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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this. Michael is pretty unlikable for 75% of the book, but I was okay with it. I haven't seen much done in the way of religion for YA reads, and although the side characters don't get much development as I would have like, this was a thoughtful and funny examination of faith.
medium-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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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 liked the voice in this book, and I'd recommend it to teens who are thinking about religion or rules in their lives.
I really liked this! I really related to it because I grew up going to a catholic school, and I lost my faith in the catholic god before the end of my time there. I definitely would have been considered a part of the Heretics. it was entertaining, funny, and well-paced. The end got just a weeee bit preachy, but I liked how the main character grew, and the ending was satisfying enough.
If you have a past with growing up religious, I think you’ll really enjoy this!
If you have a past with growing up religious, I think you’ll really enjoy this!
I thought this one was an interesting one, and I'll admit, I was intrigued by a group of outcasts called Heretics Anonymous.
Michael and his friends are quite the interesting but different group of people. So, this book doesn't set out to convert anyone, and you get everyone as they are. There's a lot of different viewpoints, and I felt like Henry was respectful of all of the different beliefs we see in the book. I can't think of any other YA book that specifically mentions atheism, and it made for an interesting read, because you see how Michael reacts to everything at his new school.
Tolerance and understanding is definitely something that comes across throughout the whole book, and I liked seeing the difference in beliefs (and lack thereof) we see in the book. It felt really natural, and I never had the impression that characters were in there to check off a box. It was nice to see that different beliefs can actually co-exist and get along, and that it's okay to have your own belief system.
There were also some really funny moments, which I liked seeing. I felt like YA tends to make me cry more than it makes me laugh, but I do tend to go for the heavy stuff. It was nice to read something lighter for once.
I really liked Michael and Lucy, though I could care less about their romance. While Michael made some bad decisions, I also understand why he acted the way he did. Also...I hated his dad. He was terrible for most of the book, and it really bothered me that Michael and his sister were told they weren't moving for a while, only for it to not happen. At least, it seemed up in the air at the end of the book and I think some of the things Michael did could have been avoided had his parents been honest.
My Rating: 3 stars. I liked it, but I can't pinpoint anything super-specific about what I didn't like. It's worth checking out.
Michael and his friends are quite the interesting but different group of people. So, this book doesn't set out to convert anyone, and you get everyone as they are. There's a lot of different viewpoints, and I felt like Henry was respectful of all of the different beliefs we see in the book. I can't think of any other YA book that specifically mentions atheism, and it made for an interesting read, because you see how Michael reacts to everything at his new school.
Tolerance and understanding is definitely something that comes across throughout the whole book, and I liked seeing the difference in beliefs (and lack thereof) we see in the book. It felt really natural, and I never had the impression that characters were in there to check off a box. It was nice to see that different beliefs can actually co-exist and get along, and that it's okay to have your own belief system.
There were also some really funny moments, which I liked seeing. I felt like YA tends to make me cry more than it makes me laugh, but I do tend to go for the heavy stuff. It was nice to read something lighter for once.
I really liked Michael and Lucy, though I could care less about their romance. While Michael made some bad decisions, I also understand why he acted the way he did. Also...I hated his dad. He was terrible for most of the book, and it really bothered me that Michael and his sister were told they weren't moving for a while, only for it to not happen. At least, it seemed up in the air at the end of the book and I think some of the things Michael did could have been avoided had his parents been honest.
My Rating: 3 stars. I liked it, but I can't pinpoint anything super-specific about what I didn't like. It's worth checking out.
Okay, so hear me out. This is exactly what I wanted to do in high school and probably the kind of friends I needed.
After going to a private Catholic school for four year, I related so hard to all of this. From hypocritical teachers and dress codes (totally got around the whole no converse rule by wearing converse boots, drove my homeroom teachers insane) to pervy teachers. I would have killed to have the balls to ruin our harmful sex ed presentations and the awful presenters that made me feel like I would be subhuman for questioning sexuality and the statistics that were plain wrong. Also the characters were fantastically written.
10/10, I was emotional reading this.
After going to a private Catholic school for four year, I related so hard to all of this. From hypocritical teachers and dress codes (totally got around the whole no converse rule by wearing converse boots, drove my homeroom teachers insane) to pervy teachers. I would have killed to have the balls to ruin our harmful sex ed presentations and the awful presenters that made me feel like I would be subhuman for questioning sexuality and the statistics that were plain wrong. Also the characters were fantastically written.
10/10, I was emotional reading this.