The Black Slide by J.W. Ocker

What worked:

The immediate thing readers will notice is how the author skillfully wields vocabulary and language to create an eerie, spooky setting. Everything about the Black Slide is creepy from the time it mysteriously appears on the playground, as it casts its air of evil around the students, and into a dark and dangerous world of agony. Students end up in the Painful Place, are held captive by the Merciless, and are experimented on in the painground. Those terms should give you a good idea of what to expect as you read the story.

The issue of physical abuse is part of the story as Griffin’s father used to hurt him. Griffin is happy the man is no longer around and doesn’t hide the relief he feels from his father’s absence. The plot mirrors the topic of abuse as the Merciless put kids through excruciating experiments with little hope of escape. All kinds of stone/metallic creatures roam the desolate world and every one of them is designed to inflict torture. Constant danger with nowhere to hide generates bleak feelings of despair.

Griffin and Laila are inseparable friends. Laila happens to be very athletic and aggressive and acts as a bodyguard when Griffin is being bullied or finds himself in harm’s way. They know everything about each other’s lives and Laila has been supportive through Griffin’s disconcerting home life. Griffin’s passion is reptiles as he cares for several in his room and has a broad range of knowledge about them. Laila’s infatuation is with space as evidenced by the decorations and three telescopes found in her room. The close friends exchange a cute mantra with each other when situations are especially challenging which always boosts their morale. The mantra is repeated often in the Painful Place.

What didn’t work as well:

Without giving anything away, the potential tension of the Black Slide and the Painful Place is lessened when the characters are told the problem will go away in due time. Things are still frightening but the impression is the situation will improve if they wait long enough. Griffin and Laila are still motivated to escape the present and future pain awaiting them which keeps the story going.

The Final Verdict:

Soft dies, hard survives. This book tells a strange, imaginative story of pain, suffering, and friendship that will challenge readers’ imaginations. It contains a lot of darkness and fear but the highlight is the author’s creative, expert talent with description and evoking emotions. I recommend you give this book a shot.