Anna Quinn

February 7, 2023
NetGalley
Blackstone Publishing
350 pages
Fiction, digital, audio, literature, spiritual, religious
4/5
6/26/23-6/28/23

In 2014, after a tragic accident which killed her family, 16 year-old Megan finds herself alone. Her parents, although working professionals, were alcoholics who died in the tragedy along with her sick brother. Not knowing where to go or how to deal with her guilt and grief, she joins a convent where she chooses the religious name Sister Angeline after a saint.

Coincidently, the real Sister Angelina was orphaned at age 6 and raised by her grandparents who married her off at 15 years-old. When he died 2 years later she made the decision to dedicate her life to God. Her experiences might serve as a reference to that of Angeline in that she had lived in cloistered and un-cloistered communities with the goal of serving the poor and sick in their society.

Sister Angeline lived with 20 other nuns in an oath of silence except for 1-hour a day of conversation. The convent fell under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Chicago who is unable to provide the financial support to maintain the convent. Sister Angeline is then uprooted from her structured, conventional schedule to live at the Light of the Sea in the Pacific Northwest. She has difficulty transitioning as this is a group of radical, unconventional nuns in this un-cloistered convent run by five feminist sisters. The culture shock is more than she was prepared and finds herself praying for strength among these women who have abandoned the traditional clothing of religious order. While there she learns more about herself and her mission to help people as well as discover her own powers of healing.

This is a poignant story of the resilience, courage and renewal of the human spirit. This book is more religious and spiritual in nature than I expected which was fine for me. It may not be a good read for people who have fixed religious beliefs or steer clear of spiritual, religious themed stories.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing me access to read this digital book. My review is my honest and unbiased opinion. All comments are expressly my own.… (altro)

The Night Child A Novel by Anna Quinn published by Blackstone Publishing was a great read. I was given an arc through Netgalley for an honest review.
The story is centered around Nora as she finishes teaching a high school English class, when something unexpected occurs she sees the face of a girl with startling blue eyes above the desks. She has yet to figure out if she has lost her minds or if she is seeing a ghost. As the author continues to unfold the story for us we realize that the past has finally caught up with Nora and the future is not on solid ground. This novel is well written but the topic makes it hard to read. Poor Nora needs to fix her fractured past in order to bloom in her future. A thriller with dark topics that everyone who wants to read something different should try this book. This is a 4 star read for me.
… (altro)

Unique



Angeline's presence will seep into your mind and soul as you turn the pages of this captivating novel. It starts with a slow burn but quickly gains momentum, keeping you engrossed until the powerful ending engulfs you and then gently retreats. The characters are meticulously crafted, and their backgrounds are brilliantly constructed, captivating your attention, and refusing to let go.

The author's vivid details and descriptions transport you to a small island in the Pacific Northwest, where the air carries a tangy salt scent and the community relies on one another for everything.

Sister Angeline has spent the past seven years at the cloistered convent of the Daughters of Mercy in Chicago. However, when the Archdiocese of Chicago faces financial difficulties, the nuns are forced to find new places to go. Angeline is sent to the Light of the Sea convent on a tiny island, a stark contrast to the bustling noise of Chicago and the life she knew. The nuns on the island have a more laid-back approach, championing marches for good and conducting their own Sunday services. As Angeline slowly adapts to her new surroundings, she discovers a deep love for these remarkable women and the land that embraces them. This newfound connection grounds her and allows her to confront the haunting memories of losing her family at the age of sixteen, a burden that has weighed heavily on her every single day for the past seven years. Meanwhile, a storm begins to churn the waters around the island, culminating in a breathtaking conclusion that will leave tears welling in your eyes as miracles unfold before your very eyes.

This book is a truly unique reading experience, unlike anything I have encountered before. It possesses a power, evocativeness, and mastery of writing that gradually draws you in, compelling you to empathize with and alleviate the pain of every character you encounter. I extend my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this extraordinary book.… (altro)