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chronicallybookish's Reviews (1.53k)
3.5 stars
5 stars for amazing chronic illness rep by an #ownvoices author
2 stars for the book itself.
5 stars for amazing chronic illness rep by an #ownvoices author
2 stars for the book itself.
4.5 stars
I am a devout Catholic, so I was pretty hesitant reading a book about a girl leaving the Church. And for a while I was just… mad. I was upset about what was in the book. But not mad at the author for writing it, or the characters for feeling it. I was mad at the people—the real people in real life, who twist my religion into this hate, and these things that simply aren’t supposed to be a part of the religion. And I could tell that Elizabeth Acevedo was writing things she had experienced.
Because of this, I wasn’t planning on giving it a rating at all. Just a review. Because even though I hate seeing my religion portrayed like this—because that’s not what it actually is in doctrine and not what it’s supposed to be—this is a real experience. One I have seen. I love my religion. But I hate the people who weaponize it and turn it into something it’s not.
I don’t know if that makes any sense.
I’m trying to say I found this book upsetting but not at any fault of the author—I was not ever mad at the author in any way shape or form.
So, I wasn’t planning on giving a rating. But obviously, if you’re reading this review you can tell that I did give it a rating. Why?
*potential minor spoilers ahead*
Because in the end, I really appreciated what Elizabeth Acevedo did—she made the priest a good guy. She didn’t demonize the religion, or the religious, only those who use the religion as a weapon—those who hate instead of love. Those who twist it. She puts the priest on Xiomara’s side. And I appreciated that, because she showed that there are good people and goodness in general in the religion, even if it’s not what you believe.
That’s not to say I would have hated the book if he hadn’t been portrayed the way he was—there are bad priests. I’ve met some. Had he also been bad, I’d have been sad, but it still would have been a good book that portrayed the author’s truth. And a lot of people’s truth. And that’s something that needs to be written, too.
But I can’t say I’m not glad that she also showed the way the Church is meant to be.
I am a devout Catholic, so I was pretty hesitant reading a book about a girl leaving the Church. And for a while I was just… mad. I was upset about what was in the book. But not mad at the author for writing it, or the characters for feeling it. I was mad at the people—the real people in real life, who twist my religion into this hate, and these things that simply aren’t supposed to be a part of the religion. And I could tell that Elizabeth Acevedo was writing things she had experienced.
Because of this, I wasn’t planning on giving it a rating at all. Just a review. Because even though I hate seeing my religion portrayed like this—because that’s not what it actually is in doctrine and not what it’s supposed to be—this is a real experience. One I have seen. I love my religion. But I hate the people who weaponize it and turn it into something it’s not.
I don’t know if that makes any sense.
I’m trying to say I found this book upsetting but not at any fault of the author—I was not ever mad at the author in any way shape or form.
So, I wasn’t planning on giving a rating. But obviously, if you’re reading this review you can tell that I did give it a rating. Why?
*potential minor spoilers ahead*
Because in the end, I really appreciated what Elizabeth Acevedo did—she made the priest a good guy. She didn’t demonize the religion, or the religious, only those who use the religion as a weapon—those who hate instead of love. Those who twist it. She puts the priest on Xiomara’s side. And I appreciated that, because she showed that there are good people and goodness in general in the religion, even if it’s not what you believe.
That’s not to say I would have hated the book if he hadn’t been portrayed the way he was—there are bad priests. I’ve met some. Had he also been bad, I’d have been sad, but it still would have been a good book that portrayed the author’s truth. And a lot of people’s truth. And that’s something that needs to be written, too.
But I can’t say I’m not glad that she also showed the way the Church is meant to be.
Quick Stats
Age Rating: 14+
Overall: 4 stars
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
This book was definitely a fun read for Pride month. I loved the characters and I thought that they were all really well developed. The plot was fun and enjoyable, if lacking at times. Honestly, the biggest issue I had with this book was the romance. There was some good yearning, but as soon as there was a romantic catalyst, everything moved really fast. They were in love and ready to die for each other a paragraph after they admitted they had feelings for each other.
The book ended very open-endedly and left me with more questions than answers as to the world building and the flood. It might have been fine for people who prefer open ended books, but it felt unsatisfactory for me.
In the end it was a good book, and I was invested, but it fell flat and left me unsatisfied.
Age Rating: 14+
Overall: 4 stars
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
This book was definitely a fun read for Pride month. I loved the characters and I thought that they were all really well developed. The plot was fun and enjoyable, if lacking at times. Honestly, the biggest issue I had with this book was the romance. There was some good yearning, but as soon as there was a romantic catalyst, everything moved really fast. They were in love and ready to die for each other a paragraph after they admitted they had feelings for each other.
The book ended very open-endedly and left me with more questions than answers as to the world building and the flood. It might have been fine for people who prefer open ended books, but it felt unsatisfactory for me.
In the end it was a good book, and I was invested, but it fell flat and left me unsatisfied.
Either 4 or 4.5. I enjoyed it a lot, but I did prefer Raybearer a good bit more.
