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I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby
Not yet published
Expected 23 Mar 27A page-turning psychological thriller about two codependent rivals who start a cult together in Los Angeles.
Aliyah is a pampered influencer married to a tech billionaire. She believes she’s been chosen to spread the influence of a dark god through The Harmony Technique. Emma is a kickboxing instructor who struggles to make ends meet. She is beloved by her friends and students but feels directionless, haunted by the sense that maybe she should be doing more.
When Aliyah and Emma first meet, they despise each other, but despite their hatred, they recognize a mutual desire for real purpose—and an opportunity to create an alliance. Aliyah’s Harmony Technique has gained popularity among LA influencers and social climbers, but Emma sees an opportunity to expand. Together, they create From The Heart, a cult in the heart of downtown LA. Emma and Aliyah promise to free their followers from pain, but it turns out Aliyah has darker intentions. As Aliyah feeds her worst impulses for control, Emma struggles to restrain her, desperate to use the power of the cult for good.
Each woman has to decide how far she’s willing to go to get what she wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice on the altar of ambition. For fans of Killing Eve comes a dark examination of devotion, power, and longing, I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby is about the desire for ascendance—and what it can cost.
Aliyah is a pampered influencer married to a tech billionaire. She believes she’s been chosen to spread the influence of a dark god through The Harmony Technique. Emma is a kickboxing instructor who struggles to make ends meet. She is beloved by her friends and students but feels directionless, haunted by the sense that maybe she should be doing more.
When Aliyah and Emma first meet, they despise each other, but despite their hatred, they recognize a mutual desire for real purpose—and an opportunity to create an alliance. Aliyah’s Harmony Technique has gained popularity among LA influencers and social climbers, but Emma sees an opportunity to expand. Together, they create From The Heart, a cult in the heart of downtown LA. Emma and Aliyah promise to free their followers from pain, but it turns out Aliyah has darker intentions. As Aliyah feeds her worst impulses for control, Emma struggles to restrain her, desperate to use the power of the cult for good.
Each woman has to decide how far she’s willing to go to get what she wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice on the altar of ambition. For fans of Killing Eve comes a dark examination of devotion, power, and longing, I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby is about the desire for ascendance—and what it can cost.
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 23, 2027
About the author
Autumn Christian
16 books360 followersAutumn Christian is the author of the books "The Crooked God Machine," "We are Wormwood", and "Ecstatic Inferno," and has written for several video-games, including Battle Nations and State of Decay 2. When not writing, she is usually practicing her side kicks and running with dogs, or posting strange and existential Instagram selfies.
She's been a freelance writer, a game designer, a cheese producer, a haunted house actor, and a video game tester. She considers Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Katie Jane Garside, the southern gothic, and dubstep, as main sources of inspiration.
She's been a freelance writer, a game designer, a cheese producer, a haunted house actor, and a video game tester. She considers Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Katie Jane Garside, the southern gothic, and dubstep, as main sources of inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby is one of those books that immediately makes you ask, “What exactly did I just get myself into?” And I mean that in the best possible way.
This story is dark, strange, unsettling, and completely committed to its premise. It dives into manipulation, control, obsession, power, and the terrifying ease with which people can be pulled into someone else’s reality when the right person knows exactly what to say. The cult aspect isn’t just there for shock value either — the psychological control behind it is what makes the story so disturbing.
What I enjoyed most was the atmosphere. There’s this constant feeling that something is off, even during moments that seem almost normal. You’re watching relationships shift, boundaries disappear, and people become more deeply entangled in something they may not fully understand until they’re already in too far. That slow erosion of independence gave the book its strongest psychological edge for me.
The characters are messy, complicated, and not always easy to understand or root for, but that honestly works for a story like this. Nobody feels completely safe. Nobody feels completely trustworthy. And the further I got into the book, the more I found myself questioning people’s motives and wondering who was actually in control.
The title definitely gives you an idea of the kind of wild ride you’re signing up for, but the book still manages to go into some uncomfortable and unexpected places. It’s provocative, twisted, and at times almost absurd in a way that somehow makes the darker moments hit even harder.
This won’t be a book for everyone. If you need likable characters, a comfortable storyline, or something that stays inside the lines, this probably isn’t it. But if you like books that make you uncomfortable, make you question people’s behavior, and leave you thinking, “There is absolutely something wrong with everyone here,” then this one is worth picking up.
Overall, I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby was a dark, bizarre, psychologically messy experience — and definitely not a book I’ll forget anytime soon.
This story is dark, strange, unsettling, and completely committed to its premise. It dives into manipulation, control, obsession, power, and the terrifying ease with which people can be pulled into someone else’s reality when the right person knows exactly what to say. The cult aspect isn’t just there for shock value either — the psychological control behind it is what makes the story so disturbing.
What I enjoyed most was the atmosphere. There’s this constant feeling that something is off, even during moments that seem almost normal. You’re watching relationships shift, boundaries disappear, and people become more deeply entangled in something they may not fully understand until they’re already in too far. That slow erosion of independence gave the book its strongest psychological edge for me.
The characters are messy, complicated, and not always easy to understand or root for, but that honestly works for a story like this. Nobody feels completely safe. Nobody feels completely trustworthy. And the further I got into the book, the more I found myself questioning people’s motives and wondering who was actually in control.
The title definitely gives you an idea of the kind of wild ride you’re signing up for, but the book still manages to go into some uncomfortable and unexpected places. It’s provocative, twisted, and at times almost absurd in a way that somehow makes the darker moments hit even harder.
This won’t be a book for everyone. If you need likable characters, a comfortable storyline, or something that stays inside the lines, this probably isn’t it. But if you like books that make you uncomfortable, make you question people’s behavior, and leave you thinking, “There is absolutely something wrong with everyone here,” then this one is worth picking up.
Overall, I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby was a dark, bizarre, psychologically messy experience — and definitely not a book I’ll forget anytime soon.
Did Not Finish
September 10, 2026I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley.
What the heck’s going on!?
The whole “seeing gods” concept really intrigued me, and honestly, that was probably what kept me reading for as long as I did. But I found myself wanting a bit more about the gods, because it never really felt like the story explored that idea enough (it may have gotten to it if I kept reading).
By 40%, I was still pretty unsure about what was actually happening, although I was intrigued enough to keep going. I did love the “To terrible decisions” toast scene, though. I was like, ooh, maybe it’s gonna kick off for me now.
I made it to 57% before finally deciding this one just wasn’t for me. I wanted more about the gods and just more of whatever initially hooked me.
DNF at 57%.
What the heck’s going on!?
The whole “seeing gods” concept really intrigued me, and honestly, that was probably what kept me reading for as long as I did. But I found myself wanting a bit more about the gods, because it never really felt like the story explored that idea enough (it may have gotten to it if I kept reading).
By 40%, I was still pretty unsure about what was actually happening, although I was intrigued enough to keep going. I did love the “To terrible decisions” toast scene, though. I was like, ooh, maybe it’s gonna kick off for me now.
I made it to 57% before finally deciding this one just wasn’t for me. I wanted more about the gods and just more of whatever initially hooked me.
DNF at 57%.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
from the first page… my eyebrows were raised…
•i’m your cult leader, baby- autumn christian•
this book was chaotic, unsettling & questionable in the best way possible. i was sat on the edge of my seat, fully invested in aliyah’s unhinged behaviours and beliefs.
beliefs so strong and visions so delusional yet convincing that people didn’t hesitate to join, follow her lead, worship at her feet and dance with the devil to the point of near death.
when you’ve got nothing else left to live for, why not sacrifice yourself?🤷🏻♀️
100% recommend for those who love the weird and wonderful reads.
thank you @netgalley & @clashbooks for the arc approval✨
•i’m your cult leader, baby- autumn christian•
this book was chaotic, unsettling & questionable in the best way possible. i was sat on the edge of my seat, fully invested in aliyah’s unhinged behaviours and beliefs.
beliefs so strong and visions so delusional yet convincing that people didn’t hesitate to join, follow her lead, worship at her feet and dance with the devil to the point of near death.
when you’ve got nothing else left to live for, why not sacrifice yourself?🤷🏻♀️
100% recommend for those who love the weird and wonderful reads.
thank you @netgalley & @clashbooks for the arc approval✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.
I'm a sucker for stories about cults and this book was intrigued me from the get go. It's dark, unsettling and concentrated more on the manipulative side of cults instead of the rituals people encounter after joining them. I personally would have like more about the God's mentioned in this book but overall I enjoyed this one and would recommend it to others who enjoy this type of read.
I'm a sucker for stories about cults and this book was intrigued me from the get go. It's dark, unsettling and concentrated more on the manipulative side of cults instead of the rituals people encounter after joining them. I personally would have like more about the God's mentioned in this book but overall I enjoyed this one and would recommend it to others who enjoy this type of read.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is your only and last chance to get into heaven. Do you understand? Don't fuck it up.
Oh, fantastically bizarre. First time I really opened it up to read it, I walked around the neighborhood for two hours straight with my Kindle stuffed in my face and barely noticed the distance. I feel like I read a lot of samey stuff, so accidentally stumbling into this unique, deranged book was a real treat.
I was held at a distance, though, by one big thing: I don't get why Emma and Aliyah were so connected. For a book that was soooo steeped in metaphor and figurative language (and it definitely made me wanna push myself with my writing), it was a weird combo of evasive and, uh, "tell-y," asserting these traits about the characters that I just didn't see the reasons for. Consequently, I didn't get the ending or Emma's trajectory. Payoff with no lead-up?
So yeah, that became a big counterweight in the second half, I'm not the biggest fan of the trashy sexy glam aesthetic (hot girls on heroin kinda thing--though it felt weirdly nostalgic to me), and some of it read as a little "fake deep," but I still recommend it, especially if you go in pretty blind beyond knowing it's about a wellness cult. And two really freaky, really weird women, being intensely freaky and weird. We love to see it.
How much time and money have you wasted on a dream that you keep waking up from?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC Copy of this book for free and I am writing this review voluntarily.
I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby is chaotic, sharp and completely unbothered about being normal. It’s weird in the best way. Funny, unsettling, a little existential and absolutely soaked in that offbeat Autumn Christian energy. It feels like being dragged through a fever dream by someone who is laughing the whole time.
The voice is incredible. Snarky, self aware, messy and strangely tender underneath all the cult vibes and surreal horror. The book plays with identity, obsession and the way people fall into power structures without even noticing. It’s satire, but it’s also emotional in that “oh god I relate to this more than I should” way.
The humour is wild. It’s sharp, absurd and sometimes uncomfortable, but it works because the story leans into its own strangeness instead of trying to tame it. The horror is more psychological than gory. It’s the kind of dread that comes from watching someone unravel while pretending they’re ascending.
If you like books that feel feral, clever, deeply strange and a little too real under the chaos, this one is such a ride. It’s cult fiction with teeth.
Smart, weird and addictive. It didn’t quite hit full obsession level, but it absolutely scratched that “I want something unhinged and clever” itch.
I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby is chaotic, sharp and completely unbothered about being normal. It’s weird in the best way. Funny, unsettling, a little existential and absolutely soaked in that offbeat Autumn Christian energy. It feels like being dragged through a fever dream by someone who is laughing the whole time.
The voice is incredible. Snarky, self aware, messy and strangely tender underneath all the cult vibes and surreal horror. The book plays with identity, obsession and the way people fall into power structures without even noticing. It’s satire, but it’s also emotional in that “oh god I relate to this more than I should” way.
The humour is wild. It’s sharp, absurd and sometimes uncomfortable, but it works because the story leans into its own strangeness instead of trying to tame it. The horror is more psychological than gory. It’s the kind of dread that comes from watching someone unravel while pretending they’re ascending.
If you like books that feel feral, clever, deeply strange and a little too real under the chaos, this one is such a ride. It’s cult fiction with teeth.
Smart, weird and addictive. It didn’t quite hit full obsession level, but it absolutely scratched that “I want something unhinged and clever” itch.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5
I am always down to read a book about a cult or cultish characters and situations. So I was very excited about this book.
I did have high hopes for this book (because of the above statement), but did find it to be a bit lackluster for both a cult story and for my taste. This felt more like it was about the manipulative nature of cults and cult-like people than an actual cult and their doings. So if you like the more psychological side of that kind of situation, definitely check this out.
This is one of those books that has you always questioning the characters, always suspicious of their motivations. And that is very entertaining!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I am always down to read a book about a cult or cultish characters and situations. So I was very excited about this book.
I did have high hopes for this book (because of the above statement), but did find it to be a bit lackluster for both a cult story and for my taste. This felt more like it was about the manipulative nature of cults and cult-like people than an actual cult and their doings. So if you like the more psychological side of that kind of situation, definitely check this out.
This is one of those books that has you always questioning the characters, always suspicious of their motivations. And that is very entertaining!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a good culty book. I also love a good unhinged FMC. Luckily for me this one had both!
This story is told in three parts, from two different POVs.
The first part of the story felt clunky and I wasn’t sure where it was going to go… but the clunkiness I felt paid off and felt almost purposeful as I got more into the story.
The book went from 0-100 and I honestly could not put it down. Without giving anything away, I finished this one last night & it’s all I’ve been thinking about all day.
I’ll be recommending this book for some time to come!
Thank you so much Clash Books for my eARC!
This story is told in three parts, from two different POVs.
The first part of the story felt clunky and I wasn’t sure where it was going to go… but the clunkiness I felt paid off and felt almost purposeful as I got more into the story.
The book went from 0-100 and I honestly could not put it down. Without giving anything away, I finished this one last night & it’s all I’ve been thinking about all day.
I’ll be recommending this book for some time to come!
Thank you so much Clash Books for my eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yet again, Autumn Christian has restored my faith in contemporary fiction. This novel left me wondering whether reality itself is quietly shaped by her imagination. If not, she sure as hell understands it better than most. The apex between credibility and absurdity is Christian’s sweet spot, and this ride is no different—expertly done. Fanaticism, loneliness, purpose, and the WTF of our age. To understand them as she does, I’d say having this book bedside might be more important than a Bible. “All useful people are a little dangerous.” I’ve long known Autumn is one of them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**Thank you ro NetGalley, CLASH books, and Autumn Christian for this ARC**
3.25/5 🌟. I am a sucker for all things cult-related and this book pulled me right in. I really enjoyed the first third of the book and was pretty hooked, but I felt like the evolution of Emma in the book was a little rushed and the sub-plot about Harmon and his business (which was super interesting and timely- Flock cameras anyone?) was unfinished. If you are a armchair cult expert and can't get enough cult content- give it a go!
3.25/5 🌟. I am a sucker for all things cult-related and this book pulled me right in. I really enjoyed the first third of the book and was pretty hooked, but I felt like the evolution of Emma in the book was a little rushed and the sub-plot about Harmon and his business (which was super interesting and timely- Flock cameras anyone?) was unfinished. If you are a armchair cult expert and can't get enough cult content- give it a go!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of this and wrote up the blurb below for the author.
“Autumn Christian deftly taps into the dark vein of Los Angeles and reveals the glitter, glam, and suffering within. She pulls you into a suffocating narrative and convinces you to dance despite seeing yourself bleed out. I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby is a masterful novel full of power dynamics, vanity, desperation, and gods.” —Grant Wamack, author of The Frolicking.
“Autumn Christian deftly taps into the dark vein of Los Angeles and reveals the glitter, glam, and suffering within. She pulls you into a suffocating narrative and convinces you to dance despite seeing yourself bleed out. I’m Your Cult Leader, Baby is a masterful novel full of power dynamics, vanity, desperation, and gods.” —Grant Wamack, author of The Frolicking.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐
This is weird, and uncomfortable, and very readable.
There are many moments I wondered what on earth was going on.
And that is why I finished the book in a few hours.
I can't say I enjoyed it.
But that might make it all the more memorable.
I'll never be able to explain what it was about, but I will say "read it!!"
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
This is weird, and uncomfortable, and very readable.
There are many moments I wondered what on earth was going on.
And that is why I finished the book in a few hours.
I can't say I enjoyed it.
But that might make it all the more memorable.
I'll never be able to explain what it was about, but I will say "read it!!"
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
September 22, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
I really wanted to like this as the concept seemed interesting and I find the idea of cults fascinating. However, it all fell flat for me and I spent a lot of the book not really knowing what was going on, nor what the cult was actually supposed to me. Emma’s bizarre change of heart didn’t sit right with me and seemed out of nowhere.
I really wanted to like this as the concept seemed interesting and I find the idea of cults fascinating. However, it all fell flat for me and I spent a lot of the book not really knowing what was going on, nor what the cult was actually supposed to me. Emma’s bizarre change of heart didn’t sit right with me and seemed out of nowhere.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5⭐️
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews