Review by aseel_reads - Ordinary Saints

aseel_reads 's review for:

Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin

3.75

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I generally liked this story and the characters, it covered a really interesting part of the Irish catholic identity - having a family member be a priest, then becoming a saint - however I think the pacing/moving through time, was done a bit poorly and it made it confusing. Maybe if the chapters had a month/year, things would have been clearer. I also think that while Jay had valid reasons for not talking to council people, giving evidence for why her brother should be anointed

her being gay and everything

I felt like it was made a bigger deal than it was

her brother wasn't bad or had some sordid past, it was built up too much and then failed to deliver

The inclusion of

COVID at the end was very confusing too

An interesting read but some parts made weakened the story

Content Warnings