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pythonesque's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Misogyny
cosmicwillow's review against another edition
medium-paced
1.0
this book couldve been really great and interesting if michael wasnt in it. hes such a dick and not at all in a likeable way. all my homies hate michael.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Ableism, Pedophilia, and Rape
enchantressreads's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"My name is Michael, and I'm a heretic."
Heretics Anonymous begins with Michael Ausman, a young atheist that's starting his first day at Catholic school. His father moves around a lot for his job, and he's never really made friends, and doesn't think he'll start now. But soon, Michael learns that not everyone attending a Catholic school is even Catholic. After meeting Lucy, a Colombian, feminist Catholic, he meets other friends of hers, including Avi (Jewish and gay), Max (Korean Unitarian), and Eden (Celtic pagan/polytheist). Together, they form Heretics Anonymous.
Heretics Anonymous wants to expose St. Clare's Preparatory School for the biased views and blatant lies they are spreading, beginning with their sex education class. They get the school's attention, and soon, Heretics Anonymous starts to go downhill.
I was very excited when I first saw this book announced. I figured out I was an atheist about the same time that Michael did. I was also one of the few atheists in school, and definitely felt left out. When I started reading it, however, I couldn't connect with Michael's character at all. He was rude and often thought lesser of the people around him. Even if you don't believe in any kind of religion, it's not right to treat religious people differently than yourself. I thought he would grow from this, but he didn't, really. He was pretty self-centered the entire book. Maybe that was the intention, but I didn't like his character at all.
My favorite character in this book was definitely Eden, and I'm sad we didn't get to see more of her. There was a brief moment of possible familial trauma, but it was never explored. I also loved Lucy. She was unapologetically herself, Catholic or not.
I wouldn't entirely recommend this book, but I wouldn't not recommend it either. It has pretty funny moments, if you can get over Michael being a douchebag through most of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Abandonment
Minor: Pedophilia and Outing
xoodlebooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Max (I think that was his name) was coded as autistic. He was awesome! I liked how the author wrote him. The main character was super unlikeable, and his obsession with the love interest was creepy. I didn’t like it. I also didn’t like the ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Stalking
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism, and Abandonment
penguininabluebox's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
alyssadavis's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Sister. Father. It’s like getting a whole other family I didn’t want to spend time with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
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