Book Review
Last Things
Read if you're interested in grief, relationships, or books for young adult.
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5.5
VerdictRead with discernment
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Book Summary
This young adult novel explores themes of grief, friendship, and the supernatural through the eyes of a teenage girl dealing with loss. It delves into spiritualism and the occult as a means of coping with death and seeking connection.
What it does well
- — Explores the complexities of grief and loss, which can be a relatable experience for readers.
- — Highlights the importance of friendship and connection during difficult times.
- — Promotes empathy and understanding for those struggling with emotional pain.
Watch for
- — The central plot heavily features spiritualism, ouija boards, and attempts to communicate with the dead, which is explicitly condemned in the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Isaiah 8:19).
- — Presents the occult as a potentially effective, albeit dangerous, means of finding answers or comfort, without a clear Christian counter-narrative.
- — While it ultimately shows some negative consequences of dabbling in the supernatural, it could still normalize or pique curiosity about forbidden practices for young, impressionable readers.
Verdict
Christian readers, especially young adults, should approach this book with extreme discernment. While it addresses valid themes of grief and friendship, its prominent inclusion and exploration of occult practices are a significant concern. Parents may wish to discuss biblical teachings on the supernatural and communication with the dead with their teens if they choose to read this book.
ALIGNMYREAD RECOMMENDATION
“Christian readers, especially young adults, should approach this book with extreme discernment. While it addresses valid themes of grief and friendship, its prominent inclusion and exploration of occult practices are a significant concern. Parents may wish to discuss biblical teachings on the supernatural and communication with the dead with their teens if they choose to read this book.”
Biblical alignment
- —Explores the complexities of grief and loss, which can be a relatable experience for readers.
- —Highlights the importance of friendship and connection during difficult times.
- —Promotes empathy and understanding for those struggling with emotional pain.
Areas of concern
- —The central plot heavily features spiritualism, ouija boards, and attempts to communicate with the dead, which is explicitly condemned in the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Isaiah 8:19).
- —Presents the occult as a potentially effective, albeit dangerous, means of finding answers or comfort, without a clear Christian counter-narrative.
- —While it ultimately shows some negative consequences of dabbling in the supernatural, it could still normalize or pique curiosity about forbidden practices for young, impressionable readers.
- —The novel lacks a Christian worldview for coping with grief, instead relying on supernatural and occult explanations.
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