Being a teenager is both awesome and horrifying at the same time. You’re trying to figure out who you are, as well as trying to navigate what you’re going to be. You’re not fully formed. In many cases you want to be liked. You want to fit in. The teenage years are hard.

So when Seb finds himself accepted into a new program to try to make teenagers more self-reliant, his family is thrilled. Seb has always been kind of a loner. While his sister Lily is popular and a good student, Seb lives in a world of his own making. He’s just not like other teens.

HappyHead is supposed to turn things around for Seb. His group of two females and two males has him paired with an over-zealous student named Eleanor. Finn, a strong, confident male who typifies the outcast, a goth. And Ash, just your run of the mill teenage girl.While Eleanor has her eyes on Seb, Seb has his eyes on Finn.

They are led through challenges, or assessments as they are called. Some are cruel. All are going to test them for everything they’ve got. Also determine their standing in the pack of teenagers. As the days progress, things at HappyHead get stranger and more dangerous. Until their thirteen days are up, but are they?

Fantastically maniacal novel about bending others to your will. Finding your own voice. Working the system. Josh Silver wrote an incredible novel that will keep you turning pages late into the night.