Gifted

Gifted appears to be about an extremely Machiavellian boy who learns that being a stuck-up jerk in preparation for future admiration is not as good as being a stuck-up jerk for present admiration.  He flat-out lies several times to further his own ends and is obsessed with two things: himself and revenge on the school bullies.  It's not a dark book, though.  It appears to be quite light and whimsical, in fact.  I actually like that the character is unsympathetic:  it's harder to write and makes for an interesting read.