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Regent
Book Finalist in the 2020 Fire Award for Best Young Adult Speculative Fiction.
What if the cost of finding who you were was losing your mind? And the only way to hang onto the one thing you loved most was to lose everything else?
In the spirit of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Holly Jackson) and Turtles All the Way Down (John Green) comes a mind-bending, soul-searching novel of what it means to be alive.
Justin has a dangerous gift, and someone else knows about it. When he is arrested for arson, he's thrown into Regent, a psychiatric boarding school for delinquent teens. The gates are locked. The students, oddly contented. And Justin is convinced the doctor is messing with his mind.
When his "new" friends claim to know him and a past he doesn't remember, Justin's gift to "see" memories through the drawings he creates becomes the only way to reveal the truth.
But if he uses his gift once more to unlock his own past, he might also unleash a devastating future.
What if the cost of finding who you were was losing your mind? And the only way to hang onto the one thing you loved most was to lose everything else?
In the spirit of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Holly Jackson) and Turtles All the Way Down (John Green) comes a mind-bending, soul-searching novel of what it means to be alive.
Justin has a dangerous gift, and someone else knows about it. When he is arrested for arson, he's thrown into Regent, a psychiatric boarding school for delinquent teens. The gates are locked. The students, oddly contented. And Justin is convinced the doctor is messing with his mind.
When his "new" friends claim to know him and a past he doesn't remember, Justin's gift to "see" memories through the drawings he creates becomes the only way to reveal the truth.
But if he uses his gift once more to unlock his own past, he might also unleash a devastating future.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 8, 2022
Regent by Cher Gatto is the most beautiful Christian contemporary novel. It is an original tale that has been carefully thought out and exquisitely executed. It is a work of great beauty that will sink into your heart and soul.
There is a search for a father. A character has seemingly unanswered questions as he journeys through life, feeling lost but “we aren’t in the fire alone.” Our earthly fathers may leave us but our heavenly Father will never abandon us.
Sometimes we mess up our lives. “God had given up on me the same time everyone else did.” God never gives up on anyone. He does his best work in the middle of our mess. “God’s not afraid of messes.” God changes our messes into masterpieces.
Within the novel there is the theme of painting. Painting is a gift from God. We are to use it to glorify God.
Life sends people across our path to whom we feel a connection. We make bonds and feel lost when we are parted.
The leading character elicits feelings of love and care from the reader. We care about his treatment and where he is going. We long for him to succeed. We feel a connection to him.
Regent was truly beautiful. It sank into my very being. I absolutely loved it. It is totally unique and it took my breath away with its beauty. Sooth your soul today and buy a copy of Regent.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
There is a search for a father. A character has seemingly unanswered questions as he journeys through life, feeling lost but “we aren’t in the fire alone.” Our earthly fathers may leave us but our heavenly Father will never abandon us.
Sometimes we mess up our lives. “God had given up on me the same time everyone else did.” God never gives up on anyone. He does his best work in the middle of our mess. “God’s not afraid of messes.” God changes our messes into masterpieces.
Within the novel there is the theme of painting. Painting is a gift from God. We are to use it to glorify God.
Life sends people across our path to whom we feel a connection. We make bonds and feel lost when we are parted.
The leading character elicits feelings of love and care from the reader. We care about his treatment and where he is going. We long for him to succeed. We feel a connection to him.
Regent was truly beautiful. It sank into my very being. I absolutely loved it. It is totally unique and it took my breath away with its beauty. Sooth your soul today and buy a copy of Regent.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
May 17, 2024
I really admire books that have a Christian message, but one that will actually reach people, rather than trying to shove it in their face, inevitably turning them away from the book all together. This story had such a happy message of God’s sovereignty and presence, even while being a tragic and spooky thriller.
I appreciated that, because of the Christian writer, I didn’t have to read the book on guard, just waiting for some political agenda, or any sexual context. It was clean and appropriate. There were a few events that occurred, but they were explained delicately so you didn’t have to picture anything, and they were in the story to advance the storyline, not just for a random romantic aspect.
I did see the twist coming, but I think it I hadn’t been told there was a twist, and hadn’t been looking for it, I wouldn’t have seen it. It think this book had a really neat concept and it was well done. Although, with time travel, it is impossible to write it without some inconsistencies and contradictions. I was also very confused for a good chunk of this book, which was difficult, as it wasn’t a very satisfying confusion in the end.
The writing was very descriptive and beautiful on the way the author personifies objects.
I appreciated that, because of the Christian writer, I didn’t have to read the book on guard, just waiting for some political agenda, or any sexual context. It was clean and appropriate. There were a few events that occurred, but they were explained delicately so you didn’t have to picture anything, and they were in the story to advance the storyline, not just for a random romantic aspect.
I did see the twist coming, but I think it I hadn’t been told there was a twist, and hadn’t been looking for it, I wouldn’t have seen it. It think this book had a really neat concept and it was well done. Although, with time travel, it is impossible to write it without some inconsistencies and contradictions. I was also very confused for a good chunk of this book, which was difficult, as it wasn’t a very satisfying confusion in the end.
The writing was very descriptive and beautiful on the way the author personifies objects.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2022
Cher Gatto is an author to be watched, she is a gifted and talented writer. Her first novel, Something I am Not outstanding, Regent has topped that. Loved the story line that kept me up late at night reading till the last page. Full of twists and turn, a wonderful love story with a soul behind it. If you’re looking for a story with suspense, pick up a copy of Regent, you will not be disappointed, you will be hooked and looking forward to the next book from the author.
August 28, 2022
Wow! Well crafted words take you on a twisting, turning roller coaster ride then drop you off at a very satisfying ending. Loved it!
September 5, 2026
An assured and intriguing novel whose Christian imagination is subtler than its speculative resolution. Cher Gatto handles themes of abandonment, suffering and divine presence without turning the story into a sermon: the conviction that Christ remains with us in the furnace emerges naturally from Justin’s ordeal. The central conceit—his ability to see and ultimately rewrite history through painting—is genuinely arresting, although the middle becomes extremely confusing. More disappointingly, once the full nature of Justin’s gift is revealed, the novel pulls back from its implications. Someone who can repaint the past is not merely recovering his identity but co-creating reality, with profound consequences for freedom, responsibility, providence and love. Ursula Le Guin’s The Lathe of Heaven pursues comparable questions more relentlessly. Nevertheless, Regent is well written, emotionally involving and unusual: Christian fiction that trusts its story sufficiently not to force its theology upon the reader.
May 25, 2024
Cher Gatto is a master storyteller, no doubt about it. This book had a very intricate and complicated plot with lots of potential for confusion, yet I was able to follow it all the way through. And, wow. What a story. I felt like I knew the characters personally and my heart broke for them.
This isn't your typical cute and witty YA novel. This one gets heavy at times, diving deep into hard issues like mental health, abuse, and suicide (take note if that affects you negatively). But you can look forward to a message of hope and redemption in the end. I love how art was the vehicle for all the discoveries the MC made.
As far as content, this one is clean without graphic sexuality or explicit violence. I noted one swear word. Issues of faith are present, but not heavy. This is the second Cher Gatto book I've read, and I am officially a fan!
This isn't your typical cute and witty YA novel. This one gets heavy at times, diving deep into hard issues like mental health, abuse, and suicide (take note if that affects you negatively). But you can look forward to a message of hope and redemption in the end. I love how art was the vehicle for all the discoveries the MC made.
As far as content, this one is clean without graphic sexuality or explicit violence. I noted one swear word. Issues of faith are present, but not heavy. This is the second Cher Gatto book I've read, and I am officially a fan!
December 28, 2022
Wow. I'm stunned once again by Cher Gatto's superb ability to write and deliver an intricate plot. Regent is sad, but the gorgeous prose-like writing and heart-wrenching action far outweighs the melancholy. This book is soaked in stunning writing, haunting suspense, and fully developed characters that I feel as if I've met.
August 8, 2022
Hard to put down. This book will pull you in and keep you there all the way to the end. Loved it!
August 19, 2024
There was definitely a lot going on throughout the book which was a smidge confusing but the ending was super cute
January 16, 2025
This book has one of the best plot twists I've ever read. The entire time, I was completely enthralled and captivated by the story. Definitely worthy of 5 stars.
August 10, 2022
Second book I have read by this author and again she did not disappoint. Creative story with twist and turns. Enjoyed it.
June 5, 2022
She does it again!
Wordsmith comes to mind. Gatto has a gift with words as she works the story. I received an ARC in exchange for a review. There’s a search for a father along with a love story.
This is the second book written by the author and an engaging tale.
Wordsmith comes to mind. Gatto has a gift with words as she works the story. I received an ARC in exchange for a review. There’s a search for a father along with a love story.
This is the second book written by the author and an engaging tale.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews