Customer Reviews

Mourning Becomes Cassandra

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Since I haven't traditionally been a huge fan of Christian fiction (especially Christian romance) I was a bit wary about reading this book. I was intrigued by the subject matter, however, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance! My idea of a great book is one that makes me both laugh out loud and reach for the Kleenex, and this one delivered. It was in turns romantic, heart-breaking, hilarious, and inspiring. Not a bit of sentimental cheese in sight, just the genuine emotional rollercoaster of a woman trying to re-establish her life after a devastating loss. Cass was so well developed I feel like I've known her my whole life, and her gang of friends was so much fun I wanted to claim them for my own.

Dudley doesn't shy away from Christian truths, but the book never feels forced. Rather, the characters' various walks with God are fully integrated into the plot without conforming to any literary formula. In fact, the realistic depictions of disappointment with God and the many struggles of at-risk teens are what set this book apart from most Christian fiction.

Great read- I can't wait for the sequel!

This was a believable and entertaining story about what a young widow does to move on with her life. Her thoughts and inner struggles are real. As an avid fan of Christian fiction, the only thing I had a problem with was the large amount of F-bombs in the book. Yes, I understand that a troubled teen would really talk that way. I just think if the target market is Christian readers, more will be turned off by this. And because of this, I probably would not recommend it to my friends, at least not without a word of caution.

Language aside, the story was very good and very difficult to put down. I particularly liked how the author used little one sentence snippets to give you a glimpse of something to come. This was a fantastically creative way to move the story forward.

So, readers, if you can stomach some offensive language, the story is worth it.

Christina Dudley has hit a home run in her first at-bat with Mourning Becomes Cassandra. Brilliantly funny and simultaneously touching, the "moral of the story" comes with none of the in-your-face preaching that I would have associated with a book labeled as "Christian fiction," but with such power and conviction that even the most jaded agnostic would have to pause and ponder its message.

From the very beginning, the characters are warm, real, and fun; people I would definitely want in my life. I truly felt invested as they all grew and discovered the truths about themselves.

This is a book I will read multiple times, and I look forward to the sequel.

This book was a page turner. The character development, fabulous. I can hardly wait to read more about Cass, Joanie, Phyl, James and Daniel in Dudley's sequel to this book.

It gives a deep insight in to young widowhood,friends,family,values, forgiveness, troubled teens, and faith.

Christina Dudley has a wonderful gift of writing.

This book was fabulous! It was both funny and moving and had me alternating between laughing out loud and tears! The characters were so real to life I found myself wanting to meet them. While an easy read the book dealt with some serious real life issues-handling them with delicacy and respect. Some of the dialogues between characters were priceless. I am already ready to read the sequel. I loved this book and have recommended it to all my friends.

This is such a fun read! It is full of sarcasm and humor and characters that you care about from the start. The book addresses difficult topics and moral questions in a delightful thought- provoking way. If you have teens in your life, you will enjoy the spot-on descriptions of a not so typical teen's world. I am looking forward to hearing more about Cass, Daniel and Nadina in Dudley's sequel to this book. I hope it is coming quick!

Just because you lose your soulmate, it doesn't mean your life is over. "Mourning Becomes Cassandra" follows young widow Cass Ewan, who is trying to pick up her life after the loss of her husband and daughter. When a troubled teenager enters her life, she soon finds that moping around for the rest of her days may not be the best thing for her, and her adventures with her new teen friend leads her to restarting her life at 32. "Mourning Becomes Cassandra" is a fun and highly recommended read that shouldn't be overlooked.

Mourning Becomes Cassandra is well-written and extremely enjoyable. The book is filled with personable characters, and the author manages to give a realistic depth to each and every one of them. Even the smallest side characters were fleshed out and believable. Humor covers the spectrum--witty dialogue, irony, good-natured fun, and several surprising laugh-aloud moments. Some books are page-turners because they're like the action movies of the day--crammed with conflict, suspense and snazzy special effects. MBC is a page-turner because you get absorbed into the personalities. By the end, you feel like you've adopted a fun new circle of friends and you want to see them again (soon!).

Some other reviewers have classified this as a Christian read. While the relationship-with-religion is certainly a key part of this book, it is not an overpowering one. As someone who dislikes preachy books/situations (and might even be hypersensitive to them), MBC was never heavy-handed. Many authors go to one extreme or another--making religion a domineering theme or avoiding it like the plague. It's great to come across an author who walks the balance smoothly and handles the topic so well. Internal turmoil with regard to self, purpose, and God felt logical and integrated.

If you're looking for a book that becomes a gut-wrenching, life-shattering, or super-suspenseful event, you better look elsewhere. However, if you want a book that is warm, funny, thoughtful, and an all-out terrific read, this is the book to get. You'll finish it quickly because it's hard to put down. It's a feel-good type of book; no bitter aftertaste. I'm hoping for a sequel because these are characters I want to meet again. (Hint, hint)

Cassandra is grieving the loss of her family and must find a way to create meaning in the rest of her life without them. The author knits together a new family composed of imperfect but caring people, a mentoring relationship with an at-risk teen and a couple of new romantic interests. Cassandra's compass and her community are centered on her faith. The book is a quick, entertaining read with a surprisingly sunny disposition given the title. The primary focus is on the future, not the past.

I adore this book! The writing style is fresh, interesting, and I absolutely fell in love with the very real, well-developed characters. The setting is unique, and the message is compelling and inspiring without being preachy or cliched in the least. A laudable first book by a very talented, gifted author, with great wit and humor. Kept me turning the pages, and I was truly sad to be leaving The Palace at the end of the book. Can't wait for a sequel! Highly recommended! Don't miss this one.