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** I received an ARC for an honest review **
Description
A virus is spreading across America, transforming the infected and making them feral with lust.
Sophie, a good Catholic girl, must traverse the hellscape of the midwest to try to find her family while the world around her burns. Along the way she discovers there are far worse fates than dying a virgin…
The end times are coming.
Summary
I recently read American Rapture by US horror author CJ Leede.
Review
American Rapture is a highly taunt atmospheric horror thriller examining oppressive religious indoctrination contrasted with fever-sharp and savage violence. The pace in unrelenting and the narrative evoking profound emotions as the protagonist Sophie fights the infected horrors and extremist Christians claiming the virus and apocalyptic demise is divine punishment. From Sophie’s own fundamentalist upbringing to her “found family” of travellers, Leede makes clear the struggle between faith, sexuality, the brutality to survive and the resulting guilt.
Leede uses a sex as a virus metaphor where hypersexual aggression contrasts with Sophie’s emerging sexuality under a regime where sex is shameful and controlling . Leede unswervingly critiques many conservative theologies and the body shaming and punishment of women. The violence is graphic and such content may unsettle readers but like many good horror works, it forces a confrontation with unsettling contexts and serves the emotional thematic driver behind the plot.
Conclusion
American Rapture is visceral and graphic. The thought‑provoking horror apocalypse is part coming‑of‑age and extremist religious critique. Leede is formidable and unflinching, empathetic, and unforgettable in this challenging work with a thriller pace and emotional depths. Highly recommended!
** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **
Leanbh Pearson 