Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who's taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time.
Riley quietly left church a year ago when she realized there was no place for a bi girl in her congregation. But it wasn’t until the pastor shunned her older sister for getting an abortion that she really wanted to burn it all down.
It’s just her luck, then, that she’s sent to the principal’s office for slapping a girl talking smack about her sister—and in order to avoid suspension, she has to spend spring break at church camp. The only saving grace is that she’ll be there with her best friend, Julia. Even if Julia’s dad is the pastor. And he’s in charge of camp. But Riley won’t let a technicality like “repenting” get in the way of her true mission. Instead of spending the week embracing the seven heavenly virtues, she decides to commit all seven deadly sins. If she can show the other campers that sometimes being a little bad is for the greater good, she could start a righteous revolution! What could possibly go wrong? Aside from falling for the pastor’s daughter . . .
I’ve mentioned in other reviews that I don’t live in America, and this feels like a distinctly American story - like it could only really happen there. Of course, other countries have religious fanatics and people who believe they know best, but something about this particular tale feels uniquely American.
Riley's older sister was pressured into an abortion by a boy who was welcomed back to the congregation, while she was shunned and picked on. The unfairness drove Riley to leave, which the pastor has taken as a personal affront. When Riley gets in trouble at school, her only option is to attend the week long church camp. But Riley is determined not to fall for it again. She won't let Pastor Young get under her skin. In fact, while he's preaching the Seven Virtues, she's going to be working on the Seven Deadly Sins!
Riley's an interesting character. She's right, of course, that the pastor is overstepping and wields too much power; but she doesn't consider that other people might have reasons for acting and believing as they do, instead writing them all off as sheep who are too afraid to stand up. This arrogance is one of the things she has to face during the novel. It is kind of terrifying how much power Pastor Young has, the terror he wields to keep people adhering to his own vision of what's right.
Riley's friend group is fun and there's a wonderful moment I don't want to spoil. While she didn't learn what Pastor Young wanted her to at camp, she did learn not to judge people and she got to know some of them better, which is far better than the weekly plan! This is a great read to show teens how to stand up and be counted, and we need more books like this in the world.
Book Recommendation: Seed by Lisa Heathfield is the story of a teenage girl who realises that her gentle, idyllic life is actually a dangerous cult. It's more intense than Pastor Young's congregation, but the themes are the same.
TV Recommendation: For a much lighter, more wholesome look at religion, try the TV series Seventh Heaven. Reverend Campbell leads a non denominational congregation, counsels his flock, and helps his children figure out their various troubles and trials.
Say a Little Prayer publishes on the 4th of March, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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