juniper_reads_things's review
challenging
medium-paced
4.25
. Amy Rose is a young gurl who grew up in an emotionally abusive cult. The cult leader despises her, and keeps Amy from learning. The cult leader instead forces Amy to work: sweeping, caring for prospective members’ children, etc. Amy is taken from her mother and passed around to other members of the cult to take care of.
This book is so hard to read, content-wise. I am glad Amy’s story was told through graphic novel format, I’m not sure I would have been able to stomach a traditional book’s formatting on such abuse.
While I enjoyed this book, I found the ending to be quite lacking. Amy is never reunited with her sisters, and that leaves me wondering about them. We never hear what happens to Amy mom - I wonder if Amy even knows? My biggest frustration is that the name of this cult community isn’t listed. Perhaps due to fear but… I still was left wondering.
Overall, this was a great book. I am grateful to have received a copy of it. Thank you Netgally, Amy Rose and Letter Better publishing.
This book is so hard to read, content-wise. I am glad Amy’s story was told through graphic novel format, I’m not sure I would have been able to stomach a traditional book’s formatting on such abuse.
While I enjoyed this book, I found the ending to be quite lacking. Amy is never reunited with her sisters, and that leaves me wondering about them. We never hear what happens to Amy mom - I wonder if Amy even knows? My biggest frustration is that the name of this cult community isn’t listed. Perhaps due to fear but… I still was left wondering.
Overall, this was a great book. I am grateful to have received a copy of it. Thank you Netgally, Amy Rose and Letter Better publishing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
cocoanut7's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
5.0
There’s nothing quite like cults to fascinate our imaginations, so Amy’s story really captured me. I wish we knew more about the one she was a part of and how it concluded. I wasn’t sure the point of the novel by the end because it felt a bit like… “I have a crazy past. I’ll publish it!” So the ending was a little rushed for me. But I still was super interested.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
devynreadsnovels's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Religious bigotry, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide
elliottjunkyard's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting and Chronic illness
_morgueann's review
4.5
Graphic memoir Occulted is an interesting look into one person's experience growing up in a cult, surrounded by misinformation and isolated from much of the outside world. Since the world of true crime and cults frequently intersect, I think youth and adults interested in true crime are an excellent audience for this work. Readers who were curious, questioning children will relate to Amy's desire to know more and will admire her tenacity in finding the truth - even if she must do it on her own. Recommended for high school and public libraries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
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