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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
I picked up After The Fire by Will Hill without any preconceptions or prior knowledge of its subject and quickly became immersed in an intense atmosphere of fear, suspicion and confusion. The disjointed memories of survivor Moonbeam are filled with gunshots and burning fire. It is not clear how her family of Brothers and Sisters – the Lord’s Legion community – reached this devastating crisis.
Read my full review here.
Read my full review here.
THE PLOT
Moonbeam lived on a compound ruled by Father John, until one day the Government came and she was rescued (although she may not see it that way). Now on the Outside, Moonbeam has to figure how who she can trust while grappling with the guilt of a dark secret.
MY OPINION
OOOooohhhhh lawd. I LOVED this one. I'm a sicko and love a good religious cult story. Not a hot take, but TO ME, cults are so fascinating. I loved the inside look at how the Legion went from a "normal" cult playing baseball to a full out Super Cult forced to live like it was 1820.
It did drag on in some parts, and the "big reveal" wasn't that big, but I was drawn into the "insider info" of Moonbeam's life on the compound (even though she hates that word).
This is a good read for anyone who anyone who is fascinated by cults and wonder what makes people stay. Potential trigger warning if you've had bad experiences with religion.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Juicy, insightful, realistic.
Cons: A little slow in some parts... Found myself jumping ahead, but I went back and read the entire thing. No big reveal tbh. More like a look at cult life and the power of a narcissist wielding the Bible.
TL;DR
Moonbeam grew up on a cult. One day the government raids the cult and she, along with a handful of other children, are saved. Flash forward, Moonbeam is in therapy with a cop (kinda unprofesh?) and recounting her traumatizing tale, but is she telling them everything she knows? Dun dun DUNNNNN
Moonbeam lived on a compound ruled by Father John, until one day the Government came and she was rescued (although she may not see it that way). Now on the Outside, Moonbeam has to figure how who she can trust while grappling with the guilt of a dark secret.
MY OPINION
OOOooohhhhh lawd. I LOVED this one. I'm a sicko and love a good religious cult story. Not a hot take, but TO ME, cults are so fascinating. I loved the inside look at how the Legion went from a "normal" cult playing baseball to a full out Super Cult forced to live like it was 1820.
It did drag on in some parts, and the "big reveal" wasn't that big, but I was drawn into the "insider info" of Moonbeam's life on the compound (even though she hates that word).
This is a good read for anyone who anyone who is fascinated by cults and wonder what makes people stay. Potential trigger warning if you've had bad experiences with religion.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Juicy, insightful, realistic.
Cons: A little slow in some parts... Found myself jumping ahead, but I went back and read the entire thing. No big reveal tbh. More like a look at cult life and the power of a narcissist wielding the Bible.
TL;DR
Moonbeam grew up on a cult. One day the government raids the cult and she, along with a handful of other children, are saved. Flash forward, Moonbeam is in therapy with a cop (kinda unprofesh?) and recounting her traumatizing tale, but is she telling them everything she knows? Dun dun DUNNNNN
The riveting account of a teenage girl who survives a government siege on the cult community she lives in. She is keeping terrible secrets and doesn’t know if she can trust the doctor who is trying to help her recover. It’s both chilling and hopeful in places. Loosely based on the events near Waco, it’s an interesting examination of the aftermath and after effects of living under the spell of a charismatic leader who isn’t what he seems.
Brutal and honest look at inside a cult for teenagers.
This is shortlisted for the current Carnegie Medal and is probably my front-runner. It wouldn't have shown up on my radar if it wasn't for the shortlist, so I'm very grateful to have discovered it. While I have read books set in similar environments before, none of them come close to the realism, the danger, the psychological insight this book gives.
And that's all due to the perspective we are given. Moonbeam literally tells us her story, as she is 'encouraged' to share it with a psychiatrist after a fire that has opened the gates on the cult she's been raised in. Now a teenager, she has spent her life in thrall of Father John, but recently has begun to see past his rants and rhetoric.
The past and present sit easily together as the one informs the other and we build up a picture of the confined and claustrophobic life of the residents inside the fences, the imbalance of power, the fear, the abuse. It's quite intense and emotive.
Moonbeam is a very 'giving' narrator to the reader, as she slowly begins to trust her interrogators, we are party to her frank confessions and reminisces and gain access to an enclosed and frightening world, see how outsiders are brought into the fold and how gradually their autonomy is replaced with fervour.
Some very uncomfortable scenes, but I loved how scenes of cult atrocity sat next to Moonbeam discussing them with 'outsiders' who had their own perspective to offer on the adolescent's world.
The one flaw I picked up on was a tendency towards exposition and explanation, assuming the reader knows nothing of the psychology of the cult or the cult leader, which as an adult jarred, but for most readers, especially those in the intended age range, this would most likely be necessary background and useful.
I have my fingers crossed that After The Fire is recognised by the Carnegie judges and the book is promoted widely. A very important and timely topic, well-handled though not for the faint-hearted.
For ages 13 and above. Some quite graphic content and mature/sexual themes.
This is shortlisted for the current Carnegie Medal and is probably my front-runner. It wouldn't have shown up on my radar if it wasn't for the shortlist, so I'm very grateful to have discovered it. While I have read books set in similar environments before, none of them come close to the realism, the danger, the psychological insight this book gives.
And that's all due to the perspective we are given. Moonbeam literally tells us her story, as she is 'encouraged' to share it with a psychiatrist after a fire that has opened the gates on the cult she's been raised in. Now a teenager, she has spent her life in thrall of Father John, but recently has begun to see past his rants and rhetoric.
The past and present sit easily together as the one informs the other and we build up a picture of the confined and claustrophobic life of the residents inside the fences, the imbalance of power, the fear, the abuse. It's quite intense and emotive.
Moonbeam is a very 'giving' narrator to the reader, as she slowly begins to trust her interrogators, we are party to her frank confessions and reminisces and gain access to an enclosed and frightening world, see how outsiders are brought into the fold and how gradually their autonomy is replaced with fervour.
Some very uncomfortable scenes, but I loved how scenes of cult atrocity sat next to Moonbeam discussing them with 'outsiders' who had their own perspective to offer on the adolescent's world.
The one flaw I picked up on was a tendency towards exposition and explanation, assuming the reader knows nothing of the psychology of the cult or the cult leader, which as an adult jarred, but for most readers, especially those in the intended age range, this would most likely be necessary background and useful.
I have my fingers crossed that After The Fire is recognised by the Carnegie judges and the book is promoted widely. A very important and timely topic, well-handled though not for the faint-hearted.
For ages 13 and above. Some quite graphic content and mature/sexual themes.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So. Messed. Up.
Original.
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this (though it did give me The Darkest Minds vibes surprisingly... similar to the rehabilitation camps).
It's just..................................
Extreme. Barbaric. Disturbing. I was so so so infuriated at this Father John fraud, the fact that people actually.............. believed him, died for him, disregarded everything including their children for him
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Set in two types of chapters: before and after the fire. At first I was a little irked that it wasn't set in chronological order, but I suppose it would get rather tedious just reading about a chores and injustices at The Base all day long. Instead, we have the main character, Moonbeam (intriguing name) recalling the events in an interrogation, after she has escaped the fire.
I highly recommend this dark thriller for something different and bound to keep you morbidly fascinated.
Original.
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this (though it did give me The Darkest Minds vibes surprisingly... similar to the rehabilitation camps).
It's just..................................
Extreme. Barbaric. Disturbing. I was so so so infuriated at this Father John fraud, the fact that people actually.............. believed him, died for him, disregarded everything including their children for him
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Set in two types of chapters: before and after the fire. At first I was a little irked that it wasn't set in chronological order, but I suppose it would get rather tedious just reading about a chores and injustices at The Base all day long. Instead, we have the main character, Moonbeam (intriguing name) recalling the events in an interrogation, after she has escaped the fire.
I highly recommend this dark thriller for something different and bound to keep you morbidly fascinated.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious