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Those Who Prey
Sadie meets The Girls in this riveting debut psychological thriller about a lonely college freshman seduced into joining a cult—and her desperate attempt to escape before it's too late.
College life isn’t what Emily expected.
She expected to spend freshman year strolling through the ivy-covered campus with new friends, finally feeling like she belonged. Instead, she walks the campus alone, still not having found her place or her people so far away from home.
But then the Kingdom finds her.
The Kingdom, an exclusive on-campus group, offers everything Emily expected of college and more: acceptance, friends, a potential boyfriend, and a chance to spend the summer in Italy on a mission trip. But the trip is not what she thought it would be. Emily and the others are stripped of their passports and money. They’re cut off from their families back home. The Kingdom’s practices become increasingly manipulative and dangerous.
And someone ends up dead.
At times unsettling and always riveting, Those Who Prey looks at the allure of cult life, while questioning just how far we’re willing to go to find where we belong.
College life isn’t what Emily expected.
She expected to spend freshman year strolling through the ivy-covered campus with new friends, finally feeling like she belonged. Instead, she walks the campus alone, still not having found her place or her people so far away from home.
But then the Kingdom finds her.
The Kingdom, an exclusive on-campus group, offers everything Emily expected of college and more: acceptance, friends, a potential boyfriend, and a chance to spend the summer in Italy on a mission trip. But the trip is not what she thought it would be. Emily and the others are stripped of their passports and money. They’re cut off from their families back home. The Kingdom’s practices become increasingly manipulative and dangerous.
And someone ends up dead.
At times unsettling and always riveting, Those Who Prey looks at the allure of cult life, while questioning just how far we’re willing to go to find where we belong.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published November 10, 2020
114 people are currently reading
12729 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Moffett
2 books83 followersJENNIFER MOFFETT grew up in Arkansas, where she spent her childhood playing in creeks and climbing trees while dreaming up stories about faraway places. A college study abroad program sparked her lifelong passion for travel. After working in children’s television in New York City, she received an MA in Creative Writing and wrote book reviews for regional publications. Her short stories and poems have appeared in various literary journals, including New Orleans Review and descant. She teaches creative writing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where she enjoys kayaking, gardening, reading outdoors, and planning trips to new places (preferably with great local yarn shops and bookstores).
Her debut YA thriller, THOSE WHO PREY (Atheneum, Simon & Schuster), is about a shy college freshman who is seduced into joining a campus cult, leading her on a deadly mission trip to Italy.
Her debut YA thriller, THOSE WHO PREY (Atheneum, Simon & Schuster), is about a shy college freshman who is seduced into joining a campus cult, leading her on a deadly mission trip to Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 468 reviews
February 20, 2021
I usually stay away from YA thrillers, but I can’t ever say no to a little cult content. Those Who Prey follows Emily, a lonely and isolated college freshman, who slowly is dragged into a religious club on her campus called The Kingdom.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a strong debut! The gradual build as Emily falls prey to the cult was well written, featuring many of the common tactics used by high intensity groups to manipulate their members. Additionally, this story really looks at how far people will go to find the feeling of security and belonging— even when it means ignoring all logic and self-preservation. I think having the main character be a first year student in college was especially smart, because many readers will resonate with the vulnerabilities that led to Emily making connections with The Kingdom.
What didn’t work about this book, in my opinion, are more general things. I thought the transition in pacing was jarring. The breakneck speed of the last third compared to the rest of the book led me to be confused about what was going on, and I would have liked a bit more time to have been spent on the aftermath. I also found the characters to be a bit lacking. Everyone involved in the main plotline fell into very expected/stereotypical roles, and I think the haunting quality that the author brought to her book could have only been improved with a more three-dimensional cast.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a strong debut! The gradual build as Emily falls prey to the cult was well written, featuring many of the common tactics used by high intensity groups to manipulate their members. Additionally, this story really looks at how far people will go to find the feeling of security and belonging— even when it means ignoring all logic and self-preservation. I think having the main character be a first year student in college was especially smart, because many readers will resonate with the vulnerabilities that led to Emily making connections with The Kingdom.
What didn’t work about this book, in my opinion, are more general things. I thought the transition in pacing was jarring. The breakneck speed of the last third compared to the rest of the book led me to be confused about what was going on, and I would have liked a bit more time to have been spent on the aftermath. I also found the characters to be a bit lacking. Everyone involved in the main plotline fell into very expected/stereotypical roles, and I think the haunting quality that the author brought to her book could have only been improved with a more three-dimensional cast.
September 20, 2022
"Truth, like light, blinds. Falsehood, on the contrary, is a beautiful twilight that enhances every object." -Albert Camus
The second I stumbled across the synopsis of this book I knew that I had to read it. As a child of the 90's who grew up in the "Bible Belt" of the US (for my international friends, this would be the southeast), I have witnessed and experienced the kind of pressures that this books delves into, and while the story is fictional, the research and experience that went into exploring this book in a way that other people can relate to is done exceptionally well. I'd like to point out, before we get in too deep, that the author clarifies that this is not a jab at any particular religion, simply an example of how cults can take religious doctrine of any kind and manipulate it to their advantage. Here's a direct quote from Moffett's afterward:
"High-pressure groups are defined as "cults" by their manipulative and abusive behavior, regardless of which particular doctrine they claim to follow... As Those Who Prey shows, any doctrine can be twisted to fit any motive."
Now, on to the book! I think it's important to be upfront that this novel approaches the cult aspect in a different way than I've experienced before. Various steps are listed as chapter headers, showing what instructions these members follow to try and recruit new "disciples", which are clearly people that are isolated, lonely, and desperately looking for acceptance. Each part of this story shows how easily anyone could fall prey to these types of predators. The Sadie meets The Girls comparison is spot on, and while this book is heavily character driven, I simply couldn't put it down due to the compulsive nature of the gritty, growing sense of dread.
I'd really like to keep this review as brief as possible, and for you to go in blind if you can, but if you're worried about personal triggers I've included as many as I can remember in a spoiler tag at the end of this review for your convenience. Perhaps the reason that this wasn't "just another trendy book about cults" was the respectful approach and the relatable emotional investment for me as a reader. Whether you're looking for a fictional book that includes numerous nuggets of truth about this subject, or simply an entertaining, relevant YA book to ride out the rest of 2020 with, you can't go wrong by choosing to spend your time with this gem.
Content Warnings:
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
The second I stumbled across the synopsis of this book I knew that I had to read it. As a child of the 90's who grew up in the "Bible Belt" of the US (for my international friends, this would be the southeast), I have witnessed and experienced the kind of pressures that this books delves into, and while the story is fictional, the research and experience that went into exploring this book in a way that other people can relate to is done exceptionally well. I'd like to point out, before we get in too deep, that the author clarifies that this is not a jab at any particular religion, simply an example of how cults can take religious doctrine of any kind and manipulate it to their advantage. Here's a direct quote from Moffett's afterward:
"High-pressure groups are defined as "cults" by their manipulative and abusive behavior, regardless of which particular doctrine they claim to follow... As Those Who Prey shows, any doctrine can be twisted to fit any motive."
Now, on to the book! I think it's important to be upfront that this novel approaches the cult aspect in a different way than I've experienced before. Various steps are listed as chapter headers, showing what instructions these members follow to try and recruit new "disciples", which are clearly people that are isolated, lonely, and desperately looking for acceptance. Each part of this story shows how easily anyone could fall prey to these types of predators. The Sadie meets The Girls comparison is spot on, and while this book is heavily character driven, I simply couldn't put it down due to the compulsive nature of the gritty, growing sense of dread.
I'd really like to keep this review as brief as possible, and for you to go in blind if you can, but if you're worried about personal triggers I've included as many as I can remember in a spoiler tag at the end of this review for your convenience. Perhaps the reason that this wasn't "just another trendy book about cults" was the respectful approach and the relatable emotional investment for me as a reader. Whether you're looking for a fictional book that includes numerous nuggets of truth about this subject, or simply an entertaining, relevant YA book to ride out the rest of 2020 with, you can't go wrong by choosing to spend your time with this gem.
Content Warnings:
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
July 29, 2021
❝ I’ve never seen her eyes so vacant,
almost hollow as if something
had blown the light out of them. ❞
3.5/5 :)
*feels controversial*
༶•┈┈pros┈┈•༶
༻ creative and unique plot
༻ some interesting characters with different backgrounds. (Kara being my favorite)
༻ good amount of details when describing the cult and its events
༻ loved the sections of the interview inserted between chapters which keeps readers intrigued (and possibly confused… but in a good way)
༶•┈┈cons┈┈•༶
༻ things were resolved fast yet the whole thing wasn’t really ‘resolved’ at all…
༻ was not as dark as i would’ve wanted it to be, but could seem disturbing to some
༻ couldn’t really connect with the characters and the whole idea of the cult
༻ some bland characters who i felt like were there just for the sake of being there
༻ vague ending (i get what the author was trying to do and it might appeal to some but personally, i felt it was too open-ended)
༻ still have lots of unanswered questions
【 IN SHORT; I was disappointed by this book and that ending. Cults sounded so cool and I still think it's a cool concept. Unfortunately, I can't help but feel disappointed by how it was all executed. Not something I would recommend (personal preferences) but not a bad book overall. But if the cons appealed to you then this book is for you. 】
almost hollow as if something
had blown the light out of them. ❞
3.5/5 :)
*feels controversial*
༶•┈┈pros┈┈•༶
༻ creative and unique plot
༻ some interesting characters with different backgrounds. (Kara being my favorite)
༻ good amount of details when describing the cult and its events
༻ loved the sections of the interview inserted between chapters which keeps readers intrigued (and possibly confused… but in a good way)
“It’s amazing how much some people will believe total bullshit.”
༶•┈┈cons┈┈•༶
༻ things were resolved fast yet the whole thing wasn’t really ‘resolved’ at all…
༻ was not as dark as i would’ve wanted it to be, but could seem disturbing to some
༻ couldn’t really connect with the characters and the whole idea of the cult
༻ some bland characters who i felt like were there just for the sake of being there
༻ vague ending (i get what the author was trying to do and it might appeal to some but personally, i felt it was too open-ended)
༻ still have lots of unanswered questions
【 IN SHORT; I was disappointed by this book and that ending. Cults sounded so cool and I still think it's a cool concept. Unfortunately, I can't help but feel disappointed by how it was all executed. Not something I would recommend (personal preferences) but not a bad book overall. But if the cons appealed to you then this book is for you. 】
Read
May 25, 2020The only reason this took me so long is because I read a PDF and that was just really hard for me, but I think in hardcopy I would’ve devoured this as quickly as humanly possible. It’s bananas and haunting and there are just new questions every five seconds, but the best part is how it really feels like a memoir, like this is a real person telling her story, and you see how it could happen to anyone. Definitely recommend to my fellow fans of (literal) cult fiction!
December 9, 2020
Don’t get caught up on the Sadie comparisons. They are a LIE. I was CHEATED.
Our main girl Emily is a lonely during her first year at university until she stumbles into a cute boy and his friends one day in a coffee shop. Thinking her problem has been solved she joins their bible study group but things quickly deteriorate as the church which seemed so welcoming becomes anything but.
This was a solid 4 star until 70% through when the plot just seemed to drop out of thin air and disappear. I’m still not quite sure what happened.
The plot was solid and had the potential to go there; however I did not enjoy the conclusion. The characters were well crafted and I enjoyed the use of mixed media which is a personal favourite medium of mine.
Also please note though I have tagged this lgbt+ content it is not focused on heavily nor is it painted in a good light. Cause the church has such a good history with lgbt+ culture as is.
Our main girl Emily is a lonely during her first year at university until she stumbles into a cute boy and his friends one day in a coffee shop. Thinking her problem has been solved she joins their bible study group but things quickly deteriorate as the church which seemed so welcoming becomes anything but.
This was a solid 4 star until 70% through when the plot just seemed to drop out of thin air and disappear. I’m still not quite sure what happened.
The plot was solid and had the potential to go there; however I did not enjoy the conclusion. The characters were well crafted and I enjoyed the use of mixed media which is a personal favourite medium of mine.
Also please note though I have tagged this lgbt+ content it is not focused on heavily nor is it painted in a good light. Cause the church has such a good history with lgbt+ culture as is.
July 28, 2019
This is a book for someone looking for a story beyond the usual fare--something more than a safe, contemporary romance, or emotional coming-of-age. Something different than the latest other world fantasy, or cursed princess saga, or whatnot. This is a book that explores the allure and dangers of group fanaticism in a way I have not often seen outside of nonfiction--in fact, I don't know if I've ever read a YA book that deals with this particular topic in this way.
To say this book spoke to me on a personal level is an understatement. I am haunted.
THOSE WHO PREY follows Emily, a teen adjusting to a lonely freshman year at a college far from home. When she meets Josh, a cute, friendly boy from the same home region, she welcomes the chance to join his inner circle for fellowship and Bible study--where she's almost immediately swept up in the intense, welcoming group dynamic, which offers her the close friends and sense of purpose and belonging she's been craving. But as she delves deeper into The Kingdom, letting her classes and volunteer work slide in favor of more and more intensive religious studies and confessional debasement, Emily starts to relinquish control of her actions, her schedule, and even her thoughts and preferences, so as not to rock the boat with her new church family. And when she's chosen for an exclusive overseas mission, she doesn't hesitate to put everything in the hands of the overbearing and charismatic leaders.
As someone who grew up secular in the 90s, in a very conservative, religious town, and who was frequently targeted for salvation by some of my more enthusiastic evangelical classmates in very personal, pre-internet ways, this book hit me hard. I didn't make it ten pages in before the alarm bells were sounding, and I started having eerie flashbacks--I KNEW these kids. They were the girl in my photography class, who spent an entire semester alternating between begging me to join her youth group, and letting me know I was a bad person, who would burn in hell for listening to alternative music and reading mainstream fiction. They were the guy who, during our second conversation, informed me I had been personally selected for him, and would need to renounce my friends and family and walk beside him in Christ in order to fulfill what he knew was God's plan for me. They were the kids who called me satanic because I wore black shirts, and who told me I had no hope of being a good human being if I wasn't saved. And, as Emily became more and more enthralled with the church, all I could do was keep reading helplessly, shouting warnings at the page.
By the time she got on the plane bound for Italy, my nerves were on high alert--and they didn't settle down until the words ran out. After a certain point, no one could be trusted; everyone on the page was hiding a possible agenda, as far as I was concerned, and the more I read--the more secrets and details and sinister motives Emily uncovered, the more paranoid I became. It was far, far too easy for me to step into her shoes, and remember all the narrow misses of my past.
This book hits all the high points for me: beautiful writing, compelling voice and characters, gripping story, and intense emotional impact, all wrapped in a fresh, unique plot. It kept me up into the night, then invaded my dreams. I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to read it, and encourage you to do the same.
To say this book spoke to me on a personal level is an understatement. I am haunted.
THOSE WHO PREY follows Emily, a teen adjusting to a lonely freshman year at a college far from home. When she meets Josh, a cute, friendly boy from the same home region, she welcomes the chance to join his inner circle for fellowship and Bible study--where she's almost immediately swept up in the intense, welcoming group dynamic, which offers her the close friends and sense of purpose and belonging she's been craving. But as she delves deeper into The Kingdom, letting her classes and volunteer work slide in favor of more and more intensive religious studies and confessional debasement, Emily starts to relinquish control of her actions, her schedule, and even her thoughts and preferences, so as not to rock the boat with her new church family. And when she's chosen for an exclusive overseas mission, she doesn't hesitate to put everything in the hands of the overbearing and charismatic leaders.
As someone who grew up secular in the 90s, in a very conservative, religious town, and who was frequently targeted for salvation by some of my more enthusiastic evangelical classmates in very personal, pre-internet ways, this book hit me hard. I didn't make it ten pages in before the alarm bells were sounding, and I started having eerie flashbacks--I KNEW these kids. They were the girl in my photography class, who spent an entire semester alternating between begging me to join her youth group, and letting me know I was a bad person, who would burn in hell for listening to alternative music and reading mainstream fiction. They were the guy who, during our second conversation, informed me I had been personally selected for him, and would need to renounce my friends and family and walk beside him in Christ in order to fulfill what he knew was God's plan for me. They were the kids who called me satanic because I wore black shirts, and who told me I had no hope of being a good human being if I wasn't saved. And, as Emily became more and more enthralled with the church, all I could do was keep reading helplessly, shouting warnings at the page.
By the time she got on the plane bound for Italy, my nerves were on high alert--and they didn't settle down until the words ran out. After a certain point, no one could be trusted; everyone on the page was hiding a possible agenda, as far as I was concerned, and the more I read--the more secrets and details and sinister motives Emily uncovered, the more paranoid I became. It was far, far too easy for me to step into her shoes, and remember all the narrow misses of my past.
This book hits all the high points for me: beautiful writing, compelling voice and characters, gripping story, and intense emotional impact, all wrapped in a fresh, unique plot. It kept me up into the night, then invaded my dreams. I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to read it, and encourage you to do the same.
March 31, 2020
THOSE WHO PREY is a chilling debut that takes an uncomfortably thorough look at just how easily one could fall victim to a fanatical group. Moffett's thoughtful prose made me ache for Emily and her friends. I found myself cringing as the the swirling and destructive whirlpool pulled them into deeper waters, but could not stop turning the pages. I devoured this book.
January 11, 2021
How far would you go to avoid being alone?
In the case of our protagonist Emily, pretty dang far..
Emily is a somewhat naive student feeling isolated from other people on campus, with unresolved feelings surrounding her mother’s death. When she meets the mysterious Joshua, she is immediately sucked into his thrall and into the world of the religious group he belongs to, The Kingdom. As the control over her life tightens, she starts losing herself in her newfound purpose, skipping classes and generally unraveling.
As things continue to escalate, Emily doesn’t really admit to herself that she is in over her head until she is trapped in Italy on an important mission trip that she was tapped for, along with Joshua and other selected members. Will she be able to escape before it’s too late?
This was a perfectly creepy story with a constantly lurking sense of dread, and was hard to put down. This was definitely the type of book that makes you want to shout, “oh girl you better get outta there” approximately 800 times. I liked how the sections of the book were broken up by ominous interview blurbs from people in Emily’s life, and the steps to ensnare someone in the program. The headings grew more sinister as events escalated.
I would recommend to anyone who finds books on cults interesting, or just to anyone who wants to read about a girl who really just wants to feel accepted, and the struggles to figure out who she is along the way.
In the case of our protagonist Emily, pretty dang far..
Emily is a somewhat naive student feeling isolated from other people on campus, with unresolved feelings surrounding her mother’s death. When she meets the mysterious Joshua, she is immediately sucked into his thrall and into the world of the religious group he belongs to, The Kingdom. As the control over her life tightens, she starts losing herself in her newfound purpose, skipping classes and generally unraveling.
As things continue to escalate, Emily doesn’t really admit to herself that she is in over her head until she is trapped in Italy on an important mission trip that she was tapped for, along with Joshua and other selected members. Will she be able to escape before it’s too late?
This was a perfectly creepy story with a constantly lurking sense of dread, and was hard to put down. This was definitely the type of book that makes you want to shout, “oh girl you better get outta there” approximately 800 times. I liked how the sections of the book were broken up by ominous interview blurbs from people in Emily’s life, and the steps to ensnare someone in the program. The headings grew more sinister as events escalated.
I would recommend to anyone who finds books on cults interesting, or just to anyone who wants to read about a girl who really just wants to feel accepted, and the struggles to figure out who she is along the way.
March 12, 2021
For a story about a lonely college freshman getting sucked into a cult, this was a pretty dull book overall. The synopsis doesn’t really explain what type of cult it is, so in my mind before reading I was expecting it to be some sort of Manson family type deal. What it actually ended up being was bible studies, talking about sins, and heaven and hell… which I don’t find to be super interesting.
I think the story did a good job of showing how these cults target people and how quickly someone can get in over their head. But the characters and plot weren’t that compelling. The last quarter of the book was the most interesting to me, but the beginning of the book was such a slog to get through. I would’ve liked to see even more of the aftermath of the cult at the end of the book.
I think the story did a good job of showing how these cults target people and how quickly someone can get in over their head. But the characters and plot weren’t that compelling. The last quarter of the book was the most interesting to me, but the beginning of the book was such a slog to get through. I would’ve liked to see even more of the aftermath of the cult at the end of the book.
September 3, 2020
Set in the 1990s, this YA thriller follows the story of Emily, a shy college freshman whose first year at Boston University ends up being vastly different than the idealized version of university life that she imagined. Paired up with a hard-partying roommate, in a city that’s cold and unwelcoming compared to the small ocean-side town she grew up in, Emily is lonely, and struggling to find her place. Until she meets handsome and charming Josh, also from the South, and he introduces her to his group of friends… and to The Kingdom. At first, the organization feels similar to the church-going community Emily grew up with, offering her a way to meet people who are welcoming instead of wasted, and a place where she feels like she can contribute and belong. But as she becomes more deeply involved with The Kingdom, and travels with the group on a mission to Italy, she begins to realize that she’s been pulled into a trap – one that’s going to require her to face some hard truths and show some real resourcefulness to get out of. I don’t want to give too much more away, but there were so many things that kept me turning pages of this book. It offers a unique look into the perils of extreme belief and at how we come to terms with loss, and explores a time of life – that transition between high school and college, from the security of home and family to independence – that can be incredibly disorienting and isolating. Plus it’s got gorgeous writing and some seriously scary moments. I’m so glad I got to read an early version of this book! You’ll definitely want to add this to your 2020 to-read list.
November 29, 2020
a cult? err...fuck, i'm out.
November 8, 2020
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Wow guys, true embarrassing story, I was today years old when I realized what a clever play on words the title is. Because this book is about people who prey but under the guise of people who pray. Clever! (Not me, I am clearly zero percent clever.) I have always been incredibly fascinated with cults, and even more so with the psychology of them. Those Who Prey delves deep into how a person can fall into such a situation, and I loved that, frankly.
My biggest issue with the book is one that I am actually hesitant to even put out as a negative, and that is that I didn't really get much of a sense of who Emily is as a person. The problem with that of course is that I felt a bit less connected to her. But on the flip side, I think that Emily had to be lost, as a person, and not really have a sense of who she was herself in order to make the story work. So I won't say it's a negative, I'll say it's... a necessary by-product? Great, let's move on to the good stuff!
Obviously, we the reader know from the start what Emily does not: this group ("The Kingdom", as they dub themselves) is bad news. But when Emily, who is feeling incredibly lost and alone at college far away from home (and wow could I relate to that), is approached and befriended by some peers who happen to attend what she thinks is a local church, she obviously gravitates to them. In truth, I think it's easy to tell that their befriending Emily was no happy accident, that they could sense her loneliness, her need to belong, and she seemed a good target, but I digress.
When she's given the "honor" of attending a mission trip in Europe, of course she jumps at the chance. She finally feels like she belongs somewhere, and seriously, who is turning down a summer in Europe, right? And yet again, the reader is privy to the red flags, but Emily is being hoodwinked the entire way. I'll not say much more about the plot from here, because it gets pretty intense, but know that things really pick up at this point. Emily no longer has a safety net, and The Kingdom is taking full advantage. The mission trip is definitely not as it seems, and Emily is beginning to see that The Kingdom isn't either. She has no idea who she can trust- her roommate? Her friends? Her budding love interest? Anyone? It becomes quite a wild ride, with a gorgeous (but scary) European backdrop.
Bottom Line: An intense look at how cults can suck an otherwise reasonable person into their grip, with a lot of mystery and mayhem included!
Wow guys, true embarrassing story, I was today years old when I realized what a clever play on words the title is. Because this book is about people who prey but under the guise of people who pray. Clever! (Not me, I am clearly zero percent clever.) I have always been incredibly fascinated with cults, and even more so with the psychology of them. Those Who Prey delves deep into how a person can fall into such a situation, and I loved that, frankly.
My biggest issue with the book is one that I am actually hesitant to even put out as a negative, and that is that I didn't really get much of a sense of who Emily is as a person. The problem with that of course is that I felt a bit less connected to her. But on the flip side, I think that Emily had to be lost, as a person, and not really have a sense of who she was herself in order to make the story work. So I won't say it's a negative, I'll say it's... a necessary by-product? Great, let's move on to the good stuff!
Obviously, we the reader know from the start what Emily does not: this group ("The Kingdom", as they dub themselves) is bad news. But when Emily, who is feeling incredibly lost and alone at college far away from home (and wow could I relate to that), is approached and befriended by some peers who happen to attend what she thinks is a local church, she obviously gravitates to them. In truth, I think it's easy to tell that their befriending Emily was no happy accident, that they could sense her loneliness, her need to belong, and she seemed a good target, but I digress.
When she's given the "honor" of attending a mission trip in Europe, of course she jumps at the chance. She finally feels like she belongs somewhere, and seriously, who is turning down a summer in Europe, right? And yet again, the reader is privy to the red flags, but Emily is being hoodwinked the entire way. I'll not say much more about the plot from here, because it gets pretty intense, but know that things really pick up at this point. Emily no longer has a safety net, and The Kingdom is taking full advantage. The mission trip is definitely not as it seems, and Emily is beginning to see that The Kingdom isn't either. She has no idea who she can trust- her roommate? Her friends? Her budding love interest? Anyone? It becomes quite a wild ride, with a gorgeous (but scary) European backdrop.
Bottom Line: An intense look at how cults can suck an otherwise reasonable person into their grip, with a lot of mystery and mayhem included!
November 14, 2020
This was equal parts fascinating because of the psychology into how cults operate and how they draw you in before you realize it's too late to escape their vice-like grip and boring because of the lack of depth in the characters and overall writing style. More thoughts to come.
Want to read
June 18, 2020pretty cover pretty cover
January 25, 2021
this got me so hooked!
November 18, 2020
(originally reviewed at
thelibraryladies.com
)
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel!
Back when I was at the University of Minnesota for my undergrad, between classes I’d spend time in the student union, usually getting a bagel for lunch in the food area where a number of student groups had set up tables trying to find new members. The table that always made me uncomfortable was a far right Evangelical Christian group whose name I can’t remember, as they always had the same rotation of about five people who had interesting signs and information on display. Around Halloween it was about devil worship. At Christmas it was how Santa=Satan. Sometimes it would be pamphlets on the sins of homosexuality or sex. I never saw them talking to anyone, but I did think about how they could probably influence a lonely student or two who hadn’t adjusted to college life yet, who just wanted a connection as they sought out a bagel. As I read “Those Who Prey” by Jennifer Moffett, I kept having flashbacks to that table, and one specific girl with whom I made eye contact on more than one occasion, and how my disgust at the time didn’t see the blatant predatory behavior of the group I was constantly passing as I went for my lunch.
“Those Who Prey” is part coming of age story, part thriller, and Moffett is able to pull out the best of both genres to make a genuinely disturbing tale about identity and manipulation. Our protagonist, Emily, reads like a very realistic college freshman who has found herself in a new environment, and who hasn’t quite found her place. Moffett slowly reveals aspects of her background and personality that make her ripe for the picking when it comes to Kingdom, an on campus Christian group that brings her into their organization with promise of friendhip and salvation (and love, as it is the charming Josh who first compels her). I thought that Moffett really did her due diligence to show how the average student who may be isolated and lonely could be so easily taken in with a group like this, and really demonstrated the frog in the boiling water aspect of how Kingdom, and real life campus cult groups, depend upon.
By the time Emily gets to Italy on her ‘mission’, and things really take a turn, the groundwork has been laid out seamlessly. Moffett clearly did her homework about these groups and what they do to get their members, and what they then put them through. While most of the other characters weren’t really given deep dives, as it’s through Emily’s perspective, you still got a sense as to how many of them, especially the ones you wouldn’t expect, would be trapped in this situation. It felt real, and therefore VERY unsettling. We also start to see a mystery unfold involving Kara, the member who has been assigned to Emily, who doesn’t seem as invested in the program as other people are. Kara’s plot line is what gave this story a mystery element to throw in with the creepy cult vibe, and while I kind of guessed what her deal was pretty early on, there were still plenty of puzzle pieces that I wasn’t working out until Moffett was ready for me to do so. I needed to know what Kara’s deal was, I needed to know what Kingdom had in store for their members, and I NEEDED to know if Emily was going to get out. All of this kept me totally ensnared, which was great.
“Those Who Prey” is creepy and all too realistic. I heard that some of these groups have rebranded a bit in hopes of still bringing in members. Hopefully some people who read this book will see the similarities and steer clear, no matter how lonely they may feel while living on campus.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel!
Back when I was at the University of Minnesota for my undergrad, between classes I’d spend time in the student union, usually getting a bagel for lunch in the food area where a number of student groups had set up tables trying to find new members. The table that always made me uncomfortable was a far right Evangelical Christian group whose name I can’t remember, as they always had the same rotation of about five people who had interesting signs and information on display. Around Halloween it was about devil worship. At Christmas it was how Santa=Satan. Sometimes it would be pamphlets on the sins of homosexuality or sex. I never saw them talking to anyone, but I did think about how they could probably influence a lonely student or two who hadn’t adjusted to college life yet, who just wanted a connection as they sought out a bagel. As I read “Those Who Prey” by Jennifer Moffett, I kept having flashbacks to that table, and one specific girl with whom I made eye contact on more than one occasion, and how my disgust at the time didn’t see the blatant predatory behavior of the group I was constantly passing as I went for my lunch.
“Those Who Prey” is part coming of age story, part thriller, and Moffett is able to pull out the best of both genres to make a genuinely disturbing tale about identity and manipulation. Our protagonist, Emily, reads like a very realistic college freshman who has found herself in a new environment, and who hasn’t quite found her place. Moffett slowly reveals aspects of her background and personality that make her ripe for the picking when it comes to Kingdom, an on campus Christian group that brings her into their organization with promise of friendhip and salvation (and love, as it is the charming Josh who first compels her). I thought that Moffett really did her due diligence to show how the average student who may be isolated and lonely could be so easily taken in with a group like this, and really demonstrated the frog in the boiling water aspect of how Kingdom, and real life campus cult groups, depend upon.
By the time Emily gets to Italy on her ‘mission’, and things really take a turn, the groundwork has been laid out seamlessly. Moffett clearly did her homework about these groups and what they do to get their members, and what they then put them through. While most of the other characters weren’t really given deep dives, as it’s through Emily’s perspective, you still got a sense as to how many of them, especially the ones you wouldn’t expect, would be trapped in this situation. It felt real, and therefore VERY unsettling. We also start to see a mystery unfold involving Kara, the member who has been assigned to Emily, who doesn’t seem as invested in the program as other people are. Kara’s plot line is what gave this story a mystery element to throw in with the creepy cult vibe, and while I kind of guessed what her deal was pretty early on, there were still plenty of puzzle pieces that I wasn’t working out until Moffett was ready for me to do so. I needed to know what Kara’s deal was, I needed to know what Kingdom had in store for their members, and I NEEDED to know if Emily was going to get out. All of this kept me totally ensnared, which was great.
“Those Who Prey” is creepy and all too realistic. I heard that some of these groups have rebranded a bit in hopes of still bringing in members. Hopefully some people who read this book will see the similarities and steer clear, no matter how lonely they may feel while living on campus.
March 20, 2021
hmm...where to begin.
this book had the potential to be good. really, it did. and it was pretty good, except for the fact that I was more than halfway through the book and I still knew what was going to happen.
that didn’t make too much sense - let me try to explain. you know how when you open a book, the inside cover gives you a vague description of the plot? I was over 50% done with this book and I was still reading about things the inside cover said would happen.
I still feel like I didn’t explain that well. if you look at the “book description” Goodreads gives, which is the same description on the inside cover, it talks about a trip to Italy. this happens about 60% through the book. so I was almost three quarters of the way done, and I still knew what was coming. there was never really an “oh my god!!” or “wtf?!?!” moment because I already knew what was going to occur.
it’s also just really predictable. and our main character is pretty stupid and gullible and easily manipulated. but maybe that’s how a book about a cult is supposed to be - to show you how easy you can get sucked in.
I tried so so hard to like this. the plot is actually pretty good, and the ending wraps it up nicely. I just wish I hadn’t known what was going to happen when I started the book.
to be honest, I would recommend this book. but here’s my tip; go into this book knowing very little. in fact, I’ll tell you what you need to know: a girl named Emily is recruited into a cult. shit hits the fan. literally that’s it. if you go in super super blind, I bet you’ll give this book five stars. ok, maybe four.
this book had the potential to be good. really, it did. and it was pretty good, except for the fact that I was more than halfway through the book and I still knew what was going to happen.
that didn’t make too much sense - let me try to explain. you know how when you open a book, the inside cover gives you a vague description of the plot? I was over 50% done with this book and I was still reading about things the inside cover said would happen.
I still feel like I didn’t explain that well. if you look at the “book description” Goodreads gives, which is the same description on the inside cover, it talks about a trip to Italy. this happens about 60% through the book. so I was almost three quarters of the way done, and I still knew what was coming. there was never really an “oh my god!!” or “wtf?!?!” moment because I already knew what was going to occur.
it’s also just really predictable. and our main character is pretty stupid and gullible and easily manipulated. but maybe that’s how a book about a cult is supposed to be - to show you how easy you can get sucked in.
I tried so so hard to like this. the plot is actually pretty good, and the ending wraps it up nicely. I just wish I hadn’t known what was going to happen when I started the book.
to be honest, I would recommend this book. but here’s my tip; go into this book knowing very little. in fact, I’ll tell you what you need to know: a girl named Emily is recruited into a cult. shit hits the fan. literally that’s it. if you go in super super blind, I bet you’ll give this book five stars. ok, maybe four.
May 22, 2021
★★★★.5
I can't say no to books that have such a brilliant synopsis. Who can? After taking almost a month to finish this, I can say that I'm not disappointed.
Those Who Prey explores the fact how cult groups twist religious doctrines to manipulate people who seem out of place, or people who are too vulnerable, and seek acceptance from people who "get them". The story has been brilliantly put together to execute a series of events that show to what lengths do such groups go to fulfill their motives and ambitions.
The "steps" shown as headers before every chapter was a very interesting idea. It intrigued me and helped me to delve deeper into the book, in order to know how exactly they implement those steps in real life. And it's not just lonely people that fall prey to such practices, it could be just about anyone, the psychology behind this very significant.
The only thing that didn't sit well with me was the open ending, as well as it was a character driven book. I get why the author did that, and many others would like it but it's not my personal favourite so I guess it could've gone either way.
Overall, it's a pretty good book and people interested in delving into the making of such cult practices would like it.
I can't say no to books that have such a brilliant synopsis. Who can? After taking almost a month to finish this, I can say that I'm not disappointed.
Those Who Prey explores the fact how cult groups twist religious doctrines to manipulate people who seem out of place, or people who are too vulnerable, and seek acceptance from people who "get them". The story has been brilliantly put together to execute a series of events that show to what lengths do such groups go to fulfill their motives and ambitions.
The "steps" shown as headers before every chapter was a very interesting idea. It intrigued me and helped me to delve deeper into the book, in order to know how exactly they implement those steps in real life. And it's not just lonely people that fall prey to such practices, it could be just about anyone, the psychology behind this very significant.
The only thing that didn't sit well with me was the open ending, as well as it was a character driven book. I get why the author did that, and many others would like it but it's not my personal favourite so I guess it could've gone either way.
Overall, it's a pretty good book and people interested in delving into the making of such cult practices would like it.
December 29, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars. Rounding up.
This was a fascinating read. I’ve read and watched many things on cults and parts of this book felt very true to what I’ve learned. How so often they prey on the lonely and isolated and those looking for validation and comfort. How they pull your secrets from you only to hold them over you later to keep you from leaving.
This is very much a character study and so the pacing is slow at first but that didn’t bother me. I was glued to my iPad, anxious to unravel Emily’s story. The last 30% didn’t totally mesh with the rest of the book for me. And I would have liked some more resolution. But at the same time, I think there maybe isn’t always resolution with these things. Still, I did wish for more. Emily’s ending felt natural though.
Trigger warnings: There are many disturbing items. They are handled with care and not just there to be shocking. The number one review for this book by Chelsea has a list of them if you are anxious. I’m sorry, I still don’t know how to post links to other reviews. Or feel free to message me.
This was a fascinating read. I’ve read and watched many things on cults and parts of this book felt very true to what I’ve learned. How so often they prey on the lonely and isolated and those looking for validation and comfort. How they pull your secrets from you only to hold them over you later to keep you from leaving.
This is very much a character study and so the pacing is slow at first but that didn’t bother me. I was glued to my iPad, anxious to unravel Emily’s story. The last 30% didn’t totally mesh with the rest of the book for me. And I would have liked some more resolution. But at the same time, I think there maybe isn’t always resolution with these things. Still, I did wish for more. Emily’s ending felt natural though.
Trigger warnings: There are many disturbing items. They are handled with care and not just there to be shocking. The number one review for this book by Chelsea has a list of them if you are anxious. I’m sorry, I still don’t know how to post links to other reviews. Or feel free to message me.
February 11, 2019
I was fortunate enough to read THE REMNANT early, and I am here to tell you all that you NEED to pick up this book, come 2020. THE REMNANT takes place in the mid-90s, and follows Emily, a freshman in college in Boston, who gets tangled up with a cult. (YES -- A CULT!! I told you that you NEED to pick up this book!!) She joins them in a mission to Italy (YES -- ITALY!! A large part of the book takes place in Europe!) which turns deadly (meaning: MURDER!!).
I dont want to say much more - because, spoilers (!), but rest assured that this book is a well-paced, wild ride. If you're a fan of gorgeous prose, cults, murder, mysteries, Europe, Italy, college-aged protagonists in YA, or even simply books that will keep you guessing to their end, add THE REMNANT on GRs and pick it up as soon as it's available in 2020.
I dont want to say much more - because, spoilers (!), but rest assured that this book is a well-paced, wild ride. If you're a fan of gorgeous prose, cults, murder, mysteries, Europe, Italy, college-aged protagonists in YA, or even simply books that will keep you guessing to their end, add THE REMNANT on GRs and pick it up as soon as it's available in 2020.
March 27, 2020
A chilling, thoughtful debut that dutifully explores the inch-by-inch process by which belonging bleeds into manipulation. I've never read a book quite like this. It's unique in its genre, but also so relatable. This happens, sadly, every day, and I loved how the cult recovery was detailed by Moffett. I was so invested in watching Emily change from a girl fixated on mastering this force-fed route to salvation, only to learn that she really must save herself.
Beautiful prose, captivating characters, and a psychological trip through the mind of a girl who nearly lost herself as she was only trying to belong.
Beautiful prose, captivating characters, and a psychological trip through the mind of a girl who nearly lost herself as she was only trying to belong.
June 11, 2021
This book wasn't bad. At all. It just had so much wasted potential.
It would have been better if it took place over years instead of months. There could have been so much more manipulation that was less obvious to the reader. There could have been more at stake. Perhaps if the main character, Emily, was a lot more unreliable. Idk it just could have been better.
It would have been better if it took place over years instead of months. There could have been so much more manipulation that was less obvious to the reader. There could have been more at stake. Perhaps if the main character, Emily, was a lot more unreliable. Idk it just could have been better.
September 26, 2022
not the flop of the century, but a flop none the less.
January 31, 2020
I received an early draft of THOSE WHO PREY, and am so honored to have been given the privilege of reading this shocking, unconventional, evocative thriller. I loved THOSE WHO PREY. Moffett’s writing is so evocative, and Emily is such a relatable, unforgettable protagonist. Emily’s loneliness as a college freshman reminded me of my own early college days--college campuses are tough places for shy kids-- and Moffett detailed this beautifully. I admire how she tackled the topic of joining a campus cult-- a topic that has the potential to invite judging or shaming--but Moffet handles it with such sensitivity and nuance.
The tragic history of Emily's mother coupled with feeling like a southerner in a strange northern land helps to cultivate deep empathy in the reader for Emily. We gain a clear perspective and understanding of her willingness to be swept into a new religious world. I was riveted throughout--the pacing was great--and I really loved the mystery element to the story. Emily's perilous time in Italy and Paris is so emotive, and I found myself drawn to many of the story’s characters. The end revealed a slow, steady healing filled with hope, and the language with regards to the natural world--specifically, the protagonist’s beloved Gulf coast-- reflected that beautifully.
All at once emotional, deep, heart-stopping, thoughtful and beautiful, THOSE WHO PREY is an unusual thriller that skillfully undercovers the dark underbelly of how life in a cult can save you--until you realize that once in its clutches, you must find a way to save yourself. This was an unforgettable read. Five stars.
The tragic history of Emily's mother coupled with feeling like a southerner in a strange northern land helps to cultivate deep empathy in the reader for Emily. We gain a clear perspective and understanding of her willingness to be swept into a new religious world. I was riveted throughout--the pacing was great--and I really loved the mystery element to the story. Emily's perilous time in Italy and Paris is so emotive, and I found myself drawn to many of the story’s characters. The end revealed a slow, steady healing filled with hope, and the language with regards to the natural world--specifically, the protagonist’s beloved Gulf coast-- reflected that beautifully.
All at once emotional, deep, heart-stopping, thoughtful and beautiful, THOSE WHO PREY is an unusual thriller that skillfully undercovers the dark underbelly of how life in a cult can save you--until you realize that once in its clutches, you must find a way to save yourself. This was an unforgettable read. Five stars.
May 25, 2021
4.5 stars
After reading the iffy reviews I was sure I'd be disappointed, but WOW. This was absolutely exceptional. I can't write a review right now, particularly because I need to collect my thoughts, but I absolutely need this author to write more books as soon as possible. This was SO GOOD and I recommend it to anyone intrigued by the premise.
After reading the iffy reviews I was sure I'd be disappointed, but WOW. This was absolutely exceptional. I can't write a review right now, particularly because I need to collect my thoughts, but I absolutely need this author to write more books as soon as possible. This was SO GOOD and I recommend it to anyone intrigued by the premise.
March 1, 2021
ainda preciso processar muita coisa, mas caramba, que livro!
resenha em breve (:
resenha em breve (:
November 19, 2020
Lonely college freshman Emily meets a group of friends, not realizing The Kingdom is a religious cult.
When I was a freshman in college, a guy I knew invited me to his church. I wasn’t interested in the church, but lonely so I went along. The service was like nothing I’d ever seen with people talking in tongues and falling on the ground like they were having seizures. I had a hard time not laughing. Afterwards a few college kids and I went for pizza. The guy kept bugging me to come back to his church, saying everyone wanted to see me. At one point, I thought maybe having friends would be worth it before deciding I could never pretend to believe that nonsense.
In my early 20s, I heard about an empowerment group called EST. I phoned for information and people from the group kept calling me back telling me if I cared about myself and my life I’d invest in the program. They used other heavy handed manipulative strategies. Fortunately I’m more averse to manipulation than I am loneliness. A coworker told me EST was a cult, grabbed the phone the next time they called and told them to fuck off.
I can see why Emily was drawn into The Kingdom. Recruiters are experts at drawing in potential victims by capitalizing on their vulnerabilities. I love the way Jennifer Moffett set up THOSE WHO PREY, with different sections on the first part. The story could have been nonfiction, from the authenticity of the story.
The first section of THOSE WHO PREY was a bit slow paced. The middle was an intense page-turner. I would have rated higher if the story had more of an emotional punch though I enjoyed THOSE WHO PREY very much.
When I was a freshman in college, a guy I knew invited me to his church. I wasn’t interested in the church, but lonely so I went along. The service was like nothing I’d ever seen with people talking in tongues and falling on the ground like they were having seizures. I had a hard time not laughing. Afterwards a few college kids and I went for pizza. The guy kept bugging me to come back to his church, saying everyone wanted to see me. At one point, I thought maybe having friends would be worth it before deciding I could never pretend to believe that nonsense.
In my early 20s, I heard about an empowerment group called EST. I phoned for information and people from the group kept calling me back telling me if I cared about myself and my life I’d invest in the program. They used other heavy handed manipulative strategies. Fortunately I’m more averse to manipulation than I am loneliness. A coworker told me EST was a cult, grabbed the phone the next time they called and told them to fuck off.
I can see why Emily was drawn into The Kingdom. Recruiters are experts at drawing in potential victims by capitalizing on their vulnerabilities. I love the way Jennifer Moffett set up THOSE WHO PREY, with different sections on the first part. The story could have been nonfiction, from the authenticity of the story.
The first section of THOSE WHO PREY was a bit slow paced. The middle was an intense page-turner. I would have rated higher if the story had more of an emotional punch though I enjoyed THOSE WHO PREY very much.
January 22, 2022
Those Who Prey erzählt die Geschichte von Emily, deren erstes Jahr am College so ganz anders verläuft als sie es erwartet hat. Einsamkeit und das Gefühl nicht dazu zu gehören machen ihr schwer zu schaffen wodurch sie zu einem leichten Opfer für eine fragwürdigen Religionsgemeinschaft namens 'The Kingdom' wird.
Jennifer Moffett macht beim Aufbau ihrer Geschichte eigentlich alles richtig. Sie siedelt die Geschichte in den 90er Jahren an wodurch es möglich ist die Isolation einer Person, auf Grund von fehlenden Kommunikationsmitteln, viel glaubhafter darzustellen und schafft mit Emily und ihrer Vorgeschichte eine sehr reale Protagonistin.
Es ist erschreckend zu lesen wie schnell ein junger Mensch durch geschickte Manipulation sein gesamtes Leben über den Haufen wirft und sich einer Sache ohne sie zu hinterfragen völlig verschreibt. Noch erschreckender ist aber, dass man weiß, dass so etwas in der Realität wirklich geschieht und wie tief sich eine solche Gehirnwäsche in kurzer Zeit im Bewusstsein eines Menschen festsetzen kann.
Besonders gut hat mir gefallen, dass die Autorin sich auch damit befasst mit welch psychischen Nachwirkungen ehemaligen Mitglieder solch einer Sekte zu kämpfen haben und wie verstörend solche Kontakte selbst über einen nur sehr kurzen Zeitraum sein können.
Ich hätte mir an einigen Stellen gewünscht, dass Jennifer Moffett einem einen noch tieferen Einblick in die Hintergründe der Sekte gegeben und die Charaktere noch mehr ausgearbeitet hätte. Auch das Erzähltempo war nicht immer ganz ausgeglichen, aber weil sie es trotzdem schafft ein sehr erschreckendes Bild zu zeichnen kann ich ganz gut darüber hinwegsehen.
Jennifer Moffett macht beim Aufbau ihrer Geschichte eigentlich alles richtig. Sie siedelt die Geschichte in den 90er Jahren an wodurch es möglich ist die Isolation einer Person, auf Grund von fehlenden Kommunikationsmitteln, viel glaubhafter darzustellen und schafft mit Emily und ihrer Vorgeschichte eine sehr reale Protagonistin.
Es ist erschreckend zu lesen wie schnell ein junger Mensch durch geschickte Manipulation sein gesamtes Leben über den Haufen wirft und sich einer Sache ohne sie zu hinterfragen völlig verschreibt. Noch erschreckender ist aber, dass man weiß, dass so etwas in der Realität wirklich geschieht und wie tief sich eine solche Gehirnwäsche in kurzer Zeit im Bewusstsein eines Menschen festsetzen kann.
Besonders gut hat mir gefallen, dass die Autorin sich auch damit befasst mit welch psychischen Nachwirkungen ehemaligen Mitglieder solch einer Sekte zu kämpfen haben und wie verstörend solche Kontakte selbst über einen nur sehr kurzen Zeitraum sein können.
Ich hätte mir an einigen Stellen gewünscht, dass Jennifer Moffett einem einen noch tieferen Einblick in die Hintergründe der Sekte gegeben und die Charaktere noch mehr ausgearbeitet hätte. Auch das Erzähltempo war nicht immer ganz ausgeglichen, aber weil sie es trotzdem schafft ein sehr erschreckendes Bild zu zeichnen kann ich ganz gut darüber hinwegsehen.
December 11, 2024
3.5. Niet verwacht toen ik de achterkant las en besloot het boek te halen. Maar zeker met de note van de schrijfster is het best interessant om te zien waarom ze het heeft geschreven. Hoewel het verhaal er niet gelijk heel erg uitsprong, maakte deze note het wel interessant. Verder las hij erg lekker en snel weg wat heel fijn was.
November 16, 2020
“After you leave it, it feels like you’re lost, like someone led you into the depths of a labyrinth without a map, and then abandoned you to find your way out.”
What a rollercoaster ride! Reading Those Who Prey was such an emotional circus. The statement "I didn't know what I signed up for" is an understatement.
It's important point out that this book is set in the 90's. Those Who Prey is the story of Emily. Emily a college student, she found herself isolated and having difficulty connecting or finding any person to be her friend or even to just hang out with. One day, she met someone from a religious group called The Kingdom. And this is how her life changed forever.
Those Who Prey pretty much touches every bit and layers of "HOW does someone get involve in a cult and WHY is it so difficult for them to JUST leave" The book is so haunting and excellently researched. The psychological effect of the story to readers is terrifying and its also equally horrifying when you realize that this actullay happens in REAL LIFE. There are people out there who are seemingly nice but only has the intention of manipulating you. Although what I love about Those Who Prey is that it gave us an idea and the perspective that those "people" can just be victims themselves and that they also have their own reasons for being involved in the said cult.
I am a fan of our narrator that can be unreliable at times and her narration was truly something that you can feel. How her thought worked when she was digesting information, whether honest to god truths or manipulation, felt real and even at times, relatable. You can't help but also question yourself if you were in her situation.
Now, I did have some minor concerns and thats why I wasn't able to rate the book 3 stars. When we're reaching the, what I believe as the highlight of the story, it just fell flat and very anticlimactic for me. The author really did a great job with the mysterious and thrilling atmosphere of the book but I really wished the particular "highlight" was more fleshed out or at least given more chapter for the readers to understand. Our narrator can be unreliable at times and this was proven but this was a vital scene from the story and I was left asking for more explanation.
In conclusion though, I would still recommend Those Who Prey as I feel how relevant this book can be. This is a haunting and a terrifyingly authentic perspective of how cult works and a real narrative of how SOME people can take religion TOO FAR. With a very readable writing and soul-stirring protagonist, Those Who Prey will leave you haunted and gripping. Definitely worth adding to your shelves!
Book TW: murder, grooming, eating disorder (bulimia), suicide.
What a rollercoaster ride! Reading Those Who Prey was such an emotional circus. The statement "I didn't know what I signed up for" is an understatement.
It's important point out that this book is set in the 90's. Those Who Prey is the story of Emily. Emily a college student, she found herself isolated and having difficulty connecting or finding any person to be her friend or even to just hang out with. One day, she met someone from a religious group called The Kingdom. And this is how her life changed forever.
Those Who Prey pretty much touches every bit and layers of "HOW does someone get involve in a cult and WHY is it so difficult for them to JUST leave" The book is so haunting and excellently researched. The psychological effect of the story to readers is terrifying and its also equally horrifying when you realize that this actullay happens in REAL LIFE. There are people out there who are seemingly nice but only has the intention of manipulating you. Although what I love about Those Who Prey is that it gave us an idea and the perspective that those "people" can just be victims themselves and that they also have their own reasons for being involved in the said cult.
I am a fan of our narrator that can be unreliable at times and her narration was truly something that you can feel. How her thought worked when she was digesting information, whether honest to god truths or manipulation, felt real and even at times, relatable. You can't help but also question yourself if you were in her situation.
Now, I did have some minor concerns and thats why I wasn't able to rate the book 3 stars. When we're reaching the, what I believe as the highlight of the story, it just fell flat and very anticlimactic for me. The author really did a great job with the mysterious and thrilling atmosphere of the book but I really wished the particular "highlight" was more fleshed out or at least given more chapter for the readers to understand. Our narrator can be unreliable at times and this was proven but this was a vital scene from the story and I was left asking for more explanation.
In conclusion though, I would still recommend Those Who Prey as I feel how relevant this book can be. This is a haunting and a terrifyingly authentic perspective of how cult works and a real narrative of how SOME people can take religion TOO FAR. With a very readable writing and soul-stirring protagonist, Those Who Prey will leave you haunted and gripping. Definitely worth adding to your shelves!
Book TW: murder, grooming, eating disorder (bulimia), suicide.
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