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Aslaug’s mother may have taught about science and religion, plants and animals and the rest of the natural world—but what she’s never been taught about is life. Especially about her life, or who her father could be. But when Aslaug’s mother dies, and Aslaug is a suspect in her death, her world is torn to pieces. She escapes to the only tie to the outside world she’s ever known—a monastery turned church that houses her aunt, cousins and terrifying secrets about Aslaug’s past…a past that holds uncanny sway over her future.

Boy, was this book worth a second read! I was blown away by everything about this novel—its spare, dark style, the pages and pages of scientific, religious and herbal lore that somehow weave their way seamlessly into the story, and most of all, the haunting and startlingly realistic characters.

It’s rare that I find a book that I can’t find anything wrong with. And even with those books, I still tend to find something wrong. For example, with this one, the end of the story was a little less than satisfying. But even so, with all of the books upon books upon books that I’ve read, I still think I’ve found a new favorite. Luscious description, hypnotic prose, and achingly real dialogue made for a book I couldn’t put down. And I mean quite literally couldn’t put down.

It’s even rarer that I find a book that I want to cash in my savings account on and buy a copy for absolutely everybody I know. But Madapple is that book! So in lieu of an extra thousand dollars or so, I’m begging you to pick this one up at your local (indie!) bookstore, or at least go to the library for it. After this roller coaster ride of emotions, revelations and a 101 course in pretty much every subject I can think of, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

One thing I’ve never found? A debut author that delivers quite as thoroughly as Christina Meldrum has done here!

The Final Verdict: Read it, right now, and be utterly transformed. Lyrical and heartbreaking and utterly unforgettable! ( )

The thing that originally attracted me to this book was the cover. Look at it! So dark and mysterious...and the description only added to the appeal. It seemed like an intriguing read.
And it was, but not exactly what I was expecting. From the way it sounded, I thought it would be further back in time, and possibly with some magic involved. Instead what I got was botany, incest, religion, philosophy, murder, and mythology. This story was very complex, with too parallel story lines really, Aslaug's life after her mother's death and Alsaug's tiral. The writing was beautiful, and while I didn't find it exactly thrilling, it was compelling. Also, very informative. I learned a lot of interesting trivia. The characters were multi-dimensional, but hardly likable. They all had their issues and it was hard to predict what they were going to do next. There were some parts that were so frustrating! I wanted to step in and yell at the characters and tell them they were stupid, or speak up for them. And those lawyers? Nobody on the stand could get a single word in before those wackjobs cut them off. I'm conflicted about my feelings for this book. Its definitely not for everyone, but I do recommend you try it. ( )

Aslaug spent her life in near isolation with her mother, so when her mother dies she's not sure what to do. Armed with a suitcase full of money, she heads off in search of her mysterious father. She finds instead her aunt, a preacher in a Pentecostal sect, and cousins, and begins to piece together the mystery of her life. But just when she gets some answers and begins to feel like she has a home, she gets pregnant and things start to fall apart. ( )

Aslaug lives a sheltered life with her mother. She is thrust into a world she knows nothing about when mother dies. Hoping to find her father, Aslaug instead meets her long lost cousins and aunt who run a church. Commonly accepted Christian doctrine is challenged throughout the text, mainly by cousin Sanne who believes that Aslaug and her mother have been given a special gift from God. Chapters alternate between Aslaug's inner story and the outer story that comes out during a murder trial. Bibliography of additional reading on the topic of religion included at the end. ( )

Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com

I finished reading MADAPPLE last night and, for the first time ever, I sat staring at the book in shock. For fifteen minutes. I was ready to laugh, to cry, and to scream in frustration. Never before have I read a book that left me feeling that way after finishing it. Sure, there have been books where I've laughed, cried, and been frustrated at different points as I read it (HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS comes to mind) -- but to experience them all at once at the end of a book? Never.

Once the shock wore off, I began wondering how I was ever going to write a review of this book. Because a book that can cause emotions like that definitely can NOT be summed up in one paragraph, no matter how long. I could say that MADAPPLE was about flowers and plants. I could also say that it's about a girl who's a prisoner in her own life. I could also say that it challenges the religion of Christianity. I could say all of those things and so many more, but none of them would be correct. Yes, MADAPPLE is about flowers and plants. It's also about being a prisoner in your own life and it's even about Christianity. But it's also about so much more than that. More than even my mind can comprehend.

But I must warn you - MADAPPLE is NOT for everyone

Told in alternating chapters of the present and of testimonies being held at Aslaug's trial, MADAPPLE challenges the reader. It informs the reader. I, myself, though not a strong Christian, know by now that most Christians are offended when their religion is challenged. MADAPPLE does that. But I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, for it never states that Christianity is wrong, and every single character has their own opinion on it. Heck, one of them even runs a church. But what it does do is explain how the birth and story of Jesus that the Christians follow is not the first in history. I'm not going to say more on that subject in fear of giving too much away, but I'll say this - if you're a Christian who is easily offended, I wouldn't read this. If you're a Christian who can handle a reasonable amount of things, pick up the book.

My feelings about MADAPPLE changed throughout the entire book. At first, I was intrigued, then confused, and then bored. Actually, I think I was confused up until the last page and then some. Even at this moment, I can't say whether I love or hate MADAPPLE. But I'm going to say that I love it because it's left me speechless, and the only other books to have done that are my favorites. The one thing, however, this book didn't do was make my stomach hurt. The character emotions just weren't there to make my heart break. All other aspects, besides that, which I love in books were there.

So do I recommend MADAPPLE? Definitely yes! But only if you're up for a challenging read. Only if you're mature enough to handle speculations about virgin and premarital birth. Only if you're ready to be blown away, because you will be, whether it's in a good or bad way. Only you can make that decision. ( )