American Rapture

Please listen to the other reviews warning about the gruesome dog death in this story. It happens around the 85-90% mark so by the time I reached it I was too invested to skip anything, but yeah, that was a horrific scene, not for people who can’t read about violence to pets.

Really liked this. Thrilling exploration of Catholic guilt, Christian hatred, and religious trauma amidst an almost comically ridiculous apocalypse setting that somehow works despite itself. You’d think that the idea of hypersexual zombie COVID would just make you laugh, but the way this is written makes something kind of funny into disturbing and sometimes terribly immersive horror. There are a few particular scenes from this book that I feel are burned into my mind’s eye from how viscerally disgusted and anxious I felt reading them. Kind of book that leaves a lasting impact on you with it’s grossness. And if you’re an ex-Christian, especially ex-Catholic, I’m sure that watching Sophie grapple with her dwindling faith and deconstruct her religious worldview will be relatable and maybe even healing.

Side note: love the queerness in this book! 10/10 on that front.

This book was like nothing I’ve read before. Relatable and terrifying.

"American Rapture" is an intriguing and immersive read that pulls you into its complex narrative. The story centers around a sheltered teenager whose naivety and unlikability can make her a challenging character to connect with. However, this very characteristic serves to highlight her struggles with communication and interaction, offering insight into the effects of a confined religious upbringing. Leede skillfully constructs a richly layered world that is both unpredictable and thought-provoking. As you navigate through the twists and turns of the plot, there's a constant sense of yearning for resolution, which adds to the tension and engagement. The vivid imagery can be both captivating and intense, occasionally overwhelming to the point where you might need to take a step back to process it. While the storytelling is generally strong, there are moments where the pacing drags, leading to sections that feel somewhat repetitive. This can detract from the overall momentum of the story, but it doesn't overshadow the compelling journey. Overall, I would give "American Rapture" a solid 4 stars. Buckle up for a wild ride!

Might be my favorite book of the year! Highly, HIGHLY recommend 🙌🏻

I think I just found a new favorite author!! I love C.J.’s writing style!! This book hooked me in from the beginning and just kept getting darker! It even made me cry at one point. 💔 I love all the Wisconsin references, especially when the characters are at The House on the Rock! I knew exactly what rooms the characters were in as I read that part!! 🙌 If you love end of the world vibes with writing that really makes you think about the things we believe in, you need to check this book out!! Highly recommend!! 👏 Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and C.J. Leede for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for most honest review!! Now I need to go bump Maeve Fly up on my TBR!!! ❤️ TW: animal death 😭