Reviews tagging 'Violence'

After the Fire by Will Hill

8 reviews

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

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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

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

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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 graphic

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

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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

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.

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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

ghosty_mushroom's review against another edition

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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Cursing, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Death

Minor: Cannibalism

philosophy_enthustiast's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

After The Fire is amazing! It was skilfully and realistically written; the writing wasn’t groundbreaking but it was very well done. It challenged your perspectives on people, their minds and their morals. It also portrayed human relationships in an interesting and engaging way, great for any reader. 
I would say that it could become a bit unrealistic at times, especially with the main character’s development in certain ways. This did not impede on the rest of the novel, however. 
I would recommend this to anyone interested in psychology, sociology and cults, but also children and teenagers looking for a darkly amazing book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault

countingsheep's review

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

5.0

I thought this book was really good, but it is a little heavy. I mean it is about a girl who was in a cult. I liked the way it would switch from things that happened before the fire to things that happened afterward and slowly piece together the story until you finally get the big picture. You can tell that the author put a lot of time and research into writing this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Cancer and Rape

sophieduncan's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Death, Violence, and Genocide

Brainwashing, Cults