Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
This is an excellent novel, and well deserves it's place on the Carnegie longlist. It is a departure from his vampire novels, and so will surprise students picking it up who are expecting more of the same!
The book is set inside a religious fundamentalist camp, which is ruled with an iron hand by Father John. Those who live inside are warned that Father John is keeping them safe from the world outside, which is cruel and evil, and out to destroy them. Only by staying safe in the compound with Father John can the flock stay pure. But Moonbeam has her doubts, and soon she is wondering whether they really are safe in the compound with Father John - and how she might escape. A devastating fire allows some children to escape - but not without terrible psychological scars.
A great read for older children, containing violence and sex abuse (hinted, not graphic).
The book is set inside a religious fundamentalist camp, which is ruled with an iron hand by Father John. Those who live inside are warned that Father John is keeping them safe from the world outside, which is cruel and evil, and out to destroy them. Only by staying safe in the compound with Father John can the flock stay pure. But Moonbeam has her doubts, and soon she is wondering whether they really are safe in the compound with Father John - and how she might escape. A devastating fire allows some children to escape - but not without terrible psychological scars.
A great read for older children, containing violence and sex abuse (hinted, not graphic).
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
this was actually so good. the formatting took me a minute to get used to (idk if that’s my ebook or what?) but after that it was super good and a quick read; the ending is what i was hoping for
I have just finished this book and the tears will not stop
the only adjective i can use is harrowing
i cannot write anything now because i am still reeling from the shock
edit: this book follows moonbeam’s life after a destructive fire that has changed her life
she is part of the lords legion who believe that they will ascend and that father john is the prophet whom through God communicates to them
we learn about what life was like inside the legion and what they were taught about the outside world they were kept from
hearing the beliefs and what moonbeam and the rest of her brothers and sisters were taught was right and wrong was absolutely crazy and unbelievable
i was taken aback by the way father john spoke and the strength of moonbeam to come out the way she did
the book is written in both last and present tense and we get some flashbacks further highlighting the trauma she has been through
the way this book was written and the development of the characters and lack thereof for some was extraordinary
this book was amazing and painful and beautiful and raw
and yes 10/10
the only adjective i can use is harrowing
i cannot write anything now because i am still reeling from the shock
edit: this book follows moonbeam’s life after a destructive fire that has changed her life
she is part of the lords legion who believe that they will ascend and that father john is the prophet whom through God communicates to them
we learn about what life was like inside the legion and what they were taught about the outside world they were kept from
hearing the beliefs and what moonbeam and the rest of her brothers and sisters were taught was right and wrong was absolutely crazy and unbelievable
i was taken aback by the way father john spoke and the strength of moonbeam to come out the way she did
the book is written in both last and present tense and we get some flashbacks further highlighting the trauma she has been through
the way this book was written and the development of the characters and lack thereof for some was extraordinary
this book was amazing and painful and beautiful and raw
and yes 10/10
This book was incredible! I read it in 2 days because I just couldn't put it down! [b:After the Fire|37789683|After the Fire|Will Hill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527283028l/37789683._SY75_.jpg|54097355] is about the ruination of an American cult and is a story of hope and resilience for the survivors. The story begins with the fire and destruction of The Lord's Legion (the cult compound that Moonbeam lived in), then continues with chapters 'before' or 'after' the fire to reveal things at the perfect time. I absolutely loved the alternating snippets of past and present ([b:Dangerous Girls|16074758|Dangerous Girls|Abigail Haas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356513050l/16074758._SY75_.jpg|21869436] is told in the same format - I highly recommend it!). If you love this book I'd suggest reading [b:The Special Ones|28052421|The Special Ones|Em Bailey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1448971993l/28052421._SY75_.jpg|48056092], the only other YA book about a cult that I've found. If you have any other recommendations please let me know :)
Happy reading x
Happy reading x
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was so incredibly powerful and an absolutely brilliant read. Moonbeam and her Brothers and Sisters are such well developed and explored characters. The overall atmosphere was incredibly chilling and engaging, and was very very well written. The plot follows Moonbeam, one of the few survivors of a religious cult, and her journey following the fire that destroyed their compound. Her experiences are detailed and thought provoking, and each story she told to the psychiatrist was engaging and completely gripped me.
The book is told from two perspectives. One perspective is Moonbeam in therapy after the fire. The other perspective is Moonbeam before the fire, still with the cult. These differences in perspective are so interesting and the mind of a cult survivor is absolutely compelling. (One of my closes friends is actually a cult survivor and it felt very well researched to me.)
Overall this book was exceptional. I literally cannot find a fault with it.
The book is told from two perspectives. One perspective is Moonbeam in therapy after the fire. The other perspective is Moonbeam before the fire, still with the cult. These differences in perspective are so interesting and the mind of a cult survivor is absolutely compelling. (One of my closes friends is actually a cult survivor and it felt very well researched to me.)
Overall this book was exceptional. I literally cannot find a fault with it.
Wow. This really touched me.
Maybe it got me out of my month long reading slump, we’ll see.
Maybe it got me out of my month long reading slump, we’ll see.
This review and more: Sharing Inspired Kreations
After the Fire was a very interesting read and held my attention the entire time. We start off right in the action of during the fire. Honestly, I’m not a big fan of books starting off right in the action. I haven’t had a chance to get to know the characters yet. Names are being thrown around with meaning to the main character, but I haven’t been properly introduced to them yet. I’m not connected to characters enough to care very much about the situation they are in and the emotions they are feeling. For me, these types of scenes are more effective after I’ve gotten to know the characters a bit.
This book is told in an interesting way. The entire book is told from Moonbeam’s perspective after the fire. It’s mostly her talking to a psychiatrist and an FBI agent and relaying all the stories of the goings-on at the base. I’m not a huge fan of the way this was told. I think it would have been more intense and exciting if it were told in a linear timeframe, because we know the end result already, so there is no reason to worry for Moonbeam. We just hear about things that happened to her and others in the past. So, it’s just not as effective in causing me to be at the edge of my seat with anticipation (though, to be honest, this did still happen at times). Also, not a whole lot happens in the current day, but some things (some important things) do happen. But it’s mostly Moonbeam coming to realizations about the life she’s been living and healing from it.
Having said all that, I was still completely invested in Moonbeam’s journey. I felt for her and really connected with her character. The storytelling was really good, too, even though I wasn’t a fan of the setup. I was totally captivated by the story.
I would recommend this book. I’ve never read a book about a cult before, but I found it to be a very good book.
After the Fire was a very interesting read and held my attention the entire time. We start off right in the action of during the fire. Honestly, I’m not a big fan of books starting off right in the action. I haven’t had a chance to get to know the characters yet. Names are being thrown around with meaning to the main character, but I haven’t been properly introduced to them yet. I’m not connected to characters enough to care very much about the situation they are in and the emotions they are feeling. For me, these types of scenes are more effective after I’ve gotten to know the characters a bit.
This book is told in an interesting way. The entire book is told from Moonbeam’s perspective after the fire. It’s mostly her talking to a psychiatrist and an FBI agent and relaying all the stories of the goings-on at the base. I’m not a huge fan of the way this was told. I think it would have been more intense and exciting if it were told in a linear timeframe, because we know the end result already, so there is no reason to worry for Moonbeam. We just hear about things that happened to her and others in the past. So, it’s just not as effective in causing me to be at the edge of my seat with anticipation (though, to be honest, this did still happen at times). Also, not a whole lot happens in the current day, but some things (some important things) do happen. But it’s mostly Moonbeam coming to realizations about the life she’s been living and healing from it.
Having said all that, I was still completely invested in Moonbeam’s journey. I felt for her and really connected with her character. The storytelling was really good, too, even though I wasn’t a fan of the setup. I was totally captivated by the story.
I would recommend this book. I’ve never read a book about a cult before, but I found it to be a very good book.
Waiting to get to what happened the night of the fire was EXCRUCIATING!! I understand that therapy is a process and we were just following along in moonbeams journey but damn this took a LONG time to flush out. Still amazing book and fantastic storytelling of a truly horrific subject matter.