How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates

 

How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates - 384 pages

It was supposed to be the party of the miles of idyllic white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage...and a dark legend nobody dreamed might be all too true.

When an online influencer and several hundred of his most loyal fans land on Prosperity Island, the plan is five days of elaborate games, drinking, and suntanned fun.

A week in paradise should have been a welcome respite. The only survivor of an infamous cult, Ruth wants nothing more than to keep her head down and not draw attention. She's spent decades outrunning her blood-soaked childhood, and her identity is a closely held secret.

But then the true history of the island is revealed…along with its sinister connection to Ruth's past. As guests go missing and games turn deadly, Ruth and the rest of the attendees are forced to question whether they've really been invited to paradise...or whether something much darker―and far bloodier―is waiting for them just beyond the bonfire's light.

Normally I think of Darcy Coates as the Freida McFadden of horror, but I was surprised that this book actually had some bloody, gory parts, which is fine by me. This was a good story but I wasn't a huge fan of Ruth.  I felt that she was portrayed as weak or meek but she survived a cult; it takes a strong individual to do that.  Anyway, it was a good book, glad I read it.

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

 

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison - 289 pages

Nobody has a “normal” family, but Vesper Wright’s is truly...something else. Vesper left home at eighteen and never looked back—mostly because she was told that leaving the staunchly religious community she grew up in meant she couldn’t return. But then an envelope arrives on her doorstep.

Inside is an invitation to the wedding of Vesper’s beloved cousin Rosie. It’s to be hosted at the family farm. Have they made an exception to the rule? It wouldn’t be the first time Vesper’s been given special treatment. Is the invite a sweet gesture? An olive branch? A trap? Doesn’t matter. Something inside her insists she go to the wedding. Even if it means returning to the toxic environment she escaped. Even if it means reuniting with her mother, Constance, a former horror film star and forever ice queen.

When Vesper’s homecoming exhumes a terrifying secret, she’s forced to reckon with her family’s beliefs and her own crisis of faith in this deliciously sinister novel that explores the way family ties can bind us as we struggle to find our place in the world.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I have to say that I liked it.  I'll have to try some of her other books.  I really enjoyed this one!

Raised By A Killer: Extreme Horror Book #4 Age 17 by Sea Caummisar

 

Raised By A Killer: Extreme Horror Book #4 Age 17 by Sea Caummisar - 150 pages

The story of a daughter being raised by a single father, who happens to be a serial killer.

As the series progresses, Deicide will grow older.

In this thrilling fourth book, experience the sights, smells and sounds through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Deicide.

After arriving at the Persuasion Faction, Deicide learns everything is not what it appears to be.

With each book, Deicide will grow older, giving us an inside look at how her life has been affected by her upbringing.

Warning: Graphic scenes that may disturb some readers.

Alright y'all, I think I'm tapping out on this series, at least for now.  I think eating babies is my line in the sand (spoiler alert), although I am curious of what happens next. This one was the worst of them all.  The writing style on the first couple books was fine, because the child was little but in these last two books she's a teen now and still sounds like a little child.  I've got to be done for now and read a nice inspirational book as a palate cleanser.  

Little Heaven by Nick Cutter

 

Little Heaven by Nick Cutter - 496 pages

A trio of mismatched mercenaries is hired by a young woman for a deceptively simple task: check in on her nephew, who may have been taken against his will to a remote New Mexico backwoods settlement called Little Heaven. Shortly after they arrive, things begin to turn ominous. Stirrings in the woods and over the treetops—the brooding shape of a monolith known as the Black Rock casts its terrible pall. Paranoia and distrust grips the settlement. The escape routes are gradually cut off as events spiral towards madness. Hell—or the closest thing to it—invades Little Heaven. The remaining occupants are forced to take a stand and fight back, but whatever has cast its dark eye on Little Heaven is now marshaling its powers...and it wants them all.

This book has a bit of a paranormal aspect to it, and the author did a good job of painting the pictures of the "things" in the woods.  I wasn't a fan of some of the language (I'm not a prude, I like to curse), namely the "n" word and other derogatory words used toward one character, but I guess the author did that to paint the picture of the mindset of characters in the settlement.  It didn't make me mad, just made me think "Is this necessary?".  Either way, this was a messed up book, which tracks for this author and is a reason I liked it.  

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

320 pages

★★★★★

The psychology and sociology behind past and current cults are revealed in the power of language by Amanda Montell in this collection of nonfiction essays. The way Montell addresses the fact that many things found “normal” in modern day society use language to control people and can be considered a cult by this standard was extremely interesting. Things such as SoulCycle, MLMs, social media influencers, QAnon, etc. all use language to manipulate the everyday person into following them blindly and wholeheartedly with nothing but the power of words, just as Jonestown, the Manson family, and Scientology have. 

This was eye opening and gripping from start to finish, not using words or ideas that are too technical for the average reader, who are the ones who need to learn this information the most.

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz - 325 pages

Gallery owner Virginia Troy has spent years trying to put the nightmare of her cult childhood in the past.  But not it is coming back to haunt her and fellow childhood cult member Cabot Sutter.  A former cult member was murdered.  Sow it looks like someone is searching for the money that went missing when the cult imploded and they think Virginia is the key to finding that money.

This is the sequel to When All the Girls Have Gone.  I listened to this on audio and enjoyed it.  The story was interesting and the narrator did a good job of telling the story.

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare & Wesley Chu - 350 pages

The story of Magnus Bane and Alex Lightwood's vacation to Europe.  Unfortunately, it is interrupted by an evil demonic cult bent on revenge against Magnus.

I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed it.  Only one issue was one of production values -- sometimes the narrator's voice got so soft that you couldn't hear.

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu - 350 pages
The Eldest Cursses: Book One

Alec and Magnus are on a romantic vacation in Europe when they are confronted with a problem from Magnus' past.  It seems that at some point he created a cult and then completely forgot about it.  Now that cult is trying to raise a greater demon.  Alec and Magnus must stop this cult before the other Shadowhunters find out.

This is the first book in a new series by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu focusing on the characters of Alec and Magnus Bane from the Shadowhunter world.  It takes place between books 3 and 4 of the Mortal Instruments.  It was interesting to see their relationship develop and to learn more about Magnus' past.  I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz - 325 pages

Gallery owner Virginia Troy's anxiety attacks are getting worse now that one of her artists has died.  She gets help from detective Cabot Sutter as she believes the death has something to do with their past in a cult.  Is that cult leader really still alive and trying to hunt down Virginia for some reason?

I listened to the audiobook version of Jayne Ann Krentz's latest romantic suspense book.  I enjoyed the narration and the story.

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz - 325 pages

Virginia Troy has tried to put her past as a young child in a cult commune behind her.  But now it appears that one of the other surviving members has been murdered and tried to send a message to Virginia before her death.  Virginia asks Cabot Sutter, another child survivor of the cult, to help her investigate whether the cult leader was still alive and what he wants with her.

This is the sequel to last year's book by Krentz -- When All the Girls Have Gone.  It looks like it will be a trilogy with the final book coming out next year.  I enjoyed this book.  It did a good job of keeping your guessing as to who was the ultimate villain of the story.

Midnight Jewels by Jayne Ann Krentz

Midnight Jewels by Jayne Ann Krentz - 380 pages

Croft Falconer is amazed to discover a rare book advertised to be on sale in Mercy Pennington's shop.  He thought it had been destroyed in a fire three years ago.  Once he determines that she doesn't know the true value of the book, he determines to protect her while trying to find out who her mysterious buyer might be.

This was one of Krentz's first romances.  I found it to be horribly dated in its views of women and relationships.  If it had not fit this month's challenge (travel) I would not have finished the book.

Afterschool Charisma, v. 2 by Kumiko Suekane

Afterschool Charisma, v. 2 by Kumiko Suekane - 200 pages

Shiro discovers there is a secret "cult" at the school that believes the talisman of the "Amazing Dolly" will help them change their predestined futures.  Meanwhile, the school's director comes back to the school and determines to spend all his time with Shiro.

Well, after saying I wasn't sure I wanted to read any more of the series, I picked up volume 2 when I didn't have anything to read at dinnertime.  Volume two was definitely more engrossing than the first book.  Several conspiracies are starting to be revealed.  I believe I'll keep reading.

Banished: Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptish Church by Lauren Drain

Banished: Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptist Church by Lauren Drain - 295 pages


You've likely heard of the Westboro Baptist Church. Perhaps you've seen their pickets on the news, the members holding signs with messages that are too offensive to copy here, protesting at events such as the funerals of soldiers, the 9-year old victim of the recent Tucson shooting, and Elizabeth Edwards, all in front of their grieving families. The WBC is fervently anti-gay, anti-Semitic, and anti- practically everything and everyone. And they aren't going anywhere: in March, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the WBC's right to picket funerals. 

Since no organized religion will claim affiliation with the WBC, it's perhaps more accurate to think of them as a cult. Lauren Drain was thrust into that cult at the age of 15, and then spat back out again seven years later. Banished is the first look inside the organization, as well as a fascinating story of adaptation and perseverance. 

Lauren spent her early years enjoying a normal life with her family in Florida. But when her formerly liberal and secular father set out to produce a documentary about the WBC, his detached interest gradually evolved into fascination, and he moved the entire family to Kansas to join the church and live on their compound. Over the next seven years, Lauren fully assimilated their extreme beliefs, and became a member of the church and an active and vocal picketer. But as she matured and began to challenge some of the church's tenets, she was unceremoniously cast out from the church and permanently cut off from her family and from everyone else she knew and loved. Banished is the story of Lauren's fight to find herself amidst dramatic changes in a world of extremists and a life in exile.

Stories from Jonestown by Leigh Fondakowski

Stories from Jonestown by Leigh Fondakowski - 312 pages

The mass murder / suicide of over 900 Americans in the jungle in Guyana in November of 1978 wasn't the end of the Jonestown saga.  Survivors and families of the victims both there and abroad where left to deal with the aftermath.  Leigh Fondakowski and her team (writers from The Laramie Project) spent over three years traveling the US to capture their stories.  It's fascinating to see the different perspectives of the Peoples' Temple movement from the participants and to see how something so many people felt was pure and good was twisted to such a dark ending.  I've always been fascinated by extraordinary events described through the lives of the everyday people who lived them and this book is an amazing window into a horrible tragedy.