I've always been intrigued by cults and their inner workings, so purchasing this book was sort of a no-brainer for me. What I wasn't prepared for was SUCH a well-written story and the fact that I would be appalled as well as moved to tears.
This book alternates between "before" the fire and "after." The "before" chapters expose the reader to the inner workings of how The Lord's Legion operated. The "after" chapters show how the members who escaped are coping with their new life after the fire. To think that ANY person who claims to be a follower of Christ could do the awful things discussed in this book, is beyond me. The author doesn't hold back with letting the reader see what actually happens inside this cult, but the information is never excessive. I love that while we learn information that is pertinent to the story, it's never too much. There were times that I was absolutely mortified and disgusted but, that totally enhanced what the author was trying to get across. The way he portrays Father John is absolute perfection. I was scared of him. Intimidated. I could see how the members of the church would put their faith in him.
Seeing the survivors of the fire in the institution with Doctor Hernandez and Agent Carlyle just shows how much of an affect this sort of life has had on the members. What happens inside those gray walls is so much deeper than any of us could ever realize unless we've been through such a harrowing experience. The author makes you feel as if you are there with them, going through this healing process with them.
This book is just so well written and so eye-opening. I'm still reeling from all that happened and I honestly want to tell everyone about this book. So good.

I had literally no idea what this book was about when I went into it and I think that was the way to go. As a true crime junkie, I knew this book was for me the second I realized it was based on the Waco siege. But it cults, PTSD, and extensive therapy sessions are too much for you, I would definitely advise against reading After the Fire. If none of that turned you away, please pick it up! It's twisted and dark, and honestly there were a couple of parts that made me feel a bit nauseous, but this book definitely makes you think about power and corruption. It may be cliche to call it a "page turner" but that's certainly accurate so do what you will with that description. Please read this book!

Another fantastic read! Thrillers and suspense novels are my favorite. I am so glad I was able to read this story! This is my first novel from Will Hill and it did not disappoint! Highly recommend!

When the government storms the Lord's Legion compound, only a handful of children survive the deadly fire. Moonbeam, one of the survivors, find herself in a psychiatric facility being questioned by Dr. Hernandez and Agent Carlyle. Moonbeam is scared, overwhelmed, and feeling guilt over the raid and her survival. Slowly, she begins to open up, telling stories of her life before the fire.

This book was hard to put down. I loved that the author tackled the aftermath of the raid and fire. The psychiatry was fascinating. Moonbeams internal struggles felt completely real. It was hard to believe that she wasn't based on a real survivor's account. Highly recommended.

Will Hill doesn't pull punches in After the Fire, and that's a good thing. The book begins in the chaotic environment of a siege by the government on a religious compound only referred to as The Base by the young narrator. These undiluted scene then plunge the reader into the equally disorienting madness of a hospital trauma room where the narrator is being treated, unwillingly, by doctors for burns and other injuries. The narrative then segues into our narrator--now known as Moonbeam--uncovering the details of her life within The Base, the beliefs of the Holy Church of the Lord's Legion, the rise of Father John, and the events surrounding the siege and subsequent fire through a series of therapy sessions and flashbacks.

Moonbeam proves to be a detailed narrator of her life. She candidly discusses her life within the Legion, including her own mother's lobbying of Father John to take Moonbeam as one of his Future Wives. She tells of her crush on Nate, a mysterious stranger who arrives at The Base one day, and who disappears in the night a few years later. She recounts her impressions of Luke, the first baby born inside The Base and who eventually becomes her archenemy within the Legion. She talks of her belief in Father John and the Legion, and then her questioning of everything she's been taught once her mother is Banished and branded a Heretic by Father John.

The timeline of After the Fire isn't told in a linear fashion. Moonbeam skips around while trying desperately to avoid telling everything she knows of the events that occurred during the siege and fire. Interspersed with scenes of her encounters with fellow fire survivors--including Luke--the full scope of Moonbeam's story is revealed slowly and through layers upon layers of deceit by both herself and others. When the full truth is finally revealed, Moonbeam's and the other survivors' journeys seem all the more remarkable as the reader is once again reminded that Moonbeam and her Brothers and Sisters are still only children.

Will Hill weaves a fascinating thriller that keeps you wanting to read the next page. At no point did I feel the narrative dragging or unraveling at any pace other than the one set by Hill. Definitely worthy of a solitary read but even better if chosen for a book club discussion setting.

Silence can be a weapon that when it’s used properly—it makes people nervous, makes them say things they shouldn’t say to break the tension. Father John had understood that really well….

I think I enjoy cult stories so immensely because they shed light into a perspective that I will never understand. They explain how rational humans can get caught up in something like the Lord’s Legion. They provide the slightest glimpse into the journey of a charismatic man single handedly convincing a band of followers to live life his way without questioning or else be considered a Servant of the Serpent. They bring forth horrors that leave your mouth open and face perplexed trying to comprehend how some of these families got so incredibly deep and lost. While it may be fiction, diving into a taboo topic like cults gets my reading boner raised. And Will Hill did not let me down…

I found out about After the Fire through an email communication sent out by NetGalley. The synopsis was intriguing as hell but it felt familiar. Personally, I thought of The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly among others. There are quite a few similarities from the age of our narrator to the questioning of the FBI after the fire and so on. Now here is where you might expect me to state, After the Fire, is incredibly different and unique. And if I am being honest, it really isn’t. However, I enjoyed this story a great deal and would rave about it all the same.

Speaking of raving, Will Hill has quite the talent for a slow, tension filled build. Each chapter, we would get a little revelation. Hill would offer the tiniest nibble. And like a crack addict that was all it took, I was hooked. Will Hill is a master in the art of teasing. While I mentioned above, this story rings too many bells. His approach was the spin he offered readers. Overall, I think the tension, slow fire he built really set the tone and interest for this story.

Another unique spin that was presented were the therapy sessions. Essentially, readers get a front view seat into Moonbeam’s therapy sessions after the fire. I really liked getting this insight, a view into the process psychologists and doctors use to hopefully turn around the lives or experiences of trauma victims. We basically watched these revelations and epiphanies comes to lights for Moonbeam. We witness progress with a child who was told basically her whole life the Government wants to hurt and destroy you. Here is a small excerpt (I wouldn’t consider this a spoiler):

The Government has helicopters that will drop burning gasoline on you if they catch you Outside, beyond the reach of Father John’s protection. The Government will murder our youngest Brothers and Sisters then roast their bodies over a pit of Hellfire and eat their flesh. The Government will impregnate the Sisters of the Legion with parasitic creatures that will devour them from inside. The Government will cut off your arms and legs and sew up your mouth, then laugh as you starve to death.

It had been forced and re-enforced daily that she should never trust anyone on the Outside, they are Servants to the Serpent. And we watch her try and battle this idea while trying to get to the light at the end of the tunnel. It is hard to fight something that was forced upon your belief system your whole life, not all victims come out at the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was tense, heartbreaking and horrific. Is it fiction? Sure. But it is a version of the sad truth for some human beings out there. Will Hill did an excellent job allowing readers insight into something that we can’t really understand from the outside looking in.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. What an incredibly powerful and emotional book. Moonbeam has spent most of her life with a religious cult. The book starts with a fire at the compound and a fight between its residents and the Government, whom the leader always said was out to get them. Moonbeam then spends time at a facility, where she describes her life to a psychiatrist and an FBI agent and she has group interactions with fellow survivors. The therapy was so well done and I loved the character of Moonbeam. She is sarcastic and spunky and so incredibly strong. It was fascinating to see some of the things that were taught and reasons why she believed those things. The author did a great job of focusing on the reasons why someone could believe religious fanatics behind cults or the ways the leaders are able to keep the members under control and he did this without sensationalizing everything. Moonbeam showed so much growth throughout this book and the therapy sessions and it was heartbreaking at times to see her realize her entire life had been a lie. This was an incredibly well written book that I just could not put down. Five star read for sure!

This was a book that I had a hard time putting down, I wanted to keep reading and reading to find out what happened. I was so interested in the storyline and the way it was told thru the process of healing of the main character. Some of it was so hard to read, but it made me empathize with the main character and for those who have ever been in this cult type culture.

This young adult book isn’t for the faint of heart. This book will make your heart pound, and your mind reel as you read about the life of a young child into young adult on a religious compound in rural Texas. and the subsequent events that end the cult.
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Despite the fact that Moonbeam lives this life of fear and loneliness, she ends up being a very strong independent woman and I think that’s a great thing for readers to find in literature today.
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I find it so fascinating (horrified) that so many people fall into cults still today. You always think, oh it couldn’t happen to me, but it does happen to so many people, so you have to wonder why. This book does have a good couple of examples as to why this happens.
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I enjoyed this book a lot, 4.5 stars out of 5.

This was a fictional interpretation of the Branch Davidian fiasco. Not fascinating, but readable. We go back and forth, chapter by chapter, from events before a catastrophic fire that ends the cult to what happened afterward to the ones who survived.

There is no mystery, no tense expectation of a surprise ending. It's a well written 'what if' of what went on behind the scenes of a tragedy.

Fairly quick-paced with only a few chapters that dragged on a bit long. Soliloquys of musings by the lead surviving girl went on a bit longer than needed. And there were really no 'did not see that coming' moments at the end.

Spoiler ahead: One quibble I definitely had was the unlikely end to two different inhabitants of the cult. One was an undercover federal agent and the other was the main characters mother. Her mother, with no higher education, no combat skills, no skills of any kind evidently, manages to not only get away, but to go ahead and create a life for herself while eluding the agents of the cult looking for her. On the other hand, the federal agent, who we must assume was trained and qualified for the job, was easily discovered and killed while sneaking away from camp in the dead of night. Really?!

For me , this book was just ok. Competently written, but no wow.

There was a fire, a terrible fire with gunshots and people dying all around her. But Moonbeam made it out. Now she has to figure out a life outside of the compound, outside of Father John's control, all while holding two secrets inside her that refuse to let her go.

The opening is so powerful, it had me sucked in right away. Hill then brilliantly uses the trope of Before and After to build up the suspense. Before takes readers back to the events leading up to the fire of the title, while After details the life of Moonbeam after everything she has known is gone.

Moonbeam is a great strong female narrator fighting to get her life back and help her fellow survivors while trying to deal with the two secrets inside her. She is telling her story to two other great characters, a psychologist and an agent, and readers get inside her head and her feelings through the first person narration.

The very end felt a little pat, but I loved it anyway.

This is a well-written, suspenseful look at a cult and how someone tries to rebuild their life when they suddenly find themselves on the outside.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Sourcebooks Fire for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review.

The cover I feel would be more fitting for a novel about a monstrous child starting a house fire. Or a father trailing his family and leaving the child orphaned. These are just thoughts that had popped into my mind when I first saw the cover. I love the cover, and I guess after reading the whole novel I can see how it fits with so many of the children becoming orphaned.

I loved the story! Power, Corruption. Father John does such a grand job of twisting the minds and fears of the people whom he "loves" ignorer to get them to obey. I am so shocked at how many people would move to a place like this and absorb so many lies into believe the as their new truth.

I loved watching Moombeam develop. She goes from nightmares and not really understanding who she can trust or how much she can trust to really trusting and counting on Doctor Hernandez and Agent Carlyle. She turned out to be a very strong character. You can tell as she subdues Father John's voice in her head telling her to keep her mouth shot and calling her a heretic. Eventually those voices are gone and to me this speaks to how strong of a woman she is turning into.

The story bounces between a "before" and "after" theme. The after being the conversations she is having with those around her in the therapy and before being her recollections of what had happen. I enjoy stories that have this type of set up. It really shows how the character is able to overcome and grow after such a tragic event.

I have never known anyone who has been in a cult. I can completely see how easy how these things could really get out of hand. Hill really brought the setting to life and made me feel like I was really there and able to picture easily. I will be excited to see if this is made into a movie.

So much of this book was great. Why only 4 Stars? For me, it was a slow read. I was fully enjoying everything about it and I really wanted to know more but it was a bit of a chore to read this through. I am glad I did. I will definitely be recommending this book!

This is a book that I wanted to like. In fact, I was drawn to it because I had started seeing this book every where. Ok, the thing about "cult" books is that the cult leader has a big commanding presence. For me, I didn't really experience that from Father John. Yeah, he was crazy but he did not capture nor keep my attention.

As I was reading, I kept waiting for the story to start. Somehow, it did not really sink in that the story had started with Moonbeam in therapy explaining the events leading up to her escape from the cult. I had trouble really staying in the moment while reading. After getting a third of the way into the story, I did skip ahead to the midway point. From here I started reading again but only got a few chapters done. Finally, I just "passed go" and proceeded to read the last dozen chapters of the story. It was here that I actually felt a connection to Moonbeam and the story and I felt the tide turn some with my feelings towards this book. Sadly, this book did not do anything for me.

Give me a book about cults, real or fictional any day and I will devour it faster than you can say "Scientology!"

After the Fire is fascinating. I always wonder about those poor people in these situations, so brainwashed and suckered into believing these lunatics - what would happen if they ever "got out?" THIS tells that story - and it's even more chilling and disturbing, as it's largely a group of young kids, struggling to make sense of these strangers, these new objects and surroundings, and not knowing who to trust.

The story is told from the POV of Moonbeam, a member of the "Lord's Legion", and starts out in the midst of a "war" between the "Outsiders" and members of this cult. Ran by Father John, everyone who is part of the Legion has given up everything to live inside the fence. They have zero contact with the outside world, don't trust the government, and allow this deranged and persuasive man to verbally and physically abuse both adults and children who live there. As if its NORMAL. As if they won't Ascend (go the Heaven?) if they don't do what he says. Not obeying Father John results in serious consequences.

The story alternates between what happens before this altercation with the Outside - how Moonbeam comes to be there and what her life is like there - and after - in the custody of the State, speaking with agents and psychiatrists about her life there, and the events of the standoff that resulted in a huge fire.

But Moonbeam is one smart cookie. She knows that at least some of what Father John is selling is all lies, and thinks Outside might not be that bad. But to what lengths will she go to stand up for what she knows is right, and protect the ones she loves? Both before AND after?

Love. Love. Love. I love stories like this because they REALLY HAPPEN. Which baffles me. Stories about religious sects such as Scientology, Heaven's Gate, the Branch Dividians at Waco (which this is slightly based on - and I totally remember growing up!) are so strange, and compelling, and Moonbeams story is beautifully written and I was amazed by her transformation, and her incredible strength. This one stayed with me for a while. And the ending - just wow.

I LOVED this book!!!! This is an intense YA book about life in a religious cult, The Lord's Legion . It follows the story of Moonbeam, a 17 year old young woman. She is one of the few survivors of a fiery siege that ended with most of the members dead. The format is set as a Before and After .which was so great!!
After the siege Moonbeam survives and finds herself in a rehabilitation facility with the rest of the young survivors. She has a therapist who sees her daily and there is also detective who sits in in the session trying to assist her in working through what happened. I really enjoyed their relationships , especially her quirky interactions with the detective. The other children are also there and it was fascinating seeing how each of the them processed everything..
The evolution of the community from a open , welcoming congregation to a cult with a terror of the Outside world and the foreboding of the end of the world was the best part of the book . It shows that ordinary people can be changed from free thinking people to followers who let go of all their beliefs for the good of the Legion. The leader Father John is a terrifying figure who demands complete obedience and has everyone shun anything to do with the Outside . He and his 4 Centurions are the absolute law and any disobedience is punished .
Moonbeam grew up in the cult but had started to have some "doubts " but was smart enough to keep those thoughts secret . She is a strong and fierce young woman She is brave and a survivor.
This is a great book, it is moving and enlightening and I was engaged for the entire book. The ending is realistic and not tidy , but in real life does that ever happen? I really appreciated the reality of that . Please read the author's note , it explains the inspiration for the book , the 1993 WACO tragedy.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was pretty fascinating. It shifts between "Before" and "After" a cult compound has been raided. The POV is that of Moonbeam, who was a part of the community and was pledged to be the wife of the leader.

The after part is set in a hospital type setting where a doctor and an agent are trying to get the story from her. The before part comes from her story.

Weaving in characters and the crazy things that happened, After the Fire will keep you guessing until the very end.

What is it that happened in the house that Moonbeam doesn't want to talk about???

The Only Way Out Of Darkness Is To Destroy It.

First & foremost, If you have not read After the Fire yet, I advise you jump straight to it, without reading a single spoiler or review (incl this one) or even the synopsis, because this is one unmissable & unique experience. Having read many domestic thrillers, murder mysteries and detective stories, After the Fire truly stands out thanks to it’s unique story, some incredible characters and above all some brilliant writing.

Without giving away too much of the plot, After The Fire is a story of Moonbeam; a member of the Lord's Legion (a religious cult). Moonbeam survives a deadly fire at the camp and the story is narrated by Moonbeam in alternating timelines from "before the fire" (past) and "after the fire" (present)

The story unfolds like a as a jigsaw puzzle. In the beginning, the picture looks confusing. But each chapter reveals another piece of the puzzle and the story keeps getting better and better with each small revelation that Moonbeam makes. Every small detail makes sense in the end, when the picture is finally complete.

The author has done a remarkable job of crafting a story about power, corruption, manipulation and survival. It’s a powerful story of a young girl’s lone struggle against all odds. His depiction of the life inside a cult, the brainwashing, the atmosphere of constant fear and surveillance is astounding. Based on the true story of Waco siege (near Texas, in 1993), the author has treated this story with honesty and sensitivity, without sensationalizing it or without diminishing it’s true horrors.

Will Hill has also done an amazing job in creating the characters, even the minor ones, especially Moonbeam. Strong yet vulnerable and struggling with her inner demons. As a girl, who has seen the truth but who pretends not to see it and as a girl who is surrounded by fanatics but whose is losing her own faith, bit by bit.

The story is extremely fast moving and the alternating timelines help the story unfold seamlessly.The book while an exciting thriller, also works as at it’s core it is an emotional story which many would relate to. The only drawback, I can think of is that the ending felt a bit predictable and required a major twist. Still, the more you read, the more you want to know what happens next. In the end, this book will make you introspect on how faiths and beliefs can be twisted to manipulate others.

Overall After the Fire is one of the most unique and exciting thrillers i have read in recent times. Most Recommended.

Many Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Fire and Will Hill for the ARC.

I wasn’t sure that I’d like this book. It wasn’t a subject I was particularly interested in and I had never read anything by the author so I was reluctant to read this. I looked at the chapters and they alternated between before and after. I usually don’t like books that combine future and past. However, the author used this present and past technique to weave this unsettling tale into a fascinating story based on real events. I loved this book. It was beautifully written and was gripping from the beginning until the very end. The emotions of all the characters are exquisitely portrayed. You can feel the love, the hate, the fear, the strength and the weakness of each character and his or her feelings which produces a rich and touching tale. When thinking about cults, religious or otherwise, it is difficult to understand how followers are recruited and retained. This story shows the difficulty in maintaining hold over a group. It shows how evil people can twist and bend every fact to serve their own purpose and control people with fear and bullying tactics. I know this is fiction but it portrays the danger inherently in following false profits in cults and groups such as Scientology. It’s a chilling tale that makes me want to do further research into what happened with the Branch Davidians. This was an interesting read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A terrifying story that could and has happened in our past. I love the transformation of Moonbeam throughout the book. I appreciate the before and after perspective based on the title 'After the Fire.'

When you can’t stop thinking about a story, you know it is good. Told through flashbacks during interviews, WH presents a gripping look into a cult and the power it had over its followers, but also into the fallout when some survive and are returned to society. The emotions and journey told through the eyes of a child and young adult was intriguing and heartbreaking all at the same time. I loved a lot of this story, especially the path to her trusting the therapist and FBI agent. I did not like the news of the one person she trusted in the camp, but I do appreciate the impact it had.

Two weeks later I haven’t stopped thinking on this story, how this can and has happened with variations of actions and outcomes, the idea of how some actions are not what we think and how strong but fragile trust can be. I recommend this book and look forward to seeing what else WH writes.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the chance to read this book and share my opinions!