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melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Told from dual-POVs and dual-timelines, this story explores what happened to two sisters after one was in a tragic accident that killed her parents, and the other joined the mysterious religious group, the Unity Project.
This was a very high-intensity thriller. This deals with some really tricky subjects, and does a good job expressing the feelings of loss, grief, and loneliness that are preyed upon by Lev and his cult. Though I can't really say I liked the characters, I did enjoy reading about them, and I was on the metaphorical edge of my seat while racing through this book! I really enjoyed the way this ended, as well. I'm definitely scoping out this author's other books to read.
This was a very high-intensity thriller. This deals with some really tricky subjects, and does a good job expressing the feelings of loss, grief, and loneliness that are preyed upon by Lev and his cult. Though I can't really say I liked the characters, I did enjoy reading about them, and I was on the metaphorical edge of my seat while racing through this book! I really enjoyed the way this ended, as well. I'm definitely scoping out this author's other books to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Stalking, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Pregnancy
princessgonchar's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
There's a point at the end of the novel where Lo says "I was barely there" in response to the cult to which I respond "yeah! you were BARELY there!"
I'm frustrated by this book because there were so many ways that this book could have gone, and this was the least exciting version of the book. Some examples:
- The story told entirely from Bea's perspective/someone else from within the cult
- Lo trusting the cult at least a little in the beginning
- Lo never trusting the cult at all
- Some of Lo's "enemies" specifically Paul and Lauren having more to do with the whole story (wouldn't that have been so cool???)
Etc. etc. I just feel like the story was very bland, Lo fell for the cult out of practically nowhere , and none of the things that I think we're supposed to be surprising were actually surprising. It just could have done so much more and been so much more surprising.
It's not terrible; I'm just disappointed.
I'm frustrated by this book because there were so many ways that this book could have gone, and this was the least exciting version of the book. Some examples:
- The story told entirely from Bea's perspective/someone else from within the cult
- Lo trusting the cult at least a little in the beginning
- Lo never trusting the cult at all
- Some of Lo's "enemies"
Etc. etc. I just feel like the story was very bland,
It's not terrible; I'm just disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Car accident, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent, Miscarriage, Murder, Kidnapping, Stalking, Torture, and Violence
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