Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ingerlisa 's review for:
American Rapture
by C.J. Leede
CJ Leede is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me.
American Rapture like Maeve fly felt so fresh and new, it is unlike anything you have read before and in a time when I feel the same book is getting published again and again - we need books like CJ Leede's.
The plot for this one was exquisite, I was immediately hooked and even though the meat of the apocalypse doesn't start until nearing the 100 page mark the pacing is still so great. And those early chapters of setting the scene and getting to know the characters were so essential for the growth the character goes through. This setting, this world is so vivid in my mind, so much so that after binging this book in one day all night my dreams were filled of this apocalyptic world. I think all the side characters were great too, you really cared about them and they had believable depth to them.
I think this book has not only a unique and compelling story but also some interesting themes like with religion with the end of the world, a virus etc. all super interesting. I think it tackled parts of the overarching theme well but other elements of it not so much. I also think if you are a deeply religious person this book may rub you the wrong way at times...
I grew up going to a Church of England school and then a Catholic school so there were areas of this book I could relate to and I think having Sophie have to really confront her beliefs and ideologies that she has been fed since she was young in this strange and new world were handled well. I do think this book is very American-centric and I say that because I think Sophie was so incredibly sheltered that I think could only be believable in an American focused book. I'm not American but I imagine there are some very strict religious areas that we don't necessarily have to the same extent over here. Which leads me into my next slight issue and that was particularly towards the latter part of the book but the extreme violence enacted by Christians, yeah heavy. There will always be extremists and unfortunately that can tarnish religion as a whole but I don't think religion is all bad, it isn't all about oppression and it can help a lot of people in times of need. When they are grieving for example and they need hope etc.
Sooooo I think it would have been nice to explore meeting some members of christianity in this world who weren't as extreme as the terrorist group and could speak about their own thoughts. Just to have more balance and discussion with the theme But it did seem the book was pretty black and white, either you're religious and oppressed or you aren't and you are free. I don't know I think there was a chance for a whole lot more depth and discussion but hey, it is only a 360 page book and it is horror so I get it.
Overall I Really enjoyed this book despite the graphic deaths at the end
American Rapture like Maeve fly felt so fresh and new, it is unlike anything you have read before and in a time when I feel the same book is getting published again and again - we need books like CJ Leede's.
The plot for this one was exquisite, I was immediately hooked and even though the meat of the apocalypse doesn't start until nearing the 100 page mark the pacing is still so great. And those early chapters of setting the scene and getting to know the characters were so essential for the growth the character goes through. This setting, this world is so vivid in my mind, so much so that after binging this book in one day all night my dreams were filled of this apocalyptic world. I think all the side characters were great too, you really cared about them and they had believable depth to them.
I think this book has not only a unique and compelling story but also some interesting themes like with religion with the end of the world, a virus etc. all super interesting. I think it tackled parts of the overarching theme well but other elements of it not so much. I also think if you are a deeply religious person this book may rub you the wrong way at times...
I grew up going to a Church of England school and then a Catholic school so there were areas of this book I could relate to and I think having Sophie have to really confront her beliefs and ideologies that she has been fed since she was young in this strange and new world were handled well. I do think this book is very American-centric and I say that because I think Sophie was so incredibly sheltered that I think could only be believable in an American focused book. I'm not American but I imagine there are some very strict religious areas that we don't necessarily have to the same extent over here. Which leads me into my next slight issue and that was particularly towards the latter part of the book but the extreme violence enacted by Christians, yeah heavy. There will always be extremists and unfortunately that can tarnish religion as a whole but I don't think religion is all bad, it isn't all about oppression and it can help a lot of people in times of need. When they are grieving for example and they need hope etc.
Sooooo I think it would have been nice to explore meeting some members of christianity in this world who weren't as extreme as the terrorist group and could speak about their own thoughts. Just to have more balance and discussion with the theme But it did seem the book was pretty black and white, either you're religious and oppressed or you aren't and you are free. I don't know I think there was a chance for a whole lot more depth and discussion but hey, it is only a 360 page book and it is horror so I get it.
Overall I Really enjoyed this book despite the graphic deaths at the end