Month: June 2017

REVIEW – AFTER THE FIRE by Will Hill

Posted June 30, 2017 by Emma in 2017 Books, Book Review, Debut Author, Family, Favourites, Love, Most Anticipated, New Author, Reality, Religion, Thriller, Usborne Publishing, Will Hill, YA / 2 Comments

After the Fire
by Will Hill
Publisher – Usborne Publishing Ltd
Release Date – June 1st 2017
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository

The things I’ve seen are burned into me, like scars that refuse to fade.

Father John controls everything inside The Fence. And Father John likes rules. Especially about never talking to Outsiders. Because Father John knows the truth. He knows what is right, and what is wrong. He knows what is coming.

Moonbeam is starting to doubt, though. She’s starting to see the lies behind Father John’s words. She wants him to be found out.

What if the only way out of the darkness is to light a fire?

My Review


Finishing After the Fire, it’s a powerful, chilling yet such a paramount novel of one girl’s story of survival and freedom. I can’t recommend this book enough, it’s utterly mind-blowing, unlike anything I have read before, a page-turner from the start.
Before, Moonbeam was part of this religious cult, the Lord’s Legion with it’s leader Father John, a direct messenger from the Lord himself. Everyone believed that he was this almighty man of healing, faith, righteous and reason. But Moonbeam began to lose her belief, she didn’t know what’s real and what was hokum. After, a great fire raged through the camp she is taken into the care of the FBI and the psychologists to try and understand inside the cult, and finally reveal what really happened. This was such a fascinating and compelling story. Mr Hill’s has an intense way of writing that it just sucks you in.
Moonbeam is…there are just no words for her character! She’s an inspiration which is a total understatement. The fire didn’t just leave scars on her hand, on the outside, the fire is within her. It burns so bright inside of her, it’s almost blinding, that what I feel about her she can’t be touched. Moonbeam is a beautiful and powerful voice to be reckoned with. She is the most bravest, soulful and courageous character I have ever come across YA. As you go through the book, Before, her life living in that hell, you see how her character has transformed from this girl of belief and faith to a shell of a girl not knowing where her path lies. After, she became hardened with fear, fear of trusting, fear of guilt, fear of what will happen to her next. Moonbeam has this fighting spirit, unparalleled to what I’ve read before, she magnificent and if I could meet her I would be in awe of her.
Alongside Moonbeam, Agent Carlyle was my favourite character, there was some bond between them that made it feel like it was only she was talking to him, the spotlight was on them, in Interview Room 1. Their relationship was just so touching, almost like a father-daughter relationship. What he brought out in her, compelled her to continue her story, it was his persona, he’s calm, friendly and emotional connection that made this story. 
What I found incredible was also the Author’s note of this book, I don’t really read them I admit, but I was curious on the the inspiration and take on the plot of this book. What I found was that it was based on something true, although his character and his plot entirely his own. He felt compelled to write something based on the Waco siege. That event resonated with him, and this book resonated with me so much on such a deeper level, I felt quite chocked up I admit.  This book brings out so much in you, so many emotions and feelings. As you read through the book you get this build up of everything that happens and what Moonbeam feels until that final page where it sort of just releases, a relief, a moment of clarity. But still after so many days of reading it, it’s stays with you, I don’t really know how to explain it. Will Hill is an incredible writer, flawless even, this is one my first books by him and this certainly won’t be the last either.
Rating – 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

After the Fire has been picked for the Zoella and Friends Book Club and quite rightly so! 

After the Fire
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BOOK BLAST – THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED by Paula Stokes

BOOK BLAST – THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED by Paula Stokes

Hi Everyone, so today I part of Paula’s Book Blast of her latest book, THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED, hitting the shelves in July, which isn’t long away. I’ve only read one other book and that’s The Girl Against the Universe which you can find my review here. I absolutely loved that one and I can’t wait to finally read this. It’s been on my kindle for a while and I hope to buddy read it with the lovely Jasprit soon. Anyways onto the post – here’s a little more about the book as well as a giveaway. So spread […]

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BOOKWORM CANDLES & CRAFTS

BOOKWORM CANDLES & CRAFTS

Hi Everyone, Today I have something a little bit different to share on the blog with you all. Most recently bookish candles have been a big inspiration of all things YA, fantasy and well bookish. I’ve seen so many book type candles, they looked amazing and doubt smelt it as well, it wasn’t until I discovered Bookworm Candles and Crafts by Donna from Book Passion For Life, who has her entire instagram feed covered in these amazing candles and it was about time I joined the club too.  Here a little bit more about Bookworm Candles & Crafts by the wonderful […]

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ARC REVIEW/ BLOG TOUR – FINAL GIRLS by Riley Sager

ARC REVIEW/ BLOG TOUR – FINAL GIRLS by Riley Sager

Hi Everyone, I’m excited to be part of Riley Sager’s debut blog tour. Today I’m sharing with you my review. Please be aware that this is an ARC review for the UK publication of this book as it’s not released until the 13th July. If you’re in the US, there is a giveaway at the bottom of this post. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Final Girls by Riley Sager Publisher – Ebury Publishing Release Date – 13 July 2017 Buy – Amazon | Book Depository Each girl survived an unthinkable horror. Now someone wants them dead… […]

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ARC REVIEW – FLIGHT OF A STARLING by Lisa Heathfield

ARC REVIEW – FLIGHT OF A STARLING by Lisa Heathfield

Flight of a Starling by Lisa Heathfield Publisher – Electric MonkeyRelease Date – 29th June 2017Buy – Amazon | Book Depository Rita and Lo, sisters and best friends, have spent their lives on the wing – flying through the air in their trapeze act, never staying in one place for long. Behind the greasepaint and the glitter, they know that the true magic is the family they travel with. Until Lo meets a boy. Suddenly, she wants nothing more than to stay still. And as secrets start to tear apart the close-knit circus community, how far will Lo go to keep her […]

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REVIEW – THE HAWKWEED PROPHECY by Irena Brignull

REVIEW – THE HAWKWEED PROPHECY by Irena Brignull

The Hawkweed Prophecy (Hawkweed Prophecy #1)by Irena BrignullPublisher – Hatchette Children’s GroupRelease Date – June 16th 2016 (this edition)Buy – Amazon | Book Depository The babies were born as the clock struck twelve. A bat fell from the air mid-flight. A silver salmon floated dead to the surface of the river. Snails withered in their shells, moths turned to dust on the night breeze and an owl ate its young. The spell had been cast. Poppy Hooper has managed to deceive her father into believing that there is nothing mysterious or unnatural about her. He ignores the cats that find […]

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BLOG TOUR: GUEST POST – TENDER EARTH by Sita Brahmachari

BLOG TOUR: GUEST POST – TENDER EARTH by Sita Brahmachari

Hi Everyone, it’s been a while again. I’ve just come back from a lovely week’s holiday, so getting back into the swing of things, including back at work today.  So to start off being back at home and getting back into blogging, I have a guest post as part of Sita’s latest novel Tender Earth. They all have calls to action and links out to themed things to do (instead of feeling powerless) – and all link to Amnesty too (they endorsed the book). My themed topic is Women’s March and Issues. Before you read the guest post, here is a […]

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