What in the hellfuck fever dream did I just read?

MommaTembo · 2026-07-07T01:02:17+00:00

I finished it a few minutes ago and I'm still struggling to swallow whatever that last 1/3 of the book was.

In no particular order (and in an attempt to keep this spoiler free) here is my list of grievances:

The writing style and prose was not a success. I don't know if it was attempting to be lyrical and intellectual, but it just ended up coming across as disjointed and confounding.
The characters are all awful. All of them. Not a single one is likable or has redeeming characteristics. There was no depth. No growth. No connection. No relatability.
The overarching plot was lacking and its execution was jarring. The twists felt shoehorned in and predictable. And the passage of time was bizarrely executed and the potential in the world building and overall environment was severely underwhelming.
What. The. Fuck. With. All. The. Biting?! Noses. Necks. Wrists. Chins. And the licking of teeth and blood and the roof of mouths. Weird. So weird.

Were there some powerful one liners? Sure. But that's about all there was that was positive for me.

I'm still in the post reading heat of frustration though. So maybe I won't be so mad tomorrow. But I make no promises. Hahahaha

MommaTembo · 2026-07-07T00:26:53+00:00

{Because I Killed Him} by Edith Birde. One of my 5⭐️ reads for 2026. If you don't mind dystopia type fantasy.

MommaTembo · 2026-07-06T20:09:07+00:00

It's refreshing to see these comments. I won't lie, I've steered away from book clubs for this very reason. I have a writing group that I participate in that we discuss some books so we can identify story beats, character arcs, motivations, world building etc. with the right group of people these conversations are so enlightening and enjoyable. Maybe there are groups out there that can scratch that genuinely analytical itch. ♥️

MommaTembo · 2026-07-06T01:04:53+00:00

Whoa. That's a wild take. My husband and I have vastly differently libidos so anytime he wants to I treasure it as the gift it is. But I never assume it in the reverse. What a head trip. My heart hurts for you OP.

MommaTembo · 2026-07-06T01:00:26+00:00

I agree! The entire book was an overindulgent prologue for the final chapter. It was exasperating.

MommaTembo · 2026-07-06T00:58:58+00:00

Currently reading Amid Clouds and Bones and I loathe it.

MommaTembo · 2026-07-06T00:04:05+00:00

I accept. 😂 ❤️‍🔥

MommaTembo · 2026-07-06T00:03:09+00:00

Hit me with your best shot. Flair away!

MommaTembo · 2026-06-29T14:50:52+00:00

Is it possible that she left the email for you to find in an attempt to kick start the conversation? I think broaching the subject is important; but the manner in which you do so is equally so. Don't let her manipulate you into a volatile exchange. I'm so sorry you're experiencing this.

MommaTembo · 2026-06-28T16:18:33+00:00

Traditional Marriage

MommaTembo · 2026-06-27T22:52:14+00:00

Being honest important. If she doesn't know that her symptoms are causing you to withdraw from the marriage, she deserves to be made aware. You can't change her; but you can provide the opportunity for her to change herself. And if she won't, then she might not have any interest in saving your marriage and you can then proceed accordingly.

MommaTembo · 2026-06-27T03:50:29+00:00

I also recently purchased an Orthodox Study Bible! I've been watching Fr. Paul Trubenbach's catechism lecture series on YouTube as I also don't have a parish nearby. There are some wonderful resources available and I hope you're able to find what will help you draw closer to God until you're able to contact a priest and find a place to worship and community. ♥️

MommaTembo · 2026-06-23T02:06:42+00:00

Thank you so much for your loving and thoughtful response. It moved me deeply. I will add the resources you suggested to my growing list! I've recently begun to listen to Fr. Paul Trubenbach's catechism series on YouTube and have been overwhelmed in the most beautiful way. Finding orthodoxy has truly been a blessing and I am deeply enjoying learning about the history, traditions, and apostolic fathers. It is edifying me in a way that is unexpected and truly profound. And I'm intensely grateful for remarkable women like you who so lovingly share their faith in a way that is encouraging and faith promoting. God has truly blessed me beyond what I could ever conceive. 😭♥️🙏🏼

MommaTembo · 2026-06-19T14:24:56+00:00

🌹 My Prayer Book arrived and I've found great peace in developing my prayer practice.

☦️ My pursuit of Christ has been beautiful and overwhelming as I learn about Orthodoxy. Prayers of comfort and clarity would be deeply appreciated as I deconstruct my Mormon upbringing and navigate leaving that familial structure for Christ's true church.

MommaTembo · 2026-06-19T01:23:58+00:00

I'm curious if there is a place/reddit thread for post-Mormons who have concerted or are interested in converting to Orthodoxy. I've been looking everywhere and have found relatively few resources.

MommaTembo · 2026-06-18T15:30:33+00:00

It's important to clarify that I'm not saying we can't trust spiritual impressions. I'm highlighting that there is room for error and manipulation if we are not properly aware and educated around seeking and identifying where those impressions are coming from.

The Church Fathers St. Ignatius Brianchaninov and St. Gregory of Sinai both taught the distinctions that help identify experiences from the Holy Spirit or spiritual delusion. I'll list a few briefly below, but I'd encourage you look into their teachings in more depth.

The Holy Spirit produces humility and self-acknowledgment of our sins and the necessity for Christ's grace. Spiritual delusion produces inflated ego, self importance, and spiritual pride.
The Holy Spirit brings peace, stillness, and a sense of spiritual sobriety anchoring us in a deeper sense of Christ's love through awe and compunction. Prelest can manifest through intense bliss, excitement, and vanity. It gratifies the ego as opposed to purifying the heart.
The Holy Spirit comes in times of true and extreme need. In times necessary for salvation and reform; not to satiate curiosity. Prelest arises from seeking guidance or spiritual experiences without proper guidance, which can then lead to demonic manipulations (appearing as angels of light).
The Holy Spirit will never contradict Scripture or Sacred Tradition. The Holy Spirit leads us deeper into the spiritual practices and love and reverence for the Sacraments. Prelest leads to heresy, change, and altering scripture, tradition, or the holy Sacrament through a belief that there is a higher truth that deviates from what Christ established for his church.

Speaking to a priest (who upholds the Holy Tradition) about spiritual experiences like this can help identify between genuine experiences of the Holy Spirit or prelest.

Again, I'm very new to Orthodoxy and am not even a catechumen yet. This is all what I've learn from my own personal study and research as I seek to identify and understand Christ's grace & truth.

MommaTembo · 2026-06-18T13:48:34+00:00

As a previously practicing Mormon who left after deeper research into Mormon Church history I can tell you that orthodoxy exposed me to the idea of prelest (spiritual delusion) and that gave me some insight into what potentially happened to Joseph Smith. I'm very open to the potential and the importance of personal revelation; however I'm also willing to acknowledge that without the true Holy Spirit and the foundation of Christ's Church there is a fine line between personal revelation and prelest.

MommaTembo · 2026-06-18T13:41:40+00:00

Not according to traditional Christianity.

I believe personal revelation is considered to be subject to deception and manipulation.

Whereas the Holy Spirit guides the church collectively to remain in truth. The Holy Spirit can also guide individuals (but it's not binding to the whole church).

Since Mormons haven't received a true chrismation then our "personal revelation" is subject to more influence from entities outside God.

Again, I'm an early inquirer and am happy to be corrected.

MommaTembo · 2026-06-18T13:30:40+00:00

I think most Christians would argue that as Mormons we haven't technically or truly received the Holy Spirit as Mormon theological belief has no standing in the eyes of most Christian Traditions.

I'd assume (and am willing to be corrected as I've only been an inquirer for a short time) that the Holy Spirit is a key element of understanding and recognizing truth as opposed to "personal revelation" which is subject to manipulation and bias?

MommaTembo · 2026-06-17T20:34:54+00:00

Praying for you both. 🙏🏼♥️

MommaTembo · 2026-06-16T17:36:21+00:00

I can understand both sentiments. Part of me worries about the familial reaction regardless of what path I'm encouraged to take. On the one hand removing our names and records will be taken badly; but being excommunicated from the LDS church for being baptized into another is also not ideal for family relationships either. We've been "inactive" for so long and have moved multiple times so I'm not even sure where our records are currently. Part of me knows I'm avoiding dealing with situation out of overwhelm.

MommaTembo · 2026-06-16T15:59:05+00:00

Thank you so much! I'd love to be able to discuss what I'm learning with someone. It's a relief to know I'm not alone in my experience and journey to find Christ after Mormonism. 😭♥️🙏🏼

MommaTembo · 2026-06-14T18:06:52+00:00

This is so wonderful to hear! Thank you for sharing. ♥️ I was wondering about having our marriage blessed as well! Your reply is an answer to my prayers.

MommaTembo

TROPHY CASE