noxum 's review for:

After the Fire by Will Hill

4.5

challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This is such a gripping read. The tone of the writing is vicious and raw from the very beginning of the book, and even though there's such a sense of dread and tension throughout the entire book you just can't shy away. I had thought to myself that there wasn't anything that a fanatical religious cult could do that would surprise me by now but, even though what happened didn't surprise me, the emotions that it leaves you with are real. The disgust and the horror and the incredulity are things that can never stop shocking you.

Moonbeam's voice throughout the story was so clear and watching her try to come to terms with what she lived through and try to reckon that with what's real and what's not is both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring. There weren't very many happy moments in this book, to be completely honest, but it carried and ended on such a hopeful tone that while the story itself is a tragedy, you couldn't help but enjoy the happy ending, or as happy as you can call it.

Although I will say I did cry happy tears at

Moonbeam's letter from her mom and their reunion.

Real tearjerker stuff. Fantastic read.