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The Cultist's Wife
1908, the height of the British Empire. Clara’s autonomy is shattered when her long-absent husband summons her to join him at his eerie sect’s headquarters, insulated on a sparsely inhabited island in the Bahamas.
After a harrowing sea voyage, Clara and her children disembark into an unfamiliar landscape and climate. The children explore the marvels and mysteries of Andros Island and develop friendships with a Bahamian family, while Clara struggles to find her place as a woman within the cult.
But what seems at first to be a spiritual haven for Clara reveals itself to be a monster-worshiping cult intent on draining her family of more than their fortune.
Clara realizes that her quest for independence must mesh with her need to protect her children from the cult’s depraved attempts to consume their life essence.
After a harrowing sea voyage, Clara and her children disembark into an unfamiliar landscape and climate. The children explore the marvels and mysteries of Andros Island and develop friendships with a Bahamian family, while Clara struggles to find her place as a woman within the cult.
But what seems at first to be a spiritual haven for Clara reveals itself to be a monster-worshiping cult intent on draining her family of more than their fortune.
Clara realizes that her quest for independence must mesh with her need to protect her children from the cult’s depraved attempts to consume their life essence.
- GenresHorrorHistorical Fiction
ebook
Published May 1, 2024
About the author
B.J. Sikes
10 books18 followersI am a 5'6" ape descendant who is inordinately fond of a good strong cup of tea, Doc Marten boots & fancy dress.
I write fantastical history with a modern feminist lens, a touch of heartbreak, and a little bit of steampunk. And maybe a little sci-fi.
My debut novel, The Archimedean Heart begins the Roboticist of Versailles series, a steampunk world.
A novella that follows the events of The Archimedean Heart appears in the 2017 anthology The Clockwork Oracle. The full-length sequel, The Vitruvian Mask continues Adelaide's story.
The Cultist's Wife is a gothic horror inspired by a childhood experience.
Her Runaway Lady, a sapphic historical romance is a cosy story set in Paris 1882.
Bermondsey Girl, a dystopian climate fiction story published by Water Dragon Publishing.
I was also the chief editor and contributor of a triad of short story anthologies: Twelve Hours Later: 24 Tales of Myth and Mystery, Thirty Days Later, Steaming Forward: 30 Adventures in Time, and Some Time Later: Fantastic Voyages Through Alternate Worlds.
I write fantastical history with a modern feminist lens, a touch of heartbreak, and a little bit of steampunk. And maybe a little sci-fi.
My debut novel, The Archimedean Heart begins the Roboticist of Versailles series, a steampunk world.
A novella that follows the events of The Archimedean Heart appears in the 2017 anthology The Clockwork Oracle. The full-length sequel, The Vitruvian Mask continues Adelaide's story.
The Cultist's Wife is a gothic horror inspired by a childhood experience.
Her Runaway Lady, a sapphic historical romance is a cosy story set in Paris 1882.
Bermondsey Girl, a dystopian climate fiction story published by Water Dragon Publishing.
I was also the chief editor and contributor of a triad of short story anthologies: Twelve Hours Later: 24 Tales of Myth and Mystery, Thirty Days Later, Steaming Forward: 30 Adventures in Time, and Some Time Later: Fantastic Voyages Through Alternate Worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 17, 2024
Many thanks to the author/publisher via BookSiren for the free copy.
I can’t give this book lower than three stars because I was entertained often enough and the concept was sound. A time or two I even felt the fear-fueled heartbeat I expect from gothic horror. This didn’t read much as gothic horror, though. I can catch the vibe a little bit, but horror as a genre is especially about gratification, and for most of this book, absolutely nothing happened. We started seeing some true action in the last 75%. This book easily could have been 100 pages or shorter and been the perfect length. In horror I expect to see a death before the last 100 pages.
The details that were in the book were all the wrong ones. Multiple pages were spent on the description of the children playing on a boat, but I finished the book and still don’t know what the cult is about? Not cool.
Long story short, I can’t recommend this because it wasn’t very good. It would have made a wonderful short story, novella, or even better cinema. But the story was too vague and not enough happened at all.
What I can say is that the end was extremely satisfying and the concept is sound. The book is onto something, but it is a half-baked story.
(PG-13 rating)
I can’t give this book lower than three stars because I was entertained often enough and the concept was sound. A time or two I even felt the fear-fueled heartbeat I expect from gothic horror. This didn’t read much as gothic horror, though. I can catch the vibe a little bit, but horror as a genre is especially about gratification, and for most of this book, absolutely nothing happened. We started seeing some true action in the last 75%. This book easily could have been 100 pages or shorter and been the perfect length. In horror I expect to see a death before the last 100 pages.
The details that were in the book were all the wrong ones. Multiple pages were spent on the description of the children playing on a boat, but I finished the book and still don’t know what the cult is about? Not cool.
Long story short, I can’t recommend this because it wasn’t very good. It would have made a wonderful short story, novella, or even better cinema. But the story was too vague and not enough happened at all.
What I can say is that the end was extremely satisfying and the concept is sound. The book is onto something, but it is a half-baked story.
(PG-13 rating)
August 27, 2024
**an update - as I’ve been thinking about this book since I originally read it, I think it would make an excellent read for book club. So many different directions and questions you could discuss.**.
The book was a great read, especially as I approached the conclusion I could not go to bed until I finished it. The author is talented in creating setting and atmosphere you dive into with all your senses. The island becomes a character - with the differences between how the local inhabitants and cult intruders respect and live within it being a part of the story. The use of multiple characters’ perspectives works well here too. The author does not require the adult heroines to be perfect, and the children in fact often lead them, which makes a stronger story as the book moves towards its resolution. .
Apart from the author’s storytelling strengths, I loved the subject - it was a unique plot and very different from other novels set in similar time periods. Not derivative of, or a “new take on”, other novels but instead a truly unique story.
Although I think it was good to not have every loose end tied up, I did find myself wanting just a bit more info as to what might happen next? (What happened to the other children? was any report made in Nasssau? Did two missing people trigger anything?). On the other hand, life sometimes works that way and the book touched on the difficulties inherent in the time and place.
The book was a great read, especially as I approached the conclusion I could not go to bed until I finished it. The author is talented in creating setting and atmosphere you dive into with all your senses. The island becomes a character - with the differences between how the local inhabitants and cult intruders respect and live within it being a part of the story. The use of multiple characters’ perspectives works well here too. The author does not require the adult heroines to be perfect, and the children in fact often lead them, which makes a stronger story as the book moves towards its resolution. .
Apart from the author’s storytelling strengths, I loved the subject - it was a unique plot and very different from other novels set in similar time periods. Not derivative of, or a “new take on”, other novels but instead a truly unique story.
Although I think it was good to not have every loose end tied up, I did find myself wanting just a bit more info as to what might happen next? (What happened to the other children? was any report made in Nasssau? Did two missing people trigger anything?). On the other hand, life sometimes works that way and the book touched on the difficulties inherent in the time and place.
September 14, 2024
So, I have mixed feelings about this book. Despite the genre and title, I felt it was a little lacking in the horror genre and the cult aspect. It was slow-burn horror and it felt a little underdeveloped. Like, I kept waiting for something more to be revealed or happened.
In terms of the characters, I agree with the other reviewers who said the side characters are more interesting and well-developed. Elsie, Irene, Johnny, and Horace held my interest way more than the other main character, Clara. Yes, Clara is very much a product of her time and typical for an upper class woman of the Victorian period in England, but she had minimal growth or likability until the last 30-or-so pages for me.
The book was beautifully written and I felt like I was on the island. The world was richly created, but I just felt the story was lacking....something.
I received a copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In terms of the characters, I agree with the other reviewers who said the side characters are more interesting and well-developed. Elsie, Irene, Johnny, and Horace held my interest way more than the other main character, Clara. Yes, Clara is very much a product of her time and typical for an upper class woman of the Victorian period in England, but she had minimal growth or likability until the last 30-or-so pages for me.
The book was beautifully written and I felt like I was on the island. The world was richly created, but I just felt the story was lacking....something.
I received a copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 2, 2024
3.75 // Starting off, this is certainly a unique and interesting story. It takes place in the early 1900s; a mother and two children are called to a remote island by her husband who has been there for several years under the guise of work. Clara (mother) appears to have some psychic abilities, though the extent of them wasn’t very fleshed out.
“The child had reached the age when the spirit world opened to her”
They arrive on the island and later realize that nothing they had heard about the island was true. As you can tell from the title, the island is home to a small cult that relies on medicinal herbs from the indigenous islanders. The bulk of the story details her and her children’s experiences in the cult and her fading trust in her husband and peers.
I found the beginning to be quite slow but the last half went by so quickly, I got through it in one read. The book takes on several perspectives, most commonly Clara and her daughter. I struggled initially with the shifting perspectives as I couldn’t tell whether Clara and Elsie’s chapters were occurring simultaneously or chronologically. It became more clear as the book went on.
I liked the pace of the book and it definitely could have been drawn out more as there were so many details and potential plot points to draw from. But I appreciated the brevity. At times the conversations between characters felt dull, probably accurate for the 1900s, but not the best reading. We could grasp some aspects of the cult including the hierarchy, mechanism of control, punishments, etc. I think it could have been fleshed out a little more, like what brought these people here; why hasn’t anyone tried to leave, what happens if they leave etc. The book alludes to various practices like sedation, abuse, starvation, and “physical degradation.” Later on there are references to blood letting which I didn’t fully understand until quite literally the very end. Basically this cult isn’t supposed to be conniving, they’re all just dumb, high, lunatics who think they’ve figured out the secrets to life. I think ward’s motives weren’t entirely clear either. Like obviously his main goal was clear and he was a nasty evil dude. I just assumed he wanted all of those members for their money, but there could have been another underlying psychological reason.
The ending was very action-packed and had me really feeling for the characters, where in the beginning I found them cold and not relatable. The very end of the book felt a little too easy, but it felt satisfying. I don’t like when books try to wrap up all the loose ends - it just makes the end long and too idealistic. The ending was at the right point and vague enough that it wasn’t overdoing it. I liked that we saw the final scene from the main characters point of view; they had one singular goal and the rest of the “loose ends” didn’t matter to them or the reader.
I could definitely see this being a horror-ish movie, maybe like a Jordan peele style. Overall I think the story was great but I felt that I didn’t understand the characters as well as I should have.
I was given an advanced reader’s copy for review.
“The child had reached the age when the spirit world opened to her”
They arrive on the island and later realize that nothing they had heard about the island was true. As you can tell from the title, the island is home to a small cult that relies on medicinal herbs from the indigenous islanders. The bulk of the story details her and her children’s experiences in the cult and her fading trust in her husband and peers.
I found the beginning to be quite slow but the last half went by so quickly, I got through it in one read. The book takes on several perspectives, most commonly Clara and her daughter. I struggled initially with the shifting perspectives as I couldn’t tell whether Clara and Elsie’s chapters were occurring simultaneously or chronologically. It became more clear as the book went on.
I liked the pace of the book and it definitely could have been drawn out more as there were so many details and potential plot points to draw from. But I appreciated the brevity. At times the conversations between characters felt dull, probably accurate for the 1900s, but not the best reading. We could grasp some aspects of the cult including the hierarchy, mechanism of control, punishments, etc. I think it could have been fleshed out a little more, like what brought these people here; why hasn’t anyone tried to leave, what happens if they leave etc. The book alludes to various practices like sedation, abuse, starvation, and “physical degradation.” Later on there are references to blood letting which I didn’t fully understand until quite literally the very end. Basically this cult isn’t supposed to be conniving, they’re all just dumb, high, lunatics who think they’ve figured out the secrets to life. I think ward’s motives weren’t entirely clear either. Like obviously his main goal was clear and he was a nasty evil dude. I just assumed he wanted all of those members for their money, but there could have been another underlying psychological reason.
The ending was very action-packed and had me really feeling for the characters, where in the beginning I found them cold and not relatable. The very end of the book felt a little too easy, but it felt satisfying. I don’t like when books try to wrap up all the loose ends - it just makes the end long and too idealistic. The ending was at the right point and vague enough that it wasn’t overdoing it. I liked that we saw the final scene from the main characters point of view; they had one singular goal and the rest of the “loose ends” didn’t matter to them or the reader.
I could definitely see this being a horror-ish movie, maybe like a Jordan peele style. Overall I think the story was great but I felt that I didn’t understand the characters as well as I should have.
I was given an advanced reader’s copy for review.
September 30, 2024
Gothic Thriller and Gothic Fiction for Sure
This weekend I finished reading The Cultist Wife by B.J. Sikes. This is a beautifully crafted story set in the early 1900s in the Bahamas during the height of the British Empire. The details are spot on and you feel like you are experiencing the oppressive heat along with our three main characters: Clara (The Mother), Elsie (The Maiden, more like The Child) and Irene (The Cone). I was expecting this story to be more Gothic Horror given the description, however that is not the case, so if you want Gothic Horror go read Anne Rice. What I ended up reading was this wonderfully told Gothic Thriller and fiction story, with a healthy dose of history thrown in.
My only issue with the novel (and this should be seen as a credit to the writer) is I found myself getting more and more annoyed with Clara. This really is her story, so we get to spend a lot of time with her. My annoyance wasn’t at how she lived or interacted in this world. My exasperation came from how true to life this character was portrayed. I wanted to reach into the story and yell at her for how she was acting and get on her case about the choices she made. However, Clara, like all the characters in the book, are a product of their time (and this is something Sikes does incredibly well) the characters in the book act as you would expect them to perform given that the story is set in 1908. You’re not going to have modern day characters in this setting (which is something a lot of historical fiction gets wrong), you are going to have female characters (who are strong and intelligent) acting like the subservient creatures that the men, and society, at the time expected. Which honestly annoyed me. Because Clara, as well as Elsie and Irene, are brilliant strong women. Who, if they lived today, would be fiercely resilient, powerful, independent women, and none of them would let the ‘men’ or society treat them the way that they are treated in this novel?
Is this Gothic Horror? Well, sort of, there is a cult, there is a ghost, and there is a bit of what we would call witchcraft/magic, however those items take a backseat to the meat of the story, which is a thriller and fiction adventure.
If Historical Fiction and Gothic Thrillers are your thing, then this is absolutely the story for you.
This weekend I finished reading The Cultist Wife by B.J. Sikes. This is a beautifully crafted story set in the early 1900s in the Bahamas during the height of the British Empire. The details are spot on and you feel like you are experiencing the oppressive heat along with our three main characters: Clara (The Mother), Elsie (The Maiden, more like The Child) and Irene (The Cone). I was expecting this story to be more Gothic Horror given the description, however that is not the case, so if you want Gothic Horror go read Anne Rice. What I ended up reading was this wonderfully told Gothic Thriller and fiction story, with a healthy dose of history thrown in.
My only issue with the novel (and this should be seen as a credit to the writer) is I found myself getting more and more annoyed with Clara. This really is her story, so we get to spend a lot of time with her. My annoyance wasn’t at how she lived or interacted in this world. My exasperation came from how true to life this character was portrayed. I wanted to reach into the story and yell at her for how she was acting and get on her case about the choices she made. However, Clara, like all the characters in the book, are a product of their time (and this is something Sikes does incredibly well) the characters in the book act as you would expect them to perform given that the story is set in 1908. You’re not going to have modern day characters in this setting (which is something a lot of historical fiction gets wrong), you are going to have female characters (who are strong and intelligent) acting like the subservient creatures that the men, and society, at the time expected. Which honestly annoyed me. Because Clara, as well as Elsie and Irene, are brilliant strong women. Who, if they lived today, would be fiercely resilient, powerful, independent women, and none of them would let the ‘men’ or society treat them the way that they are treated in this novel?
Is this Gothic Horror? Well, sort of, there is a cult, there is a ghost, and there is a bit of what we would call witchcraft/magic, however those items take a backseat to the meat of the story, which is a thriller and fiction adventure.
If Historical Fiction and Gothic Thrillers are your thing, then this is absolutely the story for you.
June 21, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was immediately pulled in by the idea of a historical gothic thriller set in the Bahamas and was intrigued by the initial synopsis of "The Cultist's Wife" by B.J. Sikes. The premise of Clara being summoned by her long-absent husband to a cult's headquarters on a sparsely inhabited island in the Bahamas sounded fascinating. The setting alone promised an eerie and captivating read.
The book starts off strong with Clara and her children disembarking into the unfamiliar landscape and climate of Andros Island. Their journey and the children's explorations of the island, along with their budding friendships with a Bahamian family, were the highlights for me. These moments brought the pages to life with vibrant descriptions and engaging adventures.
However, as the story shifted focus back to Clara and the cult, I found myself wanting more. I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the cult's background and the Bahamian folklore and mythology. These elements felt underdeveloped and left me with more questions than answers. The book felt exceptionally light on real detail or depth, which was a letdown given the intriguing premise.
The moments involving the children were delightful, and their experiences added a much-needed spark to the narrative. Unfortunately, when the story returned to the adult characters and the cult, it seemed to lose its momentum. The cult itself was shrouded in mystery, but not in a satisfying way. I was left with no clear understanding of its true nature or motivations.
In the end, I finished "The Cultist's Wife" feeling slightly disappointed. The potential for a rich, gothic thriller was there, but it didn't fully deliver. The book left me with a sense of incompleteness and a longing for more substantial storytelling. While there were enjoyable moments, particularly with the children's adventures, the overall experience fell flat. It's a shame because the initial setup had so much promise.
Despite my disappointment, I appreciate B.J. Sikes's effort to create an atmospheric and unique story. Perhaps others might find more enjoyment in the mysterious and gothic elements than I did.
I was immediately pulled in by the idea of a historical gothic thriller set in the Bahamas and was intrigued by the initial synopsis of "The Cultist's Wife" by B.J. Sikes. The premise of Clara being summoned by her long-absent husband to a cult's headquarters on a sparsely inhabited island in the Bahamas sounded fascinating. The setting alone promised an eerie and captivating read.
The book starts off strong with Clara and her children disembarking into the unfamiliar landscape and climate of Andros Island. Their journey and the children's explorations of the island, along with their budding friendships with a Bahamian family, were the highlights for me. These moments brought the pages to life with vibrant descriptions and engaging adventures.
However, as the story shifted focus back to Clara and the cult, I found myself wanting more. I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the cult's background and the Bahamian folklore and mythology. These elements felt underdeveloped and left me with more questions than answers. The book felt exceptionally light on real detail or depth, which was a letdown given the intriguing premise.
The moments involving the children were delightful, and their experiences added a much-needed spark to the narrative. Unfortunately, when the story returned to the adult characters and the cult, it seemed to lose its momentum. The cult itself was shrouded in mystery, but not in a satisfying way. I was left with no clear understanding of its true nature or motivations.
In the end, I finished "The Cultist's Wife" feeling slightly disappointed. The potential for a rich, gothic thriller was there, but it didn't fully deliver. The book left me with a sense of incompleteness and a longing for more substantial storytelling. While there were enjoyable moments, particularly with the children's adventures, the overall experience fell flat. It's a shame because the initial setup had so much promise.
Despite my disappointment, I appreciate B.J. Sikes's effort to create an atmospheric and unique story. Perhaps others might find more enjoyment in the mysterious and gothic elements than I did.
July 25, 2024
I would describe this book as a mostly historical (Victorian) adventure story with a few supernatural/horror touches. It revolves around Clara (the eponymous Cultist’s Wife) and her two children Elsie and Reggie.
Clara has been bringing up her children alone for the past few years – or rather her hired Nanny has been taking care of them while Clara attends to her quest for ‘spiritual enlightenment’. Then, one day, when her long-absent husband sends word for them to join him on some remote island, Clara obeys without a second thought, dragging along her two children, and a whole host of excess baggage, in every sense. All of which is very Victorian.
In fact, the period attitudes and trappings are well realised and the best thing about this story.
The main thing that lets this story down is pacing. Sadly, for an adventure story, there’s distinct lack of adventure for the first half. When eventually, the story does begin to find its feet, is starts to go to some interesting places, then thing seemed to happen one after another without giving the narrative a chance to explore the ramifications.
Showing most of the story through Elsie’s eyes was definitely the right call, and she seemed the most rounded character in the story. Otherwise, character motivations are often unclear.
For example, when the children end up neglected and alone as Clara gets in deeper with the Cult, there’s one man who seems to be on their side. But then he does something that puts them in danger. I won’t say what happens next to avoid spoilers. All I’ll say is, not knowing whose side a character can be an interesting device, but the narrative never explores this any further.
Also, there is much talk of Clara allowing herself to suffer degradation for the sake of seeking the Cult’s ‘path to enlightenment’ but the story doesn’t show us any details. I can understand the author’s desire to perhaps keep things on a ‘PG’ rating, but there are ways around that.
There are some good ideas in this book and it was an entertaining read, once it got going. With some restructuring, it could have pushed into 4 star territory, but as it stand, it has to be a 3 from me.
Clara has been bringing up her children alone for the past few years – or rather her hired Nanny has been taking care of them while Clara attends to her quest for ‘spiritual enlightenment’. Then, one day, when her long-absent husband sends word for them to join him on some remote island, Clara obeys without a second thought, dragging along her two children, and a whole host of excess baggage, in every sense. All of which is very Victorian.
In fact, the period attitudes and trappings are well realised and the best thing about this story.
The main thing that lets this story down is pacing. Sadly, for an adventure story, there’s distinct lack of adventure for the first half. When eventually, the story does begin to find its feet, is starts to go to some interesting places, then thing seemed to happen one after another without giving the narrative a chance to explore the ramifications.
Showing most of the story through Elsie’s eyes was definitely the right call, and she seemed the most rounded character in the story. Otherwise, character motivations are often unclear.
For example, when the children end up neglected and alone as Clara gets in deeper with the Cult, there’s one man who seems to be on their side. But then he does something that puts them in danger. I won’t say what happens next to avoid spoilers. All I’ll say is, not knowing whose side a character can be an interesting device, but the narrative never explores this any further.
Also, there is much talk of Clara allowing herself to suffer degradation for the sake of seeking the Cult’s ‘path to enlightenment’ but the story doesn’t show us any details. I can understand the author’s desire to perhaps keep things on a ‘PG’ rating, but there are ways around that.
There are some good ideas in this book and it was an entertaining read, once it got going. With some restructuring, it could have pushed into 4 star territory, but as it stand, it has to be a 3 from me.
April 29, 2024
The genre this book is labeled under is a historical gothic horror. I enjoy all of these genres though I haven't read horror in a while. I really enjoy gothic and historical fiction though and was eager to read a combination of these.
Set in the Bahamas in 1908, we have a woman with two children, living near Bath, England her husband has been away for some time, and she is stunned to receive word he summons her to travel to the Bahamas with the children who don't even know him. Now their relationship is not what you would term as a "happy" marriage. Given the time period, women are expected to obey their husband so off she went to the Bahamas with the children. After a rough ocean voyage things haven't gotten any easier for the mother and children. It's a totally different environment, climate, way of life, food etc. The husband is involved in a cult and wants his wife and children there not because he misses them but to get them involved in and accustomed to the workings of the cult to serve it as well. I found the customs of and beliefs of the Bahamians fascinating. I found the book to be so well researched involving the beliefs of the early Bahamas people. I'm wondering if the "monster" belief is one they had at the time in history the book takes place and is it a belief still today? I believe each culture has their own beliefs and truths and just because I may not know, believe or understand a culture's beliefs it doesn't make their beliefs wrong, and we need to appreciate the differences. I also am appreciative of their healing knowledge with herbs that can be used for so many natural healing properties. I have always appreciated the natural healing but have never explored it but would like to. The book took my breath away as I read it. I was absolutely intrigued and greatly look forward to reading more by the author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Set in the Bahamas in 1908, we have a woman with two children, living near Bath, England her husband has been away for some time, and she is stunned to receive word he summons her to travel to the Bahamas with the children who don't even know him. Now their relationship is not what you would term as a "happy" marriage. Given the time period, women are expected to obey their husband so off she went to the Bahamas with the children. After a rough ocean voyage things haven't gotten any easier for the mother and children. It's a totally different environment, climate, way of life, food etc. The husband is involved in a cult and wants his wife and children there not because he misses them but to get them involved in and accustomed to the workings of the cult to serve it as well. I found the customs of and beliefs of the Bahamians fascinating. I found the book to be so well researched involving the beliefs of the early Bahamas people. I'm wondering if the "monster" belief is one they had at the time in history the book takes place and is it a belief still today? I believe each culture has their own beliefs and truths and just because I may not know, believe or understand a culture's beliefs it doesn't make their beliefs wrong, and we need to appreciate the differences. I also am appreciative of their healing knowledge with herbs that can be used for so many natural healing properties. I have always appreciated the natural healing but have never explored it but would like to. The book took my breath away as I read it. I was absolutely intrigued and greatly look forward to reading more by the author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
July 5, 2024
Okay, so… a lot of thoughts about this one, and a lot of those thoughts are questions. But, I’ll start off by saying I really liked the premise of this book.
I’ve always enjoyed dark, gothic reads so this felt right up my alley. I thought the author did a great job creating the gloomy atmosphere of both England and Nassau, and I was definitely interested enough to keep me reading until the end. I also liked the paranormal aspects, though I do wish she delved deeper into these to make it a bit darker. Ultimately, I did finish the book, but I ended with a lot of questions and pretty low opinion of the main character.
Personally, I thought Clara was kind of terrible – inattentive mother, oddly aggressive but also oddly submissive, seemingly educated, but also surprisingly naïve – there were a lot of inconsistencies to her character that made it difficult for me to like her. She redeemed herself at the end (kind of), but not enough for me to really like her. This, combined with the unresolved issues of the cult, Irene and really, the future of the Cooke family left me a little confused.
In the end, I gave The Cultist’s Wife 3 stars because generally, I did like the book. However, I also feel that characters and chunks of the plot need to be reviewed and fleshed out. Aspects like the Bahamian superstitions, the cult’s background and beliefs, and the history of any of the characters felt glossed over and the lack of details made the book seem less cohesive than it could have been. Overall, an intriguing story. I just wish there was a little more care in the execution.
Thank you Voracious Readers and BJ Sikes for my copy. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ve always enjoyed dark, gothic reads so this felt right up my alley. I thought the author did a great job creating the gloomy atmosphere of both England and Nassau, and I was definitely interested enough to keep me reading until the end. I also liked the paranormal aspects, though I do wish she delved deeper into these to make it a bit darker. Ultimately, I did finish the book, but I ended with a lot of questions and pretty low opinion of the main character.
Personally, I thought Clara was kind of terrible – inattentive mother, oddly aggressive but also oddly submissive, seemingly educated, but also surprisingly naïve – there were a lot of inconsistencies to her character that made it difficult for me to like her. She redeemed herself at the end (kind of), but not enough for me to really like her. This, combined with the unresolved issues of the cult, Irene and really, the future of the Cooke family left me a little confused.
In the end, I gave The Cultist’s Wife 3 stars because generally, I did like the book. However, I also feel that characters and chunks of the plot need to be reviewed and fleshed out. Aspects like the Bahamian superstitions, the cult’s background and beliefs, and the history of any of the characters felt glossed over and the lack of details made the book seem less cohesive than it could have been. Overall, an intriguing story. I just wish there was a little more care in the execution.
Thank you Voracious Readers and BJ Sikes for my copy. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 20, 2024
This historical and culty novel is set in the early 20th century and gives us a unique peek into the life of that age. It concerns a long-separated family from England, the father of which has been working in a cult on a sparsely populated tropical island. When he calls his wife, Clara, and two children to join him, our story begins.
Clara is a somewhat scattered mother, and her kids often seem to understand more of their new home than does she. She feels she is psychic and wholly immerses herself in the community, despite receiving a less than warm welcome from her husband and the other cult members.
The cult is formed around a secret is all I can say without giving away the story.
I wanted to love this book, but I instead found a lot missing from it. We never really find out too much about the cult and its workings. We meet some island natives, but feel that story, too, is half told. We don’t really meet too many of the cult members or understand their entire reasoning for compliance. The husband has what may be an interesting story, but we hear too little of it to really understand him.
All in all, this should have gone one of two ways; it would have made a great short story if it took out a lot of the detail about the trip to the island less consequential parts. Or, it may have made a better novel had it actually added some of the detail I mentioned.
Easy to say, I suppose!
Anyway, I grade this one average. It’s good enough to get enjoyment from finishing, and it has a satisfying ending. However, it may raise more questions than it answers, and I feel it just misses in a lot of places.
Clara is a somewhat scattered mother, and her kids often seem to understand more of their new home than does she. She feels she is psychic and wholly immerses herself in the community, despite receiving a less than warm welcome from her husband and the other cult members.
The cult is formed around a secret is all I can say without giving away the story.
I wanted to love this book, but I instead found a lot missing from it. We never really find out too much about the cult and its workings. We meet some island natives, but feel that story, too, is half told. We don’t really meet too many of the cult members or understand their entire reasoning for compliance. The husband has what may be an interesting story, but we hear too little of it to really understand him.
All in all, this should have gone one of two ways; it would have made a great short story if it took out a lot of the detail about the trip to the island less consequential parts. Or, it may have made a better novel had it actually added some of the detail I mentioned.
Easy to say, I suppose!
Anyway, I grade this one average. It’s good enough to get enjoyment from finishing, and it has a satisfying ending. However, it may raise more questions than it answers, and I feel it just misses in a lot of places.
July 25, 2024
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of this book. All thoughts below are my own and are left voluntarily; they are not influenced by the author, publisher, or others involved in its creation.
While there are moments during this book where I felt entertained and I enjoyed the setup (including the ending which, at least, felt extremely satisfying), I can't say that I enjoyed this book as a whole. It starts off with sentences that are short in a way that is jarring to read, and overdescriptive prose that feels unnecessary and as if it is padding, and from there it doesn't really improve. The concept/idea for the story is excellent but it falls apart in the execution. At several moments it feels as if the wrong story is being told or attention is being paid to irrelevant details, and the action doesn't really kick off until quite late in the book which is not where it should be seen. It definitely has an issue with pacing that takes away from the immersive feeling.
That being said, it is not a bad story. The author picked an excellent option for the point of view character, and has some great ideas for the plotline and premise that I think could have warranted from further exploration. I love the Victorian setting and some of the descriptions were not as overdescriptive as others, leading to a more vibrant and engaging description of the world and the people that were inhabiting it. The characters were excellent choices and I think the author did well with characterisation. I just don't felt like it fully delivered what I was expecting from the synopsis of the story.
While there are moments during this book where I felt entertained and I enjoyed the setup (including the ending which, at least, felt extremely satisfying), I can't say that I enjoyed this book as a whole. It starts off with sentences that are short in a way that is jarring to read, and overdescriptive prose that feels unnecessary and as if it is padding, and from there it doesn't really improve. The concept/idea for the story is excellent but it falls apart in the execution. At several moments it feels as if the wrong story is being told or attention is being paid to irrelevant details, and the action doesn't really kick off until quite late in the book which is not where it should be seen. It definitely has an issue with pacing that takes away from the immersive feeling.
That being said, it is not a bad story. The author picked an excellent option for the point of view character, and has some great ideas for the plotline and premise that I think could have warranted from further exploration. I love the Victorian setting and some of the descriptions were not as overdescriptive as others, leading to a more vibrant and engaging description of the world and the people that were inhabiting it. The characters were excellent choices and I think the author did well with characterisation. I just don't felt like it fully delivered what I was expecting from the synopsis of the story.
June 1, 2025
I sprinkled this book between some biographies to keep myself from getting burnt out. And it was the perfect choice. It is a short read and kept a good pace majority of the time. I never got bored or confused, and there were multiple times I didn’t want to put it down. Of course the best characters are the children, and those were my favorite moments in the book. I was frustrated by their treatment and disliked the mother who was sort of the main character, but not exactly as we do spend a lot of time with other characters. But I don’t think I was supposed to like her very much, so it worked well for me. My only critiques are that things did feel a little rushed toward the end. I had to re read a part to make sure I hadn’t missed anything, I wasn’t quite satisfied. And I had forgotten the mystical/supernatural bits by the time it was really brought up again. Overall, I enjoyed my time and felt refreshed after reading it. I liked the descriptions of smells and colors, I could clearly imagine myself of the boat or walking through the jungle. I will be looking into more books from this author.
July 4, 2024
The Cultist's Wife was a creepy, gothic story taking place in the Bahamas early 1900s. I don't usually like the horror genre but I enjoyed this book and didnt find it *too* scary for me. Mainly it features the horrors that people (in this case a remote sect of creepy white people on a small island in the Bahamas) inflict upon each other for power and the hope of immortality.
The main players are a 2 children and a mother from England who are called to join the family patriarch in the Bahamas, suddenly and without explaination. As a mother, I found Clara's treatment of her children difficult to empathize with. As a women, I do empathize with her inability to shape her own life and decide for herself whether to become a mother. Elsie is young, rambunctious and I loved her. Reggie is adorable and so sweet.
I enjoyed veing introduced to some new players from Caribbean mythology, like the Lusca. What's not to love about an octopus-shark?!
Definitely worth the read! I received an arc and happily wrote this review.
The main players are a 2 children and a mother from England who are called to join the family patriarch in the Bahamas, suddenly and without explaination. As a mother, I found Clara's treatment of her children difficult to empathize with. As a women, I do empathize with her inability to shape her own life and decide for herself whether to become a mother. Elsie is young, rambunctious and I loved her. Reggie is adorable and so sweet.
I enjoyed veing introduced to some new players from Caribbean mythology, like the Lusca. What's not to love about an octopus-shark?!
Definitely worth the read! I received an arc and happily wrote this review.
May 15, 2024
It takes place in the early 1900s; a mother and two children are called to a remote island by her husband who has been there for several years under the guise of work. The book takes on several perspectives, most commonly Clara and her daughter. The bulk of the story details her and her children’s experiences in the cult and her fading trust in her husband and peers. The book alludes to various practices like sedation, abuse, starvation, and “physical degradation.” I found the book to be so well researched involving the beliefs of the early Bahamas people. The very end of the book felt a little too easy, but it felt satisfying. Overall I think the story was great but I felt that I didn’t understand the characters as well as I should have. I was absolutely intrigued and greatly look forward to reading more by the author.this is certainly a unique and interesting story.
May 19, 2026
This intriguing historical fantasy/gothic horror novel, which takes place in the Bahamas, is a twisted tale of a woman coming to terms with her situation and finding the courage to confront it. It's also a look at life at the turn of the century (1900's), where women are defined by who they marry, with little autonomy. Clara takes her children and follows her husband to the Bahamas, where he is involved with a cult that is clearly a twisted group with dark intentions. Her children are left to their own devices, while their mother becomes immersed in the secret happenings of the cult. The author does a brilliant job bringing the reader into life on the island, and the children emerge as wise and strong beyond their years, seeking help from the locals. Magical, mystical, with a touch of darkness.
May 10, 2024
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
BJ Skies weaves a wonderful tale of blind faith and the battle between what we most desire and what we actually need.
Elise is smart funny and just wanting her mother’s love. Reggie is young brave and completely adores his sister
Having been separated from her Cultist husband for 5 years a shock request from him to join him brings Clara into a fight not only for her husband but for everything she holds dear
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and tho it isn’t my usual type of horror it has opened my eyes to a new genre.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
BJ Skies weaves a wonderful tale of blind faith and the battle between what we most desire and what we actually need.
Elise is smart funny and just wanting her mother’s love. Reggie is young brave and completely adores his sister
Having been separated from her Cultist husband for 5 years a shock request from him to join him brings Clara into a fight not only for her husband but for everything she holds dear
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and tho it isn’t my usual type of horror it has opened my eyes to a new genre.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 14, 2024
The book captured me quickly. Even though I didn’t like Clara, the first of several narrators, the situation was very intriguing. I was swept along, and did very much enjoy Clara’s daughter Elsie and the native healer, Irene, as narrators. I haven’t read much set in the Bahamas, so I was captivated by that aspect of the narration. Cults fascinate me and this one was thoroughly creepy. I did feel the book handled the ending a bit too easily, everything falling into place as expected. I also wished Irene’s relationship with the elders should have been examined a bit more, as it’s really rather similar to Clara’s experience even though it’s not shown to be evil. Perhaps in another book? Strong story—especially the valiant children and graceful writing style.
May 4, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was brilliant! I really enjoyed it. The character development wowed me, the main character Clara started off detestable but her journey to becoming the mother her children deserved was fabulously well written.
I found no negatives to report but my only wish is to know what happens next! To the cult, to Clara and the children and to aunty Irene. I feel like I know them all so well. Absolutely brilliant.
This book was brilliant! I really enjoyed it. The character development wowed me, the main character Clara started off detestable but her journey to becoming the mother her children deserved was fabulously well written.
I found no negatives to report but my only wish is to know what happens next! To the cult, to Clara and the children and to aunty Irene. I feel like I know them all so well. Absolutely brilliant.
April 11, 2024
I was invested from the Gothic horror element going on in this story. It had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed going on this journey with the characters in this world. I thought BJ Sikes wrote this perfectly and had that feel that I was looking for. I enjoyed the historical feel to it and enjoyed how everything worked and that the steampunk element was perfect for the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 4, 2024
This is a good book, don't get me wrong, but I feel the author created a world and some characters she could have really dove into. I have questions about some things that I really want answered lol. There are a few main characters, but I wouldn't call the cultist's wife one of them and I found that odd. There are thankfully some behind closed doors scenes that I appreciate the author not diving into. Some characters grew on me, other's not so much. Give it a try and you'll probably like it.
April 5, 2024
This was a quick read and it sucked me in right away!
I loved the main character's voice and her struggling to belong in the cult. It's amazing what women will let themselves be degraded to in the name of "religion".
I also loved that it took place in the Bahamas. I kept picturing the home of Johnny Cash's home down there.
I loved the main character's voice and her struggling to belong in the cult. It's amazing what women will let themselves be degraded to in the name of "religion".
I also loved that it took place in the Bahamas. I kept picturing the home of Johnny Cash's home down there.
April 20, 2024
This was an interesting story. The different characters’ points of view really added to the storytelling. The setting in the Bahamas was a good addition. Getting into the story took a bit for me but once there I finished it quickly.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 13, 2024
I won this book in a giveaway. I wanted to really give this book a chance but after about 25% of the way through, I realized I was slogging and forcing myself to read it. The shift between Clara's perspective, Elsie's perspective, Irene's perspective, etc. etc. --- I'm sure it'll all come together but the pacing of the story and the prose became tedious to read.
March 11, 2024
Read this in 2 days. Very readable! Would make a great holiday read.
Found myself quickly sucked into the story and the Bahamas.
There were some plot points that jarred a little but overall a fun read and really enjoyed it.
Found myself quickly sucked into the story and the Bahamas.
There were some plot points that jarred a little but overall a fun read and really enjoyed it.
June 9, 2024
This was a creepy and gothic horror story with great characters and setting. A very spooky read for an afternoon!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 5, 2025
This book read like a B movie script. Characters flat, lacked detail that would have deepened or enhanced the story. Everyone sucked then all of a sudden, it ended neatly. I'd call it a PG spin on horror...
April 12, 2024
Great book!! Couldn’t put it down!
September 10, 2024
Inhated this book. It was too quick, and jumped from one scenario to another too quick. I hate Clara's character and the major child abuse was frustrating to read.
August 6, 2025
What id describe as gothic horror/supernatural. It was well written, though seems so much longer than it is.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 1, 2024
I loved this story and the way BJ Sikes pulls you into the book. I enjoyed the story from start to finish and couldn't put it down at times.
I felt the rage, hopefulness, love, and disappointment the characters felt. I was so enthralled in this story I couldn't stop thinking about it when I couldn't be reading it. I look forward to more works by this author she has definitely been added to my favorites list.
I felt the rage, hopefulness, love, and disappointment the characters felt. I was so enthralled in this story I couldn't stop thinking about it when I couldn't be reading it. I look forward to more works by this author she has definitely been added to my favorites list.
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