Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - The Project

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Project by Courtney Summers

85 reviews

gracefulbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The actual rating is 4.5 for now.

So this story follows the alternating perspectives of two sisters who are estranged. Bea the older of the two checked out at some point and joined a group called The Unity Project where she felt like she found her purpose. Her little sister Lo, holds nothing but resentment for The Unity project and wants to see it exposed for taking her sister away from her. As a journalist, she dives deep into The Unity Project so she can expose it for what it truly is...a cult.

Probably not the best description but I don't want to spoil too much about this book.

But to put it simply Summer's writing, per usual, grabbed me the second I began reading this book and didn't let me go until I hit the end pages. I felt such massive frustration throughout this as a Christian because I absolutely HATE seeing God's existence used in such a manner. So I just felt so utterly frustrated and aggravated throughout the entire book-BUT that was the point. You were supposed to be aggravated as the reader seeing all these mistakes and choices be made by both sisters.

Also being a weird fanatic for cults. Having listened to countless podcasts that delve into cults as well as watching a bunch of documentaries this is a massive interest area of mine so to have this book show up being right up my alley. I knew I needed it and I enjoyed every awful moment of it.

This book is not easy to read or process at times. And what is more worrisome is that some parts

of the cult sounded so nice. But then being slapped by the reality of it with Bea's perspective while simultaneously seeing the appeal through Lo's eyes-it really messes with you while you're reading it. I mean Lev, for example, he comes across as so charming at moments with Lo but you also know he groomed Bea, kept her from her daughter, and is the reason Bea is missing. You KNOW he's abusive, controlling, and just so beyond fucked.

To read some of his dialogue and have it seem so level-headed...was so frustrating. As the reader you know it's fake and it's a trap but Lo doesn't. It just-the emotions I felt while reading this was so visceral. It's like being Arthur throughout this story or Lo at the beginning and wanting to desperately keep your loved one safe from this bullshit but them not seeing the truth of it. And then watching them fall into it and let it brainwash and consume them.

The horror of it.

I know some people were let down by thinking this story would follow a cult that was more...upfront with their messed-up practices. But to me, this showcased the more dangerous cults that go under the radar because they can also easily just come across as do-gooders who are religious.

I really appreciate what this book but damn was so much of it messed up and so many parts of it aggravating at the same time.

Content Warnings

magsapt's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I was the first person that wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, it let me down.
Summers' wonderful words still seduced me and kept me gripped to the story. Her prose is simple, yet she manages to involve you in her narrative. Her books are very plot-driven, and she only writes descriptively when necessary which makes her books fast to read, even though the usual themes are dark and heavy. I think that's Courtney Summers' true power: her ability to write about tough subjects without making the book too dense. She writes what she must - there are no unnecessary scenes or long detailed pointless moments. Summers' gives you enough freedom to imagine things on your own, leaving you clues to solve the mystery, every gap intentional.
However, on this particular occasion, she made the plot too predictable. Nothing was surprising or unexpected. In the beginning, I saw the whole story unfold and unfortunately, all my hunches came true. Adding this to the fact that there was barely any character development equals a two star read for me.
Lou started as this fierce character who was willing to do everything to find her sister and then becomes her sister. One might've thought that one woman's actions were another's lesson, but I was wrong. I kept being naive and thinking Lou has something up her sleeve, but it turns out she was just an ignorant brat who always makes the worst decisions available. Her lack of progress and improvement baffled me, and the only two things that kept me going were: a) Courtney Summer's marvellous writing; and b) my hope that the author would redeem herself. Thing b) didn't happen, so here I am, hea

Content Warnings

thaatswhatsheread's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

kayleyhyde's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective sad 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

3.25

Content Warnings

crackedspines_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

OVERALL: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s everything I was hoping it would be. Courtney Summers has a unique way of writing where she gives you a bunch of details and you think you understand it all, but then suddenly towards the end everything clicks together in a completely new way.
PLOT: There were so many twists and turns in this book. Every time I thought I was at the height of the action the pace would pick up more. And it all climaxed in this horrifying, breathtaking moment when everything fell into its place.
STRUCTURE: The non-linear timeline was really effective for this book. The way different details were revealed from the different POVs was really interesting! Summers basically had two timelines going at once and yet it never got confusing.
THEME: Obviously this book explores a lot of themes about cults, but it also explores family and authenticity and truth and legacy and trauma and identity...Summers wove it all together beautifully.
CHARACTERS: This book contains my most hated character and yet he is also a really good character. Lev is one of those characters who you absolutely despise as a person but are intrigued by as a character. And I really liked the character development present in Bea and Lo. Both girls are complex and layered and not “likable”/palatable and I love them so much.

Content Warnings