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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall pretty good, but goes on too long. If you're uncomfortable with mixtures of horror and religion, keep away
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
"We are broken and battered and not the same people we were. We hardly even know ourselves at all. We are drowning in a grief so terrible and ripping, and profound we might not live through it. I have so many questions, never ending. So much to learn."
CJ Leede is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me.
American Rapture like Maeve fly felt so fresh and new, it is unlike anything you have read before and in a time when I feel the same book is getting published again and again - we need books like CJ Leede's.
The plot for this one was exquisite, I was immediately hooked and even though the meat of the apocalypse doesn't start until nearing the 100 page mark the pacing is still so great. And those early chapters of setting the scene and getting to know the characters were so essential for the growth the character goes through. This setting, this world is so vivid in my mind, so much so that after binging this book in one day all night my dreams were filled of this apocalyptic world. I think all the side characters were great too, you really cared about them and they had believable depth to them.
I think this book has not only a unique and compelling story but also some interesting themes like with religion with the end of the world, a virus etc. all super interesting. I think it tackled parts of the overarching theme well but other elements of it not so much. I also think if you are a deeply religious person this book may rub you the wrong way at times...
I grew up going to a Church of England school and then a Catholic school so there were areas of this book I could relate to and I think having Sophie have to really confront her beliefs and ideologies that she has been fed since she was young in this strange and new world were handled well. I do think this book is very American-centric and I say that because I think Sophie was so incredibly sheltered that I think could only be believable in an American focused book. I'm not American but I imagine there are some very strict religious areas that we don't necessarily have to the same extent over here. Which leads me into my next slight issue and that was particularly towards the latter part of the book but the extreme violence enacted by Christians, yeah heavy. There will always be extremists and unfortunately that can tarnish religion as a whole but I don't think religion is all bad, it isn't all about oppression and it can help a lot of people in times of need. When they are grieving for example and they need hope etc.
Sooooo I think it would have been nice to explore meeting some members of christianity in this world who weren't as extreme as the terrorist group and could speak about their own thoughts. Just to have more balance and discussion with the theme But it did seem the book was pretty black and white, either you're religious and oppressed or you aren't and you are free. I don't know I think there was a chance for a whole lot more depth and discussion but hey, it is only a 360 page book and it is horror so I get it.
Overall I Really enjoyed this book despite the graphic deaths at the end
American Rapture like Maeve fly felt so fresh and new, it is unlike anything you have read before and in a time when I feel the same book is getting published again and again - we need books like CJ Leede's.
The plot for this one was exquisite, I was immediately hooked and even though the meat of the apocalypse doesn't start until nearing the 100 page mark the pacing is still so great. And those early chapters of setting the scene and getting to know the characters were so essential for the growth the character goes through. This setting, this world is so vivid in my mind, so much so that after binging this book in one day all night my dreams were filled of this apocalyptic world. I think all the side characters were great too, you really cared about them and they had believable depth to them.
I think this book has not only a unique and compelling story but also some interesting themes like with religion with the end of the world, a virus etc. all super interesting. I think it tackled parts of the overarching theme well but other elements of it not so much. I also think if you are a deeply religious person this book may rub you the wrong way at times...
I grew up going to a Church of England school and then a Catholic school so there were areas of this book I could relate to and I think having Sophie have to really confront her beliefs and ideologies that she has been fed since she was young in this strange and new world were handled well. I do think this book is very American-centric and I say that because I think Sophie was so incredibly sheltered that I think could only be believable in an American focused book. I'm not American but I imagine there are some very strict religious areas that we don't necessarily have to the same extent over here. Which leads me into my next slight issue and that was particularly towards the latter part of the book but the extreme violence enacted by Christians, yeah heavy. There will always be extremists and unfortunately that can tarnish religion as a whole but I don't think religion is all bad, it isn't all about oppression and it can help a lot of people in times of need. When they are grieving for example and they need hope etc.
Sooooo I think it would have been nice to explore meeting some members of christianity in this world who weren't as extreme as the terrorist group and could speak about their own thoughts. Just to have more balance and discussion with the theme But it did seem the book was pretty black and white, either you're religious and oppressed or you aren't and you are free. I don't know I think there was a chance for a whole lot more depth and discussion but hey, it is only a 360 page book and it is horror so I get it.
Overall I Really enjoyed this book despite the graphic deaths at the end
challenging
dark
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
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
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
@ceejthemoment does it again. This book destroyed me. The book follows a teen girl who grows up in a strict Roman Catholic household. A virus takes over America that leads her to question lies she was told by her parents and the RCC church. As the book develops, so does her sense of self and her relationship to her sexuality and sexual orientation. Leede is extremely talented in taking readers on an emotional journey that often involves grief, anger and horror. Yes, by the end of the book I was devastated. Yes, there are lots of devastating and horrific parts of the book. However, this is explained in the authors note. CJ shared about the death of her dog and how she thought she could die. She talks about how the genre of horror provides us an outlet and opportunity to experience the worst possible things and explore them. The world is horrific right now. If you’re looking for an escape from that, this is not the book for you. If you’re looking for a way to feel a sliver of hope through characters who lose everything and still find some reason to keep living - I bid you a wild f*cking ride.
Unfortunately, there were people who were triggered by an event in this book and spoiled it on Goodreads, which impacted part of my reading experience. Don’t spoil books on Goodreads without spoiler notices. Don’t be that person.
Unfortunately, there were people who were triggered by an event in this book and spoiled it on Goodreads, which impacted part of my reading experience. Don’t spoil books on Goodreads without spoiler notices. Don’t be that person.