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The Chamber of Five
by
Michael Harmon (Goodreads Author)
In a private-school conspiracy novel, 16-year-old Jason Weatherby knows exactly why he's at the Lambert School for the Gifted. And it's not for his brains. His dad is an influential state senator. It's this same connection that lands him a spot on the secretive Chamber of Five, the elite group of students who run the school with a shadow government, tapping into the same l...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
June 14th 2011
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
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"The Chamber of Five" is a fiction story centering around a student struggling with the choice between right and wrong as he deals with his new status as a member of his private school's sacred group called the chamber of five. Jason Weatherby is under enormous pressure from his congressman father to succeed in school and being a member of the chamber is a crucial part of his success, but Jason does not agree with the motives or actions of the group and decides he must do something about it. As...more
In the exclusive Lambert School for the Gifted, the Chamber of Five is in control. Members are chosen from the children of the wealthiest donors and they rule the school employing very questionable tactics. When Jason, the son of a Congressman, becomes the newest member of the group he begins to question everything -- why the Chamber exists and why the school administration and parents allow it. When his father tries to explain that money and power control everything -- in school and in life --...more
I couldn't put this down! It's about a private, elite high school that was originally formed for gifted children and eventually becomes a school for the wealthy and privileged. At the top of the school is a secret group of five who run the school. When our main character, Jason, is inducted into the group, he realizes just how degraded the group is. The single person in charge of everything is a violent and disturbed boy who doesn't like Jason but has to have him in the group because of his back...more
Didn't finish- the language, and the cruelty of the young men who are the privileged sons of important men was sickening. Jason, a senator's son is welcomed into the "Chamber of Five," the upper and most elite of the elite at his school. He watches as a girl called before the group is emotionally pressured to remove her top to prove her worthiness. Then Jason is given the student file of a brilliant but nerdy student and as an initiation, told to ruin him and get him kicked out. The punishment f...more
Jason Weatherby belongs in the world of Lambert School for the Gifted. His dad is a Congressman and has paid for Jason's spot among the powerful. However, Jason also knows that he does not like the corrupt nature of the school's club system, especially when intelligent people like Elvis are blackballed for being poor. Working from within, Jason vows to bring down the system. A run of the mill thriller, this mainly stands out as a good action suspense novel for male readers in a field that has ha...more
Well...it was good. I felt that it was over the top though. And the happy ending? Too happy. I mean, yeah, and I want closure and all, but really? Nothing in life ever turns out that great....unless you're like, blessed by an angel.
There are my problems. I loved the moral thinking of this story. The characters were relateable, and I loved how it was about the corrupt system in our country.
It's scary to think there are lines of power like that. I also like the whole kind of murder-mystery feel to...more
There are my problems. I loved the moral thinking of this story. The characters were relateable, and I loved how it was about the corrupt system in our country.
It's scary to think there are lines of power like that. I also like the whole kind of murder-mystery feel to...more
From page 21:
"In fact, she represented Congressman Hinks this last year concerning his... difficulties with monogamy."
From page 54:
"We had a... benficial conversation."
From page 57-58:
"Kennedy let me know you were... upset."
"He was... flustered about the sudden inability to breathe correctly, and honestly, I'm having a hard time holding him back with you."
"Because you are who you are, and though I don't like to admit it, your father has... influenced the school quite a bit."
"In fact, she represented Congressman Hinks this last year concerning his... difficulties with monogamy."
From page 54:
"We had a... benficial conversation."
From page 57-58:
"Kennedy let me know you were... upset."
"He was... flustered about the sudden inability to breathe correctly, and honestly, I'm having a hard time holding him back with you."
"Because you are who you are, and though I don't like to admit it, your father has... influenced the school quite a bit."
This is one of those books that you tear through, but afterward you find yourself questioning. In many ways it is over the top, but without question it keeps the reader riveted. Harmon has a special way with bullying. There is a lot of tension and menace in this story of an elite school where the upper crust has taken their power too far. There is a lot of food for thought about our own society and political structure here as well.
I really like this book. It captured the deceit and greed which wealth and power of society and politics has on a family and school. There was a good amount of suspence and mystery. Very intriguing. My only complaint is the epilogue was written in a different style than the rest of the book (like the character's journal entry) which just ruined the flow in my opinion, but then again it was the end so... All in all, great book!
I've enjoyed other books by Michael Harmon and thought I would try this one. It is not my favorite. It's almost like taking bits and pieces of lifetime movies and put them down on paper. The characters are "typical" and I remember a similar story from a movie in the 80's. It was just ok.
Seemed a little unrealistic to me, but very fast paced and I couldn't put it down until it was done. Jason is a very likable character and it was very amazing the way he stood up to the Chamber of Five, which is made up for decent kids, but with a tyrant of a leader.
4.5 rating. I can't put this book down. I love Michael Harmon's books and this does not disappoint. Privlege and power doesn't always make one happy and the students of Lambert School for the Gifted are not happy at all.
A really good book. A lot more convoluted then I thought it was going to be. I really grew attached to the main character.
was a good quick read. some parts were irrelevant but it was a fun book. Inspired great discussion.
Back to the YA grind.
review to come in VOYA
It really shows how unjust our society can be.
I was apprehensive about reading this because I hate these kind of stories. This wasn't so bad though even though there were parts that were hard to get through.
A good beginning book for those not quite ready for the Chocolate War.
Apr 27, 2013
Taylor
marked it as to-read
Apr 16, 2013
Jair
marked it as to-read
Apr 01, 2013
Jess
marked it as to-read
Mar 30, 2013
Christina Hiller
marked it as to-read
Feb 02, 2013
Kiana
marked it as to-read
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