The Fifth Rule

"In this much-longed-for sequel to The First Stone, Don Aker once again brings us a taut, emotionally-charged story that is convincingly real and filled with multi-faceted and believable characters.... Aker's treatment of troubled youth ... will grip readers from beginning to end."
Atlantic Books Today
"Aker is a master at creating appealing characters and powerful relationships.... [He] is also a master at creating plots with multiple (but believable) coincidences and almost unbearable tension. Readers will find themselves holding their breath at an apparent abduction or a hand curled once again around a stone. It is literally a race to the finish as Leeza runs to save Reef, the young man who both wounded and healed her."
Canadian Children's Book News
"The Fifth Rule is a first-class read for lots of reasons. Aker has delivered a fine cast of interesting and well-drawn characters that teens will be able to relate to, including some terrific secondary ones.... But it's the story that's the main reason this book is a winner.... The Fifth Rule has a plot that pulls you along to its heart-racing final scenes. It's also a morality tale told with authentic, gritty believability that will get you thinking whether you're reading it alone or in the classroom (where it would be a great read-and-discuss book). When I got to the end of The Fifth Rule, I realized how much I genuinely cared about what happened to Reef and Leeza, and you can't ask more from a book than that."
The Sunday Herald
"Aker eases readers into the narrative by gently weaving the backstory [of The First Stone] into the first few chapters.... [His] sure and swift style drives the story with vigour ... before bringing it to a resounding climax. The Fifth Rule is a fine and satisfying follow-up."
Quill & Quire
"Compelling ... and heart-wrenching, The Fifth Rule would make an excellent novel to study in the classroom, both for its composition and for its themes and issues. Highly recommended."
CM Magazine
read a complete review of the novel

SYNOPSIS

Former young offender Reef Kennedy is back in Halifax for the funeral of his mentor, Frank Colville. He has no intention of staying long--memories of Frank compete with memories of Leeza and the terrible way their relationship ended. And then there's the restraining order against him, which Leeza's mother has renewed....
Leeza, in the meantime, is feeling stifled by her mother's "concern." A first-year university student, she is kicking herself for not attending a university out of town. And why can't she stop thinking about Reef, especially after all the pain he has caused her?
Despite their best efforts to stay away from each other, circumstances quickly unfold to push Reef and Leeza closer. An eager political crusader wants to shut down Reef's former group home, and he will stop at nothing to get media attention, including manipulating news items about Reef. Before he leaves town, Reef must face his demons and make some tough choices or else risk losing everything he has worked for, including the only girl he has ever loved.
Q&A

RECOGNITION

  • Nominated for the 2012 Ontario Library Association White Pine Award
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