I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman with a complicated family history finds herself swept up into a new religious group, and discovers things are not what they seem in author Molly Salans’s “A Break in the Fog”.
The Synopsis
A family in turmoil, a dangerous cult, and God at the center of it all, A Break in the Fog is a psychological novel that explores how faith can be used to heal, but also how abuse and how family is all that matters in the end.
With her mother dead, her sister Wendy addicted to drugs, and her father condemning her every decision, Clara Greenwood shoulders the weight of all her dysfunctional family’s problems. Desperate for a way out, she is reluctantly goaded into attending a meeting for a secret school, The Ancient Side of Ideas. She is quickly swept up in the cult, however, when she meets the charismatic Damien – one of its teachers. His charm and good looks melt her skepticisms away, convincing her to give up everything in her old life. But when Clara finds herself in too deep, can she find her way out before it’s too late?
The Review
This was such an emotional and chilling read. The author’s personal experiences with cults and psychology added a depth of authenticity to the narrative, giving readers an insight into the mindset surrounding those who are drawn to religious movements and the impact that psychological abuse and trauma can have on a person overall. The tension and atmosphere the author builds throughout this narrative made this a truly compelling read.
The character development and layered storytelling of the narrative really kept me as a reader invested in the book. The detailed background of the protagonist and the multiple perspectives as Clara falls deeper and deeper into this cult and her family is left desperate to find her made this an adrenaline-fueled ride. The setting and timing of the narrative around other infamous cult movements allowed this particular story to hold more gravitas and keep the reader immersed in the chaotic world that Clara is drawn into slowly.
The Verdict
Memorable, engaging, and thoughtful, author Molly Salans’s “A Break in the Fog” is an honest and captivating look into the tragic world of cults and the psychological impact that past trauma and cult mentality can have on a person. The background of Clara’s family and the shocking revelations that abound in the final pages of this story will keep readers invested until the very end. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Her love of literature and deep spirituality brought Molly to earn her M.Ed from Cambridge College in 1989. She then went on to obtain her license in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Family Kantor Institute in 1991 and a license in Social Work from Boston University School of Social Work in 1995. Her first book, Storytelling with Children in Crisis, is based on her social work experience in home-based crisis intervention.
Prior to pursuing her education in counseling and social work, Molly was a member of a prominent cult for seven years. Though she left in 1982, her experiences of the group haunted her, leading her to write her newest book, a psychological novel titled, A Break in the Fog.
Though not autobiographical, her inside understanding of the way cults operate informed this integral part of the dysfunctional family narrative. Feeling this was a story she had to tell, her wish is for her readers to find hope in the family’s quest for redemption.
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