Most of the free books I've received for review, I wouldn't buy, but I can imagine that some people would. This is the exception.

Page one, which situates Marli's father's church on "Ophidian Mount" and describes the serpent carved around its cross, suggests that this is going to be a horror story about a corrupt satanic church. I have no problem with that. Real churches can deteriorate into toxic cults and young people need to know what to watch out for. Meyer is a competent enough writer that I expected to enjoy this book.

Imagine, then, my disappointment as I realized it was nothing more than propaganda being used to demonize decent people. Specifically, my kind of people--rural Protestants, some of whom have more education than others, and some of whom have even gone astray, but who most definitely ARE NOT an active network of evil, snake-worshipping murderers who know nothing about God, Jesus, love, joy, peace, or even morality...who betray the utterly toxic nature of their personality cults by--oh, the horror!--wearing HOMEMADE CLOTHES!

Imagine, further, my feelings on seeing here on Library Thing that this piece of libel has given some literate people the impressiont hat there really is a network of serpent worshippers in the Applachian Mountains (I've seen factual records of "snake handling," not worshipping the serpents or using them to commit murder, in three churches in West Virginia in the 1920s, all led by one enthusiast who came to a bad end). Not only is this a dishonest book written in bad faith, it's been successful in deceiving people who know nothing about rural "nondenminational community churches."

For the record, these churches were generally organized around 1900, sometimes by educated or at least charismatic local individuals, sometimes with help from missions like the one described in "Christy." If the goal was to be inclusive they might have recruited and helped people living in real poverty and ignorance. If not they might have become social cliques for well-off landowners. In any case the idea that Christians living in sparsely populated areas would set aside denominational differences in order to pray and worship together was generally an indicator of sincere belief, joy in worship, and genuine community spirit. Through such a church (where one of my great-uncles preached) my own neighborhood, for example, got through the Depression without anyone being cold or hungry, thanks primarily to two men, one of whom was my grandfather, who kept the "stone soup" boiling on a disabled veteran's pension that reached a height of $35 per month. Not only Appalachian Mountain churches, but Black and Western churches were often of this kind. They were the real community centers the Johnson administration tried, but failed, to replicate.

Refusal to affiliate with the World Council of Churches may have preserved some congregations' freedom to deny that same-sex couples are married in the eyes of God...and yes, some of us find it liberating to ignore fashions, sometimes even to the extent of making our own clothes. Even the Amish don't try to force teenagers to adopt their rules of simplicity, but the fact is that most teenagers who have the option of staying in an Amish community PREFER to be Amish, and look Amish, rather than trying to look like outsiders.

Unfortunately, vibrant religious communities tend to disprove the agenda some people currently have for increasing surveillance, censorship, and general government control of the huddled masses they want Americans to become...so they hate sincere religious people and organizations. Hence this kind of attempt to portray rural churches as a network of satanic murder cults whose toxicity can be recognized by the women's not wearing lipstick.

How many stars would a Jewish reader give a book that cited "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion"? How many would a Black reviewer give the collected works of John C. Calhoun? I received this book free of charge, and it was overpriced. Nobody should buy this book. You should complain if your loical library has it on the shelf.

THIS BOOK IS NOTHING BUT A HATESPEW. While the P of the E of Z or the history of Vice-President Calhoun have some historical value, this one belongs in the same place Ku Klux Klan or Aryan Nations pamphlets belong. ( )

The Reformation of Marli Meade by Tracy Hewitt Meyer is a compelling and gripping coming-of-age novel that explores the struggle for freedom and self-discovery in the face of a repressive and secretive environment.
Set in the isolated Appalachian mountains, sixteen-year-old Marli Meade finds herself trapped within the strict confines of her father's puritanical church. Yearning to break free from the cult-like community, Marli is torn between her desire for a normal teenage life and the fear that escaping may be an impossible task. However, everything changes when she crosses paths with Nate Porter, a local boy who becomes a beacon of hope and opens her eyes to a different world.
Tracy Hewitt Meyer expertly weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense as Marli's quest for independence uncovers deep and sinister secrets hidden within the church. With each revelation about her mother's death and the church's hidden agenda, Marli is faced with difficult choices that will shape her future.
The novel masterfully delves into the complexities of identity, family, and faith, as Marli grapples with the conflicting emotions and beliefs that define her. Through well-crafted character development, the reader becomes deeply invested in Marli's journey, rooting for her to find the strength and courage to stand up against oppression and discover her true self.
Meyer's writing is both evocative and emotionally resonant, painting a vivid picture of the Appalachian setting and immersing the reader in Marli's world. The author skillfully builds tension and suspense, keeping the reader captivated until the final page.
The Reformation of Marli Meade is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that will appeal to readers of all ages. It offers a powerful message about the importance of self-discovery, standing up for what is right, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Tracy Hewitt Meyer has crafted a memorable and impactful story that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page.

A very sad, yet hopeful story about a girl, family and others who follow a cult-like Satan worshipping church. Even though this seems to be a work of fiction, it brought me to realize that there are places, people, organizations in this world that believe this and more. Like I said, it's sad, but has a hopeful ending. ( )

I truly enjoyed this book and the characters in it. Marli, 16 years old and told that she must marry, struggles against the cruel nature of her father and grandmother and their vice-like grip on her and her mountain community through their church. A church whose history is bloody and whose leadership rules through fear and torture with poisonous snakes and branding. Marli's husband-to-be doesn't want to marry her any more than she does him, but will only receive his inheritance after he does so.....after which time he plans to run away from the mountains and never return. Leaving Marli behind. All Marli wants is to be like other girls her age, to wear clothes that are flattering and that actually fit, to have just a little bit of freedom. When Nate enters her life unexpectedly, unafraid to be himself, boldly telling her that she is beautiful, she falls in love and a flicker of hope begins to grown. Fearing that Marli will run away, she is told of a special ceremony that she must prepare for.......her marriage. Having already planned to run away that night, she escapes and is taken in, surprisingly, by a man she hardly knows.....her Uncle Robert. Marli's heart and soul are pulled and tugged in every direction as she faces the harsh realities of the mountain community's history and learns the truth about her own mother's death in childbirth. But she also finds friendship, love, and safety in surprising places and the courage to fight for her life. ( )

I really enjoyed this YA novel about 16-year-old Marli Meade and her cult like church. The book starts very prescriptive: repressed girl meets boy, girl forced by church to do things unimaginable, girl wants out, and boy tries to help. The natural expected progression is refreshing rather than stale, and then as the story heats up Marli’s situation becomes much more dire and far less prescriptive than the start. The climactic ending just keeps hitting and continues to grab you long after you think things are settling down.

This was a faced paced, fun read and I highly recommend it. ( )