Customer Reviews

Where No Gods Came (Sweetwater Fiction: Originals)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the story of Faina, a young girl sent to live with her mother and sister, neither of whom she has ever known, while her father takes a job on an Alaskan rig to pay off gambling debts.

Faina starts off charmingly naiive, but is quickly immersed into the tragic world in which her sister and mother live. In different ways she becomes a magnet of salvation for both mother and sister, both of whom seek redemption and freedom from the choices of their past. It is truly a compelling read -- a simple story of a girl suddenly thrust into a highly unstable environment. There is not a hint of fakeness to the book. You almost want to reach out and wipe Faina's tears away with a Kleenex.

This is not at all the type of book that I usually read, but I would highly recommend it.

Where No Gods Came is a true coming of age story: the brave Faina McCoy navigates the dangerous waters of the adult world with all the spunk, know-how, and hope she has in her heart. O'Connor's vivid prose lets us deeply into each character as the story slowly winds/unwinds through the year. A must read book.

Exquisitely written with excellent character development. You will embrace Faina in your heart. A poignant and memorable read. Looking forward to O'Connor's next novel.

This book is one of the best books I have read in my 66 years of enjoying fiction. No wonder the Author won those awards!!
I can't wait until she writes the next one. It just touches one's heart and is not to be forgotten.

A treasure of a book. O'Connor masterfully depicts the coming of age of young Faina McCoy -- at once tough and fragile.

No detail is wasted. No emotion goes untested.

O'Connor's tale of a youth exposed to the fallout of the her damaged family's reckless life choices, keeps you on the edge of your seat, fervently hoping that Faina will emerge with a happy ending to her story.

O'Connor's attention to detail allows us to immediately identify and sympathize with Faina. The author deftly depicts the cruelty of throwaway comments by those around Faina, the pressures of wanting to fit it with other preteens and having to shoulder (literally) the frailties and flaws of the family that makes it impossible to fit in anywhere. And she does so with gut-felt truthfulness and gritty accuracy.

Don't miss this wonderful novel.

This is a masterful work. Faina McCoy is unforgettable. Rooting for her begins almost immediately as the book starts. O'Connor never shies away from the reality of Faina's difficult life, but never wallows in it either.

Keep your eye on Sheila O'Connor, she's a treasure.

A wonderful book club book. Give it to your friends and talk about it.

Waiting for the next book and the movie. Who will play Faina? And the mother. Each character would provide any actor a meaty challenge.

This has got to be the fastest book I've ever read. O'Connor's ability to attract and capture the audience's attention does not falter once. Written from three different perspectives, you see humanity in real terms. This is an exceptional story of survival that I hope everyone has a chance to read. Bravo, Sheila!