Waco, Texas 1993. Roy, son of local sheriff, meets Jaye, not knowing her mother is attached to The Lamb, local prophet.

This one took a bit for me to get through. While interesting, it does not flow easily and can be disjointed at times. I loved learning about the cult and seeing how members got sucked in but I don’t understand why it took place in Waco if it wasn’t the real situation or people. That was confusing to me. I did like the perspectives and how they were both youths ; yet ones that saw clearly.

“We were all just trying for Heaven. That’s all we did, say and night, try for that reward, and if more folks loved that way, the world’d be better off. The girls and guns make no never mind.”

We Burn Daylight comes out 7/30.

Waco, Texas, 1993. Many, many people watched live as the Branch Davidian compound burned to the ground. (*ahem Janet Reno*) We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston take the real-life story and adds a human voice in Jaye & Roy.

The Lamb is preparing his followers for the end times. Jaye's mother is his newest and most devoted followers, while Jaye herself remains skeptical. Roy, the son of the local sheriff, falls in love with Jaye, without knowing about her mother's connection to the man who is currently ruining his father's life.

The Lamb, of course, has his own plans for the future, and Jaye is involved, even though she's unaware. As tensions rise, Roy risks everything to save Jaye.

This is the second 'cult' book I've read recently. This one delivers on the leader and followers. Maybe because I remember watching that compound burn, live from the media room at my high school, but this felt real. The tension was HIGH on almost every page.

Bret Anthony Johnston has a banger of a book on his hands.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

DNF. I liked the examination of a cult but saw no purpose in setting it in Waco. I remember true accounts of the siege on Waco in 1993, where most cult members died. But we are reminded that this story is separate from one actual historical Waco, and its fictional leader, the Lamb (who lacks charisma), is not based on David Koresh. I felt the fictional account of the cult and siege would have been more effective if a different location had been chosen.
The story focused on a romance and thoughts of two teenagers, a girl living in the compound, the other the son of a law enforcement member. They narrate their story in alternate chapters. Their involvement leads up to the fictional siege and to suspense about the outcome. Their individual stories are mixed with a present-day podcast interviewing witnesses, survivors, and law enforcement agents. I regret I am in the minority and failed to maintain interest. However, many readers will find this to be a gripping story, with its unique narrative and suspenseful plot.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher of the ARC. The publication date is July 30, 2024.

Sometimes, a novel sneaks right in and demands that the reader pay close attention. "We Burn Daylight" by Bret Anthony Johnston is such a story. It is a fictionalized imagining of a Branch Dividian-esque religious cult set in the now same infamous Texas town of Wacos.

Wrapped up in the familiar tragedy that was the confrontation between an evangelical, apocalyptically rooted cult of true believers (with guns) and the immovable force of various local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies (also with guns). As with the historic confrontation, Johnston's fictionalized encounter does not end well.

However, what the author added to this deeply tragic and violent moment in American history, was a deeply engaging, truly real, beautifully written (and ultimately hopeful) coming-of-age story. For at the heart of this violent story, is a pair of lovestruck sixteen year olds, who against all odds, find one another. In the increasingly difficult process of figuring out how to survive the adult world's insanity that they have been thrown into, these two remarkable young people show us all that love, loyalty, smart thinking, ingenuity, and compassion are attributes that truly matter in this complicated world of ours.

This compelling, beautifully written novel will be published on July 30, 2024. I wholeheartedly recommend it and count it as one of my favorite reads thus far in 2024. I offer my honest review in thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me access to an advanced copy.

#WeBurnDaylight
#BretAnthonyJohnston
#NetGalley
#TexasLiteraryFiction
#WacosTexas
#ComingofAgeTales

I was drawn to read We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston because the plot involved the Waco, Texas raid on the Branch Davidian compound in 1993. Although I was an adult at that time, I didn't remember many of the details surrounding the story. This book was inspired by that historical event, but the characters are fictional.

The story is told from the perspectives of two teenagers, Roy and Jaye, and it is interspersed with podcast interviews with those involved with the raid, including family members and law enforcement. I enjoyed the podcast sections, as it lent perspective and provided a simple way to impart more context about how the events played out. The short chapters kept the pace moving along swiftly. I couldn't read fast enough as the story barreled through the last few chapters on its way to the fiery conclusion. The epilogue wrapped up some of the loose ends but I was still left with a few questions.

I appreciated the Romeo and Juliet parallel, although I was a couple chapters into it before I got it. The writing overall was very strong, and I highlighted a few passages that really made me think. Book groups will find much to talk about with this one.

I will recommend this to readers who like historical fiction about religious groups and/or from the 1990's.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was lured into this book by the promise of a spin on Romeo and Juliet set in a doomsday cult inspired by (but not about) the events in Waco, TX in the early 90s. I suspect these are the hooks that will lure a lot of readers to this novel. For the first hundred pages, I was transfixed. I suspect I'm so used to marketing terms like "star-crossed lovers" or more direct comparisons to Romeo and Juiet that I didn't think this would actually be so close to Shakespeare's play. But Bret Anthony Johnston has fun inserting clever call-backs to the play for anyone familiar with it. Instead of Romeo and Juliet, we get Roy and Jaye--but to make it more overt, Roy is nicknamed Rodeo (a single letter off from his inspiration's name) and Jaye has chosen her name because she thinks her birth name was too much like a character in an old play (natch). Instead of Capulets and Montagues, Roy is the son of the Sheriff and Jaye lives on a compound led by a religious figure who calls himself the Lamb--and who is being investigated by Roy's father and the FBI. At the beginning, Roy has been dumped by a girl named Rosie while at the beginning of the play, Romeo is infatuated with a girl named Rosaline. There is also a nurse, a scene where Jaye spies Roy from above in a water tower, and another moment where Jaye muses about the meaning of names. If you aren't familiar with Shakespeare's play, these moments will flow by without notice. But they're delightful easter eggs for fans.

Disappointingly, after about a hundred pages, I began to feel that the novel was straining. Part of this is due to the fact that once the premise really gets going, you start to realize how flimsy it is. As fun as it is to track the callbacks to Romeo and Juliet, I just never believed Roy and Jaye as star-crossed lovers. They feel like flat characters who never fully animate. I also never believed Jaye's connection to the cult (although in brief chapter breaks with "clips" from a fictional 2024 podcast about the events of the plot, several people take issue with the application of the word cult). Jaye's mother falls under the Lamb's spell but for the plot to work, Jaye needs to not buy in at all--and yet she also has to stay on the compound. It never feels believable that Jaye would somewhat willingly go along with her mother when she didn't have to go with her in the first place--and she could have gone back to her father in California at any time.

And while I appreciate that Johnston uses the different perspectives of the people interviewed for the podcast to get at the murkiness of whether or not the FBI raid was justified, it feels odd that he repeatedly has characters in both the past and present make the case that the government should not have interfered at all while acknowledging that statutory rape was occurring on the compound.

Ultimately, I only liked parts of this novel. What's most unfortunate is that the parts I liked were pretty clever on Johnston's part.

Oh this was really good! I remember being in Houston on spring break in college watching this daily. Heartbreaking. I loved The story and the way it mirrors Romeo and Juliet. I had seen that it was likened to the play, but I was skeptical at first.. but man this just proved great writing and careful forethought can really help!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Immersive, descriptive, emotional love story. You feel, hope, question & want a great outcome, but most know nothing goes as planned in life. This story felt authentic & portrayed the nuances of early love. To think such cults or groups still happen today seems absurd, but to view it from the individual's perspectives as they become a part of it was interesting. The podcast interview aspect of hindsight unfolding I personally did not care for. However, it was done decently & brought many details to light. This one is definitely worth reading!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to read this story as I remember the events so well when the Branch Davidian cult self annihilated.

So the setting is Waco, Tx 1993, and the story of the events that will unfold is told through the eyes of two star crossed teens, Jaye and Roy. Roy is the son of the sheriff. He really misses his older brother who is serving in Iraq. Roy's mom has become entranced by a charismatic cult leader, Perry Cullen (based on real-life figure David Koresh). Jaye lives in the cult compound.

If you are not familiar with the Branch Davidian cult, no worries as this is a story loosely based off the events that transpired many years ago. But, this is a fantastically written story with well developed characters that you will love (except for a few). Its a deliciously dark and suspenseful thriller. Despite knowing the ending, you need to read this one!!!

I had high hopes for this book but it was a bit disappointing in some areas.

There was nothing to distinguish the characters from each other. If the author hadn’t written that it was a chapter belonging to Jaye or Roy, I wouldn’t have known who was narrating because they had no distinct voice. Additionally, the pacing is so slow that it made the book feel so much longer than it is.

Roy’s parents are absolutely useless. That his mother puts the needs of someone else over her teenage son was so bizarre to me. I get it. There isn’t another nurse right now. But to not even go home and check on your son? Especially considering his father has pressing matters that are keeping him away? (and that he didn’t even come home to shower is odd too. Like, it’s been weeks dude, surely you can take an hour or two to take care of yourself?) It was so bizarre.

But I appreciated the subject matter, as even though I was in my teens during the actual event, so much was withheld from the public at the time. So it was nice to read a book centered on this.

Waco, Texas 1993--a true story out of history that I remember following on TV news. A religious cult in Waco, Tx was suspected of stockpiling illegal weapons. A search warrant and arrest warrants were served, but never executed. As law enforcement attempted access to the compound shooting began. Besides guns the cult had also stockpiled food and they were prepared to wait out a siege which lasted from February to April. There has been much controversy over the handling of this disaster and the book brings to life some of these issues. This book also tells about the narcissistic cult leader, Perry, who wants to populate the compound with his children. Be prepared for the topic of child molestation when you read this book (not graphic). The story follows two characters, Roy, the son of the local sheriff and Jaye, a young teenage girl whose mother is a cult member. As they meet and fall in love the implications on the cult, family and law enforcement are huge. . I am not sure if Roy and Jaye are actual people or whether they are part of the fictional story. The writer did a great job of building up a story up Waco, Tx that has already been told and become part of history. Although I was aware of how the tragedy ends in real life, the two main characters brought so much more to this story. I couldn't stop reading the book--I really cared what happened to these particular kids and the families. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the digital ARC. I leave this review as my own opinion and by free choice.

The acknowledgements begin with “this is not a book about David Koresh.” And it isn’t. It is set against the backdrop of the Branch Davidian’s compound, the siege, and the fire that ended it all. But it’s not about David Koresh.

This is the story about a young romance, blossoming quickly. A whirlwind of feelings between the son of the Sheriff and the daughter of one of the women in the cult. How their chance encounters are fully affected by the people and circumstances around them. The backdrop of Waco and the time period add to the excitement and tension. And with such quick, short chapters, I found myself flying through to see how it would turn out.

The reasoning behind my average rating is because I felt like the characters were lacking. Not in number, we’re introduced to an eclectic cast of characters that incorporate value into the plot. I think that what the characters are lacking in is realization. I didn’t feel like any single character was fully realized. Roy and Jaye, whose POV’s we spend most of the novel in, did not seem fourteen. They did not seem to possess the naïveté and lack of wisdom that we all possess in young adolescence. At times, I felt like they were much older. Twenty or twenty-five.

Pacing was also an issue for me in that I felt like the first half of the novel dragged on. There were so many chapters, though short, that just repeated themselves. When the siege at the compound first began, the pacing picked up a bit, as was expected. The second half was really the star here. I recognize that we needed the first half to get there, but the second half was my favorite.

The epilogue was a great wrap up of the novel as a whole. The author can write. His prose when detailing setting was top tier. Overall, I enjoyed this fictionalized take on an adolescent romance set against the backdrop of one of our country’s most well known events of recent history. I was excited for this one. And I know that my excitement for it probably made it so that my expectations were too high. It was good, just not what I was expecting.

Thank you, Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy. I already have a few friends in mind who I think will enjoy this one.

This is a story that sounds a lot like Waco but the author says it is not about Waco. Jaye's mother meets Perry, aka the Lamb, in California and follows him to Texas to join his cult. Roy is the son of the sheriff. Both Roy and Jaye are 14 years old and the blurb says they are a modern day Romeo and Juliet.

Perhaps I am not the target audience for this one. I didn't feel the chemistry between Roy and Jaye. I didn't think any of the characters were well developed. Perry had no charisma, mostly sounded deranged, which I suppose he was and I felt like the story dragged.

I did find the ending to be interesting.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House for providing me with a digital copy.

So sorry, thought this would be a book for me. Tried getting into it several but just couldn’t. Too many characters and jumping around

Highly engrossing and enlightening, We Burn Daylight is a story of the tragedy of the Branch Davidian cult in Waco Texas in 1993. Told from the perspective of Roy, the 14 year old son of the local sheriff, and Jaye, the teenage daughter of one of the "Lamb's" acolyte, Bret Anthony Johnson brings us deep into the story - the political aspects, the screw ups of law enforcement, the incredible naivety of the Branch Davidians, and how the ultimately tragic consequences for the cult members came to be. It's a story of love and faith that is inexplicable; it's clear that David Koresh, the Lamb, is no saint and is taking advantage of his cult members, and yet otherwise reasonable people are falling for his nonsense. Others are looking for something, and think they have found it in him. Whatever their reasons, the cult members are a truly devoted following.


We Burn Daylight is definitely worth the read; historical fiction that makes you want to learn more about the subject and tells you stories that haven't yet been told, combines the best of fiction and nonfiction. Don't miss this one!

Inspired by the 1993 Waco massacre, "We Burn Daylight" by Bret Anthony Johnston is a compelling story that kept me turning pages from start to finish. Though I was just a child when the actual events in Waco occurred, this book brought back the horror and confusion I felt watching the news with my parents. It left me asking, as did the news then, why the government felt so threatened by a charismatic cult leader that the ATF felt it had no choice but to treat the residents in the compound, including women and children, as if they were enemy combatants.

The story follows teenagers Jaye, whose mother moved her from California to Texas to follow cult leader Perry Cullen, and Roy, the son of the local sheriff. The author deftly unveils a story that you know will end in tragedy, but still leads the reader to hope and believe the outcome may be different. This is a beautifully written work of literary fiction with characters so three-dimensional and developed that readers can identify and sympathize with every major character. The author does not pass judgment on anyone; he simply tells their stories. The book is arranged in four parts, fittingly corresponding to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and readers familiar with the Book of Revelation will recognize the Biblical themes.

This novel exceeded my expectations and, though it was my first book by Mr. Johnston, it will most definitely not be my last. It is a thrilling, but cerebral read, and would make an excellent book club choice for discerning readers. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book!

This was an amazing story about the doomsday cult that became a part of history back in 1993. The author, Bret Anthony Johnston, does an amazing job of turning history into a like-able and easy read, that paints a portrait of a love story among the destruction of that fateful day.

I highly recommend this book!!! Such an artful experience that kept me wanting more- even though I knew how the story would end.

This was an absolute 5 star read for me. I was fascinated from start to finish. This was a take on the Waco Branch Davidian cult but from the perspective of two fictional fourteen year olds, Roy and Jaye, who fall in love. Roy is the son of the town Sheriff, and Jaye is the daughter of a mother enmeshed in the cult. Beautifully written, suspenseful and thrilling.

This book made me want to read more about the actual events that transpired in Waco more than thirty years ago. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. I highly recommend it.

The Waco massacre of the Branch Davidians was a tragedy IRL. In this stunning fictionalization, we see what happens when a daughter of one of the compound members meets the son of the local sheriff, entwined with a podcaster interviews involved personage 30 years later. The book is not apologetic nor revisionist.

Since I am a fan of true crime, and because it is so widely known, the events at Waco were something I was aware of. The author took that story and turned it into a very in-depth fictional representation. David Karesh is not a character, but The Lamb aka Perry is similar and heads the "cult". Seeing the events from the perspectives portrayed gave me a very different idea of what happened. Was the Waco ranch a true cult? Was the raid justified? Why would you choose to give up plumbing and decent food to live there? The novel follows 3 different perspectives. Roy is the son of the sheriff who attends the raid but more as a tangential character. Jaye is the daughter of a cult member who left behind a life in California to follow the Lamb. Finally, Coop delivers various viewpoints through his podcast interviews. Coop was best friends with Roy and after Roy sneaks into the raid to try to save Jaye, whom he loves, neither are ever found. He uses the podcast to try to figure out what happened and why. You'll have to read the book to know the truth of how the characters ended up and what transpired. I really enjoyed the plot and learning more about this pivotal moment in history. My biggest problem was the timeline set-up. Jaye and Roy have alternating chapters, but their timelines do not line up for quite some time. Jaye's chapters are slightly before Roy's. Once he finds her on the ranch, their chapters are then occurring at the same time. Then there are the podcast episodes woven throughout which are recorded in 2024, are not printed in order, and sometimes give away events that haven't happened yet. I felt like I needed to rearrange the book to make it actually go in order. There were also some sections that I felt needed more detail and others that had too much. But overall, it was a very atmospheric, compelling storyline that kept me reading. Thank you to NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for a review. I look forward to reading more from this author.