Review: The Patron Saint of Butterflies, by Cecilia Galante

Agnes and Honey have grown up together in the religious commune on Mount Blessing. But their friendship is tested when Honey starts to question the commune and its leader, Emmanuel. Agnes, however, believes in the commune with heart and soul as she abuses herself and offers up the pain as penance for her sins, as she has been taught. 

When Agnes's Nana Pete comes and discovers the commune's secret, a myriad of emotions boils between the two girls. Ultimately, Agnes must decide what is truth and where her heart lies, while Honey struggles to bring out the friend she used to have in Agnes.

Um... wow.

I picked Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante because of Miss Erin's Top Favorites of 2008, and because of the 5-star reviews plastered on so many bloggers' walls. And boy, oh boy, was it worth it.

With heartwrenching elegance and a beautiful premise, Galante has created a literary work that deserves acclaim. From the different perspectives to the perfect switching of fonts to the names, locations, characters... Patron Saint of Butterflies is utterly without fault.

(Well, the cover isn't great but it's not awful. But anyway)

Normally I find switching perspectives distracting. Like, "WHAT the heck! What happens to her?" And I know authors use it as a cliff-hanger kind of thing, but sometimes it just plain bugs me. Butterflies isn't like that. Galante switches at the right time, uses distinct voices, and does it all with flair and style.

The story arc was well paced. I flew through the climax (like a butterfly! haha... not.) and felt the story leading up to it and away from it were enticing and satisfactory. 

Rating: 5 stars

Clean: A little light cussing, not much.

FYI, Cecilia Galante wrote a guest post on Miss Erin's blog here. Check it out!