I followed this case as it was happening. This book gave a lot of details and backstory that the news didn't cover. This was an interesting and quick read that would would recommend to any true crime fan.

Just wow!! For anyone following this devastating case, this is a must read. I knew some of the information involved, but this shed incredible light on Chad and Lori's descent into destruction. It was also very interesting to hear the history of the Mormon religion. I feel so much for Tylee and JJ's families, as well as the Daybell children. These kids deserved so much better and have experienced so much loss. So much death and destruction came out of two people that will never be resolved no matter how many years they spend in prison. I'm thankful they are away and can never hurt anyone else. As a mother, I can't even fathom what Lori did. Pure and utter evil.

Children of Darkness and Light was a fascinating listen. It is wild, as it's nonfiction but reads like a thriller. Great structure.

This was a quick on read that I enjoyed and was able to finish within a day. I really liked the plot and found the characters relatable.

An interesting and very informative listen about a truly fascinating but horrific & sad true story.
I did however find it a bit repetitive at times and a lot of the content could have been cut.

This one was interesting however I did feel like there was too much background about the Mormon church and not enough detail and how these 2 went from "normal" Mormons to this whole crazy culty religion. I feel so bad for these children and family that was left behind to mourn. Chad & Lori are despicable people who deserve everything that is coming to them!

Narrated by Aimee Reid her narration was good.


3 stars

I received this audiobook from the publisher Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

Children of Darkness and Light covers the story of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell and the warped reality they created that led to the murder to multiple people, including two innocent children. Hellis shares quite a bit about the off-shoot group of Mormons who have a fascination with the supernatural aspects of the early Mormon church. I think this led to a greater understanding of what Vallow and Daybed had convinced themselves of, but Hellis also remains pretty neutral in the idea that none of us really know how much each/either of them truly convinced themselves of this reality or if they just used it as an excuse for their evil deeds. While I appreciated Hollis' background information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as it gave a historical perspective on some of the supernatural ideas (reincarnation and the like) that the off-shoots believe, I do feel there was an assumption of endorsement/acceptance by the church of these beliefs. While Vallow and Daybell's small group does meet all the criteria of a cult, I am not sure their non mainstream beliefs can be attributed to the current Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. All in all, Hellis was a masterful true crime author and I would love to read any other true crime she writes.

This one is pretty heavy and dense. It starts out with way too much background on the Morman religion, and it was hard to keep up with everything that was presented with the case. I had a hard time paying attention to this one- it was easy to wander off. The narration isn’t bad, but it just didn’t grip me the way I was hoping it would. I normally prefer nonfiction via audio but I just struggled with this one unfortunately.

This was very interesting and the case is very interesting. I highly suggest reading this if you want to learn about the case.

The writing was a bit off for me. I felt there was a lot of repetition and redundancies.

This story and case is so tragic. I went into this knowing nothing about the case and felt it was informative.

Definitely give this book a listen if you have followed and been interested in this case. A more in depth look into the case. Well worth the listen.

*Children of Darkness and Light* is a compelling exploration of the complexities of human nature, weaving together themes of identity, morality, and the struggle between light and dark. However, it was a slow-moving, somewhat repetitive story that read like an attorney instead of an author told it. It didn't have the flow of a lot of other true crime. As the characters navigate their relationships and confront their pasts, the story poses significant inquiries about redemption, the nature of good and evil, and the choices that define us.

This true crime of the children and a wife in the Mormon community was interesting. I did feel it repeated some of the information more than it needed to. It was definitely a twisted set of murders as they claimed it was for religious purposes.

This deadly duo deserves everything they got, and more.

Lori and Chad were brought together during a conference, in which Chad was selling his books. Lori had been diving deeper into some of the far outlying beliefs in the LDS church, and unfortunately, it led to murder.

As I was listening to this book, I could not believe the level of depravity, and utter disregard for those around them. Chad was a charlatan, pure and simple, and his lies led to many families being destroyed. Lori was easily swayed, having looked into some of the taboo areas, and then with urging and support from friends, dove headfirst into the darkness that would lead to her downfall.

While there were some religious leanings that led to the murder of two innocent children, husbands, wives, and relatives, the simple motivation here was lust. They found themselves drawn together, Chad through his many lies, and entered into a relationship which leaves many speechless with horror.

This was a difficult read, but laid out in such a way that you could follow the unraveling of the minds from start to finish. I had to take some breaks while reading. As a mother, I could not fathom the reason that someone would kill their children, whether or not they considered them "possessed," instead of fighting to save them. From start to finish, you are going to gasp, experience anger and disbelief, and then sit back and wonder how anyone could sink to this level.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great. The book was very well written and I enjoyed the author’s writing style, even with the horrific subject matter. Highly recommend for true crime fans.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Children of Darkness and Light: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell and the Story of a Murderous Faith by Lori Hellis, narrated by Aimee Reid, is a gripping and meticulously researched true crime audiobook that delves into one of the most disturbing and complex cases in recent history. This audiobook offers a comprehensive examination of the tragic events surrounding Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell, whose apocalyptic beliefs led to a series of shocking murders.

Lori Hellis, a retired criminal lawyer, brings her legal expertise and investigative skills to the forefront, providing a detailed account of the case from its inception to the final verdict. Her narrative is both thorough and engaging, shedding light on the twisted dynamics between Vallow and Daybell, and the devastating impact of their actions on their victims and the broader community.

Aimee Reid’s narration is a stellar feature of this audiobook. Her clear and expressive voice captures the gravity of the subject matter, making the complex legal and psychological aspects of the case accessible to listeners. Reid’s ability to convey the emotional weight of the story enhances the overall impact, drawing listeners into the harrowing journey of uncovering the truth behind the murders.

One of the strengths of Children of Darkness and Light is its exploration of the psychological and sociological factors that contributed to the couple’s descent into criminality. Hellis delves into their backgrounds, their radical beliefs, and the manipulative dynamics that fueled their actions. This in-depth analysis provides a nuanced understanding of how seemingly ordinary individuals can become perpetrators of such heinous crimes.

This audiobook highlights the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the legal system in bringing justice to the victims. Hellis meticulously documents the investigation, the challenges faced by the authorities, and the eventual courtroom drama, offering listeners a front-row seat to the unfolding of this tragic saga.

Children of Darkness and Light is a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts and anyone interested in the darker aspects of human nature.

I heard about this book on NetGalley and then saw author Lori Hellis had an event at Powell’s. As a native Idahoan and a former Religious Studies major in college, the content of this book piqued my interest. I was lucky to get an ARC of the audiobook for review. The horrific murders of 16yo Tylee Ryan and 7yo Joshua “JJ” Vallow felt very close to home when their bodies were found in Rexburg, Idaho. As the bizarre circumstances surrounding their deaths unfolded, it seemed impossible to believe their own mother (and her latest husband) not only committed these barbaric crimes but justified them as religious acts. This book takes a deep dive into Lori Vallow Daybell, her crimes, her relationship with Chad Daybell, and their fringe beliefs in fundamental LDS doctrine. This book will scratch the itch of anyone interested in learning more about what transpired.

I did not expect the depth of criticism this book lodged at the Mormon church and the backstory of the LDS faith. Personally, I found this an interesting surprise (as I had studied LDS fundamentalism in college), however, the author’s condemnation of the cultish faith felt a bit too personal or inflammatory. Her blanket rebuke of all LDS faith tenets felt like throwing the baby out with the bathwater, giving hardly any credit to the good that can come out of the faith, which might offer a more tempered, objective perspective for the reader to interpret. I have a lot to say about this and could go on and on, but I think this drums up good fodder for discussion, albeit a feisty one. Nonetheless, I would tweak the author’s strong voice to come across with less bias (though, admittedly, I do agree with many of her points and conclusions).

Finally, I would say the book felt very repetitive at times and could have benefited from a bit tighter editing. The audiobook narration was solid and overall I appreciated this nonfiction true crime deviation from my typical women’s fiction and romcom fare.

Informative and disturbing but very detailed. Not my usual listen but found it interesting. Thank you #netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing this audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Aimee Reid did a great job narrating this story, and I highly recommend the audiobook!!

WOW, just wow. I have read a lot of true crime books but this one was approached the criminals so intrinsically that you get why their path ended in chaos for themselves and those dependent upon them. This is a very well researched story. The cultural contest and familial history were very well done as well as informative.

While I am familiar with the LDS church, I did not know the history of its origins. The author really provided a deep dive into the beliefs, culture, and behaviors of that cult community. When you combine the cult history with the organic behaviors and mental illness of Lori and Chad, those poor children did not stand a chance.

This is a well written, exhaustive read about 2 narcissistic, mentally ill people that were so consumed by their own delusions, self-centeredness, lust and greed that they destroyed their families. Shameful... and I am glad they will remain jailed for their lives.

Highly recommend.

The story of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell is undeniably captivating and shocking, a true crime saga that I had never encountered before. However, I found that the book reads more like a research paper or a courtroom presentation than a gripping narrative.

In the initial chapters, the author spends a considerable amount of time detailing the background of the LDS church, which felt somewhat tangential and made me double-check that I was still focused on the right story. This extensive background sometimes overshadowed the central narrative, which I found a bit frustrating.

Additionally, the narration didn’t quite enhance the experience; it came across as monotone and lacked the emotional engagement that would have pulled me into the story.

While I've read other true crime books that effectively keep you on the edge of your seat, this one didn’t quite achieve that level of suspense for me. If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller, you might want to consider other options. However, if you’re interested in a detailed exploration of the case, it might still be worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review

I just listened to a gripping true crime audiobook. Children of Darkness and Light was a good listen!