The Cleanse

by James Yates

Every twenty years, they return.

Demons? Aliens? No one knows for sure. But this time, they’re ready. Or are they?

Justin Adams thought he had a plan. Twenty years to prepare for the next Cleanse – the night the creatures come back. But one bad gamble and he’s lost everything. Now his family’s survival rests on a small metal box, a few borrowed guns, and a promise he’s terrified he can’t keep.

Across town, millionaire Rupert Bainbridge watches from his mansion. For him, survival is guaranteed – but even steel walls can’t keep out guilt, madness, or the cult gathering at his gates.

As the world braces for the bloodbath, neighbours will turn, secrets will surface, and the true nature of the Cleanse will be revealed.

A brutal apocalyptic horror with a sprinkle of Snatch, for fans of The Purge, 28 Days Later, and The Mist.

Welcome to Judgement Day.

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2025

About the author

James Yates is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association. He writes horror fiction that blends the brutal, the supernatural, and the psychological. Focusing on working-class British settings and character-driven stories, his debut novel The Cleanse explores the monstrous in both man and myth. A lifelong devotee of horror in all its forms – from slasher to folk to the quietly unhinged – he draws from a background that understands just how grey the edges of humanity can be.

Join the mailing list for updates, chances to receive ARC copies and free giveaways.
https://james-yates-author.kit.com/18...

Reviews

[Corrina Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

An action packed prologue kicks off this tale of "Things". Things that go bump in the night, (and day), things that are terrifying, hellish, remorseless, and that aren't too keen on the human race! But only for 24 hours and only once every 20 years…. thankfully!

Preparation for The Cleanse is on, where all rules are out the window and the only goal is to survive. In amongst the preparations, people are taking full advantage and turning things to their own sinister gains. And this is what takes up most of the narrative for this book, it's all about the build up to the big day.

What's really behind The Cleanse? The truth is more terrifying than the creatures themselves. Gambling on human lives, a crazy cult, underhand tactics, dodgy deals, and true nightmare creatures.

The narrative is clear, slick and captivating. Yates keeps up the intrigue and mystery, and constantly teases you along with the proverbial carrot. I was dying to know what was going on, which is a great ploy to get the reader flying through those pages.

Hopefully we will get a sequel as I'd have liked more about, and of, the creatures. Such a big build up, it seemed like it was all over far too quickly.
And also….WHAT WAS IN THE CASE? 😲

[Dave C · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Cleanse puts a really unique twist on a purge-like event that sees creatures of unknown origin appear every 20 years to wreak MURDEROUS havoc. The concept is fantastic and whilst I really wanted to like this book, it just didn't do it for me.

I didn't find anything to like about any of the characters, struggled with the writing and found some elements just too shoddy with gaping holes. Survival horror needs to be suspenseful and tension-filled but I couldn't wait for this to be over, and the main event itself was a let down. I will commend James Yates on the ending though. Wow!

An easy enough read tackling some thought-provoking topics, but it didn't provide anywhere near enough depth or suspense for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and J Yates Publishing for the ARC!

[em · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling story with great characters and a bone chilling plot. I haven’t read a creative thriller/horror like this in a while, there was so much thought behind the story and creatures. This book also pulled no punches, it started out fast paced and carried on like that all the way until the end. A real page turner, this was such an enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #TheCleanse #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[neenween · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Thank you, NetGalley & J Yates Publishing for the eARC of The Cleanse! ☠️🩸

This is very different from what I usually read, but I’m glad I did read it! I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I found myself going into a deep dive about it with my husband, who isn’t even reading it (bless him) 😆

The Purge meets whatever the hell they saw in Bird Box (without the blindness aspect). I ate this up! 🤩

I really enjoyed the different POVs from the array of different characters. They were all individually interesting! But I will say, some of the writing definitely stuck out to me for a *specific* reason. That reason? The stereotype of men. Let me explain.. for example, one of the men had an internal thought along the lines of, “I can’t deal with this shit today”, all because his wife was complaining (rightly so) about something bad that HE caused. I would also complain if my husband did something abysmal in an *actual* life or death situation. Another example; one of the men had an internal dialogue along the lines of “..her pussy wasn’t all that great. Not after giving birth.”. Listen, I don’t consider myself a die-hard feminist, but I didn’t even need to know the author’s name or face to know this was written by a man (I know not all men think like this, nor am I assuming the author does). But! It still didn’t deter me from enjoying the read. I know this isn’t the AUTHOR’S way of thinking, but the characters in the book (I hope).

There were bits of references that were clever and lots of witty dialogue (both internal and external) but it was still an intense and creepy situation, regardless of the repartee. I had to Google some of the slang since I’m an uncultured American who needs to get out more, but I didn’t mind that. After all, I love learning new things. 😇🤭

And wow!? What an unexpected ending! I think the ending was my favorite part of it all, and it actually left my mouth agape! I need to know more of these creatures and what it all entails! I want to know how it started and how it goes after the next 20 years!


**disclaimer: I received this eARC through NetGalley and am leaving this review of my own accord. All thoughts are my own.**

𝔽𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕗𝕣𝕖𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕞𝕪 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕞, 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕪 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕖 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕕, 𝕒𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤. 📚✨ @𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕟𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕟𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕤

[Logan Gisick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cool book! I loved the premise and the drama surrounding the coming of the cleanse. There definitely could’ve been some more world building. For instance, does this happen globally? Shouldn’t there be more of an impact on society than just a local armory that will reinforce your house and provide you with weapons? Has there been no research done on the creatures? Is there no photo/video evidence left behind? I also just may have missed where some of this was explained, but I didn’t see them. Regardless, these potential plot holes did not affect the enjoyment I got reading this book. It reminded me of the first Purge movie at times, and I really liked the fact that it swapped between multiple viewpoints and for a large portion of the book treated The Cleanse as the context, and not necessarily the whole point of the story.

4/5 stars, thank you to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was a fun read. Fans of The Purge will love this!

Every 20 years, creatures come and attack the world. We begin just under 20 years ago, as a family tries to fight and live through the event. Now, as the next turn approaches, we follow a few different characters ad they prepare for what has become known as 'The Cleanse'. These characters include a grown man who survived the last Cleanse, a father and husband with a gambling problem, a gang leader and ofcourse a cult leader among others. I honestly can't give this review justice...just read it and you will love it!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Cleanse” by James Yates is a chilling, atmospheric read that blends cult-like rituals with apocalyptic horror. Set in a world where every 20 years a terrifying “cleanse” unleashes monstrous creatures for a deadly 24-hour purge, the story explores how society prepares—and fractures—in the face of this recurring nightmare. The writing is sharp and immersive, pulling you into a tense, dread-soaked countdown to survival. Yates masterfully builds suspense while weaving in unsettling themes of belief, control, and sacrifice. A gripping and well-crafted horror novel that lingers long after the final page.

[Carolyn Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I'll keep it short and sweet. The premise (The Purge meets A Quiet Place) is interesting and it's what kept me going through the book. Apocalyptic night happens every twenty years where unknown demons/monsters arrive and kill everything and everyone in sight.

The immediate sexualization of every woman character was a hard pass for me. Women belong in horror too and not just as an object for men to project their desires on to.
The men characters were under developed as well and by and large unlikable.
My favorite character? The monsters.

[Maritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Reading the synopsis for The Cleanse reminded me of The Purge (movie) but with creatures, a crazy cult, a flawed father, and a couple wealthy asshole, and I had to read it asap!

What I liked:

•The prologue really sucked me in. I needed to know more of this apocalyptic event and knowing that it was cyclic was really cool!
•The last 40% felt like an action movie.
•Writing style - loved it!

What I didn’t enjoy as much:

•Pacing — the book starts off with a bang, and then slows down to work on the character development until about 60%. I almost wish it was longer, to get more of the apocalyptic event, or have gotten the action throughout the story instead of until the very end.
•Women characters— The only 2 women in this book were not developed enough. One was a “nagging wife” and honestly, her husband was a gambling manchild so I get it (the wife did get to be a little bad ass towards the end of the book).
The other was a bimbo that uses her sexuality to get what she wanted—money. I just want more than two dimensional women in books. I understand this is definitely a personal preference.

TLDR:
I really enjoyed the writing style of this author and will definitely be reading more! Read this if you like survival stories with characters that feel real! Thank you to the author for an e-arc of The Cleanse.




Disclaimer: It’s a shame I even have to say this, but with the recent uptick in indie authors and their fans attacking reviewers for their opinions, it has to be said. I don’t give anyone permission to post my personal thoughts on a work of art I read. I do not give anyone permission to post my review. Don’t do it. Writing is art, and will be interpreted differently by those who read it. Don’t let your ego get the best of you.

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Cleanse" reads like The Purge met Bird Box, and Guy Ritchie had his say in the production. The first half is a slow-burn, with a focus on the many different characters and their relationships: family issues, male friendships, a gambling addiction, a gangster with illusions of grandeur, a posh husband and his trophy wife, and a totally bonkers cult! Sounds messy, but in the second half the pace picks up and everything ties together in the best way: the time has arrived for the 24-hour long apocalypse happening every twenty years, monsters appearing out of nowhere, killing and eating everyone. That is, everyone who hasn't prepared themselves and their family for the bizarre quasi-invasion.

The book's premise is both disturbing and hilarious: unless you're already filthy rich, you have to save money for two decades in order to afford the best protection technology provides: ugly shelters made for prepers, large enough for the whole family (if you got the money), or not (if you don't). Weapons aren't free either. Government don't care; but it does give low interest loans to get you along. Otherwise, well, you're on your own. Not to mention what happens if you're a pensioner or have no kids.

The plot is often frustrating and a bit chaotic. The characters act like real.people, however, and this may explain the sudden turns the story takes for no apparent reason. Hang in there, enjoy the banter, and when you reach the ending (was that a cliffhanger?), you'll be rewarded with the most cynical and conspiracist ending of the year! Recommended!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and J.Y publishing for allowing me to read this. I personally liked the concept of the story, similar to the purge but with otherworldly beings. However, I feel it was slightly rushed and there could have been more to the story. The writing was basic and easy to follow. I really liked the Justin and Tommy characters, childhood friends and how their relationship had changed, Tommy becoming a top gangster and Justin a gambling addict.
Sadly, I felt the story starting off with Chis as a child was somewhat pointless because we hardly saw him in the rest of the book. It would have been nice to have followed him more, maybe alongside Justin. I really liked prologue, finding out who ‘Gabriel’ really was and the government being involved. You can kind of guess the cleanse has government involvement from the ‘mist’ forming, however it does leave off for the story to continue, I think it definitely has potential.

[Chuck Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good little horror/survival/thriller novel (with some stunning cover art, too, I might add!). I really enjoyed how the story shot out of the starting blocks with the first chapter and slowly built up the tension until the day of The Cleanse, and then all hell broke loose. The ambiguity of the "creatures" and where they come from was nicely handled, as it left me curious as to what the characters were dealing with, but not annoyed that I was left hanging in some spots. Splitting up the narrative into a few different points of view was a great choice as well, because I really feel that it added the necessary depth to the story to make it more engaging.

I will say that I would have loved some more monster carnage, but the pacing of the story and how it varied slightly from how I thought it would go were both done well. I also LOVED how the ending could set up a whole slew of additional books, and I would be excited to jump back into a sequel to this story.

[Taylor Boutwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC of The Cleanse.

For 203 pages, I really thought this would be more action packed, suspenseful, and centered around this ‘Judgement Day’ with these creatures. It took until about 56% before the Cleanse even began.

It just felt a little lackluster. Some of the details were gory and detailed, but other than that I just wasn’t really into it. Also, the other thing with the Church, and people sacrificing themselves felt so irrelevant to the story.

[wiesreadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC on Netgalley in return for my review.
The Cleanse was such a tense, punchy, wild ride of a book. The apocalypse concept was interesting and unique (it's an event that reoccurs mysteriously every 20 years). The characters were frustrating in the perfect way but you just kept rooting for them to make it through. My biggest complaint is I wish it were longer!

[Mark Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: The Cleanse by James Yates

The Cleanse reads like a love letter to old-school British horror — gritty, fast-paced, and unapologetically brutal. James Yates captures the same raw energy I loved in early Shaun Hutson novels: the violence is vivid, the pacing relentless, and the atmosphere thick with dread. It’s the kind of horror that pulls no punches and doesn’t let up. If you’re into that grimy, full-throttle horror style from the ’80s and ’90s, this is definitely one to pick up. I was hooked.

@DarkBookSmithReviews

[Bellows reads quietly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, you really have to ‘doff your cap’ to the book jacket artwork The amazing cover by Matt Seff Barnes was the first thing that drew my eye. The synopsis sealed the deal.

I really did feel like the author had asked me what are my favourite things to read in a book. Siege trope, kind of Alien creatures but you’re never too sure, loveable, roguish, flawed hero, cults, small time gangsters hoping to become big time gangsters. All of these things wrapped up in a tale that sits at the head of the table along side Herbert and Hutson.

A strong prologue throws you straight into the action. This is followed by introductions to the main cast of characters. I’d strongly recommend you use this time to regulate your breathing, enjoy the tensions between the cast. Ponder on just how powerful a UK pound coin placed on a pool table really is.

That’s because as soon as the Cleanse begins you’ll be left trying to catch your breath. Like one of the Characters in his Lambo, the story telling accelerator hits the metal and the pace is relentless. Following each protagonist as they deal with the Cleanse pages are turned in rapid succession.

I’m a slow reader, but this was done and dusted in no time. The ending is one of those “ oh yeah, I really should have seen that” moments. You will however be left asking a lot of questions.

Which is why I’m really hoping for a prequel and would love a sequel, this story is ripe to be part of a trilogy.

So, yes. I absolutely loved this. It was the cover art that grabbed me, but it’s the author’s name I’ll be looking out for from now on.

[Mireya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy of "The Cleanse". This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

Every twenty years, the Cleanse takes place, with all type of demonic (or alien?) creatures coming out the night and taking out the people. It's coming again in a few days, and they'd like to think that they're ready, but life is never that easy. So, we have various protagonists in a little town: Justin Adams, with his wife Hannah and their two kids; Tommy Johnson, local mafia guy; and Rupert Bainbridge with wife Nikita and a daughter.
Justin thought he had a plan, he's had twenty years to prepare for the upcoming Cleanse, but one bad gamble makes him loose almost all their money, and now his family’s survival rests on a small metal box and a few borrowed guns. His best friend Chris will be there to help him as much as possible.
On the other side of town, millionaire Rupert watches from his mansion, assured in his survival, for money can buy him the best security system on market, but even steel walls can’t keep out guilt, nor the religious cult gathering at his gates and ready to give themselves to the Cleanse.
When night arrives, is time for them to brace themselves for bloodbath and some unsavory truths about the Cleanse, but mostly about themselves.

So, this one was too much preparation for the bloodbath and survival and too little fighting for their lives, for my liking. And this is completely personal and I will *not* base my liking or disliking of the book on it, though I'll make some comment on why I felt like this so y'all have a reference. The book is short, yet it stretched the "preparation" part for most of it. Sure, it added tension for when the night of the cleanse came, and it showed us the different chess pieces. Yet, for me, some of this moments, which were barely breathed through, weren't as necessary, because, to me, they didn't add substance to the story, plot or characters; they were too short for it. Not sure if I'm making sense, but I would have liked to use some pages better and give more depth to it all.

On the other hand, the characters were interesting enough to carry the plot and the story to the end, with my favorite being Justin. Relatable, complex, flawed, a family man... Justin was an amazing character, yet the rest didn't live up to it, I wished I would have known them better to suffer with them trough it all, or been able to see them as complex as Justin. Meaning, most of them were lacking depth, and, as I said, I fear this might be due to the rushing through some scenes, or having so many characters showing their points of view, with gave little room for exploration and fulfilling characters' arcs, in my opinion.

Ultimately, though there were some aspects of The Cleanse that didn't make me love it, I had a good time reading it, I got entertained and got a few laughs and good action moments. And, in the end, I even got what I expected of it: having some fun reading a short book with this premise of humanity fighting something they barely understand, adding some secrets, rituals of preparation and, mostly, anticipation. These creatures are coming, whether they like it or not, and everybody is on their nerves. So, I came for the fun, stayed for Justin's characters and the final fight. And...some final things that shone a light on to other aspects that left me gasping. So, now that I think about it, this was definitely a rising curve in interest for what was going on for me😂

Even though it seems like I'm hating on it, I liked The Cleanse and i do recommend it. A fast read for fans of science fiction, fighting inhuman creatures for your loved ones and making do in a world that seems to be against you every passing second.

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had it all. Cults, gangsters, flying creatures and end of times. It was action packed from start to finish. I really enjoyed it

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cleanse by James Yates is a dark and action-packed story that sneaks up on you. While the beginning unfolds at a slower pace, it steadily builds tension before exploding into intense, gory action that’s both exciting and cinematic.

Yates’ writing is sharp and immersive, making even the most gruesome scenes compelling to read. The creatures in the book are terrifyingly vivid, and I found myself wanting to learn even more about their origins and purpose.

The story’s twist ending took me completely by surprise—in the best way—and it left just enough unanswered questions to hint at the possibility of a sequel.

Though the pacing took time to pick up, The Cleanse ultimately delivered a gripping and well-crafted horror experience. It’s an enjoyable read that fans of dark, creature-driven stories will definitely appreciate.
A bit thanks to James Yates for the opportunity to read the ARC!
4/5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good dialog, great story and character development. I really enjoyed this.

[Leighah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book as I've never really been a fan of the purge films but really enjoyed it. The way all the characters interacted with each other was really well done, especially how each group's plans and fears were exposed. I also enjoyed the violence and kills in this book. They kept me turning pages to see who was going to get it next. I'm still confused about the bag at the end though.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every twenty years creatures come from somewhere. They kill anyone they can get to. Justin has tried to make sure his family is safe. Did he make the right choices? Who can you trust? Unique creatures an unexpected ending amazing debut novel.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more of a creature feature but they didn't show up until half way through. The story is more of a character study of the way people behave before and after a catastrophe, in this case The Cleanse, an apocalyptic event that happens once every twenty years. Demonic creatures appear and reek havoc for twenty four hours and only the prepared survive. I love James Yates's style of writing and will be reading more from him.

[Crysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book by James Yates. The Cleanse is a showstopper. You follow the point of view of multiple characters. Each character is unique and leaves you guessing. The Cleanse is a global event that occurs every 20 years. Despite this event coming every 20 years, little is known about it. No one knows what these creatures look like or what specifically happens on that day. A few of the characters left me frustrated because of their decision-making. However, these characters left me yelling at the book and stressing 😂. The ending left my jaw on the floor. I had to reread the last few pages more than once because holy sh!t. Yates has quickly risen through the ranks to being one of my favorite horror authors.

[Becki 🤎 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cleanse 🦇

So I was kindly sent an audible code for this alongside an arc & instantly had to start it! Thank you James!

Justin is living in a world where every 20 years, you have to completely secure your home with metal shutters, stock up on weapons & go in total lockdown due to what can only be described as giant bat like monsters that relentlessly try to destroy everything in there path for a full 24 hours, killing millions!

Unfortunately Justin also lives in a world where he makes stupid choices and gambles what money they’ve saved away, instead of buying top of the range bunkers for himself & his family to happily survive in!

Soooo he’s having to rely on boarded up windows & his own brute strength this time around! You’ve also got people using these monsters as the perfect opportunity to make money & get rid of problematic people whilst they have that small time frame…like the monsters aren’t terrifying enough!

This obviously equalled a lot of chaos and carnage….I was totally here for it 👌🏻 I really enjoyed it! The brutality, emotions & the reality of what was behind “the monsters” which kinda rings true!

The only things I didn’t like was the female characters were so sexualised and the wife being totally fine with him gambling money away right before they knew the monsters were coming. In no reality would anyone be ok with it & forgive it within the same sentence 🫣

But other than that it was brilliant, thanks for the ARC & the Audible code! I’m guessing it’s open for a sequel in the future which would be cool!

Available now on KU. It’s a bit gorey in places so do check your triggers first! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Hu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cleanse by James Yates was a bold and riveting read that gripped me from the outset. The story unfolds with unapologetic intensity—marked by graphic, visceral imagery and a level of gore that, while at times jarring, undeniably amplified the tension and urgency of the plot. It’s a cinematic, fast-paced survival narrative that fans of A Quiet Place, Bird Box, or War of the Worlds will likely devour.

What stood out most was the flawed yet compelling protagonist. Watching his growth throughout the novel added a welcome emotional depth amid the chaos, while the well-drawn minor characters brought extra texture and complexity to the journey. I also appreciated that while the ending leaves the door slightly ajar for a potential sequel, the narrative still delivers a satisfying and self-contained conclusion.

This was my first introduction to James Yates’ writing, and I’m intrigued to explore more of his work. The Cleanse is a gritty, unflinching tale that manages to balance character development with relentless action—making it an engaging read from start to finish.

Thank you to James Yates and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for this ARC.

[Shanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's time to prepare yourselves and your fortress, if you can afford one. Because they appear every 20 years, what no one knows. The aftermath is death, destruction, vague memories.
The beginning was a little slow as we get to know the characters and how they are preparing for the cleanse. After that is picks up as everyone fights for their lives. I thought it was pretty decent overall. The ending was the absolute best part. And I sense a sequel on the horizon. This is a pretty quick read and good for fans of The Purge.

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action packed. Loaded with violence. Psychological nightmare! Pretty decent read. I was a little skeptical by the concept at first but it surprised me.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

If you mixed together The Purge and A Quiet Place, then I feel you'd get The Cleanse. This is one of those books I can see working really well as an indie horror film, as it's pretty short but packed with characters and story. Despite the shorter length, we get a pretty good understanding of these characters, their histories and their motives. Some are set up to be more important than they end up being (someone you meet pretty early on ends up being pretty much a nothing burger, to be honest).

The premise here is that every 20 years, a horde of unearthly creatures appears and kills anyone they find. Those who survive spend the next twenty years saving to invest in better protections; those who can afford it are able to buy an Arma Box or completely shutter their home for protection. Of course, this means that the rich get to survive and the poor are left to fend for themselves. After this single night, the creatures disappear for another 20 years. What are they? Where are they from? Why do they do this? Some characters query this, and you don't really get to see these creatures properly until the book's last quarter.

Our main characters are Jamie and Richard, with other secondary characters getting occasional POV's. Jamie has a gambling addiction, and he gambles away most of his savings in an attempt to get more money for a better security system. Richard is a rich guy who has everything, but is increasingly paranoid about the growing religious cult that wants to sacrifice themselves for the Cleanse, and his irritation at losing power over his wife and daughter. Other influential characters include Hannah, Jamie's wife, Chris, Jamie's best friend and the intro's POV, a few religious people, and Tommy, the local gangster.

The horror here doesn't really kick in until the end of the book, and most of it is just preparing for this event. When it does happen, though, everything goes down very quickly! The ending was both surprising and not, but it left me wanting more information.

I was also curious about the rest of the world; does everyone else experience this? How do they all cope knowing they have twenty years before they might get killed in a horrific way? There were many more questions I would've liked answering, but overall this was a quick and enjoyable read.

[Taryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cleanse by James Yates.

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I did enjoy the concept. A purge like event lasting 24 hours but with otherworldly creatures that happens once every 20 years was interesting. I cannot understand though why instead to taking that 20 years between events to prepare people are scrambling in the weeks before.

The pacing of the story was difficult. The prologue was full action, then for about the next 60% of the book, it slowed right down. Almost to the point of boredom. The last 40% though was nonstop action.

I liked how each chapter was from a different character’s view, so you did get a few story lines all at once in a way that worked, I’m just not sure if all those story lines were necessary.

Then there’s the characters. There really wasn’t much to like about any of them, especially if they were female. While yes, it is up to the individual reader and the authors targeted audience but it’s time to move past the immediate sexualization or two-dimensional building of female characters. When a man gambles away his family’s life savings and the potential safety of his family and his wife gets mad, that does not then turn her into a nagging wife. But then they have sex so it’s all forgiven.

I did like the ideas in the epilogue but felt it may have been more of an afterthought. Could have built on that but it was an interesting twist.

Overall, the book was semi enjoyable but really did have good bones and could be great with some tweaking.

Thank you NetGalley, and J Yates Publishing.