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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
When I was reading this all I could think about was the Warren Jeffs compound near San Angelo, TX. It sounded so familiar and sad at the same time. Come to find out he actually based it on the Branch Davidian compound from 1993. Either way this was a wonderful story. I love the format of present then past to establish the plot. It was very well written and you really start to empathize with Moonbeam.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absolutely devoured this book, could not put it down. It was so well written, I really liked the format and the way the story and the cult was portrayed. You could feel Moonbeams distrust of the therapist and the detective and it influenced my perception of them too. It wasn’t sensationalist but it got the message across well
A very powerful, thought-provoking book dealing with the brainwashing of organised religions and the children that get caught up in their parents' decisions.
This was particularly poignant for me because I knew someone once who very nearly became another fish in the eloquent net cast by a cult during our teens. People are so incredibly vulnerable, irrespective of age, crying out for attention and the desire to be important to someone, somewhere.
This book goes back and forth in time and if I had any complaints it is that the 'before' timeline jumps about a little. Moonbeam (what a lovely name) is one of the few survivors after the destruction of their home, a base housing the followers (her 'family') of a cult religion. Throughout the book, we hear the strident voice of their leader and the saner voice of reason pulling Moonbeam in opposite directions.
What do you do when you are taught to fear everyone and your trust has been shattered over and over again?
It is violent, it is sad, it is human nature reduced to its very essence.
This was particularly poignant for me because I knew someone once who very nearly became another fish in the eloquent net cast by a cult during our teens. People are so incredibly vulnerable, irrespective of age, crying out for attention and the desire to be important to someone, somewhere.
This book goes back and forth in time and if I had any complaints it is that the 'before' timeline jumps about a little. Moonbeam (what a lovely name) is one of the few survivors after the destruction of their home, a base housing the followers (her 'family') of a cult religion. Throughout the book, we hear the strident voice of their leader and the saner voice of reason pulling Moonbeam in opposite directions.
What do you do when you are taught to fear everyone and your trust has been shattered over and over again?
It is violent, it is sad, it is human nature reduced to its very essence.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
Wow, I ATE this book UP. I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did! I got this as a “blind date with a book” so I was completely blind going into it, but wow. Start to finish I was invested and appreciated the research the author must have done in relation to understanding trauma survivors in cults. Moonbeam could have been a real survivor and I would have believed it.
dark
emotional
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:
N/A
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
fast-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
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the advance copy of this book. It’s out TODAY! All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this story about piecing together identity in the wake of tragedy. Moonbeam was raised in a cult. One man left the compound each week for supplies, but nobody else left through the front gate. When things get too dangerous inside, violence erupts. The story is told through flashbacks and Moonbeam’s current stay in a hospital. As she works through the details of life inside the compound with her doctor and a federal agent, she has to decide whether to spill the biggest secret of all - the one that she is afraid may mean life in prison. This book is hefty, but the author leaves the reader wanting to know exactly what led to the events the day of the fire. Some mature details make this a good choice for readers in grades 9+.
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this story about piecing together identity in the wake of tragedy. Moonbeam was raised in a cult. One man left the compound each week for supplies, but nobody else left through the front gate. When things get too dangerous inside, violence erupts. The story is told through flashbacks and Moonbeam’s current stay in a hospital. As she works through the details of life inside the compound with her doctor and a federal agent, she has to decide whether to spill the biggest secret of all - the one that she is afraid may mean life in prison. This book is hefty, but the author leaves the reader wanting to know exactly what led to the events the day of the fire. Some mature details make this a good choice for readers in grades 9+.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced