Review of Hits to the Dome

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hits to the Dome" by Selby Wost.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Have you ever thought of what your children think of our society? Do they believe in your causes, or do they think you have invented them to give yourself a reason to get up each day? Are your children learning to think for themselves in school, or are they being told what to think and feel based on their teachers’ beliefs? In Hits to the Dome: The Chronicles of a Small Town Volume 1: Parts 1-6 by Selby Wost, Rome, Kota, Donny, and Richie are 14-year-old boys who are determined to make everyone as miserable as they are with the world they live in. Whether they were smashing a lemonade stand, playing chicken with moving vehicles, burning down an older man’s shack, etc., they always felt justified in doing so against the Marxist society in which they lived. Drunk and high on drugs, these boys are ready to take on all the injustices they have suffered. Do their antics go too far? Where did these 14-year-old boys get access to drugs and alcohol? Are their actions justified?

Selby Wost’s excellent writing skills made it easy for me to visualize each scene in the storyline. Two young girls, the boys called Goldilocks and Strawberry Shortcake, a stoned grandmother driving erratically down the street, and the boys sitting around a campfire are just a few examples. I could feel the characters’ frustration with the educational system, where students were penalized if they did not conform to their teachers’ beliefs. It was easy to understand why these young men would not want the word “father” replaced with “secondary parent” in legal documents. Professional illustrations are used throughout the book, and maps of all the locations are at the end. Although there are many serious topics, such as drug and alcohol abuse, parental neglect, oppression, and many more, the author has incorporated humor throughout the book. One example is the focus on Catholic traditions. The boys have their opinions about this, and Christians reading the book need to have an open mind and not be easily offended.

The vulgar language, sex talk, and sexual gestures in this book may be offensive to some readers. However, they fit with the storyline about 14-year-old boys, and I consider this a personal preference for readers, not a negative aspect of the book.

I gave this exceptionally well-edited book 5 out of 5 stars because of the positive aspects discussed above, the lack of negative aspects, the ending that left me wanting to read the next book in the series, and the author’s writing skill that left the book free of errors. I did not encounter any reason to give this book a lower score.

You should read this book if you are a mature adult interested in the impact of a Marxist society on you and how our educators can influence your children in ways you may not agree with. This book suits every religious or non-religious belief because the Catholic traditions within the storyline do not promote their beliefs. The profanity in this book is not appropriate for readers under the age of 18. Sensitive readers may be offended by the boys’ vulgar language, gestures, and other antics in this book.

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Hits to the Dome
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[Mark Lazarus]

This sounds like a bold and intense read, tackling controversial themes with a mix of dark humor and social commentary. I can see how it would appeal to those interested in exploring the influence of societal norms and education on young minds. The raw and unfiltered perspective of these boys could be both thought-provoking and disturbing. While I appreciate books that challenge conventional thinking, I’m not sure this one would be my cup of tea. However, I can see it resonating with readers who enjoy edgy, politically charged narratives.