*The Flock* by J. Todd Scott is an intriguing and unconventional novel that successfully blends elements of science fiction with a compelling narrative. This book stands out for its unique concept and thought-provoking storyline, offering readers a fresh perspective that is both interesting and slightly weird—in the best possible way.

The story revolves around [brief description of the main plot or protagonist], who finds themselves entangled in a series of events that challenge their understanding of reality and the world around them. Scott's writing is engaging and descriptive, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries of science and fiction blur seamlessly.

One of the standout features of *The Flock* is its inventive premise. Scott explores themes of [mention any prominent themes such as survival, identity, or technology] in a way that feels original and fresh. The science fiction aspects, which initially seemed daunting, are handled with finesse, making them accessible and intriguing even for those who might not typically gravitate towards the genre.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing their own depth to the narrative. Their interactions and personal growth add a layer of emotional complexity that complements the novel's more fantastical elements. Scott's ability to balance character development with a rapidly unfolding plot keeps the story engaging from start to finish.

While the novel's unconventional approach and sci-fi elements might feel strange at times, they ultimately contribute to the book's unique charm. The pacing is generally well-maintained, although some sections might feel a bit dense or overwhelming due to the complex ideas being explored.

In summary, *The Flock* by J. Todd Scott earns a solid four stars. It’s a captivating read that stands out for its originality and thought-provoking narrative. For readers willing to embrace a different concept and venture into the realms of science fiction, this book offers a rewarding and memorable experience. If you're looking for something interesting and a bit out of the ordinary, *The Flock* is definitely worth a read.

DNF @ 63%

This story feels like it's written from 3 different perspectives, although I'm sure, by the end, they all converge (just my assumption, since I didn't get that far). The first perspective is from a homicide detective trying to solve a murder. The second perspective is from a cult survivor and the kidnapping of her daughter. The third perspective is from the kidnappers. None of these viewpoints is at all interesting in and of themselves (I suppose the cult survivor and her trauma memories are semi-interesting) and, while I don't normally have an issue with timeline bouncing or various character viewpoints, this book just wasn't for me and lost my interest after the first few chapters. I tried to soldier on but am now throwing in the towel.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Cult books normally aren’t for me and I’m still not sure how I feel about this one. It kept me reading. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Step into the gripping world of "Flock," a captivating novel that takes you on a thrilling journey into the shadows of a mysterious cult. Through the eyes of its devoted members and relentless law enforcement officials, this enthralling tale weaves together a web of secrets, spanning both past and present. Get ready to be spellbound by the chilling mysteries that lie at the heart of "Flock."

At first, I have to admit, I felt a bit lost and occasionally frustrated by the constant shifts in time and perspective that filled the first quarter of the book. You know, those nonlinear plots seem to be all the rage these days, aiming to keep readers curious, but I found them more bothersome than intriguing. However, once I settled into the rhythm of this fragmented storytelling style, the story's allure took hold of me, capturing my imagination completely.

"An intense and gripping thriller, The Flock takes readers on a heart-pounding journey of a woman forced to confront her dark past. Billie's struggle to protect her daughter amidst natural disasters and a relentless pursuer keeps the pages turning. The author skillfully weaves together themes of cults, conspiracy, and family bonds, creating a suspenseful tale that keeps you guessing until the very end. With its atmospheric setting and well-drawn characters, this book is a must-read for fans of gripping psychological thrillers."

Billie survived a raid that killed her family. They were members of a Doomsday cult. Years later Billie is a different person with a new identity and a family of her own. One fateful day her home is invaded, her husband is killed, and her daughter is taken. The past seems to sneak up on Billie and now she had to face it head on. She has to confront her past to save her future. An intriguing thriller, with great characters and an excellent plot. The story drags you in and keeps your attention until the very end.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. This is my honest review.
Total cult vibes!!!! I liked this story and the outcome. This is a very action-packed book. It’s recommended for those who want a typical cult book without all the extra additives.

Ten years after a fiery raid kills her family, former cult member Sybilla “Billie” Laure has a completely new identity. She’s settled in rural Colorado with her daughter, hoping for a quieter life. But the world has other plans.

With wildfires raging and birds dropping from the sky, Billie wonders if her cult leader father’s apocalyptic predictions are finally coming true. When an intruder murders her husband and kidnaps her daughter, Billie has no choice but to confront the secrets of her past. But Billie’s journey has other perils, too—namely, a police chief hot on her trail, determined to expose the dangers of the defunct doomsday cult.

So I typically enjoy cult themed books, podcasts, and documentaries, so I thought this was right up my alley. This book was confusing. There was some back and forth and characters had multiple names. It jumped around a little too much for me to get invested and then when I became overly confused, I gave up. I read and listened to avoid thuis and it still didn't help. It was almost a dnf but I soldiered on.

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer, and Amazon First Reads for the back up audio edition in return for my honest review.

I was really drawn to the story and was really interested in the seven women and their role in the coming. The tie in with the birds was original and was something different than I have read before in this type of genre. This book drove me a little nuts though. The story was not linear and it was hard to keep the names and their role in place in my mind, The child was just pretty much a zombie. She had no personality and there was not a relationship really established with her and her mother. I think there needed to be more information about the overall function of the cult. I did not really get certainty of the danger that the mother and daughter were in and could not really tie this back into the background. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

I honestly can’t say I loved this one. The book was definitely lacking. I couldn’t concentrate on what I was reading and I couldn’t connect with the character in the book.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this

The premise sounded really interesting but as I’ve been reading The Flock hasn’t been able to keep my attention. Part of it is the time jumps for me (although as I read on it got better to keep up).

A fast read that doesn't really dip much below the surface of cults. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a page turner that will work well for travel.

Wish there was a bit more character development. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded interesting to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have
decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

3.5 stars for this thriller

It has an interesting premise regarding cultists. The beginning was a tad confusing as you're piecing together current events with the past timeline. There's a lot of characters and names.
I had theories early on about certain things. Even more later. They all panned out, but it didn't make the story predictable.

While there are parts that are long winded, the story still captures you and leaves you wanting to conclude this with a happily ever after. Do we get one? Well, you'll have to read.

This is the story of Sybilla, a woman raised in a cult. She has escaped once, and continues to run from her past. Then it all catches up to her, and her past collides with her present. It seems that the End is near, and her family may have to pay the price.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I have a fascination with cults, so the story line kept me interested. I also liked that there were court documents, etc. sprinkled in between some chapters to add a little flavor.

However, I found that I had trouble connecting with some of the characters. It seemed that some of the relationships among characters were a bit forced, and the dialogue was a bit off. I liked Elise and Grant, but their whole relationship felt forced, and I felt the same with Sybilla and Dallas. I loved the concept of the book, but it didn’t really come together for me.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Thomas & Mercer and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Not a fan of the genre but I liked this one.

I thought that this book was really great. I love a good book about cults, and this one did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to read about fictional cult activity.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars for DNF because I cannot comment on the overall quality of this book. I didn't get very far because I realized this was a post-apocalyptic thriller. I'm not a fan of that sub-genre, so I'm passing. For sci-fi or post-apocalyptic trope lovers, this could be for you. The writing (what I read of it) was very good. Just not the subject matter for me.