Scan barcode
misthios_pat's review
5.0
This is my 2nd reading and I still managed to cry silly when learning the details of the awful stuff some characters had to go through. Hopefully, they'll bounce back, like Dorothy understood and kindly shared "Everything that happened happened. Then it stopped happening, and all of it became part of the past.[...] and the important part was to remember that it was over[...]."
This is still a more sombre story in comparison to the first 2, understandable with the cliffhanger and final events in Goldenrod., but it didn't have that underneath tension giving me some imminent dread vibe there. Thank fuck! Just like the first 3, this one was still full of quirkiness and amazing, interesting, intriguing characters. Oh, and I'm so invested now with the new addition and all the possibilities it brings to Lizzy, if our Dear Author decides to bring these lovelies back. I'm gushing, she deserves all the best, not some low-effort like Tom. Byyyyyeee
And the whole wedding conundrum was like 50/50 IMO, I get how Maddie felt (I'm like her on this aspect) but also Syd's perspective, both are valid and it's all about compromising. I'm glad they got what they ultimately wanted in the end even though they were a bit childish and scared us there for a second.
Anyway, I wish I could write an essay giving my opinion about any and every character Ann McMan gifted us in Jericho. Everyone brings something to the table and we, the lucky readers, have the privilege to feast of their awesomeness. It's taco night!
This is still a more sombre story in comparison to the first 2, understandable with the cliffhanger and final events in Goldenrod., but it didn't have that underneath tension giving me some imminent dread vibe there. Thank fuck! Just like the first 3, this one was still full of quirkiness and amazing, interesting, intriguing characters. Oh, and I'm so invested now with the new addition and all the possibilities it brings to Lizzy, if our Dear Author decides to bring these lovelies back. I'm gushing, she deserves all the best, not some low-effort like Tom. Byyyyyeee
And the whole wedding conundrum was like 50/50 IMO, I get how Maddie felt (I'm like her on this aspect) but also Syd's perspective, both are valid and it's all about compromising. I'm glad they got what they ultimately wanted in the end even though they were a bit childish and scared us there for a second.
Anyway, I wish I could write an essay giving my opinion about any and every character Ann McMan gifted us in Jericho. Everyone brings something to the table and we, the lucky readers, have the privilege to feast of their awesomeness. It's taco night!
jamietherebelliousreader's review
4.0
4 stars. This book had some heavy moments to it dealing with some side characters but as a whole this was still a really great ending (?) to this series. I am so going to miss being in Jericho with this lovable cast of characters. Especially Syd and Maddie. I adore those two and their romance so much and I’m happy with how things ended for them and Henry. I can see myself re-reading this series because these books are so comforting and cozy reads.
angieinbooks's review
4.0
I haven't bothered to review any of the previous books in Ann McMan's Jericho series, but I have to say that I have really enjoyed every book, and Covenant, which I believe is the final book in the series(?), is no exception. So this review won't be specific to Covenant but to the series as a whole.
If you haven't read any of the previous novels in this series, then you really need to go back and start at the first book, Jericho. That's not to say that each book isn't complete in its own right, but there's so much you'll miss in getting to know the characters and how they evolve over the course of the novels. And this is really a story about the people of Jericho. Yes, there's romance. But it's so much more than that, too. Especially the further you get into the series.
I've come to really love Ann McMan's writing. I was blown away after I read Beowulf for Cretins, which I felt was both funny and smart. And the Jericho series impressed me in much the same way. I love the references to literature and music and art. I love how each character is unique and fully fleshed out. It really is atypical to the genre. And much like Beowulf for Cretins, these feel more like a general fiction novels than romance. In fact, I wouldn't really call any of them romance except for maybe the first book. But I did fall in love with the people in this community. And if Ann McMan wants to revisit these characters again, I won't be disappointed.
If you haven't read any of the previous novels in this series, then you really need to go back and start at the first book, Jericho. That's not to say that each book isn't complete in its own right, but there's so much you'll miss in getting to know the characters and how they evolve over the course of the novels. And this is really a story about the people of Jericho. Yes, there's romance. But it's so much more than that, too. Especially the further you get into the series.
I've come to really love Ann McMan's writing. I was blown away after I read Beowulf for Cretins, which I felt was both funny and smart. And the Jericho series impressed me in much the same way. I love the references to literature and music and art. I love how each character is unique and fully fleshed out. It really is atypical to the genre. And much like Beowulf for Cretins, these feel more like a general fiction novels than romance. In fact, I wouldn't really call any of them romance except for maybe the first book. But I did fall in love with the people in this community. And if Ann McMan wants to revisit these characters again, I won't be disappointed.
elvang's review
5.0
Covenant takes us deep into the hearts and souls of the people we have come to know and love in this Jericho series. I mentioned at the end of my review for Goldenrod that a darkness hangs over the community. I recommend you read the first three to fully appreciate the mastery that has gone into this (I assume) final book in the series.
Mayor Gerald Watson has died under suspicious circumstances and an inquest has begun to determine if he died of natural causes or was murdered at the Fourth of July party in Jericho. Witnesses and suspects are being interviewed and tensions are running high in this small Virginia town. Dorothy is staying with Maddie’s mother Celine who is encouraging Dorothy’s interest in the piano along with enjoying Dorothy’s biscuit making skills. Celine is also admitting her attraction to Byron, the town sheriff. Henry is struggling at school and often stays with Syd and Maddie while his father is away on long haul trucking assignments. David and Syd are planning the wedding of the century much to Maddie’s horror. Roma Jean Freemantle is spending more time with her girlfriend Charlie but someone from Charlie’s past has returned, adding a new level of risk in their relationship.
Ann McMan pulls all these storylines together buffering the sadness with humour and the obscene with kindness and caring. She allows us to peek into the backstories of some of her most beloved characters to show us that abuse is often but not always sexual. It can also take the form of neglect or rejection by the ones meant to care and protect us.
In the midst of this darkness the author shows us the good which still exists in this world and she does so with the one character we have laughed at and with throughout the series, Roma Jean Freemantle. Her attraction to Charlie and the way her small town parents reluctantly begin to accept Charlie into their family gives us hope that there are good people and good parents in the world. Not all children who come out to their parents are rejected. Roma Jean’s parents make the effort, support their daughter and stand up to her tormentors. The kindness of strangers is exemplified by Celine who introduces Dorothy to the beauty and restorative power of music. Maddie and Syd will always love and be there for Henry and his father. Their ever expanding Taco Tuesdays will continue long after we’ve said goodbye to the good folks of Jericho.
Well crafted and memorable, Covenant succeeds in reminding us that love and acceptance can be found in this world full of cruelty and ignorance.
A copy of this book was given to LezReview Books for review.
Mayor Gerald Watson has died under suspicious circumstances and an inquest has begun to determine if he died of natural causes or was murdered at the Fourth of July party in Jericho. Witnesses and suspects are being interviewed and tensions are running high in this small Virginia town. Dorothy is staying with Maddie’s mother Celine who is encouraging Dorothy’s interest in the piano along with enjoying Dorothy’s biscuit making skills. Celine is also admitting her attraction to Byron, the town sheriff. Henry is struggling at school and often stays with Syd and Maddie while his father is away on long haul trucking assignments. David and Syd are planning the wedding of the century much to Maddie’s horror. Roma Jean Freemantle is spending more time with her girlfriend Charlie but someone from Charlie’s past has returned, adding a new level of risk in their relationship.
Ann McMan pulls all these storylines together buffering the sadness with humour and the obscene with kindness and caring. She allows us to peek into the backstories of some of her most beloved characters to show us that abuse is often but not always sexual. It can also take the form of neglect or rejection by the ones meant to care and protect us.
In the midst of this darkness the author shows us the good which still exists in this world and she does so with the one character we have laughed at and with throughout the series, Roma Jean Freemantle. Her attraction to Charlie and the way her small town parents reluctantly begin to accept Charlie into their family gives us hope that there are good people and good parents in the world. Not all children who come out to their parents are rejected. Roma Jean’s parents make the effort, support their daughter and stand up to her tormentors. The kindness of strangers is exemplified by Celine who introduces Dorothy to the beauty and restorative power of music. Maddie and Syd will always love and be there for Henry and his father. Their ever expanding Taco Tuesdays will continue long after we’ve said goodbye to the good folks of Jericho.
Well crafted and memorable, Covenant succeeds in reminding us that love and acceptance can be found in this world full of cruelty and ignorance.
A copy of this book was given to LezReview Books for review.
blschuldt's review
5.0
The way this book series filled out and matured was so cool. I love this little town and the sweet weirdos who live there!! I feel like I’ll continue to think about these characters for a long time.
More...