A review by jennabeck13
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

The Celebrant by Steven Rowley

⭐️⭐️💫 (2.5/5)

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

About 305 pages


Alec, Marielle, Craig, Naomi, Jordan, and Jordy became the best of friends while in college at Berkley. When Alec passes away shortly before graduation, the remaining five make a pact. The pact is that they will leave nothing unsaid… What does this mean? Each person can call their own funeral once and bring the group together to lift that individual’s spirits and remind them how loved they are. Called at various times throughout their decades of friendship we see how the group has grown individually and as friends throughout the years.


Conceptually, I loved the idea of the pact. However, I just found this book to be very sad and somber throughout which killed my rating. Obviously, the characters called in the pact when they were going through a tough time, but we rarely got to see the light, fun side of their friendship which I think would have been nice to have more sections or chapters sprinkling that in. Additionally, I think we could have benefitted from having a further foundation/connection developed with each character before diving into their trauma.


Favorite Quote: “Marielle, I know you think you are lost, but it’s only because you are out ahead. It’s someone else’s turn to hold the lantern now, so please let us do that for you. Look for our light. You were there for us then, we are here for you now. I have loved you since the moment we met.”



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