Emilia: The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover, it’s bold, striking, and promised a powerful story. And it absolutely delivered. Justin Kopechne’s journey really spoke to me: an idealist trying to bring light into a dark place, fighting for kids who’ve been

Lio: From the moment I picked this book up, I knew it was going to be special. The cover is striking, but it’s what’s inside that truly impressed me. Justin Kopechne’s struggle to bring hope and change into a world weighed down by corruption, crime, and personal conflict had me

Gwen: A haunting book with a story that makes the reader examine his or her own life as well as the life of the protagonist. The book is about a man, the trauma his sister is going through and his way of helping her. It is also about the man's love interest and her secret. All

Ethan Brooks: I’ve read a lot of cartel thrillers, and honestly, most of them lean on gunfights, betrayals, and clichés. This one is different. ‘To Sing Like a Mockingbird’ is slower, more lyrical, almost poetic at times. The danger is there: drug trafficking, lawmen going

Book Reviewer (4,389 reviews): And Ye Shall Be as Gods by Jan Notzon presents a compelling blend of narrative, philosophical exploration, and elements of mystery. The story centers around Jacob Kazmareck, who embarks on a multifaceted journey of self-discovery, healing his

Ava Montgomery: This novel isn’t just about crime; it’s about meaning. When Justin’s spirit speaks from the other side, it frames everything we see as part of a bigger, cosmic mystery. The book quotes Frost and meditates on paradoxes, which made me stop and reread certain

Logan Reed: I’ll be honest: at first, I rolled my eyes at the ghostly narrator. It felt gimmicky. But the longer I read, the more it grew on me. There’s something eerie about hearing the confessions of a man who already knows how the story ends. The prologue hooked me with its

Amelia Grant: What The New Chapter loved most about the first five chapters was how much emotional weight Jan Notzon managed to pack into them without ever feeling heavy-handed. The flashbacks to Jacob’s youth, the subtle details of his family’s history, and the glimpses into

Jack Morgan - From the moment we opened And Ye Shall Be as Gods, The New Chapter book club was captivated. The first five chapters gave us so much to discuss that we could have filled an entire evening without even moving further. The opening scene set the tone beautifully

Jacob Nelson: This book broke my heart. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a border town and saw how cartels tore families apart, but Justin’s reflections hit me hard. His lament that his friends were swallowed up by greed and confusion felt personal. Chris wasn’t just a villain;

Daniel Rivers: An extraordinary piece of storytelling. I loved how this book examines the thin line between hope and despair, showing us both the strength and fragility of the human spirit. Justin’s grief over his student’s death was heartbreaking, and his entanglement with

Charlotte Evans- Our group at The New Chapter has read many family dramas, but And Ye Shall Be as Gods is shaping up to be one of the most honest portrayals we’ve seen in a while. By the time we reached Chapter 5, we had already argued (in the best way!) about Jacob’s choices,

Lily Scott- These first chapters took The New Chapter on a journey that felt both intimate and universal. Jacob is such a well drawn character his mix of sarcasm, tenderness, and restraint makes him feel like someone we might know in real life. Grace, too, is already so vividly

Calder Voss: Jan Notzon really knows how to dive deep into the gray areas of morality. To Sing Like a Mockingbird isn’t just about Justin’s fight to help troubled kids it’s also about how messy life gets when ideals clash with power, corruption, and personal struggles. I found

Helena Regan: This book surprised me with how layered it was. On the surface, it’s about one man trying to make a difference in a reformatory, but underneath it’s a story about loyalty, corruption, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for what we believe in. The dynamic between

Ethan Fisher- Reading Chapters 1–5 felt to The New Chapter like being drawn into a photograph that slowly comes to life. Every scene felt tangible the way the air shifts at a funeral, the silence in a hospital room, the unspoken words between family members. Jan Notzon’s skill

Lawrence: This novel is both gripping and thought-provoking. Jan Notzon captures the tension of South Texas life, weaving a story of loyalty, betrayal, and conviction with a poetic touch. I loved the theatrical structure of the Acts and Choruses—it gave the story a unique

Hannah Mitchell- The way these opening chapters are structured is brilliant, and The New Chapter noticed it right away. We start with humor and wry observation, then slowly descend into deeper emotional territory without ever losing the reader’s trust. Our discussion of Chapter

Emily Carter- From the very first page, the tension and warmth of Jacob and Grace’s relationship drew us in. Chapter 1 immediately sets the stage for a story that is intimate yet expansive, as Notzon captures the weight of family ties and past regrets. By Chapter 2, the funeral

Amelia Robinson: To Sing Like a Mockingbird is a rare gem intense, emotional, and beautifully written. The characters are layered and human, each one grappling with choices that reveal the costs of cynicism and idealism. The blend of drama and suspense kept me hooked, but what