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A review by sam_hartwig
The Special Ones by Em Bailey
4.0
I'm not sure what to think after reading this. This is a one of a kind book that will have you thinking during and after reading.
I read Em Bailey's other book "Shift" and from memory I thought it was ok. I remember a lot of people raving about her first book and felt it didn't live up to it's hype in my opinion. But that didn't stop me from loving the idea of this book.
Cults intrigue me, I can't imagine why people would blindly follow someone when what they're doing is wrong. But then I think about society at the moment and how people obsess over celebrities, fandoms and the newest trend, then it doesn't sound too ridiculous that people could follow blindly.
What one person thinks is wrong or weird may be normal for another person. I personally don't think kidnapping people, watching their every moment and forcing them to believe they're reincarnated "Special Ones" is normal, but I think most people will agree with me.
We read from Esther's point of view through most of the book, and I really felt for her during the whole book. As certain facts were revealed I realised how hard it must be for someone to have gone through what she's had to endure. I don't want to give anything away because it ruins the book completely but this book also makes you think about the media and how it can negatively change people's opinions and how we, "the people" believe their lies and follow them so blindly. Are we all basically a cult following of the media!?
On a less dark note if you want to watch something lighter about cults then you should get your hands on a copy of "The Unbeatable Kimmy Schmidt". Ellie Kemper plays the title character, who is saved from an apocalypse cult and learns to live in the real world. It's uplifting and very funny.
I read Em Bailey's other book "Shift" and from memory I thought it was ok. I remember a lot of people raving about her first book and felt it didn't live up to it's hype in my opinion. But that didn't stop me from loving the idea of this book.
Cults intrigue me, I can't imagine why people would blindly follow someone when what they're doing is wrong. But then I think about society at the moment and how people obsess over celebrities, fandoms and the newest trend, then it doesn't sound too ridiculous that people could follow blindly.
What one person thinks is wrong or weird may be normal for another person. I personally don't think kidnapping people, watching their every moment and forcing them to believe they're reincarnated "Special Ones" is normal, but I think most people will agree with me.
We read from Esther's point of view through most of the book, and I really felt for her during the whole book. As certain facts were revealed I realised how hard it must be for someone to have gone through what she's had to endure. I don't want to give anything away because it ruins the book completely but this book also makes you think about the media and how it can negatively change people's opinions and how we, "the people" believe their lies and follow them so blindly. Are we all basically a cult following of the media!?
On a less dark note if you want to watch something lighter about cults then you should get your hands on a copy of "The Unbeatable Kimmy Schmidt". Ellie Kemper plays the title character, who is saved from an apocalypse cult and learns to live in the real world. It's uplifting and very funny.