Satellite Down by Veronica Mars

The Quick Cut: A high school guy gets the gig of his dreams when he's selected to be a reporter for a teen news show for schools across the country. Life gets thrown into chaos as he moves to LA and his entire lifestyle changes... leaving his relationships at risk.

A Real Review:

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is actually the re-release of a book that Rob Thomas originally released back in 1998, but the material here definitely holds up well and the story has a moral that still matters. However, there are a few references that pop up that show their outdatedness (I can't remember that last time someone talked about Peter Jennings the reporter or Shaq the basketball pro).

Patrick Sheridan lives in the small town of Doggett, Texas with his very catholic family and devoted girlfriend when the school news show Classroom Direct comes calling. Patrick's application to work for the Classroom Direct people has been reviewed and accepted for the upcoming semester, if he is willing to move to LA. His parents hesitate, but eventually allow him to pursue his dream of being a reporter as long as he follows their rules.

However, like every good moral story... Patrick lasts about 15 seconds in LA before he starts compromising his ethics and beliefs in order to fit in and blend with the others around him. It doesn't take very long before he's in strip clubs, drinking, doing drugs, sleeping with girls, lying, skipping church, and cheating on his girlfriend. When he used to cling closely to the religious beliefs of his parents, he now is living a life where he's completely rejected them. Too bad his naughty behavior catches up to him and ends up getting in the way of his Classroom Direct gig, ends up in the hands of his parents, and with his girlfriend seeing him cheating.

Rob has this amazing ability to write a character with such flair that you want to connect with and understand. Patrick's fall is one with spectacular penache and its interesting to see just what secrets he ends up finding along the way. Considering he's been told that he only gets what he wants due to his looks, maybe he is doing this to fight that view from others. Maybe he's trying to convince himself. Either way, its hard to understand his reasons behind what he does and as much as I hate to say this, he's no Veronica Mars (really, when is book 3?!?!).

With a story about losing your integrity, this one is worth reading. However, its not nearly as relatable and enjoyable as his more recent works with the Veronica Mars books.

My rating: 4 out of 5