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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I am, by no means, a religious person.
Do I believe in something bigger than myself that cannot be explained? Sure.
Do I ask for help when I feel like the moment is right to ask? Absolutely.
Unfortunately, that is where my relationship with some kind of higher power ends. So it is safe to say that I went into this book with only hearsay and tropes I've heard or read about elsewhere, which probably isn't safe nor is it very open-minded but that's all I had going in here.
I'd heard about this book through a YouTuber (Emma!) and she absolutely adored this book, so I figured I'd give it a try myself. Heretics Anonymous is hilarious, real, and just an all-around great book. The only thing that stopped it from being a perfect 5-Star read for me was that the last bit was just a lot happening in such a short period of time, and it felt like the resolve was kind of sudden. But other than that, I thought this book was basically perfect! The cast was really well mixed, and all of them were relatable in their own way. I'd love to read more from Katie in the future!
I am, by no means, a religious person.
Do I believe in something bigger than myself that cannot be explained? Sure.
Do I ask for help when I feel like the moment is right to ask? Absolutely.
Unfortunately, that is where my relationship with some kind of higher power ends. So it is safe to say that I went into this book with only hearsay and tropes I've heard or read about elsewhere, which probably isn't safe nor is it very open-minded but that's all I had going in here.
I'd heard about this book through a YouTuber (Emma!) and she absolutely adored this book, so I figured I'd give it a try myself. Heretics Anonymous is hilarious, real, and just an all-around great book. The only thing that stopped it from being a perfect 5-Star read for me was that the last bit was just a lot happening in such a short period of time, and it felt like the resolve was kind of sudden. But other than that, I thought this book was basically perfect! The cast was really well mixed, and all of them were relatable in their own way. I'd love to read more from Katie in the future!
It was entertaining enough. Would have loved this in high school. Still a solid read though
4.5*
i loved this so much!!!! i really saw myself in Michael's actions and thoughts:P this book was also so funny i found myself laughing out loud numerous times
the only reason why i'm not giving it 5 stars is because i feel like the friendship could have been more fleshed out. i think i could've had more of the secret club and maybe a little bit less of the romance even though i totally ship it. even the finale of the book i think it could have ended with something to do with Heretics Anonymous but it ended with the romance.
overall, it's an amazing read and i'll be picking more from Katie Henry.
i loved this so much!!!! i really saw myself in Michael's actions and thoughts:P this book was also so funny i found myself laughing out loud numerous times
the only reason why i'm not giving it 5 stars is because i feel like the friendship could have been more fleshed out. i think i could've had more of the secret club and maybe a little bit less of the romance even though i totally ship it. even the finale of the book i think it could have ended with something to do with Heretics Anonymous but it ended with the romance.
overall, it's an amazing read and i'll be picking more from Katie Henry.
My book club chose Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry for our most recent read. My members and I really enjoyed it, and it sparked a really good discussion. I'm glad we chose to read it!
First, I have to talk about the opening line of this book: There is something truly evil about plaid. It was kind of an odd sentiment – I mean, I’ve never heard anyone say that in my life – but it definitely caught my attention quickly! It made me want to keep reading to find out the reasoning behind this statement as well as want to meet the character who thinks plaid is evil.
Speaking of characters, there were quite a few in Heretics Anonymous. Our main character is Michael, an atheist going to a Catholic high school. If that paradox doesn’t intrigue you enough, wait till you meet his diverse friend group! There’s Lucy, a devout Catholic who wants to become a priest, even though only men can become priests. Then there’s Avi, an only child who is Jewish and gay. Eden is a pagan who has an altar in her room dedicated to multiple deities. And who can forget Max, an oddball who is a Unitarian and likes to wear a cape to school. Despite the large cast of characters, I never had trouble remembering each person’s characteristics. Every character was well-developed, including the side characters.
There were a lot of issues addressed in this book. Religion was obviously the most prominent one, but absent parents, sex education in schools, and the difficulties of navigating a new school and making new relationships were also explored. Now, some people may worry that Heretics Anonymous is going to shove a certain religion at them and expound on why that religion is the best. Fortunately, the author handles the religious aspect of the book in a tactful manner. Yes, the main character goes to a Catholic high school, but Michael and most of his friend group aren’t Catholic. Lucy, his one Catholic friend, respects Michael’s decision to be an atheist and never tries to convert him. Each person in this friend group respects the others’ religious beliefs, which was awesome!
By the end of the book, all the major problems introduced in the plot are resolved. There were a few loose ends that I wanted answers to, however. For example, I wanted a more concrete answer as to whether or not Yes, it seems unlikely that she will, but I still wanted to know for sure. I also wanted to know if
Heretics Anonymous was a really good book! It had a great cast of characters and an intriguing plot and dealt with some real issues teens face today. I give it four out of five stars!
See this review as well as discussion questions for this book on my blog, Pages Aflutter!
Quotes I Liked:
New life plan: form a band called Cosmic Killjoy.
- 26%
Sister Helen waves her hand. “I’ve been in Egyptian mosques, in Buddhist temples, in beautiful synagogues in Warsaw and Jerusalem. I don’t need to believe in Buddha or wear a Star of David to find peace there.”
- 96%
First, I have to talk about the opening line of this book: There is something truly evil about plaid. It was kind of an odd sentiment – I mean, I’ve never heard anyone say that in my life – but it definitely caught my attention quickly! It made me want to keep reading to find out the reasoning behind this statement as well as want to meet the character who thinks plaid is evil.
Speaking of characters, there were quite a few in Heretics Anonymous. Our main character is Michael, an atheist going to a Catholic high school. If that paradox doesn’t intrigue you enough, wait till you meet his diverse friend group! There’s Lucy, a devout Catholic who wants to become a priest, even though only men can become priests. Then there’s Avi, an only child who is Jewish and gay. Eden is a pagan who has an altar in her room dedicated to multiple deities. And who can forget Max, an oddball who is a Unitarian and likes to wear a cape to school. Despite the large cast of characters, I never had trouble remembering each person’s characteristics. Every character was well-developed, including the side characters.
There were a lot of issues addressed in this book. Religion was obviously the most prominent one, but absent parents, sex education in schools, and the difficulties of navigating a new school and making new relationships were also explored. Now, some people may worry that Heretics Anonymous is going to shove a certain religion at them and expound on why that religion is the best. Fortunately, the author handles the religious aspect of the book in a tactful manner. Yes, the main character goes to a Catholic high school, but Michael and most of his friend group aren’t Catholic. Lucy, his one Catholic friend, respects Michael’s decision to be an atheist and never tries to convert him. Each person in this friend group respects the others’ religious beliefs, which was awesome!
By the end of the book, all the major problems introduced in the plot are resolved. There were a few loose ends that I wanted answers to, however. For example, I wanted a more concrete answer as to whether or not
Spoiler
Lucy’s mother would ever come home.Spoiler
Avi ever forgave Michael. Everyone in Michael’s friend group has forgiven him by the end of the book except Avi. I assume Avi does eventually forgive Michael, but Eden’s line about Avi’s ability to hold a grudge earlier in the book makes me wonder.Heretics Anonymous was a really good book! It had a great cast of characters and an intriguing plot and dealt with some real issues teens face today. I give it four out of five stars!
See this review as well as discussion questions for this book on my blog, Pages Aflutter!
Quotes I Liked:
New life plan: form a band called Cosmic Killjoy.
- 26%
Sister Helen waves her hand. “I’ve been in Egyptian mosques, in Buddhist temples, in beautiful synagogues in Warsaw and Jerusalem. I don’t need to believe in Buddha or wear a Star of David to find peace there.”
- 96%
4.5
This was basically a diverse version of "The Breakfast Club" and I loved it.
This was basically a diverse version of "The Breakfast Club" and I loved it.
i lowkey loved this book????? the idea of people/humanity/different places being a church; a place of peace and serenity and safety. i love that. i don’t know if i love the plot that much, but the message is what made me smile. i smiled finishing this book because i felt so connected to that idea of church.
I give this a solid 3.5 stars.
I wanted to give it more but there was essentially very little plot, the character development was half-assed, and the stakes were never very high. Also, Michael had the tendency to be a real dick.
That being said, as someone who went to Catholic school (albeit not as strict of a school as St Clare's) this book was so fun and nostalgic. I remember all the dress code rules and weird debates about morality in religion class. St. Clare's was way more strict though and kind of felt like it was written by someone who never went to Catholic school and just saw it on TV. I mean these teachers were this close to beating children with rulers.
The premise was awesome and I love how we got a gay jew, an autistic UU, a badass wiccan, an atheist, and a Columbian feminist Catholic in the mix. I wanted more uprising, I wanted HA to be more like The Nowhere Girls or The Dead Poet's Society or, heck, even The Raven Boys. But it kind of fell flat for me which was disappointing. I'd still recommend this book tho because it was fun, if not a little lackluster.
I wanted to give it more but there was essentially very little plot, the character development was half-assed, and the stakes were never very high. Also, Michael had the tendency to be a real dick.
That being said, as someone who went to Catholic school (albeit not as strict of a school as St Clare's) this book was so fun and nostalgic. I remember all the dress code rules and weird debates about morality in religion class. St. Clare's was way more strict though and kind of felt like it was written by someone who never went to Catholic school and just saw it on TV. I mean these teachers were this close to beating children with rulers.
The premise was awesome and I love how we got a gay jew, an autistic UU, a badass wiccan, an atheist, and a Columbian feminist Catholic in the mix. I wanted more uprising, I wanted HA to be more like The Nowhere Girls or The Dead Poet's Society or, heck, even The Raven Boys. But it kind of fell flat for me which was disappointing. I'd still recommend this book tho because it was fun, if not a little lackluster.