First Person Shooter (Cameron Raynes, MidnightSun)

Jayden and his dad moved to Bridgetown after Jayden’s mum died. It’s a small town where the only booming industry seems to be the meth made by the local bikie gang. Jayden has a few friends but school isn’t easy: he has a terrible stutter, which leaves him feeling frustrated and isolated, and is the target of bullies, including the son of a bikie. He spends as much time as he can playing first-person shooter games on his computer. He also has a real rifle and goes target shooting with Shannon, a girl from a nearby property, on whom he has a crush. Shannon’s mum is due to be released from prison, and her violent and unpredictable stepbrother is back in town. On top of this, his dog Charlie is sick, probably dying. In the last week of school, all of these tensions come to a head. Cameron Raynes captures the desolation of a small country town in decline. Jayden’s struggles and frustrations are vivid and well realised, and the story races along with effectively ratcheting tension. Raynes’ tale of growing up in rural WA shares similarities with the works of Craig Silvey and Tim Winton, but with the darker edge of John Marsden. It’s a slice of Australian Gothic recommended for adults and older teens.

Heath Graham is a teacher and former bookseller

Category: Reviews