REVIEW – AFTER THE FIRE by Will Hill

My Review

Finishing After the Fire, it’s a powerful, chilling yet such a paramount novel of one girl’s story of survival and freedom. I can’t recommend this book enough, it’s utterly mind-blowing, unlike anything I have read before, a page-turner from the start.

Before, Moonbeam was part of this religious cult, the Lord’s Legion with it’s leader Father John, a direct messenger from the Lord himself. Everyone believed that he was this almighty man of healing, faith, righteous and reason. But Moonbeam began to lose her belief, she didn’t know what’s real and what was hokum. After, a great fire raged through the camp she is taken into the care of the FBI and the psychologists to try and understand inside the cult, and finally reveal what really happened. This was such a fascinating and compelling story. Mr Hill’s has an intense way of writing that it just sucks you in.

Moonbeam is…there are just no words for her character! She’s an inspiration which is a total understatement. The fire didn’t just leave scars on her hand, on the outside, the fire is within her. It burns so bright inside of her, it’s almost blinding, that what I feel about her she can’t be touched. Moonbeam is a beautiful and powerful voice to be reckoned with. She is the most bravest, soulful and courageous character I have ever come across YA. As you go through the book, Before, her life living in that hell, you see how her character has transformed from this girl of belief and faith to a shell of a girl not knowing where her path lies. After, she became hardened with fear, fear of trusting, fear of guilt, fear of what will happen to her next. Moonbeam has this fighting spirit, unparalleled to what I’ve read before, she magnificent and if I could meet her I would be in awe of her.

Alongside Moonbeam, Agent Carlyle was my favourite character, there was some bond between them that made it feel like it was only she was talking to him, the spotlight was on them, in Interview Room 1. Their relationship was just so touching, almost like a father-daughter relationship. What he brought out in her, compelled her to continue her story, it was his persona, he’s calm, friendly and emotional connection that made this story. 

What I found incredible was also the Author’s note of this book, I don’t really read them I admit, but I was curious on the the inspiration and take on the plot of this book. What I found was that it was based on something true, although his character and his plot entirely his own. He felt compelled to write something based on the Waco siege. That event resonated with him, and this book resonated with me so much on such a deeper level, I felt quite chocked up I admit.  This book brings out so much in you, so many emotions and feelings. As you read through the book you get this build up of everything that happens and what Moonbeam feels until that final page where it sort of just releases, a relief, a moment of clarity. But still after so many days of reading it, it’s stays with you, I don’t really know how to explain it. Will Hill is an incredible writer, flawless even, this is one my first books by him and this certainly won’t be the last either.

Rating – 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

After the Fire has been picked for the Zoella and Friends Book Club and quite rightly so!