Reviews

We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston

akdorman's review against another edition

challenging tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an advanced reader copy of this ebook.
I heard about this book from Elizabeth Barnhill on the Currently Reading podcast’s Patreon episode of All Things Murderful.
This book is influenced by the Branch Davidian tragedy in Waco from the early 90’s. I’m an elder millennial so I can remember some parts of this event. The book’s two protagonists are from both sides of the standoff and gives a human side to the story from each side.
There were a few Texas-specific references to things I had to look up, but not many.
I thought the epilogue was a little far fetched/too neat of an ending but wasn’t terrible.
4⭐️

caittschida's review

dark emotional sad 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

3.75

Overall it was an interesting account of Waco. I could have done without Roy’s perspective. I found him a boring and naive character compared to Jaye. 

jenniehenn's review

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kellybarth's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnson is a coming-of-age love story set inside a cult in Waco, Texas.  This novel takes a look at what it might have been like to grow up in and around this extraordinary series of events (loosely based on the Branch Davidian cult in the 90's but the names and some of the details have been changed). 

“Sometimes [my father] took me with him to serve warrants… He wanted me to see how people we knew–grocery store cashiers, parishioners from church–could turn unrecognizable if things went sideways in their lives”

 This book has:
✔ A coming-of-age love story
✔ 1990’s Waco, Texas cult 
✔ Historical Fiction
✔ Short chapters
✔ Multiple POVs

This book is for you if you enjoy true-crime podcasts, historical fiction novels, and a smattering of action and adventure. 

Content warning: This book mentions pedophilia (frequent, but not graphic), and has some violent chapters. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Pedophilia and Religious bigotry

ashleywv's review

adventurous emotional

3.5

cbashore's review

challenging emotional hopeful medium-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? Yes

4.25