Bliss (by Lauren Myracle)
common sense media says
IM book author tries horror; more icky than scary.
parents & educators say
- 33% say violence is an issue
- 33% say sexual content is an issue
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.
Violence:
Extensive references to graphic details of the Manson murders (number of times people were stabbed, crime scene descriptions), as well as quotes from members of the "Manson Family execution team." Sandy calls Charles Manson "Charlie" and explains that his mother was a prostitute and he was raped in juvenile detention. A girl tortures a cat by denying it food and water and keeping it in unsanitary conditions (her entire room is a litter box). Liliana, a novice at a convent, commits suicide by jumping out a window after being kept in a cell and beaten with a whip. Another girl keeps a piece of the Liliana's skull as a relic. A girl's dad fires a rifle at a ceiling in the middle of a dance because his daughter is dancing with an African American boy. The daughter falls off a platform and dies when her skull smashes on the floor. Sandy drinks the blood.
Sex:
The main character's full name is "Bliss in the Morning Dew," a reference to her conception by her hippie parents. Sandy sleeps naked in a shared bed during a sleepover, then describes sleepovers as a 10-year-old, drawing designs on her friend's stomach with a licked finger.
Language:
"Bulls--t," "smart ass," the "N" word (at least a dozen times)
Consumerism:
References to buying makeup and hair products (Bliss has a department store makeover), but not by brand.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
References (but no use) to weed and 'shrooms.
More on Bliss
Review It
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
- 33% say violence is an issue
- 33% say sexual content is an issue
- 33% say language is an issue
- 33% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
- 33% say they noticed product placement
Most useful reviews by all members
volleyballncho ...
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
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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HispanicShewolf
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
It was ok..i just wish Bliss stood up to her friend more
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OGORMAN
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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.
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awesomenessgirl51
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
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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Tim36
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
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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cabbe
parent of and 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 18 year old
parent of and 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 18 year old
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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Fearlessmaster
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
Sick, Creepy and Average.
This "thriller" is anything but thrilling. Good at some parts but overlong in general, this book is average at best.
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latina13
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
perfect for teenagers, but not for tweens they might not understand it. but if they want 2 then go ahead. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Rissa1994
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
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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live2shop
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
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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GlamnGlitterGrl
parent of 15 and 15 year old
parent of 15 and 15 year old
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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bam.its.justin
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
GREATTT!!!
I loved this book, it is amazing. There is something about it that just grabbed me in from the start. It rocked. 13+
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umbrelllainternet
educator and parent
educator and parent
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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