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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Perhaps extreme horror is not for me…. Or at least this one wasn’t. I’d like to think gratuitous violence would be fine with me if it had a point, however this was just disgusting for the sake of being disgusting. Far too much sexual violence for meeee!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
WTF...
I can handle humans dying... But dogs?Barghest ? Fuck that! I almost cried reading the ending. Also, this is such a unique take on zombies, the outbreak, and religion. I believe 100% some nuts would decide to have a crusade over this. Honestly surprised it didn't happen during COVID. But this is slightly too close to home and that makes it all the more scary.
Great read though :)
I can handle humans dying... But dogs?
Great read though :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pandemic/Epidemic
This book is everything. A coming-of-age in a zombie apocalypse, found family, political/societal commentary, and a deep dive into religion. Every aspect was done in such a meaningful and full way that just felt correct. There was no part of the plot that I felt was unnecessary and everything connected in a heartbreaking but beautiful way.
The story follows Sophie, an extremely sheltered Catholic teenager. Her twin brother was taken a few years before after her parent found out he was gay and sent him to a conversion group. When a zombie apocalypse begins, turning the infected into list filled zombies, Sophie sees her own parents become infected, she and decides she must find her twin brother wherever he ended up. The rest of the book follows her journey, the people she meets, and the questions she has surrounding her religion.
This book had me absolutely hooked from the first chapter and it was all I can think about for the three days I read it. I fell in love with all of the characters and their stories and really gained so much from this reading experience. Easily one of the best fiction books I’ve ever read.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The story follows Sophie, an extremely sheltered Catholic teenager. Her twin brother was taken a few years before after her parent found out he was gay and sent him to a conversion group. When a zombie apocalypse begins, turning the infected into list filled zombies, Sophie sees her own parents become infected, she and decides she must find her twin brother wherever he ended up. The rest of the book follows her journey, the people she meets, and the questions she has surrounding her religion.
This book had me absolutely hooked from the first chapter and it was all I can think about for the three days I read it. I fell in love with all of the characters and their stories and really gained so much from this reading experience. Easily one of the best fiction books I’ve ever read.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
American Rapture is a magnificent piece of literature that explores religious trauma, familial abuse, and the end of the world. I don’t know that I will ever read such an impactful book. CJ Leede somehow wrote everything I didn’t know I needed to hear and packaged it into a post-apocalyptic horror book that was just up my alley. I am a better person because I read this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
i can excuse horny zombies but i draw the line at non-endings
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Eeeeekkk….i didn’t really enjoy this one.
Did I read the whole book? Yes.
There was something entertaining enough in the plot that I was willing to continue on.
I did find the ending unsatisfying. I felt like this whole book had a very “adult” tone and the ending felt very “YA”. I don’t know in a book where people are sexually assaulting each other….why the tone shift?
About halfway through the book, the whole zombie plot line just goes right out the door. They just stop being a problem all of sudden?? I was at least expecting during the final third act fight for there to be at least ONE zombie death scene?? None?? Really?
I did fall in love with the characters even Sophie at times but I did have a problem with how distant I felt. I feel in love with the type of people these characters are but I never felt close to them so none of the death did much damage to me. Also Sophie’s internal monologues got a bit much at times.
If you are going to write a splatterpunk novel or something very specific and gorey then go 200% in otherwise it just doesn’t feel like it can find its footing.
I loved Maeve Fly. I was huge fan of it and this in comparison is a little tough.
Please read the book and make your own opinion. These are just my thoughts.
Did I read the whole book? Yes.
There was something entertaining enough in the plot that I was willing to continue on.
I did find the ending unsatisfying. I felt like this whole book had a very “adult” tone and the ending felt very “YA”. I don’t know in a book where people are sexually assaulting each other….why the tone shift?
About halfway through the book, the whole zombie plot line just goes right out the door. They just stop being a problem all of sudden?? I was at least expecting during the final third act fight for there to be at least ONE zombie death scene?? None?? Really?
I did fall in love with the characters even Sophie at times but I did have a problem with how distant I felt. I feel in love with the type of people these characters are but I never felt close to them so none of the death did much damage to me. Also Sophie’s internal monologues got a bit much at times.
If you are going to write a splatterpunk novel or something very specific and gorey then go 200% in otherwise it just doesn’t feel like it can find its footing.
I loved Maeve Fly. I was huge fan of it and this in comparison is a little tough.
Please read the book and make your own opinion. These are just my thoughts.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Rape, Sexual violence