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How to Escape a Tiger Cult: A Thriller
Sarah is out of options. Living in her car with no money and no future, she jumps at the chance to work at a wildlife park, a sprawling facility housing tigers and other exotic animals. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a paycheck. And Vega, the park’s magnetic owner, makes her feel like she belongs.
At first, Sarah tells herself she’s lucky to be there. But the job isn’t just cleaning cages and feeding tigers. She’s expected to perform in elaborate shows, smiling for an audience while the animals obey on command. Behind the scenes, the rules are stricter. The compound isn’t just a sanctuary—it’s home to the Order of Perpetual Youth, a cult that believes blood is the key to eternity. Obedience isn’t optional. And those who try to leave don’t get far.
Sarah wants to believe she’s special to Vega, but she isn’t the only one drawn into his orbit. There are other women—devoted, secretive, watching her too closely. She doesn’t know if she can trust them, or if they’d turn on her the moment she steps out of line. With the rituals growing darker and the walls closing in, she has to find a way out. Because if she doesn’t escape soon, she’ll end up like the others—either a loyal disciple or something much worse.
At first, Sarah tells herself she’s lucky to be there. But the job isn’t just cleaning cages and feeding tigers. She’s expected to perform in elaborate shows, smiling for an audience while the animals obey on command. Behind the scenes, the rules are stricter. The compound isn’t just a sanctuary—it’s home to the Order of Perpetual Youth, a cult that believes blood is the key to eternity. Obedience isn’t optional. And those who try to leave don’t get far.
Sarah wants to believe she’s special to Vega, but she isn’t the only one drawn into his orbit. There are other women—devoted, secretive, watching her too closely. She doesn’t know if she can trust them, or if they’d turn on her the moment she steps out of line. With the rituals growing darker and the walls closing in, she has to find a way out. Because if she doesn’t escape soon, she’ll end up like the others—either a loyal disciple or something much worse.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Briana Morgan
30 books346 followersBriana Morgan is a horror writer, editor, and author of The Tricker-Treater and Other Stories, which won a Godless 666 Award for Best Audiobook. With more than a decade of experience scaring herself and others, Briana has a fresh voice that shines through in her latest book, The Reyes Incident, which has sold more than 16,000 copies to date. Her other books include Mouth Full of Ashes, Unboxed: A Play, and more.
Briana has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University. She is also an active member of the Horror Writers Association. When not writing, Briana loves reading disturbing fiction, playing video games, and traveling with her husband.
Briana has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University. She is also an active member of the Horror Writers Association. When not writing, Briana loves reading disturbing fiction, playing video games, and traveling with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 17, 2026
Vega is everything wrong with men.
I loved the ending & that this was a unique cult I've never read anything similar to. Thank you to Briana Morgan for sending me a digital copy right before release day!
I loved the ending & that this was a unique cult I've never read anything similar to. Thank you to Briana Morgan for sending me a digital copy right before release day!
October 13, 2026
DNF @62%
Great premise, promising characters and a creepy cult that uses tiger blood to gain powers? Sounded good but the paragraph spacing, the lack of the main characters background, and the pacing between scenes sadly made this a two stars for me.
Great premise, promising characters and a creepy cult that uses tiger blood to gain powers? Sounded good but the paragraph spacing, the lack of the main characters background, and the pacing between scenes sadly made this a two stars for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The idea of a thriller that combines Tiger King with Jonestown immediately caught my attention, and I thought the unique premise was one of the book’s biggest strengths. The story does a good job balancing suspense with the psychological side of cult dynamics, showing the manipulation, control, and desperation that can keep people trapped in dangerous situations.
The tension builds steadily throughout the book, and I always had the feeling that something was about to go wrong. I found myself wanting to know how everything would unfold, especially as the pressure within the compound continued to increase.
I did notice a few plot points and characters that were introduced but never really went anywhere, which left me wondering why they had been included in the first place. There were also a few minor plot holes, but they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. While I wasn’t deeply invested in the characters themselves, the premise, suspense, and exploration of cult psychology were enough to keep me interested.
This book does come with a lot of heavy triggers, so readers should check those beforehand if they are sensitive to difficult subject matter. Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and memorable thriller because of its unusual concept and the constant sense of unease it creates.
If you like cults and psychological manipulation then you will enjoy this book.
Want to see spoilers or trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/ho...
The tension builds steadily throughout the book, and I always had the feeling that something was about to go wrong. I found myself wanting to know how everything would unfold, especially as the pressure within the compound continued to increase.
I did notice a few plot points and characters that were introduced but never really went anywhere, which left me wondering why they had been included in the first place. There were also a few minor plot holes, but they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. While I wasn’t deeply invested in the characters themselves, the premise, suspense, and exploration of cult psychology were enough to keep me interested.
This book does come with a lot of heavy triggers, so readers should check those beforehand if they are sensitive to difficult subject matter. Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and memorable thriller because of its unusual concept and the constant sense of unease it creates.
If you like cults and psychological manipulation then you will enjoy this book.
Want to see spoilers or trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/ho...
Review of advance copy
I almost DNF'ed this book, but I wanted to get through it and review the whole book. I liked the premise, but it needs a ton more work. There are so many plotholes and inconsistencies. The descriptions of some of the characters are questionable at best and problematic at worst. I think this needs a lot of rewriting and editing, and I would love to give it another chance after. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Spoilers down below describing the plotholes and inconsistencies:
Spoilers down below describing the plotholes and inconsistencies:
October 29, 2026
Living in her car with no money and no future has left Sarah out of options. So, when an opportunity to work at a wildlife park that houses tigers and other exotic animals becomes available, Sarah jumps at the offer. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a paycheck and Vega, the park owner, makes her feel like she belongs. At first Sarah feels lucky to be there, but behind the scenes the rules are strict, and the compound isn’t just a sanctuary. It’s the home of The Order of the Perpetual Youth, a cult that believes blood is the key to eternity. Sarah wants to believe she’s special to Vega, but she isn’t the only devoted woman. As rituals grow darker and the walls close in, Sarah knows if she doesn’t escape soon, she’ll end up a loyal disciple or something much worse.
To put it lightly, I think this book is a hot mess. While I was given an ARC read, there were a lot of grammatical errors, timeline errors and overall inconsistencies that I usually wouldn’t have paid attention to that had me flipping back pages to reread because I was utterly confused. The entire story feels rushed and not well thought out. It read like a very early rough draft of a story.
The timeline inconsistencies really made this story feel unbelievable. In one instance we have Sarah say she’s been on the compound for months, then a couple of pages later it’s only been a few weeks. The cult aspect seems to come out of left field all together as well. It’s not introduced slowly to build dread or really built up at all. Along with the topic of inconsistencies, the dialogue switches between first- and third-person multiple times making it sort of difficult to follow along with, especially with the conversations between characters. There’s honestly just so many inconsistencies, an example of one being Sarah losing her hand and then in the next chapter having her “hands” tied to her ankles. A woman named Sheila is constantly brought up throughout the book and we never learn who she is or why she is important and feels like simply just another after thought.
The premise of this book is strong. The Stockholm vibe and premise of a blood cult is something I did enjoy and think Morgan had an excellent idea of incorporating them both. If Morgan had simply focused on expanding the cult mentality, the atmosphere and fixing these simple mistakes I think this could have been a great read. It has a good premise just poor execution. The title is “How to escape a tiger cult” and unfortunately, we get little of the cult and little of the escape.
To put it lightly, I think this book is a hot mess. While I was given an ARC read, there were a lot of grammatical errors, timeline errors and overall inconsistencies that I usually wouldn’t have paid attention to that had me flipping back pages to reread because I was utterly confused. The entire story feels rushed and not well thought out. It read like a very early rough draft of a story.
The timeline inconsistencies really made this story feel unbelievable. In one instance we have Sarah say she’s been on the compound for months, then a couple of pages later it’s only been a few weeks. The cult aspect seems to come out of left field all together as well. It’s not introduced slowly to build dread or really built up at all. Along with the topic of inconsistencies, the dialogue switches between first- and third-person multiple times making it sort of difficult to follow along with, especially with the conversations between characters. There’s honestly just so many inconsistencies, an example of one being Sarah losing her hand and then in the next chapter having her “hands” tied to her ankles. A woman named Sheila is constantly brought up throughout the book and we never learn who she is or why she is important and feels like simply just another after thought.
The premise of this book is strong. The Stockholm vibe and premise of a blood cult is something I did enjoy and think Morgan had an excellent idea of incorporating them both. If Morgan had simply focused on expanding the cult mentality, the atmosphere and fixing these simple mistakes I think this could have been a great read. It has a good premise just poor execution. The title is “How to escape a tiger cult” and unfortunately, we get little of the cult and little of the escape.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Thanks to Book Sirens for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I understand this is a proof copy but there were so many problems with the writing. From the large number of grammatical errors, to words missing, a single letter used instead of a word (ex. J where the word just should have been) changing from 1st person to 3rd person in the same sentence. I read a lot of ARCs and I’ve never come across anything like this.
Secondly, there were jumps in the timeline that contradicted previously mentioned timelines. For example, on one page the FMC stated it was had been months since she arrived at the compound, then later on she said it had been weeks or a single week. Just didn’t make sense and pulled me out of the story even further. And the way it was written made it sound like the FMC slept with Vega quickly after arriving and that she was in love with him. Obviously, everyone is different but I didn’t understand how she could be in love with him after days and remain in love with him knowing he was married and had children with other Vixens, that he abused. The whole thing was strange.
Lastly, things were said by some of the characters and it felt as it readers were supposed to have known this, but it was never mentioned. For example, the blood stain on the floor being from a miscarriage. This was never mentioned. The entire book felt disjointed.
Right from the start I was hooked on the potential of this book and couldn’t wait to see where the story was headed. I was so intrigued I was able to look past some of even the most glaring errors, but eventually the book felt torturous to read and I simply had to put it down.
Sadly, the errors, disjointedness, timeline issues, and the insufferable FMC caused me to put the book down at Chapter 12, page 118, 44%.
I understand this is a proof copy but there were so many problems with the writing. From the large number of grammatical errors, to words missing, a single letter used instead of a word (ex. J where the word just should have been) changing from 1st person to 3rd person in the same sentence. I read a lot of ARCs and I’ve never come across anything like this.
Secondly, there were jumps in the timeline that contradicted previously mentioned timelines. For example, on one page the FMC stated it was had been months since she arrived at the compound, then later on she said it had been weeks or a single week. Just didn’t make sense and pulled me out of the story even further. And the way it was written made it sound like the FMC slept with Vega quickly after arriving and that she was in love with him. Obviously, everyone is different but I didn’t understand how she could be in love with him after days and remain in love with him knowing he was married and had children with other Vixens, that he abused. The whole thing was strange.
Lastly, things were said by some of the characters and it felt as it readers were supposed to have known this, but it was never mentioned. For example, the blood stain on the floor being from a miscarriage. This was never mentioned. The entire book felt disjointed.
Right from the start I was hooked on the potential of this book and couldn’t wait to see where the story was headed. I was so intrigued I was able to look past some of even the most glaring errors, but eventually the book felt torturous to read and I simply had to put it down.
Sadly, the errors, disjointedness, timeline issues, and the insufferable FMC caused me to put the book down at Chapter 12, page 118, 44%.
Review of advance copy
Thank you BookSiren for the ARC and thank you to the writer and publishers for all your hard work. This review is voluntary and happily left!
So to start off this for some reason made me think of some show i had seen in the past but everytime i try to look it up i cant find it so maybe it was all in my head? Who knows, but i swear I remember a crime show about a cult with tigers and a man and his wives. That's all though. I won't go into anymore details as I dont want to spoil the book. So it was like I was reading something ive already read before until I got more towards the middle. That's when things picked up for me. The characters were vastly different from one another and you can only want the best for Sarah the entire time.
This book is twisted and very dark. I had so many emotions running through me as I read this book. I did have questions about a few things too. There are dark themes throughout the book, some are disturbing which hope you can find them later once the book is published and if not im sure other reviews will spoil it and tell you.
This is a book about a cult and its going to be dark. Cult: Rituals so just think about that. It thats not your thing dont look any further. There is violence and death and sadly there is animal abuse and death. Amongst those there are more things involved, darker things so you have been warned.
Even though the book was interesting I just didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. There was just a lot of things that weren't answered and if you watched the Tiger King episodes and other things involved this seemed to be kinda tied to that in my opinion.
So to start off this for some reason made me think of some show i had seen in the past but everytime i try to look it up i cant find it so maybe it was all in my head? Who knows, but i swear I remember a crime show about a cult with tigers and a man and his wives. That's all though. I won't go into anymore details as I dont want to spoil the book. So it was like I was reading something ive already read before until I got more towards the middle. That's when things picked up for me. The characters were vastly different from one another and you can only want the best for Sarah the entire time.
This book is twisted and very dark. I had so many emotions running through me as I read this book. I did have questions about a few things too. There are dark themes throughout the book, some are disturbing which hope you can find them later once the book is published and if not im sure other reviews will spoil it and tell you.
This is a book about a cult and its going to be dark. Cult: Rituals so just think about that. It thats not your thing dont look any further. There is violence and death and sadly there is animal abuse and death. Amongst those there are more things involved, darker things so you have been warned.
Even though the book was interesting I just didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. There was just a lot of things that weren't answered and if you watched the Tiger King episodes and other things involved this seemed to be kinda tied to that in my opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the immense pleasure to read an ARC of How to Escape a Tiger Cult and, as always, Brianna doesn't disappoint.
HTEATC is an intense psychological thriller that investigates what a desperate young woman is willing to do to ensure stability when her world turns upside down, then the lengths to which she will go to ensure her survival when she realizes her would-be hero is a monstrous cult leader.
Through her masterful storytelling and impeccable grasp of the pacing of thriller fiction, Brianna takes the reader on a twisting psychological adventure into the inner world of Sarah, the new cult initiate, complete with all the mystery, confusion, resistance, and hazy grasp on reality that entails. Set against the backdrop of eastern Florida in the steamy heat of summer, a compound filled with a variety of wild animals (including the titular tigers), and 0a cast of complex characters with divided loyalites and motives, HTEATC is a whirlwind thriller that begs an answer to the question "what would you do if it was your life?"
With an explosive ending that both clears up confusion and leaves questions unanswered, you'll be flipping the final pages like a tiger is chasing you down. HTEATC is a thriller the likes of which I have not read in some time, and is sure to ensare, engage, and entertain readers of all kinds. My heart was pounding through the majority of the story, and for a good while after finishing reading it!
HTEATC is an intense psychological thriller that investigates what a desperate young woman is willing to do to ensure stability when her world turns upside down, then the lengths to which she will go to ensure her survival when she realizes her would-be hero is a monstrous cult leader.
Through her masterful storytelling and impeccable grasp of the pacing of thriller fiction, Brianna takes the reader on a twisting psychological adventure into the inner world of Sarah, the new cult initiate, complete with all the mystery, confusion, resistance, and hazy grasp on reality that entails. Set against the backdrop of eastern Florida in the steamy heat of summer, a compound filled with a variety of wild animals (including the titular tigers), and 0a cast of complex characters with divided loyalites and motives, HTEATC is a whirlwind thriller that begs an answer to the question "what would you do if it was your life?"
With an explosive ending that both clears up confusion and leaves questions unanswered, you'll be flipping the final pages like a tiger is chasing you down. HTEATC is a thriller the likes of which I have not read in some time, and is sure to ensare, engage, and entertain readers of all kinds. My heart was pounding through the majority of the story, and for a good while after finishing reading it!
Review of advance copy
Brianna Morgan is a good technical writer and understands plotting and story. For all the potential that How To Escape a Tiger Cult had, it was underwhelming and at times underdeveloped. For being a book written by a woman, it often fails the Bechdel Test. It is written in a way that tells the story rather than showing it, and it repeatedly anticipates every thought and action of a character and leaves nothing to the reader's imagination. This method makes it feel like one long synopsis, rather than letting the story evolve naturally. Every bit of dialog and exposition overstates the obvious. Characters are one-dimensional. One character, whether male or female, is exactly as the last. There is an ensemble cast but every personality is singular and flat. One day the main character arrives at her new job, the next she's in a cult. There are a lot of inconsistencies and plot holes, so it was hard to suspend disbelief. "What comes next is awful". The dialog is not far from a teen drama. There is an audience for that, and perhaps this is where this book is geared towards.
This was not the final edit of the book, so perhaps a good overhaul would improve it. Do people in cults go around saying that they're in a cult? There are a lot of good ideas here that are not fully developed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was not the final edit of the book, so perhaps a good overhaul would improve it. Do people in cults go around saying that they're in a cult? There are a lot of good ideas here that are not fully developed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGallery and author
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of How to Escape a Tiger Cult and was excited after seeing the synopsis on the Booksirens website. As a fan of psychological thrillers, I was drawn to the premise. The author does a great job showing how people get involved in cults and why they stay. We connect with Sarah, a woman with few options who’s desperate for work I enjoyed the nerve-wracking tension between Sarah, the other characters, and Vega. However, the book feels underdeveloped and could have used another round of editing and revision. There were too many inconsistencies in the point of view, shifting from third person to first, as well as in the timeline.
For instance, in chapter 1, Sarah is living in her car and drives herself to the interview at the compound. Yet in chapter 16, a passage says she could walk away to safety... So where is her car? What happened to hers and others’ cars? A couple of paragraphs or even a full page could have explained that in a subtle way.
Another example is her pregnancy; how far along is she really? The book states that twelve weeks later she is visibly pregnant and feels the baby moving, but just three chapters later, she gives birth early???
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of How to Escape a Tiger Cult and was excited after seeing the synopsis on the Booksirens website. As a fan of psychological thrillers, I was drawn to the premise. The author does a great job showing how people get involved in cults and why they stay. We connect with Sarah, a woman with few options who’s desperate for work I enjoyed the nerve-wracking tension between Sarah, the other characters, and Vega. However, the book feels underdeveloped and could have used another round of editing and revision. There were too many inconsistencies in the point of view, shifting from third person to first, as well as in the timeline.
For instance, in chapter 1, Sarah is living in her car and drives herself to the interview at the compound. Yet in chapter 16, a passage says she could walk away to safety... So where is her car? What happened to hers and others’ cars? A couple of paragraphs or even a full page could have explained that in a subtle way.
Another example is her pregnancy; how far along is she really? The book states that twelve weeks later she is visibly pregnant and feels the baby moving, but just three chapters later, she gives birth early???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2026
Forget Tiger King….this is a Tiger cult! 🐅
I’ve been anxiously waiting to read this book since Briana first started posting about it. I’ve always had a soft spot for cult stories, and the concept of being inducted into a tiger cult was so intriguing.
And honestly, I don’t blame Sarah for getting sucked into this terrifying world! While I immediately started to notice that things were suspicious (and I wanted to shake Sarah for not noticing these red flags), I can’t deny the fact that the idea of working with tigers sounds seductive and alluring. But eventually the glamour fades and the newfound safety is ripped out from under Sarah as she starts to realize what exactly she’s gotten herself into.
The juxtaposition of the women being treated like caged animals, just like the captured tigers they work with, was striking. Nobody in this world matters except Vega. Even when he’s not on the page he’s a commanding presence, and there was so much tension throughout the story. There were some scenes where the physical pain made me wince, but the psychological warfare the characters go through is so much worse than any scar or bruise.
“Tiger Cult” is a tense, claustrophobic story that will have your heart simultaneously aching and hoping that these girls can one day be free. It will have your holding your breath until the very last page.
Thank you so much Briana for letting me read this early!
I’ve been anxiously waiting to read this book since Briana first started posting about it. I’ve always had a soft spot for cult stories, and the concept of being inducted into a tiger cult was so intriguing.
And honestly, I don’t blame Sarah for getting sucked into this terrifying world! While I immediately started to notice that things were suspicious (and I wanted to shake Sarah for not noticing these red flags), I can’t deny the fact that the idea of working with tigers sounds seductive and alluring. But eventually the glamour fades and the newfound safety is ripped out from under Sarah as she starts to realize what exactly she’s gotten herself into.
The juxtaposition of the women being treated like caged animals, just like the captured tigers they work with, was striking. Nobody in this world matters except Vega. Even when he’s not on the page he’s a commanding presence, and there was so much tension throughout the story. There were some scenes where the physical pain made me wince, but the psychological warfare the characters go through is so much worse than any scar or bruise.
“Tiger Cult” is a tense, claustrophobic story that will have your heart simultaneously aching and hoping that these girls can one day be free. It will have your holding your breath until the very last page.
Thank you so much Briana for letting me read this early!
Review of advance copy received from Author
***When I saw that Briana Morgan was looking for ARC readers for her latest novel I pounced like a tiger. Pun intended. To read a book before its release is a rarity for me and it was an opportunity that I did not want to miss. I do believe this story takes its inspiration from Tiger King, but I must confess I've never seen that so I guess you could say I went in blind. Isn't that often the best way though?***
This is a fantastic story. It's full of engaging characters, desperate choices and bad decisions and all of these are woven together into a dramatic patchwork quilt of chaos. Vega is the man you will love to hate. What an absolutely despicable human being. He is a man of expensive taste and absolute power. I pictured him as being a very disturbed version of Masrani from Jurassic World. His look and his vision for success are similar, but Vega has been consumed by his power over women and his extreme narcissism. That is where they differ. I would highly recommend checking this out if you like your fiction dark and disturbing. This comes out in October but you can pre-order it now.
This is a fantastic story. It's full of engaging characters, desperate choices and bad decisions and all of these are woven together into a dramatic patchwork quilt of chaos. Vega is the man you will love to hate. What an absolutely despicable human being. He is a man of expensive taste and absolute power. I pictured him as being a very disturbed version of Masrani from Jurassic World. His look and his vision for success are similar, but Vega has been consumed by his power over women and his extreme narcissism. That is where they differ. I would highly recommend checking this out if you like your fiction dark and disturbing. This comes out in October but you can pre-order it now.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a cult book, so obviously How to Escape a Tiger Cult had me at tiger cult.
What I really enjoyed was how the author explores the psychology behind cults. Particularly that slow, insidious progression from I finally found somewhere I belong to oh… I am now trapped here. The manipulation, coercion, isolation, power dynamics, and desperate need to belong made the entire situation feel disturbingly believable. And once things start unraveling, they REALLY unravel. The second half gets increasingly tense, violent, and completely unhinged.
Also, when I say this book gets dark, I mean DARK. There are some particularly upsetting scenes involving animals, so animal lovers should absolutely check the content warnings and tread lightly. There were moments where I genuinely wanted to reach through the book and strangle Vega myself.
Dark, disturbing, bizarre, and incredibly easy to fly through. I read it in 2 sittings. And really… how was I supposed to resist a book called How to Escape a Tiger Cult?
What I really enjoyed was how the author explores the psychology behind cults. Particularly that slow, insidious progression from I finally found somewhere I belong to oh… I am now trapped here. The manipulation, coercion, isolation, power dynamics, and desperate need to belong made the entire situation feel disturbingly believable. And once things start unraveling, they REALLY unravel. The second half gets increasingly tense, violent, and completely unhinged.
Also, when I say this book gets dark, I mean DARK. There are some particularly upsetting scenes involving animals, so animal lovers should absolutely check the content warnings and tread lightly. There were moments where I genuinely wanted to reach through the book and strangle Vega myself.
Dark, disturbing, bizarre, and incredibly easy to fly through. I read it in 2 sittings. And really… how was I supposed to resist a book called How to Escape a Tiger Cult?
Did Not Finish
October 19, 2026This was so disappointing to DNF at 37% because I love the premise, but I couldn’t make it through all the inconsistencies and plot holes.
There was no scene-setting or description, just a series of events that the reader was told about, not really shown. And no sense of time passing, so that it felt like everything happened within a few days.
The characters were all one-dimensional (a shame, because there was so much potential to make Vega a truly great villain). The characters seemed to have no background, no backstory, no depth. There was no reason to care about Sarah or any of the others. A third of the way in there had been no character development, no insight into Sarah’s thought processes, and her behaviour was inconsistent, to say the least.
Despite this being a finished copy that I bought, there were editing errors; changes of perspective where it seems the book was originally written in first person and later changed to third.
I’m sad to have DNFd this, because I think with the right execution and a good editor this could have been a great story.
There was no scene-setting or description, just a series of events that the reader was told about, not really shown. And no sense of time passing, so that it felt like everything happened within a few days.
The characters were all one-dimensional (a shame, because there was so much potential to make Vega a truly great villain). The characters seemed to have no background, no backstory, no depth. There was no reason to care about Sarah or any of the others. A third of the way in there had been no character development, no insight into Sarah’s thought processes, and her behaviour was inconsistent, to say the least.
Despite this being a finished copy that I bought, there were editing errors; changes of perspective where it seems the book was originally written in first person and later changed to third.
I’m sad to have DNFd this, because I think with the right execution and a good editor this could have been a great story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was a wild ride.
Sarah turns to Vega for a job after being kicked out for being queer and forced to live in her car. He welcomes her with open arms, offering her a place to belong as she joins the zoo/circus attraction featuring tigers. At first, she has no idea she's walked straight into a cult. By the time she realizes the truth, she's already deeply entangled in life on the compound.
Vega is equal parts charming and terrifying, making it easy to understand why Sarah stays—even when leaving would be the safest choice. Morgan masterfully explores manipulation, coercion, and the seductive pull of belonging, creating a story that's as fascinating as it is horrifying.
As the pace ramps up, the tension never lets go, hurtling toward a finale drenched in rage, blood, and heartbreak.
If you like your thrillers dark, unsettling, and impossible to put down, this one is well worth picking up.
Sarah turns to Vega for a job after being kicked out for being queer and forced to live in her car. He welcomes her with open arms, offering her a place to belong as she joins the zoo/circus attraction featuring tigers. At first, she has no idea she's walked straight into a cult. By the time she realizes the truth, she's already deeply entangled in life on the compound.
Vega is equal parts charming and terrifying, making it easy to understand why Sarah stays—even when leaving would be the safest choice. Morgan masterfully explores manipulation, coercion, and the seductive pull of belonging, creating a story that's as fascinating as it is horrifying.
As the pace ramps up, the tension never lets go, hurtling toward a finale drenched in rage, blood, and heartbreak.
If you like your thrillers dark, unsettling, and impossible to put down, this one is well worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
After being kicked out and left with nowhere to go, Sarah jumps at the chance to work at an exotic wildlife park. What begins as a fresh start turns into something much darker as she realizes the park is hiding a terrifying cult that demands loyalty and leaves no way out.
This was an unsettling read. The mix of cult horror and psychological manipulation created a tense atmosphere. Seeing Sarah gradually uncover the truth and grow more entangled made it hard to stop reading.
Vega is a remarkably effective villain. Charismatic, controlling, and unhinged, he made every part he was in feel unpredictable. The story explored the need to belong and how easily that can be exploited.
Overall, this was a gripping and disturbing read that kept me invested from beginning to end. It balanced everything well and delivered a memorable story.
Thank you @brianasspookyspace for the #gifted earc! All opinions are my own!
This was an unsettling read. The mix of cult horror and psychological manipulation created a tense atmosphere. Seeing Sarah gradually uncover the truth and grow more entangled made it hard to stop reading.
Vega is a remarkably effective villain. Charismatic, controlling, and unhinged, he made every part he was in feel unpredictable. The story explored the need to belong and how easily that can be exploited.
Overall, this was a gripping and disturbing read that kept me invested from beginning to end. It balanced everything well and delivered a memorable story.
Thank you @brianasspookyspace for the #gifted earc! All opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks so much to Book Sirens and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Unfortunately, this one really didn't work for me. I think it would benefit from a lot more editing. There are changes in tense throughout the text that don't make sense, and a lot of plot holes. It was difficult to gauge how time was passing, and it made everything feel like it was happening unrealistically fast.
Now, I loved this premise! A young woman gets involved with a weird Tiger King-esque cult and ends up getting a LOT more than she bargained for. I was turned off by how fast she embraced the cult though, it felt like a stretch. Seemed like on day two she was in love with dear leader, I just don't know about that. I loved the relationships between the Vixens, even when they weren't necessarily on the same team. Overall I think there's a lot of promise here, the execution just didn't land for me.
Unfortunately, this one really didn't work for me. I think it would benefit from a lot more editing. There are changes in tense throughout the text that don't make sense, and a lot of plot holes. It was difficult to gauge how time was passing, and it made everything feel like it was happening unrealistically fast.
Now, I loved this premise! A young woman gets involved with a weird Tiger King-esque cult and ends up getting a LOT more than she bargained for. I was turned off by how fast she embraced the cult though, it felt like a stretch. Seemed like on day two she was in love with dear leader, I just don't know about that. I loved the relationships between the Vixens, even when they weren't necessarily on the same team. Overall I think there's a lot of promise here, the execution just didn't land for me.
October 1, 2026
What an absolute nightmare the story became for Sarah. She was down on her luck and was hoping to score a job with a wildlife act. The whole outfit seemed to be more than just a job. Soon she discovers there is definitely more to Vega than the charming, love bombing man she first met. What soon follows is only the most horrific type of life ever. Sarah is just one in a long line of women added to the ‘Vixens’ and becomes property. Soon she realizes this is not a normal place but feels she cannot escape. These women were searched out to be the perfect damsels that needed saving. Only when Vega starts to become more paranoid about the outside world do es Sarah realizes that the whole group is in danger. When the unthinkable happens Sarah and the other women take matters into their own hands. The decision they make costs more than their home but I am sure it was one they were willing to pay.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you remember the Tiger King era of the Pandemic and were fascinated with it and especially the Doc Antle drama - you have to pick up HOW TO ESCAPE A TIGER CULT by Briana Morgan. This is my fourth book by her and I was super excited to be able to read an early copy!
My full review will be up on Cemetery Dance Online website.
I was glued to the pages of this one. While there were some continuity issues, I absolutely did not care. Non-religious cult at a wildlife park with a maniacal leader and his harem he calls his Vixens? I'm all in! The ending was satisfying but I do feel like there could have been more. What I do know is that I hated Vega and was rooting for the women, but mostly the tigers.
My full review will be up on Cemetery Dance Online website.
I was glued to the pages of this one. While there were some continuity issues, I absolutely did not care. Non-religious cult at a wildlife park with a maniacal leader and his harem he calls his Vixens? I'm all in! The ending was satisfying but I do feel like there could have been more. What I do know is that I hated Vega and was rooting for the women, but mostly the tigers.
Review of advance copy
I love a good psychological thriller and add in Tiger King vibes with a cult and you’ve got an incredibly entertaining read!
I could totally see the appeal of working with tigers (or animals in general) when you feel like you have nothing else. Add in an entire community living together on a compound offering a sense of belonging and acceptance and it’s easy to see how Sarah gets pulled into the tiger cult so quickly.
But things go south fast. This book was tense and packed with non stop action and violence keeping me hooked from start to finish. It definitely takes some wild turns!
Definitely check the trigger warnings before picking this one up!
I could totally see the appeal of working with tigers (or animals in general) when you feel like you have nothing else. Add in an entire community living together on a compound offering a sense of belonging and acceptance and it’s easy to see how Sarah gets pulled into the tiger cult so quickly.
But things go south fast. This book was tense and packed with non stop action and violence keeping me hooked from start to finish. It definitely takes some wild turns!
Definitely check the trigger warnings before picking this one up!
Review of advance copy
I received this e-arc from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggled with this book because the FMC really frustrated me. Like others have mentioned, this story had a lot of potential but it ultimately fell short for me. There were odd timeline jumps and the POV kept changing in an unintentional way.
None of the characters had enough depth to be likable. Finally, without giving anything away, I feel like I didn’t get the closure or as big enough of an ending that a storyline like this deserved.
I really struggled with this book because the FMC really frustrated me. Like others have mentioned, this story had a lot of potential but it ultimately fell short for me. There were odd timeline jumps and the POV kept changing in an unintentional way.
None of the characters had enough depth to be likable. Finally, without giving anything away, I feel like I didn’t get the closure or as big enough of an ending that a storyline like this deserved.
October 17, 2026
I really wanted to love this because the premise and title were super intriguing, but unfortunately it really didn't work for me. I think the main character could have used more in-depth development (a lot of her feelings/emotions/thoughts felt so flip-floppy and very rapidly), and I also thought the pacing was a little odd at times, often going way too fast.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The most frightening account of cult psychological terror I’ve read in quite some time. Morgan sinks her claws into the reader’s skin from the very first chapter and doesn’t let go until the final page.
October 17, 2026
An anxiety inducing ride through the workings of a cult. The characters frustrated me a little too much and the ending felt a little too abrupt to get a higher rating, but this was an interesting read. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
October 10, 2026
DNF.
So many plot holes. One of the worst books I’ve ever read.
So many plot holes. One of the worst books I’ve ever read.
Read
October 13, 2026Choose the tiger - always! Vega is totally on my fictional characters I'd throat punch.
Review of advance copy
I received this ARC for free through booksirens and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
What a fun psychological thriller this was. Vixens, tigers and a blood cult?? Sign me up! So grateful I got to read this advanced copy. The characters were super fun. I came to love so many of them and you can’t help but root for them all to get away from this crazy zoo compound. A wonderful story about cults, why people join them, and why they might be so inclined to stay. There were maybe just a couple chapters that I felt rushed through some aspects of the story. However, the fast-paced nature of this novel is also what made me not able to put it down. Brianna’s story-telling had me feeling like I was right there, trapped insided the zoo with no escape. If you like tiger king, cults, and weird unsettling fiction… this one is for you!
What a fun psychological thriller this was. Vixens, tigers and a blood cult?? Sign me up! So grateful I got to read this advanced copy. The characters were super fun. I came to love so many of them and you can’t help but root for them all to get away from this crazy zoo compound. A wonderful story about cults, why people join them, and why they might be so inclined to stay. There were maybe just a couple chapters that I felt rushed through some aspects of the story. However, the fast-paced nature of this novel is also what made me not able to put it down. Brianna’s story-telling had me feeling like I was right there, trapped insided the zoo with no escape. If you like tiger king, cults, and weird unsettling fiction… this one is for you!
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