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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
To start this book took me a while to get through. Not because it wasn't good but because it wasn't great. YA Thrillers lack that jolt that the average thriller has and it felt like it dragged ever so slightly. Once I got closet to the end it was a race to see what happened and what would happen to Moonbeam. I would describe this book as okay. A rescued cult member is interrogated in order to determine what the inside of the cult she grew up in looks like. It was a leisurely read not one I'd neccesarily recommend but not something I feel the need to unhaul immediately either.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcefire Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* What an incredible novel. I have always found cults fascinating and this when I heard about this book, I was immediately intrigued. Teenager Moonbeam has lived in a religious compound ruled over by Father John for most of her life. For her and the other adults and children living there, every single aspect of their lives is ruled over by the tyrannical Father John, who claims to receive messages directly from God. To go against Father John is to defy the Lord. As you can imagine, this makes for a pretty messed up childhood. The story alternates between 'Before' and 'After' chapters, that relate to a terrible fire that rips through the compound. As you read the story, more is revealed about the lives of those ruled by Father John's iron fist. Inspired y the events at Waco in 1993, this novel will have you enthralled until the very last page.
After the Fire is Moonbeam's story of the cult that she lived in and survived. I've always been fascinated by cults and how the leaders use fear to control the masses, so when I had a chance to read this I jumped at it. This is the first book I've read of Will Hill's and I was not disappointed. The characters in this book will have your emotions all over the place. You hate what they do, but your heart will break because they really do not know any better. Moonbeam is the strongest girl I know. Her bravery and strength really know no bounds. I really liked the story, how it was written with the "before the fire" and "after the fire". Very well done!
Very well written and engaging. I liked the way that the events before the fire were told - from the main character’s retelling to the therapist and investigator. Definitely thought provoking of how easy it might be for people in power to take advantage of people who are just trying to find a place of belonging.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
Moonbeam lives with her Family inside The Fence, led by Father John in an ultra-religious compound. Moonbeam is starting to doubt what Father John says, and when everything comes crashing down, you follow her on her road to recovery and uncover the secrets hiding in the shadows.
The topic of this book is one I think most people are intrigued by and I think this is a unique take on the subject. Following a survivor of a new religious movement, especially a teenage girl in a YA setting, I found this an interesting addition to the sphere.
I’ve studied new religious movements before in a sociological context and it seems clear that the author has done his research. I have no first hand experience (obviously) so I can’t say whether this is an accurate portrayal of law enforcement tactics, but in terms of the aftermath of surviving traumatic events, I was impressed with the care taken.
Moonbeam is an angel and I wish I could hug her until the end of time. She felt so human to me and I really cherished seeing the events of the book through her eyes.
The book is obviously quite plot heavy, but it didn’t sacrifice the development of characters and I really appreciated that.
I would note however that there are content warnings for the book as to be expected, and I’ve added these below. Overall, I really enjoyed this and I’ll be looking into other books that Will Hill has published.
Content warnings for the book: coercion, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse, torture, restraint, bodily harm, narcissism, grief, gore, blood, guns.
The topic of this book is one I think most people are intrigued by and I think this is a unique take on the subject. Following a survivor of a new religious movement, especially a teenage girl in a YA setting, I found this an interesting addition to the sphere.
I’ve studied new religious movements before in a sociological context and it seems clear that the author has done his research. I have no first hand experience (obviously) so I can’t say whether this is an accurate portrayal of law enforcement tactics, but in terms of the aftermath of surviving traumatic events, I was impressed with the care taken.
Moonbeam is an angel and I wish I could hug her until the end of time. She felt so human to me and I really cherished seeing the events of the book through her eyes.
The book is obviously quite plot heavy, but it didn’t sacrifice the development of characters and I really appreciated that.
I would note however that there are content warnings for the book as to be expected, and I’ve added these below. Overall, I really enjoyed this and I’ll be looking into other books that Will Hill has published.
Content warnings for the book: coercion, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse, torture, restraint, bodily harm, narcissism, grief, gore, blood, guns.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Was going to give three starts for just being kinda meh and dragging out way to long. This book really should have been shorter. But the last few chapters of wrapping everything up in a perfect little bow pissed me off. It was lazy and unbelievable. I do not recommend this book
This was my fifth book from the Zoella Book Club and I was stunned by it. After the Fire is a story based on a group called the Lord's Legion who are cut off from society and the story focuses around Moonbeam who struggles to figure out the truth from the lies. It feels wrong to say that this book was amazing given the subject matter but the story, the characters, the writing was just brilliant.
The chapters are set into before and after, where the latter is set in a hospital where Moonbeam is being treated and taken care of. I think it was a clever move as it breaks up not only the story but the reader's emotions. Anger, sadness and even guilt because these events could happen and do take place - maybe not quite the same way or to that extent but the ideas are still present today. The take on Moonbeam's therapy between Doctor Hernandez and Agent Carlyle was not only interesting but a great dynamic, even if I did lean towards the latter's approach towards the end.
This book was just... it left me speechless for a long time and when I finally closed the book I burst into tears from relief at how the story ended but the emotional ride it had given me. Definitely going on my To Be Re-read list.
The chapters are set into before and after, where the latter is set in a hospital where Moonbeam is being treated and taken care of. I think it was a clever move as it breaks up not only the story but the reader's emotions. Anger, sadness and even guilt because these events could happen and do take place - maybe not quite the same way or to that extent but the ideas are still present today. The take on Moonbeam's therapy between Doctor Hernandez and Agent Carlyle was not only interesting but a great dynamic, even if I did lean towards the latter's approach towards the end.
This book was just... it left me speechless for a long time and when I finally closed the book I burst into tears from relief at how the story ended but the emotional ride it had given me. Definitely going on my To Be Re-read list.
Father John controls everything inside The Fence. And Father John likes rules. Especially about never talking to Outsiders. Because Father John knows the truth. He knows what is right, and what is wrong. He knows what is coming.
Moonbeam is starting to doubt, though. She’s starting to see the lies behind Father John’s words. She wants him to be found out.
What if the only way out of the darkness is to light a fire?
I loved this book! I'm often irritated by books which flip from past to present but this was done beautifully and was a gripping way of developing the story. The characters were well drawn and I was hooked from the first page. Many thanks to my wonderful librarian Tracey whose review compelled me to read it.
Moonbeam is starting to doubt, though. She’s starting to see the lies behind Father John’s words. She wants him to be found out.
What if the only way out of the darkness is to light a fire?
I loved this book! I'm often irritated by books which flip from past to present but this was done beautifully and was a gripping way of developing the story. The characters were well drawn and I was hooked from the first page. Many thanks to my wonderful librarian Tracey whose review compelled me to read it.