The Prophet Calls
Author: Melanie Sumrow
Pub. Date: November 6, 2018
Publisher: Yellow Jacket
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 288
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD
Synopsis: Born into a polygamous community in the foothills of New Mexico, Gentry Forrester feels lucky to live among God’s chosen. Here, she lives apart from the outside world and its “evils.”
On her thirteenth birthday, Gentry receives a new violin from her father and, more than anything, she wants to play at the Santa Fe Music Festival with her brother, Tanner. But then the Prophet calls from prison and announces he has outlawed music in their community and now forbids women to leave.
Determined to play, Gentry and Tanner sneak out. But once they return, the Prophet exercises control from prison, and it has devastating consequences for Gentry and her family. Soon, everything Gentry has known is turned upside down. She begins to question the Prophet’s teachings and his revelations, especially when his latest orders put Gentry’s family in danger. Can Gentry find a way to protect herself and her family from the Prophet and escape the only life she’s ever known?
This realistic, powerful story of family, bravery, and following your dreams is a can’t-miss debut novel from Melanie Sumrow.
Oh my gosh, I love books that involve cults and the members that live in them – for some reason, I’ve just always been attracted to books that have those as subject matters, and a few of my favorites are of that variety.
Anyway, The Prophet Calls is one of those books that I read and fell in love with before I was even two chapters in. There is so much going on, and it is so incredibly exciting that I wasn’t bored for even a second. This is the kind of book that I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it, because I was that in love with the story, the characters, the setting – everything!
The author of The Prophet Calls has such a wonderful way with words, for starters. She has so much to offer, and she is such a talented writing that I can’t help but eagerly anticipate her next book. There is so much going on in this book, and it’s written with a true love and passion for writing, not thrown together or neglectful on anything. It’s a really wonderful story the love and the dedication that was put into it is very evident.
Next, I’ve read a lot of books about cults in the young adult age group, but never about middle graders. This is truly a unique and fun novel because of the age of the main character – thirteen, and it has that wonderful raw and gripping emotion that comes with middle grade books. It’s not only exciting, but it’s also unique, and I think that really has a head start on that alone – it will appeal to more than one audience, and it’s a great way to introduce young, hesitant readers into something that they might find truly interesting.
The main character, Gentry, has such a wonderful personality and it really shines through in The Prophet Calls. It details the life of a thirteen year old girl living in a polygamous community which takes orders from the Prophet, who is in prison, and manages to run the community from there because of all the people in said community who rely on him for information and ways of life. It’s really interesting. Gentry’s character offers a lot and I feel that many middle graders, young adults, and even adults will find her story not only interesting, but engaging, as well.
The plot has a lot to bring about, and I loved the fact that it focuses heavily on music. I think that’s a wonderful extra touch.
If you like books that deal with this kind of subject matter, I have a feeling that this will be right up your alley. It’s interesting, fun, and it has a wonderful main character with a fantastic personality and the drive to want more for herself than she is being given.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Melanie Sumrow received her undergraduate degree in Religious Studies and has maintained a long-term interest in studying world religions. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a lawyer for more than 16 years, with many of her cases involving children and teens. Melanie lives in Dallas with her husband, her daughter and one very spoiled dog.
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3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE PROPHET CALLS, US Only.
Week One:
10/29/2018- Oh Hey! Books.– Review
10/30/2018- BookHounds YA– Interview
10/31/2018- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review
11/1/2018- For the Love of KidLit– Interview
11/2/2018- Rhythmicbooktrovert– Review
Week Two:
11/5/2018- mall3tg1rl– Review
11/6/2018- Patriotic Bookaholic– Review
11/7/2018- Margie’s Must Reads– Excerpt
11/8/2018- Cindy’s Love of Books– Review
11/9/2018- LILbooKlovers– Review
This novel sounds powerful and emotional. It will be fun and eye-opening to read as it sounds based on true life.