Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
From GoodReads by Jinx:The:Poet—“ Kerosene is the dark story of a young man, named Cal, by day a quiet social outcast, by night... a frustrated, tormented pyromaniac, burning to feel control over something, anything, in his life and desperate to express himself. It begins as a habit, his playing with fire, but his desire to burn things soon gets out of hand as time goes on, especially when a girl he likes begins playing mind games with him and his only friend, Joel, begins drifting away. It is a story, with devastating consequences of how dark secrets can suddenly become destructive, however the ending was a bit hurried and inconsequential. Although the writing itself could at time be clunky, it was a very interesting and compelling read. I found Cal to be a highly relatable character, especially if one has been in his shoes, as a silent outsider, a lone misfit or a youth tormented with dark and destructive urges ignited from inner rage and powerlessness of teenage life. ”
Is Kerosene appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 15 and up.
This dark psychological novel explores pyromania, mental health struggles, and destructive behavior in a teenage outcast. Contains arson, emotional manipulation, and consequences of untreated compulsions; appropriate for mature teens.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include arson, mental illness, and self-destructive behavior (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will relate to Cal's struggle as an outsider dealing with dark urges and the pressure of feeling powerless in his own life.