Review by tsan65 -- Deceitful Survival by LC Lee
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tsan65
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- Latest Review: Deceitful Survival by LC Lee
Review by tsan65 -- Deceitful Survival by LC Lee
[Following is a volunteer review of "Deceitful Survival" by LC Lee.]
Deceitful Survival by L.C. Lee is a historical fiction novel set in Haiti in the 1800’s. It is a tale of living in poverty, uncertainty, lies, and the fine line between good and evil in order to survive. As we follow Beth through the trials and tribulations of living with those other than her family and learning a new language, there is a very strong sense of independence and willpower to create a new life and find true happiness.
This story by L.C. Lee starts out with a bang, but reads more of a biography than a high speed chase. The first chapter opens with the gut wrenching scene of Beth’s mother dying by her father’s hand. Beth is sworn to secrecy when her siblings find her mother in the morning and ask how she died. As time goes on, her father dies and the family loses their farm, so she is forced to move in with her aunt and her brothers go elsewhere.
Living with her aunt is not the good life she thought it would be, so she makes the hard decision of becoming a nun and moves to a new city. After completing her schooling, she meets a priest who changes her life forever. They fall in love and must choose how to live under God’s word and yet still have a life together that fits their own standards, in a world that is very black and white.
In Deceitful Survival, the author spins a tale of the lies one must tell in order to survive during the 1800’s in Haiti. The book regales the reader with sadness, tears of joy, falling in love, and yet the threat of violence. His descriptions of Haiti and the Creole people, the feelings of the Indians against the French in a time of unsettlement and war, and the perseverance of the Church to stay afloat and keep the peace with everyone makes the reader feel as though they were inside the book themselves.
What I liked most about the story was that the author kept me guessing through the entirety of the book. It was a drier read at some points, but then the topic would lighten, or something would happen in favor of Beth, and it continued to entice my curiosity. No matter what, Beth never gave up; instead she found ways to stay one step ahead of her enemy and get right back up. The part that I disliked was how she disguised herself as a male priest in order to not go to jail, and no one was wiser for a great portion of time. It seems to be a far stretch that no one noticed she was a woman posing as a man under the confines of the Church.
The book is well edited and professionally written. There were very few errors and was an easy read. I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars, in that there is no profanity and explicit sex scenes, even though passionate love and kissing is discussed. That being said, I think this book would be great for audiences that are of high school age and above. I would recommend this story to those who like religion, historical fiction, and adventure.
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Deceitful Survival
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Deceitful Survival by L.C. Lee is a historical fiction novel set in Haiti in the 1800’s. It is a tale of living in poverty, uncertainty, lies, and the fine line between good and evil in order to survive. As we follow Beth through the trials and tribulations of living with those other than her family and learning a new language, there is a very strong sense of independence and willpower to create a new life and find true happiness.
This story by L.C. Lee starts out with a bang, but reads more of a biography than a high speed chase. The first chapter opens with the gut wrenching scene of Beth’s mother dying by her father’s hand. Beth is sworn to secrecy when her siblings find her mother in the morning and ask how she died. As time goes on, her father dies and the family loses their farm, so she is forced to move in with her aunt and her brothers go elsewhere.
Living with her aunt is not the good life she thought it would be, so she makes the hard decision of becoming a nun and moves to a new city. After completing her schooling, she meets a priest who changes her life forever. They fall in love and must choose how to live under God’s word and yet still have a life together that fits their own standards, in a world that is very black and white.
In Deceitful Survival, the author spins a tale of the lies one must tell in order to survive during the 1800’s in Haiti. The book regales the reader with sadness, tears of joy, falling in love, and yet the threat of violence. His descriptions of Haiti and the Creole people, the feelings of the Indians against the French in a time of unsettlement and war, and the perseverance of the Church to stay afloat and keep the peace with everyone makes the reader feel as though they were inside the book themselves.
What I liked most about the story was that the author kept me guessing through the entirety of the book. It was a drier read at some points, but then the topic would lighten, or something would happen in favor of Beth, and it continued to entice my curiosity. No matter what, Beth never gave up; instead she found ways to stay one step ahead of her enemy and get right back up. The part that I disliked was how she disguised herself as a male priest in order to not go to jail, and no one was wiser for a great portion of time. It seems to be a far stretch that no one noticed she was a woman posing as a man under the confines of the Church.
The book is well edited and professionally written. There were very few errors and was an easy read. I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars, in that there is no profanity and explicit sex scenes, even though passionate love and kissing is discussed. That being said, I think this book would be great for audiences that are of high school age and above. I would recommend this story to those who like religion, historical fiction, and adventure.
******
Deceitful Survival
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Deceitful Survival by LC Lee
