A review by suzannedix
Eden West by Pete Hautman

4.0

Seventeen-year old Jacob has lived in a cult in a remote area of Montana since the age of five. His parents joined Grace Ministries while grieving the loss of Jacob’s four-day old brother. While Jacob can recall glimpses of his young life (television, fast food, toys) he is fully invested in his life serving the Archangel Zerachiel and working hard on the land to support his fellow Brothers and Sisters. Never once has Jacob doubted his faith until he meets two Worldly, and therefore wicked, teens. Tobias, a troubled and angry boy, arrives at the compound with his mother and immediately fights the constraints of this limited and spartan living. Lynna, a beautiful girl from the neighboring ranch, excites Jacob in ways that he knows are sinful but her allure is all consuming. Within the span of a few months, the compound experiences some of the most trying times of its history: bitterly cold weather, diseases wiping out their chicken crop, injuries and illnesses of the members, a suicide and several desertions. Many question whether the end is near and Jacob finds himself at a crossroads, considering a new path. Immediately engrossing, this story gives the reader a compelling look into a modern-day religious faction. Jacob is a sympathetic character with universal appeal. With so many realistic novels currently focusing on mental illness, drug use and suicide, this unique story is surprisingly hopeful and offers a welcome change of topics.