This book is centered around a cult survivor, Moonbeam. The titles are before and after the fire, giving us the story in increments, as she talks to a doctor and FBI agent. She is a strong, well developed character and the stuff that went on at the compound is disturbing but not graphic. It held my attention throughout and I was invested in her story. While reading this I couldn’t help but think of Waco. Highly recommend this one. 4.5 stars

OMG what an awesome book. You will be riveted from the very first page until the last so whatever plans you had or things that had to be done kiss them buh bye because you will not be able to put this book down. Absolutely pick up this gem of a book from an author I really look forward to reading more books from. Happy reading!

After the Fire is Moonbeam's story of the cult that she lived in and survived. I've always been fascinated by cults and how the leaders use fear to control the masses, so when I had a chance to read this I jumped at it. This is the first book I've read of Will Hill's and I was not disappointed. The characters in this book will have your emotions all over the place. You hate what they do, but your heart will break because they really do not know any better. Moonbeam is the strongest girl I know. Her bravery and strength really know no bounds. I really liked the story, how it was written with the "before the fire" and "after the fire". Very well done!

Epic, exciting, thrilling, emotional rollercoaster of a read. I will definitely be picking up more from Will Hill in the future.

Three words to describe this book – survival, perseverance and control.

You cannot help but very many different emotions while reading this book. It sucks you in from the very first page, and holds your interest throughout as you turn the page to read what will happen next. A very compelling and powerful story of survival, perseverance, control and the fight for freedom. Cleverly written through to the very powerful ending, this book was simply amazing!

After the Fire is told from alternating timelines – between the past (before the fire), and the present (after the fire). As we read the book the story slowly unfolds, as the main character Moonbeam tells her powerful story. Bit by bit we get glimpses into what really happened, and piece by piece we eventually get to understand the whole story and what truly happened.

I felt many different emotions while reading this novel. At times I felt sorry for Moonbeam and all the young children and in this book, as I read what they had to endure and go through on a daily basis. Reading how they were treated, both unkindly and unfairly, and were lied to and manipulated for so many years by the adults who were supposed to protect them and care for them. And don’t get me started on Father John. What a piece of work he was! I quickly learned to despise Father John.

After the Fire is a powerful and wonderful story that was a pleasure to read. It made me feel all the feels and feel so many different emotions. What an emotional roller coaster! I highly recommend this book.

*A big thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.*

It’s no secret that a lot of people have a sort of fascination with cults, and I’m no exception—though I don’t normally read fiction about cults. But with this one? First, I read some positive reviews about it from people whose opinion I respect, and that goes a long way. Second … have you read the summary?! I’m a big sucker for duplicity and lies and things not being as they seem. Plus, the idea of After the Fire being written from the perspective of a cult member was really appealing.

Content warning for abuse (physical and psychological) and mildly graphic depictions of death.

Thoughts:

- The story is based on the real-life events of Waco and the tragedy that ensued there, but it does so tactfully, while remaining true to the experience of those who have been in cults. Or at least it rings true, though granted, I’ve never been in that situation myself. The story is told from the perspective of Moonbeam, who is a 17-year-old who has basically grown up in the cult and has gone through a rather magnificent character arc of her own. Hill deals with the subject matter honestly—pulling no punches when describing the punishments, the way a cult leader gains and maintains control—while still portraying a community that Moonbeam sees as her home, as safe from the dangers of the outside world, as being “right” when everyone else is wrong. The story really drives home just how deep and pervasive the beliefs are, and that’s the most key element of it: the cult members believe everything wholeheartedly. And why wouldn’t they? Father John is persuasive, and his logic makes sense. That was probably the biggest thing that struck me about this book, is just how much everything made sense and I could see why people would buy into it, while still being disgusted at their actions.

- The story is actually told with a split timeline, with the present being after the fire with Moonbeam in therapy and the past being, well, before the fire. Duh. Sometimes this can be confusing, but this was done so well, I thought, particularly because there’s such a stark contrast, not only in the main character but in her setting. The world of therapy and doctors and safety is so vastly different than her life in the cult, and pairing them together really highlighted the differences between the two. Most importantly, the therapy in this is handled beautifully and shown in a positive light—just what Moonbeam needs when she needs it, and nothing more or less than that.

My favorite parts were actually the dynamics of the therapy: the way Dr. Hernandez was cognizant and not in the least bit dismissive of anything Moonbeam said or asked, and especially the interplay between Moonbeam and Agent Carlyle (who is easily one of my favorite characters in this). What’s more, Dr. Hernandez and Agent Carlyle represent the “normal person’s” reaction to hearing about life in a cult—a lot of times, even, they mirrored my own knee-jerk reactions to the details—and what made this so important was the way Moonbeam reacted to their reactions. But the exchanges between three characters remind the reader that these things were real for Moonbeam, and, more than that, they were normal and as far as she had known, there was nothing wrong with them. I thought this part was so important, because it was a constant reminder to stop and think from her perspective instead of just reacting.

- Moonbeam’s character arc is AMAZING. The first time we see her character is at the very beginning, during the fire. At that point she’s terrified (obviously), but she seems pretty capable. What we don’t see until flashbacks is the obedient girl who somehow ended up in that situation. Moonbeam’s transformation happens in spurts and fits during the flashbacks, in teensy, insidious thoughts that eventually take root and bloom.

- I had figured out about 95% of the ending before I was far into the novel—but that last 5%? Oof. That last 5% got me. It’s predictable is what I’m saying. Which may seem like a really bad idea for a thriller, but it totally worked, because the important part wasn’t how the story ended, but the journey to get there. So I was more than happy to take the scenic route to a predictable ending.I was SO FREAKING SURE that I knew how it would turn out, particularly relating to one character who shall remain nameless. BUT I WAS SO WRONG. I still haven’t forgiven myself. Or the author. I mourned for daysssss.

- The writing is an easy read, and the story is anything but. It pushes the envelope and really makes you stop and think. There were so many times that I was so mad I wanted to throw the book. And then I laughed. And then I awwwed. And then I started plotting the death of a character who clearly deserved it, okay? Homicide is not wrong if they deserve it and you don’t get caught. It wasn’t long until I realized the therapy sessions weren’t just helpful for Moonbeam, but they were a necessary lull in all the emotions I felt, and as Moonbeam sussed through her reactions, I was able to come up for a breather and consider what sorts of emotions I had just been bombarded with, too.

[I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley, though that does not impact my final review.]

I went into this book with the anticipation that it would be dark and gritty, because the blurb and cover were pretty ominous. While it did get emotional at times, because Moonbeam (the main character) was constantly at war internally with who she could trust and what she believed, it wasn't truly compelling.

I think the fact that it's told literally after the fire that destroyed the compound (with some chapters in present tense and some as flashbacks) is to blame. Moonbeam is recounting her story to a psychiatrist and FBI agent, and the flashbacks do feel like we're being told and not shown. Any kind of pain, fear, joy or other emotion is not in the moment, unless it has to do with Moonbeam's current situation, which is very repetitive.

I did like her character, and the story and other characters intrigued me enough to keep going, so I could see how it worked out for her and the survivors at the end. As a former resident of Texas, this story also hit home because I'm very aware of the Waco siege. I just feel like this story may have been more compelling if there had been more tension and less interview-style.

This was a great book that was literally hard to put down.

Moonbeam's story was one that I will not soon forget.

The characters were well thought out , and while the plot was solid, it did jump around a bit.
Having said that, it was very captivating.

After the fire by Will Hill

Thank you to netgalley and sourcebooks fire for an E-Arc. All reviews and opinions are my own.

From start to finish this book captured my attention and held it perfectly! If you are looking for a read that makes you sit on the edge of your seat or one that makes you fall in love with reading all over again; I promise this one is for you!

The story is events that happened before and after a fire that lead to the death and rescue of survivors of Holy Church of the Lord's Legion cult members. The events are slowly unraveled by moonbeam; whom is a young female that is slowly losing faith. Her life has never been great, The stories she shares about her life within the compound are horrible events and involve neglect and abuse: sexual, physical and mental. While reading through keep an open mind to what her life was like and what her life may be able to become with the help of therapy.

This book is definitely a 4 Star read for me! For anyone who asks me about a book that would keep their interests; this will be one I will continue to offer as a suggestion!

5 stars. I loved this book. Moonbeam was completely relatable. Anyone in her situation would have the same thoughts, feelings, confusions as she did. The unraveling of Moonbeams mother, how and why she was so distant, was fascinating. To see our understanding of how they ended up at the Base, how they decided to stay, and what exactly when on during the fire, just kept me wanting to keep reading long after I should have turned the lights out for the night. The ending was no disappointmen, while still managing to surprise me. If you’ve ever been interested in cults, how they happen, and how good people get trapped into them, this is a story you’ll want to read. Thank you NetGalley for helping me find this fantastic book.
I posted this review to Amazon and Goodreads.

All I can say is wow. Just wow. I can't recommend this one enough. This book sat on my Kindle for weeks, through no fault of it's own. Just circumstances of my life that kept me from sitting down and reading anything. And then I found a few minutes, and those turned into a few hours, and next thing I knew, I had finished this amazing book! It's an incredibly powerful story of life in a cult, of lies and deceit and faith and needs. Anger and hope. Weakness and power. You get to decide the truly weak, and the truly powerful, as you read it. The characters are remarkable, from beginning to end. Sadly, while this is a work of fiction, it also isn't so fictional; it's scary to think that people have, and do, live in ways similar to what was written here.

I'm not a quote-gatherer; I'm not sure I've ever quoted a book in one of my reviews, ever. But for whatever reason, this really stood out to me: “So many people dead … So many lives destroyed, and for what? So one man could be king of a patch of desert full of men and women who desperately wanted to believe in something.”

I'm always keen for a cult novel. This one was fascinating. I won't give too much away, because spoilers, but I thought it was really well written with the flashes between present and past, and I liked how we weren't just handed a black and white "This Is What Happened" style story.

This book does an outstanding job describing the aftermath of a cult destruction. The narrative shifts from present t pat and back again as a young survivor deals with her feelings of remorse following her escape as the cult is destroyed in a massive Federal raid. Many story threads interact as the therapist works to open the young girl's mind and release the facts she is trying to hide. Life within the cult is described in excruciating detail, causing the reader to wonder how people can be do easily misled. The biggest secret finally emerges at the end, and it does not have the impact she had feared. Reading the story is draining as the life within the cult plays out.

After the Fire is the story of life after a cult, told to us by Moonbeam. It goes back and forth between the time before the fire (the storming of the compound), and the time after. Once again, I went into a book without reading the blurb and expected a thriller based on the cover and title. I’m kind of glad I didn’t read the description well in this case because I might have skipped over this novel, and it is definitely worth reading.

Based on a real cult case, this book gives you a chance to understand (to a degree) the people who believed in their leader enough that they were willing to subject themselves and their children to his rules. As if being raised in a cult environment weren’t bad enough for the youngest cult members, trying to assimilate into a “normal” life on the outside proves just as difficult. This is an intense, thought-provoking glimpse into a life I can’t even imagine being forced to live.

Happy pub day to this gem!

After the Fire by Will Hill was hands down so compelling! Main Character 17 yr old, Moonbeam recounts the events that led up to the “end of days” after living in the Legion of the Lord Compound in Waco, TX. It is told in the before and after moments discussing some tense and disturbing events which I found a little difficult but I just couldn’t put the book down, I felt as if I was there and experiencing it all as it was told. I will definitely be wanting to read more from this author!

“The things I've seen are burned into me, like scars that refuse to fade.”
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Thank you to #netgalley and @sourcebooksfire for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Highly recommend
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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🙌

I’ve read cult related stories (mostly fiction) before, and some have been so disturbing I’ve had to stop and breathe. Believe me.

Once I grabbed After the Fire, I could not put the book down, even when some of those events described here tensed me, and made me pause to think. Think because there are so many things in life you take for granted (like freedom of speech, of mind, or simply just freedom), and after reading Moonbeam’s story, I can also add that you really don’t know what this book is about, although you may imagine it based on the blurb, based on the cover or even based on other people’s reviews.

Not the case.

I won’t give you the 411 about this cause many have done so, but I can tell you this: before and after hold a powerful story. Many don’t like the alternate storytelling, but this book was meant to be written that way. The power behind this story is one meant to shake you to the core.

I’m utterly speechless, but I will add, that the greatest lesson I learned from Moonbeam’s story, is that you can have redemption, and you can be born again, even if the one thing you were taught since birth is so engraved in your brain you eat breathe and sleep it. You can overcome darkness and be brought to the light. Even if you have to walk thru fire to get there.

I got an ARC of this book.

I  have so many feelings right now. This book hit so many of my buttons. I love the more psychological and atmospheric horror books. I don't like horror that relies on blood and guts, though if that is mixed with some sheer terror then maybe. 

The story follows Moonbeam through her recovery process after being rescued from a religious cult. The story is told in the Before and the After. The After is her time in the psychiatric hospital (outside of two chapters). The Before is her time in the cult. Moonbeam's story stood out to me because she was raised from the time she was eighteen months old to be part of this cult. Most of the cult stories I find are about awkward teens who join by their own free will and are hesitant the whole time. The person who joins is always female too. This one had so much more than that.

I liked that the book didn't rely on rape to be the main fear since the main character was female. There were some hints at sexual assault, but they were very severely punished and seen as deviant, at least from the perspective of Moonbeam. The more you learn about the cult the more that can get twisted, but the sexual element of the horror seemed minor to Moonbeam which is greatly appreciated. Too many horror novels, movies, and video games rely on rape being the main or only plot line a female character can have. 

I loved the focus on the healing aspect, especially because the act of healing was so foreign to Moonbeam and the others. They were told that psychiatrists were evil, prescription drugs were evil, and anyone involved with law enforcement was evil. So why would Moonbeam talk? She was in evil's base. It was so fascinating to watch her come into her own. 

I loved this book, don't get me wrong, but I feel like there could have been more. Or maybe, I just wish there was more. I wasn't ready to be done with the story. Maybe if this were an adult book instead of YA, it would have been enough. I would have been scared deeper than I was then. Or maybe if the last chapter was more believable. The last chapter didn't fit the timeline or what had happened. There was no way that it would have ended like that, this is coming from someone in the legal system who sees some of this stuff go down. There is no way that Moonbeam would have a house at this point in her life, even if a court ordered restitution to her from the case. Moonbeam had nothing since she went into the cult at eighteen months old. So if you ignore the last chapter this book is amazing. 

If the idea of a cult fascinates you, then this is the best cult book I have read in years. If the idea of psychological horror appeals to you, then YES, look here.

This book is one of those that grabs you and keeps you reading because it's so chilling and thrilling. I really didn't know what kind of book I was getting, but glad I took the chance, because it definitely was a fast paced and great book to read. I thought the characters were well written and while the subject wasn't 100% perfectly researched, I did think the author was up to date enough to make sure that the written was pretty accurate. Will highly recommend to those in Chapter Chatter Pub.

I grabbed this one on author and cover alone. I did not realize what I was getting into until I started the novel. Although this is a book I never would have picked up normally, I am so glad I did.
The subject matter for this novel was both new to me and very intriguing. Hill did a great job creating a hectic setting for the compound with anxiety around every corner. He also gave us a homey place to discuss what went on and how to deal with the pain. The settings were simple, yet highly detailed and very lifelike. The action of the story moved along without seeming to be pushed. When there was violence, although it could be graphic, Hill never went over the line into gore, which would have been easy to do. I appreciated this and felt it helped keep this as a psychological story.
Moonbeam was a real life person in my mind. She jumped off the page. Her personality was wonderfully described so that I felt along with her. As she work through everything, both in her own mind, and with Doctor Hernandez and Agent Carlyle, I was with her all the way. She had her ups and downs, yet everything had its reason for happening.
The writing was consuming. I got sucked right into the story and never wanted to stop, even at the end. I loved the extra information on where the story came from. Hill’s writing was smooth and flowing. It went seamlessly from before to after and back again. There were little nudges as to where the next chapter would take us which made it easier to find ground when we got there.
This story was heart breaking, uplifting, tragic, and empowering. I cried, I laughed, I got frustrated, I stayed up all night. And I loved every minute of it.

Moonbeam has been raised in a religious cult in the outskirts of a small Texas town. In many ways this book felt similar to other books I've read about the splinter groups: enigmatic leader, unequal rules and favors, violence, people trying to leave, and of course the government spy. Thankfully Mr. Hill is able to tell the story of Moonbeam dealing with the aftermath of the brainwashing and what she thinks her part in the inevitable final battle was in a way that felt unique and personal to her story. I will state that once again a book has literally spelled out the answers to all the questions to the point of annoyance. Is this something new from editors or publishers? Do they think readers aren't smart enough to follow along? Both Moonbeam and the reader figure the answers out and didn't need it confirmed. Life generally doesn't offer us a letter that explains everything we have learned. I wish books would stop doing that. But, that issue aside, I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were well developed and brought the story to life.