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aspenandcopper's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Rape, Gun violence, and Confinement
The book is heavily focused on a cult and the associated brainwashing that goes along with being in a cult.naomi_hyde's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Surprisingly really enjoyed this book! I only bought it because it was buy two get one free in the charity shop and I'm really glad I did!
This was such a page turner, I loved how the author drip-fed information throughout the book to keep you wanting to know more. The story unfolded beautifully as the reader learns more about Moonbeam's experience and her life in the Legion, and all of the jigsaw pieces of information come together. I did find that towards the end the plot became a bit more predictable however, I still found the book engaging and thrilling right up to the end.
I liked the structure of the book - the story is told in alternating chapters of before and after as Moonbeam slowly opens up to Dr Hernandez and Agent Carlyle and begins to tell them more about her life in the Legion. I thought this was very effective at showing how Moonbeam develops throughout her time in the Secure Unit and starts to open up more, and was also effective at creating an engaging pace to the narrative. The non-chronological order of events was sometimes confusing, for example, I thought Moonbeam's mother was banished from the Legion just before the fire, but later on, Moonbeam says she was banished two years before the fire! Having said that, it did add more interest to the book and gave the reader sneak peaks of what was to come for Moonbeam and what we'd find out later in the book.
The story itself was unique and an interesting exploration of power and corruption, and how Father John ruled over everyone through fear and paranoia. I felt the story was handled sensitively and put the survivors at the heart of the narrative, especially given that the story was based on real events. Moonbeam's character was well-developed and I loved the insights into her thoughts and inner turmoil as she reconciles her own beliefs with Father John's lies and influence. I thought this was really well explored, especially the way Father John's voice invades her own thoughts and her own beliefs start as a small voice at the back of her head and slowing grow as she begins to trust 'Outsiders' and listen to her gut instinct.
I would have liked more character exploration of Moonbeam and the other survivors. The book is very focused on Moonbeam's past and what happened, and whilst we got to see Moonbeam's development as she unpacks her trauma, I would have liked a bit more focus on Moonbeam and how her experience in the Legion affected her. Furthermore, I wish we'd have got to know more about the other survivors, their experiences, and development outside of the Legion, but understand this would have made the book far too long. I also found the book ended quite suddenly - all of the survivors leave the Secure Unit in quick succession (bearing in mind that they aren't actually in there for that long, and given the trauma they've experienced, I'd expect them to have been in therapy for YEARS), and then Moonbeam's mother suddenly shows up and takes her home. The ending just wraps up quite quickly and I think it could have been paced better.
Overall, a thrilling and engaging novel that explores the effects of living in a cult but also the strength and resilience to start a life outside of it.
This was such a page turner, I loved how the author drip-fed information throughout the book to keep you wanting to know more. The story unfolded beautifully as the reader learns more about Moonbeam's experience and her life in the Legion, and all of the jigsaw pieces of information come together. I did find that towards the end the plot became a bit more predictable however, I still found the book engaging and thrilling right up to the end.
I liked the structure of the book - the story is told in alternating chapters of before and after as Moonbeam slowly opens up to Dr Hernandez and Agent Carlyle and begins to tell them more about her life in the Legion. I thought this was very effective at showing how Moonbeam develops throughout her time in the Secure Unit and starts to open up more, and was also effective at creating an engaging pace to the narrative. The non-chronological order of events was sometimes confusing, for example, I thought Moonbeam's mother was banished from the Legion just before the fire, but later on, Moonbeam says she was banished two years before the fire! Having said that, it did add more interest to the book and gave the reader sneak peaks of what was to come for Moonbeam and what we'd find out later in the book.
The story itself was unique and an interesting exploration of power and corruption, and how Father John ruled over everyone through fear and paranoia. I felt the story was handled sensitively and put the survivors at the heart of the narrative, especially given that the story was based on real events. Moonbeam's character was well-developed and I loved the insights into her thoughts and inner turmoil as she reconciles her own beliefs with Father John's lies and influence. I thought this was really well explored, especially the way Father John's voice invades her own thoughts and her own beliefs start as a small voice at the back of her head and slowing grow as she begins to trust 'Outsiders' and listen to her gut instinct.
I would have liked more character exploration of Moonbeam and the other survivors. The book is very focused on Moonbeam's past and what happened, and whilst we got to see Moonbeam's development as she unpacks her trauma, I would have liked a bit more focus on Moonbeam and how her experience in the Legion affected her. Furthermore, I wish we'd have got to know more about the other survivors, their experiences, and development outside of the Legion, but understand this would have made the book far too long. I also found the book ended quite suddenly -
Overall, a thrilling and engaging novel that explores the effects of living in a cult but also the strength and resilience to start a life outside of it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Child abuse
rory18's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Antisemitism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Child death, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
Minor: Incest
liv_reads_books's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Suicide
dramagirl2003's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I was sucked in by this book right from the very first page! Moonbeam's experience in The Base was horrifying to read! I am so proud of her character development, she is one of the strongest and bravest characters I've ever read about! I was so angry to read all the lies Father John was forcing the members to believe!!
I was a bit apprehensive about reading this book to begin with, as I was a little worried that the narrative would insinuate that all Christianity is bad. I had nothing to fear, this was strictly an imaginative retelling of the real-life Waco Seige. In fact, the author made a point of saying at the end that the belief structure in The Base was nothing like true Christianity at all. As a Christian myself, I am especially grateful to him for purposefully making that distinction so people aren't confused or misled
I was a bit apprehensive about reading this book to begin with, as I was a little worried that the narrative would insinuate that all Christianity is bad. I had nothing to fear, this was strictly an imaginative retelling of the real-life Waco Seige. In fact, the author made a point of saying at the end that the belief structure in The Base was nothing like true Christianity at all. As a Christian myself, I am especially grateful to him for purposefully making that distinction so people aren't confused or misled
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Confinement, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Grief, Violence, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Child death, and Torture
Minor: Blood, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Pedophilia, Cancer, and Murder
I almost cried when a character commited suicide. It was very graphicrachaeldulaney20's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
It was definitely a hard read but the characters were well developed. I did have two small problems with the book. One were a lot of characters and sometimes it was confusing to get them all sorted out but mostly the author kept teasing at moon sharing things which was held off till the end which got kind of irritating after once or twice. The short chapters were amazing and the concept of before and after was done so well. I enjoyed it….. although I have to say I don’t know if enjoyed is the right word for this book. (As it’s a lot and hard to read mentally) I am super grateful that most of the questions we had throughout reading the book were answered at the end or towards the end whereas a lot of books leave more of a cliffhanger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
its_van_vulpen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Confinement, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Child abuse, Abandonment, Blood, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Cancer and Addiction
ljc35's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Sexual violence, and Abandonment
iwillendyouinc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Physical abuse
bandysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moonbeam has recently escaped what was a bloody massacre on the compound of the cult she grew up in. She’s haunted not only by the deaths, but some deeply buried secrets as well. This book explores her experiences within the cult and her trauma after the cult has been broken up.
I liked how this book utilized flashbacks as the character narrating her story to her doctor. It flowed pretty well and was easy to keep track of.
I also like how we see the progression of thoughts in Moonbeams mind as different things occur. She doesn’t wake up one morning and simply feel a certain way. She develops thoughts and feelings over periods of time. It made her come across as thoughtful instead of impulsive.
Also, this cult was so creepy! I know it was based off of the Branch Davidians and Waco Texas, but i thought the author did a good job of distinguishing the cult in his writing from its inspiration.
All in all, an interesting and moving read. A bit predictable at points, but still good.
I liked how this book utilized flashbacks as the character narrating her story to her doctor. It flowed pretty well and was easy to keep track of.
I also like how we see the progression of thoughts in Moonbeams mind as different things occur. She doesn’t wake up one morning and simply feel a certain way. She develops thoughts and feelings over periods of time. It made her come across as thoughtful instead of impulsive.
Also, this cult was so creepy! I know it was based off of the Branch Davidians and Waco Texas, but i thought the author did a good job of distinguishing the cult in his writing from its inspiration.
All in all, an interesting and moving read. A bit predictable at points, but still good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Violence, Bullying, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, and Toxic relationship