Grace Ellis Reviews Stacy Padula’s “Montgomery Lake High” Book Series

Book #1: The Right Person

“Montgomery Lake High Book 1: The Right Person” introduces a large cast of characters, all with their own personal relationships and moral codes. Young teenagers, especially those who have experienced feeling isolated from others, will relate to the drama that sometimes comes with warring friend groups. They may also relate to the temptation, insecurity, and fleeting attraction often induced by peer pressure from people close to them.

This book plainly addresses the problem of substance abuse, especially amongst teenagers. These characters, despite their varying beliefs and moral standards, all stumble and make mistakes, even to the point of lashing out at each other. Readers may find themselves unable to pick a “side” between two characters, which attributes itself to the realism of such situations in real life. At other points, readers are shown a character’s perspective and are witness to how they internally justify their actions. Even when it is clear that a character is being obnoxious or doing the wrong thing, we are made to see them through multiple lenses depending on which character we are watching them through. This humanizes them, even in the moments when they aren’t our favorite.

This book also holds a strong Christian message, especially toward the end. The story isn’t afraid to show that christian kids will be tempted and make mistakes. Instead, it presents  tangible characters who go down a dark path, and introduces good influences to guide them down the right one. As titled, the book seems to be emphasizing that not only should young christians try to be with the “right people,” but that they should also try to become the “right person.” Despite the darkness, the story ultimately ends with a hopeful message. I’m interested to see what the rest of the series has to offer!

Book #2: When Darkness Tries to Hide

“Montgomery Lake High Book 2: When Darkness Tries to Hide” is a challenging and intriguing read, introducing more Christ-centered messages about grief and addiction. A tragic accident forces the characters to react, either blaming themselves, blaming others, or helping those who are most affected. We are able to get a better sense of each character’s past and present relationships with each other based on how they come together in the midst of tragedy. It is encouraging to see some of the characters take the right steps to better themselves.

The readers are also given more specific elements of each character’s past. It is interesting to witness certain characters acting cruel and seemingly heartless, only to learn that they were once a different person. I also recommend reading Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” series, as it serves as a prequel to this one. It provides a different perspective on events that occur in this book, as well as helps the readers familiarize themselves with the large cast of characters. 

The teenagers depicted in the book are far from perfect. In fact, the book makes a point to show how confusing and upsetting being a teenager can be, especially surrounded by harmful influences. It is realistic in its depiction of relationship fall-outs, showing that even the best person can change for the worst, and the worst person can change for the better. The book ends in the midst of the story, but I’m hopeful that these series will have a happy ending. Right now, most of the characters are in a tough spot with their relationships, health, and faith, so I’m interested to see where the series will take them.

Book #3: The Aftermath

“Montgomery Lake High Book 3: The Aftermath” gives a new perspective on the established cast of characters by involving the eyes of their fellow classmates. Jason, Cathy, and Jessie get involved in a rumor that sweeps out of control, spreading amongst their separate friend groups in different versions. The readers are shown how each character reacts to outside forces misconstruing their lives, and how some are able to find strength in their faith. 

We are also given more context for why certain characters act the way that they do. These characters are teenagers, and even when they try to do the right thing, they may not always do it in the right way. Even the “straight-edge” characters can be frustrating, and the “bad” characters can be sympathetic. Their journeys toward becoming better people are not always formulaic, and I appreciate that the book doesn’t try to hide their struggles. Even when a character wants to change, they often have to work around the influence of their friends, which is something most teenagers will relate to.

It is nice to see some of the characters make active changes in their lives in an attempt to get better. Jason’s interactions with Pastor Mark are insightful and interesting, not only because of his biblical advice, but also because Pastor Mark’s daughter Jessie is one of the people unwittingly involved in the rumor that drives most of this book. I’m particularly interested to see if this rumor will end up spiraling any further, and if it does, how each involved party will react. 

Book #4: The Battle for Innocence

“Montgomery Lake High Book 4: The Battle for Innocence” takes the readers back in time to flesh-out important events in the timeline of these characters’ lives. We are able to see the “before” of many of their established relationships, as well as compare their past demeanors and beliefs to their present selves. We also get a glimpse of how each friend group operated separately before they got involved with each other, and how each influenced the other, for better or worse.

Since this book is primarily a flashback, the readers are given more background for Chantal and Cathy’s relationship, the Dunkin brothers, and Chantal, Jon, and Andy’s relationship. It is definitely easier to see the plot seeds being planted from a past perspective. The book also explores the dynamics of a Christian and agnostic relationship, and how one person can influence the other. There are also several Christian characters who pray specifically about finding the right person for a relationship, providing the readers with concepts like predeterminism, trust, and direct spiritual guidance.

This book appears to clear up almost all the reasons why certain characters are the way they are, and act the way they do. The mood of finality and conclusion feels like the series is leading up to some kind of revelation, so I’m curious to see what kind of topics the final book in this series will address. There are still relationships that need to be fixed, and characters that need to acknowledge their issues and seek help, so I am looking forward to seeing how this series ends.

Book #5: The Forces Within

“Montgomery Lake High Book 5: The Forces Within” takes the series in a new direction, dividing the book into two parts. The first part takes place in an entirely new setting, introducing physical manifestations of spiritual warfare while leaving the readers in the dark just enough to question the reality of the situation. It quickly becomes apparent that regardless of whether the experience is “real” or not, the metaphors behind it definitely are. 

The readers are then taken back into the reality they are familiar with, and are left to ponder just how much of the first part of the book directly relates to the characters during the second half. Essentially, the different format invites the readers to focus on the events from the first half and use that knowledge to question the spiritual validity of characters later on. It quickly becomes apparent which characters are on which side as the world from the first half becomes more and more intrinsic with the world in the second half.

This book (and series as a whole) provides an interesting conversation for teenagers about spiritual warfare. This book in particular uses physical imagery as a prop to help its audience easily understand its message while simultaneously illustrating a terrifying real-life situation that will keep its readers in anticipation. As mentioned in a previous review, I recommend reading the “Gripped” series as well, which serves as both a prequel and a sequel to this one. While this series ends with a bang, these characters’ lives aren’t finished. We are left with a feeling of hope and the knowledge that their lives will continue on, albeit as changed people.