PJV Quickie: Within the first words of this book, I was creeped out and felt like I had taken some kind of hallucinagentic. And the feeling never ended. This book was odd, out of sorts and just too abstract to connect with. Tonya Hurley is a well-versed author that can tell a story, but maybe I just don’t get her very dark mind. Which is not the usual fare for me.
Title: The Blessed
Author: Tonya Hurley
Series: The Blessed #1
Publication: September 25th 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Amazon Vine
Review:
The beginning of the books starts with a Lament by the character of Lucy. It felt like I had picked up some Emo girl’s diary…and I should probably call a suicide hotline and report her.
Then after the lament it starts into a very blurry picture of three teen girls in a hospital. One committed suicide, one drowned in a puddle (yes!) and the other overdosed. All of the characters are quite out it and from their POV, so the narrative conveys their frame-of-mind, quite brilliant that the author can capture this, but not exactly my cup-of-tea. The whole book followed this dreamy strange narrative, with the characters in and out of functioning like normal people. Then the depiction as adults but technically children didn’t work for me, along with the fact that I never connected with the characters had me putting this book down over and over again.
I can just never get into these strangely phrased novels, where the author is trying to create a work of art instead of telling a story. In some instances it works, much like Maggie Stiefvater’s more lyrical books, but in other it just fails miserably and for me THE BLESSED failed miserably.
Then as far as personal views, I had heard this was a religious book and it actually drew me to it. I was raised Catholic, most of my schooling was done in Catholic school so I’m pretty versed on Saints. (Not the football team – even though I’m well versed on them too — #FreePayton) And I’m also aware that most saints were completely reprehensible before they found redemption. Or at least a few of them. But, the whole teens stealing cars, driving drunk…just left me feeling dirty and not liking these girls very much. This book just wasn’t for me. But, other readers might enjoy Hurley’s odd perspective, especially if you’ve enjoyed her other titles as well.
Recommendation:
Because of the violence and bad behavior I recommend this to more mature teens.
Better YA Paranormal Titles
- Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles) by Gena Showalter
- A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
Other Books Rated 2 Star on Parajunkee’s View
- Review: Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead
- Romancing the Weekends: Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis
- Review: Love Can Be Dangerous to Your Health
Rating: 
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I have picked this book up more than once at the bookstore and put it down. The cover draws me in, perhaps like you because I was brought up in a very Catholic surrounding. The reviews I have read tho keep me putting it down. If only the story could match the perfect cover.
The cover is glorious. I can’t deny it…and you can even flip it inside out for a different one. Very cool, but I would say the best thing about the book.
Aw, this one sounded really good and I was excited to read it, but all I’ve seen is one bad review after another for it. I may still give a chance, but I’m not very eager to get to it anymore. Thanks for the honest review!
I can totally understand why you weren’t into this, but thanks so much for featuring it. Odd, out of sorts, abstract, dark….sounds exactly like my cup of tea! I really like “work of art” books, but they’re definitely not for everyone. They can be really dense. I’m willing to give this book a try though. Maybe what didn’t work for you will work for me. Nice review!
C.J.
Sarcasm & Lemons
I was hoping for a better rating, I added this to my to my TBL as soon as I heard it was going to be released on audio. Oh well, there’s so many titles I need to get to.
Thanks!
This review certainly intrigues me. It’s too bad the book didn’t work for you but I think I’m going to have to check it out, just to find out more
Oh dear, I felt the same when I picked that book up. It screamed gooey brain creepy, for me. That hot mess button could not be more accurate!
Strange and unusual books are usually a hit or miss with me so I’m curious to see how it’ll turn out for me. Sorry it didn’t work out for you.