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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
i didn’t expect this book to be as religious as it was but there was a lot of criticism of catholicism and organized religion in general (since christianity is after all an abrahamic religion) and it was… refreshing.
it was honest and frustrating and a lot of the characters’ gripes w their catholic school were things i could understand and empathize with bc i’ve had grievances along those same lines in my own experience. and anyway, it was cool to see the subject matter tackled in a way that highlighted guilt without feeling like their feelings or actions were anything to be ashamed of. which, i appreciate when things in religious contexts are handled shamelessly; there’s enough guilt, fire and brimstone as is even without a punitive narrative in fiction 😭
overall, i did like this and for a debut this was pretty good.
it was honest and frustrating and a lot of the characters’ gripes w their catholic school were things i could understand and empathize with bc i’ve had grievances along those same lines in my own experience. and anyway, it was cool to see the subject matter tackled in a way that highlighted guilt without feeling like their feelings or actions were anything to be ashamed of. which, i appreciate when things in religious contexts are handled shamelessly; there’s enough guilt, fire and brimstone as is even without a punitive narrative in fiction 😭
overall, i did like this and for a debut this was pretty good.
I enjoyed this book immensely. While I never went to a private Catholic school, or any Catholic school, I was raised Catholic. It definitely brings up some things that I've thought about Catholicism and addresses some of the issues I have with it. I highly recommend this. It's a fairly quick and entertaining read.
As someone who attended catholic school in my elementary years, I loved and appreciated this book. Michael is thrust into his fourth new school in so many years after his father has uprooted his family yet again because of a new job. It isn't any school though-it's a private, catholic school. Michael is an atheist. He is immediately excited when he thinks he's met a pretty girl who shares his lack of religion only to learn she is very Catholic. Lucy opens Michael's world to an unofficial club called Heretics Anonymous with members including someone who is gay, someone who wears a cape, a Wiccan, and more. Michael has an idea to make HA more public and some of their ideas start to shake up the school-but is it good or bad and when will they know if they've went too far?
Not many YA books delve into the difficult topic of religion (or lack thereof), but this author does so with intelligence and wit. The story is both thoughtful and fun, and I couldn't wait to get back to it each time I opened the pages. As all the best novels do, this one leaves room for thought and plenty of discussion. Five stars!
What a great book! Whether you are an atheist or an evangelist, you must read this story. The struggles portrayed by the five teenagers are not dramatic but realistic and relatable. I think everyone has struggled with their faith at one point and Heretics Anonymous reminds us what belief and faith truly means; not a doctrine or a building with a steeple, but love. It reminds us how to forgive others and yourself for being human. Well done Katie Henry!
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this. The examination of religion and identity at the core of this novel was very interesting to investigate. I especially liked that it never treated either the Catholic belief, or the atheist vales, dismissively. While the characters' were perhaps occasionally unthinking, someone was always there to pull them up and shut down that kind of thinking.
Also, as someone who transferred to a Catholic school after being in a non-religious household all my life, I could definitely relate to some of Michael's confusion when trying to understand the ins and outs of various religious ceremonies and church services (sit, stand, kneel - it took a while to understand when you were meant to do what).
A book I definitely feel more people should read.
I really enjoyed this. The examination of religion and identity at the core of this novel was very interesting to investigate. I especially liked that it never treated either the Catholic belief, or the atheist vales, dismissively. While the characters' were perhaps occasionally unthinking, someone was always there to pull them up and shut down that kind of thinking.
Also, as someone who transferred to a Catholic school after being in a non-religious household all my life, I could definitely relate to some of Michael's confusion when trying to understand the ins and outs of various religious ceremonies and church services (sit, stand, kneel - it took a while to understand when you were meant to do what).
A book I definitely feel more people should read.
medium-paced
4.2/5 stars, full review to come! This was sooooo cute and I love how the themes were dealt with.
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
funny
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated