The #1 Spring 2021 Kids’ Indie Next Pick An Amazon Best Young Adult Book of the Month for February Selection A Rolling Stone Top Pop Culture for March Pick A Book Riot Most Anticipated Books of 2021 Selection Three starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Booklist! Featured in over 20 “Most Anticipated” lists, including BuzzFeed, Den of Geek, Book Riot, Bustle, Publishers …
Featured in over 20 “Most Anticipated” lists, including BuzzFeed, Den of Geek, Book Riot, Bustle, Publishers Weekly, PopSugar, Entertainment Weekly, Frolic, and B&N Reads!
“In this compelling and absorbing YA novel, two sisters make the most painful of choices based on their love for one another.” —Shelf Awareness
From Courtney Summers, the New York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hit Sadie, comes her electrifying follow-up–a suspenseful, pulls-no-punches story about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister no matter the cost.
Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died in a tragic car accident, her sister Bea joined the elusive community called The Unity Project, leaving Lo to fend for herself. Desperate not to lose the only family she has left, Lo has spent the last six years trying to reconnect with Bea, only to be met with radio silence.
When Lo’s given the perfect opportunity to gain access to Bea’s reclusive life, she thinks they’re finally going to be reunited. But it’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t want to be found, and as Lo delves deeper into The Project and its charismatic leader, she begins to realize that there’s more at risk than just her relationship with Bea: her very life might be in danger.
As she uncovers more questions than answers at each turn, everything Lo thought she knew about herself, her sister, and the world is upended. One thing doesn’t change, though, and that’s what keeps her going: Bea needs her, and Lo will do anything to save her.
“This book is brave and raw and exciting and wise—wise about girls and women, weakness and strength, and the bittersweet beauty of being human.” –Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood Series
“This is a beautifully-written, compelling book about the lengths to which someone will go in order not to lose their sense of belonging. It’s full of twists and turns, keeping its readers guessing until the very end. The characterization is masterfully done and so empathetic that the reader will find it almost impossible not to sympathize with the characters even if they are seemingly going down the wrong path. It’s a tour de force, unflinchingly posing uncomfortable questions and forcing its readers to dig deep into themselves in order to find the answers.” —The Nerd Daily
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Courtney Summers has done it again. She is undeniably the queen of raw, gritty, dark contemporary YA. In The Project, Summers introduces us to sisters Bea and Lo Denham.
After a car accident claimed their parents and left Lo hospitalized, Bea was drawn into the comforting embrace of The Unity Project. At the head of The Unity Project is the enigmatic Lev, a man who many believe is the walking embodiment of God. Drawn to Lev and all he offers, Bea makes the ultimate sacrifice and says goodbye to her life and her little sister.
Years later, a grown up Lo is still trying to contact Bea only to be blocked by members of the project at every turn. But suddenly Lev changes course and offers Lo unprecedented access to the project and its members. This is the opportunity Lo has hoped for, not only as a means of finding her sister, but as a way to advance at her job at a magazine.
But in the world behind the shiny veneer of The Unity Project are mysterious deaths, unexplained disappearances, and a following so loyal to its leader that Lo begins to doubt her own perception. Is The Unity Project a dangerous cult or an enlightened community dedicated to service? And does anyone ever really leave the project?
The Project is an enthralling, engaging thriller that pulls you into its dark, mysterious depths and doesn’t let go until the very end. Told from the alternating perspectives of Lo and Bea, Summers has a haunting voice and unique narrative style that kept me engaged the entire time. Courtney Summers has quickly become one of those authors that never disappoints me and whose books I’ll buy without question.
The Project will be available everywhere on 2/2/21
*I received a copy of The Project from NetGalley and St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review*
I was super impressed by Sadie, so I was excited to get a chance to read The Project from Courtney Summers. Well, this book is definitely not at all like Summers’ previous novel, and I am still unsure how I feel about it even after waiting a week to write my review. I loved the cult aspect as well as the viewpoint changes between Bea and Lo, but the storyline didn’t quite do it for me. It was off to a quick start but then became a really slow burn, and I was glad I was listening to the audiobook, or I would have had a hard time finishing it in a timely manner. It definitely held my attention well enough, and as always, her writing was fantastic, but it didn’t draw me in quite the way I had hoped it would. The story has a mystery to it that spans the length of the book, and I didn’t see the ending coming although some people may predict it. However, deep down this is a story of sisterly bonds and the relationship between Bea and Lo which is something I really enjoyed.
The audiobook is narrated by Emily Shaffer & Thérèse Plummer, and it was great having a narrator for each sister. I always approve when audiobooks have a narrator for every viewpoint, and I loved both Shaffer and Plummer for this book! At one point there was a bit of a weird spot with a narrator (and I don’t think it was my phone?), but other than that I loved the audiobook and would definitely recommend it. I wasn’t buying anything The Unity Project leader was selling and because of that became very frustrated toward the end of the book. There are a few stupid decisions made that drove me nuts, but I also tried to keep in mind this is a young adult novel, and these girls were young. I do love the way this author writes and always love to read her books, so even though this wasn’t a complete winner for me, I will definitely be reading whatever Summers writes next!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a thriller different from others I’ve read lately and I loved it. It’s slower-paced and you know who the villain is, but following Lol as she digs into The Unity Project is interesting.
I’ve always been intrigued, as I’m sure a lot of us are, with religious cults and how they seem to trap people within their walls. David Koresh. Jim Jones. Charles Manson. Just to name a few. They somehow managed to charm people into their world and people suffered for it.
This was a well thought out and intriguing read of two sisters…one most to The Unity Project and one trying to save her. There were a lot of parts that had me chilled and ice was creeping up my spine …
Can we take a few minutes to appreciate that cover! It tells a story on its own. It’s so good I can’t think of anything else that would’ve fit this book. It’s so outstanding!
From the first pages, we learn Bea doesn’t want a sister. But then her mother changes her mind with:
“Having a sister is a promise no one but the two of you can make—and no one but the two of you can break.”
Bea loses both her parents when a semi crashes into her parent’s SUV, the same crash sends her baby sister to the hospital. Lo always looked up to her sister whenever she needed help with something her big sister will be the one she goes to, but after her parents died, she was on her own. Bea joins The Project, leaving Lo with their great aunt. Years go by and Lo doesn’t see her sister or talk to her until one day she appears in a picture with a boy who just committed suicide right after saying Lo’s name when he sees her.
“So why, after all these years, did she put my name in a dead boy’s mouth?”
Now Lo is trying to find her sister along with the truth about The Unity Project.
After the accident both sisters were trying to find a way for their lives to mean something, Bea joined The Project and Lo went to work for Paul Tindale. They might have gone different ways, choosing different paths, but they did it for the same reason. They were lost and wanted to feel like life has a meaning. They wanted to belong and be seen.
Lev Warren, the head of the cult (though they kept trying to convince people otherwise), seemed like the person who manipulates people filled with despair, hopelessness, and walking close to the edges wanting to die. He takes advantage of that, giving them a false sense of purpose. Telling them that God has chosen them, that he sees them. Foster, Jeremy, Bea, and eventually Lo were some people Lev got into their heads. He twists their minds until all they think about is pleasing him.
“I think you’re poison. I think the world needs to know.”
I hated Casey the moment she made her appearance, I made her a villain. She was talking to Lo like she wasn’t someone with a value when she was preaching about acceptance and welcoming everyone. Plus, she was the one to answer Lo’s calls and tell her that her sister didn’t wish to speak to her. And everything that happens in The Unity Project, she knows about. She’s their spokesperson, Lev’s right hand.
“Casey says The Project has nothing to hide,” I say. My voice falters as he gets closer.
“We don’t.”
I raise my chin.
“You sure act like people with something to hide.”
The way Courtney Summers writes her sentences is so captivating, it draws you in and makes you crave for more. Once you pick up the book to read, you won’t be able to put it down. It’ll mess with your head and make you question everything you knew. My heart was beating out of my chest with the intensity of it. I had a few times where I found it hard to keep reading. I had a few times where I just had to roll my eyes. I had a few times where it almost got into my head. I had a few times where I was pacing my room. I screamed. I cried. My heart broke.
It really is a progression of distress.
Are you brave enough to read it?
My feelings are a little mixed with this book. I thought it was okay but I was never really hooked by the story. At one point I actually considered not finishing the book but decided to stick with it in hopes I would start enjoying it more. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike the books but I didn’t really like it all that much either.
This story is told from two points of view. Lo survived an accident that killed both of her parents as a teenager. She stayed with her Aunt for a while but she has mostly been on her own. She wants to get noticed as a journalist and thinks that the story to get her noticed is The Unity Project, which happens to be the mystery she wants to unravel for herself. Lo’s sister joined The Unity Project Years ago and she wants to know what happened to her. The second point of view is Lo’s sister, Bea. Bea joined The Unity Project right after the accident that killed her parents and left her sister clinging to life. She was completely taken in with Lev, the leader of The Unity Project. It was interesting to see her life inside the cult and look at the decisions that she made.
The timeline does jump around a bit so I found that I really had to pay attention to keep up. I never connected with any of the characters in this book so I never felt invested in the story. I honestly didn’t care what happened to any of them which is why I considered not finishing the book. There were a couple of twists in the story but none of them really grabbed me. There was nothing bad about this book but it just never clicked for me.
Therese Plummer and Emily Schaffer did a great job with the narration. I thought that they added a lot to the story and the quality of their narration was one of the reasons that I decided to stick with the book. I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to more of their work in the future.
I think that a lot of readers will enjoy this one more than I did. While I don’t see myself recommending it to others, I would still encourage others to give it a try if it sounds interesting.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
“Lust, Lev says moving to her, when it has conceived, bears sin. And the sin, when it is grown, produces death. He pauses, and looks at her as though she is a stranger. I upheld you like no other. You have betrayed me like no other.”
This book was truly amazing! I loved it! and let me tell you this author has no problem writing about the good, the bad, and the downright UGLY. I really didn’t know what to expect when I first heard about this book. This book has a very realistic feel to it. Man, I couldn’t imagine living in the cult presented in this book. It’s scary to think that it may be going on already. I really liked this book. I haven’t read anything else by Courtney Summers but I plan to fix that! Happy reading everyone!!
A haunting tale of two sisters who do everything in their power to come back to one another after their parents are tragically killed and one sister is left near dead. While the elder sister is broken and grieving, an insidious cult leader inserts himself into her life at her most vulnerable. Wow. This book had me on the edge all the way to the end. It’s trippy and frightening with a satisfying conclusion. Check it out.
Two sisters, a charismatic man, a cult The Project tells a story of two sisters, bound together by love and tragedy. Bea doesn’t want to be a big sister, but when her sister, Lo, arrives, Bea becomes Lo’s champion, helping her fight to survive. When tragedy strikes 13 years later, Bea once again steps in to push her sister to survive. In doing so, she calls on God for help. When Bea sees Lev, She mistakenly believes he is a savior. This begins Bea’s entry into the cult known as The Project. Lo works in publishing, but is only a secretary/assistant when she wishes to be a writer. She wants to do a story on Lev and The Project, and tries to infiltrate the cult for information. She searches for her sister, Bea, but is told Bea has left The Project. While investigating the cult, Lo is pulled under the spell of Lev. The story culminates in Lo having to make choices to save her family and sacrifice so much to learn the truth. This is a quick read, but powerful in the bonds of family and the allure of cults to those who are vulnerable.
This book was… complex. I usually don’t do this, but I looked at a few reviews (without spoilers, of course) before I started reading this book. The reviews helped me keep my expectations down, but the thing is, it was a really good book. I think the reason that a lot of the reviews are so mixed is because they felt manipulated by this book. Boy, let me tell you, did my emotions and mind feel manipulated. That’s how it was supposed to be, though. This book is about a cult. Cults are manipulative. In my opinion, Courtney Summers did a freaking fantastic job of manipulating her readers.
I can’t lie, though, this was a tough read, and I don’t think it will be for everyone. I do think that it was exceptionally well-written, though, as all of Courtney Summers’ novels are.
Favorite quote: “‘You are not God.’”
The Project was an enjoyable read with an intriguing concept that I think its’ target audience will love.
After Lo Denham’s parents died in the car wreck that left Lo scarred inside and out, Lo’s older sister Bea joined The Unity Project. Feeling abandoned by Bea and not buying the charitable front The Project portrays, Lo has spent the last six years trying to prove something more is going on within The Project’s walls. After a man shows up at the magazine where Lo works claiming The Unity Project killed his son, Lo finally has her opening to dig deeper into the group. When her investigation leads her to Lev Warren, The Project’s enigmatic leader, Lo finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew. She never believed in The Project before but now she isn’t sure she can afford not to.
The Project is told in alternating chapters from Lo and Bea’s points of view. Lo’s storyline takes place in the present while Bea’s starts with Lo’s accident and follows her life in The Project. In present day Lo works as an assistant at a magazine and has always had a dream to write. Her investigation into The Project was interesting and at times I found myself being convinced by Lev alongside her. The author did a great job writing Lev as an enigmatic leader who is great at charming people to his side. Bea is clearly searching for something after the accident and through The Project she begins to find it. Throughout her time there you see how her views of The Project develop and it was interesting seeing where she ended up. I liked the parallels between both Lo and Bea’s experiences and found the ending to be quite interesting.
Ultimately my issue with this book was that I felt it never went far enough. Don’t get me wrong, there are some dark topics covered but I felt they were mostly skimmed over. I’m guessing this is due to the fact the book is a young adult novel and therefore couldn’t be as dark as an adult novel could. In large part a lot of my disappointments are just that I’m not used to young adult anymore and I expect my thrillers to be darker. The thriller aspect of this story is definitely on the lighter side and I do think it would be a good starting point for teens just getting into the genre.
Overall The Project was a good read that I think teens would really enjoy as it’s a nice introduction to the thriller genre.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
“She buried her old family and built a new one on top of its bones.”
The Project tells the story of two sisters, one in present day and the other in non-sequential flashbacks. They were struck by tragedy when an accident left their parents dead and Lo, the younger girl, with a long road to recovery. Bea, the eldest but still only 17 or so, didn’t have the emotional and psychological maturity to deal with the situation and turned to the only adult willing to listen to her: a burgeoning cult leader. Throughout the story, Lo deals with PTSD and the aftermath of severe abandonment issues that have led her to live a solitary life. Though physically healed, Lo still wrestles her past daily. It has been years and Bea has fully ensconced herself within the Unity Project. Lo, now an intrepid would-be reporter, is still determined to reconnect with the only person she has left, even if that means exposing herself to the dangerous underbelly of the cult herself.
Writing about a cult in any context is somewhat difficult. Unless the narrative is framed so that the reader is unaware that the setting is a cult, we automatically condemn it. The Project did not hide the presence of a cult, but it somewhat lacked a narrator reliable enough to sell the story. Instead of being left with vague concepts and assumptions, we are left with one-sided emotional responses to events outside the narrative. This book really made me want to jump into the story and talk some sense into these people. It was especially frustrating when the (seemingly) only reasonable character in this whole mess SPOILER [fell prey to the same abusive rapist as her sister (Cult leaders cannot have consensual sex with their followers. (end spoiler)]
BUT THAT’S HOW CULTS WORK. Their leaders are charismatic and know the ways to make their potential followers feel seen/heard.
“The Project holds up a mirror to the world’s failures and the world’s response is to break the mirror.”
Look, my darkside brain wants to give this book 1 star and strike it from my thoughts eternally. Because it made me super uncomfortable and I didn’t have a good time. It made me want to throw my kindle at the wall. But you know what?! It should make me uncomfortable. Cults should make everyone uncomfortable. Courtney Summers did an amazing job of selling this story. As a reader outside of the narrative and well-aware of the key indicators of cults, it was super cringey to read about characters falling under the cult’s spell. But it’s also the mark of a good book when a reader is all up in their feelings. All in all, this was a compelling and addictive read that made me want to crawl out of my skin. It didn’t quite live up to Sadie’s legacy, but it still had that same trainwreck cant-look-away effect. I look forward to reading Summer’s future work.
The Project by Courtney Summers is targeted at the young adult crowd however, I didn’t think this was a young adult thriller at all . This really turned me off because I specifically wanted a YA thriller and instead got one that felt like an adult suspense novel centered around a cult. Sigh… Truth be told, most book these days aren’t really working for me and I’ve picked up quite a few and dropped them so perhaps its my inability to focus and read these past few weeks that is leaving me wanting more in the books I AM reading. Nevertheless, this book is certainly NOT a thriller about young adults so if that’s what you want, find something else.
All that being said, this book isn’t terrible, and I did like it despite my frustrations. It’s really interesting to read about cults and see how the powerplay works and the author did a nice job at bringing those creepy vibes and really making her readers think. I do wish there was more resolution when it comes to Lo’s sister, but the book DOES work how it’s written. So, if you’re looking for something different, something that brings on the suspense and mystery then I recommend giving this one a try. Just be aware if you’re looking for something targeted towards the younger crowed this won’t be that book.
I knew as soon as I put together my October reads that I was going to push this to the top of my list.
The Project is an extraordinary story of sisters and what one would sacrifice for the safety and love of another.
Courtney Summers has a way of developing a story in a unique fashion and keeping you on your toes, questioning everything along the way. The Project is no different. The story is told from two sisters POV’s, Bea and Lo, focusing mainly on Lo’s. But the real kicker is the time frame. We get different parts of the past from Bea and then the present mostly from Lo. That was the only little bit of confusing parts. You just have to pay attention to the years and who’s POV you are in. This is the part of the story that is the meat. It gives you all the background for what you will or will not believe in what Bea did for Lo.
Bea and Lo’s story starts normal. Two loving parents that have two daughters. Bea was an only child for awhile, so when her sister arrives, her parents focus so much on the fact that having a sister is a promise no one but the two of you can make-and no one but the two of you can break. And that will be the something that rings true throughout their life and this story. When tragedy strikes and Bea is given a way to save her sister’s life, she takes it.
From there on, we get to see a connection between sisters, even from a distance. And it is one filled with tragedy and loneliness. This is where we begin to understand the ramifications of Bea’s decisions she made. But Lo is intent on finding the truth about Bea, the connection she may have with what she saw transpire at a train station and how it all leads back to The Unity Project. What is The Unity Project? Some say a cult. Some say a way of life. And Lo is going to find out so she can reunite with her sister once and for all.
Courtney Summers made me question who were the ‘good guys’ and who were the ‘bad guys’. It literally took me over half the book to make me a believer (of what? I’ll let you figure it out). It was evident that she took the time to research and then mess with my emotions as a mother, daughter and sister. All the characters were so important to the overall arc of the story and the way we perceived each individual. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE is connected in one way or another and the way Ms Summers created this was just magic in her creative writing skills.
Let me just say this…..Read the book. Or maybe listen to the audio. I have a feeling it’s going to blow my mind the way Sadie did. I will definitely give it a listen when it’s available. Experience another way of looking at groups that some see as cults. Experience the way family comes first. Experience the way an author will get creative in their storytelling to make you confused on what to believe. And then question that last dang line she leaves you with. 4+ stars
But The Project does not take what one is not willing to give.
While I didn’t love this author’s previous book, Sadie, I had high hopes going into this one. This book ended up being an average read and it fell flat for me. The concept of cults is fascinating to me and there was so much potential for me to love this story. I wanted there to be some kind of mystery to solve, or even more questions to be posed.
Lo Denham survives a car crash that kills her parents and she goes to live with her aunt. While her sister, who was old enough to take care of Lo, joins the Unity Project instead. The Unity Project has gained lots of praise for the amount of charitable work they take part in. However, there is suspicion that the charity work is a cover for a cult. Lo is determined to expose the fact they are a cult and reunite with her sister, Bea. Things aren’t as they appear and thoughts are manipulated when Lo meets with Lev Warren, The Unity Project’s leader and founder.
It was very hard for me to stay invested in the story. While the concept was interesting for me, I never felt any connection to any of the characters and I didn’t ever care what happened to them.
While this one wasn’t for me, I can see the appeal to why others have enjoyed and will enjoy it.
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
The Project is fast paced and an easy to read suspense. Told in alternating narratives of the past and Lo’s present, the story moves quickly and is sometimes hard to follow and left me on the fence on the way I feel about this book. Lo Denham is a would be reporter, working as a personal assistant for the editor of a magazine. As a child, her parents died in a car crash and she was seriously injured. All she wanted was her sister but she left to join a cult and Lo has not talked to her since. After witnessing the suicide of a cult member, Lo begins digging into the cult once again. A little Stockholm syndrome later, Lo finds danger, lies, and secrets in a twisted tale that will leave you confused and shaking your head in disbelief. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.
This was an interesting book to read from many angles. There is a sisterly bond between Bea and Lo, a cult, death, intrigue, and maybe a bit of romance (but not much).
Bea and Lo are close sisters until an accident leaves Lo for dead. What Bea perceives as a miracle has her joining a cult because she believes that the cult leader saved her sister and this is the price she must pay. This seems to sever the ties between the two sisters since Bea in essence disappears into the cult. I think Bea’s youth and naivete make her a perfect target for someone older and wiser and this is evident throughout the novel.
The story is told primarily from Lo’s point of view, but there are sections from Bea’s perspective. The story slips back and forth in time and while there are some indications when this happens with the year at the top, at other times it will flip suddenly which threw me off. It would have been helpful to have a small break or something to indicate there is a change in perspective.
Lo is approximately 19 and comes across as very immature for her age. I am sure she did not have a normal life after the accident, but it seemed like she expected everything to be handed to her without working for it. I think I felt more compassion for Bea because she loses her parents but doesn’t have anyone to help guide her through life and she was still a teenager. I felt like she was left to fend for herself and she left Lo to their Aunt’s care knowing that she couldn’t take care of Lo’s needs by herself.
The story was intriguing and I wondered if it really was a cult or if The Unity Project was a caring organization as their leader, Lev, proclaimed. We see the good works that they do, but not everything is always as it seems on the surface. This becomes more evident towards the end of the book. In fact, the action really picks up in the last 20% or so of this book. It is horrifying the details that come out in the end. It definitely will make most readers feel uncomfortable and sad by the turn of events.
There were still a few questions that I don’t think were answered, but not too many.
Overall we enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 paws up.
4.5*
If she’s no sister, no daughter, no writer—no more than her accident—who is she? What’s left?
The Project is a story that I think you should try to read relatively blind. I knew it was a book about a teen girl named Lo, who wants to save her older sister from The Unity Project. They label themselves as a charity and community outreach group, but in Lo’s eyes, they are a cult and the people who stole her sister from her. When she starts digging into the inner workings of TUP and it’s leader, Lev Warren, she finds an alternative story. It’s interesting to read along as Lo learns more about TUP, her sister, and herself. The story sort of jumps around in time a bit as we are given Lo’s POV, and some of Bea’s as she embraces the cult life. I appreciated this form of storytelling, because it made it very easy to see how just about anyone could fall into a cult like situation if they are in that low and lonely place in life. Like sometimes believing anything is better than feeling like you have nothing.
I just. Yeah, I sort of feel like I was slowly indoctrinated into a cult while reading this book. The cult of needing to read all of Courtney Summers’ books, because this was so good. The Project is incredibly well written and took me on a journey I honestly was not fully expecting. I’m still at a loss how easily this author directed my feelings as I read. It’s like she was changing my mind about characters and happenings, before I even realized it. I realize it’s part of an author’s job to attempt to make you feel certain things without you noticing, and I believe Courtney Summers nailed it.
If you enjoy suspenseful mystery reads, where the lead character truly takes you on a ride, then you need to pick up The Project, ASAP!
”Whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.”
Aspiring journalist Lo is determined to save her sister, Bea, from The Unity Project. Due to its community outreach, many believe the group helps the community with its charitable works. Lo believes there is a sinister side to the cult-like group. Lo is determined to get to the truth and reunite with her sister.
Lo’s dogged investigation into the group earns her an exclusive interview with Lev, The Unity Project’s charismatic, insightful leader. After interacting with Lev, Lo begins to question what she knows about herself and the group. She even wonders if she had a misconception of what the group is. Lo begins to believe in Lev.
The Project depicts how a cult takes advantage of the vulnerable and our innate human desire for belonging and connection. There are many parallels to the current events in this country. The Project is a timely, compelling look at how information gets dismissed and the extreme actions individuals are willing to take to maintain their basic need for a sense of belonging.
Bea and Lo both make heartbreaking choices that they believe will help the other. I found myself sympathizing with them even when I felt they were making the wrong choices.
The Project alternates time periods and the points of view of Bea and Lo. The shifts between the characters and periods were abrupt at times. I found the quick changes jarring. While reading The Project, I questioned whether the shifts were intentional changes in flow. After finishing the book, I think it served the purpose of keeping the reader off-balance, much like the characters were. I felt the same way about the novel’s pacing. At times, I struggled with the slow pace. In hindsight, the deliberately slow pace matches well with the systematic way that cults work.
The Project is a fascinating tale of sisterhood, belonging, and cults. Definitely worth the read.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy to read and enjoy. This voluntary review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.
The Project doesn’t shy away from dark places or shimmering bits of false hope—like that the cult leader in the book offers. It isn’t for the faint of heart, but the unique storytelling kept me turning the pages late at night.
What makes Bea, who is close to her sister Lo, just up and leave with no word? It would have to be a fairly compelling reason. Especially considering they’ve both been through something traumatic. Poor Lo, close to alone in this world, is just trying to make sense of Bea’s disappearance. The deeper she digs, the worse things get.
I admit I sympathized with Lo more than Bea because she walked away from her sister. Had they not been close, had there been some sort of friction, I might have liked her more. But this is what cults do, though. They seek those who are easy to manipulate, those who are going through trauma or loss, and they separate them from their families. Lev was good at what he did, and he had a lot of help doing it. And of course, this story wouldn’t have happened had she not walked away.
Even though I favored Lo more than Bea, the chapters from each of the sister’s perspectives are written well. They both made some poor decisions along their journeys. I like Summers’ writing style and how she pieces the story together. It’s chilling and realistic. Nicely done. Thank you, St. Martin’s, for sending this along.