Todd Sweeney: The Fiend of Fleet High

By: David Pratt

Narrated by: David Pratt

Every gay boy needs an ally who will kill for him. And no boy could have a better ally than Todd Sweeney.

When Todd's best friend, Toby Ragg, is threatened by homophobic guidance counselor Ashford Squeers, Todd swings into action. But he swings just a bit too hard. Enter best pal Nellie Lovett, who has very creative ideas for making the mess disappear. But then Fleet High bad boy Ryan Plouf threatens Toby and Nellie. Suddenly, Ryan is missing, too, and local cop Tarron Littey is asking some very inconvenient questions.

Meanwhile, Toby's parents threaten to put him in a gay conversion camp. Can Todd and Nellie save Toby before the cops discover just what happened to Fleet High's worst? To find out, dig in and devour Todd Sweeney. And yes, it's okay to use your hands.

©2019 David Pratt (P)2019 David Pratt

Interesting Take on a Classic

Dark and deliciously twisted.

Todd Sweeney just wants to take care of those around him, especially his friend Toby. When he learns of what he went through in a re-education center, he takes matters into his own hands to protect him. Along with his love interest, Nelly, they hatch a plan to save their friends, one dark plan at a time.

I loved this modern remake of a classic. This book with filled with dark humor, action, and romance. This is not your typical YA horror.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Horrifically irreverent and deeply emotional

Todd Sweeney is back from reform school to serve his last year in high school at Fleet High. The evil guidance counselor, Squeers, is trying to take over the world. He’s a bully, a bigot, racist, etc. and has it out for Todd.

Squeers pushes Todd too far and oops, too bad for Squeers.

Nellie, bless her pragmatic heart, describes Squeers as a physics problem. “He has to be converted into something.” And with a little imagination, a little elbow grease and YouTube voila! Ashford empanadas for the Ashford Squeers scholarship fund. Lol!

The ridiculous is paired with the macabre in this story. So much murder in the name of philanthropy and protection is just out there and messed with my psyche.

Which, of course, it’s supposed to do.

The audiobook narration is performed with much enthusiasm. The first chapter was a bit too screechy for me, but it does put you in the right frame of mind.

Reconciling the heavy themes (sexual assault, anti-gay, racism, sexism, power) with the joyful murders stretched me. Cuz wow. This is my first time reading this author and I wasn’t expecting anything so thought-provoking. It’s a very good satire.

Trigger alert- There are conversion therapy scenes and descriptions of sexual assault.

Todd Sweeney: The Fiend of Fleet High

This is a different take on an old tale. Todd and Nellie are high school students that must do what they can to help their friends. Todd's nemesis pushes him to far one day and the horror begins. Listeners are taken along for the ride as these two soon find themselves on the run as they help to protect their friends from the evil in their community. There is strong imagery and sexual content making this a book that leans more towards adults. The story moves along quickly and has some interesting and insightful moments. The author has created strong characters that grow throughout this story and their journey will pull on your heart stings at times. The narration is done well, nicely flowing and easily understood.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Re-imaging of Sweeney Todd - A Strange New Take

Todd's friend Toby was sent to a gay conversion camp by his parents and he was also threatened by a school counselor. Todd decides to take revenge for his friend along with his friend Nellie. And revenge they do take, in strange and bizarre ways. They also decide they must rid the town of bad people....

A modern and twisted take on an already twisted story. While somewhat enjoyable, parts left me a little put off as the tale grew more macabre and darker.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.