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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Some clever twists and turns but I think I just didn't care enough about the unlikeable main character for the ending to really engage me.
5 star thriller alert! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
There are two main characters- Freya, an overprotective mom who has all the security measures possible to protect herself and her young son, including a fence, dog, and even a bunker. Amy lives in The Clearing, a cult, and knows no other world. Freya and Amy’s worlds collide, but you’ll have to read to find out how.
Told in each of their voices, super quickly paced, lots of clues, and an ending I never saw coming. In the Clearing is a creepy, atmospheric, well-paced, fresh thriller, and I highly recommend you add it to your shelf if it’s not there already!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
There are two main characters- Freya, an overprotective mom who has all the security measures possible to protect herself and her young son, including a fence, dog, and even a bunker. Amy lives in The Clearing, a cult, and knows no other world. Freya and Amy’s worlds collide, but you’ll have to read to find out how.
Told in each of their voices, super quickly paced, lots of clues, and an ending I never saw coming. In the Clearing is a creepy, atmospheric, well-paced, fresh thriller, and I highly recommend you add it to your shelf if it’s not there already!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
INCREDIBLE!! J.P. Pomare has once again has woven a enthralling and complex story filled with twists and turns that I don't see coming, highly recommend
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Day 5, book 5. I love the start of the year where I can reliably read a book a day. It won’t last much longer. J.P. is a master of tension and I’ve been pretty stressed out as I read this. It’s edge of your seat, nail-biting suspense. Come for the culty darkness, stay for the chilling conclusion.
I decided to read this before the new series on Hulu comes out on May 24th, The Clearing. After reading…I’m now really excited for the shows premiere.
I love a good cult book and this one hooked me from the start, with a kidnapping of a 7 year old girl. They have some twists and turns during the way, but a couple in particular I did not see coming!
TW: There is child abuse depicted in the book, but living in a cult it’s expected.
All in all, a fantastic cult based thriller read.
I love a good cult book and this one hooked me from the start, with a kidnapping of a 7 year old girl. They have some twists and turns during the way, but a couple in particular I did not see coming!
TW: There is child abuse depicted in the book, but living in a cult it’s expected.
All in all, a fantastic cult based thriller read.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gritty, tense, compelling.
More twists that a game of twister, most of which just whacked me in the face as I'm looking the other way.
More twists that a game of twister, most of which just whacked me in the face as I'm looking the other way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder
This was so enthralling. If you like thrillers about cults, pick this up!
There are two storylines at play here. The first POV is Amy, a young girl who's been indoctrinated into a cult and is helping to bring other children in. The second POV is Freya, a mother living in regional Victoria who's untangling a dangerous web of exes, a past connection being released from jail, and someone creeping around her property. It's fascinating trying to theorise how the two storylines might converge if at all!
Both narrators are really interesting. I highly recommend listening via audiobook if only for Amy's narration, as the younger narrator really heightens your sense of revulsion and unease for this young girl. Freya herself was an interesting combination of unreliable narrator and toxic mother. You want to root for her but you know she did something bad to her first son, and it makes for an interesting exploration into motherhood, unresolved trauma, and starting over.
I love a cult thriller and I love an isolation thriller and this gave me the best (or worst?) of both worlds! You'll oscillate between fear for Amy at the hands of adults, and a sense of hopelessness and anxiety for Freya as things go awry at her rural property. In The Clearing is tense, enthralling, and had me physically gasping as I listened along.
This was my first JP Pomare but it won't be my last!
CW: child abuse, murder, pedophilia,
There are two storylines at play here. The first POV is Amy, a young girl who's been indoctrinated into a cult and is helping to bring other children in. The second POV is Freya, a mother living in regional Victoria who's untangling a dangerous web of exes, a past connection being released from jail, and someone creeping around her property. It's fascinating trying to theorise how the two storylines might converge if at all!
Both narrators are really interesting. I highly recommend listening via audiobook if only for Amy's narration, as the younger narrator really heightens your sense of revulsion and unease for this young girl. Freya herself was an interesting combination of unreliable narrator and toxic mother. You want to root for her but you know she did something bad to her first son, and it makes for an interesting exploration into motherhood, unresolved trauma, and starting over.
I love a cult thriller and I love an isolation thriller and this gave me the best (or worst?) of both worlds! You'll oscillate between fear for Amy at the hands of adults, and a sense of hopelessness and anxiety for Freya as things go awry at her rural property. In The Clearing is tense, enthralling, and had me physically gasping as I listened along.
This was my first JP Pomare but it won't be my last!
CW: child abuse, murder, pedophilia,
dark
emotional
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:
Yes