yokorie's review against another edition
4.0
My obsession with young adult fiction with fundamentalist Christianity continues! This book was definitely easier to get through than some of the others in this category like The Chosen One or Sister Wives. Mathieu definitely did her research on this book, citing Kathryn Joyce’s “[b:Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement|3464030|Quiverfull Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement|Kathryn Joyce|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320430103l/3464030._SY75_.jpg|3505315]” book, and one of my favorite reads last summer, so I requested this one from my library as fast as I could.
Maybe because I did read that book, and have been picked through the “No Longer Quivering” blog Mathieu also cites as a reference for a while, that this book didn’t hit me as hard as it will probably hit others. I’ve been around this block before, so nothing was particularly shocking or disturbing to me (i.e. women not being allowed to speak during prayer time, sanctioned teenage marriage and pregnancy, modest dressing methods, emotional suppression, etc.) That’s what’s keeping this book from hitting all five stars: I’ve seen the themes in YA fiction before, and Devoted didn’t really bust any barriers for me. Obviously this will be different for someone less “devoted” (haha) than I am to this sub-sub-sub-genre of fiction so I don’t want to penalize Mathieu.
But even though the “oh my gosh people actually do this” mentality was lost on me, Devoted still proved to be a sweet, heartfelt contemporary tale. Mathieu did a good job of spacing out Rachel’s growth in the story. When a girl leaves behind a community like this she doesn’t necessarily jump instantly into casual sex and booty shorts. Rachel is still uncertain of her place in her world once she’s out from under her parents’ (read: her father’s and pastor’s) thumbs and her adjustment to life outside of what she’s used to comes gradually over the course of the book, from her first unchaperoned conversation with a boy, to her first sleeveless shirt, to her first paycheck, and so on. Things don’t immediately click in to place when she first starts out, nor does she figure everything out by the end. The book is very light on the romance to reflect this, seamlessly avoiding another issue I’ve had with books of this kind.
The fact that Rachel kept her faith in God through the book was also nice. I wouldn’t really classify this book as “Christian fiction” but if there’s one aspect of her identity that Rachel is certain of it’s that she believes in God and wants to pray. Keeping that aspect of her personality and upbringing really helped round out her character without making her feel unrealistic. Likewise, with Lauren, who left the same Church under much more violent pretenses, has different feelings and reacts to things differently and sees the world differently. The same goes for the other women in Rachel’s life, like her mother and sisters. It’s refreshing that Mathieu understands that not every woman is going to feel the same about religion, or leaving it for that matter. No one is “othered” in this book, and none of the characters we meet are painted as 100% evil or wrong.
All in all, a lovely read with a heartfelt main character and a tasteful plot for inquisitive girls of all faiths.
Maybe because I did read that book, and have been picked through the “No Longer Quivering” blog Mathieu also cites as a reference for a while, that this book didn’t hit me as hard as it will probably hit others. I’ve been around this block before, so nothing was particularly shocking or disturbing to me (i.e. women not being allowed to speak during prayer time, sanctioned teenage marriage and pregnancy, modest dressing methods, emotional suppression, etc.) That’s what’s keeping this book from hitting all five stars: I’ve seen the themes in YA fiction before, and Devoted didn’t really bust any barriers for me. Obviously this will be different for someone less “devoted” (haha) than I am to this sub-sub-sub-genre of fiction so I don’t want to penalize Mathieu.
But even though the “oh my gosh people actually do this” mentality was lost on me, Devoted still proved to be a sweet, heartfelt contemporary tale. Mathieu did a good job of spacing out Rachel’s growth in the story. When a girl leaves behind a community like this she doesn’t necessarily jump instantly into casual sex and booty shorts. Rachel is still uncertain of her place in her world once she’s out from under her parents’ (read: her father’s and pastor’s) thumbs and her adjustment to life outside of what she’s used to comes gradually over the course of the book, from her first unchaperoned conversation with a boy, to her first sleeveless shirt, to her first paycheck, and so on. Things don’t immediately click in to place when she first starts out, nor does she figure everything out by the end. The book is very light on the romance to reflect this, seamlessly avoiding another issue I’ve had with books of this kind.
The fact that Rachel kept her faith in God through the book was also nice. I wouldn’t really classify this book as “Christian fiction” but if there’s one aspect of her identity that Rachel is certain of it’s that she believes in God and wants to pray. Keeping that aspect of her personality and upbringing really helped round out her character without making her feel unrealistic. Likewise, with Lauren, who left the same Church under much more violent pretenses, has different feelings and reacts to things differently and sees the world differently. The same goes for the other women in Rachel’s life, like her mother and sisters. It’s refreshing that Mathieu understands that not every woman is going to feel the same about religion, or leaving it for that matter. No one is “othered” in this book, and none of the characters we meet are painted as 100% evil or wrong.
All in all, a lovely read with a heartfelt main character and a tasteful plot for inquisitive girls of all faiths.
kelz31's review against another edition
5.0
For the first time in months, I read a book that I did not want to end.
Now I love reading, of course, but I usually feel that books would benefit from being a little shorter. The converse to that theory is Devoted, which I could easily use another 100 pages of - or a sequel. It was so well written and engrossing that I found myself plowing through it, even knowing that I would be sad when it was over.
Devoted is the story of a 17 year old girl who has grown up in a fanatical religious community and her life as she realizes she may not stay there forever.
Highly, highly recommended.
Now I love reading, of course, but I usually feel that books would benefit from being a little shorter. The converse to that theory is Devoted, which I could easily use another 100 pages of - or a sequel. It was so well written and engrossing that I found myself plowing through it, even knowing that I would be sad when it was over.
Devoted is the story of a 17 year old girl who has grown up in a fanatical religious community and her life as she realizes she may not stay there forever.
Highly, highly recommended.
mollitron's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Rachel Walker is part of the Christian Calvary Church, a strict religious community. If anyone strays from the path of righteousness, they are sent away to a camp where they are retaught how to follow the path of God. After Rachel's mother has a miscarriage, she experiences postpartum stress, leaving Rachel to care for her younger symptoms. The pressure becomes too much and Rachel begins questioning her accepted way of life. She wants to read her favorite books and dress more comfortably, but her father punishes her for deviating from their values. As the punishments begin to increase, Rachel begins to reach out to the outside world. Rachel's soul is in limbo, but what will damn her, staying or going?
This was an interesting book. I love how it was about a young woman make her own decision, without a romantic relationship factoring into it. While a crush eventually comes about, it isn't a factor in Rachel's motivations. It reminds me of the Escaping Polygamy shows.
This was an interesting book. I love how it was about a young woman make her own decision, without a romantic relationship factoring into it. While a crush eventually comes about, it isn't a factor in Rachel's motivations. It reminds me of the Escaping Polygamy shows.
cgreens's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but, for over 300 pages, not much happens in it.
Rachel is very likable and has an enjoyable-to-follow progression as a character.
However, I did notice that there's a major plot shift about 60% of the way through, and then nothing much more happens. Rachel has some hardships and makes a tough decision, but at the same time EVERYONE is unsettlingly kind and accommodating to her. I feel like it's not a very accurate portrayal of what would happen to someone since all these people who don't even know her randomly let her live with them, give her cash money for easy work, encourage her, etc. She has a huge internal conflict, but everything is such smooth sailing after she makes her decision it's hard to keep feeling for her or caring about her story.
Rachel is very likable and has an enjoyable-to-follow progression as a character.
However, I did notice that there's a major plot shift about 60% of the way through, and then nothing much more happens. Rachel has some hardships and makes a tough decision, but at the same time EVERYONE is unsettlingly kind and accommodating to her. I feel like it's not a very accurate portrayal of what would happen to someone since all these people who don't even know her randomly let her live with them, give her cash money for easy work, encourage her, etc. She has a huge internal conflict, but everything is such smooth sailing after she makes her decision it's hard to keep feeling for her or caring about her story.
andimontgomery's review against another edition
4.0
This was an engrossing story of 17-year old Rachel, who comes to terms with her family, their religion, and her future. She is raised in a cultish society, where men are the authority, and women are the subservient mothers and housewives. Her family has ten children, and she has exceeded her mother’s homeschooling capabilities, so she spends her days helping to homeschool her five younger siblings, and care for her broader family. It’s an exhausting life for one so young.
When Rachel gets in trouble for reading “A Wrinkle in Time,” she starts to question her future. Wanting to be able to make her own choices, Rachel bravely decides to do something about it.
The story is told gently and carefully, in no way condescending those of faith. But it also provides some insight into the brainwashing that likely occurs in these types of cultures.
I liked how Rachel evolved and grew on her own. This was a highly uplifting story, and IMO, better than Mathieu’s Moxie.
When Rachel gets in trouble for reading “A Wrinkle in Time,” she starts to question her future. Wanting to be able to make her own choices, Rachel bravely decides to do something about it.
The story is told gently and carefully, in no way condescending those of faith. But it also provides some insight into the brainwashing that likely occurs in these types of cultures.
I liked how Rachel evolved and grew on her own. This was a highly uplifting story, and IMO, better than Mathieu’s Moxie.
tobyyy's review against another edition
5.0
I fell in love with Mathieu’s writing when I read The Truth About Alice. So when I saw this one in the bargain bin at Book Outlet, I figured I’d pick it up and take a look. And it delivered!!
Rachel is a character to whom I think many people could relate. She just wants to do whatever is right, and to her family that means growing up as a godly woman who is a homemaker. But... Rachel doesn’t want to just be a homemaker. Thinking about her future husband and bearing children makes her panic. So she starts to rebel in small ways...
...that end up being not so small to her family. And in the end, Rachel has to choose whether she can actually abide by her family’s rules and accept her future as a wife and mother... or leave, to pursue her dreams of education and freedom.
Rachel’s family was very frustrating to read about but was also very familiar to me due to my own experiences as a child/teen.
However, despite the frustration and irritation I felt reading about Rachel’s family, Mathieu wrote about both “sides” of this (the cult and the secular) with compassion and clarity. No one was made out to be “the bad guy” or “the wrong one.” Even the morality issues that Rachel came across were written in a fair, unbiased way.
Usually I’m leery of books like this, because if they’re published by a Christian press then they’re typically blatantly in favor of religion... but if they’re published by a secular press, the opposite is true and religion is usually the scapegoat or the laughing stock. Neither was true in Devoted, which was amazing and which I appreciated very much. This points to Mathieu’s skill.
I definitely recommend this to pretty much anyone. It raises awareness (and also made me feel less alone in many ways) with kindness and compassion, and also exemplifies how people who live in the same little town in America can have such a different sense of rights and freedoms that some take for granted.
Rachel is a character to whom I think many people could relate. She just wants to do whatever is right, and to her family that means growing up as a godly woman who is a homemaker. But... Rachel doesn’t want to just be a homemaker. Thinking about her future husband and bearing children makes her panic. So she starts to rebel in small ways...
...that end up being not so small to her family. And in the end, Rachel has to choose whether she can actually abide by her family’s rules and accept her future as a wife and mother... or leave, to pursue her dreams of education and freedom.
Rachel’s family was very frustrating to read about but was also very familiar to me due to my own experiences as a child/teen.
However, despite the frustration and irritation I felt reading about Rachel’s family, Mathieu wrote about both “sides” of this (the cult and the secular) with compassion and clarity. No one was made out to be “the bad guy” or “the wrong one.” Even the morality issues that Rachel came across were written in a fair, unbiased way.
Usually I’m leery of books like this, because if they’re published by a Christian press then they’re typically blatantly in favor of religion... but if they’re published by a secular press, the opposite is true and religion is usually the scapegoat or the laughing stock. Neither was true in Devoted, which was amazing and which I appreciated very much. This points to Mathieu’s skill.
I definitely recommend this to pretty much anyone. It raises awareness (and also made me feel less alone in many ways) with kindness and compassion, and also exemplifies how people who live in the same little town in America can have such a different sense of rights and freedoms that some take for granted.
viviannaaudreyjames_'s review against another edition
5.0
“But why? Because a bunch of men who choose to interpret the Bible in a super–specific, super ridiculous way decide that to love God and Jesus you can never be sad or mad or angry? I mean, give me a fucking break. Human beings get sad. We get mad. We get angry! If God didn’t want us to feel this way, why did he create these emotions in the first place?”
+ I had never wanted to protect and hug a fictional character as I much as I do with Rachel Walker. A Christian girl, who’s deemed as a sinner for doing normal things - reading books that are not from the Bible, accidentally wore a thin shirt, causing her bra to be seen, and wanting to get an education.
+ I love stories like these. Religious cults and general cults alike. So I’ve known some traits from reading all those stories. But nothing hurts me more than knowing this actually happens in real life, to a hundred and millions of children all over the world. My whole heart goes to those who have been in these types of situations before. Know that my prayers are always with you.
+ every single time, there’s a verse from the Bible, it’s always used to shame the congregation. Instead of welcoming them into the arms of God, they instil fears inside these people's mind - when you don’t follow God’s words, you won’t reach Heaven, you won’t be saved, you won’t be able to meet Jesus. Instead of truly obeying God’s words and commandments, it has become a rule instead. That if you don’t stay faithful with God’s words, you will go to Hell.
+ don’t even get me started on Journey of Faith. Those church camps are nice and all, but force labour, endless reciting Bible hours and no connection with the rest of the participants? Yeah, I’d pass for life. These are so damaging. Especially to young kids. NO church camps should let you do hard work, under the sun, with no protection at all. As Lauren Sullivan said, “They’re brainwashing you.”
+ I’ve annotated the heck out of this book, so there are way too many points to list down, but most of them are just my angry thoughts, the fear I had for Rachel, and some Bible verses explanation because I suck at understanding the Bible.
+ read this with an open heart and open mind. Not all churches are like this, but they do exist. We just don’t know. As a Catholic, I understand the need to follow God’s words at all time will allow us to be one with God, the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. But in all honesty, you can be a Christian, and also a normal human being on this planet. You have one life. One wild and precious life.
What are you going to do with it?
God forgives. He’s always there for you. But your life on this Earth is only for a brief moment. Fill it with memories, give out compassion, love and empathy to those in need, and above all, be grateful and be kind to everyone.
+ I had never wanted to protect and hug a fictional character as I much as I do with Rachel Walker. A Christian girl, who’s deemed as a sinner for doing normal things - reading books that are not from the Bible, accidentally wore a thin shirt, causing her bra to be seen, and wanting to get an education.
+ I love stories like these. Religious cults and general cults alike. So I’ve known some traits from reading all those stories. But nothing hurts me more than knowing this actually happens in real life, to a hundred and millions of children all over the world. My whole heart goes to those who have been in these types of situations before. Know that my prayers are always with you.
+ every single time, there’s a verse from the Bible, it’s always used to shame the congregation. Instead of welcoming them into the arms of God, they instil fears inside these people's mind - when you don’t follow God’s words, you won’t reach Heaven, you won’t be saved, you won’t be able to meet Jesus. Instead of truly obeying God’s words and commandments, it has become a rule instead. That if you don’t stay faithful with God’s words, you will go to Hell.
+ don’t even get me started on Journey of Faith. Those church camps are nice and all, but force labour, endless reciting Bible hours and no connection with the rest of the participants? Yeah, I’d pass for life. These are so damaging. Especially to young kids. NO church camps should let you do hard work, under the sun, with no protection at all. As Lauren Sullivan said, “They’re brainwashing you.”
+ I’ve annotated the heck out of this book, so there are way too many points to list down, but most of them are just my angry thoughts, the fear I had for Rachel, and some Bible verses explanation because I suck at understanding the Bible.
+ read this with an open heart and open mind. Not all churches are like this, but they do exist. We just don’t know. As a Catholic, I understand the need to follow God’s words at all time will allow us to be one with God, the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. But in all honesty, you can be a Christian, and also a normal human being on this planet. You have one life. One wild and precious life.
What are you going to do with it?
God forgives. He’s always there for you. But your life on this Earth is only for a brief moment. Fill it with memories, give out compassion, love and empathy to those in need, and above all, be grateful and be kind to everyone.
mlindsey441's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very interesting book about a girl who is part of an ultra-conservative, patriarchal church. For individuals who grew up with a "Church is something we do on Sundays," this will be an eye opener -- because for Rachel's family, church is her life. It isn't a place they go to, but rather reaches in and dictates how a family and community lives and interacts with one another. I was interested in this title because, although I was never directly a part of such a church, I did dance along the periphery of one of these movements, read their literature, and longed to be able to take the plunge into an organization that took the responsibility of making my own decisions and put them into the hands of the men around me.
This book gets it right. The temptation I have seen is for authors to paint these groups in a very negative light. And Certainly there are families within these movements that are abusive -- it is a great place for abusive men to hide how they treat their families. But I've read enough of that and frankly, while very sad, it didn't resonate with what I have seen is the bigger danger of these types of churches. Many of the families that I know who are part of such groups are loving, kind, and provide really safe homes for their families. They are . . . Devoted. They love God and want to do what is right. Their interpretation of the Bible is such that it leads them to follow rigid lines of authority and provide very narrow boxes in which to raise children. And as this books shows, some people thrive in these environments, but for others it is a long slow walk of suffering, even though there is no overt physical or sexual abuse. The abuse in these situations is more subtle, taking on a form of spiritual abuse that I suspect many parents never intended to inflict on their children. They believe what they are doing is right and best for their families.
So what you will experience when you read this book is a very realistic portrayal of a family within a patriarchal movement. You will get a glimpse into the complicated experience young girls have when the choices that are available to them are not sufficient for their curious, questioning minds.
Likable characters, realistic experiences, and strong relationships are the major strengths of this book.
This book gets it right. The temptation I have seen is for authors to paint these groups in a very negative light. And Certainly there are families within these movements that are abusive -- it is a great place for abusive men to hide how they treat their families. But I've read enough of that and frankly, while very sad, it didn't resonate with what I have seen is the bigger danger of these types of churches. Many of the families that I know who are part of such groups are loving, kind, and provide really safe homes for their families. They are . . . Devoted. They love God and want to do what is right. Their interpretation of the Bible is such that it leads them to follow rigid lines of authority and provide very narrow boxes in which to raise children. And as this books shows, some people thrive in these environments, but for others it is a long slow walk of suffering, even though there is no overt physical or sexual abuse. The abuse in these situations is more subtle, taking on a form of spiritual abuse that I suspect many parents never intended to inflict on their children. They believe what they are doing is right and best for their families.
So what you will experience when you read this book is a very realistic portrayal of a family within a patriarchal movement. You will get a glimpse into the complicated experience young girls have when the choices that are available to them are not sufficient for their curious, questioning minds.
Likable characters, realistic experiences, and strong relationships are the major strengths of this book.
isobe_lw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75