Full review [here].

As proven by Scythe and Thunderhead, Shusterman knows how to write a compelling story. Bruiser is no exception, and contains the multitude of psychological analyses and character perspectives I’ve come to love from Shusterman’s work.

I don't know if I'd hand this to someone to be their first foray into his work though, but reading it shows how much more Shusterman has developed as a writer.