Monday, November 30, 2015

Devoted

Book: Devoted
Author: Jennifer Mathieu

Rachel Walker is devoted to God.

She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy.

But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from, and increasingly finds that neither the church nor her homeschool education has the answers she craves. Rachel has always found solace in her beliefs, but now she can’t shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul.-Goodreads


Review: Rachel Walker is a 17-year old brought up in the Quiverfall church (like the Duggar family). While her mother deals with a miscarriage, Rachel takes care of the household and her multiple younger siblings. Rachel knows her father will be picking out her husband soon, so she too can be married and start a family of her own. Just like she has been taught is her duty. But Rachel doesn't want that life and when she stumbles upon the blog of a girl who escaped her family and the church, Rachel's life begins to change. 

This book was a wonderful surprise. I found myself going on an emotional journey with Rachel-distress, happiness, fear, sadness, etc. I actually cried toward the end which was pretty shocking to me. I was proud of what Rachel accomplished in the book while at the same time my heart broke for her. I also enjoyed how Mathieu handled the religion concept here (this is not a 'religion is evil' book by any means). Good read. 

Grade: 4/5

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