Nemesis, a Character analysis

 

       

 

    Nemesis is the first book in a series by Brendan Reichs. The story takes place in a town called Fire Lake. It’s picturesque and quaint, a place someone may visit for vacation. However, it’s also secluded, bound to the outside by the single bridge known as the plank, and what’s going on in secret is far from pretty. The book starts out with the point of view of Min. She has lived her whole life in this town and has died there 4 times. Since she turned 8, on her even numbered birthdays, she is found, is killed, and resets in the same spot in the forest. However, it was not till Min’s 16th birthday that the rest of the world started to fear for their lives, because a giant asteroid named the Anvil was discovered to have broken orbit and entered a possible collision course with Earth. With its size and its speed it could mean the end of the world. However, this news is only the beginning of the end of Min’s world as the facade of her seemingly innocent town starts to slip.  While juggling the problems at school posed by the grade’s bully Ethan, she begins to notice other new things which are not quite right. First, her highly observant psychiatrist did not mention the Anvil. Then, when she and Tack eavesdrop on their principle they overhear a highly suspicious conversation. Later, they observe soldiers starting to pour into the abandoned military base near the small town, and when Min and Tack decide to break into Min’s psychiatrist’s office, what they find is strange. As Min tries to make sense of the odds and ends which indicate something big has been going on in this town, a few things are certain, it has to do with a project called Nemesis, it is somehow linked to the Anvil, and Min and a kid named Noah are at the center of it. However, after breaking into her psychiatrist's office, many things about project Nemesis are still unclear and as the project’s deadline nears, Min may find out one way or another.

In my opinion Min has the types of strengths which make her a good main character of the books, because she is able to move the story forward by figuring things out. One of Min’s strengths is that she is pretty talented at reading people. She knows when her mom is lying, and she knew pretty quickly not to fully trust her psychiatrist. She is smart in general which is shown by her ability to link clues together clues to what Nemesis is, and figure out what to do next. She is also brave, as she is willing to stand up for Tack against Ethan, and sneak into her psychiatrist's office to access the files about her. She has a good sense of morals, and despite how rough the situation may get, she is somehow able to keep thinking clearly.

I think Thomas Russo, or Tack, plays the role of the loyal friend in this story. Min and him have been friends ever since they were little and Tack is usually pretty willing to go along with Min’s schemes or at least have her back. He is brave, but when standing up against the grade’s bully, Ethan, Tack does not seem to know when to stop.  He knows that Ethan is ready and willing to beat him up, but Tack still fires back and provokes Ethan further. His wit is shown throughout the book, and adds to the story in my opinion, but unfortunately a lot of it is directed at Ethan. Tack’s bravado may be false at times, but his ability to keep to and follow through with some risky plan’s that he and Min execute, is admirable.

Noah also plays a big role in project Nemesis. Noah sufferers from a traumatic past, which seems to be present throughout his thoughts. He is also afraid of many things causing him to be too hard on himself in believing that he is simply a coward. Noah is not an overly extroverted person, but due to his father’s money and his good looks, he gets dragged into the “popular group”. He is either too nice or two afraid to stand up to them so Ethan and the rest of the group take advantage of him being rich. Noah seems to have a fairly good moral sense; he does not seem to agree with what the group does to Tack. However, he is too afraid to stand up to Ethan. Thus, at first Noah comes off as pretty nonchalant and indifferent.

Ethan is almost your classic bully. He is popular, strong, and a jerk. Throughout the story he seems like he needs to be seen as perfect and in charge.  He also seems to be used to getting his way. This causes almost everybody except Tack to be careful with what they say around him. For example, when playing basketball with Ethan, Noah usually lets Ethan win. Then, on the occasion in the book where Noah wins, he downplays it to placate Ethan. 

In my opinion, Principal Meyers and the physiatrist, Dr. Lowell, seem kind of like henchmen to an antagonist, sense they are clearly associated with Nemesis, but do not seem to be orchestrating the project. In my opinion, Dr.Lowell himself is rather sketchy. Once when Min came back to the physiatrists office after a session, she saw him hurridly writing notes. He prescribed her some medication, but when Min searches it up she can not find anything about it. Principle Meyers is a tough ex soldier who served in Iraq. He is strict and wants to maintain order. He also still talks to the government and it is made quite apparent that he is involved with project Nemesis. Finally, not much is said about the man behind Min’s murders. He just shows up and kills her like her own horrible personal boogeyman. Then the main description which is given of him, is that he wears a black suit and before he kills her, he says sorry.

Overall, I thought the characters were well written and throughout the story I found my self rooting for Min. I also thought the author did a good job providing a variety of characters. I think that Ethan can come off as a little cliche at times, but I think he adds a good layer to the story. Min and Tack are pretty strong protagonists and I think they author makes it really easy for the reader to visualize them going in and facing their struggle head on. I also think the author wrote Noah's character really well, as he seems a little hesitant towards diving into the schemes and I think he provides a nice character to relate to. I thought Dr. Lowell and Principle Meyers were aptly suspicious and the murderer fittingly mysterious. In addition, I thought the book was overall written really well and it was really interesting. Many times I found it hard to put the book down due to the well written suspense. Thus, I would give it a 10/10 and highly recommend it.

- Annie