Riding with the Hides of Hell

Alternating between tough Miki Holtz and easygoing Will Sullivan, both 17, Leigh’s uneven tale of family and motorcycle clubs suffers from a frustrating lack of communication. After Will wipes out on his motorcycle while drunk, his father forces him to come along on a bike rally in the Pacific Northwest as a final memorial for Will’s mother, who died in a car accident the previous year. Will winds up sharing a bike with Miki, the daughter of the acting president of the Hides of Hell motorcycle club, who is head over heels for Will despite his seeming lack of interest. Then the two make a decision that puts them in the middle of a conflict between the Hides of Hell and a rival club. Leigh (Dealing with Blue) creates rounded characters in both Will and Miki: his inability to move on from his mother’s death and her self-confidence are highlights of the novel. However, Leigh glosses over the unsavory parts of the club, including its illegal activities, and most of the obstacles the characters face, both physical and emotional, could have been avoided by having conversations. Ages 14–up. (BookLife)