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The Night Burns Bright
In this coming-of-age thriller, a twelve-year-old boy’s spark of courage to question the harmonious wooded commune he calls home may burn down more than just his own illusions.
Lucien has everything he needs: a loving mama, a library full of books, and House of Earth, a private school nestled safely in the woods of upstate New York. It’s where Lucien is taught the importance of living in harmony with nature and building a peaceful and sustainable future. But when his youthful curiosity draws him into town and to Gabrielle, a public-school student living a life wholly different from his own, Lucien’s inquisitiveness about life beyond the commune and questions regarding the events of 9/11 threaten to unbalance everything he thought he knew.
Slowly, things begin to change at House of Earth. The outside world is off limits. Security measures tighten. New rules are put in place, and anyone who violates them is asked to leave and never spoken of again.
As forbidden questions pile up, Lucien’s willingness to obey weakens. Continuing to meet Gabrielle in secret only reinforces his gnawing fear that something about his world is terribly wrong. Unable to remain silent any longer, Lucien will soon discover that looking for answers at House of Earth may be the most dangerous rule he can break.
Lucien has everything he needs: a loving mama, a library full of books, and House of Earth, a private school nestled safely in the woods of upstate New York. It’s where Lucien is taught the importance of living in harmony with nature and building a peaceful and sustainable future. But when his youthful curiosity draws him into town and to Gabrielle, a public-school student living a life wholly different from his own, Lucien’s inquisitiveness about life beyond the commune and questions regarding the events of 9/11 threaten to unbalance everything he thought he knew.
Slowly, things begin to change at House of Earth. The outside world is off limits. Security measures tighten. New rules are put in place, and anyone who violates them is asked to leave and never spoken of again.
As forbidden questions pile up, Lucien’s willingness to obey weakens. Continuing to meet Gabrielle in secret only reinforces his gnawing fear that something about his world is terribly wrong. Unable to remain silent any longer, Lucien will soon discover that looking for answers at House of Earth may be the most dangerous rule he can break.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2022
1575 people are currently reading
5489 people want to read
About the author
Ross Barkan
9 books40 followershttps://www.facebook.com/RossBarkanNYC/
Ross Barkan is the author of Demolition Night, a novel, and The Prince: Andrew Cuomo, Coronavirus, and the Fall of New York. His next novel, The Night Burns Bright, will be published in 2022.
An award-winning journalist and former candidate for office, he is a columnist for the Guardian and Jacobin, as well as a contributing writer to the Nation.
His journalism and essays have appeared in a wide variety of publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Atlantic, the New Yorker, New York Magazine, GQ, the Village Voice, and the Columbia Journalism Review.
In both 2017 and 2019, he was the recipient of the New York Press Club’s award for distinguished newspaper commentary. He now teaches journalism at NYU and St. Joseph’s College. He also created a popular newsletter, Political Currents, on New York and national affairs.
Ross Barkan is the author of Demolition Night, a novel, and The Prince: Andrew Cuomo, Coronavirus, and the Fall of New York. His next novel, The Night Burns Bright, will be published in 2022.
An award-winning journalist and former candidate for office, he is a columnist for the Guardian and Jacobin, as well as a contributing writer to the Nation.
His journalism and essays have appeared in a wide variety of publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Atlantic, the New Yorker, New York Magazine, GQ, the Village Voice, and the Columbia Journalism Review.
In both 2017 and 2019, he was the recipient of the New York Press Club’s award for distinguished newspaper commentary. He now teaches journalism at NYU and St. Joseph’s College. He also created a popular newsletter, Political Currents, on New York and national affairs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
November 12, 2021
‘We are building the future, the only future’ and they will inherit it. When 9/11 strikes Lucien is 12, ‘OC was right’ says Mama. Who exactly is OC? From the age of six, Lucien attends the House of Earth in Mater, New York State. Jack is his mentor, he teaches him to live in harmony with nature, to resist negative energy, to protect the earth and the planet. Innocent Lucien and his mama live a narrow existence with this environmentalist group. From 9/11 onwards things begin to change at the House of Earth such as security tightening. When Lucien meets Gabrielle from the town and a number of incidents occur at the commune, this leads him to begin to question everything he formerly holds to be true.
Well, they call themselves a collective or a commune but of course it evolves into a cult. First of all the positives. The environmental message that OC Leroux teaches is undoubtedly true, just ask Greta and it is very relevant reading during COP26. There are good descriptions of life at House of Earth and Lucien is an interesting narrator. Jack, his mentor, makes you feel very uncomfortable with his strengthening control exactly as you are meant to. The world that Gabrielle demonstrates to him, the ‘other world’ contrasts sharply with Lucien's ideas of reality. You witness his loss of innocence and his increasing awareness and admire his growing strength to question and challenge, you also feel his frustration as well as his fear and anger.
However, it’s more an account, a narrative so there isn’t much surprise in the plot as it follows a very predictable path and you are pretty sure you know how it will end. The ending is a bit of a damp squib, it fizzles out and finishes way too easily in my opinion. I would not describe this as a thriller, there is little suspense or plot twists though there is some tension.
Overall, it feels like a YA novel to me. It’s certainly an ok read but it doesn’t bring anything new or original to the party in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Lake Union for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Well, they call themselves a collective or a commune but of course it evolves into a cult. First of all the positives. The environmental message that OC Leroux teaches is undoubtedly true, just ask Greta and it is very relevant reading during COP26. There are good descriptions of life at House of Earth and Lucien is an interesting narrator. Jack, his mentor, makes you feel very uncomfortable with his strengthening control exactly as you are meant to. The world that Gabrielle demonstrates to him, the ‘other world’ contrasts sharply with Lucien's ideas of reality. You witness his loss of innocence and his increasing awareness and admire his growing strength to question and challenge, you also feel his frustration as well as his fear and anger.
However, it’s more an account, a narrative so there isn’t much surprise in the plot as it follows a very predictable path and you are pretty sure you know how it will end. The ending is a bit of a damp squib, it fizzles out and finishes way too easily in my opinion. I would not describe this as a thriller, there is little suspense or plot twists though there is some tension.
Overall, it feels like a YA novel to me. It’s certainly an ok read but it doesn’t bring anything new or original to the party in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Lake Union for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
January 20, 2022
I hated this book, not because it was a bad book (though the fact that I couldn't remember the title just days after finishing it I think reflects the books lack of appeal rather than my having a "senior moment"), but because it was a deeply unpleasant read.
Reading about child abuse is never fun, whether it's a parent who lashes out at their offspring in a fit of anger, or a parent who lets their child be abused by others in the name of religion or other deeply held belief. The followers of people like David Koresh, and Reverend Jim Jones are certainly allowed to follow these men to the grave, but to force their children to do the same is unforgivable.
Barkan's story of a cult really offers nothing new. Children are beaten, locked in dark rooms, and more . . . all while their parents stand by unprotestingly in the mistaken belief that it will make the kids "better people." Even when some families are "disappeared," other cult members continue to make excuses.
I'm giving this one three stars as I don't think I was the intended audience. Who knows? It might actually be a good choice for a much younger young adult reader. Perhaps it will angry-up their blood into activism, or at least warn them away from cults - both religious and political.
Me? I wish I hadn't touched it..
Reading about child abuse is never fun, whether it's a parent who lashes out at their offspring in a fit of anger, or a parent who lets their child be abused by others in the name of religion or other deeply held belief. The followers of people like David Koresh, and Reverend Jim Jones are certainly allowed to follow these men to the grave, but to force their children to do the same is unforgivable.
Barkan's story of a cult really offers nothing new. Children are beaten, locked in dark rooms, and more . . . all while their parents stand by unprotestingly in the mistaken belief that it will make the kids "better people." Even when some families are "disappeared," other cult members continue to make excuses.
I'm giving this one three stars as I don't think I was the intended audience. Who knows? It might actually be a good choice for a much younger young adult reader. Perhaps it will angry-up their blood into activism, or at least warn them away from cults - both religious and political.
Me? I wish I hadn't touched it..
January 20, 2022
Lucien is a young boy trapped in a doomsday cult that wraps itself in the guise of an ecological teaching school in the woods of upstate New York. At it heart is a maniac who calls himself the OC after Oliver Cromwell. After 9/11, the cult grows tremendously, but the changes within the cult do as well and with those changes, comes questions for which Lucian gets no answers, only punishment for asking the questions.
I read books about cults a lot. I was raised in a quasi cult in the south and barely escaped with any sense of my own identity. I read books about cults to see how others survive, whether these are fiction or non-fiction books, they are fascinating to me. This one, however, was not. I found it to be wrong from the start. Nothing felt true. Where was their money coming from? Who was growing their food? Where were the workers? No, whoever wrote the book - and, apparently, he is a great journalist - never spent time studying cults in earnest or even talking with those who have escaped from them.
Also, after Lucien did leave, there was no counseling for him? He was able to just live with Gabrielle's family? No. No. and No. And then the ending. I just gave up on the ending because it never would stop. There were places where it should have stopped but the writer didn't seem to know how to wrap it all up. Did he have an agenda? A message he was trying to get across? If so, he failed. The book felt at times like it was written for children, at times for adults but in the end, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone. Period. Except, can I have my three hours wasted back again, please?
I read books about cults a lot. I was raised in a quasi cult in the south and barely escaped with any sense of my own identity. I read books about cults to see how others survive, whether these are fiction or non-fiction books, they are fascinating to me. This one, however, was not. I found it to be wrong from the start. Nothing felt true. Where was their money coming from? Who was growing their food? Where were the workers? No, whoever wrote the book - and, apparently, he is a great journalist - never spent time studying cults in earnest or even talking with those who have escaped from them.
Also, after Lucien did leave, there was no counseling for him? He was able to just live with Gabrielle's family? No. No. and No. And then the ending. I just gave up on the ending because it never would stop. There were places where it should have stopped but the writer didn't seem to know how to wrap it all up. Did he have an agenda? A message he was trying to get across? If so, he failed. The book felt at times like it was written for children, at times for adults but in the end, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone. Period. Except, can I have my three hours wasted back again, please?
January 6, 2022
This book made me so very angry. I knew what it was from the start and, mostly, where it was going. Seeing everything through the eyes of a small but oddly wise little boy was very interesting. I was upset for him. At the cult. What unfolded was horrible.
As a book, this was solid. I wanted a little more from the ending, but thought it was solid overall.
As a book, this was solid. I wanted a little more from the ending, but thought it was solid overall.
January 26, 2022
I’ve never written a review before on here, but I’m writing this one because I gave this book five stars despite wanting to stop reading it constantly without being able to put it down! I couldn’t stop reading this. It was disturbing, and raw. I could feel Lucien growing, his language expanding as his insight expanded. I felt his fear, wondered that he didn’t break through it all. The book is over, but I know I won’t stop thinking about this one for awhile. I think that’s why I gave it five stars: a story should create a space for thought long after it’s ended, and this one definitely accomplished that for me.
December 21, 2021
The Night burns bright by Ross Barkan is story told by young boy called Lucien. Lucien lives with his mother in upstate New York His mother is his everything. He goes to school at the ‘House of Earth a nature focused group in the woods. He doesn’t have teachers he has ‘mentors’ who teach him to live peacefully and love the earth.
So, when 9/11 happens everything changes at the school. They build a Habitual facility and all the children with their parents all move in. Things at the school get stricter. Yes, the place is a Cult.
When Lucien on a rare outing meets Gabrielle and become friends and vow to meet each other at the woods but soon the rules at the House of Earth get stricter and they build a wall around the school so to protect themselves from the war coming. But Lucien knows things are not right after speaking with Gabrielle and his fellow friends keep going missing. But when he asks questions, he gets is shut down and told never to mention his friends again. Lucien wonders is there more to life than the House of earth.
Thank you, Lake Union publishing, for a copy The Night burns bright by Ross Barkan. This is not a book that I usually go for, but I found this to be an interesting tale of Lucien and his innocence to the world around him. At first though it was hard to get used to the style of writing because of its immaturity but as I read on it suddenly comes clear that the style was written like a child would. I felt sorry for Lucien. As he is trying so hard to do what’s right and fit in. but still has obstacles in front of him. Now after reading most of the book as it was from a child. I found the ending to be a bit strange and to be honest a bit disappointed with the ending. 3.5 stars from me.
So, when 9/11 happens everything changes at the school. They build a Habitual facility and all the children with their parents all move in. Things at the school get stricter. Yes, the place is a Cult.
When Lucien on a rare outing meets Gabrielle and become friends and vow to meet each other at the woods but soon the rules at the House of Earth get stricter and they build a wall around the school so to protect themselves from the war coming. But Lucien knows things are not right after speaking with Gabrielle and his fellow friends keep going missing. But when he asks questions, he gets is shut down and told never to mention his friends again. Lucien wonders is there more to life than the House of earth.
Thank you, Lake Union publishing, for a copy The Night burns bright by Ross Barkan. This is not a book that I usually go for, but I found this to be an interesting tale of Lucien and his innocence to the world around him. At first though it was hard to get used to the style of writing because of its immaturity but as I read on it suddenly comes clear that the style was written like a child would. I felt sorry for Lucien. As he is trying so hard to do what’s right and fit in. but still has obstacles in front of him. Now after reading most of the book as it was from a child. I found the ending to be a bit strange and to be honest a bit disappointed with the ending. 3.5 stars from me.
January 12, 2022
I would have given this two stars but the ending where he is an adult saved it a bit for me. I think the problem with narrating this cult from a child's perspective is he's not privy to all the information, so the reader isn't either. I just have so many questions.
Why did Lucien's mom disappear for three weeks?
Why were people being marked?
What the heck was going on with Evie?
What happened to Gabrielle's dad? He's never mentioned at the end.
Why would people even follow a cult leader who they never saw?
I just think the book had promise but it could have been executed better.
Why did Lucien's mom disappear for three weeks?
Why were people being marked?
What the heck was going on with Evie?
What happened to Gabrielle's dad? He's never mentioned at the end.
Why would people even follow a cult leader who they never saw?
I just think the book had promise but it could have been executed better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2022
House of Earth
A story of a young boy growing of age in a secluded commune sitting. He has food to eat, a place to sleep and friends. They live frugally off the earth. No Television, only approved books and instruction. All this under the leadership of O.C. Leroux.
All is well with Lucian and his mother in their small cottage, Lucian attended the House of the Earth private school. His mother was gone a lot, but he had the TV, his book which he borrowed from the library and his friend Gabrielle he met at the library.
Then it all changed. His mother went to work at House of Earth, they moved into new quarters at House of Earth and rules started to change. If any rule was infringed upon then there was dire punishment. Lucian met Gabrielle in the woods at playtime in secret.
When talking to Gabrielle he started questioning the rules and the ways of the commune. He still thought that O.C. Leroux and his mother had his best interests at heart and he just had to be a better person and obey the rules.
Then people who question the rules start disappearing and he knew something was wrong. He didn't know what to do, all he knew was his mother and the commune. Young Lucian is very confused, and he really doesn't know what to think. He knows what he had been taught, he doesn't know anything else. Then the wall goes up and he cannot visit Gabrielle or the forest. He knew somehow he had to get away.
I think it would be very confusing for a young man to see anything different that what he has known his whole life. It would be more confusing on the outside in the real world.
This story explores the feelings of a young adolescent trying to understand life, to understand right and wrong and understand himself.
I enjoyed reading the book, and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Ross Barkan for writing a great story, to Lake Union Publishing for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.
A story of a young boy growing of age in a secluded commune sitting. He has food to eat, a place to sleep and friends. They live frugally off the earth. No Television, only approved books and instruction. All this under the leadership of O.C. Leroux.
All is well with Lucian and his mother in their small cottage, Lucian attended the House of the Earth private school. His mother was gone a lot, but he had the TV, his book which he borrowed from the library and his friend Gabrielle he met at the library.
Then it all changed. His mother went to work at House of Earth, they moved into new quarters at House of Earth and rules started to change. If any rule was infringed upon then there was dire punishment. Lucian met Gabrielle in the woods at playtime in secret.
When talking to Gabrielle he started questioning the rules and the ways of the commune. He still thought that O.C. Leroux and his mother had his best interests at heart and he just had to be a better person and obey the rules.
Then people who question the rules start disappearing and he knew something was wrong. He didn't know what to do, all he knew was his mother and the commune. Young Lucian is very confused, and he really doesn't know what to think. He knows what he had been taught, he doesn't know anything else. Then the wall goes up and he cannot visit Gabrielle or the forest. He knew somehow he had to get away.
I think it would be very confusing for a young man to see anything different that what he has known his whole life. It would be more confusing on the outside in the real world.
This story explores the feelings of a young adolescent trying to understand life, to understand right and wrong and understand himself.
I enjoyed reading the book, and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Ross Barkan for writing a great story, to Lake Union Publishing for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.
January 24, 2022
I was looking forward to this. The promise of the beautiful cover and intriguing blurb didn't deliver. This is one of those books that make me wonder how it ever got published. The concept was okay; but the reading experience was marred poor, lackluster prose, wooden characters, and zero suspense. No surprises here. No delight, either. Just a bad book--and life is too short for bad books.
November 1, 2021
I have to say that this wasn't my usual type of story. It's told from the point of view of Lucien, a young boy who attends a nature-focused school in the woods. It's no secret to the reader that this is more than just a peaceful commune of harmonious people. They have 'mentors' not teachers, there's no grading system, and the curriculum focuses on the teachings of it's founder about 'the darkness' and 'the light.' Yes, of course, it's a cult. And as always happens, it's full of well meaning people with absolutely no sense to see what's right in front of them.
After 9/11 everything at House of Earth becomes even stricter. Talk of 'the coming war' is rampant as they scare everyone into complete submission to their increasing demands. Only the 'true believers' will be safe from the evils of society, etc. They build on-campus housing because now all of the families must live there, with at least one parent from each family working at the school, also. Lucien rarely sees his mother, whom he still calls 'Mama' at age 12. She's frequently leaving him to run errands and he never asks where she goes or questions anything, really.
This is all called out right away by his only non-school friend, Gabrielle, whom he met in town. Where he's not allowed to go anymore. She knows his situation is strange and that he's different. But she's a good person and begins to meet him once a week in the woods to make sure he's surviving well enough. Slowly, Lucien becomes aware that House of Earth isn't all peace and light as he was taught, and he struggles with his new realizations. It takes quite a lot of missing people before he's convinced that he needs to act quickly and save himself and his mother from the very sanctuary that was supposed to protect them.
The plot itself isn't bad, although plenty predictable. The writing is very fanciful and Lucien's inner musings sound like those of someone far more worldly than he is. Other adults point out that he seems like an old soul - and I believe the author purposely includes these comments to explain why someone so naïve and sheltered would have such existential speculations. Constantly. But that's where the 'not my usual type of story' comes in - I know some people enjoy this style of prose, but I couldn't get into it. Especially when the plot itself held no suspense, it was just a long journey on a straight road - no twists or turns, and you could see your destination the entire time.
After 9/11 everything at House of Earth becomes even stricter. Talk of 'the coming war' is rampant as they scare everyone into complete submission to their increasing demands. Only the 'true believers' will be safe from the evils of society, etc. They build on-campus housing because now all of the families must live there, with at least one parent from each family working at the school, also. Lucien rarely sees his mother, whom he still calls 'Mama' at age 12. She's frequently leaving him to run errands and he never asks where she goes or questions anything, really.
This is all called out right away by his only non-school friend, Gabrielle, whom he met in town. Where he's not allowed to go anymore. She knows his situation is strange and that he's different. But she's a good person and begins to meet him once a week in the woods to make sure he's surviving well enough. Slowly, Lucien becomes aware that House of Earth isn't all peace and light as he was taught, and he struggles with his new realizations. It takes quite a lot of missing people before he's convinced that he needs to act quickly and save himself and his mother from the very sanctuary that was supposed to protect them.
The plot itself isn't bad, although plenty predictable. The writing is very fanciful and Lucien's inner musings sound like those of someone far more worldly than he is. Other adults point out that he seems like an old soul - and I believe the author purposely includes these comments to explain why someone so naïve and sheltered would have such existential speculations. Constantly. But that's where the 'not my usual type of story' comes in - I know some people enjoy this style of prose, but I couldn't get into it. Especially when the plot itself held no suspense, it was just a long journey on a straight road - no twists or turns, and you could see your destination the entire time.
February 20, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
An interesting doomsday cult novel with climate change at the centre.
8 year old Lucien and his single mother are caught up in House of Earth and follow its charismatic leader who has some very unusual and unethical views on how to 'fix the problem'. Some very gruelling and confronting issues are raised, but it becomes easier to see how these individuals can have so many followers.
An interesting doomsday cult novel with climate change at the centre.
8 year old Lucien and his single mother are caught up in House of Earth and follow its charismatic leader who has some very unusual and unethical views on how to 'fix the problem'. Some very gruelling and confronting issues are raised, but it becomes easier to see how these individuals can have so many followers.
April 10, 2022
Great Read!
I didn’t know anything about this book when I began reading it but it was so good I couldn’t put it down! The story is very engrossing and the characters are interesting. An unexpected awesome find, definitely recommend reading it.
I didn’t know anything about this book when I began reading it but it was so good I couldn’t put it down! The story is very engrossing and the characters are interesting. An unexpected awesome find, definitely recommend reading it.
July 30, 2022
Engrossing
Couldn't stop reading this fascinating and disturbing account of a young life growing up under the care of a mother and group in thrall to a madman
Couldn't stop reading this fascinating and disturbing account of a young life growing up under the care of a mother and group in thrall to a madman
February 15, 2022
This was not an easy book to read. It was disturbing most of the way through and maddeningly frustrating. Although the story was predictable, I was still left with so many questions by the end. Reading the story from the perspective of a 12-year old boy was both interesting and terrifying at first. However as he gets older and starts questioning what he sees, experiences and hears around him it becomes so intense I almost didn’t want to finish the book. I felt so drawn to Lucien the main character that I had to finish and find out what happens to him. The last chapter left me really disappointed. I wanted more answers and (without given too much away by being more specific) I didn’t feel that it was realistic. It was just so intense but left me unsatisfied. Because of that I would not recommend it to my friends.
January 26, 2022
I really liked this book. Stayed up way too late the last two nights reading this.
The story is very well written and quite disturbing on a level that is different than what I usually read. Almost felt like it was based on a true story….
I will look for others by this author.
The story is very well written and quite disturbing on a level that is different than what I usually read. Almost felt like it was based on a true story….
I will look for others by this author.
February 8, 2022
This is a book I'm hesitant to say I enjoyed given how heavy and bleak most of it is, but it was well-done and I'm glad I read it.
The Plot
Lucien has grown up in House of Earth, an alternative school focusing entirely on environmentalism and saving the Earth. It's is known around town as "that weird school up the hill" but that doesn't bother Lucien much. His mama and House of Earth are his whole life and the only two things he loves in the world.
As Lucien gets older, House of Earth begins to grow and change, becoming first a commune, then a self contained community and finally something close to a prison. Lucien can deal with all that; however when the adults start doing weird rituals on the grounds at night, their meals are reduced to miniscule portions, then his friends start disappearing and Lucien himself is punished for even daring to mention their names, it's clear House of Earth stopped being just a "weird little school" a long time ago.
The Good
Lucien stole my heart. He was so painfully naive and innocent and my heart broke for him more times than I could count. Adults not protecting children is one of the things that gets to me most in books, and not one single adult in this little boy's life ever did a thing to keep him safe and unharmed, many times actively hurting him, and still he tried so hard every day to be good enough for them. Ugh, it killed me.
The writing, obviously, was very good as well or it wouldn't have affected me so much. It struck me as a minimalist writing style, the kind that you almost don't notice is good because it fades into the background, letting the actual story shine. I loved the way the dialogue in particular was written. It felt like I was reading real conversations, with a lot of the awkwardness and idiosyncrasies in tact, instead of feeling "edited."
The story was great, and at times really stressful, but I felt like I came away with a lot to think about, particularly regarding both environmentalism and also the ways people can exploit a sense of belonging in others for personal gain. The cult in this story gained traction because they were offering community and unconditional love to people who needed it, and isn't that always how it starts?
The Bad
Despite really liking this book, there was something that didn't quite connect to make it a five star read and I can't place my finger on what it was. I do have some questions about the cult itself and some of the characters that were left unanswered and that's a little frustrating so that could be it.
I also don't love how it ended. I'm a big fan of short and sweet and/or ambiguity when it comes to book endings and this was incredibly drawn out (something like 25 pages of wrapping up after the story truly ends!!) and basically summarizes Lucien's entire life from the moment he leaves the cult until his mid thirties. I would've liked something much more brief, with some room left for imagination, and I really, really didn't need the jump to 35-year-old Lucien and his sad love life.
Content warnings: SO MUCH CHILD ABUSE, child neglect, parental abandonment, branding, grooming, starvation, gaslighting, implied sexual assault, murder, descriptions of corpses
The Plot
Lucien has grown up in House of Earth, an alternative school focusing entirely on environmentalism and saving the Earth. It's is known around town as "that weird school up the hill" but that doesn't bother Lucien much. His mama and House of Earth are his whole life and the only two things he loves in the world.
As Lucien gets older, House of Earth begins to grow and change, becoming first a commune, then a self contained community and finally something close to a prison. Lucien can deal with all that; however when the adults start doing weird rituals on the grounds at night, their meals are reduced to miniscule portions, then his friends start disappearing and Lucien himself is punished for even daring to mention their names, it's clear House of Earth stopped being just a "weird little school" a long time ago.
The Good
Lucien stole my heart. He was so painfully naive and innocent and my heart broke for him more times than I could count. Adults not protecting children is one of the things that gets to me most in books, and not one single adult in this little boy's life ever did a thing to keep him safe and unharmed, many times actively hurting him, and still he tried so hard every day to be good enough for them. Ugh, it killed me.
The writing, obviously, was very good as well or it wouldn't have affected me so much. It struck me as a minimalist writing style, the kind that you almost don't notice is good because it fades into the background, letting the actual story shine. I loved the way the dialogue in particular was written. It felt like I was reading real conversations, with a lot of the awkwardness and idiosyncrasies in tact, instead of feeling "edited."
The story was great, and at times really stressful, but I felt like I came away with a lot to think about, particularly regarding both environmentalism and also the ways people can exploit a sense of belonging in others for personal gain. The cult in this story gained traction because they were offering community and unconditional love to people who needed it, and isn't that always how it starts?
The Bad
Despite really liking this book, there was something that didn't quite connect to make it a five star read and I can't place my finger on what it was. I do have some questions about the cult itself and some of the characters that were left unanswered and that's a little frustrating so that could be it.
I also don't love how it ended. I'm a big fan of short and sweet and/or ambiguity when it comes to book endings and this was incredibly drawn out (something like 25 pages of wrapping up after the story truly ends!!) and basically summarizes Lucien's entire life from the moment he leaves the cult until his mid thirties. I would've liked something much more brief, with some room left for imagination, and I really, really didn't need the jump to 35-year-old Lucien and his sad love life.
Content warnings: SO MUCH CHILD ABUSE, child neglect, parental abandonment, branding, grooming, starvation, gaslighting, implied sexual assault, murder, descriptions of corpses
January 23, 2022
Lucien is twelve and going to school at House of Earth, a small private school in upstate New York started by O.C. Leroux, when 9/11 happened. Everyone in the United States, and especially those so close to NYC are rocked to the core—those at House of Earth even more so. Our sense of security as Americans, as humans, in one morning is shattered.
House of Earth quickly evolves from a private school for families whose parents want them to respect nature into a commune. Housing facilities are built and entire families traumatized by 9/11 move to House of Earth to go back to a simpler time when we had more respect for our planet. Though, Leroux’s teachings have a point, it is the delivery method by mentors aka teachers on the commune that quickly evolve to the unthinkable. Kids like Lucien are groomed to follow the cult’s way.
It is outsider Gabrielle, who Lucien meets at the public library before he is restricted from leaving the compound that serves as his touchstone to reality and ultimately his redeemer.
The narrator is a twelve-year-old boy and because of this reads like young adult fiction. Lucien’s tale is heartbreaking to read because of his naïveté and somewhat predictable. I could have done with a shorter ending. It seems as though the author was closing all loose ends, and it truly wasn’t necessary at that point in the book—-his point was made. I would recommend Clover Blue by Eldonna Edwards over this novel.
Thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, and of course Ross Barkan for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Instagram.com/passionforprose
House of Earth quickly evolves from a private school for families whose parents want them to respect nature into a commune. Housing facilities are built and entire families traumatized by 9/11 move to House of Earth to go back to a simpler time when we had more respect for our planet. Though, Leroux’s teachings have a point, it is the delivery method by mentors aka teachers on the commune that quickly evolve to the unthinkable. Kids like Lucien are groomed to follow the cult’s way.
It is outsider Gabrielle, who Lucien meets at the public library before he is restricted from leaving the compound that serves as his touchstone to reality and ultimately his redeemer.
The narrator is a twelve-year-old boy and because of this reads like young adult fiction. Lucien’s tale is heartbreaking to read because of his naïveté and somewhat predictable. I could have done with a shorter ending. It seems as though the author was closing all loose ends, and it truly wasn’t necessary at that point in the book—-his point was made. I would recommend Clover Blue by Eldonna Edwards over this novel.
Thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, and of course Ross Barkan for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Instagram.com/passionforprose
January 12, 2022
If you’re a fan of books about cults then add The Night Burns Bright by Ross Barkan to your tbr pile. This was a straight-forward read and more of a YA to me, with a strong focus on our main teenage protagonist’s individual growth and understanding of himself and his community.
I like how Lucien’s narrative voice ages. While a thriller, it’s more of a coming-of-age story at it’s core. In the beginning we have a much younger Lucien and we see his world through his young naive eyes. As he ages, so does his narration and I liked that because it felt like we were growing up and realizing things right along with him (not that we didn’t see the truth all along, it’s pretty easy to guess). We get a lot of character development with Lucien and it’s truly his story as we don’t get nearly as much from other characters. As with any cult read, parts of it are hard, disturbing, maddeningly frustrating. There was nothing I didn’t like about the book, it was just lacking that next-level depth and conflict that takes a book from a three to four star or higher read for me. Everything you think is likely to happen does and while events in themselves are appalling, sad and shocking, you see all of them coming. It’s one of the mildest cult books I’ve read (again lending to my opinion towards a YA read).
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc of this book
I like how Lucien’s narrative voice ages. While a thriller, it’s more of a coming-of-age story at it’s core. In the beginning we have a much younger Lucien and we see his world through his young naive eyes. As he ages, so does his narration and I liked that because it felt like we were growing up and realizing things right along with him (not that we didn’t see the truth all along, it’s pretty easy to guess). We get a lot of character development with Lucien and it’s truly his story as we don’t get nearly as much from other characters. As with any cult read, parts of it are hard, disturbing, maddeningly frustrating. There was nothing I didn’t like about the book, it was just lacking that next-level depth and conflict that takes a book from a three to four star or higher read for me. Everything you think is likely to happen does and while events in themselves are appalling, sad and shocking, you see all of them coming. It’s one of the mildest cult books I’ve read (again lending to my opinion towards a YA read).
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc of this book
February 14, 2022
This is a good book for young adults struggling to establish their identities separate from their families. It especially illuminates the importance of maintaining self and one’s beliefs and ideas when confronted with challenges from one’s peers. Although the plot is unrealistic most readers will benefit from the overall message. I have two criticisms. First the author writes at a 10th grade level with cryptic sentences and expressions and minimal descriptions of the context or characters. I remain unsure if this is intentional or not given the intended audience. Second, I object to the author’s suggestion that vegetarianism is cult-like given that most experts concur that plant-based diets are healthier than animal ones for humans. In addition, many vegetarians object to the savage ways that industries treat animals. I’m surprised that the author suggests that vegetarianism could possibly be cult-like especially in a contemporary novel. In general, there is a superficiality that underlies this book at multiple levels. This shallowness precludes one from appreciating the story’s themes regarding conformity, skepticism, and critical inquiry, which are pertinent themes at any life stage. Despite these weaknesses I enjoyed the story; readers should always stray outside their comfort zones to understand others’ cogitations and inquiries.
August 3, 2022
I am a personal acquaintance of Ross, and that was a large part of the reason why I read this.
The novel is very well written and there is a lot going for in terms of the machinery. The sense of suspense is good and kept me interested and genuinely curious for 80% of the novel, but the big reveal was a huge disappointment. and fell well short of my expectations. The plot's biggest weak points are the 'House of Earth' itself and the flat flat characters outside of the main character Julien. The perspective of a 12 year old boy keeps things fresh, but I think it also disguises a lot of the novel's shortcomings.
'The House of Earth is a "Death Cult," but would have held way more intrigue as a sex cult like many of the real life cults it draws inspiration from. The mechanics of 'The House of Earth" don't even make any sense when its true nature is revealed and no answers are given as to how this "death cult" could function day-to-day. Not to mention all the problems in logic this ideology creates. The first and most obvious problem being that, OC's followers are clearly devoted to him, if he truly cared about lowering the world's population wouldn't his goals be better served turning his followers into terrorists and carrying out mass casualty events rather than just secretly murdering them? It seems like such an inefficient system.
The next issue with the death cult is that it's 'humans are the virus' ideology is cribbed right from "The Matrix" and it is unbelievable any high school educated adult would buy into it enough to cut off their relatives sell off their houses and leave their lives behind to join up. Another part of 'The house of Earth's' ideology that doesn't pass muster is that while they are "preparing" for the fall of society, but they aren't doing anything someone concerned with society's downfall would do. They are never shown to be self-sustaining, in fact they are shown to be the opposite as the community begin starving towards the end of the book. no one is seen doing any farming or growing food. The only work being done by the men is menial tasks like guarding the front gate and serving the food. Also if they truly believed society was on the verge of collapse, they should have been stockpiling weapons. Weapons are never introduced into the book, aside from wooden samurai swords., which are only used to beat the main character literally only 2 pages after they are introduced into the story. It's difficult to suspend my disbelief that the members couldn't see through this sham. It's honestly preposterous.
The adults seem to join the cult for no reason at all and the cult leader OC does not have the ego or charisma to pull off what transpires in the book. Hell, he's a non entity through most of the novel and the main character only meets him a total of three times. It's not clear he even lives on the compound because of how rarely he factors into the story. It's never made clear what he's doing for the YEARS 'House of Earth' is in operation and it seems like a massive oversight. It's never even clear if the tenets of his ideology are even written down as the rules seem to come from Jack and not OC.
There are a lot of breadcrumbs left in the story, but the vast majority never go anywhere or remain unresolved. Why was Samantha's mother crying? Why did Evie and Samantha's mother receive a OC brand before the group and what was the significance of the brand? Why did all the adults get one at the ceremony? If OC wasn't planning on getting caught why would he put a big identifying marker on all of their wrists before murdering them? Speaking of which why were all the graves left open for Julien to find? Was Sebastien actually molesting Evie? It is strongly hinted at, but why was she branded by O.C. and why was O.C. allowing it to happen when it didn't seem like any of the other kids were getting molested. Why did Julien's mother disappear for weeks at a time? was she digging mass graves? Who wrote 'blood earth' on the shed and who repainted it and why? What exactly was wrong with the water and the electricity? none of these questions really get an adequate explanation.
My guess as to why this is, is because Ross probably wrote this without a full plot outline and figured the pieces would all eventually fall into place as he went. This is further evinced by the epilogue to the story that meanders around and doesn't really answer any of the lingering questions but rather provides pages of exposition that needlessly flesh out post-cult Julien. The book ends with Lucien finding a connection with someone, like that was what readers were ever concerned with when he was locked in the shed or getting beaten by the samurai swords.
"I wonder if he'll ever get laid, find true love, try cocaine. or earn a college degree."
It's a terrible way to end the story, which still had potential up until the mom opened the secret door in the wall. That was when the story really jumped the shark for me. Everything else in the story I could visualize. I thought I understood the characters and the world they lived in. I was curious where the story was going even if I had been a bit disappointed with the reveals so far. But when the mom opened the door in the wall I couldn't picture it. It sounded like something out of Scooby-Doo or James Bond. The mom just twists a fake rock or something and then a cement wall that weighs hundred of pounds swings open? I couldn't figure it out or picture it.
Another major issue with the story is the lack of sex. As a cult leader, OC, the leader of 'HoE' should have been having sex with everyone, but the book only explicitly states he was having sex with Lucien's mom. I thought the brands received by some of the women in the book would imply OC was having sex with them, but because Lucien's mom never receives one and later even the men start receiving them I believe the brand is only for those marked for death and do not denote any sexual relationship. Evie is also hinted at possibly having sexual contact with Sebastian but that is the entirety of the sex seen in the book. The author seems averse to even mentioning it, but its absence is nevertheless suspicious especially due to the nature of the books subject matter.
The novel is very well written and there is a lot going for in terms of the machinery. The sense of suspense is good and kept me interested and genuinely curious for 80% of the novel, but the big reveal was a huge disappointment. and fell well short of my expectations. The plot's biggest weak points are the 'House of Earth' itself and the flat flat characters outside of the main character Julien. The perspective of a 12 year old boy keeps things fresh, but I think it also disguises a lot of the novel's shortcomings.
'The House of Earth is a "Death Cult," but would have held way more intrigue as a sex cult like many of the real life cults it draws inspiration from. The mechanics of 'The House of Earth" don't even make any sense when its true nature is revealed and no answers are given as to how this "death cult" could function day-to-day. Not to mention all the problems in logic this ideology creates. The first and most obvious problem being that, OC's followers are clearly devoted to him, if he truly cared about lowering the world's population wouldn't his goals be better served turning his followers into terrorists and carrying out mass casualty events rather than just secretly murdering them? It seems like such an inefficient system.
The next issue with the death cult is that it's 'humans are the virus' ideology is cribbed right from "The Matrix" and it is unbelievable any high school educated adult would buy into it enough to cut off their relatives sell off their houses and leave their lives behind to join up. Another part of 'The house of Earth's' ideology that doesn't pass muster is that while they are "preparing" for the fall of society, but they aren't doing anything someone concerned with society's downfall would do. They are never shown to be self-sustaining, in fact they are shown to be the opposite as the community begin starving towards the end of the book. no one is seen doing any farming or growing food. The only work being done by the men is menial tasks like guarding the front gate and serving the food. Also if they truly believed society was on the verge of collapse, they should have been stockpiling weapons. Weapons are never introduced into the book, aside from wooden samurai swords., which are only used to beat the main character literally only 2 pages after they are introduced into the story. It's difficult to suspend my disbelief that the members couldn't see through this sham. It's honestly preposterous.
The adults seem to join the cult for no reason at all and the cult leader OC does not have the ego or charisma to pull off what transpires in the book. Hell, he's a non entity through most of the novel and the main character only meets him a total of three times. It's not clear he even lives on the compound because of how rarely he factors into the story. It's never made clear what he's doing for the YEARS 'House of Earth' is in operation and it seems like a massive oversight. It's never even clear if the tenets of his ideology are even written down as the rules seem to come from Jack and not OC.
There are a lot of breadcrumbs left in the story, but the vast majority never go anywhere or remain unresolved. Why was Samantha's mother crying? Why did Evie and Samantha's mother receive a OC brand before the group and what was the significance of the brand? Why did all the adults get one at the ceremony? If OC wasn't planning on getting caught why would he put a big identifying marker on all of their wrists before murdering them? Speaking of which why were all the graves left open for Julien to find? Was Sebastien actually molesting Evie? It is strongly hinted at, but why was she branded by O.C. and why was O.C. allowing it to happen when it didn't seem like any of the other kids were getting molested. Why did Julien's mother disappear for weeks at a time? was she digging mass graves? Who wrote 'blood earth' on the shed and who repainted it and why? What exactly was wrong with the water and the electricity? none of these questions really get an adequate explanation.
My guess as to why this is, is because Ross probably wrote this without a full plot outline and figured the pieces would all eventually fall into place as he went. This is further evinced by the epilogue to the story that meanders around and doesn't really answer any of the lingering questions but rather provides pages of exposition that needlessly flesh out post-cult Julien. The book ends with Lucien finding a connection with someone, like that was what readers were ever concerned with when he was locked in the shed or getting beaten by the samurai swords.
"I wonder if he'll ever get laid, find true love, try cocaine. or earn a college degree."
It's a terrible way to end the story, which still had potential up until the mom opened the secret door in the wall. That was when the story really jumped the shark for me. Everything else in the story I could visualize. I thought I understood the characters and the world they lived in. I was curious where the story was going even if I had been a bit disappointed with the reveals so far. But when the mom opened the door in the wall I couldn't picture it. It sounded like something out of Scooby-Doo or James Bond. The mom just twists a fake rock or something and then a cement wall that weighs hundred of pounds swings open? I couldn't figure it out or picture it.
Another major issue with the story is the lack of sex. As a cult leader, OC, the leader of 'HoE' should have been having sex with everyone, but the book only explicitly states he was having sex with Lucien's mom. I thought the brands received by some of the women in the book would imply OC was having sex with them, but because Lucien's mom never receives one and later even the men start receiving them I believe the brand is only for those marked for death and do not denote any sexual relationship. Evie is also hinted at possibly having sexual contact with Sebastian but that is the entirety of the sex seen in the book. The author seems averse to even mentioning it, but its absence is nevertheless suspicious especially due to the nature of the books subject matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2022
I wanted to like this one a lot more than I did. The basic setup is a cult that slightly reminds me of the fundamentalist LDS without the child marriages. Though I’ve recently watched a documentary on them so maybe that’s why. Except these are basically people who think people shouldn’t be alive and that’s the only way to save the Earth.
This book tried really hard to be something it wasn’t. I found it repetitive and just overly drawn out. I think the story could’ve been told and would’ve been a lot more interesting at half the length of this one.
I might’ve forgiven the length/slogging through of this book if the reveal/outcome/ending had been worth it. I know this is YA, but it just fell really flat for me.
This book tried really hard to be something it wasn’t. I found it repetitive and just overly drawn out. I think the story could’ve been told and would’ve been a lot more interesting at half the length of this one.
I might’ve forgiven the length/slogging through of this book if the reveal/outcome/ending had been worth it. I know this is YA, but it just fell really flat for me.
February 7, 2022
I read this for the Popsugar Challenge 2022 prompt #33 "a social-horror book". I probably wouldn't have run across this book without the challenge, and honestly it was a bit dark for me, but it was well written. The slow build of the growing horror of a private environmentally oriented school evolving into a closed community where students and parents both live, and eventually die is creepy, but well done. The "school" is in upstate New York, and the action takes place in the aftermath of the 2001 Twin Towers attacks.
February 2, 2022
Starts out disturbing but intriguing - things are obviously off with Lucien's life and school, but honestly not unbelievable. The educational focus and style of House of Earth were a somewhat exaggerated version of some of the homeschooling parents I've met.
Predictably, Lucien's experiences take a turn for the worse and the narrative swiftly goes downhill. The weirdness increases at a pace that stretches the suspension of disbelief to its limits, inspiring too much "how?" and "why?" with too few answers. It seems 9/11 was used as a catalyst to allow the author to handwave away a lot of that. "People were scared and irrational" - well, yes, but there's hoarding fuel and stocking up on prepper supplies, and then there's this.
Some of the problems come from Lucien's minimal contact with the cult leader and the fact that those few experiences are told through a child's POV. We're supposed to believe the guy was charismatic enough to inspire his followers into extreme action, but I just don't see it. The main thing I came away with was that he's tall...
From me, 3 stars is a "meh." It kept me reading, partly out of horrified fascination and a tenuous hope that it really couldn't be going where I thought it was. But the latter half had too many ridiculous moments and the conclusion was unfulfilling.
Predictably, Lucien's experiences take a turn for the worse and the narrative swiftly goes downhill. The weirdness increases at a pace that stretches the suspension of disbelief to its limits, inspiring too much "how?" and "why?" with too few answers. It seems 9/11 was used as a catalyst to allow the author to handwave away a lot of that. "People were scared and irrational" - well, yes, but there's hoarding fuel and stocking up on prepper supplies, and then there's this.
Some of the problems come from Lucien's minimal contact with the cult leader and the fact that those few experiences are told through a child's POV. We're supposed to believe the guy was charismatic enough to inspire his followers into extreme action, but I just don't see it. The main thing I came away with was that he's tall...
From me, 3 stars is a "meh." It kept me reading, partly out of horrified fascination and a tenuous hope that it really couldn't be going where I thought it was. But the latter half had too many ridiculous moments and the conclusion was unfulfilling.
February 19, 2022
a journey
Lucien experiences a limited reality that constricts even further as time moves forward. I enjoyed reading from the perspective of a young person entrenched in - what we come to realize - is a cult. It’s tragic and a bit twisted without being overly graphic, but remains largely on-brand with my typical interest in stories of cults, psychological abuse, and human resiliency.
Lucien experiences a limited reality that constricts even further as time moves forward. I enjoyed reading from the perspective of a young person entrenched in - what we come to realize - is a cult. It’s tragic and a bit twisted without being overly graphic, but remains largely on-brand with my typical interest in stories of cults, psychological abuse, and human resiliency.
February 22, 2022
This was a good book. Heartbreaking in many ways. It's a slow read. No real hard plot, but the story is good. The book follows a boy growing up in a cult around the time of the 9/11 attacks. He questions more than most around him. It's easy to make assumptions about what's going on that we can't see during the story;the ending was not shocking, but I didn't expect it.
If you like books about cults and their affects on people, I would consider this light reading.
If you like books about cults and their affects on people, I would consider this light reading.
March 25, 2022
The book started out confusing. The reader is not given any background history on how the main character and his mom ended up at the House of Earth school. However it helps you empathize with the main character’s confusion as events are unfolding and I really felt I was right there alongside him. Some parts were a little wordy but overall a very good read.
May 20, 2022
My feelings went back and forth with this one, but I think most of all its definitely got me thinking about how people respond when actions caused by cults or religious groups are bought to the fore by the media.
March 23, 2024
I hated this book. If I could give it less than 1 star I would have. It’s depressing and it was all I could do to finish it. I kept expecting it to get better and I was sadly disappointed. The abuse the author described made me sick to my stomach. Not my type of book at all.
February 16, 2022
Started off good but then got very very slow in the middle for me and also very very strange. Not for me.
February 18, 2022
I hated this book. It freaked me out. But sometimes you need to read a book like that, I guess. Well written, but terrifying.
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