Becky's Book Reviews: 32. HappyHead

Thursday, March 27, 2025

32. HappyHead

32. HappyHead. Josh Silver. 2023. 383 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, YA dystopia, YA fiction]

First sentence: "I think it's down there," Mum says.

Premise/plot: Is HappyHead 'like Hunger Games' but better'? Maybe. So essentially this is a [queer] dystopian thriller with a strong emphasis on mental health. That is, to rephrase it, what if the 'mental health treatment center' was at the [horrific] core of the dystopia. What if the people entrusted with caring for society's most vulnerable, most at risk, were evil monsters. Sebastian, the narrator, is a young gay teen who is struggling with balancing pleasing himself [being true to himself] and wanting to please others. This isn't only about sexual orientation or identity. This is about him being a people-pleaser even when it is making him deeply unhappy. I think it is an also universal struggle in that age-old question: do I really want to be the person my parents want me to be?

So Sebastian (Seb) is one of many [a hundred I think????] chosen to take part in a mental health retreat. 'At risk' and 'troubled' teens applied for experimental therapy treatment 'HappyHeads.' They'll be put into teams and face challenges--literal at time: physical challenges, mental and emotional as well. What wasn't quite advertised is that this is a competition. Each participant has a ranking. To what extent 'rankings' matter remains to be seen....for most of the novel.

Readers meet the other participants....notably Eleanor and Finn. Finn is the 'bad boy' of his dreams. Eleanor is his 'partner' in pretense but also for tactical reasons. She's ranked HIGHLY and she seems to have an instinct for knowing what the powers that be want from the participants. Because Seb wants to please the powers that be, he finds it easier to go along with her.

Obviously there are secrets and twists and turns....

My thoughts: I found this to be a compelling read. Not at all my normal 'cup of tea' if you will. But unlike Hunger Games, there is no love triangle. AND it is not really focused on being a love story. It is much more in the 'dystopia' and 'coming of age' and 'thriller' camp than being a romance.

Unlike Hunger Games, the characters ARE IN THE DARK. The mysteries are true mysteries. The suspense feels more authentic that way. Hunger Games is very this-is-the-way-things-are. There is something rigid and strict about Hunger Games. The Games may be twisted, however, there's order and structure and HISTORY. This leads to plenty of info-dump possibilities. HappyHead is different in that Seb truly has no idea what is going on and what may be coming. None of the characters do.