Posted by Lauren in Book Reviews, Featured, Paranormal | 7 Comments
The Blessed by Tonya Hurley
The Blessed by Tonya Hurley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release date: September 25, 2012
Pages: 416
Summary: Agnes, Cecilia, and Lucy have all been chosen. While spending the evening in a hospital, each girl is given a bracelet with a symbol adorning the chain. When the girls eventually wind up at an old church during a storm, they’re met by Sebastian, a guy who claims to be a saint—and who claims the girls are, too.
My thoughts: The Blessed is interesting in that for a majority of the book, you truly can’t tell whether the girls are actually divinely chosen, or if they’ve just been lured in by a crazy young man. I loved this uncertainty, as it made for a much more suspenseful read. The Blessed is a strange story, through and through, but its off-the-wall concept makes it one that just can’t be missed.
Tonya Hurley’s writing is similarly eccentric, with sharp sentences and lyrical inserts about the girls’ dreams and visions. While some may not enjoy this style, I found it to match the novel itself quite perfectly: the girls live choppy lives, bouncing from one place to the next without much purpose, and the writing helps bolster this. While Hurley’s writing might make for a slower read, it’s still enjoyable.
The individual characters’ stories are where The Blessed really dips into strange territory. Yet it’s this strangeness that keeps us reading: however unbelievable the girls’ lifestyles, their raw humanity leaks through, allowing us to relate, even just a little, to them. It might be difficult to cheer on such a rag-tag team of desperate souls, but somehow by the end of the book, we do.
I’ve used the words ‘strange’ and ‘eccentric’ in this review quite a bit, and I’d like to note that I use them in the best way. The Blessed is a book unlike any other, and its quirkiness is definitely a selling factor (although it could equally be a deterrent—I could see people having very opposite opinions of this book). If you’re looking to get a little bit out of your comfort zone, try The Blessed. It will definitely surprise you.
3.5/5 stars
For those who like: books about cults, Catholic history, the NYC lifestyle
Find the author at TonyaHurley.com.
Comment question: What would you do if a random (yet well-spoken) dude told you he was a saint?
Honestly, I’d ask him to perform a miracle to prove himself. There are lots of deranged people and you have to be careful, but on the other hand you do at times have to go on faith.
I love your comment question because it puts us in the girls’ shoes – why should they believe them? But then again, all the saints’ lives were strange, unique, had a lot to do with faith. And followers had to go on faith as well, so in essence I think I’d listen to the guy, ask him to prove himself, but ultimately go on gut faith.
This book sounds really good, and I like eccentric things. Very unique concept:)
Great review:) Thank you:)
Lauren, I love that line you wrote about the raw humanity of these characters leaking through despite the eccentricity of them. It’s wonderful!(;
In terms of your question, I’d have to admit that I’d probably give the guy a weird look, say “Oookkkaaaayyy” in a very sarcastic and skeptical way and then just run off in the opposite direction. I wouldn’t believe him at all.
Anyway, fantastic review, dear! :)
This was a great review, but I’m slightly confused; why did you only give it 3.5 stars? Your review seemed very positive, and there seemed to be no negatives. (Unless it being ‘strange’ was a negative.)
It seems like a novel that I would enjoy, but I think I’d get very annoyed if the characters continually talked about God and how most people are sinners, etc.
If a man came up to me and said he was a saint I’d probably smile politely and say, “That’s great.” And walk away, taking long strides. Not quite running, but nearly.
the blessed sounds really interesting! i cant wait to try it.
If some random dude told me he was a saint I’d be on the lookout for people in white coats carrying a straight jacket.
Eh.. weird and strange books are usually a hit or miss for me. They either leave me mind-boggled and wanting more and more, or just completely confused. Hopefully it’ll be the first with The Blessed. :)
Hi, does anybody knows who is the cover girl ?