What do you think?
Rate this book
Mass
How do you choose between your faith and your future?
Sixteen-year-old Stevie Albie is a religious person, but nothing prepares her for meeting Mary. Like the Mary, mother of Jesus. Just as Stevie becomes convinced she has a special connection with God, doctors discover a brain tumor in her frontal lobe they claim is causing the hallucinations.
Her parents insist on removing the tumor as quickly as possible, but Stevie isn't so sure. Feeling special for the first time in her life, she runs away to a religious cult that's convinced her visions are their salvation and vow to protect her. But as time goes on she suspects they have their own agenda. Torn on who to trust, Stevie wonders if she'll have to her visions or her future?
**This version contains profanity. Please order the Clean Version with the white seal to get a copy without these.**
The fear and panic that was tightening around my heart releases like fingers, one by one, until I feel a weightlessness in my chest. She is more beautiful than I remember, her skin smooth and a few shades darker than mine. Her hair enviously perfect, soft waves without a single strand out of place. This time she is alone, and I am glad it is just her and I again.
"What is happening?" I ask her.
She smiles. "I think you know."
Sixteen-year-old Stevie Albie is a religious person, but nothing prepares her for meeting Mary. Like the Mary, mother of Jesus. Just as Stevie becomes convinced she has a special connection with God, doctors discover a brain tumor in her frontal lobe they claim is causing the hallucinations.
Her parents insist on removing the tumor as quickly as possible, but Stevie isn't so sure. Feeling special for the first time in her life, she runs away to a religious cult that's convinced her visions are their salvation and vow to protect her. But as time goes on she suspects they have their own agenda. Torn on who to trust, Stevie wonders if she'll have to her visions or her future?
**This version contains profanity. Please order the Clean Version with the white seal to get a copy without these.**
The fear and panic that was tightening around my heart releases like fingers, one by one, until I feel a weightlessness in my chest. She is more beautiful than I remember, her skin smooth and a few shades darker than mine. Her hair enviously perfect, soft waves without a single strand out of place. This time she is alone, and I am glad it is just her and I again.
"What is happening?" I ask her.
She smiles. "I think you know."
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2021
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Durfee
41 books98 followersKristin Durfee is the award-winning author of SHOT (Wild Rose Press), MASS (Orange Blossom Publishing), The Four Corners Trilogy (Black Opal Books), and short stories appearing in several Thriller, Speculative, and Contemporary anthologies for adults.
She lives in Central Florida and when not enjoying the sun with her husband, son, and quirky rescue dogs, you can usually find her on a run, horseback ride, or wandering around a theme park.
She is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, International Thriller Writers Association, and Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners.
She lives in Central Florida and when not enjoying the sun with her husband, son, and quirky rescue dogs, you can usually find her on a run, horseback ride, or wandering around a theme park.
She is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, International Thriller Writers Association, and Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 24, 2021
Mass is a young adult fictional story about Stevie Albie, a 16-year-old girl who believes that all her vision and unique connections with Christ and God is indisputable, but when it’s revealed that she has a front lob brain, tumour, things change for her and all around her.
The premise of the story was interesting. Stevie’s visions and her religious visions attract a religious group. They see all of this as a sign to help bring them salvation.
I found the massive dilemma of the story to be so appealing to read. The religious group offered such peacefulness in Stevie’s life. It gave her meaning and motive, yet her medical condition was real and was killing her, so it needed treatment.
I liked how the story ended. It left me wanting to know more. I believe we will be reading more of Stevie.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read fictional stories and stories that can be religiously inclined.
There is a version of the book that contains profanity and a reference to sex. You can order the Clean Version to get a copy without these.
The premise of the story was interesting. Stevie’s visions and her religious visions attract a religious group. They see all of this as a sign to help bring them salvation.
I found the massive dilemma of the story to be so appealing to read. The religious group offered such peacefulness in Stevie’s life. It gave her meaning and motive, yet her medical condition was real and was killing her, so it needed treatment.
I liked how the story ended. It left me wanting to know more. I believe we will be reading more of Stevie.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read fictional stories and stories that can be religiously inclined.
There is a version of the book that contains profanity and a reference to sex. You can order the Clean Version to get a copy without these.
March 2, 2021
What I loved most about this book is that it kept me guessing the whole time--was Stevie really seeing Mary or was it all in her head? It was an interesting exploration into what reality truly is. It was clear what her parents wanted for her and why, but the whole cult aspect was a continuing mystery. They seemed great, but were they really? I enjoyed how this book made me think a lot about it when I wasn't reading it. That's the sign of a great book!
July 22, 2021
MASS is an emotional, touching, rollercoaster ride that leaves a heartwarming lasting impression. Author Kristin Durfee hooks the reader’s attention from the first page and holds on until the gratifying ending.
When sixteen-year-old Stevie is diagnosed with brain cancer, it’s devastating. But a beautiful side effect is a heavenly connection that Stevie will lose if the tumor’s removed. Stevie is adamant to keep her spiritual relationship alive by refusing to have life-saving surgery, creating understandable chaos and angst within her family. It feels like a satisfying resolution is impossible.
Even though Stevie is only sixteen years old, her desire to be heard and understood is a relatable human condition that any teen (or adult) can understand and appreciate. Her admirable, staunch stand fuels the decisions she makes that test everything she believes about family, trust, and following your heart.
When I first read the synopsis and learned that the young main character had brain cancer, I wasn’t sure I could enjoy the book. But the cancer was necessary because the tough situation Stevie faced was fundamental to the premise. Ms. Durfee handles the medical aspect with enough detail to feel authentic but without so much emphasis that it overtakes the storyline. Anyone concerned with the book being a “downer” because the character has brain cancer shouldn’t let that factor sway their decision to read this compelling and uplifting book.
I read the ‘clean version’ of MASS and appreciated that this option is available along with the standard version.
Who would enjoy this book?
My perspective for this review was for Christian preteens or teens and it hits the mark for a compelling read. Although many young adults may not relate to having cancer, they can certainly appreciate the family dynamics, disagreement with parents, and the feeling of wanting to be heard, understood, and belong. As for Christian youth who are exploring their relationship with God, Stevie’s journey can serve as a reminder that God communicates with His people when we keep our minds and heart open to Him. This book isn’t overly Christian or preachy in any way. As such, MASS is suitable for non-practicing Christians and agnostics as well.
How this book affected me
As a person who has experienced several God-moments in my life, I related to Stevie’s unrelenting desire to keep her communication channel open and admired her determination. My heart is lighter and happier for having read this book.
Our Christian Book Reviews:
The book reviews at Finding God Among Us focus on Christian books – adult and children, fiction and nonfiction. Our specialty is books on faith and new Christian book releases. We’re proud to be included in the Top 20 Christian Book Review Bloggers. I chose to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
When sixteen-year-old Stevie is diagnosed with brain cancer, it’s devastating. But a beautiful side effect is a heavenly connection that Stevie will lose if the tumor’s removed. Stevie is adamant to keep her spiritual relationship alive by refusing to have life-saving surgery, creating understandable chaos and angst within her family. It feels like a satisfying resolution is impossible.
Even though Stevie is only sixteen years old, her desire to be heard and understood is a relatable human condition that any teen (or adult) can understand and appreciate. Her admirable, staunch stand fuels the decisions she makes that test everything she believes about family, trust, and following your heart.
When I first read the synopsis and learned that the young main character had brain cancer, I wasn’t sure I could enjoy the book. But the cancer was necessary because the tough situation Stevie faced was fundamental to the premise. Ms. Durfee handles the medical aspect with enough detail to feel authentic but without so much emphasis that it overtakes the storyline. Anyone concerned with the book being a “downer” because the character has brain cancer shouldn’t let that factor sway their decision to read this compelling and uplifting book.
I read the ‘clean version’ of MASS and appreciated that this option is available along with the standard version.
Who would enjoy this book?
My perspective for this review was for Christian preteens or teens and it hits the mark for a compelling read. Although many young adults may not relate to having cancer, they can certainly appreciate the family dynamics, disagreement with parents, and the feeling of wanting to be heard, understood, and belong. As for Christian youth who are exploring their relationship with God, Stevie’s journey can serve as a reminder that God communicates with His people when we keep our minds and heart open to Him. This book isn’t overly Christian or preachy in any way. As such, MASS is suitable for non-practicing Christians and agnostics as well.
How this book affected me
As a person who has experienced several God-moments in my life, I related to Stevie’s unrelenting desire to keep her communication channel open and admired her determination. My heart is lighter and happier for having read this book.
Our Christian Book Reviews:
The book reviews at Finding God Among Us focus on Christian books – adult and children, fiction and nonfiction. Our specialty is books on faith and new Christian book releases. We’re proud to be included in the Top 20 Christian Book Review Bloggers. I chose to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 6, 2023
The only disappointing thing about this book is that it isn't well-known.
Cult books tend to be either depressing or unbelievable (when not about a real cult); however, Kristen Durfee wrote an engaging and realistic depiction of subtle cultism. Stevie is a believable teenager with plausible struggles. Her visions seem to be fantastic without crossing into the realm of magic. We can sympathize with all the periphery characters and in the end, I can truly say that Durfee balanced motivations so that everyone remains grey.
The book's premise drew me in, and Durfee kept me engaged throughout the book. I could not recommend this book any more than I already do.
Cult books tend to be either depressing or unbelievable (when not about a real cult); however, Kristen Durfee wrote an engaging and realistic depiction of subtle cultism. Stevie is a believable teenager with plausible struggles. Her visions seem to be fantastic without crossing into the realm of magic. We can sympathize with all the periphery characters and in the end, I can truly say that Durfee balanced motivations so that everyone remains grey.
The book's premise drew me in, and Durfee kept me engaged throughout the book. I could not recommend this book any more than I already do.
June 13, 2021
Mass, written by Kristin Durfee, tells the story of a sixteen-year-old girl facing several challenges. The challenges, like real life, are intermingled. She struggles with faith, family, friendships, a court battle, and a possible cult. Today's teenagers, especially the girls, will identify with the main character, Stevie's, dilemma. This easy reader should be in every school library and on every youth group's bookshelf. To make the book a better resource for group discussion, I suggest questions for thought be distributed with the book.
April 11, 2021
I loved hearing Stevie's view of her life at 16, with making a tough choice. It was interesting to see what feelings and info were important to her. Good story and suspense on what she would decide. Loved her setting in FL and relationship with friends and family.
Never thought Stevie's position would give me pause for authenticity, but it sure did.
Interesting read and more so if you have pre/teens in your life.
Highly recommend!
Never thought Stevie's position would give me pause for authenticity, but it sure did.
Interesting read and more so if you have pre/teens in your life.
Highly recommend!
October 21, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. The story moved at the right pace, and even though there was a religious tone, it wasn't preachy. The unique plot actually had me routing against the main character which was different than most books I read. But while I didn't think the main character was right, she was still likable. I think the author did a great job with a pretty complicated subject, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes young adult contemporary fiction.
January 12, 2022
Book was well written. The ending was an unexpected surprise. The entire book was an interesting premise. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 13, 2025
Intended to purchase another book by the author at a local book fair. After talking to her about the book, decided on this one and am so glad I did. Kept me interested throughout.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews