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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. Although there were predictable moments, the plot kept me engaged and wanting to read (I am always intrigued by books with cults or a cult-like feel). There were a few cringe-worthy moments of internal dialogue and plot, but not enough to keep me from enjoying the overall book. I liked the incorporation of blog and journal entries. I will definitely check out more by this author.
There were parts of this book I thought were well done and interesting regarding the culture of the mega church and the traditional wife roles. What I thought was really terrible was the end. In no universe should we pretend that dating a guy who has terrorized you is normal. Extremely bizarre.
I don't know if I'd categorize this book as "suspense" per se, and I will admit that I found the twists somewhat predictable. However, I thought it was exceedingly well-written and I really enjoyed the character development. The references to Fundamentalist doctrine reflected some of my own experiences growing up in the Evangelical church, so I think some of the deconstruction really resonated with me.
Had enough twists and turns to keep me engaged! Needs trigger warnings for church indoctrination and abuse of power! Overall good read.
This is a really really hard book to rate. It took me a long time to finish it because it infuriated me. I would get so genuinely angry and emotional that I had to stop reading and do something else for a while because Pastor Rick and the entire Messiah community were so awful.
I really liked Del. She made me really angry sometimes, but it made sense to me why she was acting the way she was. I couldn't stay mad at her for being so traumatized she physically couldn't react any other way.
I thought, but I liked the ending a lot. Overall, it was kind of triggering for me and I had to only read a little at a time, but I'm glad I read it.
I really liked Del. She made me really angry sometimes, but it made sense to me why she was acting the way she was. I couldn't stay mad at her for being so traumatized she physically couldn't react any other way.
I thought
Spoiler
Finn being in on it was super obvious
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book was so fascinating & eerie to me as someone who grew up conservative evangelical Christian culture and small town Minnesota (& lives in the Fargo-Moorhead area too). I felt like it was layered and nuanced. The characters I thought would be one dimensional cliches all were given depth and humanity. Some of the twists I saw coming, others I didn’t. The writing overall was good and interesting. Some parts were far fetched for sure, but that almost added to the intrigue.
While this book definitely leaned into extremes, there were so many parts of it that felt so true to life. From mentions of the game Mafia to youth group dynamics to phrases said… you can tell it was definitely a writer writing about what they know and only could have been done from someone who grew up in this culture.
I think people should be mindful though about their own triggers with religious abuse and sexual abuse before reading it.
While this book definitely leaned into extremes, there were so many parts of it that felt so true to life. From mentions of the game Mafia to youth group dynamics to phrases said… you can tell it was definitely a writer writing about what they know and only could have been done from someone who grew up in this culture.
I think people should be mindful though about their own triggers with religious abuse and sexual abuse before reading it.
Struggled between 3.5 and 4 for this one, but landed on 4⭐️. I will start off with the cons. Our main character is weirdly still obsessed with her ex. This area of the book came off very childish to me. Def a bit cliche at parts.
What I loved was just about everything else! I am so into the fundamentalist/culty trope, and this hits the nail on the head when speaking of the beliefs and culture. There was a part of the ending that I found surprising. I was hooked mostly for the commentary and not as much about the mystery which is saying something.
What I loved was just about everything else! I am so into the fundamentalist/culty trope, and this hits the nail on the head when speaking of the beliefs and culture. There was a part of the ending that I found surprising. I was hooked mostly for the commentary and not as much about the mystery which is saying something.
Whewwww read this one quick. So good. I love a good religion/cult story. And throw in some murder?! Ugh. Sad because I know this shit happens to people involved in the church in real life but damn it was a good book.