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bookclubtrivia's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pearcactus3's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I would definitely return to this one to see how I felt about it in the future. Very thought provoking
tmathews0330's review against another edition
4.0
Rachel grabbed my heart. It was fascinating to go on her journey with her.
reddyrat's review against another edition
4.0
Devoted is a very timely book given the plethora of stories about 19 Kids and Counting that makes people question their life choices even more than before. It is a quick, compelling read. The book isn't an easy title, because so many difficult issues are touched upon, but ultimately it has a sense of hope that I enjoyed.
Rachel is not the type of girl you would stereotypically break with her religion. She not rebellious nor brash. She spends most of her life caring for her younger siblings and her older brothers who apparently can't do anything for themselves. She cares deeply for her younger siblings and her mother and respects / fears her father (which seems to be the sentiment her father wants). At the same time, she knows that her life path is to get married very young and have loads of children, just like her faithful older sister and that doesn't seem like much of a future when it's already her life. Plus, she thirsts for knowledge. To read books like Wrinkle In Time, for which she is punished. To learn anything and everything.
What I liked best about Rachel is her quiet bravery. She doesn't make waves within her family until she's forced to. And then out in the "real world," she carefully adjusts to a new way of life. Throughout, she has an inherent idea of who she is and what she wants (even if she couldn't articulate it) and doesn't allow anyone else to define her.
Rachel escapes from her father and pastor into an entirely different world. She lives with Lauren, who is the stereotypically rebellious girl who broke with their church. She comes off as angry and preachy about her desire to be the opposite of the church. But she grows into a more full fledged character as the book goes on.
I thought the religious aspects of this book were handled very well. The uber conservative Christian church Rachel grew up in comes off as very stifling and horrific towards women. But Rachel doesn't do a 180 turn. She comes to know positive people in her life (even a possible love interest!) who bring her to a church where she can continue to exercise her faith but also be herself.
I really enjoyed this book even if it wasn't enjoyable. If I had any criticisms, it is that the men in her family and pastor veered towards cookie cutter evil. The women varied between being overly rigid and very innocent. I wish there had been at least one semi-positive portrayal of a man within that church, to introduce the idea that it was possible. But otherwise, I thought the characters were drawn subtly but also three dimensionally. Definitely a worthy read for anyone fascinated by different cultures and religions or by the Duggars.
Recommendation: Buy.
Rachel is not the type of girl you would stereotypically break with her religion. She not rebellious nor brash. She spends most of her life caring for her younger siblings and her older brothers who apparently can't do anything for themselves. She cares deeply for her younger siblings and her mother and respects / fears her father (which seems to be the sentiment her father wants). At the same time, she knows that her life path is to get married very young and have loads of children, just like her faithful older sister and that doesn't seem like much of a future when it's already her life. Plus, she thirsts for knowledge. To read books like Wrinkle In Time, for which she is punished. To learn anything and everything.
What I liked best about Rachel is her quiet bravery. She doesn't make waves within her family until she's forced to. And then out in the "real world," she carefully adjusts to a new way of life. Throughout, she has an inherent idea of who she is and what she wants (even if she couldn't articulate it) and doesn't allow anyone else to define her.
Rachel escapes from her father and pastor into an entirely different world. She lives with Lauren, who is the stereotypically rebellious girl who broke with their church. She comes off as angry and preachy about her desire to be the opposite of the church. But she grows into a more full fledged character as the book goes on.
I thought the religious aspects of this book were handled very well. The uber conservative Christian church Rachel grew up in comes off as very stifling and horrific towards women. But Rachel doesn't do a 180 turn. She comes to know positive people in her life (even a possible love interest!) who bring her to a church where she can continue to exercise her faith but also be herself.
I really enjoyed this book even if it wasn't enjoyable. If I had any criticisms, it is that the men in her family and pastor veered towards cookie cutter evil. The women varied between being overly rigid and very innocent. I wish there had been at least one semi-positive portrayal of a man within that church, to introduce the idea that it was possible. But otherwise, I thought the characters were drawn subtly but also three dimensionally. Definitely a worthy read for anyone fascinated by different cultures and religions or by the Duggars.
Recommendation: Buy.
erincataldi's review against another edition
4.0
Rachel has grown up as a strict, devout Christian. She and her 9 brothers and sisters have been homeschooled and warned of the dangers of "worldly people." When Rachel discovers that a Lauren, young girl who left the church several years ago, has returned to town, her curiosity is peaked. Already, questioning several aspects of her life (being expected to marry young and bear children is the only role designated for her), she decides to sneak onto the computer and learn more about Lauren. What made her leave? What is she doing now? Does she still believe in God? All of these questions, and eventual answers, spark in her a restlessness that is bound to get her in trouble. When the inevitable comes she is forced to make a life changing decision. Powerful, raw, and emotional, this young adult book about coming to terms with religion and staying true to yourself will have readers hooked. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated and worth a listen.
I received this audiobook for free from Librarything in return for my honest, unbiased review.
I received this audiobook for free from Librarything in return for my honest, unbiased review.
veecaswell's review against another edition
4.0
An empowering,coming of age story from Jennifer Matthieu, who is fast becoming the writer that I wish was around when I was in my teens if her books keep consistently being this damn good (spoilers ahead).
The characters, particularly Rachel are incredibly well developed in this book and seeing the relationship between Lauren and Rachel get stronger as they get to know one another and become friends is one of the most awesome and feminist parts of this book - there’s no judgement, just two people who get it and I love this book for the strong female friendship it portrayed.
I feel like the plot can move a little slowly sometimes, but it certainly picks up around eighty pages in and totally makes this book worth it. This book sucks you in slowly and then takes you on this emotional ride that you are going to need to take a breath for. Yes this book still feels like this book has probably happened, the best fiction lies in truth and Devoted certainly feels like the truth is there.
Another great book from Matthieu, I highly recommend this book if you liked books such as Autoboyography, it certainly feels it runs the same kind of lines.
The characters, particularly Rachel are incredibly well developed in this book and seeing the relationship between Lauren and Rachel get stronger as they get to know one another and become friends is one of the most awesome and feminist parts of this book - there’s no judgement, just two people who get it and I love this book for the strong female friendship it portrayed.
I feel like the plot can move a little slowly sometimes, but it certainly picks up around eighty pages in and totally makes this book worth it. This book sucks you in slowly and then takes you on this emotional ride that you are going to need to take a breath for. Yes this book still feels like this book has probably happened, the best fiction lies in truth and Devoted certainly feels like the truth is there.
Another great book from Matthieu, I highly recommend this book if you liked books such as Autoboyography, it certainly feels it runs the same kind of lines.
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
This hasn't quite knocked Moxie off the top of my 'books by Jennifer Mathieu' list, but it has overtaken Alice. I'm fascinated by cult narratives and how some people swallow it all and some see through it. This isn't the worst cult I've read about; there's no polygamy or child brides, for one thing, but it is bad enough, and I was proud of Rachel as she worked her way through it.
I wasn't sure about Mark, when he first turned up; my thoughts were something along the lines of 'Girl On Run From Patriarchal Cult Should Not Need Man To Save Her', and I was glad when that wasn't where the storyline went. I can't really explain that knee jerk reaction, since apart from some awkward flirting near the end he didn't really seem to register her as a girl.
I liked the other characters - even the Church members, most of whom seemed to be well-meaning, just too enmeshed to see anything else - and Jennifer Mathieu has firmly arrived on my Instabuy list.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
I open the closet we share and start pushing hangers aside, looking for something appropriate and clean, but I feel the ache in my throat about to crack open. Before I can stop myself, I sink to the floor of the closet and collapse into tears. I can't do anything right. I can't control my temptations not to think about Lauren, and I can't run the house properly. I'm not godly, I'm not good, I'm not like Faith, and my future husband won't ever appear if I keep being the mess of a girl that I am right now.
'Lord, please be with me,' I beg, hot tears sliding down my cheeks, frustrated that minutes before I could only scowl instead of find the right words to ask God for guidance.I can't even pray as well as Faith, who remembers the right Scripture to use at the right time. I cluch the hem of one of Ruth's dresses and scream into it as loud as I can, muffling the noise so no one hears me. Just as we don't scowl in front of each other, we don't raise our voices in anger in this house. Ever.
But for a moment, I feel lighter.
I wasn't sure about Mark, when he first turned up; my thoughts were something along the lines of 'Girl On Run From Patriarchal Cult Should Not Need Man To Save Her', and I was glad when that wasn't where the storyline went. I can't really explain that knee jerk reaction, since apart from some awkward flirting near the end he didn't really seem to register her as a girl.
I liked the other characters - even the Church members, most of whom seemed to be well-meaning, just too enmeshed to see anything else - and Jennifer Mathieu has firmly arrived on my Instabuy list.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
I open the closet we share and start pushing hangers aside, looking for something appropriate and clean, but I feel the ache in my throat about to crack open. Before I can stop myself, I sink to the floor of the closet and collapse into tears. I can't do anything right. I can't control my temptations not to think about Lauren, and I can't run the house properly. I'm not godly, I'm not good, I'm not like Faith, and my future husband won't ever appear if I keep being the mess of a girl that I am right now.
'Lord, please be with me,' I beg, hot tears sliding down my cheeks, frustrated that minutes before I could only scowl instead of find the right words to ask God for guidance.I can't even pray as well as Faith, who remembers the right Scripture to use at the right time. I cluch the hem of one of Ruth's dresses and scream into it as loud as I can, muffling the noise so no one hears me. Just as we don't scowl in front of each other, we don't raise our voices in anger in this house. Ever.
But for a moment, I feel lighter.
violinknitter's review against another edition
4.0
This book. Ok, I don't usually pick up contemporary YA. I usually stick closer to fantasy, sci fi, or mystery. I heard about this book via Cynthia Jeub's blog, however, & had to check it out. A novel about a teenage girl growing up in the Quiverfull/patriarchy/Christian fundamentalist homeschooling movement? Yes, please! (I'd heard good things about Mathieu's debut novel, so I was pretty sure she was a good writer.)
I downloaded this book from Audible on a Friday, fully intending to let it sit while I finished several other audiobooks. But then I listened to the first chapter, and then I spent the entire rest of the weekend obsessively listening to DEVOTED.
The ending made me laugh a bit, because Also, I was wondering how Mathieu would end the book, since Rachel's journey to freedom will, in some ways, take decades.
Anyway, excellent story about a strong young woman learning to trust herself and use her own strength & intelligence to step into her own life.
I downloaded this book from Audible on a Friday, fully intending to let it sit while I finished several other audiobooks. But then I listened to the first chapter, and then I spent the entire rest of the weekend obsessively listening to DEVOTED.
Spoiler
One of my absolute favorite aspects of the book was the juxtaposition of Rachel's experience in the fundamentalist church, and Lauren's experience in the same church. I also loved how both girls dealt with their trauma differently, with Lauren rejecting Christianity altogether, and Rachel choosing to hold on to her belief in God anyway. It struck me as very true-to-life, judging by a number of the homeschool alumni blogs that I read.The ending made me laugh a bit, because
Spoiler
it was such a typically YA type ending... walking into her new high school for the first time. It's a very good ending for the book, but it made me laugh anyway.Anyway, excellent story about a strong young woman learning to trust herself and use her own strength & intelligence to step into her own life.
kawarwick's review against another edition
5.0
What an awesome story! I want my friends to read it so we can talk about it.
beynotce's review against another edition
4.0
Escape from a fundy upbringing by someone who clearly knows from fundy upbringings. I have no idea if this comes from research or experience, but Jennifer Mathieu handles the premise of this book with surprising deftness. And the story here is excellent. A coming of age story not driven by romance? Or anything other than a character's desire to become a whole person? Practically revolutionary.