Overall rating and opinion of "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper

[Louange Masiga]

I liked the story itself as a coming of age novel, following the life of a mixed race woman who looks caucasian in the eyes of everyone. I had never before thought about how life was for mixed race children. It opened my eyes. However, I didn't like the many sex scenes. I felt they were unnecessary. For these reasons, my rating for it is 3 out of 5.

[Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine]

Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper is a novel with a captivating storyline. It offers a platform to ponder and discuss many themes from then and now, such as discrimination, racial prejudice, gender inequalities, marriage, religion, etc. The book is rich that way.
But at the same time, there were too many unnecessary sexual scenes and too much historical facts. I wouldn't give it a perfect score, but it is still a good read. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

[mihaela mitran 1]

I haven't read such a good book in a long time! A combination of the love story between Reth and Scarlet or the one from The Spiny Bird, but with an ending that pleases those who hold their breath until the end and hope that the long-suffering love will triumph.
The story begins in the south full of history and traditions, in a historical era itself, and the lives of the heroes take us along with them through the not-so-distant history of America. Very well written, with a rhythm that leaves you no choice but to continue reading until the end, with your heart in your hands and your soul in your lungs for the ending that every person who still believes in the victory of true love hopes for. He is an author who surprised me unknown to me, but whom I will investigate and look to see if he has other books written, this is because it is difficult to find today in so many volumes written and published even a gem that gives you hope that there is still talent.

[Esther-David]

I rate it a four out of five. It was very intriguing, took a unique turn, and built up slowly. I didn't enjoy the sexual scenes or how the ending was so abrupt. Barry coming back felt like it was out of nowhere.

[Laura Jackson 4]

I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I like the writing style of this book, it is engaging and the story tackles tough scenes like racism, police brutality and activism
The story explores on the themes of survival.

[Grace_Crier]

It's five out of five for me. The plot is very interesting and it kept me reading until the end. I love the blending of love story, drama, and crime.

[Tessa Stewart]

This is a discussion topic for the August 2024 Book of the Month, "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.

What is your overall opinion of the book? What do you like most about it? What do you like the least? What did you think of the writing style? What genre is the book? What genres are woven into the text? What did you think of the cover and title? What was the greatest lesson you learned from the book? Will you recommend the book to other people? Why or why not?

Please remember to add your actual rating using the book's page on the Bookshelf.

I rated it 1 out of 5 stars. I found many things disappointing about it. I thought it was a fantastic premise and setting that was let down by poor execution. The plot pacing was poor, the characters felt flat overall, the narration was too clinical and barely varied at all. The presentation of abortion was, at best, very questionable and highly political.

I really enjoyed the mother-daughter relationship between Sister Rosalie and Vanessa, particularly the scene where Sister Rosalie is helping Vanessa get ready for prom. She bought her makeup! It was so touching and sweet. I also liked how the title of the book was included in the chapter describing the couple's honeymoon. I thought that was clever. I also liked how the author used Barry Hale's profession to uncover the conspiracy and the cover-up of Brett's condition. That was a very clever bit of writing, but overall their writing style was stilted and very underdeveloped.

The book is marketed as a mystery/thriller/romance. The blurb gave away almost all of the plot so I didn't find it thrilling or mysterious. Romantic themes were definitely present and they could have been fantastic, particularly because Vanessa's relationship with Barry Hale is relatable to many, but these themes were poorly developed and so lacked the impact they could have had in the final chapters.

I thought the cover was pretty but I would have liked to see the romance themes presented on them more clearly. Perhaps including Vanessa standing next to Tod, but looking over her shoulder to stare longingly back at Barry? That would be intriguing to me as a reader. The title was unusual and it wasn't until I read the book that it made sense. After reading it, I think it is a decent choice.

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, mainly because I do not know anyone who enjoys this genre when it has the themes of racism, sexism, and so many slurs in the novel.

[João Ramos]

When I wrote the review, I gave it the highest score. Even though I found some situations artificial, I enjoyed reading it. The author created a genuine diamond.

[Brayan Uribe]

I wouldn't recommend it to be honest, it needed more cohesion, a better string of plotlines and better characters, nice cover though.

[Shiru Elizabeth]

Even though I'm only halfway through the book, I now see the meaning behind the cover and the title. Both, in my opinion, are suitable, and I like how the backdrop images have complexities. So far, I'd rate it 4 out of 5.

[Aida Nuria Montenegro Jerez]

I gave it four out of five stars. I thought it was an almost perfect book with only a few minor errors. And what I liked most were the stories that Sister Rosalie told.

[Laura Shawn]

I’d rate Deceptive Calm 4 out of 5. The character of Vanessa and her journey were the best parts. The writing style is clear and heartfelt, fitting for a historical fiction book with a bit of mystery. The cover and title match the story well, hinting at the hidden struggles. The biggest lesson was understanding sacrifice and hidden strength. I’d recommend it to others for its deep characters and emotional story.

[Britney Jacobs]

I love the book, but there are so qualities that made me deduct a star from a perfect 5 star mark, which is the pace of the book. So it's a 4 out of 5 star rating for me.

[Girlly Durano]

In my opinion, *Deceptive Calm* has its strengths, but it’s not without its flaws. While the character development, especially Leah's journey, is compelling and relatable, some plot elements felt predictable and followed familiar romance tropes. At times, the pacing dragged, which affected my overall engagement with the story. Despite these shortcomings, the emotional depth and exploration of themes like healing and trust were well-executed. Overall, I’d rate it moderately; it’s a good read, but I felt it could have offered more originality and excitement to elevate it to a higher level.

[Nneka Bridget]

"Deceptive Calm" is a powerful historical fiction novel that I enjoyed for its exploration of civil rights, racial tension, and personal growth. The writing is descriptive and engaging, though it sometimes has pacing issues. The genre blends historical fiction with elements of drama and romance. The cover and title effectively convey the underlying tension of the story. The greatest lesson is the ongoing relevance of racial justice struggles. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction and civil rights themes.