Not sure I anticipated this being more of a romance than a look into the functioning of the doomsday cult. I was intrigued by the premise, but was soon led astray when the story focused to heavily on the budding romances.

If Romeo and Juliet were part of a doomsday cult in the 70s... I enjoyed this one a lot. it was a slow burn at times

We Burn Daylight is an expertly constructed story about a Branch Davidian type cult in Texas and the tragic relationship between its leader, followers, the Waco community, and law enforcement. There are no right sides but love and humanity permeate this gripping tale.

Unique and somwhat unsettling. I probably would give this one 3.5 stars if that was possible on here but only 3 stars feels too low so I guess it is closer to 4. I am fascinated by this time and setting and tore though this one.

I have always had a fascination with cults and as soon as I read the description for We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnson, I knew I wanted to read it. Anyone familiar with The Branch Davidians and what happened in Waco, TX in 1993 while immediately recognize this story. I found it fascinating as I have watched several documentaries on the real life event. It’s was very interesting to read from an insiders perspective, even as historical fiction. Highly recommend for anyone interested in cults!

I was surprised to discover that this book was based off of the events at Waco, I had no idea and gradually as I read more and more I realized that it sounded familiar and looked it up and found that it was in fact based off of these events. I am glad that I did not know that going in because I likely would not have picked this book up as I have already consumed a substantial amount of info on Waco and this turned out to be really great. I read an earlier one of this authors books many years ago And had a lukewarm response to it so I was hesitant going into this and was very pleasantly surprised.

The writing itself was exceptional and could have carried this book on its merit alone but there was much more about this than I loved. The character gross work was top notch and I found myself getting very invested in each of the characters even knowing what would happen. This book asked you to consider a lot of things and I love books that make you think and reconsider what you know.

This story caught me a little off guard, but I enjoyed every minute of it. The back and forth between timelines was a little confusing but ended up creating this beautifully woven story. I also was not expecting the resemblance to Koresh and Waco to be so strong, but because it was, I had more of a visual in my head as I read. Overall, great read and really enjoyed the way the ending came together.

Inspired by the harrowing events in Waco, 1993, this gripping historical fiction delves into the enigmatic world of the Branch Davidian cult and its infamous leader, David Koresh. Offering a nuanced exploration of what might have unfolded, this novel reimagines history with a compelling twist.

The story takes us to a small Texas town where 14-year-old Roy, the sheriff’s son, watches uneasily as an enigmatic group settles on the outskirts. Their leader, Perry—reverently called "the Lamb"—has drawn followers from across the globe. Whispers of illicit weapons, exploitation, and sinister activities swirl, casting a dark shadow over the group’s seemingly devout façade.

Meanwhile, Jaye, another 14-year-old, finds her world turned upside down when her mother is drawn into Perry’s orbit. Determined not to let her mom face this uncertain path alone, Jaye leaves California to join the group. What unfolds is a haunting tale of loyalty, manipulation, and the human cost of blind faith. This is historical fiction at its finest, masterfully reimagining a pivotal moment in modern history.

Waco, Texas, 1993. It won’t end well because nothing is exactly what it seems like. Jaye knows this because while her parent’s marriage has no fireworks (or even sparks), she feels safe in her family. But her mother, looking for something more, falls in with a strange new man in their California town who calls himself The Lamb and draws misfits into his orbit like flowers draw bees.

The Lamb preaches (sometimes for hours) love and doom. Love your neighbor and watch out for the government—it plans to take away your rights. He also has plans for Jaye and her mother. Plans that take them to Waco, Texas.

Roy, an average 14-year-old boy in small-town Texas, misses his older brother, who’s working in the Middle East. Roy, the youngest child of a nurse and the local sheriff knows how to walk the straight and narrow, but he has a secret hobby that could land him in trouble. Occasionally, he helps his dad by providing a distraction or scouting out territory.

The night he meets Jaye, he’s helping his dad at the local gun show. The instant attraction between the two has no basis in reason. She’s wearing a gas mask, and he’s too awkward to know what to do. They forge a friendship, and the attraction grows. As The Lamb’s plans escalate, Roy struggles with the bits and pieces of evidence and information he gathers around the community while flying under the radar.

Does The Lamb have plans to take over the government with illegal weapons? How many people live at the compound, and what do they do all day? Is Jaye’s life in danger? Who threatens it? The Lamb, or the federal agents preparing to arrest The Lamb?

Will all the details fall into place before it’s too late?

What I Loved About this Book

The author tells the story from multiple viewpoints, allowing readers to form their own opinions about what happened that fateful day in Waco. Roy’s best friend, a podcaster who searches relentlessly for the truth, acts as the catalyst to introduce new characters and uncover pieces of truth.

If you’re a fan of multiple perspectives and are willing to look at events from more than one point of view, this book will keep you guessing. Readers who prefer linear storylines might struggle with this book.

The author’s extensive research on the historical Waco incident with the Branch Davidians shines through. Roy and Jaye, while unlikely heroes, endear themselves to the reader with their strange combination of innocence and knowing things beyond their years.

As a native Texan, with a vivid memory of the events described in this novel, I was immediately drawn to this title when I discovered its subject matter! Bret Anthony Johnson did a fantastic job of weaving in details from the true story of the standoff in Waco, Texas - between local, state, and national law enforcement and David Koresh and his followers at what was known as the Branch Davidian compound - while also creating characters with real depth that provoked empathy and understanding. Even though there were a few parts that felt a little draggy/long, I really appreciated this novel and the author's storytelling ability!

We Burn Daylight is Romeo and Juliet set against a doomsday cult in Waco, Texas in the 1990s. It's the story of love and family and faith. Recommended on audio to hear the podcast portions.

I wasn’t able to review this book before it’s publish date but now that I have read it I am giving it 3.5 stars.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston. It is the story of a cult in Waco Texas, and two young adults who are on opposite sides but fall in love anyway. This was a DNF (did not finish) for me. I tried but just could not get into it.

A gripping and emotionally charged novel that is based on the events of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco Texas. The writing is masterful and the story is gripping, as we read of Jaye and Roy, two teenagers in love. The story is told from both of their perspectives and provides an emotional view of the tragedy.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Loosely based on the Branch Davidian cult, We Burn Daylight is an engrossing story set in Waco, Texas in 1993. Roy is the fourteen year-old younger son of the town’s sheriff. There is a new group of people setting up a compound and following a charismatic leader who calls himself The Lamb. This religious cult is supposedly hoarding weapons and grenades and rumors that they are abusing young girls are rampant. When Roy meets Jaye, he has no idea at first that she came with her mother to the compound. Jaye’s mother left her husband to follow The Lamb and Jaye didn’t want her mother to go alone. Jaye’s mother is completely devoted to The Lamb but Jaye is suspicious of him, with good reason. The town is on edge about this cult and Roy’s dad is under fire with his job in jeopardy.

The story alternates between Roy and Jaye’s voices with podcast excerpts from people who were in the cult or were part of law enforcement. As the cult gains national attention, tensions run high and there is a strong sense of foreboding leading up to the final showdown between law enforcement and the cult members.

This well reviewed book was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice. If you like fast paced engrossing novels, you will like We Burn Daylight.

Thanks to Random House and netGalley for the advanced reading copy.

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I know it sounds ridiculous to say this so many years later, but I wonder whether we still aren't too close to Waco, at least for me. I really struggled with this book, even though there is nothing to criticize in the writing, the execution. Honestly, the inspired by true events side of this really bothered me. I don't think we're at a stage where we can replace truth and posit another outcome. The tragedy of Waco was what it was. But I am here to review this book and what it does, on its face. I can find little to fault in the writing other than the endless POV switching, which was terrible to follow in the early chapters. There are many readers--especially true crime fans--who will enjoy this. It just wasn't for me.

We Burn Daylight is a historical fiction novel based on the events at the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas, in 1993. Bret Anthony Johnston creates a character, Jaye, who is forced to live in the compound because of her mother’s desires, and another character, Roy, who lives in Waco with his father, the sheriff. The young kids meet and immediately Roy develops quite the crush for Jaye. He does everything he can to be in her path as often as possible, which is rare based on the control her leader The Lamb has on all occupants of the farm.
Law officers increase their suspicions of what’s going on at the farm. A rumor is strongly suspected that they’re amassing large quantities of firearms and military weapons. Roy and Jaye know it’s just a matter of time before the lid blows off, but Jaye can’t convince her mother to leave.
The characters are believable, and the plot is, well, we already know how it turns out, but the ending is given a reprieve. I only have one issue with the revised ending; the kids are too young to do what they accomplish. Stranger things have happened, though, and it leaves the legacy of horror in Waco with a sliver of hope.
Thanks so much to Random House Publishing Group, Random House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is July 30, 2024.

What a page-turner! Read this in two days. Cultish, but not black and white. All the grey areas, which I loved. The story is fictional, but clearly based on David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, with a charismatic leader, a young teen caught up in it when her mother falls under his spell, and the boy she is drawn to.

Well-drawn portrait of life in the early 90s and the way that situations can become firestorms when politics and machismo get involved. I ate this book up!

Another mistake on my part. This is the fictionalized account of teenagers in love in a situation involving a cult similar to the Branch Davidians. It is quite well written but I have spent a part of the last 17 days attempting to make myself become sufficiently involved with these characters enough to finish it. I threw in the towel at 50%. Is it a good book? Absolutely, but just not for me . Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for an ARC for an honest review.

I was fairly young when the Waco standoff happened in 1993…old enough to remember people talking about it but too young to really care about the news. So, I only knew the broad strokes going into this. I know it’s a fictional account but from what I remember and what I have heard, it went down almost identically to how this story unfolded. Anyway, I enjoyed exploring this point in history even if it wasn’t “exactly” what happened. It dragged a little for awhile though, so that kept it from being 5 stars.