H.I.V.E.

H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education is a book by Mark Walden, a former game designer-turned author. It is the story of an orphan who is brought into a large school where the first year students are sorted into four different “streams,” distinguished by the colors of their school uniforms. The main character meets the boy who becomes his best friend on the trip to the school. They are confronted by two bullies at the first group meal. One of their professors has been transformed into a cat and one of their fellow students is a clumsy boy who just happens to excel at working with plants. His first name is Neville—I mean, Nigel.

No, I’m not kidding.

I was intrigued by this book when I saw it advertised by our Media Center on our school announcement channel, so I checked it out over the weekend. Having just finished it, I have to say that J.K. Rowling has nothing to worry about as far as competition, but she may want to have her attorneys take a look at this book. Anyone else who has read the Harry Potter series may want to avoid it.