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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
First off, holy shit this book is dark. I think the glittery cover fooled me but seriously this is over 300 pages of young-woman-in-peril, nonstop. That said, I really don't know what to think of it. It was definitely compelling and well-written; I wanted to find out what would happen. But something about it felt sort of...overly cruel? Most of the characters were one-dimensional to a fault. It was like the author didn't trust us to know that nuanced people can still do awful things. And even the characters we are supposed to identify some humanity in by the end still feel like caricatures: the poor people are wayward and greasy, the sex workers are traumatized, the alcoholics are irredeemable. It's not that I don't think a book can explore the real challenges that can come with some of the above experiences, but the predictability of some of the descriptions of people, along with the, again, NONSTOP horror thrown at the main character, made it feel over-the-top. If the apocalyptic cult in the desert vibe appeals to you, Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins covers similar ground in a way that, I think, is a little less knock-you-over-the-head.
This book is…many things. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars. Some parts were considerably disjointed, written almost just for the sake of being weird, it felt. The author sometimes seemed to be wanting to create a dreamish-realism but the moments came on abruptly in a story that was mostly only fiction and so it didn’t feel right or read seamlessly. Our 14 year protagonist’s narrative also didn’t always feel reliable. She stayed sharp and aware throughout, but some moments she’d be wise beyond her years or know things meant only for established adults, and the next she’d be a naive preteen in a religious cult.
All of the criticism aside - the story itself was compelling, deeply troubling, moving and mostly painful to read, as in, you hurt along with Lacey, you love her instantly, your rooting for her from the first page and you keep rooting for her well past the book is all over. There are a lot of difficult (and triggering) parts to read, but there is also redemption and that makes it worth it.
C/w: child rape, child neglect and abuse
All of the criticism aside - the story itself was compelling, deeply troubling, moving and mostly painful to read, as in, you hurt along with Lacey, you love her instantly, your rooting for her from the first page and you keep rooting for her well past the book is all over. There are a lot of difficult (and triggering) parts to read, but there is also redemption and that makes it worth it.
C/w: child rape, child neglect and abuse
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a single man in this story had any redeeming qualities.
First and foremost, I think a really good book makes you feel things - even if those things repulse you and make you uncomfortable. Godshot had me feeling everything- from disgust at manipulation in the name of religion to pure joy at characters finding themselves. An unexpected thing I loved about this book was the subtle humor sprinkled in, making the heavy topics of this book just a tiny bit lighter. I received an arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For a reader's guide, check out my blog post: https://kelseylovesbooks.com/2020/04/21/readers-guide-godshot/
For a reader's guide, check out my blog post: https://kelseylovesbooks.com/2020/04/21/readers-guide-godshot/
*Thanks to Catapult + NetGalley for the ARC!*
I've had this one on my shelf for quite some time and finally picked it up - I literally don't have words. It's a crazy story that's just crazy enough to feel real in a world that has real life Westboro Baptist members so, there's that comparison for ya.
I've had this one on my shelf for quite some time and finally picked it up - I literally don't have words. It's a crazy story that's just crazy enough to feel real in a world that has real life Westboro Baptist members so, there's that comparison for ya.
Lacey Mae put all of her trust into her preacher and the cult of self-righteous men who abused her, her neglectful mother and family who did nothing to stop them, and the god who remained silent through all of her pain and left her unprepared for suffering.
Holy shit, this book.
It’s about cults, faith, motherhood, drought, female empowerment, found family, and so much more. We follow an extraordinary young woman coping through trauma and clinging onto hope when the world around her is burning. This is a darkly humorous, deeply affecting story with an unforgettable protagonist. Please look up the content warnings but if you are comfortable reading this, I highly recommend.
CW: rape, alcoholism, incest, cults, emotional abuse
Holy shit, this book.
It’s about cults, faith, motherhood, drought, female empowerment, found family, and so much more. We follow an extraordinary young woman coping through trauma and clinging onto hope when the world around her is burning. This is a darkly humorous, deeply affecting story with an unforgettable protagonist. Please look up the content warnings but if you are comfortable reading this, I highly recommend.
CW: rape, alcoholism, incest, cults, emotional abuse