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literarylady1's review
3.0
You pretty much said all Brie, Starbird never seem to grow as a character or truly experience the outside world. The ending left me disappointed because the truth about EARTH didn't seem nefarious at all except his past as a salesman from the Outside, which does indicate is ability to pitch this communal/ religious lifestyle to 400 people and convince them to give up all worldly possessions (except for him of course) for the next forty years. The group of Believers reminded me of the episode of Monk when he joined that "Sunshine" cult. The premises of the story was interesting but expected to me. One would expect dissention among their people since EARTH abandon them for 3years. Even though it was explained later in the book, I believe he was tired of dealing with the Community and that those that went with him on the pilgrimage convince him to go back. *Note* Did anyone else notice that Io wasn't mentioned or present close to the end of book? Especially in the final scene during the division of the Family?
mackenzievirginia's review
4.0
3.5
This would have been a 4.5 for me, until about the last thirty pages. The ending felt rushed to me, and the big conflict scene lacked some realness and grit, in my opinion. But what really knocked it down to 3.5 was the actual ending. I felt that a dynamic character deserved more for her last two pages, especially considering as what matters in the last scene seemed to matter least throughout the rest of the novel.
This would have been a 4.5 for me, until about the last thirty pages. The ending felt rushed to me, and the big conflict scene lacked some realness and grit, in my opinion. But what really knocked it down to 3.5 was the actual ending. I felt that a dynamic character deserved more for her last two pages, especially considering as what matters in the last scene seemed to matter least throughout the rest of the novel.
verkiezen's review
4.0
This was a fun read about a girl who grows up in what other people call a "cult". She leaves them to follow her Calling in the outside world, where she has to face the complexities of the truth or lies she's grown up with. I loved that this book was actually about trusting your gut and the value of learning but also the value of keeping your mind open to other people's lifestyles. I really appreciated this novel over all. However, there was a tiny love triangle which really irritated me and the way it was dealt with also wasn't my favorite. Over all I'd recommend this to people who like books about people and different ways of living.
Favorite Quotes:
Io, Kale, and I built the block tower three more times, knowing each time we built it that it was going to fall.
He just touched me on my arm, and that's when I learned that touching a girl's arm can sometimes be more powerful than kissing her against a tree under the moonlight.
Favorite Quotes:
Io, Kale, and I built the block tower three more times, knowing each time we built it that it was going to fall.
He just touched me on my arm, and that's when I learned that touching a girl's arm can sometimes be more powerful than kissing her against a tree under the moonlight.
theellabelle's review
3.0
Breezed through this in one afternoon. Although I liked this novel, it didn't have the same intensity and high stakes vibe of the other YA novel about cults I read this year (Seed by Lisa Heathfield). Still, I wanted to root so hard for Starbird, who was just so sweetly naive and idealistic--about life on the commune, her family, her crushes, and everything in between. A great easy read.
jess_brooks's review
4.0
Starbird Murphy and the World Outside
By Karen Finneyfrock
So. Starbird Murphy.
Honestly, I have never, ever read a book quite like this. I suppose you could say that cults aren't my typical reading subject, so obviously, I entered this book with a little trepidation. I really had no idea how this book was going to turn out. Actually, I didn't even have a clear idea of where it was going until a good quarter of the way in, and I couldn't predict the ending, really, before the last possible second. Do you know how refreshing that is?? So many novels nowadays are just so predictable. The "not knowing" might bug some people, but I loved it. There was also a sense of...ambiguity to the ending--it was kind of open-ended. I'm not sure how I felt about that--parts of it I liked, others, not so much. I don't want to give anything away, but I do think that there was a lot of wasted potential in the end. There were several different paths that the author could have taken the book, and she chose one that, in my opinion, was a tad disappointing.
But other than that, the book did pretty much everything right: an engaging set of characters, great display of conflict, gorgeous prose, and the perfect dash of humor, all coming together to form something unconventionally complex and utterly unique. I was very surprised to find myself connecting with Starbird on several different levels, as my inner struggle with my personal beliefs are oddly similar to hers. For an author to create a relatable character out of a girl that grew up in a cult--practically in a different world--takes genuine skill.
I sit in awe, Finneyfrock. I sit in awe.
rochte's review
3.0
Pretty good. I wanted more culture shock for Starbird. I wanted to see her grow and navigate more. Good story.