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A review by lizbusby
Beyond the Mapped Stars by Rosalyn Eves
5.0
I had heard such good things about this book, and now having read it, they are all deserved. This is one of the first books with a Mormon protagonist published by a mainstream publisher that isn't a sensationalist polygamy book. I loved how Rosalyn Eves was careful to include just enough explanation for those not familiar with the LDS church and its history, but still relied somewhat on the reader to figure things out.
Eves also manages to pack in almost every controversial issue in the history of the church in a short YA volume: race restrictions, polygamy, LGTBQ issues, women's blessings, relations with the Native Americans, it's all in there. And she deals with them all in a very forthright yet ultimately faithful way. The science versus religion theme as well as the marriage versus career question felt so authentic and realistic to me as an LDS woman, without feeling anachronistic in its feminism.
The eclipse setting was fascinating, the characters were loveable and interesting, and I even enjoyed the romance in the book, which is a big ask for someone as picky as me. This is a book I'm already recommending to my book club and will pass along to my sons and daughter when they are ready for considering the issues it presents. Highly recommend this book!
Eves also manages to pack in almost every controversial issue in the history of the church in a short YA volume: race restrictions, polygamy, LGTBQ issues, women's blessings, relations with the Native Americans, it's all in there. And she deals with them all in a very forthright yet ultimately faithful way. The science versus religion theme as well as the marriage versus career question felt so authentic and realistic to me as an LDS woman, without feeling anachronistic in its feminism.
The eclipse setting was fascinating, the characters were loveable and interesting, and I even enjoyed the romance in the book, which is a big ask for someone as picky as me. This is a book I'm already recommending to my book club and will pass along to my sons and daughter when they are ready for considering the issues it presents. Highly recommend this book!