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Enlightened Ones
When Maggi turns eighteen and realizes that she has nothing to show for it, she looks for meaning by joining a church of people called “Enlightened Ones,” led by the enigmatic John Cronus. As she is pulled deeper into this organization, the stories of its people are unveiled, revealing how they all joined the church seeking their own form of fulfillment. The followers give up all their worldly possessions to start a commune on a distant island paradise. Will they find the utopia they seek, or will they be pulled into a menace that is even darker than the lives they left behind?
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2013
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11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 30, 2013
Please note: I edited this novel for the author. I do not receive remuneration based upon sales.
When I read The Enlightened Ones, I was both disturbed and pleasantly surprised. Maggie's story was thrilling, and I found myself muttering at times like most people do in horror flicks where the scantily clad teenager runs into a room and locks the door rather than escaping. While not a horror novel, there were certainly times when I could fully understand Maggie's decisions, but from personal experiences I wanted to shout out "Don't go there" or something similar, as though that would make a difference. Each event led to another more disturbing, continuing on and on into a brainwashed world of people striving to make the world a better place. But how to go about that? That's always the question, isn't it? Whose idea of a perfect world is right? What would you sacrifice to gain safety? Maggie's tale is one of struggles and self-discovery, and while editing I was able to relive her well-woven story with her and her friends.
If you enjoy characters that feel like companions, pulling you into their world to help them overcome life's difficult choices and obstacles, are fascinated by cults and how they successfully taint the innocence of our world, or wonder at times what things would be like if only society could change, then this is a book that deserves to be on your shelf and in your hands.
When I read The Enlightened Ones, I was both disturbed and pleasantly surprised. Maggie's story was thrilling, and I found myself muttering at times like most people do in horror flicks where the scantily clad teenager runs into a room and locks the door rather than escaping. While not a horror novel, there were certainly times when I could fully understand Maggie's decisions, but from personal experiences I wanted to shout out "Don't go there" or something similar, as though that would make a difference. Each event led to another more disturbing, continuing on and on into a brainwashed world of people striving to make the world a better place. But how to go about that? That's always the question, isn't it? Whose idea of a perfect world is right? What would you sacrifice to gain safety? Maggie's tale is one of struggles and self-discovery, and while editing I was able to relive her well-woven story with her and her friends.
If you enjoy characters that feel like companions, pulling you into their world to help them overcome life's difficult choices and obstacles, are fascinated by cults and how they successfully taint the innocence of our world, or wonder at times what things would be like if only society could change, then this is a book that deserves to be on your shelf and in your hands.
April 25, 2013
Please note: I edited this New Adult novel for the author. I do not receive remuneration based upon sales.
Genre: Literary fiction
Trigger Warnings: domestic violence, authority figures taking sexual advantage of those under their authority, brainwashing, cults
Reading Level: New Adult
My Thoughts: This was a very difficult book to read, and that's a compliment. The reason I say that is because this stirred up strong emotional reactions while I was editing it, and for me, a writer that can create strong, visceral reactions is a good writer. It will not be an easy book for anyone to read, because it deals with heavy issues, but it's a very worthwhile one. Go check it out.
Synopsis: When Maggi turns eighteen and realizes that she has nothing to show for it, she looks for meaning by joining a church of people called “Enlightened Ones,” led by the enigmatic John Cronus. As she is pulled deeper into this organization, the stories of its people are unveiled, revealing how they all joined the church seeking their own form of fulfillment. The followers give up all their worldly possessions to start a commune on a distant island paradise. Will they find the utopia they seek, or will they be pulled into a menace that is even darker than the lives they left behind?
Genre: Literary fiction
Trigger Warnings: domestic violence, authority figures taking sexual advantage of those under their authority, brainwashing, cults
Reading Level: New Adult
My Thoughts: This was a very difficult book to read, and that's a compliment. The reason I say that is because this stirred up strong emotional reactions while I was editing it, and for me, a writer that can create strong, visceral reactions is a good writer. It will not be an easy book for anyone to read, because it deals with heavy issues, but it's a very worthwhile one. Go check it out.
Synopsis: When Maggi turns eighteen and realizes that she has nothing to show for it, she looks for meaning by joining a church of people called “Enlightened Ones,” led by the enigmatic John Cronus. As she is pulled deeper into this organization, the stories of its people are unveiled, revealing how they all joined the church seeking their own form of fulfillment. The followers give up all their worldly possessions to start a commune on a distant island paradise. Will they find the utopia they seek, or will they be pulled into a menace that is even darker than the lives they left behind?
July 16, 2015
I read a couple of short stories by the author which I really liked, so I decided to try one of her longer works. This book takes you into the heart of a cult through the eyes of a young and impressionable girl who comes from a broken home in LA. The girl, Maggi, is such a sweet and special character I found myself deeply involved with her circumstance, and basically lost on a sea in this disturbing psychological storm which overtakes her and her friends. It was difficult to put this book down, because I was worried for her and hopeful that things would work out okay. Many of her friends (and some of her enemies) have intriguing storylines of their own! Being in a cult causes people to question their reality, and the author captures the process of brainwashing and shows us how easy it is, even for intelligent and compassionate individuals, to fall under the spell of a well-intentioned community or family with a charismatic leader. The only criticism I have for this work, is that the events that unfold kinda resemble a true to life situation that happened in America 30-40 years ago, and I found myself distracted by the comparison. Otherwise, this was a wonderful story which had me in tears a couple of times and sad to reach the end, amazed and wanting more.
September 22, 2013
The Cover
The cover is so pretty. It's so catchy and mysterious.
The Plot
The story started with Maggi and his dad fighting. It was always like that when her mom left. His daddy would hurt him and according to her dad, it's because of love and he wants to protect her. But now, Maggi is not a kid anymore and she just wants to be free. She ran to her ex-bf which is also her best friend but now, is gay. He can do whatever he wants and Maggi is jealous of that.
I was creep with how the story went. It took me on a different kind of genre and it is enjoying. I was carried away. WHY WOULD PEOPLE JOIN CULTS? Isn't it that cults are scary? I don't know but I am really scared of those stuffs. They creep me. But, nevertheless, the characters were so close to reality.
I love how the author gave every issue something to be pondered upon. You know what I mean. She just knows how to create a world that's full of learning and drama and all. It was so interesting.
She shows how people could be strong in times of struggle and how one should stand up for their right to be accepted and be loved, how one could change for the better, how one could show much love to someone, how friends are there by your side. She executes all of them nicely in one book.
I love this book ! I'll give this a ...
4/5
The cover is so pretty. It's so catchy and mysterious.
The Plot
The story started with Maggi and his dad fighting. It was always like that when her mom left. His daddy would hurt him and according to her dad, it's because of love and he wants to protect her. But now, Maggi is not a kid anymore and she just wants to be free. She ran to her ex-bf which is also her best friend but now, is gay. He can do whatever he wants and Maggi is jealous of that.
I was creep with how the story went. It took me on a different kind of genre and it is enjoying. I was carried away. WHY WOULD PEOPLE JOIN CULTS? Isn't it that cults are scary? I don't know but I am really scared of those stuffs. They creep me. But, nevertheless, the characters were so close to reality.
I love how the author gave every issue something to be pondered upon. You know what I mean. She just knows how to create a world that's full of learning and drama and all. It was so interesting.
She shows how people could be strong in times of struggle and how one should stand up for their right to be accepted and be loved, how one could change for the better, how one could show much love to someone, how friends are there by your side. She executes all of them nicely in one book.
I love this book ! I'll give this a ...
4/5
May 20, 2013
I find the subject of cults fascinating. Why do some people join them, and why do these people go against their own instinct for self preservation? I appreciate that the author attempts to get into the head of these people, especially Maggi, and show how one can be seduced by a cult. Even after leaving the group, the cult still has a strong hold on its former members.
I wasn't real happy about the ending of the book. I don't feel Maggi had grown enough from her experiences, although she was making progress. I liked her friend JC, and how he stuck by Maggi. Overall, this was an interesting read.
I wasn't real happy about the ending of the book. I don't feel Maggi had grown enough from her experiences, although she was making progress. I liked her friend JC, and how he stuck by Maggi. Overall, this was an interesting read.
May 11, 2013
Scary in a real world sort of way.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews