him in the childhood? Could the society do something to prevent school shooters from comitting such horrible crimes? Do they deserve to die, the school shooters, or should they be put in jail for the rest of their lives? In the foreword, Jeff Bennington lists ten of the worst school shootings in the US history. When one hears and reads about school shooting one will of course feel sorry for the victims’ families and friends, but one should also remember the survivors.

I highly recommend “Reunion” to everyone. I think it is a very important book to read. It is very thrilling, with a little bit of romance and mystique. I give the book top marks, 5/5.

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Mar 24, 2011 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

When Maria, Tanner, Bryan, Kate, Nick, Lana and Noah graduated twenty years ago it was planned by each of them to never, ever, go back to Crescent Falls, Idaho. A fellow student, David Ray; had walked into the awards ceremony and blew away 12 students and injured many more. All of the above grads had lost relatives, lovers and close friends that day.

Which is all the more surprising when Maria, now a PTSD Therapist, decides to go home. She contacts others in the same class and they decide on a “...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Martha Cheves rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reunion – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

‘Breathing heavy from carrying the tote across the parking lot, David barged into the cafeteria, shot one round into the ceiling and shouted, “Attention everyone! Attention! My name’s David Ray, and some of you…are gonna die!” For a moment, the crowd sat quiet and still. David made a mental note of their blank faces. They probably think it’s a firecracker or a joke, he thought. I’ll show ‘em it isn’t a joke. Mr. Gardner strutted...more Reunion – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

‘Breathing heavy from carrying the tote across the parking lot, David barged into the cafeteria, shot one round into the ceiling and shouted, “Attention everyone! Attention! My name’s David Ray, and some of you…are gonna die!” For a moment, the crowd sat quiet and still. David made a mental note of their blank faces. They probably think it’s a firecracker or a joke, he thought. I’ll show ‘em it isn’t a joke. Mr. Gardner strutted toward David, exuding his authority, but David pulled the trigger and shot a couple of the students nearby. Mr. Gardner threw his arms over his head, ducked down and crawled toward the wounded students to help. David squinted hard, looked into the crowd with dead eyes, and began shooting. Bodies scattered as the cafeteria erupted with screams, falling bullet shells, the squeaking of sliding sneakers and the turning over of chairs. He watched their scared bodies hide and tremble in fear and listened to their voices question who and why. Their fear gave him strength, feeding his adrenalin, pressing him deeper into the crowd. He knew exactly where to go. His tormentors’ locations were too predictable. The cliques always sat in the same places. David stepped forward and located his prey. He shot another round and heard another scream. He repeated the process, over, and over.’

The school massacre took place 20 years ago ending with eight students dead, several wounded physically but many more wounded mentally. Maria Vasquez lost her beloved Darrin, and to cope with her memories became a counselor working with PTSD patients. As the 20th anniversary of the killings as well as the 20th reunion of her graduating class approached, Maria decided that there were probably others from her class that might benefit from a reunion as a way of facing their memories and fears.

Of those Maria was able to contact, only five responded and agreed to the reunion. Up until the day of the massacre, senior student Bryan Jacobs had planned to become a doctor. His plans changed and he became a policeman in hopes of helping to prevent the event from reoccurring. He would attend the reunion. Kate Schmidt Tooley still lived in the town of Crescent Falls and was married to Nick. Nick’s twin brother Randy was killed when David Ray mistakenly shot him instead of Nick. Nick deals with his memories by drowning them and seeing “ghosts” of David who he feels is trapped within the school Kate will be attending but probably without Nick. Lana Jones became a writer who, along with her daughter Zoe, travels around the country talking to students about the David Rays in the world. She will attend. Tanner Khan deals with his memories by creating challenges. He climbs mountains, crosses rivers and sails oceans. But when the invitation came to return to Crescent Falls for the reunion, he saw this as his biggest challenge and accepts.

These are the five who accepted the invitation to create a reunion. When it is decided to hold the actual event at the school itself, Bryan starts to have second thoughts. As part of his duty as a policeman he checks on the now deserted school. He has heard sounds and seen things at the old school that are out of the norm. But he also feels, like the others, that this may be the best place to start healing.

As I read Reunion I felt like I had stepped into a movie. As I followed each character’s story and their method of coping with their own tragedy I felt as if I knew them personally. This book is so well written that if it isn’t picked up to be made into a movie then the industry is missing out. The characters, story and events are so believable that you can’t help but picture each as something you’ve just read in the paper or seen on a news strip. For those of you who enjoy a great paranormal mystery, Reunion is a must read!

2011
334 Pages
Nexgate Press
ISBN# 9780615450865

Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat (less)

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Mar 17, 2011 1412 rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 16, 2011 Julia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reviewed by Mona at RexRobotReviews.com (Post 5/9/11)

Reunion by Jeff Bennington is an incredibly hard hitting novel that embraces the lives of not only the victims but of the person committing the crime. Reunion is not what I would consider an “easy” read. Not to say it was bad, it is an extraordinarily exceptional story, just that it emotionally involves the reader. This story is about a horrific event, an event that touches not only those involved but an entire town, and possibly even far more...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Erin Tiesman rated it 2 of 5 stars

I'm almost done with this book, and getting more disappointed with each passing page.

The topic itself is fascinating -- the coping mechanisms of individuals who survive trauma, especially a school shooting, is a deep topic that not many authors would dare to tread.

But while the topic itself presented a wide range of ways to weave a fascinating story, the author fell short. The one-dimensional characters, unbelievable dialogue and too-deep intrusion into spirituality has taken what started as a...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Denise rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Paranormal Fans

Shelves: read-in-2012, drama

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 03, 2011 Tammy ~NovelOpinion rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-horror-suspense, ghosts, thriller, indie-self-pubbed

Summary: Twenty years after surviving a school shooting Tanner Khan and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion. Although they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, they come back to their hometown and reunite in the defunct school building. Old flames are rekindled, fears are ignited, and their lives are about to explode in a whirlwind of memories, haunted by the spirit of David Ray, the troubled teen who killed many of the students.

Once they're inside the school, they...more Summary: Twenty years after surviving a school shooting Tanner Khan and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion. Although they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, they come back to their hometown and reunite in the defunct school building. Old flames are rekindled, fears are ignited, and their lives are about to explode in a whirlwind of memories, haunted by the spirit of David Ray, the troubled teen who killed many of the students.

Once they're inside the school, they discover that a dark entity has joined them. It has come to collect a debt long overdue and someone has to pay. Will Tanner and his classmates overcome their fears, putting the pieces of their lives back together, or will they be consumed by their worst nightmare? Find out in this suspenseful thrill ride that will keep you guessing and engaged with a lovable cast of characters.

This story pulled me in and didn't let go. It started off on the day of the school shooting. An ordinary day for these kids and the expectancy I felt as the author took me through this day was stomach clenching. I was introduced to the main characters, one by one, as they arrived at school, greeted their friends and went to class. I was also introduced to David Ray, the troubled kid who will be the cause of so much death and trauma as the day progresses.
Jeff Bennington writes of this horrid event with amazing insight. He makes sure we are aware of the underlying psychology of a teenager who has been abused and scorned. He also hints at something deeper, something paranormal in the events to come. I felt as if I was reading about any one of the real life school massacres that have happened over the years. You can't help but think of those horrendous events as you read this.
This story eventually brings us forward, twenty years to the present and how our main characters have dealt with the trauma of that day. The authors depiction of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is spot on. Some of the victims have done positive things with their lives and some have remained stuck in that day but all are still affected and all need closure.
Deciding to arrange a Twenty Year Reunion in order to face the past and heal, one student brings them all back to the school were their lives were shattered.

Now, up until this point, this story seems written as a drama about surviving the worst that can happen but Jeff Bennington doesn't let you off the hook with a heartfelt and healing reunion. Hell no! Instead you are plunged into horror. The menacing ghost of David Ray has his own kind of closure in mind and it ain't healing. It scared the crap outta me and I loved it.

The plot of this story is fresh and I was compelled to finish it as fast as I could. A truly great read!(less)

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Mar 09, 2013 Stephanie Wideman rated it 4 of 5 stars

I truly liked this book. It was very creepy and dark, dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting. The characters witnessed and were effected by the shooting led by David Ray their senior year. None of them were the same after that day. Drawn back to the school, they decide to hold a twentieth reunion. However, something dark is still in the school. Is it David Ray, back for revenge? Or something even more sinister?

The only part of the book I didn't like was the last page or two. After the w...more

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Apr 12, 2013 Lori Budd rated it 4 of 5 stars

As. High school teacher this book really struck a chord. I got chills as the author th or described what was going through David's mind on that day. There are so many kid that,as much as you try, you can't seem to read them. The thought, or sadly knowledge, that some kids feel this is their only option is horrifying!
In terms o th book, several things caused me. Little problem. Some of the sidebar thought seemed out of place and made the read choppy. The story itself was well structured and the p...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Emily rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

I was loaned a copy of this book by the author and I have such mixed feeling about this book. Honestly I didn't like it. I ususally love paranormal fiction, and enjoy getting emotional attached to storylines. That didn't happen with Reunion. I couldn't relate to any of the characters, and at first I simply thought that it was because I couldn't relate to what they had gone through. As the book went on though, it became more of an issue with underdevelopment. They all felt very stiff and common....more I was loaned a copy of this book by the author and I have such mixed feeling about this book. Honestly I didn't like it. I ususally love paranormal fiction, and enjoy getting emotional attached to storylines. That didn't happen with Reunion. I couldn't relate to any of the characters, and at first I simply thought that it was because I couldn't relate to what they had gone through. As the book went on though, it became more of an issue with underdevelopment. They all felt very stiff and common. I felt like I was reading about shadows of people that never got the chance to breathe. This book had so much potential, but it just didn't live up to it. I am able to forgive authors that take liberties with police protocal, but Jeff Bennington went so far beyond that it snapped any believablity, and therefore any chance I had to become immersed died. When something is so far from reality I can't lose myself in it. I don't want to spoil any part of this book because it is clear that many people liked this book, sadly I just am not one of them. I will say that I ended this book feeling duped. I think this book would have been better classified as a religious book. The ending left me with a bad taste and as one who is 'of the faith' I felt that this book ended with a 'plug for Jesus'. My faith doesn't need sponsorship.
I understand that I am one of a few that didn't care for this book. I am fine with that. I truly wanted to enjoy the story, but through the whole thing I kept asking myself 'what kind of research was done on this?' 'Did Jeff Bennington interview any real survivors of school shootings?' I feel having read the book now that the answer is no. The cast didn't feel authentic, and when I am pulled out of the story so much it is very hard to connect to it. I wish the dialog had been better, and the major plot 'twists' not so unreal. Like I wrote, I really enjoy supernatural thrillers, I just feel that there needs to be some chance of possibility, and here in Reunion I didn't feel that there was a snowballs chance that this could really happen. What a disapointing book, as I really believe there was a chance here to take a familiar story and shake it up. (less)

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