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Behind the Invisible Wall
290 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 30, 2026
**please note that upon writing my review, I read both connected books to this series to gather a more finite feel of the world and the story the author is trying to tell.**
I came across this book via an FB ARC group and thought the idea behind the book was interesting. I was not sure what kind of book it would be, but I was anticipating something intense, pschological, and perhaps immersive seeing as how it is a book about an all-woman cult.
I'm greatly fatigued with the constant guys vs girls mentality on the internet, and, perhaps, this could be a poignant reset back to when society was a bit more normal and not so polarising. (The gender wars are very tiring)... but, I was left a bit disappointed.
Pros:
-Easy prose, simple read, finished the book in about 4 hours
-Generally interesting fmc (Luz)
Not sure if the author intended this, but this book does show the distinct female need to conform. It could've been unintentional, but this is a good feature of the book and it mirrors the very real fear we have of being ostracised. The cult pushes social conformity to an ideology and it takes extreme circumstances to force the character to break free. *unlike in the first book, Luz' character is forced to figure out what was more important to her. Her decision ultimately puts her at odds to not only the cult-leader, but even herself at times.
Cons:
-The book doesn't really explore any other character that influences the FMC (especially the big baddie) on any deep or meaningful level.
-I couldn't help but feel like the author was afraid to go deeper into the details of the struggles that drive Luz to break-free. Too vague, and not enough to make the reader feel the driving need that Luz feels that eventually forces her hand.
I finished book 2 a bit deflated. The ending was fine, and it was good to know that some form of justice was delivered, however, I didn't feel the need to go back and read it again in case I missed anything from reading both book 1 and 2 back-to-back. I wish the author would've committed a bit more to really pulling in the reader with angst, or pain, or any other strong emotion, especially with this book because Luz's journey is meant to be more painful and extreme than Porter's. Instead, I couldn't help, but feel that the author wanted to safely float on the surface with her writing.
I would recommend this book to teens and adults even though the subjects may be a bit dark, it's light on details (little description, and more on readers' imagination) and not triggering in the slightest.
I came across this book via an FB ARC group and thought the idea behind the book was interesting. I was not sure what kind of book it would be, but I was anticipating something intense, pschological, and perhaps immersive seeing as how it is a book about an all-woman cult.
I'm greatly fatigued with the constant guys vs girls mentality on the internet, and, perhaps, this could be a poignant reset back to when society was a bit more normal and not so polarising. (The gender wars are very tiring)... but, I was left a bit disappointed.
Pros:
-Easy prose, simple read, finished the book in about 4 hours
-Generally interesting fmc (Luz)
Not sure if the author intended this, but this book does show the distinct female need to conform. It could've been unintentional, but this is a good feature of the book and it mirrors the very real fear we have of being ostracised. The cult pushes social conformity to an ideology and it takes extreme circumstances to force the character to break free. *unlike in the first book, Luz' character is forced to figure out what was more important to her. Her decision ultimately puts her at odds to not only the cult-leader, but even herself at times.
Cons:
-The book doesn't really explore any other character that influences the FMC (especially the big baddie) on any deep or meaningful level.
-I couldn't help but feel like the author was afraid to go deeper into the details of the struggles that drive Luz to break-free. Too vague, and not enough to make the reader feel the driving need that Luz feels that eventually forces her hand.
I finished book 2 a bit deflated. The ending was fine, and it was good to know that some form of justice was delivered, however, I didn't feel the need to go back and read it again in case I missed anything from reading both book 1 and 2 back-to-back. I wish the author would've committed a bit more to really pulling in the reader with angst, or pain, or any other strong emotion, especially with this book because Luz's journey is meant to be more painful and extreme than Porter's. Instead, I couldn't help, but feel that the author wanted to safely float on the surface with her writing.
I would recommend this book to teens and adults even though the subjects may be a bit dark, it's light on details (little description, and more on readers' imagination) and not triggering in the slightest.
August 26, 2026
*I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of this book and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
I started off reading book 1 prior to this one and I gotta say...I was absolutely hooked! I literally read both books in a matter of days. In book one our FMC is Porter, but in this second book we are now given Luz whom we met in book 1 as our new FMC. I loved that we were taken back through the original story as book 1, but we're now seeing it through a different lens... Luz's perspective. We learned much about her through Porter but now we get the real, raw and honest truth of what really happened to Luz behind the scenes. We quickly learn why she seemed to be so cold towards Porter at first and it isn't long before we are taken through the traumatic events that occurred throughout her own journey. This one takes place a few years from when Porter and Luz first began living together and after certain events transpired. In this story we are hanging on the edge of our seat as we see firsthand behind the scenes of what's really going on within what seemed like a community of women who are just trying to find a safe way to exist in a world free from the chaos of the typical societal norms and choose a more natural way of living. They just want to raise their children in a safe, healthy and loving environment. But soon we learn that not everything in this place comes with a choice and that there are some who have paid a devastating price for the sake of their commitment to their sisterhood community. I loved Luz's character once I found myself better able to understand her. We learn there's more to her than meets the eye and see just how much fight there truly is inside of her. A warrior who refuses to be told what she must sacrifice for the sake of belonging and not being exiled from her community...the only place she's ever truly known. One who refuses to back down and stands true on what she values, loves and believes is right. As we watch her navigate this part of her journey, we get a glimpse into just how powerful fear can truly be. I loved the way the story ended. This one was truly my favourite of the two.
I started off reading book 1 prior to this one and I gotta say...I was absolutely hooked! I literally read both books in a matter of days. In book one our FMC is Porter, but in this second book we are now given Luz whom we met in book 1 as our new FMC. I loved that we were taken back through the original story as book 1, but we're now seeing it through a different lens... Luz's perspective. We learned much about her through Porter but now we get the real, raw and honest truth of what really happened to Luz behind the scenes. We quickly learn why she seemed to be so cold towards Porter at first and it isn't long before we are taken through the traumatic events that occurred throughout her own journey. This one takes place a few years from when Porter and Luz first began living together and after certain events transpired. In this story we are hanging on the edge of our seat as we see firsthand behind the scenes of what's really going on within what seemed like a community of women who are just trying to find a safe way to exist in a world free from the chaos of the typical societal norms and choose a more natural way of living. They just want to raise their children in a safe, healthy and loving environment. But soon we learn that not everything in this place comes with a choice and that there are some who have paid a devastating price for the sake of their commitment to their sisterhood community. I loved Luz's character once I found myself better able to understand her. We learn there's more to her than meets the eye and see just how much fight there truly is inside of her. A warrior who refuses to be told what she must sacrifice for the sake of belonging and not being exiled from her community...the only place she's ever truly known. One who refuses to back down and stands true on what she values, loves and believes is right. As we watch her navigate this part of her journey, we get a glimpse into just how powerful fear can truly be. I loved the way the story ended. This one was truly my favourite of the two.
August 26, 2026
*I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of this book and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
Book 2 following The Light From the Other Side of the Forest
First things first:
If you haven't read The Light From the Other Side of the Forest, go read it first.
Technically, Behind the Invisible Wall could probably be read as a standalone because April G. G. gives us a brief recap/overlap at the beginning. But if you really want to understand the story, the characters, and how we got here, read Book 1 first. Trust me.
This time, the story shifts to Lux's perspective, and I really enjoyed experiencing everything through her eyes. We get to see her story unfold from her point of view, and that perspective shift adds so much more depth to the character.
And once again...this is way outside my normal reading lane. But I'm so glad I went there.
This book gave me those same unsettling David Koresh/Son of Sam vibes from the first book, just with a female perspective, and there were definitely moments where I found myself thinking, "Oh...this is going somewhere dark."
Strong female leads are my favorite, and watching characters find themselves, grow, change, and evolve is some of my favorite reading. Lux's journey really centers around finding that inner strength, even when it seems like every possible obstacle is being thrown directly in her path.
And there's something else I took away from this story:
Sometimes the walls we build around ourselves are only visible to us.
We convince ourselves that we can't move forward, that we're stuck, that we're not strong enough, or that we're better off staying where we are. But sometimes the biggest thing holding us back is the wall we've built ourselves.
At some point, you have to stop holding yourself back and find the strength to step through it. And honestly...that message hit me.
This is also a book where I want to give a genuine reminder about trigger warnings. There are some heavy themes here, and if you use trigger warnings when choosing books, please check them before reading. Protect your mental health and know your limits.
Book 2 following The Light From the Other Side of the Forest
First things first:
If you haven't read The Light From the Other Side of the Forest, go read it first.
Technically, Behind the Invisible Wall could probably be read as a standalone because April G. G. gives us a brief recap/overlap at the beginning. But if you really want to understand the story, the characters, and how we got here, read Book 1 first. Trust me.
This time, the story shifts to Lux's perspective, and I really enjoyed experiencing everything through her eyes. We get to see her story unfold from her point of view, and that perspective shift adds so much more depth to the character.
And once again...this is way outside my normal reading lane. But I'm so glad I went there.
This book gave me those same unsettling David Koresh/Son of Sam vibes from the first book, just with a female perspective, and there were definitely moments where I found myself thinking, "Oh...this is going somewhere dark."
Strong female leads are my favorite, and watching characters find themselves, grow, change, and evolve is some of my favorite reading. Lux's journey really centers around finding that inner strength, even when it seems like every possible obstacle is being thrown directly in her path.
And there's something else I took away from this story:
Sometimes the walls we build around ourselves are only visible to us.
We convince ourselves that we can't move forward, that we're stuck, that we're not strong enough, or that we're better off staying where we are. But sometimes the biggest thing holding us back is the wall we've built ourselves.
At some point, you have to stop holding yourself back and find the strength to step through it. And honestly...that message hit me.
This is also a book where I want to give a genuine reminder about trigger warnings. There are some heavy themes here, and if you use trigger warnings when choosing books, please check them before reading. Protect your mental health and know your limits.
August 28, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced reader copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.
I can’t even begin to express how much I enjoyed this book, and I couldn’t recommend these two books highly enough.
April G. G. brings together the real world and the world of the cult in such a thoughtful and compelling way. It is a subject that could easily have been handled clumsily or become difficult to read, but instead, it was approached with care and consideration and executed extremely well.
From the very beginning, I felt completely immersed in Luz’s world and found myself experiencing so many of the emotions alongside her. I loved being taken back into the original story from a different perspective, as it gave me much more insight into Luz’s relationships with the other characters, as well as a deeper understanding of Mother Lioness as a character. I also really enjoyed the exploration of other characters, particularly Sophia.
The themes explored throughout the book are not unfamiliar to those who regularly read or follow true crime, but they are presented in such a different and interesting way. This is unlike anything I’ve read before, but in the best possible way. I couldn’t have imagined a better introduction to the theme of female-led cults and the potential repercussions for those involved.
At its heart, this is a beautiful story about strength, family, commitment to your children and having the courage to do what you believe is right.
I genuinely couldn’t recommend these two books highly enough. While Behind the Invisible Wall is an excellent standalone story in its own right, I do think The Light from the Side of the Forest provides valuable grounding and context that allows you to fully appreciate the events and characters in this book. Reading them together makes the second book even more enjoyable and gives you a much better understanding of the story as a whole.
I can’t even begin to express how much I enjoyed this book, and I couldn’t recommend these two books highly enough.
April G. G. brings together the real world and the world of the cult in such a thoughtful and compelling way. It is a subject that could easily have been handled clumsily or become difficult to read, but instead, it was approached with care and consideration and executed extremely well.
From the very beginning, I felt completely immersed in Luz’s world and found myself experiencing so many of the emotions alongside her. I loved being taken back into the original story from a different perspective, as it gave me much more insight into Luz’s relationships with the other characters, as well as a deeper understanding of Mother Lioness as a character. I also really enjoyed the exploration of other characters, particularly Sophia.
The themes explored throughout the book are not unfamiliar to those who regularly read or follow true crime, but they are presented in such a different and interesting way. This is unlike anything I’ve read before, but in the best possible way. I couldn’t have imagined a better introduction to the theme of female-led cults and the potential repercussions for those involved.
At its heart, this is a beautiful story about strength, family, commitment to your children and having the courage to do what you believe is right.
I genuinely couldn’t recommend these two books highly enough. While Behind the Invisible Wall is an excellent standalone story in its own right, I do think The Light from the Side of the Forest provides valuable grounding and context that allows you to fully appreciate the events and characters in this book. Reading them together makes the second book even more enjoyable and gives you a much better understanding of the story as a whole.
September 19, 2026
Behind the Invisible Wall brings us back to the Lionesses of the Light. This book follows Luz, after Porter has left. We see her struggles to continue to fit in, to make sense of the world around her, to become a mother.
Luz continues to struggle with being the daughter of the leader, the only girl in her age group, and with expectations the community has of her. In facing these, she begins to peel away the layers of blind obedience and expose her own crisis of faith.
Spoilers ahead:
We quickly fast forward to four years from Porter's departure from the Lionesses. Luz is a mother, facing all the questions mothers face: how to keep her child safe, what IS safe, do the people around her really have her family's best interests in mind? She decides the answer is "no". But now what? How far can she push before her mother and the community won't take any more?
In her defiance, she finally finds her footing and the ability to choose for herself. It's the beginning of the end for her way of life. Porter's return heralds more change, and then an explosive event changes the Lionesses forever, pitting Luz and some of the community against her mother and the "true believers".
This is an excellent book for New Adults. It raises all the questions they should be asking, giving a safe way to address concerns without major disruption of their own lives (unless they see that changes need to be made). It read a bit like a coming-of-age mixed with day-in-the-life. Observing the slow awakening of a community, seeing it try to address it faults and self-correct can be monumental in this age group. Highly recommend.
Luz continues to struggle with being the daughter of the leader, the only girl in her age group, and with expectations the community has of her. In facing these, she begins to peel away the layers of blind obedience and expose her own crisis of faith.
Spoilers ahead:
We quickly fast forward to four years from Porter's departure from the Lionesses. Luz is a mother, facing all the questions mothers face: how to keep her child safe, what IS safe, do the people around her really have her family's best interests in mind? She decides the answer is "no". But now what? How far can she push before her mother and the community won't take any more?
In her defiance, she finally finds her footing and the ability to choose for herself. It's the beginning of the end for her way of life. Porter's return heralds more change, and then an explosive event changes the Lionesses forever, pitting Luz and some of the community against her mother and the "true believers".
This is an excellent book for New Adults. It raises all the questions they should be asking, giving a safe way to address concerns without major disruption of their own lives (unless they see that changes need to be made). It read a bit like a coming-of-age mixed with day-in-the-life. Observing the slow awakening of a community, seeing it try to address it faults and self-correct can be monumental in this age group. Highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2026
*I replied to an ARC request made by the author via a FB ARC group page. I received the link to the published book and am leaving my honest review.*
Behind the Invisible Wall is a compelling continuation of the Lionesses of Light story, told entirely through Lutz's POV. I enjoyed seeing the world from her perspective, especially since her experiences were very different and often influenced by Porter's behavior. The shift in narration adds depth to the dystopian setting and gives a fuller understanding of the Lionesses and the beliefs that shaped both girls.
Lutz's emotional journey was the highlight for me. Her voice is honest and vulnerable, and watching her navigate fear, loyalty, and identity felt just as powerful as Porter's growth in the first book. Her quiet strength and determination to protect the people she loves make her an engaging narrator.
The tone remains hopeful and empowering as the story widens beyond the boundaries of the Lionesses. I appreciated how the author balanced tension with heart, giving Lutz the space to grow into her own despite her personal tragedy.
If you enjoyed The Light from the Other Side of the Forest, this second book is absolutely worth continuing. It expands the world, answers the open ending from book one, and gives Lutz the change to tell her side of the story.
Behind the Invisible Wall is a compelling continuation of the Lionesses of Light story, told entirely through Lutz's POV. I enjoyed seeing the world from her perspective, especially since her experiences were very different and often influenced by Porter's behavior. The shift in narration adds depth to the dystopian setting and gives a fuller understanding of the Lionesses and the beliefs that shaped both girls.
Lutz's emotional journey was the highlight for me. Her voice is honest and vulnerable, and watching her navigate fear, loyalty, and identity felt just as powerful as Porter's growth in the first book. Her quiet strength and determination to protect the people she loves make her an engaging narrator.
The tone remains hopeful and empowering as the story widens beyond the boundaries of the Lionesses. I appreciated how the author balanced tension with heart, giving Lutz the space to grow into her own despite her personal tragedy.
If you enjoyed The Light from the Other Side of the Forest, this second book is absolutely worth continuing. It expands the world, answers the open ending from book one, and gives Lutz the change to tell her side of the story.
July 29, 2026
Behind the Invisible Wall is one of the most emotionally powerful dystopian novels I've read in a long time. Luz's voice carries this entire book, honest, wounded, and impossible to look away from, from the devastating opening loss of her first child through her slow, dawning understanding of the cult she was raised to believe was protecting her.
April G. G. does not shy away from the horror at the center of this story, the systematic termination of pregnancies carrying boys, but she never exploits it either. Every scene is handled with real gravity and care. Martha, the Mother Lioness, is a genuinely chilling antagonist precisely because her cruelty is calm and controlled rather than cartoonish, and Porter's late explanation of how cults actually work is one of the most quietly devastating passages in the book.
What I loved most is that this isn't a story about a clean, easy escape. Overthrowing Martha doesn't fix everything. Stepping into the outside world is disorienting, strange, and hard. That honesty is what makes the ending, Luz finally choosing to build something new with the women around her, feel so earned.
A haunting, beautifully written book about coercion, complicity, and what it actually costs to build a fragile kind of freedom. Highly recommend.
April G. G. does not shy away from the horror at the center of this story, the systematic termination of pregnancies carrying boys, but she never exploits it either. Every scene is handled with real gravity and care. Martha, the Mother Lioness, is a genuinely chilling antagonist precisely because her cruelty is calm and controlled rather than cartoonish, and Porter's late explanation of how cults actually work is one of the most quietly devastating passages in the book.
What I loved most is that this isn't a story about a clean, easy escape. Overthrowing Martha doesn't fix everything. Stepping into the outside world is disorienting, strange, and hard. That honesty is what makes the ending, Luz finally choosing to build something new with the women around her, feel so earned.
A haunting, beautifully written book about coercion, complicity, and what it actually costs to build a fragile kind of freedom. Highly recommend.
August 3, 2026
Behind the invisible wall. Is the second book to the light from the other side of the forest.
In this book you fallow Luv story who is the daughter of the mother-lioness. And how she grew up and following her story living in the cult that they call the light.
She ends up taking down the cult from the inside. But little did she know a girl named hazel who was only 18 had a brake down and the mother-lioness hides her away in her mind is trying to bring her back to the light. But she excepts and the police show up and takes the community away to shelter and helps them learn about the outside world.
This book like the first one had me thinking about it when I had to put it down and could not read at that moment. April.G.G you had me again.
In this book you fallow Luv story who is the daughter of the mother-lioness. And how she grew up and following her story living in the cult that they call the light.
She ends up taking down the cult from the inside. But little did she know a girl named hazel who was only 18 had a brake down and the mother-lioness hides her away in her mind is trying to bring her back to the light. But she excepts and the police show up and takes the community away to shelter and helps them learn about the outside world.
This book like the first one had me thinking about it when I had to put it down and could not read at that moment. April.G.G you had me again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2026
This book is not my usual type of read however the blurb had me intrigued. I was hooked from the very first pages - the life these women led, the control they were under yet in a beautiful environment with no modern world issues.
To be able to control woman in only giving birth to girls is absurd but accepted due to knowing no different and having a powerful leader. I read both books together as I had to know the ending as it was so addictive. The conclusion is somewhat sad as the woman have to learn what life is about all over again. This was brilliantly written, totally intriguing and absorbing. Absolutely fascinating
To be able to control woman in only giving birth to girls is absurd but accepted due to knowing no different and having a powerful leader. I read both books together as I had to know the ending as it was so addictive. The conclusion is somewhat sad as the woman have to learn what life is about all over again. This was brilliantly written, totally intriguing and absorbing. Absolutely fascinating
August 6, 2026
Behind the invisible wall is the second book in the series. I struggled with the first book, but longer I read I got into it and decided to read the second. Although it was not really my cup of tea, I did like it and had to find out what happened next. The first book centred on Porter and I thought the second book would tell what happened often she left, but it didn’t. It focused on her friend Luz who she left behind. I’m a little disappointed that we don’t find out what happened when Porter left. I did enjoy Luz’s story.
August 9, 2026
I was excited to hop into this book after finishing the first. What happened to Porter? What was Luz going to do now that she was seeing the cracks in the illusion? I NEEDED to know. The events that make the cracks bigger, the truth about the community slowly coming to light. I got the happy ending I wanted, even if a little predictable.
August 13, 2026
This was a page turner as well! It definitely touched on some sensitive subjects so heed the trigger warnings, but it was done so in a tasteful manner.
The Cult leaders daughter went after what she wanted and showed enormous amounts of strength. She brought truth and justice to everyone. I do wish it was a big longer because I would love to know how things turned out!
The Cult leaders daughter went after what she wanted and showed enormous amounts of strength. She brought truth and justice to everyone. I do wish it was a big longer because I would love to know how things turned out!
July 29, 2026
Behind the Invisible Wall
A powerful and emotional conclusion to the story. The characters stayed with me long after I finished reading, and the ending felt both heartbreaking and hopeful. A memorable series that I highly recommend.
A powerful and emotional conclusion to the story. The characters stayed with me long after I finished reading, and the ending felt both heartbreaking and hopeful. A memorable series that I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews