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The First Order
The year is 1956. Sister June, a young nun who has barely ever left her convent, is ordered to travel to a remote Swiss castle. There, she discovers that the mysterious Father Ravenscroft and his assistant have begun a deadly experiment.
Something is lurking in the depths of the castle. Something has been captured and chained up, ready to be examined. Whatever it is, this 'thing' is desperate to be free and begs June to show mercy. She trusts her superiors and refuses to intervene, even when she hears cries of agony coming from the torture chamber, but is her faith in Father Ravenscroft misplaced?
As a snowstorm threatens to destroy the castle, a deadly force prepares to show its hand. Will June discover the truth in time, or is she destined to become nothing more than a pawn in a game that has been running for centuries?
Something is lurking in the depths of the castle. Something has been captured and chained up, ready to be examined. Whatever it is, this 'thing' is desperate to be free and begs June to show mercy. She trusts her superiors and refuses to intervene, even when she hears cries of agony coming from the torture chamber, but is her faith in Father Ravenscroft misplaced?
As a snowstorm threatens to destroy the castle, a deadly force prepares to show its hand. Will June discover the truth in time, or is she destined to become nothing more than a pawn in a game that has been running for centuries?
165 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2022
147 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
671 books1,700 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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February 17, 2022Not one of her better books. Downright awful quite honestly. I'll stick with the hauntings.
March 22, 2022
Surprisingly good!
A timid and naive young nun, a cruel and sadistic older nun and a lecherous old priest, all meet up at a remote Swiss castle. Then the fun and games began. Part horror and part superstition, the tale unfolded and concluded with all parties getting their just desserts. An unusual and strange sort of story but, enjoyable all the same.
A timid and naive young nun, a cruel and sadistic older nun and a lecherous old priest, all meet up at a remote Swiss castle. Then the fun and games began. Part horror and part superstition, the tale unfolded and concluded with all parties getting their just desserts. An unusual and strange sort of story but, enjoyable all the same.
January 23, 2024
Sister June
The story line was good, but the main character was pathetic and therefore the rating. No one can be so naive.
The story line was good, but the main character was pathetic and therefore the rating. No one can be so naive.
May 24, 2022
Nun June is sent to the high Swiss mountains to assist Sister Josephine and Father Sinister in their undisclosed plight. She is young and very naive. Nurse Josephine and Father Evil are horrible characters. Sister June is a very gullible young lady. There is a man chained up in the building.
The main horror here is how Father and Sister Evil treat Sister June and the way she just believes everything they say.
The story hasn't got many layers, it seems somewhat lacking and could have been developed a lot more. It feels as if it is part of a book rather than the whole thing. The setting is good and the basic elements of an engaging read are all there, it just lacks depth and detail.
It held my interest but will be instantly forgettable.
The main horror here is how Father and Sister Evil treat Sister June and the way she just believes everything they say.
The story hasn't got many layers, it seems somewhat lacking and could have been developed a lot more. It feels as if it is part of a book rather than the whole thing. The setting is good and the basic elements of an engaging read are all there, it just lacks depth and detail.
It held my interest but will be instantly forgettable.
July 30, 2022
Weak
The main character is weak to the point of idiocy. People are trying to kill her and she is blindly obedient and doubts her own eyes. I am not going to read anymore with this character. Don't waste your time.
The main character is weak to the point of idiocy. People are trying to kill her and she is blindly obedient and doubts her own eyes. I am not going to read anymore with this character. Don't waste your time.
Read
February 19, 2022Wish I could have seen the page
There was another page after the last one, just before it took me to the review page, which I think was a preview for another book. I wish Amazon wouldn't zoom past that bc I wonder if that was maybe a preview for a continuation of this one? Another series from Amy maybe?
I really enjoyed this book! She's getting SO GOOD at character development that Sister June was an especially likeable and pitiful character. You couldn't help but want her to succeed and for the other Sister in the castle to go down in a brutal way.
I'm not particularly fond of what the creature turned out to be, though. It's one of my favorite animals and I find them too cute and fuzzy have the characteristics of the creature in the book. It was a surprise though, bc I thought it was going to be something completely different.
I do think part of the creatures characteristic were left out in a critical part tho bc the fact it communicated with Sister June didn't carry through, and I recall thinking to myself, "Just TELL her who you are so she stops wigging out!" I guess I don't understand what the reason was for taking that characteristic away for that part of the story. It was never explained and confused me.
I'm waiting for the day I can give a 5-star review for Amy. That would mean NO typos! She's come so far since I've started reading her and watching her on her journey as she's progressed has been wonderful. She's always the first author I check to see if there
There was another page after the last one, just before it took me to the review page, which I think was a preview for another book. I wish Amazon wouldn't zoom past that bc I wonder if that was maybe a preview for a continuation of this one? Another series from Amy maybe?
I really enjoyed this book! She's getting SO GOOD at character development that Sister June was an especially likeable and pitiful character. You couldn't help but want her to succeed and for the other Sister in the castle to go down in a brutal way.
I'm not particularly fond of what the creature turned out to be, though. It's one of my favorite animals and I find them too cute and fuzzy have the characteristics of the creature in the book. It was a surprise though, bc I thought it was going to be something completely different.
I do think part of the creatures characteristic were left out in a critical part tho bc the fact it communicated with Sister June didn't carry through, and I recall thinking to myself, "Just TELL her who you are so she stops wigging out!" I guess I don't understand what the reason was for taking that characteristic away for that part of the story. It was never explained and confused me.
I'm waiting for the day I can give a 5-star review for Amy. That would mean NO typos! She's come so far since I've started reading her and watching her on her journey as she's progressed has been wonderful. She's always the first author I check to see if there
March 15, 2022
Good read!
In the distance, the scream returned, and this time she was sure that it came from Sister Josephine's lips. Part of her still wanted to go back and help, but deep down she felt an instinctive need to keep going. Breathless and exhausted, she pushed through the snow for a few more steps, and then she stopped and looked back as she once again heard a loud cracking sound that seemed to fill the entire world. For a moment, she felt as if the sky itself was about to break and fall.
In the distance, the scream returned, and this time she was sure that it came from Sister Josephine's lips. Part of her still wanted to go back and help, but deep down she felt an instinctive need to keep going. Breathless and exhausted, she pushed through the snow for a few more steps, and then she stopped and looked back as she once again heard a loud cracking sound that seemed to fill the entire world. For a moment, she felt as if the sky itself was about to break and fall.
November 11, 2022
Not for me
I read the whole book but it left me feeling uncomfortable. I am not religious but really hate the idea of women being subjugated, the ending just made me irritated. I don't suppose I will read another in the series just to see if June develops strength, a backbone or stops the self flagellation. I have also read a book with a similar storyline and I actually liked the main character, whereas this book made me constantly want to shout at her!
I read the whole book but it left me feeling uncomfortable. I am not religious but really hate the idea of women being subjugated, the ending just made me irritated. I don't suppose I will read another in the series just to see if June develops strength, a backbone or stops the self flagellation. I have also read a book with a similar storyline and I actually liked the main character, whereas this book made me constantly want to shout at her!
May 6, 2022
They wanted an innocent who would follow orders.
Sister June wanted nothing more than to be obedient. Do as she was told, ask no questions. But everything she saw and heard was wrong. Against God! Who was the man held in chains in the room she had been forbidden to go. So many questions, she had to keep faith no matter what!
Sister June wanted nothing more than to be obedient. Do as she was told, ask no questions. But everything she saw and heard was wrong. Against God! Who was the man held in chains in the room she had been forbidden to go. So many questions, she had to keep faith no matter what!
May 20, 2024
This was the first story of the Sister June series and it was fast-paced and full of mystery. I thought June was unbelievably naive and yet her faith was also her strength.
I am anti-religion because it's run by cruel and narrow-minded people and it's far from 'faith'. This story was disturbing due to the use of religion to justify disgusting acts.
Thought-provoking.
I am anti-religion because it's run by cruel and narrow-minded people and it's far from 'faith'. This story was disturbing due to the use of religion to justify disgusting acts.
Thought-provoking.
Read
May 13, 2025Awesome reading
Sister June was so sweet and innocent, but thanks to being sent to a castle in the frozen mountain and her horrible experience there, she at least learned to stand up for her self a little. Even though the order is just like our governments, they only want the people to know what they want out.
Sister June was so sweet and innocent, but thanks to being sent to a castle in the frozen mountain and her horrible experience there, she at least learned to stand up for her self a little. Even though the order is just like our governments, they only want the people to know what they want out.
November 11, 2022
The storyline and mystery are quite interesting, but the pace is a bit slow, and the protagonist, sister June is so timid and stereotypically “sheltered” and obedient that I find myself cringing quite a lot. Probably will not continue with the series.
June 20, 2023
Creepy. This story is creepy. I'm not sure I will read any more in the series.
I am sure there are readers who would enjoy this genre, but it isn't for me.
I would prefer to spend my beloved reading time reading something with more interesting content.
I am sure there are readers who would enjoy this genre, but it isn't for me.
I would prefer to spend my beloved reading time reading something with more interesting content.
February 16, 2022
Fresh storyline and couldn’t be better. I did enjoy every page and highly recommend as I do all of Amy Cross books.
July 29, 2022
A predictable thriller
Sister June is a believable character to be a sweet young nun. I was left with more questions than answers about the work going on in the castle, however.
Sister June is a believable character to be a sweet young nun. I was left with more questions than answers about the work going on in the castle, however.
August 1, 2022
The "heroine"
is timid, masochistic, and a bit dumb. I can't imagine I will read any more from this writer.
is timid, masochistic, and a bit dumb. I can't imagine I will read any more from this writer.
January 5, 2023
Easy and interesting read. Nice buildup to the finale. I just downloaded the 2nd book in this series. I need to know what Sister June discovers
November 30, 2023
A good start to the series with lots of action. although it didn't really hit off until I had read 60%, but I'm so glad I persevered.
July 7, 2022
I really like Amy's stories. They are always intriguing and fast paced, and never boring.
This, more than most has a great sense of creeping dread, a sort-of "mystery-box" build-up, before revealing the answers to many questions and forcing the heroine (Sister June) to overcome her crippling shyness and come into her own as an individual who controls her own fate.
I'd say this is probably Amy's best book for a long time (not that the others are bad, but this is a step up).
And yes, I get that some people say her writing style isn't great, but then neither is Dan Brown's or JK Rowling's. I found the story compelling enough to overlook the way characters seem to "stammer" or "mutter" every other line of dialogue, and to be perfectly honest, that was the only real weakness I found in an otherwise enthralling tale.
Recommended reading for certain.
This, more than most has a great sense of creeping dread, a sort-of "mystery-box" build-up, before revealing the answers to many questions and forcing the heroine (Sister June) to overcome her crippling shyness and come into her own as an individual who controls her own fate.
I'd say this is probably Amy's best book for a long time (not that the others are bad, but this is a step up).
And yes, I get that some people say her writing style isn't great, but then neither is Dan Brown's or JK Rowling's. I found the story compelling enough to overlook the way characters seem to "stammer" or "mutter" every other line of dialogue, and to be perfectly honest, that was the only real weakness I found in an otherwise enthralling tale.
Recommended reading for certain.
November 30, 2023
Sister June is young and naive. When she is send to this strange place up to the mountain to assist a priest and a rigid nun, she doesn't know what depraved experiment the two are practicing. There are some surprise in this short novel : the nature of the prisoner, the real nature of the two authorities, the resilience of sister June, etc. Fun, short, a good nun story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews