4.48 AVERAGE


I loved this, as always. Now that I’m done (nine hundred pages!) I have a few logistical issues with the cult (tens of thousands of members? How could that many people commit after the weeklong retreat and just stay there forever? Do the famous people do the retreat? How come the actress doesn’t have to live there permanently?) but I’ll chalk it up to my cult obsession and let it slide. I guess I like smaller cults. And while I wanted it to be even more sinister, it was pretty dang dark. Four stars, highly recommend. Can’t wait for the next one!!! #engelbrechtreads2023 #engelbrechtreads
dark mysterious tense 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: No
challenging dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

4/5 stars, but the ending so upsetting, ngl

Look. I love this series. Clearly I do, because this is the 7th book. This is also my favorite of the series.



SPOLIER SPOILER SPOILER

I. Am. Over. The. Will. They. Won't. They. Story. Line. Over it. Humans do not live like this. I mean, thank fuck strike FINALLY fucking said something at the very end, but now we've got to wait for a whole other book??? I honestly don't even want to read the next book because of this shit. Either piss or get off the pot because I AM DONE.

And the body shaming in this book. The constant pointing out of how chunky or how many rolls or how tight the clothes are? Just gtfo with that nonsense. That's not something any of these characters have done before this book.
The slight homophobic phrases of "his hair was long like a dandy"? Not in line with the characters.

The last book was clearly JKR/RG venting their spleen over internet trolls. Now we are venting our spleen over body image. If it was in line with the characters, fine, I guess but it's not. Just let me have my fucking detective series without that crap.

Thank you for allowing me the space to vent. These books are incredibly well written, they are some of my all time favorite books. But my God, let's move forward or move on.

Feeling privileged to live in the same time as JKR. This one was just perfect. She put her world building skills to excellent use in crafting the church, its mythology and traditions. The plot points were woven with such dexterity. Thank you for another magnificent journey.
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

This was my favorite book in the series.
adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated