This books ranks high on my list of favorite YA book with cults - I've been recommending it again to people looking for more books like Hell Followed With Us or The Project

Wow. If you’re a lover of dystopians, then you’ll definitely enjoy this!

I loved this unique twist on what the apocalypse could look like. And all the religious aspects thrown into it (because she lived in a cult) was so intriguing! And I loved every bit of it!

Honestly, I didn’t like when I had to close the book, because I just wanted to see what would happen next. Was Agnes gonna survive through the apocalypse? Was Zeke?

So I would definitely give it a try! It’s not like anything I’ve read before, which makes it stand out so much more!!!

As a lover of all things spooky and dystopian, I had very high hopes for Agnes at the End of the World! Unfortunately, this just did not end up being the book for me. The religious overtones were much too blatant and I found the book to be very preachy. I had hoped for more focus on survival and the cult itself, rather than Agnes and her communication with a god. I was unimpressed with the ending, in which Agnes essentially restarts the cult with herself as its leader. Overall, just not what I'd expected and I felt like the synopsis was misleading.

Kelly Mcwilliams's writting is just amazing, with the pace that you can't help but keep reading until you finish the book!

Agnes is just that character you root for, that you want everything to go well for, especially on her case as she's trying so hard to help her brother even if she knows helping her goes against everything where they live for.

Just an amazing book!

I was really intrigued by the idea of a story combining a viral pandemic and a religious polygamous cult! Unfortunately, while there were elements of the story I enjoyed, it wasn't quite what I had hoped. I really liked the character of Agnes. She is smart and determined to do what it takes to keep her younger brother safe. Her younger sister (and her romantic storyline), however, drove me nuts! I also found the virus in the story was not as scary as I was wanting. I did really enjoy the first half of the story as things were getting set up, but then the story took a fantastical turn I that didn't really work for me and the ending fell flat.

Agnes at the End of the World is a modern dystopian that is set…during a pandemic. I know, it sounds like it hits a little too close to home but I promise you, this is a book that you want to read right now.

Told in dual POV, from the point of two sisters who are clearly connected and yet so different, Agnes is a tale of hope, triumph, and examining the norms presented to you. This apocalyptic novel is set in our contemporary world, one that hits home during the current pandemic.

I loved it.

Agnes is one of those stories that brings together multiple plots in a seamless way that makes you wonder how any one author can be so magical. This book is not only a pandemic book. Not only commentary on religion and dismantling the patriarchy. Not only sisterhood and our internal/external strengths. Not just about community and taking risks. Not only about love, the kind you feel for your born and found families. Agnes is all of this and Kelly’s magical writing brings it all together in a way that keeps you wholly in the story until the end.

The epistolary elements in the story enhance the experience and draw you into Agnes and her world, while Beth’s modern day struggles keep you connected through the teen lens. I loved their individual journeys as well as their plight to save their siblings, their community, and, ultimately, the world.

If hope, strength, and sisterhood in a pandemic is your thing, pick up Agnes at the End of the World now!

Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, translated by Emily Balistrieri; Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 208 pages ($16.99) Ages 10 and up.

...

Fans of Hayao Miyazaki's charming 1989 animated film "Kiki's Delivery Service" may be surprised to learn it was adapted from a book by Japanese author Eiko Kadono. Now Random House Children's Books has released a new translation of the 1985 novel, and the story of a young witch who leaves her parents to choose a new town as a home for a year after turning 13 is every bit as charming as the film.

Kiki takes off on her broom with her sidekick, a talking black cat named Jiji, on a series of adventures starting with finding a home, in a room over a bakery, and developing her business as a delivery service (an idea she stumbles on after delivering a pacifier across town to calm a shrieking baby). Kiki is still a kid, but she's also growing up being on her own and learning to deal with challenges, and her adventures include a rescue at the beach, an emergency repair to the town clock and in one particularly surprising and wonderful scene, the dramatic delivery of musical instruments left on a train to a bunch of ill-tempered musicians. Readers will enjoy this high-spirited and original coming-of-age tale, and those who haven't yet met Kiki or seen Miyazaki's film are in for a treat.

Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams is actually a book that I didn't think that I would like at all. I'm actually really happy that I was wrong because the book was amazing. At times the story was really disturbing and distressing, but then it would also leave me feeling a sense of hope. it was kind of strange to be feeling such opposite emotions at the same time.

It literally ends up being a book that you read quite quickly, and that's not because it's an easy book with easy topics covered. You get through it pretty quickly because you just can't put it down once you get started reading.

This book was so different than what I expected. It was super well written & really made me think. The cult aspect was so interesting and gave a normal dystopian a completely different edge.

I loved the character development and the way faith is depicted. Not as a solid one-way street but with constant wavering and questioning. Agnes’ connection to God was so interesting to read and I felt Kelly did a great job of writing that especially. The dual perspective between Agnes and Beth was very well balanced and I looked forward to reading both of their perspectives. I was sucked in so easily and this was so hard to put down.

The ending was perfection. I seriously had no clue what to expect from the book and it kept me guessing the whole time. It’s a very solid standalone that I definitely recommend!

What an emotional, powerful story filled with hope, faith in oneself, love and oh, a pandemic. An eerie coincidence given what's going on in the world right now. This weird virus afflicting people is very strange and it added a little mystery and suspense to the story that I quite liked. I would have liked a little more exploration of the virus though as I was very intrigued by it. I enjoyed the dual POVs between Agnes and her sister Beth. The love between the two and the rest of their siblings was really great to witness. Overall it was a very enjoyable read. It held my interest throughout the book and I think a lot of people will enjoy this one!⁣

I am a sucker for end of the world outbreak stories so when this book first came across my radar I was instantly interested. But, really, I had no idea what Agnes was really about, and I found myself spiraling down a rabbit hole that I wasn't sure I wanted to escape from. Even while parts of the book were super hard to read, I was 100% invested in these characters and the world the author brought to life, having no idea what direction the story would take next, but totally there for it no matter what. I think the best way to describe this book would be religious cult meets end of the world apocalypse with a virus outbreak (kinda sorta like zombies- if they were red and shiny)- with a lot of girl power because the girls really kick ass here (in their own way). This was equal parts infuriating, moving, inspiring, stressful, scary and intense and I wouldn't change a single thing about the book.

“What do you think she’s up to, then?”
She chewed her thumbnail. “I’m afraid she might be doing something noble.”
“Really? Like what?” As a future upstanding patriarch, Cory was always interested in gallantry. “No offense, but what can a girl do that’s noble?”
“I don’t know,” she snapped, faintly bothered.
For all that the faithful praised Agnes’s piety, no one seemed to see what Beth did—that her sister was special.

As someone who never had a formal religious education but was just told to be a good person and treat others as I would like to be treated, this story was an entirely new, very unpleasant world to be cast into. There were so many moments I wanted to have an intervention, to step in and show these girls that they matter, that they are special just for being themselves. The author did a fabulous job of sucking me into this horror (and when I mention horror, I was not talking about the scary end of the world stuff but the intense religious stuff) and making it feel so real to me. Side note, there was an author's note at the ending that said her fictitious cult/extremist religion was based on her research on the FLDS church, so that adds a new dimension of realism to this story and makes me even more worked up over the wrongness. Yet at the same time, faith was a big player in the plot, the characters faith in god/religion as well as each other was the balm needed to heal certain kinds of wounds. It was interesting to see how a new relationship to faith and religion evolved.

"Beth felt a tug of jealousy, thinking of the freedoms he enjoyed. Cory’s forays were secret, but even if he were found out— well— who wouldn’t forgive the golden boy for breaking a rule here or there?
Boys will be boys—especially the golden ones.
Yet Beth often felt she’d been buried alive"

I feel as if I did a terrible job putting my feelings into words here without rambling tangents, but just know I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this compelling story. I really loved getting to know and root for Agnes and Beth (she is my girl!) and I can't wait for another great story from this author!

This book was so cool! A cult of individuals cut off from the outside world where a pandemic is taking place! This book felt so realistic. I grew up in a small town where polygamists lived. I saw them on a regular basis at the local grocery store and when I got into the first part of this book it felt so real to me. These were the same people I'd learned about growing up so when we read the author's note and found out it is based off of the FLDS I knew I had it right..

Kelly did a great job of making the world feel so real. The pandemic was intense and unexplained which is very similar to how I've felt through our recent pandemic. How can something spread so fast? Although we don't become animalistic due to the virus we've become extremely isolated and many stocked up on necessities to last months. It's exactly what the prophet had his followers do to prepare for the pandemic reaching them.

The cult is religious based and I liked that bible versus were incorporated into the story. I felt that it really connected the reader to Agnes and how faithful she is. She's the most faithful yet still questions God. I liked her character and how caring she was. She had such unwavering faith in her God and knew he would show her the way to saving the people of Red Creek.

Beth was such a great character! She sacrifices herself to help Agnes. She definitely faces the most trials in my opinion as she's stuck in Red Creek taking care of the injured boy she used to have feelings for. She has to sneak around Red Creek trying to find food and supplies. At one point she almost gets caught. When she finally has an opportunity to get out she finds it a lot more difficult than she thought. She may not be as faithful as Agnes but her drive to explore the outside world, and to find Agnes, is what keeps her alive.

If you love a good dystopian that I would definitely recommend this one. Survival, love, family, and faith are major themes that you'll find in this one and if you enjoy any of those than you'll enjoy this book.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Agnes at the End of the World

Author: Kelly McWilliams

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: Dystopian, Cult, Doomsday, Religion

Publication Date: June 9, 2020

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 417

Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, violence, child abuse TW, child marriage and child rape TW, Cult TW, religion)

Synopsis: Agnes loves her home of Red Creek--its quiet, sunny mornings, its dusty roads, and its God. There, she cares tirelessly for her younger siblings and follows the town's strict laws. What she doesn't know is that Red Creek is a cult, controlled by a madman who calls himself a prophet.

Then Agnes meets Danny, an Outsider boy, and begins to question what is and isn't a sin. Her younger brother, Ezekiel, will die without the insulin she barters for once a month, even though medicine is considered outlawed. Is she a sinner for saving him? Is her sister, Beth, a sinner for dreaming of the world beyond Red Creek?

As the Prophet grows more dangerous, Agnes realizes she must escape with Ezekiel and leave everyone else, including Beth, behind. But it isn't safe Outside, either: A viral pandemic is burning through the population at a terrifying rate. As Agnes ventures forth, a mysterious connection grows between her and the Virus. But in a world where faith, miracles, and cruelty have long been indistinguishable, will Agnes be able to choose between saving her family and saving the world?

Review: Holy cow this book was absolutely amazing! I loved the premise of it and the story was riveting! I loved how the author wrote this and I loved the dual povs between the sisters. The character development was amazing and I enjoyed the world building. And while the virus was a bit of a mystery I think it was well suited for this book.

My only issue is the ending. The ending/solution to the problem felt a bit too clean and a little preachy, but it was still a great read.

Verdict: Highly Recommend!

Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Execution: 4.5/5
<b>Overall Rating: 4.5/5</b>

Agnes at the End of the World follows the dual stories of two sisters, Agnes and Beth, and their lives in the town of Red Creek. Agnes is devout, faithful, and obedient – except for the secret she holds; her younger brother Ezekial has Type I Diabetes, and in their town, Red Creek, medicine is strictly forbidden. She meets an Outsider boy named Danny, who helps her realize the truth behind Red Creek – that it is a cult controlled by a madman – and also tells her about a terrifying and mysterious Virus that is infecting humans and animals alike. Quickly, Agnes starts to see through the smoke and mirrors, and we watch as her faith in the Prophet cracks and shatters, and she realizes she must escape with Ezekiel in order to keep him safe. However, once she reaches the Outside, she encounters a whole new set of obstacles to face. Through it all, Agnes remains steadfast in her love and loyalty to her family and to her God, who reveals power to her in mysterious and terrifying ways.

Meanwhile, Beth is beautiful, rebellious, and dares to think outside the box. She constantly questions at authority, poking and prodding, sneaking off to kiss Cory Jameson, son of one of the wealthiest patriarchs in the town, but when Magda, Cory’s younger sister, calls her out and incites bullying against her, Beth withdraws


in order to protect herself. Beth’s character is complicated, flawed, and uncertain, and as I was reading the book, my heart ached for her and the ways I saw myself and my insecurities reflected in her. She is constantly living in Agnes’ perfect and obedient shadow, and she longs for love and acceptance. Both girls have complex journeys through the course of the book, and their characters evolve and adapt to the circumstances surrounding them.

The Virus in this book is an interesting entity. It infects creatures and drives them to both infect others and create Nests, which are static amalgamation of sick, but living, creatures. The concept behind the Virus was interesting, but I do wish it had been fleshed out a bit more, as the Virus storyline was secondary to and overshadowed by Agnes’ faith journey.The writing in Agnes is wonderfully engaging and beautiful, with a fast-paced plot and twists. It is emotional and hopeful, with strong, multi-faceted characters, and powerful messages about family and rising up against spiritual abuse. The cult is terrifying, the way the Prophet uses his words and twists holy scripture to fit his agenda, and I loved the way Agnes and Beth rose up against his words and chains to create their own way. This is definitely a book you do not want to miss and a debut author to watch, but please be aware that this book takes place during a viral pandemic and may not be the book for everyone at this time.

Thank you to the author for providing me an e-ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

This book was one of the best, most thought-provoking things I've read this year. I commend Kelly McWilliams for creating such an interesting character and world. As a psychologist especially I found the exploration of cult mentality fascinating and authentic, and Agnes' dedication to saving her family (and especially her brother) was heart-wrenching and inspiring. This book made me want to be a better person. I'm not religious, and certainly not Christian, but this book also made me think more about my spirituality and question the existence of G-d, and whether there is a version of G-d out there for me.

https://twitter.com/sosaidvictoria/status/1264937732515794945?s=20

*I received an e-arc from the author and Netgalley for an honest review*

If you love dystopian or fantasy books, you'll love Agnes! This book pleasantly took me by surprise with how much I enjoyed it. It's an amazing story that depicts a religious cult and a viral pandemic, while ultimately giving a message of courage and hope.

I was hooked from the moment that Agnes snuck out of her trailer at Red Creek to meet with an "Outsider" to get the insulin so desperately needed for her baby brother, Ezekiel. I absolutely fell for Danny, the Outsider that Agnes meets. I loved the relationship between Agnes and her sister Beth, and it was interesting having the story told from both of their individual points of view. There's actually an amazing cast of characters in this story, but I don't want to spoil too much. I found myself cheering along for Agnes. She's truly a unique character, and I loved how she held onto hope and faith throughout everything she endured.

Agnes at the End of the World releases on June 9, 2020, so there's still time to preorder and request your preorder goodies! Further information on Kelly's website and social media accounts. Also be sure to request it at your local library. This was truly a rare gem of a story, and I definitely recommend it.

Coronavirus may feel like the end of the world as we know it, but Agnes from Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams lives her own brand of the apocalypse every day. The unwitting member of a cult, Agnes rarely dreams of the outside world—unlike her sister, Beth, who just wants to live a normal “Outsider” life. When the unthinkable happens and the “rapture” comes upon them, the girls quickly find out the true meaning of love, life, and spirituality as one explores the Outside world and the other, the danger of her own people.

Set to be published on June 9, 2020, Agnes at the End of the World turns the classic girl-in-a-cult storyline on its head. The familiarity of teen angst set against the backdrop of not one, but two seemingly separate apocalyptic events (the Rapture Inside and the Virus Outside), provides an action-packed foil experience unlike any other. While escaping from a cult might be enough of a struggle for other heroines, Beth and Agnes are challenged over and over again, even after seemingly escaping Red Creek’s clutches. From first page to last, Agnes at the End of the World is packed with action both unexpected and elevated from the norm.

Still, as much as the book is about the characters’ struggle to survive, it is also about the importance of family, most notably sisterhood. Beth serves as a wonderful foil character for Agnes in her wild, opposite nature, but seeing Agnes through her sister’s eyes also allows us to view Agnes—a bit of a modest character—in a more impressive, illuminating light. Even when Agnes doesn’t accept how special she is, Beth knows from the beginning that her dutiful sister isn’t like the rest of the people in Red Creek.

Watching Beth through Agnes’ perspective lets us see more of who she really is, too. During the many parts of the story when Beth is “in rebellion,” Agnes sees her not as a bad person (as she was brought up to), but as a sister who could use a little guidance. When their perspectives on the righteousness of Red Creek swap, each girl gets a taste of the other’s way of life. As they understand more about each other, readers do, too.

Beth and Agnes’ relationship, while realistic for siblings, is also a current for the conflict between family duty and the call of adulthood. Both girls face the sometimes oppressive feeling of familial obligation, Agnes choosing to embrace it as she cares for her younger siblings while Beth fights it tooth-and-nail. When it comes time to choose between duty to their family and the freedom knocking on their door, the girls think of each other, and make their decisions as young people who have started learning more about the world around them.

Agnes at the End of the World certainly creates a world for the sisters to explore! Built not only as a setting, but a catalyst for Agnes’ adventure, the world acts as a character in itself, allowing us to learn more as Agnes explores and empowers herself. Instead of allowing Agnes to flounder or fly, her world—and the “prayer space” in her head—test her in ways that allow her to change her own way of looking at things. Another nod to the struggles of modern-day teens, Agnes soon finds her own form of spirituality instead of conforming to her strict society’s expectations, helping her to forge her own path. Her internal and external growth as a character, prompted by events in her world instead of others telling her what to do, allow Agnes to create her own feminist story after a life of oppression.

Beautifully paced and a stunning example of how to successfully use dual-perspective storytelling to its fullest potential, Agnes at the End of the World allows us to see Agnes’ life from every angle as she makes her way into the world. Perfect for fans of books like Wilder Girls by Rory Power and Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne, Agnes at the End of the World is truly a unique take on how spirituality, embedded beliefs, and sisterhood mingle in a world that feels all the more real thanks to today’s current events.

This book is not only phenomenal in the writing, but relevant and timely for so many reasons. McWilliams has done something truly special here, pushing the Dystopian genre to a reality that feels eerily close to what we are experiencing now. What I absolutely loved about this story is the character arc of two sisters bound by a religious cult in the small community they grew up in. They both have their journey to an awakening, finding their place in a world they begin to realize is so much bigger than what they know.

Not only is this book a page turner, but it speaks to false profits and how some will follow leaders to their own demise. This isn't just a book that touches on a pandemic, although that is the backdrop, it is a story about growth, fighting fiercely for your loved ones, and how sometimes the person you should've believed in all along--was yourself.

Beautiful. A must read. Thank you so much to netgalley for providing me an early read at this strong debut by Kelly McWilliams.

Agnes at the End of the World paints a vivid picture of a grim landscape featuring a fundamentalist cult and a pandemic that is devastating the Outside world while still delivering a message of hope.

Kelly McWilliams is staking her place in young adult literature with this debut novel! I cannot even begin to fathom what it’s like for authors, especially debut authors, to release a book during the current world situation, let alone a book about a pandemic during an actual pandemic — Kelly has the unique experience of doing both with Agnes!

The writing is simply beautiful and the story is so thought-provoking. The world-building and character development are both phenomenal! This YA genre mash-up (dystopian with cult and pandemic themes) was hard to put down and even harder to stop thinking about!

Agnes at the End of the World is told in the dual POVs of Agnes and Beth — sisters raised in Red Creek who couldn’t be more different from one another — which allows for a lot of depth, especially once more settings and secondary characters are introduced. AND OH WHAT A MARVELOUS CAST OF CHARACTERS WE GET! The leads are inspiring, the prophet (and cult, as a whole) is perfectly villainous, and I was rooting for so many of the side characters as they battle through each conflict they face.

There is a lot of faith-based dialogue given one of the main settings is Red Creek — a cult town — and one of the main characters is prophetic. Although religion is often a hot topic in real life, it is handled with a lot of care in Agnes. Regardless of your beliefs (or non-beliefs), I don’t feel that that should be a deterrent.

Overall, I highly recommend Agnes at the End of the World! You need to add this one to your list if you enjoy YA Dystopians or stories where characters find themselves in impossible situations with nothing but hope and determination to help them through.

*Thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book as a member of the street team. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.

As soon as I saw Handmaid’s Tale meets Wilder Girls at the top of the blurb, I knew I wanted to read this novel. I will say though, the rest of the blurb is accurate but I didn’t really get Handmaid’s Tale or Wilder Girls from this book. Both are much darker books for one thing although there are a couple of references to the Handmaid’s Tale in regards to the strict rules the girls have to follow and the fact that they can’t wear red (the color that the Handmaids in Atwood’s novel are notorious for wearing). The similarities stop there.

Onto the novel itself, I thought it was interesting. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to Beth and Agnes as the situation with the cult and the Virus outside grew more intense. Both main characters are strong women who know what they want despite the conflict over where they stand in their religion. The religion is one aspect of this book that McWilliams does well and throughout the entire plot I could see and feel the struggles both girls were having in this strange world.

I liked the side characters (although I may or may not have mixed up Agnes’s nickname for ‘Zeke’ with Max.) I saw a lot of Danny but I wish I saw the romance between him and Agnes more or the one between Cory and Beth. I know that it wasn’t necessary with Agnes because the book is focusing on her and her religion but I think Cory and Beth’s relationship could’ve added even more to the plot.