Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
tense
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a book for young adults. Therefore as a mid-thirties reader, there are elements of it that felt a little childish, or unrealistic. Some of those elements are the reason it didn’t get 5 full stars.
But none of them detract from the beauty that is this novel. Moonbeam survives the End Times of her cult and she, along with multiple other children, are taken to a secure psychiatric unit to process their experiences.
This is my first complaint. The locking in of children, the lack of activities (one therapy session and one group session a day and the rest of the time locked up in a small room) felt very wrong, especially considering where they had come from. I don’t know enough about secure institutions to know if this is normal or not, but I was uncomfortable with the restrictions and lack of normality that they were asked to endure.
During her sessions with a psychiatrist, Moonbeam reveals her experiences, slowly and disjointedly. I actually really appreciated this narrative style as it felt realistic to what someone experiencing and reliving trauma would be like. I felt like the sessions were a little forced on paper but they were an excellent structure to reveal, and to keep the reader aware of the extent of, the horrors Moonbeam witnessed and participated in.
They are joined by an FBI agent. Whilst he is an entirely loveable character, this again felt very anti-recovery and doctor-patient privilege. Even when taken from the compound… sorry, base, Moonbeam is still not protected to the extent that she deserves.
Other than that, the story is fantastic. The creation of the cult around some Christian and some self-developed principles is very clever. The atmosphere of fear, the indoctrination of the children and the chokehold of power were all well developed and expressed thoroughly. I found Moonbeam frustrating at times, but overall her role as the older child, her position as a thinker and her independence all created a believable and troubled character. Her interactions with the other children were thought provoking, and whilst her understanding of therapy was far too advance for someone who hadn’t even watched TV or had lessons in many years, she was an excellent protagonist. And no awkward romance (just a standard crush)! What a relief.
Overall this was an addictive and really enjoyable read.
But none of them detract from the beauty that is this novel. Moonbeam survives the End Times of her cult and she, along with multiple other children, are taken to a secure psychiatric unit to process their experiences.
This is my first complaint. The locking in of children, the lack of activities (one therapy session and one group session a day and the rest of the time locked up in a small room) felt very wrong, especially considering where they had come from. I don’t know enough about secure institutions to know if this is normal or not, but I was uncomfortable with the restrictions and lack of normality that they were asked to endure.
During her sessions with a psychiatrist, Moonbeam reveals her experiences, slowly and disjointedly. I actually really appreciated this narrative style as it felt realistic to what someone experiencing and reliving trauma would be like. I felt like the sessions were a little forced on paper but they were an excellent structure to reveal, and to keep the reader aware of the extent of, the horrors Moonbeam witnessed and participated in.
They are joined by an FBI agent. Whilst he is an entirely loveable character, this again felt very anti-recovery and doctor-patient privilege. Even when taken from the compound… sorry, base, Moonbeam is still not protected to the extent that she deserves.
Other than that, the story is fantastic. The creation of the cult around some Christian and some self-developed principles is very clever. The atmosphere of fear, the indoctrination of the children and the chokehold of power were all well developed and expressed thoroughly. I found Moonbeam frustrating at times, but overall her role as the older child, her position as a thinker and her independence all created a believable and troubled character. Her interactions with the other children were thought provoking, and whilst her understanding of therapy was far too advance for someone who hadn’t even watched TV or had lessons in many years, she was an excellent protagonist. And no awkward romance (just a standard crush)! What a relief.
Overall this was an addictive and really enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
I liked it. I don't really now how to feel about the ending but it was a really good book.
Darkly gripping, quite disturbing story about being part of a cult and escaping a cult (and finding out that everything you thought was true was a lie). The true horrors revealed are great and I won’t say I enjoyed it (as that would downplay the horrors Moonbeam has experienced) but I will say I learnt something about how power hungry men prey on vulnerable people and use fear to their own ends. I can’t help feeling that ISIS itself is just such a cult (as it involves manipulating people against western society and teaching them twisted lies about Islam in order to get them to fight).
I had no idea how hauntingly compelling ‘After the Fire’ would be when I picked it up, but I am so pleased I chose it. The plot is incredibly dark in places, but following Moonbeam’s journey is so addictive, I’ve just spent the last two hours glued to the final 150 pages. A deeply troubling, but fascinating novel that deals with hope, fear, faith and deceit, whilst highlighting how much there is to both love and hate about humanity. Brilliant.
i know it’s called “after the fire” but i wanted more cult life & less post cult life :-/
i also have a really hard time with the sudden implosion of the compound and how all of the govts showed up and everyone died. that’s not realistic at all considering that father john didn’t seem to be doing a whole lot too terribly wrong comparatively.
i also have a really hard time with the sudden implosion of the compound and how all of the govts showed up and everyone died. that’s not realistic at all considering that father john didn’t seem to be doing a whole lot too terribly wrong comparatively.
The style kept me engaged and wanting more for the entire book!