"How to recognize the last moments before the world ends:
1. You won't"

A nearly nonstop whirlwind of dystopian fear.

This was amazing. A perilous, bloody, painful journey of a 16 year old girl and the friends she meets while trying to navigate the end of the world and come out the other side alive.

Sophie is 16 and has been raised in relative religious isolation by strict Catholic parents; she is naive to the world outside her sealed bedroom window. Her only reprieve is the library, where she reads How-To books and occasionally smuggles titles she has been forbidden to read, thanks to a kind librarian (thank the universe for librarians!). When a strange virus starts affecting people, Sophie realizes the world is much bigger than she ever believed, and is violently thrust into its jaws.

I experienced such a range of emotions that by the time I reached the final page, I had whiplash. I held back tears and seethed with rage.

Sophie's POV is sometimes disjointed and choppy, almost a stream of consciousness...but what teenage girl's experience ISN'T confusing and disjointed? Throw in a pandemic, religious guilt and shame, and discovering you know nothing about the world. The parallels to our own American experience are frightening, and I think that's what makes this work as a horror: humans are the real monsters.

Female MC, Bi/Queer rep, Black, Indigenous, and Latino rep.

Thank you to CJ Leede, NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for this advanced copy for review.

Trigger warnings below (beware: spoilers!)
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TW: brief SA, animal death, body horror including sexual horror

Quick synopsis: A 16 year old catholic girl is navigating her religion, puberty, and a nationwide pandemic of a virus that causes people to be extremely horny and canabolistic and then die.
Review: I had the best time reading this book I can’t even describe but the vibes were just there. It was extremely fast paced and I never wanted to put it down I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. There is a lot of grief and death in this book which seems to be a point the author was making. As humans, we are immortal and we live with death everyday, we will die, our loved ones will die, it’s all very sad and hard but also very human.
Thank you @netgalley and @tornightfire for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Releases October, 15 2024

C.J. Leede never pulls her punches, American Rapture proves that.
The story of the end of civilization (in America at least), told in the first person by a sixteen year old girl. Sophie is sheltered and traumatized by her parents and the cloistered, catholic community she lives in. When a deadly virus emerges, Sophie has to grow up fast.
I especially loved that Sophie takes her time growing up even when she needs to get herself together faster. I found that to be more realistic than the usual trope of a young girl immediately belong a badass when apocalyptic events start. My only issue with the book is a part of the ending. There is a particularly horrible event and I'm still upset about it. Even with that, I strongly recommend this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Tor for the advance e-book.

CJ Leede. Why you play with my heart like that!? I never expected a horror novel, which it still is, to pain my soul the way this did.

Coming of age/ end times, apocalypse vibes/ gory, bloody, nightmare fuel/ an exploration of religious hypocrisy/ things that torment your heart and soul (I'm so serious about that one).

A hundo percent one my favorite books this year. Different vibe than Maeve Fly which speaks to Leede's diversity in the horror genre. I'm so fucking impressed.
Thank you for once again reinforcing why I love the horror genre. And thank you to the Nightfire team for making my day every time I get mail from you guys--it has been a bright spot during this period in my life 🖤

This book was incredible. I loved Maeve Fly, and while this is vastly different, I cannot get over how invested I got into Sophie's life. The character development in this book was SO good and it made the ending that much more heartbreaking and beautiful.

We follow Sophie, a devout Catholic, trying to navigate the end of world; a fast spreading virus that turns people into horny, zombie like creatures. She grapples with her faith, watching her family fall to this virus, and trying to figure out if she too is infected or just a repressed horny 17 year old.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor and @ceejthemoment for the ARC!!! Keep an eye out for October 15 when this beauty hits shelves!

Here’s a theory: What CJ Leede writes is horror, but what she actually wants to be writing is romance. Both MAEVE FLY and AMERICAN RAPTURE feature these head-over-heels romances, the twists and turns of which effectively build more tension than anything related to the horror subplots. (Yes, the horror is always the subplot.) That said, from one ex-Catholic schoolgirl to another, I enjoyed seeing the church questioned and ultimately eviscerated in the way Leede pulls off, and once I got over comparing Sylvia (the virus in this book that causes you to get super horny and rape the person next to you as a way of spreading it) to COVID, I settled in for the ride as Sophie and friends set out, a la THE LAST OF US, to save themselves and as many other humans as they can along the way. My favorite part was the creepy rooms in House on the Rock. The decor alone in there would be worth a movie adaptation!

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I really enjoyed this piece. It was terrifying because of all the things women are going through today with our rights being taken away. But also it showed how much belief can take over you as a person.

American Rapture was a unique coming of age story following the onset of a global pandemic. The story flowed along with characters that have such unique depth and backstories, The author’s note at the end of the story made one of the most difficult scenes in the book understandable, but not easy to progress. I hope there is a sequel to this story!

Whoa…this book gave me all the emotions, and all the feels. It is rich in character development, plot, life complexities, and gore-lots of gore. And it is a cautionary tale of living in fear of the world around you. Our protagonist, Sophie, is a teenager who, after living in a strict, sheltered Christian bubble, is thrust into a world she wasn’t ready for. Her struggles, questions, feelings (physical and emotional), and doubts are at the heart of this apocalyptic novel. The pandemic, itself, is gruesome and sadistic-reducing the human population to violent, sex-crazed meat suits. But they are not the only thing the survivors have to fear. Leede gave us not one, but two, villain groups in the novel, and left the reader teetering between hope and despair. And the ending? Guy-wrenching. It was hard to read.

I loved everything about this book, and couldn’t put it down. This is a must read for horror/dystopian fans who love not only gruesome plot lines, but ones with tons of heart.

Release Date: October 15 2024

For now, I'll just let the star rating speak for itself because I don't have the words to express how much I loved this.

100% buying a physical copy

RTC!

I read this book in approximately two days. There are no good stopping points. You must just inhale it (while savoring it somehow). You won't want to put it down, so... just be prepared for that.

American Rapture follows Sophie as she navigates this bonkers pandemic that turns people into sex-crazed zombies, more or less. And I should mention that Sophie has grown up in a VERY religious family. Needless to say, this is truly traumatic for her.

I loved every single character and how well fleshed out they were. I loved seeing Sophie grow and change through the story. I was along for the absolutely wild ride that is American Rapture. I have also pre-ordered the book (I actually pre-ordered it before I was approved because CJ Leede is auto-buy for me after Maeve), and plan to reread it immediately upon receiving it in October. It will be an excellent spooky season read.

The way CJ is able to build out these incredibly intriguing, complex, and real characters in what is arguably a short novel (or maybe it just felt short for me because I would read 500 more pages of this haha) is impressive. On top of that, they will pull on your heartstrings BIG time. I was blown away by how much I loved this. It's definitely dark, gory, and freakin' brilliant. So smart.

Thank you NetGalley & Tor Nightfire for the advanced copy that I inhaled.

Review: American Rapture by CJ Leede (5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Summary:
In American Rapture, a terrifying virus sweeps across America, transforming the infected into feral, lust-driven beings. Sophie, a devout Catholic, must navigate this hellish Midwest landscape in a desperate quest to reunite with her family. As the world crumbles around her, she learns that some fates are far worse than death—especially when dying a virgin seems like the least of her worries.

Review:
SO GOOD. CJ Leede's American Rapture is an exhilarating plunge into a world where faith is tested, sins are laid bare, and survival is a moment-to-moment struggle. The story profoundly explores themes of sin and faith deconstruction, resonating deeply with anyone who has questioned their beliefs in the face of chaos.

Leede crafts a hauntingly vivid post-apocalyptic landscape that is both nightmarish and compelling. The tension is palpable, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you follow Sophie's harrowing journey. Sophie's character is beautifully complex, her inner conflict and resilience making her a truly relatable protagonist. Her struggles with faith amidst the apocalypse reflect a raw, honest exploration of belief systems under duress.

The narrative doesn't shy away from heartbreak. There are moments when CJ Leede shattered my heart with certain deaths, but this serves to remind us of the brutal reality of Sophie's world—mirroring the unpredictable, often cruel nature of life itself.

American Rapture is a masterful blend of horror and introspection, pulling you into a world where the end times force a reckoning with personal demons and societal norms. It's a chilling, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page. If you're looking for a horror novel that delves deep into the human psyche while delivering pulse-pounding thrills, this is it. Highly recommend!

I've been putting off reading this for a bit since I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it, but jokes on me because I ended up reading this in one sitting during a flight. The concept itself was interesting, but what made me really connect with this book is both the conversation around religious trauma and the emotional connection you have with the characters. As someone who grew up extremely religious, but not Catholic or Christian, it was interesting to see that specific 'POV'. Of course, the hypocrisy that this book emphasized was obvious and a bit overdone at times, but that didn't bother me that much. The pace was also a bit funky in the beginning, but once it got going, it didn't start.

This book also caused me to start sobbing on a very crowded airplane because of everything that led up to the end of the book. Because of that, I highly recommend checking TW's. Overall, I liked this book a lot more than I thought it would, and would recommend it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for sending me an eARC of this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the ARC!

I read Maeve Fly last year and was obsessed, so my expectations for American Rapture were high. This was horrifying in a totally different way, and did not let me down! It’s a coming of age story with a heaping portion of religious trauma, apocalyptic action and gruesome horror moments. I truly cared about our main cast of characters, especially the sweet dog.

Propulsive. Intoxicating. Bloody.
“I am adrenaline. I am fire. I am a girl desperate to stay alive.”

The flu is making its way through America but this isn’t your average flu. Sophie, a sheltered and well-behaved Catholic girl, is just trying to make it through the awkwardness of her teenage years; feeling ashamed and embarrassed when faced with the secular world. But when this “flu”—causing manic and lustful behavior in the infected—makes its way to the midwest, Sophie will have to do more than just face the secular world… She’s going to have to fight it, causing her to question everything she believes.

I love books with religious themes but they make me shake with rage because of their insanity and how close to reality it is sometimes. Very dystopian/apocalyptic which isn’t usually my cup of tea but alas, I loved it. Leede’s storytelling is distinct and refreshing; it’s hard not to gobble up her stories even if they tend to be slightly repulsing at times.

Compelling reflections on faith, sexuality, identity, mortality, and the freedom of choice.

A dark but brilliant novel.

Thank you Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Out 10/15/2024!

Thank You Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the arc.

This book was certainly one hell of a ride. Something about Horror and religious guilt always makes for an amazing story.

The care and attention that was put into setting in this book really puts it in a league of its own. From a small town, to a desolate county. I loved every second of it.
The cast of characters were amazing. Their dynamics with one another were one of the best aspects of the story. I love when apocalyptic books have that one scene where everyone is happy before the storm. This one didn't disappoint.

I find that books involving deadly viruses tend to deconstruct your thoughts on the world and rebuild them in a different way than before. I think its success in doing so is a clear sign of its incredible writing.

Definitely one of my top reads of the year.

Wow. This novel had me speechless. Part bildungsroman, part religious horror, I was hooked from the start. This gripping page-turner digs deep into religious shame, guilt, oppression, and trauma, but ultimately still manages to be hopeful and uplifting.

When a pandemic rages across the United States, the afflicted are stricken by feverish, basal lust before they die. Raised in a highly religious and isolated environment, Sophie has always had a curious mind. Now, faced with visceral carnality, she's forced to deconstruct her beliefs as she flees through a burning world while trying to stay alive and find her brother.

This novel doesn't shy away from religious trauma in all its forms: a highly patriarchal, oppressive family structure, sexual repression, conversion therapy, and more. Within that environment, Sophie is faced with the horrors of fledgling womanhood, living in a body that feels uncontrollable, constantly at war with her forbidden emotions, sensations, and desires.

While I found this novel less gory than Maeve Fly, these realistic, plausible, utterly human horrors were far more disturbing and unsettling. From radio personalities whipping the religious right into a murderous frenzy to the keening grief and loss amidst a pandemic with no end in sight, there was a persistent sense of fear, paranoia, and mistrust. This was an incredibly compelling read and I'm going to be thinking about it for a long time.

This book spoke to me on so many levels - I had to put it down several times. Very intense, graphic. So much horror. Leede has an amazing talent - taking our society's crap and exposing on such level.
A teenager on the brink of adulthood - leaden with so much guilt. So. Much. Guilt.
Sophie's constant battle with her body, her guilt, her upbringing not only exhausts her but also the reader. Her growth requires an apocalypse - severe ties with her parents, leave home in desperation to find her twin.
This resounded deep for me - raised as a Roman Catholic, strict mother, not encouraged to interact with boys, repressed sexuality, lack of self identity as well as self esteem. It took me decades to shed the shame ingrained.

After reading Maeve Fly and it being one of my favorites of 2023, I could not wait to get my hands on CJ Leede's next book. Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it early!

American Rapture is a wild, enthralling ride with a lot of heart. The ending gave me the same ache I felt at the end of Maeve where you want so much for the character especially after all they've been through. I cannot wait to read Leede's next book.

American Rapture is a riveting post-apocalyptic horror novel about a teenage girl who has been repressed by overbearing Catholic parents her entire life. Then the apocalypse happens. A virus that leads to uncontrollable lust and sexual violence. American Rapture follows Sophie as she tries to survive both the apocalypse and overcome the guilt and repression that she was subjected to by her Catholic faith.

Leede does a fantastic job of both keeping the plot moving but also giving us time in the MC’s head. I am not a 16-year-old girl but I was able to relate to and empathize with Sophie because of how well she was written.

This book will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you angry (like seriously so mad at some of the awful people), and it might make you vomit during one particular sticky scene 🤢 American Rapture is not Maeve Fly - they are both very different books and they should be. But they are both fantastic and show Leede’s range with her writing. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

American Rapture will be released on October 15th from Tor Nightfire.

Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the advanced eBook in exchange for an honest review.