Hell Followed With Us

«It's glorious, getting angry so quickly. Maybe the Flood has given me something in return for my body: the anger I never let myself have as a little girl, the rage I swallowed down every day of my life. It feels like it's slotting into place where it was meant to be all along.» «If they want me to be a monster one step closer to God, that's fine. In what world was their God ever a benevolent one?» This is a book about anger, and vengeance. Against your oppressors, against those who’ve claimed to care for you and yet have done nothing but hurt you. It’s so refreshing to see a main character that doesn’t shy away from that anger, that isn’t ashamed of seeking retribution. I thought the relationships and the dynamics between the members of the ALC could have used some more development, but I know there’s only so much you can do with 400 pages. The exploration of religious fanaticism was all the more chilling for how real it felt. Not the Flood, obviously, but the fact that at the core of it are the same messages so many people seem to be spreading today. I particularly liked Theo’s character, and the way his feelings for Benji were completely intertwined with his faith and his devotion to the Angels’ cause. There really is no hate like Christian love. And I thought Benji’s perspective as someone who’s healing from SEVERE religious trauma, and at the same time is trying to figure out his own beliefs, was very well done. The body horror was maybe a little too much for me, but that’s completely my fault because I knew what I was getting into. Overall a really good, enjoyable book.