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In the Way of All Flesh
Gloomy teenager Manee Srikwan wears long sleeves and keeps her hands to herself for a good reason–whenever she touches a person for the first time, she sees a vision of how they will die. Manee’s weird powers cause those around her nothing but misery and she’s long resigned herself to a life of loneliness. But her vivacious classmate, Stephanie Pierce, changes all that. She smashes through every wall Manee puts up and overturns every expectation. Much to Manee’s shock, Stephanie believes her about her powers. What’s more, she insists they can stop the deaths Manee sees from happening. When the two of them are together, it feels like they can do anything.
As the girls grow closer, Manee’s feelings for Stephanie blossom into love. She yearns to be more intimate but is anxious about breaking her all-important “hands-off ” rule. When she finally gives in to temptation, she sees a terrifying future where Stephanie is murdered — and Manee is her killer! Now Manee has a choice to make— will she fight this fate or let it rule her?
As the girls grow closer, Manee’s feelings for Stephanie blossom into love. She yearns to be more intimate but is anxious about breaking her all-important “hands-off ” rule. When she finally gives in to temptation, she sees a terrifying future where Stephanie is murdered — and Manee is her killer! Now Manee has a choice to make— will she fight this fate or let it rule her?
212 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2019
5 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Alise Donovan
5 books29 followersCaitlin Donovan is a journalist, teacher, blogger, poet and, above all, a huge geek for all kinds of fiction. Her passion led her to earn a MFA in writing from Queens University in Charlotte and she has been published in several literary journals, including The Great Smokies Review. In 2012, she won the Wilma Dykeman Award for Creative Nonfiction for her autobiographical short story, “The Misadventures of Comic Book Girl”.
She has written for several entertainment websites, including Big Shiny Robot, Cracked, The Mary Sue and Anime Feminist. She was a regular writer, journalist and content creator at Epicstream for several years. She is currently an active freelance writer who continues to publish her work through many of these websites. She is also often hired to write for individual patrons and customers.
She currently resides in North Carolina with a roommate and two trouble-making cats.
She has written for several entertainment websites, including Big Shiny Robot, Cracked, The Mary Sue and Anime Feminist. She was a regular writer, journalist and content creator at Epicstream for several years. She is currently an active freelance writer who continues to publish her work through many of these websites. She is also often hired to write for individual patrons and customers.
She currently resides in North Carolina with a roommate and two trouble-making cats.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 6, 2019
Trigger warnings: suicide, alcoholism, mental health, and child abuse
Also, mild spoilers?
Let me begin this review by saying I have been a big fan of Caitlin Alise Donovan (known as ladyloveandjustice on Tumblr) for a long time. I saw her post updates about her writing this book when she was in grad school. I watched her search for an agent, a publisher, and go through the long and challenging process of publishing her first book.
I am so extremely happy for her achievement. She published her first fiction novel! I had been eagerly awaiting this book since I first heard she was writing one. I've long loved her fan fiction, her perspective on lgbtqia+ issues, and her meta-analysis on anime, manga, tv, and literature. Donovan had done an excellent job of keeping her novel mostly under wraps and its details secret. I often wondered about what would her story be. Would it entertain me as much as all the rest of her online content has done over the years?
I had pretty high expectations of her debut novel, and I do wholeheartedly believe Donovan delivered.
Wow, is Manee a mess. And wow, is Stephanie somehow an even bigger mess? There are few characters more in need of a life-altering transformation that these two train wrecks. Reading their tale of woe and triumph, love and loss, of success and set-backs unfold was a delight.
The premise was intriguing enough on its own: touching people--the most basic way humans connect--leads to horrifying visions of their deaths. Not only does this result in an aversion to touch but to connections of any kind. And, by caving into that basic desire of touch, just once, it leading to witnessing the unthinkable, you murdering the person you love? It captured my interest the moment I read the synopsis.
I really felt for Manee's struggles, and despite being much older than her, could not help but connect to her. She was not an easy character to love--neither was Stephanie. And one of Donovan's strengths, in my opinion, was taking an unflinching look at what it means to be mentally ill. To love somehow who is mentally ill and to be someone who is mentally ill, and how that actually manifests in people's lives: from school to hobbies, to home life. It means a lot of misunderstandings, a lot of pushing others away, and a lot of self-destructive tendencies (from alcoholism to suicide). I appreciated that Donovan didn't shy away from tackling issues like child abuse and suicide.
The growth that Manee ultimately undergoes is satisfying to read. Seeing her eyes open to how she can use her powers to effect positive change in the world made me feel very warm and fuzzy on the inside. I was so happy to see her make friends, reconnect with her father and sister, and reach out to those who needed as much help as she. I believe it to be a wonderful message, especially for a novel in the ya genre.
Another positive aspect of this book is it's dealing with lgbtqia+ relationships, coming out, and those related issues. It was refreshing to have two gay girls biggest obstacle in their relationship not be their families disapproval or them coming to terms with their sexuality--it was their mental health.
Donovan also presents a diverse cast. She doesn't explore racism explicitly, but a number of her characters are Thai, or mixed. (Although I am certainly not qualified to know if there were any problems with their presentation.) Many of her characters struggle with learning disorders or mental health issues, and, of course, Manee and Stephanie are both lgbtqia+.
It isn't a perfect book. Of my criticisms, I would say there was a lot Donovan wanted to convey. There was a lot of backstory and perhaps not enough room on the page to say it all. The first act was a little messy, as it's clear the heart of the story is about the conflict between Manee and Stephanie. To me, the issues felt more related to the structure of the novel, than anything else, as I thought the prose was engaging and pulled me into the story.
But once we hit act 2, and really dive in, I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what would happen next. How would these walking disasters overcome their problems? Was it even possible? There were surprising twists and turns that I felt, damn, I should have seen that coming!
All-in-all, I would recommend this novel. It has a lot of heart. At times, it is dark and isn't afraid to have complicated characters who you will see fail, hurt themselves, and those that they love. But what a journey it will take you on. I do hope to see more of Manee and Stephanie in the future, a little older, a little wiser, and tackling problems that they could have never even dreamed.
In the Way of All Flesh was an excellent debut novel from Donovan and I'm looking forward to whatever else she has planned for us in the future!
Also, mild spoilers?
Let me begin this review by saying I have been a big fan of Caitlin Alise Donovan (known as ladyloveandjustice on Tumblr) for a long time. I saw her post updates about her writing this book when she was in grad school. I watched her search for an agent, a publisher, and go through the long and challenging process of publishing her first book.
I am so extremely happy for her achievement. She published her first fiction novel! I had been eagerly awaiting this book since I first heard she was writing one. I've long loved her fan fiction, her perspective on lgbtqia+ issues, and her meta-analysis on anime, manga, tv, and literature. Donovan had done an excellent job of keeping her novel mostly under wraps and its details secret. I often wondered about what would her story be. Would it entertain me as much as all the rest of her online content has done over the years?
I had pretty high expectations of her debut novel, and I do wholeheartedly believe Donovan delivered.
Wow, is Manee a mess. And wow, is Stephanie somehow an even bigger mess? There are few characters more in need of a life-altering transformation that these two train wrecks. Reading their tale of woe and triumph, love and loss, of success and set-backs unfold was a delight.
The premise was intriguing enough on its own: touching people--the most basic way humans connect--leads to horrifying visions of their deaths. Not only does this result in an aversion to touch but to connections of any kind. And, by caving into that basic desire of touch, just once, it leading to witnessing the unthinkable, you murdering the person you love? It captured my interest the moment I read the synopsis.
I really felt for Manee's struggles, and despite being much older than her, could not help but connect to her. She was not an easy character to love--neither was Stephanie. And one of Donovan's strengths, in my opinion, was taking an unflinching look at what it means to be mentally ill. To love somehow who is mentally ill and to be someone who is mentally ill, and how that actually manifests in people's lives: from school to hobbies, to home life. It means a lot of misunderstandings, a lot of pushing others away, and a lot of self-destructive tendencies (from alcoholism to suicide). I appreciated that Donovan didn't shy away from tackling issues like child abuse and suicide.
The growth that Manee ultimately undergoes is satisfying to read. Seeing her eyes open to how she can use her powers to effect positive change in the world made me feel very warm and fuzzy on the inside. I was so happy to see her make friends, reconnect with her father and sister, and reach out to those who needed as much help as she. I believe it to be a wonderful message, especially for a novel in the ya genre.
Another positive aspect of this book is it's dealing with lgbtqia+ relationships, coming out, and those related issues. It was refreshing to have two gay girls biggest obstacle in their relationship not be their families disapproval or them coming to terms with their sexuality--it was their mental health.
Donovan also presents a diverse cast. She doesn't explore racism explicitly, but a number of her characters are Thai, or mixed. (Although I am certainly not qualified to know if there were any problems with their presentation.) Many of her characters struggle with learning disorders or mental health issues, and, of course, Manee and Stephanie are both lgbtqia+.
It isn't a perfect book. Of my criticisms, I would say there was a lot Donovan wanted to convey. There was a lot of backstory and perhaps not enough room on the page to say it all. The first act was a little messy, as it's clear the heart of the story is about the conflict between Manee and Stephanie. To me, the issues felt more related to the structure of the novel, than anything else, as I thought the prose was engaging and pulled me into the story.
But once we hit act 2, and really dive in, I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what would happen next. How would these walking disasters overcome their problems? Was it even possible? There were surprising twists and turns that I felt, damn, I should have seen that coming!
All-in-all, I would recommend this novel. It has a lot of heart. At times, it is dark and isn't afraid to have complicated characters who you will see fail, hurt themselves, and those that they love. But what a journey it will take you on. I do hope to see more of Manee and Stephanie in the future, a little older, a little wiser, and tackling problems that they could have never even dreamed.
In the Way of All Flesh was an excellent debut novel from Donovan and I'm looking forward to whatever else she has planned for us in the future!
May 11, 2020
In just two words: teenage drama!
March 6, 2020
I received this book for the Sapphic Book Club's March 2020 read.
For anyone who wants to read the book: TW for: suicide, child abuse, physical violence, emotional trauma, emotional manipulation (and tonnes of toxicity)
I won't rehash the blurb here, but let me just say that this book was really easy to get into. It's really quite well written, and I appreciated how gripping it was. But it's also very much like jumping right into the deep end - there's very little build up, the book just begins, and it was very easy to get sucked into the story.
I liked Manee and Steph as characters. Both are half-Thai, though Steph's half black and Manee's half white and it was really cool to have both main characters be mixed race, and share a commonality that way as well. I felt like Manee's relationships with her dad and sister were really well done; they're complex and difficult but it's real and flawed and I enjoyed reading it a lot. Same with Manee's other friends, Emma, Jackson and Callie as well. I think one of my favourite parts about the book was how complicated a lot of the characters were - very flawed, very human, but in a way that made a lot of sense. It made the reading experience extremely cathartic, which was wonderful.
The book explores a lot of very heavy issues through the theme of Manee's power. Death, loss, and grief are themes that are worked through in a pretty effective way in my opinion. Manee learns that shutting yourself away from the world and blaming yourself for things outside your control doesn't really do you or anybody else much good, but I really enjoyed reading how she came around to learning that lesson. She goes through a full spectrum of emotions, there was so much anxiety, fear, sadness, and self-loathing, but also a lot of anger, a lot of courage, and sparks of happiness here and there. It's first person, so it gets heavy, but I thought the author handled it with aplomb.
The only thing I guess I had an issue with - if anything - was the ending. Manee and Stephanie's relationship
I also felt that the arc with Ava felt a little flat, though it resolved itself very nicely in the end. Ultimately, the arc with Tony and Steph's parents didn't feel like it resolved itself as satisfyingly as it could've, but other than that, I thought it was great that the girls got to have their happy ending, because they deserved it.
A tough book about a lot of very heavy (and potentially triggering) issues, but the author did a brilliant job exploring it all. A really good read, and I'm happy to have gotten to hear about this book and read it at all.
For anyone who wants to read the book: TW for: suicide, child abuse, physical violence, emotional trauma, emotional manipulation (and tonnes of toxicity)
I won't rehash the blurb here, but let me just say that this book was really easy to get into. It's really quite well written, and I appreciated how gripping it was. But it's also very much like jumping right into the deep end - there's very little build up, the book just begins, and it was very easy to get sucked into the story.
I liked Manee and Steph as characters. Both are half-Thai, though Steph's half black and Manee's half white and it was really cool to have both main characters be mixed race, and share a commonality that way as well. I felt like Manee's relationships with her dad and sister were really well done; they're complex and difficult but it's real and flawed and I enjoyed reading it a lot. Same with Manee's other friends, Emma, Jackson and Callie as well. I think one of my favourite parts about the book was how complicated a lot of the characters were - very flawed, very human, but in a way that made a lot of sense. It made the reading experience extremely cathartic, which was wonderful.
The book explores a lot of very heavy issues through the theme of Manee's power. Death, loss, and grief are themes that are worked through in a pretty effective way in my opinion. Manee learns that shutting yourself away from the world and blaming yourself for things outside your control doesn't really do you or anybody else much good, but I really enjoyed reading how she came around to learning that lesson. She goes through a full spectrum of emotions, there was so much anxiety, fear, sadness, and self-loathing, but also a lot of anger, a lot of courage, and sparks of happiness here and there. It's first person, so it gets heavy, but I thought the author handled it with aplomb.
The only thing I guess I had an issue with - if anything - was the ending. Manee and Stephanie's relationship
I also felt that the arc with Ava felt a little flat, though it resolved itself very nicely in the end. Ultimately, the arc with Tony and Steph's parents didn't feel like it resolved itself as satisfyingly as it could've, but other than that, I thought it was great that the girls got to have their happy ending, because they deserved it.
A tough book about a lot of very heavy (and potentially triggering) issues, but the author did a brilliant job exploring it all. A really good read, and I'm happy to have gotten to hear about this book and read it at all.
September 21, 2019
The story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. There was always something different about to happen but keeping with the same story line. It was loving, spooky. intense and drew emotion while reading it.
The visions Stephanie and Manee had felt so real. It was exciting to hear about what it felt like while having them. The entire story made me feel like I was there watching it being played out.
I can see these issues being real things happening to teens. You expressed them beautifully. The family dynamic with both families were spot on. Not all families are loving and a teen reading this story can relate to that.
All in all it is a fantastic story and I wanted to keep reading more. I would recommend this to teens and adults. 5 stars from me.
The visions Stephanie and Manee had felt so real. It was exciting to hear about what it felt like while having them. The entire story made me feel like I was there watching it being played out.
I can see these issues being real things happening to teens. You expressed them beautifully. The family dynamic with both families were spot on. Not all families are loving and a teen reading this story can relate to that.
All in all it is a fantastic story and I wanted to keep reading more. I would recommend this to teens and adults. 5 stars from me.
January 21, 2020
I recently had the pleasure of reading In the Way of All Flesh by Caitlin Alise Donovan. As a middle grades ELA and Reading teacher, I have read my fair share of young adult fantasy novels and have developed a keen understanding of what 7th and 8th grade students will read with gusto. In the Way of All Flesh checks off all boxes for me, and I cannot wait to share it with my students and staff. Donovan has created a character full of rightful angst and a story line that propelled me through the pages (I read the book in two huge swaths). I believed in the characters, especially the dynamic duo that the main character befriends in Art Club, and rooted for Manee to find both the romantic and familial relationships she longed for and the sense of self-strength she had covered up along with her arms and hands. My adolescent readers will empathize with the characters' conflicts and celebrate with Manee when she is able to resolve those conflicts at the end of the book. Well done, Caitlin Donovan! --K. Picone
October 21, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book by a new local author. I tried to read it through the eyes of a younger person. She had good character development and I did get caught up in the suspense of the story. Good beginning novel for Caitlin Donovan.
October 15, 2019
I I really enjoyed reading this book, it kept you in suspense and wanting more. I was very invested in the characters and
could really feel Manee's intense emotions. Would definitely recommend.
could really feel Manee's intense emotions. Would definitely recommend.
September 18, 2019
Something different!
Manee and her friend Stephanie aren’t your average teenage girls. They have abilities that are of the supernatural spectrum that causes a lot of complication in their already busy, complicated teenage lives. They grow closer, a stronger more intimate relationship slowly building between them as they realise they have more in common than they realise, and that their support for one another will be important both present and future. Nothing is ever as it seems, something Manee has to learn during her high school experience, developing feelings, and overcoming her fears of being truly happy to just be her unique self.
The story is unique with a difference to any other supernatural I have read yet. It had a young adult feel – especially with the characters being teenagers, but was dark, eerie, and a little strange so really fitted the genre well. The plot threw curveballs and uncertainty to really intrigue the reader and get them questioning the powers and abilities of the characters, and what it all means. I found the story fascinating, especially with the covering of morals, and teenage uncertainty (we’ve all been there) and to have the extra family, and personal complications that Manee and Stephanie face added to the fascination in wanting to know more.
The story has a lot of issues covered, all handled sensitively, but some readers may find the topics quite dark and harrowing, but they really did help to build the depth and darkness the story needed, especially given the abilities of the characters.
Manee is misunderstood and it really shines in the way her character is portrayed from the very first chapter. She faces a lot and tries to deal with it alone, but at least she has Stephanie. Manee struggles, even with her friendship with Stephanie that drives a lot of conflict, and has her thoughts and actions darting around like someone who is very much struggling and needing support. She is a very complex character and this comes across in all her relationships with the other characters in the story.
A great read that I would definitely recommend.
Manee and her friend Stephanie aren’t your average teenage girls. They have abilities that are of the supernatural spectrum that causes a lot of complication in their already busy, complicated teenage lives. They grow closer, a stronger more intimate relationship slowly building between them as they realise they have more in common than they realise, and that their support for one another will be important both present and future. Nothing is ever as it seems, something Manee has to learn during her high school experience, developing feelings, and overcoming her fears of being truly happy to just be her unique self.
The story is unique with a difference to any other supernatural I have read yet. It had a young adult feel – especially with the characters being teenagers, but was dark, eerie, and a little strange so really fitted the genre well. The plot threw curveballs and uncertainty to really intrigue the reader and get them questioning the powers and abilities of the characters, and what it all means. I found the story fascinating, especially with the covering of morals, and teenage uncertainty (we’ve all been there) and to have the extra family, and personal complications that Manee and Stephanie face added to the fascination in wanting to know more.
The story has a lot of issues covered, all handled sensitively, but some readers may find the topics quite dark and harrowing, but they really did help to build the depth and darkness the story needed, especially given the abilities of the characters.
Manee is misunderstood and it really shines in the way her character is portrayed from the very first chapter. She faces a lot and tries to deal with it alone, but at least she has Stephanie. Manee struggles, even with her friendship with Stephanie that drives a lot of conflict, and has her thoughts and actions darting around like someone who is very much struggling and needing support. She is a very complex character and this comes across in all her relationships with the other characters in the story.
A great read that I would definitely recommend.
January 29, 2025
Short: This book is incredibly good! 10/10 would recommend!
Long: TW - mental health, grief + Spoilers
You know when you’re ever going through a hard time, and then suddenly something comes barreling through your defenses? It gives you the “pick-me-up” you need to help you process your feelings; that’s what this book was for me. I related to so many of the characters, and how they try to process what they’re going through. I feel like all of the emotions these characters were going through were grounded in reality, which really helped me sympathize and empathize with them.
SPOILER: I’m also so relieved that these characters got a happy ending. I was afraid this book would turn into a 13 Reasons Why, with me falling in love and relating to a character and then getting no hope or relief for her. In the Way of All Flesh was soooo much better than that though. I feel like it was much more satisfying, heartwarming, and uplifting than 13RW. It left with the feeling of hope, for everyone and everything. Despite going through some awful situations, the characters survived, and by processing these emotions and confiding in others they were able to really work on themselves and get the happy ending they deserved. I really enjoyed this book, and I thought it was gripping from start to finish!
Long: TW - mental health, grief + Spoilers
You know when you’re ever going through a hard time, and then suddenly something comes barreling through your defenses? It gives you the “pick-me-up” you need to help you process your feelings; that’s what this book was for me. I related to so many of the characters, and how they try to process what they’re going through. I feel like all of the emotions these characters were going through were grounded in reality, which really helped me sympathize and empathize with them.
SPOILER: I’m also so relieved that these characters got a happy ending. I was afraid this book would turn into a 13 Reasons Why, with me falling in love and relating to a character and then getting no hope or relief for her. In the Way of All Flesh was soooo much better than that though. I feel like it was much more satisfying, heartwarming, and uplifting than 13RW. It left with the feeling of hope, for everyone and everything. Despite going through some awful situations, the characters survived, and by processing these emotions and confiding in others they were able to really work on themselves and get the happy ending they deserved. I really enjoyed this book, and I thought it was gripping from start to finish!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2019
I loved all the queer content in this book! I hope lots of people read it and can see themselves in it. There is lots of tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and while there are lots of dark parts throughout, the ending is very satisfying!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2019
A page- turner.. I am looking for more from this author. It was full of reality with a little fantasy. I really felt like I was getting to know the characters! Great book!
Kathleen Bretl Burns
Kathleen Bretl Burns
January 26, 2020
This book is a wonderful debut to this author's writing career! I was on the edge of my seat for every page. I've found one of my new favorite books! Keep up the good work!! :)
January 8, 2022
there's nothing particularly wrong with this book, but it just fell short for me, it was just okay. maybe im not the target audience for this teenage drama filled YA book anymore, but the dialogue and the plot twists felt a bit cheap and soap opera-esque, I feel like this premise was interesting and it could've been handled better. that said I believe this book has a lot of heart put in it, so I kinda feel bad rating it this low!
March 28, 2020
When high school student Manee touches people she receives a vision of their death. After a traumatic vision of her grandmother's death, she covers her body so that she won't touch anyone. A loner with a reputation as a weirdo, she is befriended by Stephanie, an attractive girl in her class. Stephanie believes that Manee has this power and is determined to stop a death of another classmate whose demise Manee has seen. As Manee and Stephanie get closer and feelings develop, Manee suddenly ends their friendship after she has a vision of Stephanie's death. And there's a lot more to Stephanie's own life than what she is willing to tell Manee.
This book of magical realism is serious and intense in places. Although a long book, I was able to remain engaged and finish it in a few days. What prevents it from being rated a 5 is the last 25% of the book, which felt less believable (e.g., the final scene in the hospital that is able to go on way longer before someone enters to stop it) as well as some kind of closure on how Manee learns to live with her powers.
Overall, though, I recommend it.
This book of magical realism is serious and intense in places. Although a long book, I was able to remain engaged and finish it in a few days. What prevents it from being rated a 5 is the last 25% of the book, which felt less believable (e.g., the final scene in the hospital that is able to go on way longer before someone enters to stop it) as well as some kind of closure on how Manee learns to live with her powers.
Overall, though, I recommend it.
October 13, 2022
Viscerally realistic narrative, reminiscent of the writing styles of giants of literature like Clarisse Lispector or Lucy Maud Montgomery, and capable of truly move its audience as long as they are able to process the more explicit depictions of violence portrayed by the text. Particularly, despite not having been an easy read, it was an extremely transformative and valuable one for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2019
In the Way Of All Flesh is a lovely YA coming out allegory, well written and a compelling read. The author Caitlin Donovan has a good YA voicing and makes this LGBT allegory accessible and relatable beyond the LGBTQIA community. Simply put it is an allegory of coming out into your own without destroying all you know and all you love. In some ways isn’t this the trIal and task of YA differentiation and identity development?
What I especially love is how Donovan makes this fantasy/paranormal book have such heart. Her words and dialogue are not dumbed down and her beautiful use of language including the cursing exude the passion that is part of this developmental angst. Donovan portrays this with such depth and sensitivity thru the main character Manee. I was immediately drawn in when her character Manee described her cursed power with particular angst about the ripple effect - not only the impact of her power over herself but a grave concern for how it would impact others. Donovan wrote beautifully about Manee’s fears of the “ripple effect” of the truths that she has come in touch with. Throughout this YA book the bigger picture is subtle but always a shadow in the story. Manee pulls inward not because she is self involved and uncaring but rather because she cares so deeply for those around her and wants to protect those from the true her, fearing that who she really is will be deeply misunderstood and threatening to others.
As a therapist, I was really moved by this well told allegory. The book crescendo’s in chapter 26 with a confrontation between the protagonist and a hater character named Tony. In my view Tony represents the anti-gay deprogrammers of the world, and attacks Manee. This chapter is a powerful moment which I will not spoil here. But the reader is rewarded with a comeuppance and a compelling transformative moment where Manee can finally break out of her painful bubble.
I highly recommend this book. I hope that it gets widely distributed. It is a book of our times and an important story to be told and shared.
What I especially love is how Donovan makes this fantasy/paranormal book have such heart. Her words and dialogue are not dumbed down and her beautiful use of language including the cursing exude the passion that is part of this developmental angst. Donovan portrays this with such depth and sensitivity thru the main character Manee. I was immediately drawn in when her character Manee described her cursed power with particular angst about the ripple effect - not only the impact of her power over herself but a grave concern for how it would impact others. Donovan wrote beautifully about Manee’s fears of the “ripple effect” of the truths that she has come in touch with. Throughout this YA book the bigger picture is subtle but always a shadow in the story. Manee pulls inward not because she is self involved and uncaring but rather because she cares so deeply for those around her and wants to protect those from the true her, fearing that who she really is will be deeply misunderstood and threatening to others.
As a therapist, I was really moved by this well told allegory. The book crescendo’s in chapter 26 with a confrontation between the protagonist and a hater character named Tony. In my view Tony represents the anti-gay deprogrammers of the world, and attacks Manee. This chapter is a powerful moment which I will not spoil here. But the reader is rewarded with a comeuppance and a compelling transformative moment where Manee can finally break out of her painful bubble.
I highly recommend this book. I hope that it gets widely distributed. It is a book of our times and an important story to be told and shared.
December 12, 2019
Reader's Favorite Int'l Book Awards - 5 Star Review by Lex Allen
Manee Srikwan has a secret that has made her life a living nightmare. Her secret is a supernatural power that she ill-prepared to handle. To protect her secret she has kept her single parent father and older sister at arm's length for years. She has no friends because she's afraid to get close to them. And then, she meets Stephanie, a vivacious classmate that smashes through every wall Manee has erected. To Manee's surprise, Stephanie believes her power can be used to save lives… the very lives that Manee has seen terminated in a future event.
With "In The Way Of All Flesh," authoress Caitlin Alise Donovan has written a novel that goes much deeper, emotionally and suspenseful, than the supernatural aspects alone could provide. This is a realistic tale of teenage angst, of coming out, and dealing with life and death situations while overcoming the impediments extant in everyone's daily lives. Ms. Donovan is exceptionally talented in characterization. Not one of the multiple characters in this story is marginal—each is true to life and fully developed. Regardless of their part in the story they all play a major role; a true accomplishment for any writer. The pace of the story is perfectly balanced between page turning suspense and slow, emotionally charged prose. In short, Caitlin Alise Donovan is adept at her craft.
"In The Way Of All Flesh," is a heart-warming tale of love smack inside a supernatural mystery/thriller. Highly recommended for YA and mature readers, fans of supernatural/paranormal and LGBTQ adherents and supporters.
Manee Srikwan has a secret that has made her life a living nightmare. Her secret is a supernatural power that she ill-prepared to handle. To protect her secret she has kept her single parent father and older sister at arm's length for years. She has no friends because she's afraid to get close to them. And then, she meets Stephanie, a vivacious classmate that smashes through every wall Manee has erected. To Manee's surprise, Stephanie believes her power can be used to save lives… the very lives that Manee has seen terminated in a future event.
With "In The Way Of All Flesh," authoress Caitlin Alise Donovan has written a novel that goes much deeper, emotionally and suspenseful, than the supernatural aspects alone could provide. This is a realistic tale of teenage angst, of coming out, and dealing with life and death situations while overcoming the impediments extant in everyone's daily lives. Ms. Donovan is exceptionally talented in characterization. Not one of the multiple characters in this story is marginal—each is true to life and fully developed. Regardless of their part in the story they all play a major role; a true accomplishment for any writer. The pace of the story is perfectly balanced between page turning suspense and slow, emotionally charged prose. In short, Caitlin Alise Donovan is adept at her craft.
"In The Way Of All Flesh," is a heart-warming tale of love smack inside a supernatural mystery/thriller. Highly recommended for YA and mature readers, fans of supernatural/paranormal and LGBTQ adherents and supporters.
September 7, 2019
May have some vague spoilerish comments below, but attempting to keep this review spoiler-free:
It is refreshing to read a book about characters with flaws and mental turmoil that is not glossed over by the narrative. Manee is imperfect, Stephanie is imperfect, but they are still valued, important, they still deserve to find love, and family. I also enjoyed the focus being on the journey of the two main characters healing and finding a support system than the focus being solely on romance without a plot that makes sense to the characters- which is a complaint I hear often from my friends who frequently read wlw literature.
The focus on trauma and death may not be to everyone's taste, but I did find a refreshing and I think YA readers can relate, from what I remember of being a relatively average teenager in a friend-group of relatively average teenagers is that we were indeed fascinated by the topic of death and violence (we were not the goths, i promise) and it would not have been unhelpful to have narratives available to us that directly addressed those fears and curiosities that live in all of us. In a way, Manee only knows what we all already know about the inevitable fate of those around us, maybe the book is saying something about how we find ways to make a life worth living in an absurd reality where everyone we know it will one day disappear? In a cumulative moment for Manee towards the end of the book, she does come to a catharsis that suggests that she has found an important answer to this question, one that I found very emotionally satisfying.
October 3, 2019
October is the perfect month for this book -- it fits right in with the Halloween motif. But know that it is not the corn-stalk and colorful pumpkin display version of Halloween. If you are only a fan of the Treat side of Halloween and abhor the Trick flavor of the season, then be careful, very careful, with this book. But for those who like an arms-length entanglement with the darker side of autumn, you'll get a good immersion with "Flesh." The story is inventive and involved and truthfully, ultimately hopeful - even though the intricacy and tension of the relationships that are the focus of the book did not set me up for that.
Now for the disclosure: I've read this author since she was old enough to hold paper without drooling on it. I've seen her as a good parent to her writing - she has nurtured it intensely until it was ready to go out into the world and find others to become involved with. Here's hoping for a bigger family :-)
Now for the disclosure: I've read this author since she was old enough to hold paper without drooling on it. I've seen her as a good parent to her writing - she has nurtured it intensely until it was ready to go out into the world and find others to become involved with. Here's hoping for a bigger family :-)
October 13, 2019
I fully enjoyed reading In the Way of All Flesh and recommend it. The story is engaging. The talented young author has created characters that I quickly became invested in, and our lives merged. Ms. Donovan created a world that I was able to enter and share in the lives of the characters, not just read about them.
I have also read Caitlin Donovan's "Generations, Poetry Passed Down" that she wrote with her Grandfather. I thoroughly enjoyed her poetry along with her grandfather's poetry. It is a small collection of poetry that touched my heart. I recommend this book as well.
I look forward to future books by Caitlin Donovan.
I have also read Caitlin Donovan's "Generations, Poetry Passed Down" that she wrote with her Grandfather. I thoroughly enjoyed her poetry along with her grandfather's poetry. It is a small collection of poetry that touched my heart. I recommend this book as well.
I look forward to future books by Caitlin Donovan.
January 9, 2024
I've never run across a book quite like this one before - and I mean that in the best way. I don't want to give away spoilers, but the main characters are unique and complicated, and the drama-laced plot they populate is full of twists. A great paranormal YA romance that doesn't flinch away from the difficult or gloss over the complicated.
February 3, 2023
I enjoyed this a lot, actually. It's a short sweet read that I return to every few months to refresh. I feel the main character's anguish, and the twists did indeed get me. Beautifully written, though I think if it was longer and more fully fleshed out, this book could be so much more.
August 26, 2020
I thought I was going to thoroughly enjoy this, but it kinda fell short for me.
October 31, 2022
Creepy concept and great delivery by the author.
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