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asangtani's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kerrycat's review against another edition
4.0
Lee takes readers on a disturbing journey with 22-year-old Wynter, who has spent most of her life in a cult with her sister and is fearful after her banishment into the world, where the predictions of the charismatic cult leader seem to be coming true. Wynter’s conflicting emotions work against her knowledge of what she must do to save her surviving family, and the edge-of-your seat revelations shock readers just as they do Wynter. Compelling and unsettling, this story maintains a thread of hope, reminding readers that God is present even when it doesn’t seem so.
(originally written for the now defunct Hope by the Book review magazine in 2018)
(originally written for the now defunct Hope by the Book review magazine in 2018)
beckyb16's review against another edition
4.0
This book is riveting - from early on I was hooked! It takes you on quite the ride - full of excitement and anticipation. What really was crazy is that it mimics so much of our current Coronavirus Pandemic! As well as the cult that our main character is a part of. That is not only interesting, but also insightful of how people feel who are living as part of these types of groups. Great read - and now I’m ready for the next one in the series!
ash_reads_horror's review against another edition
It’s crazy how real this book felt in this crazy time.
giraffeinabookstore's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kgmay25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
thebookishbint's review against another edition
4.0
4.8
There will times where it was a bit slow. At the same time, it had me hooked. Wynter is the star of this book. Those who are interested in cults, this is next read.
There will times where it was a bit slow. At the same time, it had me hooked. Wynter is the star of this book. Those who are interested in cults, this is next read.
sccrkid85's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
luminous's review against another edition
3.0
Fabulous concept. I don't know a lot about cults, but the cult portion seemed realistic. The antagonist was a letdown, though as an example of banal evil (is there any worse?) I guess it works. I was hoping for the antagonist's goals to be described in more detail regarding the disease, as I either missed them entirely by skimming over them or they really weren't given to us.
The meat of the plot is your basic pick up and deliver quest. Probably the first half of that journey was a little dull, but it doesn't comprise more than maybe 10-15% of the book.
Protagonist, Wynter, was very likeable, and realistic except in that everything she is taught while on the run/journey she is instantly good at. I'm thinking here of challenging driving conditions, firearms, and physical self-defense. However, there was a realistic consequence of firearms use that I was happy to see. But by the end I was cringing at how capable she was after having just been shown moves once. I guess it's hard to strike a balance between "utterly helpless woman," which we don't want, and "Mary Sue." Also having her fail a bit at those challenges would have made the book longer.
Being a thriller, it's fast paced. I found the pace too breezy for the first half. Or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the pace. I didn't feel like I was nestling in for a filling read, you know? But it's definitely skillfully written.
Characters lack differentiation in personality. TBH the most interesting one is the minor character Ara. I guess this book is more all about the plot.
There's also some romance, but it's understated and nothing graphic. There are a lot of sexually threatening situations, but again nothing graphic. This is an apocalyptic book that does not go in for major violence or disturbing brutality, and I was glad for that.
The meat of the plot is your basic pick up and deliver quest. Probably the first half of that journey was a little dull, but it doesn't comprise more than maybe 10-15% of the book.
Protagonist, Wynter, was very likeable, and realistic except in that everything she is taught while on the run/journey she is instantly good at. I'm thinking here of challenging driving conditions, firearms, and physical self-defense. However, there was a realistic consequence of firearms use that I was happy to see. But by the end I was cringing at how capable she was after having just been shown moves once. I guess it's hard to strike a balance between "utterly helpless woman," which we don't want, and "Mary Sue." Also having her fail a bit at those challenges would have made the book longer.
Being a thriller, it's fast paced. I found the pace too breezy for the first half. Or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the pace. I didn't feel like I was nestling in for a filling read, you know? But it's definitely skillfully written.
Characters lack differentiation in personality. TBH the most interesting one is the minor character Ara. I guess this book is more all about the plot.
There's also some romance, but it's understated and nothing graphic. There are a lot of sexually threatening situations, but again nothing graphic. This is an apocalyptic book that does not go in for major violence or disturbing brutality, and I was glad for that.