Reviewed by Holly for TeensReadToo.com

"I am here master, command me."

Thirteen-year-old Davie and his best friend, Geordie, have a wild time when Stephen Rose moves into Crazy Mary's house; she's the craziest woman they know. When the church paster informs Davie that he is expected to be friends with this new, weird kid, he is in shock.

When Stephen shows Davie how they both have powers to make things come to life, Davie's life starts falling apart. He and Geordie are not friends anymore, he's stealing from his church, the girl he loves thinks he's crazy, and he and Stephen Rose are making a life-size monster--and it makes absolutely no sense at all.

When this brilliant idea of bringing something to life turns into a total meltdown and starts to kill someone, Davie has no choice but the obvious. What will he do, or what can he do?

This is a great book that I think explores the unknown imagination. It is a well-written story that has exciting detail in each chapter. ( )

Clay is an unusual set-up for a coming of age type of story. Davie and Georgie, two “good” altar boys, are urged by their parish priest and Davie’s mum to become friendly with the new boy in town, Stephen Rose. Davie and Georgie have their own problems, with a bully on their heels, and Davie’s nascent interest in a girl, and are not that interested in Stephen Rose. Stephen’s background is suspicious to them—his father’s dead, his mum is locked away in a mental home, he was kicked out of a seminary school, and he’s living with his only living relative, a crazy very religious aunt. But Stephen is attracted to Davie and introduces him to new adventures—including the creation from riverbed clay of a living figure Davie names Clay. There are questions of faith, love, family, hate, revenge, and redemption, all wrapped up in one young man’s dilemma of dealing with a friend who isn’t such a good friend. ( )

A little creepy.. but the overall storyline is entertaining. It was a little boring towards the end of the book. The author could put a little more imagery and detail in descriptions of things.

Joy Yau 10N

Disturbing but I can't pinpoint exact reasons. Some might like it; for young adult boys. ( )

The words unsettling, creepy, supernaturally eerie, bizarre, spooky and unconventional come to mind when describing this book.

Geordie and Davie are thirteen and learning to be tough when facing the town bully Martin Mould and his small gang of near do wells. The situation quickly gets out of hand when the physical altercations tend toward violence.

When Stephen Rose comes to town, this mysterious character about whom little is known but much is speculated molds and exerts evil influence upon Davie with disastrous consequences.

This dark tale is primarily about Stephen and Davie who attempt to play God. Creepy Stephen Rose has the ability to form lifelike figures from clay. Seeking revenge on Martin Mould, together Stephen and Davie fashion a clay man who, in a zombie like trance, comes to life and obeys their commands.

I'd like to write a nice tidy ending to the story, but there isn't one. I'm still sorting through my feelings/thoughts about this book. I thoroughly enjoyed all other Almond books I read, but I think I should have left this one on the book shelf. ( )