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prernas's review
the beginning captivated my interest! but i didn't feel like reading it so i skipped to the end
bookishly_bi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
issianne's review against another edition
2.0
2.5. This was alright. Emily joins a campus ministry reliant on sin confessionals and being completely honest with one's disciple mentor. This all screams NXIVM if they had used the Bible. This book was compelling at times, emphasizing those moments that those who join cults never realize they're joining one. But then, Emily and some other members journey out to Italy to mission--and the storyline gets messy. And while I think that was part of the author's intent, I just thought the ominous cult-like-actions-that-don't-make-you-realize-you're-in-a-cult just went away. And the last 60 pages...unnecessary. Emily has motives for joining the Kingdom, but they never felt fleshed out enough. The motive that probably convinced me the most is the fact that she's eighteen and alone. Moffett could've really played to that more.
remsreads's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't even get through the first chapter....i was very bored
dembury's review against another edition
3.0
A VERY slow-burn of a cult YA quasi-thriller that has a strong beginning but kind of loses itself from after the first third. I found the narrative on manipulation and hiding ill-intent behind a religious mask to be the most well done parts of this book; seeing Emily fall victim to the Kingdom was creepy to say the least. Other than that, I think the chill factor is pretty lacking. There are a lot of religious rants, deception, some double-crossing, but nothing that ever shocked me. Many people are comparing this to "Sadie" by Courtney Summers, but I'm gonna disagree and say this is more like "With Malice" by Eileen Cook with teeny little hints of the Amanda Knox case sprinkled in à la cult. The pretty prose doesn't make up for the dragging narrative, so all in all this was a bit lackluster for me.
notmaiareading's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who reads a lot of books on cults, I was excited when I came across Those who prey as in the non-fiction cult genre. There are not many novels where the main character joins a cult. I found Emily to be written as an extremely naive character who I was constantly frustrated by as their were a lot of red flags that she missed, as they were extremely extremely obvious, I feel like anyone would have been able to pick up on it. I think the boot would have benefitted from setting up Emilys life Pre cult a bit more, as the author makes sure to tell the reader Emily is lonely but does little to show it, which makes it seem like she only joined to get with Josh (however, the author likes to constantly remind as thats not the case, but heavily implying it). I think this book would have been better as a trilogy as she fits a lot of plot into 262 pages with Emily Joining the cult, going on a mission/ escaping, and then the aftermath. Elements of the plot needed to be written in more depth (a key element being the whole mission trip), as well as the book ending with so many unanswered questions. Definitely felt like 3 books in one. Overall, I loved the first half of the book and would recommend it.
ekarcha's review
3.0
I felt uncomfortable shelving a book set in 1994 as historical fiction… I now feel ancient.
3 stars bc I felt the writing could’ve been stronger and better structured, but I enjoyed the story and a lot of the evangelical themes resonated with me and my adolescence in the church, though thankfully it was never even close to these extremes.
3 stars bc I felt the writing could’ve been stronger and better structured, but I enjoyed the story and a lot of the evangelical themes resonated with me and my adolescence in the church, though thankfully it was never even close to these extremes.
pinkypromis3s's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
it was an enjoyable book but something that really irritated me was how nothing was revealed about sadie whatsoever and in the beginning of the book it seemed like it would be a important part. other than that, i liked it. cult and religious stuff is always interesting to read about
madelinesedai's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0