Review: Among the Lesser Gods by Margo Catts

Title: Among the Lesser Gods
Author: Margo Catts
Pages: 336
Genre: Fiction
Source: Free ARC from Arcade Publishing

Rating: A-

Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Arcade Publishing via Edelweiss. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.

Summary: Elena is a girl with a past full of problems, and due to her trend of bad decision making, she finds herself in another rough spot, unsure of what to do next. Just in time, her grandmother writes her to come stay with her and help a family that has recently suffered a great tragedy. The children need tending while the father, a trucker, figures out how to find local work before the next school year begins. So off she goes to little Leadville, Colorado.

Living with her grandmother, caring for the children, and becoming part of the town, she starts to see her past and her future differently. Maybe she has more choices than she realizes. Maybe she isn’t the only person carrying guilt. Maybe redemption is possible for everyone.

Review: Among the Lesser Gods is one of those books that creeps up on you. At first, you aren’t quite sure about it. You’re not really sure if you like Elena, if you can care about her circumstances. But then bit by bit, the story starts to envelop you like a slow-rolling fog. All these tendrils of background story reach out for you one at a time, pulling you in a little at a time until you find yourself completely invested. Or at least, that’s how it went for me.

Definitely a thinking book, a book that makes you see things differently, consider other perspectives, reminds you that the world is not as black and white as we’d like it to be. Life is hard, we make bad choices sometimes (all of us!), and we have to do the best we can with the hands we’re dealt. Having love and support, a sense of security, and learning the art of forgiveness – especially forgiveness of self – go a long way in making life a joy instead of a burden.

The writing was tremendous and I loved the complexity of the story, as well as the themes. A book I highly recommend.

P.S. That cover!

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