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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Had to power through several overwritten / verbose sections. A cool story
Omg, this book. Gifted from a best friend. 3.5 stars. Cults, climate change, child abuse and all sorts of other abuse, motherhood... and female empowerment. I wanted to hate this book and yet I couldn't put it down. But also maybe don't read it when childbirth is fresh in your mind.
Godshot had a really interesting premise. I've always been intrigued by cults and how they manipulate and control impressionable others who are often seeking something else. This book is pretty tough to read, just because there is so much, emotionally that Lacey goes though. I was rooting for her, and in a way, she found her happy ending, though still heartbreaking and definitely still debatable. While this book was interesting, I think my hopes were maybe too high.
Not sure how this book came to be on my list of books to read, it is not like anything I usually read.
Nonetheless, it is an interesting story told from the point of view of a 14 year old girl who is under the spell of a religious charlatan, living in terrible conditions in a town suffering a drought. She has family issues, and the entire town is under the spell of the false prophet. The girl slowly awakens to the reality of her situation and in the end shows a resiliency which is a joy to see.
Nonetheless, it is an interesting story told from the point of view of a 14 year old girl who is under the spell of a religious charlatan, living in terrible conditions in a town suffering a drought. She has family issues, and the entire town is under the spell of the false prophet. The girl slowly awakens to the reality of her situation and in the end shows a resiliency which is a joy to see.
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a tough one for me to review; I read it as part of a challenge, trying to get outside my 'usual' fare, but I think maybe it's just not a book for me. It's a decent read, with some truly poignant moments, particularly as the main character tries to come to terms with her relationship to her mom-- something that isn't, and never will be, what she wants it to be.
But... well... To me, the setup of this was too horrifying for where it went; I just couldn't get over my unease with it to feel good about her happy(ish) ending. And as much as I like the idea of reading outside my comfort zone... I don't know, it just makes it fall flat for me.
But... well... To me, the setup of this was too horrifying for where it went; I just couldn't get over my unease with it to feel good about her happy(ish) ending. And as much as I like the idea of reading outside my comfort zone... I don't know, it just makes it fall flat for me.
Taking the viewpoint of a frog inside a pot of water being brought to boil, this book gives the reader a first person POV of a young girl being brought up inside a religious cult. A fascinating, adventurous read that’s sick and twisted but ends in well deserved triumph.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 ⭐️
Crazy cult, female empowerment, chosen family, smart-as-a-whip Lacey May, sexuality, beautiful and warm writing. I loved this one!!
Crazy cult, female empowerment, chosen family, smart-as-a-whip Lacey May, sexuality, beautiful and warm writing. I loved this one!!
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars: Chelsea Bieker is a beautiful writer; there were some passages that stunned me with her use of language. Parts of the book/plot felt like a familiar formula re: a community that falls prey to a "charismatic" cult leader and the patriarchal demands on young women in the community. But even some of the familiar storylines shone in Bieker's language. Really excited to read what she writes next!