Scan barcode
hobiflowery's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
polkadotgirl's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 started:
Those Who Prey started off as a slightly stereotypical exploration of a cult and how Emily, a freshman student in college, is misled into joining it through different manipulation techniques, and the emotional abuse she suffers the deeper in it that she gets. I didn't mind that the story read off as a fictional pamphlet for cult behaviors in the first 100 pages because I understood that it was "simplifying" a very complex process in order to make it better understood by the YA audience it's trying to reach.
Fortunately, the story finds its own voice from the second act onwards, when the main mystery of the plot is introduced and when we have Emily completely committed to the cult and its members.
I really liked Emily as a main character and how her inner monologue was so helpful in understanding the point she was at during every bit of the story. It was easy to never resent her decisions because her confusion, and her pain, and her need to belong was well established from the beginning of the book. When her thoughts began to turn questioning and even resentful you understood why that was happened and how her journey was beginning to come to unravel as she realized things that she had been blind to before.
My favorite part of the book was the last act, because I believe this is where we get to see Emily flourish as a main character, and we witness the growth she had throughout her whole experience, with her insecurities and doubts still present because she's human, after all. I also appreciated the slightly unresolved ending to the book, both plot wise and in Emily's emotional journey. I know it may not be the preferred ending for a lot of people, as it does not answer every question that the book introduces during the story, but it made the story feel more realistic and complete -what an irony- for me.
It was a pleasant surprise to find that the book includes mixed media aspects to it, like interviews and excepts from an article, but I would say that if someone were to pick it up for that sole aspect they could be disappointed, as it is a very small part of the book.
Those Who Prey started off as a slightly stereotypical exploration of a cult and how Emily, a freshman student in college, is misled into joining it through different manipulation techniques, and the emotional abuse she suffers the deeper in it that she gets. I didn't mind that the story read off as a fictional pamphlet for cult behaviors in the first 100 pages because I understood that it was "simplifying" a very complex process in order to make it better understood by the YA audience it's trying to reach.
Fortunately, the story finds its own voice from the second act onwards, when the main mystery of the plot is introduced and when we have Emily completely committed to the cult and its members.
I really liked Emily as a main character and how her inner monologue was so helpful in understanding the point she was at during every bit of the story. It was easy to never resent her decisions because her confusion, and her pain, and her need to belong was well established from the beginning of the book. When her thoughts began to turn questioning and even resentful you understood why that was happened and how her journey was beginning to come to unravel as she realized things that she had been blind to before.
My favorite part of the book was the last act, because I believe this is where we get to see Emily flourish as a main character, and we witness the growth she had throughout her whole experience, with her insecurities and doubts still present because she's human, after all. I also appreciated the slightly unresolved ending to the book, both plot wise and in Emily's emotional journey. I know it may not be the preferred ending for a lot of people, as it does not answer every question that the book introduces during the story, but it made the story feel more realistic and complete -what an irony- for me.
It was a pleasant surprise to find that the book includes mixed media aspects to it, like interviews and excepts from an article, but I would say that if someone were to pick it up for that sole aspect they could be disappointed, as it is a very small part of the book.
kharri13's review
4.0
Good book. I liked the story and diving into Emily's story as she became a part of the cult. I do wish I could've learned more about Kara and her ending, especially with the cult. But all in all not a bad book.
yourstrulytay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aidaninasia's review
4.0
This is the first book that I have read of its kind, thus I am uncertain whether or not my opinion is tinted by rose-coloured glasses, that being said, I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a light read, in a good way, though still interesting enough to keep you turning the page. I also think that if you come from a conservative upbringing but have since been disillusioned, you will also be able to relate to the protagonist, as I have.
moonblossomgemini's review
4.0
It’s shocking how easily you can wind up in a cult if they pick the right moment.
stephslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
Initially the premise of this books is what drew me in, as someone who isn't religious at all it's fascinating to me to see how people can be drawn into a cult like The Kingdom. But in getting to the end of this book it just feels so incomplete.
I don't think this book was bad, in fact I think the way it had me feeling on edge and unsure of who Emily could trust was done really well, I just think that overall it needed more time for these ideas to develop and I can't help but feel like I'm missing pages when we don't really get much of a conclusion. Overall I think the idea of it was really interesting, I just wish there was more time to really flesh out the story and give us some closure by the end.
I don't think this book was bad, in fact I think the way it had me feeling on edge and unsure of who Emily could trust was done really well, I just think that overall it needed more time for these ideas to develop and I can't help but feel like I'm missing pages when we don't really get much of a conclusion. Overall I think the idea of it was really interesting, I just wish there was more time to really flesh out the story and give us some closure by the end.
lavoiture's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting topic, but I thought the book was just ok.