Published: June 9th 2015
Publisher: Dial Books
Pages: 400
Source: First to Read
Synopsis:
The Kevinian cult has taken everything from seventeen-year-old Minnow: twelve years of her life, her family, her ability to trust. And when she rebelled, they took away her hands, too.
Now their Prophet has been murdered and their camp set aflame, and it's clear that Minnow knows something—but she's not talking. As she languishes in juvenile detention, she struggles to un-learn everything she has been taught to believe, adjusting to a life behind bars and recounting the events that led up to her incarceration. But when an FBI detective approaches her about making a deal, Minnow sees she can have the freedom she always dreamed of—if she’s willing to part with the terrible secrets of her past.
This debut novel is a hard-hitting and hopeful story about the dangers of blind faith—and the power of having faith in oneself.
My Rating:
★★★★☆
Review:
I received this book from the first to reads program for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.
I do not usually like books based so much on religion but there are of course exceptions to that rule. When I read the synopsis of this book and found out it was about a cult and a young girl that grows up in said cult I had to read it and see what it was about. I understand that when you grow up in that sort of thing it warps your thinking and you can't know any other way especially when the cult keeps its people from learning any better. It is amazing though what some people will do for faith.
Minnow is a very complex character she wasn't very whinny, she was just trying to figure out herself and how to fit into this world that kept growing each time she learned something new. When a young girl like herself is repressed and told basically to keep it in its no wonder that she lashes out at the nearest thing when something upsets her. Through this whole books its basically more about how she grows and comes to deal with her past to move past everything and deal with the emotions she has locked inside of her.
I loved the side characters as well I don't think Minnow would have gotten as far as she did if she didn't have Angel as a cell mate. Angel was down to earth and believed in science which helped steer Minnow towards bigger questions that can't always be answered by religion or science, it does open up her eyes to possibilities though where she starts to question things and find her own way in life. Jude I liked at first especially when he was the only one who was there for Minnow while she was still with the cult but as the story unfolds I can see how Minnow can grow out of a friend, by the end of the book if she kept him as a friend he would have held her back.
This books is filled with enough mystery to keep it interesting and the flow of the story was point on. It switches back and forth from her current predicament where she is dealing with being in held in the juvenile detention center and then to her telling different people about her past and dealings within the cult. I also liked the fairy tale retelling part, I recently read some grim fairy tales and it reminded me of them.
Be prepared if you read this book, it does have some gruesome parts that will make you question how people could do so many horrible things just because someone says it is in the name of God. No I didn't think Minnow should have gone to jail for what she did, the system should have helped her in other ways other than throwing her in jail for assault. I know our system isn't the best and she just seemed to be dealt a bad hand but they still could have helped her in other ways but I think it all worked out for the best regardless. The ending was cut short in my opinion I was wanting just a little more of the story but that is what makes a good book, one that keeps you wanting and makes you question everything.
This is Stephanie Oakes debut novel if you would like to see what else she has in the works please visit her site at: http://www.stephanieoakesbooks.com/
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