hoosthatbookworm's review
5.0
I picked up this book because the plot synopsis intrigued me. I had to see how Katelyn Detweiler achieved a pregnant virgin without her being 100% the Virgin Mary. I had not expected to be as drawn to this book as I actually was. From the minute that Mina became pregnant I had to keep following the story to figure out how this seemingly perfect girl's life was going to change...because let's be real here...pregnancy + high school = DRAMA! Mina loses a lot, but gains oh so much more, including her own identity. We always are told growing up that life changes like this show you who your real friends are, and that is as true for us as it is for Mina. She could be a great role model in the way that she stands up for herself, and even when everyone, the internet included, is standing against her, she never changes her story about her divine little baby. More people could be like Mina and stand up for their beliefs. Her strength is definitely to be admired. People that have felt pressured to change will be impressed with how this book pans out, and they may just feel better about themselves in the mean time.
weaslove's review
1.0
I don't know where to begin. This book is... I hated it from the beginning to the end. It's the worse read of my year, of my life I think.
Mina is unbearable, every so-called actions she made are WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT ?! And when I thought this was getting better, it get worse. I still don't understand how it was possible. The demonstration was pretty acceptable but SERIOUSLY ?! going out in front of those people ? Mina, are you thinking ?! And the end... Speechless. Saying that the baby is dead because of the demonstration, this is horrible. I can't imagine how the family could go with that.
This book deserve 0 star, it was a complete lost of time.
Mina is unbearable, every so-called actions she made are WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT ?! And when I thought this was getting better, it get worse. I still don't understand how it was possible. The demonstration was pretty acceptable but SERIOUSLY ?! going out in front of those people ? Mina, are you thinking ?! And the end... Speechless. Saying that the baby is dead because of the demonstration, this is horrible. I can't imagine how the family could go with that.
This book deserve 0 star, it was a complete lost of time.
lexyg's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book. I wanted to love it so bad and at first I was loving it, but then it felt.... flat, so long for no reason and the characters became bland and just.... I didn’t like it. It was an awesome idea, and I think If read it a few years back, I might actually love it the way I wanted.
thebookishlibrarian's review against another edition
Seventeen-year-old Mina is at the top of her class, has a great boyfriend and is a fierce problem solver. She’s also a virgin and pregnant, and fears that this is one problem that she can’t figure out. She hasn’t had sex with her boyfriend, but no one believes her claims of virginity. What’s more, her boyfriend believes that she cheated on him, and she has no way of proving otherwise. Mina is labeled a liar and a fraud by most, but there are some people who are on her side and believe that her unborn baby is a true miracle.
carlylwbug's review against another edition
3.0
I'm struggling between 3 or 4 stars for this book. While the book at some points went slow and I found myself skimming over paragraphs, the character development of Mina, the "pregnant virgin," was well thought out throughout the course of the novel. I enjoyed finding myself behind the scenes of how Mina's life slowly unraveled. She stayed resilient and strong, battling against some shocking hatred, and it was definitely an interesting read.
One of the main problems I had with the book however was there were odd spellings to certain words, the words RSVP was spelled RVSP and that just annoyed me. The word "wench" was what the girls used to describe their friends, which was strange. I'm not sure if it was an East Coast thing to do or what, but people here on the West Coast do not use the term "wench" to describe their friends. Also the book began with literally no swearing at all, then close to the end a couple swear words were tossed in. It seemed very unnecessary.
One of the main problems I had with the book however was there were odd spellings to certain words, the words RSVP was spelled RVSP and that just annoyed me. The word "wench" was what the girls used to describe their friends, which was strange. I'm not sure if it was an East Coast thing to do or what, but people here on the West Coast do not use the term "wench" to describe their friends. Also the book began with literally no swearing at all, then close to the end a couple swear words were tossed in. It seemed very unnecessary.
wendytheowl's review against another edition
2.0
Clairement, le livre peut se lire facilement, mais pour moi ce fut une longue lecture.
N'ayant aucune croyance, j'ai eu quelques difficultés avec l'aspect religieux du livre.
Beaucoup de détails, de choses m'ont tout simplement énervée, j'aurai aimé secouer les personnages, crier à certains de disparaitre etc.
Je lirai le deuxième tome, car je suis une curieuse, et j'espère que j'aurai réponses à mes questions. Et j'espère également que ça sera une meilleure lecture.
N'ayant aucune croyance, j'ai eu quelques difficultés avec l'aspect religieux du livre.
Beaucoup de détails, de choses m'ont tout simplement énervée, j'aurai aimé secouer les personnages, crier à certains de disparaitre etc.
Je lirai le deuxième tome, car je suis une curieuse, et j'espère que j'aurai réponses à mes questions. Et j'espère également que ça sera une meilleure lecture.
erinlynn1989's review against another edition
4.0
In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must state that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler is a beautiful book that wasn't too pushy when it came to religion and religious aspects, even though it is a biblical retelling. I found myself enjoying Ms. Detweiler's writing, and I loved that she even included a few references to the Bible and other religious texts in the book. It made understanding the history behind Mina's story a bit easier for me. (Because if I'm being honest, I don't know absolutely everything about the birth of Jesus - just the basics.) The brief inclusion of the religious aspects also makes the book feel more graspable than I thought it would be, and I felt like Detweiler was reaching out to readers who aren't Christians.
The rest of my review and an interview with Katelyn Detweiler can be seen on my blog, The Hardcover Lover.
Immaculate by Katelyn Detweiler is a beautiful book that wasn't too pushy when it came to religion and religious aspects, even though it is a biblical retelling. I found myself enjoying Ms. Detweiler's writing, and I loved that she even included a few references to the Bible and other religious texts in the book. It made understanding the history behind Mina's story a bit easier for me. (Because if I'm being honest, I don't know absolutely everything about the birth of Jesus - just the basics.) The brief inclusion of the religious aspects also makes the book feel more graspable than I thought it would be, and I felt like Detweiler was reaching out to readers who aren't Christians.
The rest of my review and an interview with Katelyn Detweiler can be seen on my blog, The Hardcover Lover.
syren96's review against another edition
4.0
Proof provided by Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers and Netgalley
The second book in about a week that I just couldn't put down. I was worried that this might be overly preachy/religious for my taste, but it really was just a great read.
The book, by the synopsis, is about a modern girl who is chosen for an immaculate conception, because the world needs this to happen. But really, what I took away from this book was a story about friendship, unconditional love and faith/trust, even in a non-religious sense. It's about the people who stick around, and the ones who leave and return, and the ones who just leave when times get tough or complicated.
I loved the character of Mina and that she was able to give a perspective on what it would be like to be chosen to bring change to the world when it can be difficult to accept or understand why. I liked that she wasn't 100% sure about what was happening to her, and that the author wasn't afraid to let her doubt. Knowing the story of the Annunciation and the Nativity and the events that followed, it was easy to spot who certain characters were representing in this, but it didn't take away from the depth that the author gave them.
A really enjoyable and unexpected read.
The second book in about a week that I just couldn't put down. I was worried that this might be overly preachy/religious for my taste, but it really was just a great read.
The book, by the synopsis, is about a modern girl who is chosen for an immaculate conception, because the world needs this to happen. But really, what I took away from this book was a story about friendship, unconditional love and faith/trust, even in a non-religious sense. It's about the people who stick around, and the ones who leave and return, and the ones who just leave when times get tough or complicated.
I loved the character of Mina and that she was able to give a perspective on what it would be like to be chosen to bring change to the world when it can be difficult to accept or understand why. I liked that she wasn't 100% sure about what was happening to her, and that the author wasn't afraid to let her doubt. Knowing the story of the Annunciation and the Nativity and the events that followed, it was easy to spot who certain characters were representing in this, but it didn't take away from the depth that the author gave them.
A really enjoyable and unexpected read.
plumeriade's review against another edition
2.0
i wanted to like this, i really did, but the rating is truly "it was okay." when i finished, i felt like the book was missing some honest heart. there is plenty of melodrama, and plenty of contrived monologues from other characters, but there were no moments that really make you feel the sadness and the excitement or whatever else you're supposed to be feeling. and there's nothing new or surprising in this story.