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A review by authorsifoote
Heresy: A Young Adult Dystopian Romance by C. a. Campbell
3.0
I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook for this story after learning about CA Campbell through TikTok. I think the book deserves a 4-star rating for the idea, which was really good, it’s everything else that drags it down.
Compliments
1. I really like the world. It's a unique idea that plays on the scars that religious trauma leaves behind. I loved that touch to the world and how the religious rules were played to fit the universe. I think it does an excellent job of calling into question many things we see in the world today as well.
2. The new alternatives to swearing. Really enjoyed them even though they threw me off at first.
Negatives
1. I don't think the author or editor could decide whether the book should be written in past or present tense. That was the biggest issue. Usually, when I listen to an audiobook, I don't hear as many grammar errors. However, I could hear this one loud and clear every single time. I think that tensing really needed to be pinned down to help the narrative. There were other issues as well, but some grammar errors can be excused or argued as necessary. The tensing just really stands out to me.
2. Another negative was a part of the plot that made me throw my hands in the air and walk away from what I was doing just to pause the audiobook. This is a spoiler, but it was established in the narrative that Shiloh had a recorder put on her bra by the United Council (I can't remember the name of the specific division). However, immediately after this Shiloh decides to go against everything she was told and kiss Jake where the UC can hear everything that happens? I was so thrown off by this. It's almost like it was thrown in haphazardly to add drama, but then every scene never coordinated that she was being listened to. If Shiloh had a recording device on her and she actually wanted to protect the people around her, she would cater everything in every situation. The UC would have access to all those recordings and know she was breaking one of the rules they established at the beginning. After that as well, Shiloh would mention she was being listened to and carefully hedge around other things with others but talking about Heresy with Jake wasn't off the table? Despite him being the counselor's son? And he was already in trouble for that. Very frustrating from a storytelling perspective. Shiloh might be a teenager, but teenagers aren't stupid. Especially since the author established Shiloh is smart.
3. I think there should be a content warning for underage sex.
4. On the note of alternative swear words. I do wonder if it was meant as a part of the worldbuilding in the sense that the characters no longer use current swear replacements or if the author just didn't want to litter their book with swear words? It all ends up having the same effect in the end anyway.
5. Unnecessary prepositions. That’s one thing that needs to be cut. Example: “sat down” what other direction would you sit? It would be notable if for some reason the characters are sitting on the ceiling, but just sitting in general, don’t do it.
6. I wish there was more consistency in chapter lengths.
Audiobook
There were some strange things with the audio every so often. I could tell the reader rerecorded a few lines because they didn't have the same tone. That stood out while listening.
Compliments
1. I really like the world. It's a unique idea that plays on the scars that religious trauma leaves behind. I loved that touch to the world and how the religious rules were played to fit the universe. I think it does an excellent job of calling into question many things we see in the world today as well.
2. The new alternatives to swearing. Really enjoyed them even though they threw me off at first.
Negatives
1. I don't think the author or editor could decide whether the book should be written in past or present tense. That was the biggest issue. Usually, when I listen to an audiobook, I don't hear as many grammar errors. However, I could hear this one loud and clear every single time. I think that tensing really needed to be pinned down to help the narrative. There were other issues as well, but some grammar errors can be excused or argued as necessary. The tensing just really stands out to me.
2. Another negative was a part of the plot that made me throw my hands in the air and walk away from what I was doing just to pause the audiobook. This is a spoiler, but it was established in the narrative that Shiloh had a recorder put on her bra by the United Council (I can't remember the name of the specific division). However, immediately after this Shiloh decides to go against everything she was told and kiss Jake where the UC can hear everything that happens? I was so thrown off by this. It's almost like it was thrown in haphazardly to add drama, but then every scene never coordinated that she was being listened to. If Shiloh had a recording device on her and she actually wanted to protect the people around her, she would cater everything in every situation. The UC would have access to all those recordings and know she was breaking one of the rules they established at the beginning. After that as well, Shiloh would mention she was being listened to and carefully hedge around other things with others but talking about Heresy with Jake wasn't off the table? Despite him being the counselor's son? And he was already in trouble for that. Very frustrating from a storytelling perspective. Shiloh might be a teenager, but teenagers aren't stupid. Especially since the author established Shiloh is smart.
3. I think there should be a content warning for underage sex.
4. On the note of alternative swear words. I do wonder if it was meant as a part of the worldbuilding in the sense that the characters no longer use current swear replacements or if the author just didn't want to litter their book with swear words? It all ends up having the same effect in the end anyway.
5. Unnecessary prepositions. That’s one thing that needs to be cut. Example: “sat down” what other direction would you sit? It would be notable if for some reason the characters are sitting on the ceiling, but just sitting in general, don’t do it.
6. I wish there was more consistency in chapter lengths.
Audiobook
There were some strange things with the audio every so often. I could tell the reader rerecorded a few lines because they didn't have the same tone. That stood out while listening.