Regrets Tree on Fire

The Cousin Cycle, #3

Young Adult - General
250 Pages
Reviewed on 07/20/2015
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

“A world without answers is a dangerous place.” Bill, Devon, and Howie discover this to be a sacred truth in Jean Stringam’s disturbingly realistic novel Regrets Tree on Fire. Three best friends, chess motivated champions, worlds apart in family protocol…their loyal friendship shapes a surprising evolution into adulthood. Bill’s home life is the enviable safety net filled with security, laughter, and love. Devon and Howie spend many hours under the warm roof of this loving family. While Devon’s physician parents lead an unpredictable parenting schedule, Howie is the product of wealthy entrepreneurs. Seldom home and, even when there, basically distant from their son, Howie’s parents leave their son’s upbringing in the hands of “the help.” The friends are caught up in a mysterious scenario of internet bullying that threatens their lives. Adult intervention is made impossible until it is far too late to alter Supreme Malestrom’s intent on the youth of the world.

The international plot to force innocent victims into a payment plan for physical protection establishes a division line between social classes that leads this reader to the frightening realization that this is no longer my parents’ world. Computer dictatorship limits current and future generations in this powerful work of supposed fiction. Regrets Tree on Fire is an entertaining tale that I consumed in one afternoon, but I am aware that its message will linger for some time. As a veteran school teacher and parent of a twenty-first century “techie,” I see the allure of internet freedom and recognize the parental fear that it creates.