jang's review against another edition
2.0
Well that was a quick read.
But, but what the hell did I just read? The constant thought that went through my head as I was reading the book was "does shit like this even happen in real life?" I don't mean to judge puritanical families or even cults per se but I doubt it's possible for an entire family to enslave their lives completely for faith or a certain belief.
This book tells the story of twins Abigail and Aaron who suffer financially, socially and emotionally from their parents' fundamentalism (or maybe just hyperactive faith). Sorry. Their father came across this pastor Brother John who went about his teaching by collecting money from his zealots so they can be saved from oblivion and "the end of the world." Sounds pretty cult-ish, right? Because their father put too much stock on Brother John's preaching and BS prophecies, he literally gave all their money and properties to the church and started living inside THE VAN, penniless and corrupted. Seems like a load of BS that's why I can't embrace the idea that an entire family have become willing disciples of this save-yourself-from-Judgment-Day-movement.
The characters were so poorly written and dismal that there were times when I was uttering whatthefucks out of frustration. Abigail was too clingy to her twin brother for her own sake and her brother was much too selfish and contained. Their relationship was confusing because sometimes they're upping their game, sometimes they're every bit as stupid as their willing Puritans of parents.
THE PARENTS could be hardly considered parents because they let their kids live off public bathrooms, free oaties and coffee cups from convenient stores and free meals from the church. They were so bankrupt that they had to indirectly beg for food just to fend for themselves and the twins. Daddy wanted to bear witness to the 2nd coming of Christ, mommy was too passive and enduring that who cares if her kids run off, just as long as they're abiding by the plans of God (accdg to bro John). I can't deal with these parents, if they were mine, I'll be goddamned saying all the evil thoughts that my mind can think of until they come to their senses.
The book was made even more frustrating by the lack of real problems and even resolution. The story abruptly ended with the father FINALLY turning his back on his goody Brother John and attended to his bruise-covered and beaten son. That was so infuriating that you'd likely go "Why only now, asshat?! You're not gonna go to hell for turning your back on shithead Brother John."
The book could be good, y'know. If the characters and the situation were more developed, more thought of, more explored, it could be.
But, but what the hell did I just read? The constant thought that went through my head as I was reading the book was "does shit like this even happen in real life?" I don't mean to judge puritanical families or even cults per se but I doubt it's possible for an entire family to enslave their lives completely for faith or a certain belief.
This book tells the story of twins Abigail and Aaron who suffer financially, socially and emotionally from their parents' fundamentalism (or maybe just hyperactive faith). Sorry. Their father came across this pastor Brother John who went about his teaching by collecting money from his zealots so they can be saved from oblivion and "the end of the world." Sounds pretty cult-ish, right? Because their father put too much stock on Brother John's preaching and BS prophecies, he literally gave all their money and properties to the church and started living inside THE VAN, penniless and corrupted. Seems like a load of BS that's why I can't embrace the idea that an entire family have become willing disciples of this save-yourself-from-Judgment-Day-movement.
The characters were so poorly written and dismal that there were times when I was uttering whatthefucks out of frustration. Abigail was too clingy to her twin brother for her own sake and her brother was much too selfish and contained. Their relationship was confusing because sometimes they're upping their game, sometimes they're every bit as stupid as their willing Puritans of parents.
THE PARENTS could be hardly considered parents because they let their kids live off public bathrooms, free oaties and coffee cups from convenient stores and free meals from the church. They were so bankrupt that they had to indirectly beg for food just to fend for themselves and the twins. Daddy wanted to bear witness to the 2nd coming of Christ, mommy was too passive and enduring that who cares if her kids run off, just as long as they're abiding by the plans of God (accdg to bro John). I can't deal with these parents, if they were mine, I'll be goddamned saying all the evil thoughts that my mind can think of until they come to their senses.
The book was made even more frustrating by the lack of real problems and even resolution. The story abruptly ended with the father FINALLY turning his back on his goody Brother John and attended to his bruise-covered and beaten son. That was so infuriating that you'd likely go "Why only now, asshat?! You're not gonna go to hell for turning your back on shithead Brother John."
The book could be good, y'know. If the characters and the situation were more developed, more thought of, more explored, it could be.
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Abigail's family has traveled across the country to San Fransisco because of her father's passionate belief in the religion Brother John is peddling. The family has given up everything and given most of it to Brother. However, none of that should really matter because Brother John has predicted the end of the world. Only, it isn't. Abigail and her twin brother Aaron are stuck living in a van with their parents. These two teens went from regular high school kids to homeless. Even though Brother John is a liar, Abigail's parents continue to follow, believe and give to the misguided cause. The twins have had enough and are looking for a way out. Can Abigail leave her parents/family behind?
This was an interesting quick read. This novel picks up the pieces after the end of the world doesn't happen.
This was an interesting quick read. This novel picks up the pieces after the end of the world doesn't happen.
youarestillamystery's review against another edition
3.0
Aslında harika bir konusu vardı.Değişik bir hikaye,değişik bir olay örgüsü vardı.Dili akıcı ve sadeydi.Sadece yazarın sonunu havada bıraktığını düşünüyorum.Sonu tatmin etmedi.
emjrasmussen's review against another edition
Imagine your parents have staged an upheaval of your entire life. Selling your house and non-essential possessions and giving the money away, they force you to drive across the entire United States, leaving behind your education, friends, and other family members. And worst of all, your parents make each of these terrible, terrible decisions simply because a man told them the end of the world was approaching. They have been brainwashed by the charismatic leader of a cult religion, and you are forced to share the experience.
This is No Parking at the End Times in a nutshell, and the story is just as horrifying, fascinating, and strangely empowering as it sounds.
First off, I adore the premise of this book. I love books that deal with religion—both the good sides and the bad sides of various different faiths—and No Parking at the End Times does not disappoint in its portrayal of the dangers of extreme cults. Readers get to sit in on Brother John's brainwashing sermons, glimpse his corruption, and watch Abigail's parents continue to believe and give scraps of money to the church as "tithing." Brother John's nonsensical preaching will leave you repulsed-yet-engaged and feeling absolutely terrible for the real people who fall into similar cult religion traps—especially the children who get dragged along for the ride.
What really makes No Parking at the End Times stand out, though, is its cast of characters—particularly Abigail and her twin brother, Aaron. The twins have distinct ways of dealing with their situation: Abigail tries to remain optimistic and support her parents despite their misguided decisions, while Aaron becomes sarcastic and angry and makes plans to return home. These mindsets compliment each other perfectly, portraying a range of fully developed, fully understandable emotions. And both show the character's struggles so clearly that readers cannot help cheering for Abigail and Aaron to stand up for themselves and convince their parents to abandon Brother John.
I only have one complaint about this novel: the story of how Abigail's parents grew to trust Brother John in the first place is a bit underdeveloped. Readers are told the family struggled with financial difficulties around the time Brother John began advertising, but nothing serious enough to make the average person abandon his or her life and religion and join a cult. A full understanding of the parents' motives is not necessary to enjoy the story, but I could not help feeling that some essential piece of background information was missing.
But while Abigail's story could have benefited from more development at its roots, I adored it anyway. No Parking at the End Times is short, quick read, but it packs an emotional punch in its 267 pages. Perfect for fans of stories about religion gone wrong, challenging situations, and familial bonds, Bliss's debut is a solid addition to the contemporary YA genre. I cannot wait to try his second novel.
This review originally appeared at www.foreverliterary.com.
This is No Parking at the End Times in a nutshell, and the story is just as horrifying, fascinating, and strangely empowering as it sounds.
First off, I adore the premise of this book. I love books that deal with religion—both the good sides and the bad sides of various different faiths—and No Parking at the End Times does not disappoint in its portrayal of the dangers of extreme cults. Readers get to sit in on Brother John's brainwashing sermons, glimpse his corruption, and watch Abigail's parents continue to believe and give scraps of money to the church as "tithing." Brother John's nonsensical preaching will leave you repulsed-yet-engaged and feeling absolutely terrible for the real people who fall into similar cult religion traps—especially the children who get dragged along for the ride.
What really makes No Parking at the End Times stand out, though, is its cast of characters—particularly Abigail and her twin brother, Aaron. The twins have distinct ways of dealing with their situation: Abigail tries to remain optimistic and support her parents despite their misguided decisions, while Aaron becomes sarcastic and angry and makes plans to return home. These mindsets compliment each other perfectly, portraying a range of fully developed, fully understandable emotions. And both show the character's struggles so clearly that readers cannot help cheering for Abigail and Aaron to stand up for themselves and convince their parents to abandon Brother John.
I only have one complaint about this novel: the story of how Abigail's parents grew to trust Brother John in the first place is a bit underdeveloped. Readers are told the family struggled with financial difficulties around the time Brother John began advertising, but nothing serious enough to make the average person abandon his or her life and religion and join a cult. A full understanding of the parents' motives is not necessary to enjoy the story, but I could not help feeling that some essential piece of background information was missing.
But while Abigail's story could have benefited from more development at its roots, I adored it anyway. No Parking at the End Times is short, quick read, but it packs an emotional punch in its 267 pages. Perfect for fans of stories about religion gone wrong, challenging situations, and familial bonds, Bliss's debut is a solid addition to the contemporary YA genre. I cannot wait to try his second novel.
This review originally appeared at www.foreverliterary.com.
readingundertheradar's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed seeing the family relationship in this book. It wasn't focused on romance or friendship or anything but faith and family, and having faith in your relatives. Watching Abigail struggle to keep her family together through her dad's move to a doomsday cult was refreshing, and I could truly tell how the characters were feeling.
I did, however, want more from the book. It felt like there were only two extremes, and I wanted to see the in-between place of how the family moved from struggling to accepting one another and learning to work with one another to make their new lives work.
My full review is posted on my blog.
I did, however, want more from the book. It felt like there were only two extremes, and I wanted to see the in-between place of how the family moved from struggling to accepting one another and learning to work with one another to make their new lives work.
My full review is posted on my blog.
asanovasvetlana's review
2.0
1.5 stars
This book just wasn't for me. To much fanatical religion, plain characters, total lack of action and it was just boring.
Though I can understand why people like it. And there were some good ideas and topics to discuss. I've even written some quotes down.
But in general - no, just no for me!
This book just wasn't for me. To much fanatical religion, plain characters, total lack of action and it was just boring.
Though I can understand why people like it. And there were some good ideas and topics to discuss. I've even written some quotes down.
But in general - no, just no for me!
herlifewithbooks's review against another edition
I've read a few "Help! My parents have become fundamentalists who are preparing for the imminent Armageddon!" YA titles in my days, but never one that began *after* the Armageddon was supposed to happen. So it's a book about losing/finding your parents' religion but also a book about being homeless.
mamaorgana80's review against another edition
3.0
Fast, easy read that tackles some big issues: religious fundamentalism and homelessness to start. Good, but not great.