What do you think?
Rate this book
When the Wood Is Dry: An Edgy Catholic Thriller
So, what's that all about?
Jesus' words echo in a recurring dream to Lali Russo, a seventeen-year-old Catholic school girl. Lali wakes and asks, "Why that dream again?" Two thousand years ago, the scourged and bloody form of a man who claimed to be God carried the wood on which he would be crucified. Coming upon some distraught women, He says, "Women of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves and your children. For if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" The novel, When the Wood Is Dry by Joseph Cillo, Jr. attempts to answer this question. When the Wood Is Dry will be published in three parts as I. Call of the Innocent, II. Crucifixion, and III. Resurrection. But now, you can get all three parts together in a single paperback volume! Lali Russo is called to walk a path of suffering that she struggles to understand. Praying at an abortion clinic, she encounters the pregnant girlfriend of a notorious gang leader. She confronts the girl's boyfriend, the ruthless Ralo as he sharpens his machete. "Go away, little girl, this is no’ ju beesness." Walk the full path with Lali, in this edition, which includes all three parts of the novel, and learn the surprising fates of those impacted by her journey. But beware, Part Crucifixion. Included in this edition is an appendix with a synopsis of Part II so that readers who are troubled by the suffering of an innocent can enjoy the story without intimately experiencing the disturbing events of the second part of the novel. As the subtitle, An Edgy Catholic Thriller suggests, When the Wood Is Dry is Edgy - Intended only for mature audiences, Catholic - includes overtly Catholic religious imagery and perspectives, and Thrilling - "full of twists and turns, action and heart-wrenching moments," as one reader commented. Get the full story in Hardcover or Paperback! When the Wood Is An Edgy Catholic Thriller I. Call of the Innocent II. Crucifixion III. Resurrection All in a single, paperback volume. A synopsis of II. Crucifixion is included in an appendix for those sensitive readers who would like to avoid the vivid cruelty of the second part of the story. Please When the Wood Is An Edgy Catholic Thriller includes mature subject matter, profanity, and violence. Reader discretion is advised.
Jesus' words echo in a recurring dream to Lali Russo, a seventeen-year-old Catholic school girl. Lali wakes and asks, "Why that dream again?" Two thousand years ago, the scourged and bloody form of a man who claimed to be God carried the wood on which he would be crucified. Coming upon some distraught women, He says, "Women of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves and your children. For if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" The novel, When the Wood Is Dry by Joseph Cillo, Jr. attempts to answer this question. When the Wood Is Dry will be published in three parts as I. Call of the Innocent, II. Crucifixion, and III. Resurrection. But now, you can get all three parts together in a single paperback volume! Lali Russo is called to walk a path of suffering that she struggles to understand. Praying at an abortion clinic, she encounters the pregnant girlfriend of a notorious gang leader. She confronts the girl's boyfriend, the ruthless Ralo as he sharpens his machete. "Go away, little girl, this is no’ ju beesness." Walk the full path with Lali, in this edition, which includes all three parts of the novel, and learn the surprising fates of those impacted by her journey. But beware, Part Crucifixion. Included in this edition is an appendix with a synopsis of Part II so that readers who are troubled by the suffering of an innocent can enjoy the story without intimately experiencing the disturbing events of the second part of the novel. As the subtitle, An Edgy Catholic Thriller suggests, When the Wood Is Dry is Edgy - Intended only for mature audiences, Catholic - includes overtly Catholic religious imagery and perspectives, and Thrilling - "full of twists and turns, action and heart-wrenching moments," as one reader commented. Get the full story in Hardcover or Paperback! When the Wood Is An Edgy Catholic Thriller I. Call of the Innocent II. Crucifixion III. Resurrection All in a single, paperback volume. A synopsis of II. Crucifixion is included in an appendix for those sensitive readers who would like to avoid the vivid cruelty of the second part of the story. Please When the Wood Is An Edgy Catholic Thriller includes mature subject matter, profanity, and violence. Reader discretion is advised.
- GenresFiction
410 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2019
198 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Cillo Jr.
16 books32 followersWelcome to the edgy worlds of Joseph Cillo, Jr.
Joseph Cillo, Jr. writes edgy fiction in a variety of genres. Whether it's a supernatural thriller like his graphic novel, 'Blind Prophet' or a comedy like the 2019 Illumination Book Award Bronze Medal winner, 'Merry Friggin' Christmas: An Edgy Christmas Comedy', his work features unexpected plot twists, unique characters, and the highest of stakes.
The added dimension of the supernatural infuses his work with stakes that go beyond life and death, and into the eternal. There is a basic, Catholic moral viewpoint behind his work that gives a solid foundation to what might otherwise be seen as purely fantastical. The reading experience can at times be unnerving, as the reader is drawn to consider whether the mystical nature of his tales is nearer to reality than the plainly material experiences of life. The eternal consequences of choices made by characters and spiritual dimensions of actions made clearly visible are mindbending and thought-provoking.
Joseph Cillo, Jr. classifies his writing as "Edgy Catholic Fiction." Edgy Catholic Fiction is generally written for adult audiences, at minimum teens and up. The grouping crosses genres and includes a perspective that is generally consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church, which may include rather dramatic supernatural elements, as in "The Exorcist," or other less dramatic religious elements, which could be as simple as characters relying on prayer. The religious elements may not be overt and could well lie only in the author's general perspective or a character's perspective that there is a God, and a moral, immutable foundation to the universe.
For more information, please check out www.edgycatholic.com
Examples of Edgy Catholic literature lie strewn throughout genres which no one has grouped together. Literary masters such as Graham Greene, Flannery O'Connor, J.R.R. Tolkien, and even, C.S. Lewis, who though not Catholic, was consistent with the Catholic perspective in his fiction, wrote works that fall into the Edgy Catholic domain. Dean Koontz, whose supernatural and suspense thrillers are written from a Catholic perspective and are quite edgy, is a more contemporary example of an Edgy Catholic author.
Joseph Cillo, Jr. is the fourth of seven children, born within a year of his older sister in a most unplanned and yet welcome way. Having the great blessings of a loving family, however, did not prevent his drift into a sort of foolhardy extended adolescence for many years, broken only by suffering and illness, in a rather miraculous fashion. He now lives a life of quiet prayer and diligent work.
For more on Blind Prophet, check out www.blindprophetcomic.com
Joseph Cillo, Jr. writes edgy fiction in a variety of genres. Whether it's a supernatural thriller like his graphic novel, 'Blind Prophet' or a comedy like the 2019 Illumination Book Award Bronze Medal winner, 'Merry Friggin' Christmas: An Edgy Christmas Comedy', his work features unexpected plot twists, unique characters, and the highest of stakes.
The added dimension of the supernatural infuses his work with stakes that go beyond life and death, and into the eternal. There is a basic, Catholic moral viewpoint behind his work that gives a solid foundation to what might otherwise be seen as purely fantastical. The reading experience can at times be unnerving, as the reader is drawn to consider whether the mystical nature of his tales is nearer to reality than the plainly material experiences of life. The eternal consequences of choices made by characters and spiritual dimensions of actions made clearly visible are mindbending and thought-provoking.
Joseph Cillo, Jr. classifies his writing as "Edgy Catholic Fiction." Edgy Catholic Fiction is generally written for adult audiences, at minimum teens and up. The grouping crosses genres and includes a perspective that is generally consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church, which may include rather dramatic supernatural elements, as in "The Exorcist," or other less dramatic religious elements, which could be as simple as characters relying on prayer. The religious elements may not be overt and could well lie only in the author's general perspective or a character's perspective that there is a God, and a moral, immutable foundation to the universe.
For more information, please check out www.edgycatholic.com
Examples of Edgy Catholic literature lie strewn throughout genres which no one has grouped together. Literary masters such as Graham Greene, Flannery O'Connor, J.R.R. Tolkien, and even, C.S. Lewis, who though not Catholic, was consistent with the Catholic perspective in his fiction, wrote works that fall into the Edgy Catholic domain. Dean Koontz, whose supernatural and suspense thrillers are written from a Catholic perspective and are quite edgy, is a more contemporary example of an Edgy Catholic author.
Joseph Cillo, Jr. is the fourth of seven children, born within a year of his older sister in a most unplanned and yet welcome way. Having the great blessings of a loving family, however, did not prevent his drift into a sort of foolhardy extended adolescence for many years, broken only by suffering and illness, in a rather miraculous fashion. He now lives a life of quiet prayer and diligent work.
For more on Blind Prophet, check out www.blindprophetcomic.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 4, 2024
After reading the blurb, I felt that this was certainly a must-read book and I am glad that I did get around to reading it. Riveting, painful, poignant but at the same time courageous and forthright. Yes, it is pro-life, but at the same time, I feel that the author has given a objective and balanced view of what happens at an abortion clinic, as well as how unwanted pregnancies are viewed. I am also glad that the author has the guts to open this can of worms. It is so true that the actual "process" of an abortion is never discussed - young mothers are told that the fetus is removed and the problem goes away, the truth never sees light of day. If nothing else, this book is informative and I applaud the author for having written it, difficult though some parts are to read.
February 9, 2020
The book held my interest the whole way through. There was good human drama, and from a very Catholic perspective.
What I found distracting was the persistent overuse of question marks where they didn't belong.
While not a perfectly written book (some things not entirely believable), it is well worth the read due to the subject matter. There aren't many fiction books like this that treat life issues from an authentically Catholic point of view.
What I found distracting was the persistent overuse of question marks where they didn't belong.
While not a perfectly written book (some things not entirely believable), it is well worth the read due to the subject matter. There aren't many fiction books like this that treat life issues from an authentically Catholic point of view.
March 16, 2021
What a powerful witness message. For the wood is dry in today's world. It is also just as the title suggests. VERY Catholic, and just a little bit edgy (it avoided going too far into torture porn, thankfully). I am also glad that the author didn't delve too far into the Greek tragedy roots of the genre, and let his characters (at least the main protag, it quickly switches POVs each chapter) get a fair resolution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2025
🖊 Edgy? I don’t know about that. Forced? Yes. Alas! I found When the Wood Is Dry: An Edgy Catholic Thriller to be slow going with uninteresting characters with a decidedly spuriousness about them. The girl taking up her banner is much too forced. I also did not like her flirtatious manners with her father and a couple of kids at school. Sure, she picks up a rosary from time to time, and she has flaws; she was phony. 🗑 Conversely, other readers may find this story their intended edge, and I hope so because the author spent some time writing this novel. It was not for me..
Her conversation with her father: “Good morning, Officer Russo,” Lali said cheerfully, coming up to him from behind, smoothing the shoulders of his pressed shirt, not that they needed any smoothing. “You look quite dashing, today!”
Her time with Jesus is coquettish: “She traces the wound with her finger and looks quizzically into his piercing, yet gentle, blue eyes. “Does it hurt?” She tilts her head, and raises her eyebrows, her long hair lightly dancing in the gentle breeze. “Not anymore. But sometimes we must suffer if we are to save souls.” Jesus takes her little hand in His own and traces a circle on her palm.”
Every time we sin, we again reopen the painful wounds of Jesus. Catholicism teaches that.
જ⁀🍇 Kindle.
༻ ༺ ༅ ✬ ༅ ༻ ༺ ༅ ✬ ༅ ༻༺ ༅ ✬ ༅ ༻ ༺
9%
Her conversation with her father: “Good morning, Officer Russo,” Lali said cheerfully, coming up to him from behind, smoothing the shoulders of his pressed shirt, not that they needed any smoothing. “You look quite dashing, today!”
Her time with Jesus is coquettish: “She traces the wound with her finger and looks quizzically into his piercing, yet gentle, blue eyes. “Does it hurt?” She tilts her head, and raises her eyebrows, her long hair lightly dancing in the gentle breeze. “Not anymore. But sometimes we must suffer if we are to save souls.” Jesus takes her little hand in His own and traces a circle on her palm.”
Every time we sin, we again reopen the painful wounds of Jesus. Catholicism teaches that.
જ⁀🍇 Kindle.
༻ ༺ ༅ ✬ ༅ ༻ ༺ ༅ ✬ ༅ ༻༺ ༅ ✬ ༅ ༻ ༺
9%
September 24, 2020
Definitely Catholic, but hardly a thriller and not particularly edgy. I have no quarrel with the author's moral focus (and I agree that abortion is a horror) but I found this book too annoying to finish. I didn't expect literature, but I hoped for competent writing. Unlike Graham Greene and Tolkien, who he references as mentors, Joseph Cillo, Jr. cannot write. I'm sorry, because I really wanted to read an intelligent novel that explored the issue of abortion, but this is not it. First, the stereotyped characters are bound to offend any Hispanic readers (I'm not Hispanic and I found that hideous phonetic dialect offensive.) Second, it is terribly obvious that Mr. Cillo has never set foot inside an actual abortion clinic (legal requirements? medical procedures? plausible motives for the doctor or the receptionist? none of that here!) or had a serious conversation with anyone who has. Setting up straw villains so the impossibly virtuous heroine can triumph morally over them through the sheer force of her sanctity is not helpful. I can't imagine anyone being persuaded by this book and something this bad might actually lead a few critical readers to the Dark Side, which would be tragic.
September 15, 2019
A spirited and spiritual teen, Lali tries to live her faith, share it, and suffer for it if necessary. As the only child of her parents, and especially after the cancer related death of her mother, her father has a hard time with the challenges and dangers some of her choices carry with them.
A dangerous political climate, and neighborhood threats make faith challenges life and death choices.
Lali and her Papa know too well disappointed faithful face other faith challenges as well: what happens when God does not answer situations like a critical illness of your parent or spouse as you might hope. How can you believe when your prayers feel unanswered?
Real life hurts. Life faith is hard. Living it, even harder.
A moving testimony to hard things and not facing them alone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A dangerous political climate, and neighborhood threats make faith challenges life and death choices.
Lali and her Papa know too well disappointed faithful face other faith challenges as well: what happens when God does not answer situations like a critical illness of your parent or spouse as you might hope. How can you believe when your prayers feel unanswered?
Real life hurts. Life faith is hard. Living it, even harder.
A moving testimony to hard things and not facing them alone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 7, 2020
A naive young Catholic girl dreams of Jesus and tries to bring the word and her faith to life. Her police officer father lost his religion after the tragic death of her mother from cancer. Lali is forever praying for people and is a regular outside the local abortion clinic. Her attempts to help a pregnant teenager and her own gang banger boyfriend lead to tragedy and redemption.
I did not like this book. I don't mind the pro-life message, actually, find it refreshing in a world of political correctness and anything goes. Lali seemed much younger than she is and is not believable. The whole storyline about how to handle a pregnancy that is the product of rape was rather hard to stomach. Have the baby or not? Keep the baby or not? I had high hopes for this novel but was disappointed. Unrealistic, unbelievable and unsatisfying.
I did not like this book. I don't mind the pro-life message, actually, find it refreshing in a world of political correctness and anything goes. Lali seemed much younger than she is and is not believable. The whole storyline about how to handle a pregnancy that is the product of rape was rather hard to stomach. Have the baby or not? Keep the baby or not? I had high hopes for this novel but was disappointed. Unrealistic, unbelievable and unsatisfying.
August 9, 2019
This is a Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice book, written from a Catholic standpoint, but I was amazed at how fair I thought the author was in describing the Pro-Choice side of the argument. This is a novel, not a non fiction argumentative book. There is a lot going on in this book; a girl who is hyper-religious, but not putting people down who don't agree with her. There are a lot of very intense scenes, rape, (not graphically written), murders, attempt to fake a suicide and other graphic triggers. But I think it is a book that needs to be read. It has been called "The 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' for Pro-Life". I didn't learn anything new, but it sure cleared up some questions I had been debating about (with myself). Read it! You owe it to yourself.
January 2, 2023
I chose this book because it was presented as an edgy Catholic thriller. Unfortunately, it did not live up to this promise. It was obviously right-wing pro-life, which I had no problem with, as it did make several good points. However, the characters lacked depth, the plot was a little simplistic and Cillo could have used the services of a proofreader. It had several misspellings and grammatical errors. Plus, I don't understand the fascination with blue-eyed characters. Jesus came from the Middle East, so He probably had brown eyes. This is my personal bugaboo, I know.
September 10, 2019
When The Wood Is Dry includes three parts: Call of the Innocent, Crucifixion, Resurrection. This fictional story is one of Pro-Life vs Pro-Choice and I found it to be an interesting read. Warning: This book has violence, murders, rape, and other triggers.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.
July 2, 2023
Abortion Truth
It gives several opposing perspectives surrounding abortion and, rightly so, summarizes the fact that abortion terminates the life of a helpless human being.
It gives several opposing perspectives surrounding abortion and, rightly so, summarizes the fact that abortion terminates the life of a helpless human being.
August 22, 2023
Just another book to get to my goal. Wont read again
October 6, 2019
Good and okay book . Its a lot of religious things because the stories about a teen who is a devote Catholic and prayed on the steps of an abortion clinic after school. You will in the story hear pros and cons of peoples abortion opinions. The girl gets herself mixed up in a situation while trying to help a pregnant girl out and gets raped and hurt pretty bad - but that wasn't all that happened. A story that might make you change your opinion on abortion.
October 21, 2019
This was a great catholic thriller. I love how the girl followed her faith to the very end. It really shed some light on pro-choice and the effects it can have on women.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews