First of all, I have to say I never had heard about NXIVM before. At least I have never looked into it. So this was my first look into this cult. And I really really enjoyed all the details, personal and otherwise about the rise and the fall of the cult.

I saw some reviews, saying that they expected more of personal notes from the author, but it is in the title - that this is a story about how it came to be and how it destroyed itself. I felt like there was enough of a personal touch from the author and survivor of this cult. There's so much information on how she was personally attacked over the years by the leader and his collective.

It was a very detailed account of what was happening inside the cult, while the author was on the inside, and what was happening after she left. The amount of money and energy put into keeping everyone under control. keeping the image, brainwashing the people around him - I am always mind blown how people can believe such personas.

It was eye opening, intriguing, disgusting, but also typical of a cult kind of book. I'm fascinated.