johnnareadsallthebooks 's review for:

Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn

3.0

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It ended up being an effective cult horror story, I just had a lot to get through with the main characters, and I thought it was a little misogynistic? I expect that from a cult but the main character and his best friend both have exes they really hate and the author paints the exes as horrible cheating sluts. But then again, that might just be the characters being a-holes and not necessarily the view of the author, especially since it becomes apparent that Lucas isn't the best dad and was not the best husband either. Jeanie/Vee/Vivi/Virginia was just .... really difficult and childish, I mean she is twelve but I have a difficult time imagining a real child being that shallow and petty. Angry yes. Petty no. The scenes from the past are where the book really works, the cult slowly taking over its victims life was chilling and effective, and the police reports scattered throughout the book where effective as well, and put the reader in the position of knowing far more than any other character. Except maybe the fearless cult leader. I thought we were actually going to get the interview, I was down for the book being the author slowly getting the story from the man himself but that didn't happen. But, since that was the case I thought the cult leader should remain faceless and unknowable. We never get the answers as to why, his motivation etc. Is how I personally would have ended the book, I am not in favor of too much reveal in a horror story, part of effective horror is the unknown.