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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Cute but really really wish there were more development of the love before the first kiss etc.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
The book is not bad; it just did not meet my expectations of what I thought the story was going to be like. I thought the story would be a bit darker, more informative, and not lighthearted. It ended up having a very typical young adult feel to it, especially in Valerie and Riley's dialogues.
Most stories about cults are dark, and perhaps that is why the author chose not to write one. At the end of the day, just because it is a story about a cult does not mean it has to be dark. It is just me who would have preferred a more "serious" tone. For example, instead of Valerie taking the realisation of her being in a cult so easily, as if it is not changing everything she knows about the world, it does affect her and she starts questioning all the facts she has been taught throughout the years. Like, why would you not start questioning everything and go through all sorts of crises if you find out you are in a cult?
I also do not understand Valerie's relationship with the outside world. We know she was not born into the cult, but there is little to no information about how it happened and how it felt when her family joined it. Valerie is aware of the outside world; she knows her world is not the only one. However, it is not like she thinks, "the outside world is so bad, I am blessed to be here." She just knew there was another world, and that's it. I also do not understand how Riley and her mother are qualified for the church. To me, it feels like they are not following the rules and are doing as they please.
Most stories about cults are dark, and perhaps that is why the author chose not to write one. At the end of the day, just because it is a story about a cult does not mean it has to be dark. It is just me who would have preferred a more "serious" tone. For example, instead of Valerie taking the realisation of her being in a cult so easily, as if it is not changing everything she knows about the world, it does affect her and she starts questioning all the facts she has been taught throughout the years. Like, why would you not start questioning everything and go through all sorts of crises if you find out you are in a cult?
I also do not understand Valerie's relationship with the outside world. We know she was not born into the cult, but there is little to no information about how it happened and how it felt when her family joined it. Valerie is aware of the outside world; she knows her world is not the only one. However, it is not like she thinks, "the outside world is so bad, I am blessed to be here." She just knew there was another world, and that's it. I also do not understand how Riley and her mother are qualified for the church. To me, it feels like they are not following the rules and are doing as they please.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It is a typical coming out story but I love Natalie Naudus. I knew the being found was coming, and I was surprised. The only thing that did surprise me was Valerie's mom helling her leave and giving her the necessary legal documents.
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really loved this book. I can see how it would be so helpful to teens finding out their identity while growing up in a strict religious home. I thought my Catholic upbringing left scars but the fundamentalist cult the MC (and it sounds like author as well) grew up in was oof! I cannot imagine feeling so trapped. š£
My only complaint was that MCās ādeconstructionā seemed too quick. She used a handful of progressive terms as well that felt out of place coming from the mouth of a teen who grew up so sheltered and restricted. Sometimes those parts of the book felt preachy instead of immersiveāIād remember the author instead of being in the story with Val. But that was minor in the grand scheme. Otherwise cute and enlightening.
My only complaint was that MCās ādeconstructionā seemed too quick. She used a handful of progressive terms as well that felt out of place coming from the mouth of a teen who grew up so sheltered and restricted. Sometimes those parts of the book felt preachy instead of immersiveāIād remember the author instead of being in the story with Val. But that was minor in the grand scheme. Otherwise cute and enlightening.