Read, Run, Ramble

Title: Eve
Author: Wm Paul Young
Genre: Christian Fiction
Publisher: Howard Books
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Format: egalley via Netgalley

My Rating: 2 of 5 stars

My Review (originally posted at Read, Run, Ramble):

Thank you, Howard Books via Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

I’m sorry to say that this novel was a struggle for me. I spent most of the book quite confused and bored.

Eve was a weird book. The Shack was weird too, but I read and enjoyed it because it took normal theology and gave it character, personalization, familiarity – it helped it make sense and feel comforting. Eve didn’t do that for me. The book felt confused to me – bouncing between the time of Creation and some futuristic state as well as current day. The bouncing in time made everything feel disjointed and I had a hard time just understanding exactly what the book was trying to do or tell me.

I’m not sure if the lack of character depth and my inability to connect with any of them (including what should have been a protagonist that stole my empathy and heart right off the bat) was also due to the chaotic storyline or not, but I was also less than impressed with the cast.

I will say that the alternative view of theology is interesting. Because the story fell so horribly flat for me, I don’t really have any strong feelings about it, but it wasn’t off putting. Though, I do imagine biblical purists won’t necessarily like what Young presents. I do think the difference just added to the confusion though – readers are jumping all over in time, reading a mix of traditional theology and alternative ideas from the author, while also trying to keep up with a plethora of names for God (many I’d never even heard…YIKES).

There were a few things about Lilly (protagonist) that were briefly mentioned, but never fully disclosed or explained. These items left me wondering and wishing they had been explored. Without giving too much away (no spoilers!!) I will say that there is a DNA storyline and a betrothal storyline that are both mentioned in relation to Lilly, but nothing more…literally nothing. Both are mentioned in ways that leave readers thinking it means something, but when nothing else happens, it just leaves questions and confusion.

Honestly, I thought about giving up several times. I did not and I’m glad that I finished because some things did get a little clearer by the conclusion of the story; however, it wasn’t until the last 10% or so. For that reason I’m sticking with 2 stars – this book just wasn’t one I enjoyed.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am not compensated for any of my reviews.