Erin Morgenstern (2019)

Synopsis:

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues—a bee, a key, and a sword—that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians—it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also of those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose—in both the mysterious book and in his own life.

Synopsis from the Author's Website

Review: Morally Offensive (O)

This book is designed to appeal to the introvert, the bookworm, the one who has never fit it in... What lover of books has never imagined themselves the hero/heroine of their own story? Zachary finds a book in the library, and he reads the story of him. It starts him on a quest to find out why.

This book is anti-christian. Plain and simple. The main character is gay, his mother is a fortune teller, and he is a self-proclaimed agnostopagan which means he is "spiritual not religious." From equality sign and darwinist bumper stickers to environmentally friendly teabags, every single social justice issue is crammed into its 500 pages except for abortion, and if the author had found a way to include it, she would have. The anti-christian sentiment is subtle, but the message is pretty clear: if you don't think "love is love" and that there is no God only fated coincidences, then you are wrong.

Everyone is called to live a life of chastity according to the state that they are in whether that's single, married or religious. Single and religious are required to abstain from sexual relations. Same-sex couples are unable to enter into the sacrament of Matrimony so they must also always remain chaste. We need to always treat others with kindness since we are all equal in dignity in the eyes of God, but part of that kindness is gentle correction when they are weighed down by their sins.

The publishing industry is no longer trying to be subtle. Like the news and other media outlets, books are becoming hostile to the basic tenants of christianity. It is time to fight back, leave bad reviews and tell them enough is enough. We don't want their propaganda and that the only way to be truly free is to follow Jesus Christ and his teachings.