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boywithabible's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
samwescott's review against another edition
1.0
Yikes.
I read this book as a kid and it gave me a lot of messed up ideas about public education and class discussion and how to cope with new ideas. It's a terrible book (like, written poorly and cheesy as hell), but more troubling is the overblown caricature of secular education and how not having the christian faith taught in public schools leads to the outright denial of reality and complete dissolution of truth (which is hilarious, coming from a young earth creationist author).
I had to re-read this book as an adult to settle my feelings about how it influenced me as a kid and, honestly, I'm legitimately mad about how much it prejudiced me against learning or interacting with new ideas and ways of thinking. It's like Peretti attended one unproductive undergrad philosophy class (and omg all undergrad philosophy classes are unproductive) and then decided to write a book about how the "liberal-biased education system" was trying to brainwash kids and teach them not to believe in reality (which, apparently, is only the Bible). Like, omg, I went to Bible college for a few years and we still discussed moral relativism and nihilism. It's ok, dude. That's what school is FOR.
It was so bad. So, so bad.
And, omg, Peretti, don't refer to kids as "the Hispanic from the volleyball game". Yikes.
I read this book as a kid and it gave me a lot of messed up ideas about public education and class discussion and how to cope with new ideas. It's a terrible book (like, written poorly and cheesy as hell), but more troubling is the overblown caricature of secular education and how not having the christian faith taught in public schools leads to the outright denial of reality and complete dissolution of truth (which is hilarious, coming from a young earth creationist author).
I had to re-read this book as an adult to settle my feelings about how it influenced me as a kid and, honestly, I'm legitimately mad about how much it prejudiced me against learning or interacting with new ideas and ways of thinking. It's like Peretti attended one unproductive undergrad philosophy class (and omg all undergrad philosophy classes are unproductive) and then decided to write a book about how the "liberal-biased education system" was trying to brainwash kids and teach them not to believe in reality (which, apparently, is only the Bible). Like, omg, I went to Bible college for a few years and we still discussed moral relativism and nihilism. It's ok, dude. That's what school is FOR.
It was so bad. So, so bad.
And, omg, Peretti, don't refer to kids as "the Hispanic from the volleyball game". Yikes.
dbrousseau's review against another edition
3.0
A bit slow to start out but a powerful message. Peretti always hits the bullseye on a social and political parallel to his story. Without truth, we have no right and wrong and a tyrant will rise up to fill the void. Everyone wondering how we got to where we are should read this.
vermidian's review against another edition
1.0
I read this ages ago, directly following Hangman's Curse - which I loved as a tween, a view I have since reconsidered out of frustration - and I quit reading it a few chapters in. It just didn't hold my attention. Having just reread the first book, I won't be making another attempt to find out why I didn't finish this book. The first book was frustrating enough to reread as an adult.
elevetha's review against another edition
3.0
When an group of twisted misguided individuals bring children together to form an messed up utopian society with no right or wrong, no winning, no losing, everybody "equal", no either\or, only both\and. Did I mention no right or wrong? Did anyone actually think it would end up all right!? Not I. Elijah and Elisha are brother and sister and when their family goes undercover to try and find out what "Knight-Moore" Academy is, Elijah and Elisha are separated from their parents and taken to Nightmare Academy with no memory of how they got there, where exactly on a map they are, no way to contact their parents, and no way out. Truth is a big part of this book; hence the Veritas Project. Elijah and Elisha believe in God and the existence (duh!) of right and wrong. There is no way that a society could survive the way that is portrayed in the book and I liked that the author tried to show how when government messes with God-given rights and the natural order of things; tries to impose rules that shouldn't be there; lies to people; leads them to believe that things are one way and then does the exact opposite; things are never going to work out. Ever. Interesting and thought provoking. I would recommend this book.
lydiagrace217's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
frustratedangel's review against another edition
4.0
My first Peretti. I was curious how Christian fiction would be like and I was not disappointed. The lesson on Truth and the importance of knowing right from wrong did not feel forced. I had some issues plot wise and how the resolution felt a bit hurriedly wrapped up but overall this was an enjoyable and worthwhile read. I wouldn't mind trying another Peretti.
bahareads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
While I liked Nightmare Acdemy WAY better than the Hangman's Curse. I knew that everything would turn out all right in the end and that put a damper on the suspense.
While I liked Nightmare Acdemy WAY better than the Hangman's Curse. I knew that everything would turn out all right in the end and that put a damper on the suspense.