Do you ever read a book that is so anxiety provoking that it literally gives you anxiety and you can’t bear to do anything but read it cover to cover? Well… You’re in luck because this is exactly that kind of book.

Cult thrillers are one of my favorite sub-genres of thriller and this book just kept me reminded why they are. This read like a documentary, but with a fly on the wall scope, which is nice because we truly get to see everything. I liked the jump between past and present and it let me catch my breath with the crazy anticipation. This felt super realistic too, (of course I don’t know cults intimately) but from other media I’ve consumed this felt like an accurate portrayal which made the anxiety better (or worse depending on how you look at it). This is slow burn madness but only validates the realistic portrayal and literally keeps you on the edge till the very end. But once shit goes down it hits hard. There are some very touchy subjects that are talked about, so make sure you’re reading with your mental health in mind.

The main characters were so incredibly well written. I loved and hated them deeply and my heart broke for them entirely. I loved the portrayal of their unique personalities and the different struggles they had. This vibe truly encompassed a slow-moving train crash where you can only watch as a bystander.