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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
I have so many feelings right now. This book hit so many of my buttons. I love the more psychological and atmospheric horror books. I don’t like horror that relies on blood and guts, though if that is mixed with some sheer terror then maybe.
The story follows Moonbeam through her recovery process after being rescued from a religious cult. The story is told in the Before and the After. The After is her time in the psychiatric hospital (outside of two chapters). The Before is her time in the cult. Moonbeam’s story stood out to me because she was raised from the time she was eighteen months old to be part of this cult. Most of the cult stories I find are about awkward teens who join by their own free will and are hesitant the whole time. The person who joins is always female too. This one had so much more than that.
I liked that the book didn’t rely on rape to be the main fear since the main character was female. There were some hints at sexual assault, but they were very severely punished and seen as deviant, at least from the perspective of Moonbeam. The more you learn about the cult the more that can get twisted, but the sexual element of the horror seemed minor to Moonbeam which is greatly appreciated. Too many horror novels, movies, and video games rely on rape being the main or only plot line a female character can have.
I loved the focus on the healing aspect, especially because the act of healing was so foreign to Moonbeam and the others. They were told that psychiatrists were evil, prescription drugs were evil, and anyone involved with law enforcement was evil. So why would Moonbeam talk? She was in evil’s base. It was so fascinating to watch her come into her own.
I loved this book, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like there could have been more. Or maybe, I just wish there was more. I wasn’t ready to be done with the story. Maybe if this were an adult book instead of YA, it would have been enough. I would have been scared deeper than I was then. Or maybe if the last chapter was more believable. The last chapter didn’t fit the timeline or what had happened. There was no way that it would have ended like that, this is coming from someone in the legal system who sees some of this stuff go down. There is no way that Moonbeam would have a house at this point in her life, even if a court ordered restitution to her from the case. Moonbeam had nothing since she went into the cult at eighteen months old. So if you ignore the last chapter this book is amazing.
If the idea of a cult fascinates you, then this is the best cult book I have read in years. If the idea of psychological horror appeals to you, then YES, look here.
I got an ARC of this book.
I have so many feelings right now. This book hit so many of my buttons. I love the more psychological and atmospheric horror books. I don’t like horror that relies on blood and guts, though if that is mixed with some sheer terror then maybe.
The story follows Moonbeam through her recovery process after being rescued from a religious cult. The story is told in the Before and the After. The After is her time in the psychiatric hospital (outside of two chapters). The Before is her time in the cult. Moonbeam’s story stood out to me because she was raised from the time she was eighteen months old to be part of this cult. Most of the cult stories I find are about awkward teens who join by their own free will and are hesitant the whole time. The person who joins is always female too. This one had so much more than that.
I liked that the book didn’t rely on rape to be the main fear since the main character was female. There were some hints at sexual assault, but they were very severely punished and seen as deviant, at least from the perspective of Moonbeam. The more you learn about the cult the more that can get twisted, but the sexual element of the horror seemed minor to Moonbeam which is greatly appreciated. Too many horror novels, movies, and video games rely on rape being the main or only plot line a female character can have.
I loved the focus on the healing aspect, especially because the act of healing was so foreign to Moonbeam and the others. They were told that psychiatrists were evil, prescription drugs were evil, and anyone involved with law enforcement was evil. So why would Moonbeam talk? She was in evil’s base. It was so fascinating to watch her come into her own.
I loved this book, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like there could have been more. Or maybe, I just wish there was more. I wasn’t ready to be done with the story. Maybe if this were an adult book instead of YA, it would have been enough. I would have been scared deeper than I was then. Or maybe if the last chapter was more believable. The last chapter didn’t fit the timeline or what had happened. There was no way that it would have ended like that, this is coming from someone in the legal system who sees some of this stuff go down. There is no way that Moonbeam would have a house at this point in her life, even if a court ordered restitution to her from the case. Moonbeam had nothing since she went into the cult at eighteen months old. So if you ignore the last chapter this book is amazing.
If the idea of a cult fascinates you, then this is the best cult book I have read in years. If the idea of psychological horror appeals to you, then YES, look here.
Received advanced reader copy from publisher via Baker & Taylor book supplier
Father John controls all that happens inside at The Base. He likes rules and he preaches of the evils that the Outside inflicts on believers. But Moonbeam is starting to doubt what Father John says. When the Base is engulfed in flames, Moonbeam finds herself Outside for the first time in her memory – and she is terrified and feeling very guilty.
I was not sure I was going to like a story about a religious cult. I feared a bias or an uneven treatment of beliefs. Instead, I was pulled into Moonbeam’s life. I inhaled all that Father John preached even while I inwardly cringed at the fanaticism. The switch between Before and After the Fire was a perfect storytelling mechanism; it was a strong way to share all that Moonbeam endured.
An author’s note explains that the story was inspired by the events in Waco, Texas in 1993 at the Koresch/Branch Davidian compound. Readers familiar with that story will see bits of it in this fictionalized account. But the majority of his readers undoubtedly will have never even heard of Waco much less the massacre that occurred there.
This is a powerful story and a cautionary tale. Can it be so easy to be seduced by the beliefs and preachings of another?
Father John controls all that happens inside at The Base. He likes rules and he preaches of the evils that the Outside inflicts on believers. But Moonbeam is starting to doubt what Father John says. When the Base is engulfed in flames, Moonbeam finds herself Outside for the first time in her memory – and she is terrified and feeling very guilty.
I was not sure I was going to like a story about a religious cult. I feared a bias or an uneven treatment of beliefs. Instead, I was pulled into Moonbeam’s life. I inhaled all that Father John preached even while I inwardly cringed at the fanaticism. The switch between Before and After the Fire was a perfect storytelling mechanism; it was a strong way to share all that Moonbeam endured.
An author’s note explains that the story was inspired by the events in Waco, Texas in 1993 at the Koresch/Branch Davidian compound. Readers familiar with that story will see bits of it in this fictionalized account. But the majority of his readers undoubtedly will have never even heard of Waco much less the massacre that occurred there.
This is a powerful story and a cautionary tale. Can it be so easy to be seduced by the beliefs and preachings of another?
I received this arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, I'm going to be honest and say I didn't want to read this at first. I got a little overexcited on Netgalley and started requesting everything and somehow ended up with a copy of this. This isn't the type of plot I usually go for and I went into it super reluctant.
But honestly? I was so SO wrong. It took me awhile to get into it (like 20%), but once I did I was hooked. Like I read the rest in two days once I passed that point.
I absolutely fell in love with Moonbeam and was left in awe of her strength and resilience. I cried when she cried and smiled when she smiled.
This wasn't an easy read, but it was a great one and I recommend it highly.
Okay, I'm going to be honest and say I didn't want to read this at first. I got a little overexcited on Netgalley and started requesting everything and somehow ended up with a copy of this. This isn't the type of plot I usually go for and I went into it super reluctant.
But honestly? I was so SO wrong. It took me awhile to get into it (like 20%), but once I did I was hooked. Like I read the rest in two days once I passed that point.
I absolutely fell in love with Moonbeam and was left in awe of her strength and resilience. I cried when she cried and smiled when she smiled.
This wasn't an easy read, but it was a great one and I recommend it highly.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received my copy of this novel via a Goodreads giveaway which has no effect on my opinion.
After the Fire is the story of Moonbeam, a surviving member of a doomsday cult that runs afoul of the government (ala the Branch Davidians).
The story is told in "Before" and "After" segments, and, like another book I read earlier this year, it irritated me when there were multiple chapters in sequential order that were told during the same timeframe. Seriously, why? Just combine them if you're going to hop back and forth in time.
Anyway, we learn fairly early on in the "After" sections where Moonbeam is in therapy sessions that she may not be the most reliable of narrators, and that works pretty well in this novel, though I did get tired of her whole "I have a secret" vibe that was repeated over and over and over, and wasn't really a secret to me when it was revealed.
There was one twist that I wasn't really expecting, and I'm not entirely sure it fit the story (not going to reveal it because of spoilers), but overall I did find it to be a worthwhile read, and I think the author did a good job of getting inside the minds of the characters.
Knocking off a star due to the ending and the somewhat repetitive nature of Moonbeam teasing that she has a secret.
4 out of 5 stars.
After the Fire is the story of Moonbeam, a surviving member of a doomsday cult that runs afoul of the government (ala the Branch Davidians).
The story is told in "Before" and "After" segments, and, like another book I read earlier this year, it irritated me when there were multiple chapters in sequential order that were told during the same timeframe. Seriously, why? Just combine them if you're going to hop back and forth in time.
Anyway, we learn fairly early on in the "After" sections where Moonbeam is in therapy sessions that she may not be the most reliable of narrators, and that works pretty well in this novel, though I did get tired of her whole "I have a secret" vibe that was repeated over and over and over, and wasn't really a secret to me when it was revealed.
There was one twist that I wasn't really expecting, and I'm not entirely sure it fit the story (not going to reveal it because of spoilers), but overall I did find it to be a worthwhile read, and I think the author did a good job of getting inside the minds of the characters.
Knocking off a star due to the ending and the somewhat repetitive nature of Moonbeam teasing that she has a secret.
4 out of 5 stars.
I’m in the very rare position of giving five stars to a non fantasy book, but honestly this book gives me no choice. I guess it’s contemporary? But calling it that and comparing it to the light and fluffy (though still gorgeous and excellent) books of that genre does After the Fire a huge disservice.
This is a complicated book. There are a few twists and turns, but honestly it’s not really about that. It’s about exactly what the blurb says- life in and outside of a fanatical cult compound as told through the eyes of a teenage girl. And it’s stellar. I can’t even decently explain why - I don’t feel it’s life changing or earth shattering, but something inside me just really felt for these characters, especially Moonbeam and especially towards the end. Her strength of mind and the terror she feels comes across so strongly, I just wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug.
I would honestly recommend this book to anyone who likes strong characterisation. I would only urge caution in the fact that there is violence against a lot of characters including women and children, and discussions along the lines of rape, so be aware of that going in. I think it’s worth it because that would quite likely be a part of this sort of life and therefore deserves to be included. I think it’s handled well. I think that the characters and their views aren’t perfect and that’s part of what I loved about the book.
This is a complicated book. There are a few twists and turns, but honestly it’s not really about that. It’s about exactly what the blurb says- life in and outside of a fanatical cult compound as told through the eyes of a teenage girl. And it’s stellar. I can’t even decently explain why - I don’t feel it’s life changing or earth shattering, but something inside me just really felt for these characters, especially Moonbeam and especially towards the end. Her strength of mind and the terror she feels comes across so strongly, I just wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug.
I would honestly recommend this book to anyone who likes strong characterisation. I would only urge caution in the fact that there is violence against a lot of characters including women and children, and discussions along the lines of rape, so be aware of that going in. I think it’s worth it because that would quite likely be a part of this sort of life and therefore deserves to be included. I think it’s handled well. I think that the characters and their views aren’t perfect and that’s part of what I loved about the book.
Before: Moonbeam has lived at the Lord's Legion base/compound for most of her life. She has always believed that Father John is the prophet of the Lord, that he is God's messenger on earth, and that Outsiders are Servants of the Serpent.
After: Moonbeam and some of her younger Brothers and Sisters have survived the devastating fire at the Lord's Legion. In a small psychiatric facility outside of Texas, Dr Hernandez and Special Agent Carlyle try to piece together what happened on the day when so many members of the legion died.
Dr Hernandez keeps telling Moonbeam that she can trust him, but all she hears is the voice of Father John, screaming that they are EVIL, they are THE GOVERNMENT and she will not Ascend if she is tainted by their lies.
Moonbeam tries to work out if Father John was telling her the truth all those years, and who she can truly trust...
I can describe this book in one word: Wow. This book is incredible, it's is powerful, moving and heartrending. I am fascinated by extremist cults, and think that Will Hill handled the subject matter very well. In the acknowledgement at the end of the book, he states that this book isn't intended to offend anyone's religion.
I think it is very clear in this book that Father John was a manipulative, vile man, who used other people's beliefs to his advantage. Father John twists the faith of the people who put their trust in him, lulling them with promises of redemption and paradise whilst taking all their belongings and free will away from them.
The book is told from the perspective of seventeen year old Moonbeam, and split between chapters set Before & After the day the government agencies executed a warrant against the Lords Legion, and things went terribly wrong.
Moonbeam is burdened by guilt at what happens, her mounting scepticism, and terror of Outsiders.
I wouldn't even class this as Young Adult - the story is told from the perspective of a teenager, but the themes and content are for adult readers in my opinion.
This book is everything I was expecting from The Girls and more. Read it. 5🌟.
After: Moonbeam and some of her younger Brothers and Sisters have survived the devastating fire at the Lord's Legion. In a small psychiatric facility outside of Texas, Dr Hernandez and Special Agent Carlyle try to piece together what happened on the day when so many members of the legion died.
Dr Hernandez keeps telling Moonbeam that she can trust him, but all she hears is the voice of Father John, screaming that they are EVIL, they are THE GOVERNMENT and she will not Ascend if she is tainted by their lies.
Moonbeam tries to work out if Father John was telling her the truth all those years, and who she can truly trust...
I can describe this book in one word: Wow. This book is incredible, it's is powerful, moving and heartrending. I am fascinated by extremist cults, and think that Will Hill handled the subject matter very well. In the acknowledgement at the end of the book, he states that this book isn't intended to offend anyone's religion.
I think it is very clear in this book that Father John was a manipulative, vile man, who used other people's beliefs to his advantage. Father John twists the faith of the people who put their trust in him, lulling them with promises of redemption and paradise whilst taking all their belongings and free will away from them.
The book is told from the perspective of seventeen year old Moonbeam, and split between chapters set Before & After the day the government agencies executed a warrant against the Lords Legion, and things went terribly wrong.
Moonbeam is burdened by guilt at what happens, her mounting scepticism, and terror of Outsiders.
I wouldn't even class this as Young Adult - the story is told from the perspective of a teenager, but the themes and content are for adult readers in my opinion.
This book is everything I was expecting from The Girls and more. Read it. 5🌟.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated