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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
HSchoolers in a Catholic HS bond as a result of their individual theological beliefs that run mostly counter to the prevailing doctrines in school. Atheist Michael gets thrown into the group and as a typical high school kid whose executive functions aren't fully developed, causes lots of problems for the rest, but learning along the way.
Told in Michael's voice, it felt true. Funny and serious at the same time it moves quickly. A good discussion about various belief systems. And you can tell the author went to a Catholic school.
Told in Michael's voice, it felt true. Funny and serious at the same time it moves quickly. A good discussion about various belief systems. And you can tell the author went to a Catholic school.
a lot of religious talk but otherwise it was okay
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked this book enough, but it didn’t stand out to me as anything special. The book did most things okay, but all in all, I’ve read books that did pretty much every focus and component better than this one did.
“aren't most wonderful things a little bit strange?”
i really enjoyed this book - it was lighthearted and funny and i found the cast of characters to be quite unique. i love how they are all heretics in their own right, and seeing them form a sort of found family (there's a reason why i loved six of crows!). i also love how they were set on exposing the hypocrisies of the church, because it is an issue that needs to be spoken about more.
i really enjoyed reading about lucy as well, and seeing how she balanced her faith with her own beliefs - this is something else that we need to be talking more about as well. as a christian that doesn't necessarily agree with everything in the bible, it was a nice to see a character like that.
my only complaints are that, at the beginning, we didn't see enough of michael becoming friends with the rest of the heretics - it was more like: 'oh you've joined our club! we're going to treat you like we've known you for years!' no. no. life doesn't work that easily.
also, it feels sort of...juvenile? like, i get that that is the point of the book, but i still kinda didn't really like that? if i watched a movie version of this (and there should DEFINETLY be a movie - it would be awesome) then it would be okay but it just feels like a novel adaptation of a movie. it wasn't bad just...not great.
buttttt i loved this anyway, and it was just the lighthearted comedy i was looking for!
>> 3.5 stars
i really enjoyed this book - it was lighthearted and funny and i found the cast of characters to be quite unique. i love how they are all heretics in their own right, and seeing them form a sort of found family (there's a reason why i loved six of crows!). i also love how they were set on exposing the hypocrisies of the church, because it is an issue that needs to be spoken about more.
i really enjoyed reading about lucy as well, and seeing how she balanced her faith with her own beliefs - this is something else that we need to be talking more about as well. as a christian that doesn't necessarily agree with everything in the bible, it was a nice to see a character like that.
my only complaints are that, at the beginning, we didn't see enough of michael becoming friends with the rest of the heretics - it was more like: 'oh you've joined our club! we're going to treat you like we've known you for years!' no. no. life doesn't work that easily.
also, it feels sort of...juvenile? like, i get that that is the point of the book, but i still kinda didn't really like that? if i watched a movie version of this (and there should DEFINETLY be a movie - it would be awesome) then it would be okay but it just feels like a novel adaptation of a movie. it wasn't bad just...not great.
buttttt i loved this anyway, and it was just the lighthearted comedy i was looking for!
>> 3.5 stars
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I really liked the beginning and believed it would be a funny book about a catholic school doing a one eighty and evolving. But the ending was kind of disappointing, it became more about the individuals than the system. And less funny. But overall I liked the tone, the characters, the pacing. But many issues are left unresolved.
I got this book through the SyncAudio program. So I had no idea about it before I read it. The premise looked interesting, atheist kid in a Catholic school. But it turned out to be about a lot more. I loved the characters, it may sound like the setup for a joke---- an atheist, a Catholic, a Jew, a pantheist, and a Unitarian walk into a school---- but, the author presented all the characters true to themselves and with love. This may be one of the very few books I've read that deals with religious tolerance that does not show one group as the bad or lesser in their belief or unbelief. I found it inspiring. Another win for YA.
I truly loved this book’s commentary on religion. The way it both challenged, and appreciated aspects of the Catholic Church was really well done, and accessible to someone from the outside looking in.
This “religious breakfast club” had an easy chemistry, and while Michael’s whiny entitlement was sometimes annoying to deal with, it had an enjoyable resolution.
If you’re interested in a glimpse at a world where different religions can play nice with one another, or just enjoy romance and shenanigans, this is a fun read.
This “religious breakfast club” had an easy chemistry, and while Michael’s whiny entitlement was sometimes annoying to deal with, it had an enjoyable resolution.
If you’re interested in a glimpse at a world where different religions can play nice with one another, or just enjoy romance and shenanigans, this is a fun read.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am not the target audience so take this with a pinch of salt.
I thought the characters were annoying. But they are teenagers.
I thought the characters were annoying. But they are teenagers.
this book was sweet and enjoyable and felt like a realistic portrayal of an angry, atheist high schooler. the plot and characters fell a little flat, but i love a little band of outcasts story and i had fun with this.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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:
No