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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a tough read, both for the plot and style decisions. I didn't particularly enjoy any of the characters, but I think that's because there are people in my life very similar to the two main characters. This book is very well written, however.
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Many parts of this book were well-written but as a non-Christian, I had no idea wtf was going on. I think you have to be raised Christian or have a degree in it or something to know what any of half the book means. Because each chapter flip flops between the religious white noise (because that’s all it was to me, someone who knows zero about the bible etc.) and the main plot, it was like every other chapter I was just skimming like hoping a sentence would mean anything to me, even my own interpretation!
Loved some of the different styles approached at the end: the playwriting, the quick back and forth to see what’s happening where, thealternate endings.
Parts of this book were a 5 and a 4.5 but ultimately, since I don’t get these Christ sayings or anything, I had to give a 3.75 which is quite impressive considering I felt like half a book is missing. Will definitely read another book by this author so long as it covers topics where I can understand the larger literary metaphors and meaning because this author is definitely going to assume that we’re all of the same background and education as s/he/they is and just write it with zero background/explanation.
Loved some of the different styles approached at the end: the playwriting, the quick back and forth to see what’s happening where, the
Parts of this book were a 5 and a 4.5 but ultimately, since I don’t get these Christ sayings or anything, I had to give a 3.75 which is quite impressive considering I felt like half a book is missing. Will definitely read another book by this author so long as it covers topics where I can understand the larger literary metaphors and meaning because this author is definitely going to assume that we’re all of the same background and education as s/he/they is and just write it with zero background/explanation.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The beginning of this book was very clearly thought out and was written quite well. I understood where the author was going with the story. I understood the character of the Prophet, Michael, Zeke, the other minor characters, and then around the last few chapters, I was completely lost. After finishing it, I understand what the author was trying to do, but I think it could’ve been conveyed better. I had to re-listen to the last few chapters at least two other times because I thought I had completely missed something for it to take such a 180 dive.
As an ex Catholic, I find the Prophet’s character pretty much like any religious man I have met, high-powered, religious man I should say…. Before the Prophet found his God, he was sleazy, a drunk, a perv, he hated authority that didn’t make sense to him. And usually when one finds their God, they work on themselves and they try to better their lives and get rid of anything that was weighing them down, but not the Prophet. That man said I’m finding God, but I’m keeping every single terrible thing about me but it’s okay because I have God on my side. Every religious leader I can think of thinks they are holier than the next and it is absolutely disgusting. I understand that in the end he did help Micheal, but he also did the exact same thing that her first kidnapper did, so was it really a “holy” thing for him to do? Kidnapping is bad no matter what your reasonings. Him kidnapping Michael was incredibly selfish because he didn’t care about what she wanted, he only cared about what he wanted, and that was to go to the White House, which smart Michael, never ended up doing.
I wanted more about Michael’s story. The author did convey a good portion of it, but I didn’t feel like it was satisfying and maybe that was the whole point.
I think if you are interested in the story and maybe even religious cults, I think this is a good read, just be warned that the last few chapters are a little wonky.
As an ex Catholic, I find the Prophet’s character pretty much like any religious man I have met, high-powered, religious man I should say…. Before the Prophet found his God, he was sleazy, a drunk, a perv, he hated authority that didn’t make sense to him. And usually when one finds their God, they work on themselves and they try to better their lives and get rid of anything that was weighing them down, but not the Prophet. That man said I’m finding God, but I’m keeping every single terrible thing about me but it’s okay because I have God on my side. Every religious leader I can think of thinks they are holier than the next and it is absolutely disgusting. I understand that in the end he did help Micheal, but he also did the exact same thing that her first kidnapper did, so was it really a “holy” thing for him to do? Kidnapping is bad no matter what your reasonings. Him kidnapping Michael was incredibly selfish because he didn’t care about what she wanted, he only cared about what he wanted, and that was to go to the White House, which smart Michael, never ended up doing.
I wanted more about Michael’s story. The author did convey a good portion of it, but I didn’t feel like it was satisfying and maybe that was the whole point.
I think if you are interested in the story and maybe even religious cults, I think this is a good read, just be warned that the last few chapters are a little wonky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking, Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A dark read. I powered through this book as it was highly engaging despite how tragic the character's lives were. The experimental form and writing was also extremely enjoyable and provided needed breaks/shifts in tone as the story unfolded. I think this will be a book that will sit with me for a while
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a wild ride. Faith, the relationship of good and evil, what it means to be a human. This story was certainly more experimental, but I enjoyed the form of it because it kept me wondering: what was really happening? What is really the truth?