 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bliss
- By Lauren Myracle
- Genre: Horror
Common Sense Media says
IM book author tries horror; more icky than scary.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book is a departure from Myracle's previous, light instant-message novels. It's an often disturbing book involving human blood sacrifice; occult rituals (including a reference to "Holy Communion"); graphic descriptions of the Charles Manson mass murders; the KKK and numerous uses of the "N" word; animal torture; and interspecies breast suckling. The end message is depressing, with evil triumphing.
What's the story?
Bliss, the 14-year-old child of hippie parents, leaves her life on a commune in 1969 to live with her wealthy grandmother in Atlanta. Bliss's liberal upbringing leaves her ill-prepared for the South's racism and class issues. On top of coping with an elite private school, Bliss has "the sight" and hears a chilly voice telling her she is "the key." The voice belongs to the spirit of Liliana, a girl who committed suicide on the grounds years ago, but still has power to control people through a relic of her body. When Bliss resists the voice, Liliana finds a new vessel to do her evil bidding -- but it's not who Bliss suspects.
Is it any good?
BLISS is, in a word, icky. It starts out with a promising, engaging narrator in Bliss, but amps up the gross factor way too high with its gratuitous piggybacking of the Manson cult murders and unnecessary animal torture. The author incorporates so many themes -- hippies, racism, class, history, school cliques, the Manson trial, and the occult -- that the result is ominous and yet full of plot holes. (Would a teenager really stay in a friend's room for a sleepover if it was covered with dusty cat feces, just because she doesn't want to disturb her grandmother at the country club?)
Myracle gives equal weight to the evil of the Tate-LaBianca slayings, the Ku Klux Klan, and her malevolent spirit who controls girls from the dead, demanding a blood sacrifice. It cheapens the tragedy of the real killings, and the real hatred targeted at African Americans. Between each chapter are two full pages, completely black and blank except for random and entirely bizarre quotes from such things as '70s advertisements, The Andy Griffith Show, and Charles Manson. It adds to the feeling that the author intends some deeper meaning, but exactly what that could be is very unclear. Most disturbingly, the girl who kills another girl wins in the end, attracting friends with her newfound "power," while Bliss is left on her own.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how Sandy emotionally manipulates Bliss and ways Bliss could have been more forceful in standing up for herself. They can also talk about books and other media out to shock readers/listeners/viewers. Does this type of media appeal to you? Why or why not? Fans of the author can answer if they prefer this genre over her instant-message books or not. Is it always a good thing when an author goes outside his or her comfort zone?
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AGE
Failed attempt at horror only leads to gruesome and disgusting descriptions.
This is not the type of writing you'd expect from Lauren Myracle if you've read her other books. It was much too dark in a very weird way for me to truly be interested. There are a few words used, but the main word was the N word; although this book was set back in time where there was an abundance of hippies, Charles Manson was murdering people (described quite gruesomely), and African American people were still being mistreated because of color. Myracle, as I understand, wrote this as a horror story, but I wasn't scared. I was just extremely grossed out... a lot. Sandy's obsessions of blood offerings, possessive habits and such were a little much, and the main character of this story realizes the girl needs help but just shrugs it off instead of telling someone. I mean seriously? No normal person would do that! Which leads me to believe that Bliss is also a little mixed up in the head. If you like being disgusted then read this story. If not... then definitely don't read this. Comments? Questions? Concerns? Email me: ogormanscommonsense at yahoo. :)
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AGE
Good for mature readers
This book was very original and creative. Although it may be disturbing if you don't have a stomach for horror, I thought that it was very interesting. The way that Sandy is portrayed is as a bad role model from the beginning, so I doubt that anyone's gonna want to be like her. Communes are talked about a lot, and parents may not like that.
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AGE
It was ok..i just wish Bliss stood up to her friend more
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Kid, 12 years old
May 17, 2011
AGE
Loved it!!!
This book is awesome!! The only thing i was concerned about was the racism-Bliss's friend's dad is VERY racist and uses the n-word several times and language. Other than that, awesome for kids 11 and up!!
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AGE
Who should and shouldn't read this book and why.
i think this book was very good slow to start but once they begin the school; year in the book u wont want o put it down but i dont believe kids who are'nt mature should read this. overall i loved it and i'm glad it wasnt one of the uasual good conquers evil or fairy tell ending it was a down to earth ending that onl people who understand the true nature it gives will understand.
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AGE
Best Book in the Universe
I loved it even though ther were very gruesome parts because I could feel it in my soul. I couldn't put it down while I was reading it! They should make it into a movie! The quotes were awesome especially the ones from Charles Manson!
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AGE
Scary, but good.
My son Braden isn't much of a reader, but after his sister read this he decided to try it. He liked it very much, but said a few parts were quite disturbing. I wanted to see what he meant by that, so I read the book within a week.
It was very disturbing and gross at parts, but otherwise Lauren Myracle is gifted with both genres, horror and light comedy.
A good read, but only for kids 13 and up.
(Maybe 12 if you know your kid.)
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AGE
NOT APROPRIATE FOR ANY AGE, EVEN ADULTS
horrbible. should not have been written. its un godly and mentions a lot of bad things like charles manson. its HORRIBLE!!!
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AGE
Amazing book! Good for kids who are in ninth grade and up.
Love it!
I couldn't beleive Lauren Myracle would right a book like this... It so much unlike her other ones.
It was creepy and funny at the same time.
You should be 14 or older.
It educates people on racism and how it is wrong.
It also puts some histrical events in it.
Also qoutes of different things that make you think.
IDK why that person gave it a 1 star! It so much more than that! Sheez! This book was amazing!
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AGE
Boring . . . ZZZ. . .
I was disappointed because Lauren Myracle usually writes good books, but I was unimpressed with this one. Try Kissing Kate. It was pretty gross and not that thrilling, and everyone is racist, they use the N-word a million times and a father won't let her date a boy because he is a "n----r".
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| Author: | Lauren Myracle |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Publisher: | Amulet Books |
| Publication date: | September 10, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 464 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 13 - 17 |
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