Leah E. Good

Heather Stone works at a sorting facility where books the government does not want people to read – like the Bible – are sorted and destroyed. The thing is, Heather is a Christian. So sometimes she saves the Bibles. She sneaks one home without realizing there’s a tracker in it and suddenly her father is arrested and she’s on the run. Being a Christian is a criminal offense, as is possessing a Bible. Spreading the Word can get you killed – and that is exactly what happened to Heather’s mother. Now her father’s life is on the line. Can she help him without putting herself and everyone else she loves in jeopardy? Can she open the eyes of people in her community to the truth of God’s word? What is God’s purpose for her life?

I really like the way the faith message is interwoven into this YA story. The main story conflict is resolved by the end of this novel, but other things are still up in the air, which sets things up for a sequel!… (més)

Genre: Fiction.

My Rating: 5 Stars.

Recommendation: 13 and older. Because of some things are harder to read.

My Favorite Character/s: Heather Stone is a Christian, as well as a supposed rebel her Father is arrested for having a Bible, which is illegal. She is strong and doesn't back down from her beliefs.

My Verse for Heather is Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Warning There is a execution.
… (més)

This book is free on Kindle right now (March 2019), and I recommend it! Definitely snap it up if Christian dystopian sounds appealing.

I've read books that are better written, but this is a quality indie novel with a powerful story and themes, and the ending moved me and brought me to tears. So that's a recommendation in itself!

My review below is from years ago, probably the first review I ever posted here. Back then, I tended to be more positive and balance it less with critique in my old reviews--but I actually still like this review and agree with it in general, even if I tend to be more stingy with my five star ratings now.


2016 Review:

This was the first book in a very long time that I have read in a single day. It was that good, and I didn't want to put it down! It was wonderfully well-written and suspenseful, with amazing and relatable characters the author made me care about. It was so good to read a fiction book that is basically dystopian, but that has a main conflict involving the characters fighting for the thing that matters most. Above all, it was so faith-building and encouraging! Even if it was a heavy book sometimes, the most sad and painful part of it was actually really uplifting for me as I was reading because of the strong Christian message of hope and faith. It was very refreshing to read a book for teens that was packed full of the best kind of truth and was great in every other way as well!

I loved this book for so many reasons, and Leah Good has done an outstanding job with it. I will definitely be recommending it to family and friends, and I look forward to reading more from this talented young author!… (més)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I didn't want it to be overrrrrrr!!!!! *weeps*

This book was amazing! I adored it! I must have a sequel, like, a week ago! Please please hurry up, Leah! I planned to read this slowly and enjoy it, but still ended up finishing it in two days. XD

The story was gripping. From the first page I was completely hooked. The world building was very well done. Some dystopian books tend to lack in the world building department, and leave the reader scratching their heads at times, but not so with Counted Worthy. Miss Good gave just enough description so you understood the story and setting, but not too much, and not all at once.

The characters were all well devoloped; I feel like Heather's father could have been better devolped, but he was still a great character. And, short rant here: WHY DID HE HAVE TO DIE??!?! That part ripped my heart out! Well done, Leah, because it furthered the story, but . . . but . . . noooooooo! *wails* Heather was very well done; her character was the best part of this book for me. Oftentimes in stories like this one, the main heroine is this brilliant, perfect, flawless character who is going to save the world! Think Superman. And I hate that, because it is just so unrealistic, and I cannot relate to that character at. all. Heather was human. Heather was real. She had issues she struggled with. I could *relate* to her. She was so genuine. That is the main thing I loved about this book. Miss Good nailed her character! Bryce was awesome also; I loved how I wasn't the stereotypical perfect guy every girl falls for. Ick. I also liked how their relationship stayed un-boyfriendgirlfriend. I liked how they were almost siblings, and their care for one another, again, not in a boygirl way.

I wasn't a huge fan of the fact that there was a great deal of *talking* about stuff, not actually *doing* stuff. For a decent portion of the book, the characters discussed what their plan was. I would have liked to read less discussion and more actually carrying out of the plan.

My only other critique would have been that the book was longer. It could *easily* have been twice in long, and not dragged or gotten boring.

All in all, very well done! I loved this book! SO so good!… (més)