Member Reviews
hanks to @netgalley for an advance copy of this book for review, and happy pub day to The Project by Courtney Summers! 🎉
I blew through Sadie when I read it in 2019, so I was thrilled to hear Summers was working on another book. Though unrelated, I think you would enjoy The Project if you enjoyed Sadie - both are dark, gritty, with powerful relationships and a mystery that slowly unfurls as you flip the pages.
The Project is told in dual perspective and dual timeline - Bea in the past, and her sister Lo in the present - as both sisters grapple with the loss of their parents in a car accident that nearly claimed Lo’s life, as well as their ties to the mysterious Unity Project (philanthropic organization or cult?)
Courtney Summers knows how to give me the heebeejeebies and I KEEP COMING BACK because she does it so well. If this sounds right up your alley, be mindful of the intense trigger and content warnings for this book:
TW: suicide, physical and emotional abuse, car accident, loss of a parent
Gloria (Lo) Denham goes looking for her sister Bea, years after recuperating from a car accident that killed her parents. Bea joined The Unity Project, which is thought to be a cult in upstate New York. Lo is working at a magazine as an assistant, but dreams of being a journalist. She makes a deal with the leader of The Unity Project to write an article about their group to provide an "honest" view of their organization. Lo is using this opportunity to not only build her resume, but also find out more about her sister, who is said to have left The Unity Project. This is not a big mystery/thriller story, as the only real mystery is what happened to her sister and where is her sister now. While I enjoyed the premise and the writing, I found the pacing to be a bit slow at times. Also, the book is divided into 5 parts, with sections following Bea and sections following Lo in the same part. At times, it was a bit confusing trying to figure who you were following. I was not a fan of these very long parts that could have been broken down into chapters. Overall, 3 stars as the writing was enjoyable, yet the story could have been less predictable and the formatting could have been better. Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing this eARC for review.
I had the wildest dreams at night while I was reading this book. My mind was very clearly trying to put all the pieces together -- to work out the intrigue of the cult and the sisters that have found themselves inexplicably pulled to it. The last book I read by Summers, Sadie, was an excellent true crime podcast in a book form that followed sisters, and for those that enjoyed that, The Project is an addicting read.
With two POVs, following Bea and her sister Lo, over two different times, a story slowly unravels that grapples with trauma, faith, the need for belonging, and the dangers of power. I read it over a period of two days, and was hooked by a deep sense of dread and foreboding. I knew that the pull of the cult was not going to be a good omen for the characters involved, but Summers does an incredible job of putting you into the mindset of the characters -- who are awed by the miracles that happen, invested in the resources of the organization used to provide essential good for the community (like shelter, food, medical care), and loved by the found family they don't have elsewhere. The power of The Project is that it can so easily take advantage of the disenfranchised and vulnerable, and make them believe wholeheartedly in their own suffering as redemption.
If you're looking for a little darkness, and a quick read that leave you with questions about what is true or not -- pick this book up! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy, all opinions are my own.
Every book Courtney Summers writes is more horrifying than the last one, and I mean that in a positive way. The Project gives you a deeply unsettled feeling right from the start and you can't quite figure out why until about half way though the book when Events Happen. The first half was a bit slow for me, but the unease that's built up through Lo's POV and drive to get her sister back is needed and you're repaid for your patience in the second half. I live in Upstate NY and I couldn't help but feel like this story was a bit inspired by events that have happened around here these past few years, and I think the fact that I've been following that very public situation just made me even more uncomfortable waiting for the inevitable other shoe to drop while reading this.
The Project. It's so good I've been stretching it out to read like a treat. YA that you'll love as an adult: Rolling Stone even wrote about it.
I finished way too late last night to finish my real review; I even had to drink sleepy tea to calm down. Wow. That was a lot.
The Project by Courtney Summers is a beautiful and timely thriller about how lies can tear families apart. Lo finds herself twisted up in a situation that will test everything she knows and values. Is it a cult? Are they evil? These questions burn through you as The Project unfolds. You cannot put this one down. I would not hand this to young YA readers without reading it yourself first.
The Project by Courtney Summers ★★★½
Lo is an aspiring journalist. Her parents were killed in a car accident that also left Lo physically and emotionally scarred. Her sister, Bea, seemingly abandoned her to join The Unity Project, a charitable but elusive group led by the "charismatic" (more like creepy af) Lev Warren. When a man comes into Lo's place of work claiming The Unity Project killed his son, she takes this as her chance to make a name for herself by exposing the group that took away her sister.
Initially, I really didn't like how the book skipped back and forth between Lo's present and Bea's past. It felt choppy and halted any suspense. I wanted to know what was happening in the PRESENT. But halfway through, the flashbacks got spicier. Ultimately, the mystery of Bea and her story kept me invested.
Lo was hard to root for. I had to side eye at a nineteen year old with no degree or previous experience, feeling so entitled to a promotion like damn sis chill I felt sympathy for her bc her life was so bleak but even that had it's limit.
At a definitive point, I was so so so confused by Lo's actions I had to go back and see if I missed something?? It felt like /I/ was being gaslighted by the absurdity of what was happening..
I would recommend this. There are thrilling moments and Im glad to have finally read Courtney Summers engaging and immersive writing. I love the theme of sisterhood and even though I didnt hit it off with Lo, I am even more eager to eventually read Sadie.
tw: death of parents, car accidents, abuse, cults, gaslighting, torture
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook for Sadie by Courtney Summers, and I was looking forward to her next book. Her thrillers land so perfectly on the cusp of YA and New Adult. The Project is great for those of us who love to delve into true crime documentaries about mysterious cults, but it also tugs the heartstrings as a beautiful portrayal of grief and sisterhood. In no way is this a straightforward mystery - it will take you in and have you second-guessing until the end. Would definitely recommend.
The Project is one of these books, where I don't really know what to say about it, without spoiling anything.
I think the summary gives a good idea of what this book is about and it definitely wasn't a surprising read, plot-wise. Everything that I expected to happen, happened. That may sound boring, but it really really wasn't. I was captivated from the first page and totally immersed in the story. I couldn't put the book down in the second half, because it was just such an intense read and I needed to know what happened because I admit, I was questioning myself along with Lo sometimes. Just a teeny tiny bit.
The Project also reminded me a lot of Sadie, the only other book I read by this author - but in the best way possible! This has a different topic and lacks the podcast element, but it still gave me similar vibes, which I loved.
So basically this book was what I expected and the things it did, it did really well in my opinion. As I said, I was instantly hooked and wanted to know what was going on.
The Project is riveting, thrilling, and thought-provoking. Another knock-out hit by Courtney Summers. Lo’s sister is devoted to The Unity Project, a cult that Lo vows to investigate and discredit. This book delves into sister relationships, cults, wanting to belong, and the way charismatic people can lead vulnerable people astray.
Lo navigates life alone. After she lost her parents to a horrible car accident, she loses her sister Bea to the Unity Project, a well respected community that focuses on charitable service. Lo has a suspicion there’s more to the group than meets the eye, but just can’t put her finger on it.
When she witnesses a suicide of a Project member and his father publicly seeks to expose them as murderers, Lo seizes an opportunity to delve into uncovering the group’s dark underbelly, and hopefully, find her sister.
Alternating between Lo and Bea’s perspectives, the reader slowly starts to unravel the slew of unanswered questions about the Unity Project and Bea’s disappearance within it. As we learn more about Lev, the charismatic cult leader, my questions and theories doubled and became more sinister.
Ultimately, it was a slow burn, but it kept my interest until the very end. Like Lo, I wasn’t sure what I felt about the Unity Project until all was revealed. The close up of religious extremism was sickening, and the way vulnerabilities can be exploited with the promise of redemption - asking how far one would go for one’s faith, unquestioningly.
Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy
Bea and Lo Denham share a sisterly bond, but that bond is broken after their parents die in a horrific car crash that also leaves Lo barely hanging to life. Bea is destroyed, desperate for Lo to recover and terrified she won't. When Lo awakes, Bea is gone and an aunt she has never met takes custody of her.
Years later, Lo is an aspiring journalist working for a news magazine and her ongoing attempts over the years to get in contact with her sister have been continually rebuffed. Bea has joined The Unity Project. Some say it's a cult, it's members say it's a calling - a way of life that allows them to serve others. After a member of The Project commits suicide publicly in front of Lo, she decides to dig into their story and investigate what she sees as a cult, and to find her sister.
As Lo is pulled into the world of the Unity Project, she discovers its appeal and its danger. The Unity Project offers sanctuary and purpose to the lost and in exchange requires unwavering loyalty. It's a place that provides family to those who don't have it and spiritual fulfillment to those seeking faith. Lo is pulled deeper and deeper into the world of The Project until she finds out unexpected information that opens her eyes to her sister's experience.
I wanted to love The Project the way I loved Sadie, but I found it difficult to get into. I found Lo to be naïve, whiny, and entitled and I just couldn't connect with the character. It just didn't grab my attention until about halfway through the novel. The end redeemed it a bit for me and brought it from a 2.5 star read to 3.5 star, but this one was mostly a miss for me.
This book is so intense! Courtney Summers truly knows how to write novels that take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. I would recommend this to older teens and adult readers. It would make a great book club selection.
I haven’t read any other reviews yet, so I have no clue if I’m of the popular or unpopular opinion, but I think while the events of The Project are pretty sensationalized for the sake of literature, the emotions and motivations behind the characters are pretty realistic as far as what goes on in a cult.
Where I imagine people will find issue is with Lo and how quickly she kind of switches up, but I don’t think that’s unrealistic at all, all things considered. She’s been isolated for so long and is a really easy target, the exact type of person cults tend to prey on. I think a lot of people won’t find her to be a compelling protagonist because it’s like we’re constantly being told her motivation is Bea but we’re rarely ever shown that in a believable manner? Also she just completely lacks conviction. Her being unlikable didn’t bother me or impede my reading experience though.
I did find all of the events in the book extremely predicable, like I saw everything coming, but it was still a fun read. I read around half of this when I was coming down with covid and I don’t know if my frying brain messed with my understanding of the story at all, but cut me some slack with this review because I can still barely form coherent thoughts.
Overall I thought the book was fun, which kind of sounds bad since it’s about an abusive cult but hey that’s how I feel and I look forward to whatever else Courtney Summers releases in the future.
This was an interesting book to read from many angles. There is a sisterly bond between Bea and Lo, a cult, death, intrigue, and maybe a bit of romance (but not much).
Bea and Lo are close sisters until an accident leaves Lo for dead. What Bea perceives as a miracle has her joining a cult because she believes that the cult leader saved her sister and this is the price she must pay. This seems to sever the ties between the two sisters since Bea in essence disappears into the cult. I think Bea's youth and naivete make her a perfect target for someone older and wiser and this is evident throughout the novel.
The story is told primarily from Lo's point of view, but there are sections from Bea's perspective. The story slips back and forth in time and while there are some indications when this happens with the year at the top, at other times it will flip suddenly which threw me off. It would have been helpful to have a small break or something to indicate there is a change in perspective.
Lo is approximately 19 and comes across as very immature for her age. I am sure she did not have a normal life after the accident, but it seemed like she expected everything to be handed to her without working for it. I think I felt more compassion for Bea because she loses her parents but doesn't have anyone to help guide her through life and she was still a teenager. I felt like she was left to fend for herself and she left Lo to their Aunt's care knowing that she couldn't take care of Lo's needs by herself.
The story was intriguing and I wondered if it really was a cult or if The Unity Project was a caring organization as their leader, Lev, proclaimed. We see the good works that they do, but not everything is always as it seems on the surface. This becomes more evident towards the end of the book. In fact, the action really picks up in the last 20% or so of this book. It is horrifying the details that come out in the end. It definitely will make most readers feel uncomfortable and sad by the turn of events.
There were still a few questions that I don't think were answered, but not too many.
Overall we enjoyed this book and give it 3 paws up.
The Project by Courtney Summers is a young adult thriller full of mystery and suspense. The characters are incredibly complex, and the writing style provides an immersive reading experience. The Project is a dark read, one about emotional manipulation and how cults prey on vulnerability.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me a copy to read and review.
When I first seen this book the cover and the synopsis really intrigued me. I thought it was gonna be a great thriller/mystery but maybe I was expecting too much. I actually DNFd this because i couldn't do anymore.
I'm pretty happy with slow burns as long as I get some excitement and suspense along the way and a great payoff at the end. But with this one I couldn't finish it. Nothing could grab my attention and make it stay at all. I just wanted stuff to go a little faster at moments. I think cults can be a little entertaining and fascinating sometimes but this book wasnt for me sadly. It was just way too preachy and not enough suspense. I didnt care for the characters either or Lo's search for answers. The jumping from past the present timelines was a little confusing at times. I know it's common but I dont think it worked for this book.
A cult. Yes A CULT! Any book that has a cult in it I’m there for. It’s a morbid fascination I have with misplaced faith and belief - and The Project started out strongly. A missing sister, a cryptic bible verse, a tragic suicide.
And then the middle fizzled out. Nothing much happened. I could see what was happening to the main protagonist and felt like shaking her just a little bit. It was slightly predictable, and then ......
That ending! Once again, strong and satisfying. I preferred Sadie, but will definitely read Courtney Summers future works.
This was a perfect book for me. Dark and a little creepy, not quite a thriller, with a cult, some family tragedy, and heart. So whatever that genre is called, it’s my favorite. I need to read more of Courtney Summers books. Recommended for teens and adults.
I whole-heartedly believe if you loved Sadie, you will love The Project. With its equally dark tone, another "follow you to the end of the earth to save you" sort of sister relationship, and a story told in parallel perspectives, it will keep you riveted until the very end. Beyond that, it realistically captures the inner workings and complexities of a cult and how someone can get trapped. It's hard to deny that Courtney Summers has found an amazing narrative formula that works and I have no doubt she'll keep releasing banger after banger in the future.
When you give yourself away to feel less alone, you’re walking into dangerous waters. The Project knows that, preys on that vulnerability and pulls you in. But a man is no prophet, healer, or God, he’s just a man, and a manipulative one at that! This story of a pair of sisters and their plight to be reunited comes at a twisted and heavy cost.
Summers has captured the indoctrination well, and each character plays their part flawlessly. Her writing is skillful, creating pictures in your mind on top of the story she’s already telling. I couldn’t put this one down, drowning in its complexity and eager to see what happened next.