Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Wednesday Books (2021), 352 pages
Description
Suspense. Thriller. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: "This audiobook is essential listening. Narrators Therese Plummer and Emily Shaffer shine as Lo and Bea Denham, two teenage sisters whose lives are upended when their parents are killed in a car accident." � AudioFile Magazine 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. A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books "The narrators beautifully build suspense, and the intensity never falters. This is one of those compelling audiobooks that will have listeners driving around or walking an extra block just so they can listen longer." � School Library Journal, starred review "[A] deeply disconcerting investigative thriller that seems unassuming but worms under the skin and into the mind." �Booklist (Starred Review) "A powerful, suspenseful, and heartbreaking thriller about identity, sisterhood, and belonging." �Kirkus (Starred Review).… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member fastforward
My expectations for this book were pretty high given how much I liked the author's previous book, Sadie. Both books involve storylines with two sisters. While Sadie was a gripping and haunting read with characters I felt invested in, this book missed the mark and was more of an average read rather
After surviving a car crash that killed her parents, Lo Denham goes to live with her aunt. Her sister, Bea, is old enough to take care of Lo, but instead joins The Unity Project which has garnered praise for its charitable works. However, Lo believes it's a cult and is determined to expose the group and be reunited with Bea. But things go topsy turvy when Lo meets with The Unity Project's founder, Lev Warren.
I find the subject of cults fascinating and so I'm baffled why The Unity Project was kinda boring to me. The potential for an interesting story was there but yet it managed to be lackluster. It's pretty much the same case with the sisters. They have the setup of an intriguing background but yet I didn't find myself caring much about the either one. Neither character appeared fully fleshed out and there were times throughout the story when I didn't understand their actions and motivations.
At the very least the author's writing talent was present, but the story as a whole wasn't a winner for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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than something special.After surviving a car crash that killed her parents, Lo Denham goes to live with her aunt. Her sister, Bea, is old enough to take care of Lo, but instead joins The Unity Project which has garnered praise for its charitable works. However, Lo believes it's a cult and is determined to expose the group and be reunited with Bea. But things go topsy turvy when Lo meets with The Unity Project's founder, Lev Warren.
I find the subject of cults fascinating and so I'm baffled why The Unity Project was kinda boring to me. The potential for an interesting story was there but yet it managed to be lackluster. It's pretty much the same case with the sisters. They have the setup of an intriguing background but yet I didn't find myself caring much about the either one. Neither character appeared fully fleshed out and there were times throughout the story when I didn't understand their actions and motivations.
At the very least the author's writing talent was present, but the story as a whole wasn't a winner for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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LibraryThing member miss.mesmerized
Lo Denham has lost her parents in a car accident in which she herself was also seriously injured and which marked her with a scar for life. Her sister Bea, six years her senior, is the last bit of family she has, but she has not been able to contact her for months. It must be The Unity Project’s
Courtney Summers narrates the story from different points of view at different points in time, thus we get both sisters’ perspective on the highly emotional events in their lives. This also creates a lot of suspense since from the beginning, there are gaps which need to be filled to make sense. It also underlines the different characters of Lo and Bea which, nevertheless, does not hinder them from being fascinated by the same man.
The crucial point is most definitely the psychological impact a major tragic event such as the loss of the parents can have on young persons. Coming to grips with such a stroke of fate which does not make sense and is hard to understand is not only very hard but also makes people fragile and prone to others who are eager to exploit their situation. The leader of the group is surely an interesting character, it is easy to see how he manages to win people for his project and how he can make them follow him blindly. In this way, the novel also cleverly portrays the mechanism which work behind sects and which make it difficult to immediately see through them and more importantly to leave them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel due to the multifaceted characters and the message beyond the suspenseful and entertaining plot.
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fault, the sect Bea joined when she couldn’t make sense of the loss she experienced anymore. When a man claims that The Unity Project killed his son, Lo decides to take a closer look and to get nearer to the charismatic leader Lev Warren with the aim to expose the group’s doings in the magazine she works for. However, Lo is not prepared for the experiences she makes there.Courtney Summers narrates the story from different points of view at different points in time, thus we get both sisters’ perspective on the highly emotional events in their lives. This also creates a lot of suspense since from the beginning, there are gaps which need to be filled to make sense. It also underlines the different characters of Lo and Bea which, nevertheless, does not hinder them from being fascinated by the same man.
The crucial point is most definitely the psychological impact a major tragic event such as the loss of the parents can have on young persons. Coming to grips with such a stroke of fate which does not make sense and is hard to understand is not only very hard but also makes people fragile and prone to others who are eager to exploit their situation. The leader of the group is surely an interesting character, it is easy to see how he manages to win people for his project and how he can make them follow him blindly. In this way, the novel also cleverly portrays the mechanism which work behind sects and which make it difficult to immediately see through them and more importantly to leave them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel due to the multifaceted characters and the message beyond the suspenseful and entertaining plot.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Courtney Summers is an author known for her biting commentary on one aspect of modern culture. In her latest novel, The Project, she tackles those who prey on the grieving and the lost. She does so with her trademark precision and emotion-laden prose.
The Project flips between two sisters, past and
Lo’s story is in the present, five years after the accident, at which time she just wants to talk to her sister again and make a name for herself as a journalist. Witnessing a suicide one morning on her way to work is the catalyst for everything that follows, as the grieving father insists The Unity Project, the very same organization that seemingly swallowed her sister without a trace, is at fault for his son’s suicide. What follows is an emotional cat-and-mouse game wherein you begin to question The Project, Lo, Bea, and everything else.
Your confusion stems from the fact that The Project is not inherently evil. Their entire purpose, at least on paper, is to cater to the needs of those living without – opening up centers for the homeless and destitute, offering a place of refuge for teens with no other place to go. Their entire business plan is to help others, and they do so without pontificating or without requiring anything from those seeking their services. It is difficult to find fault with any organization so devoted to helping those in need.
This help even extends to Lo, who, we discover, never properly dealt with the trauma of her accident and her sister’s abandonment. As she dives deeper into the organization and meets with Lev Warren, founder and head of The Project, she begins to undercover her longing for love, support, and family. Except, as Lo begins to understand The Project’s attraction, readers learn from Bea’s story that The Project has a darker side.
The Project is a novel that certainly keeps you guessing as to The Project’s real intentions. Your feelings about it shift as much as Lo’s does. This lack of a villain leaves you off-balance and uncomfortable as you search for a source of your unease.
While not as bitter as some of Ms. Summers’ previous novels, The Project makes up for it in emotion. Lo is truly a tragic figure, abandoned by her only remaining family member at the same time she must come to grips with losing her parents. The scars from that accident are not just physical but cleave to her identity in a way that not even she realizes. At the same time, we understand Bea’s need to escape, to seek solace in a higher purpose, to make sense of her world which so suddenly and violently changed. Both sisters must deal with survivor’s remorse, and you are simply along for the ride.
The Project is Ms. Summers’ answer to the oft-asked question of how someone would voluntarily enter a cult-type organization. Through Bea and Lo, we see the appeal. However, just like with the sisters, Ms. Summers helps us understand that when it comes to cults, there are no easy answers.
The Project flips between two sisters, past and
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present. Bea tells her story in the past, remembering the birth of her sister as well as the tragic accident that killed their parents and endangered her sister’s life. From there, we see how Lev Warren and The Unity Project fill the void left by her parents and assuage the rage and guilt she feels after the accident.Lo’s story is in the present, five years after the accident, at which time she just wants to talk to her sister again and make a name for herself as a journalist. Witnessing a suicide one morning on her way to work is the catalyst for everything that follows, as the grieving father insists The Unity Project, the very same organization that seemingly swallowed her sister without a trace, is at fault for his son’s suicide. What follows is an emotional cat-and-mouse game wherein you begin to question The Project, Lo, Bea, and everything else.
Your confusion stems from the fact that The Project is not inherently evil. Their entire purpose, at least on paper, is to cater to the needs of those living without – opening up centers for the homeless and destitute, offering a place of refuge for teens with no other place to go. Their entire business plan is to help others, and they do so without pontificating or without requiring anything from those seeking their services. It is difficult to find fault with any organization so devoted to helping those in need.
This help even extends to Lo, who, we discover, never properly dealt with the trauma of her accident and her sister’s abandonment. As she dives deeper into the organization and meets with Lev Warren, founder and head of The Project, she begins to undercover her longing for love, support, and family. Except, as Lo begins to understand The Project’s attraction, readers learn from Bea’s story that The Project has a darker side.
The Project is a novel that certainly keeps you guessing as to The Project’s real intentions. Your feelings about it shift as much as Lo’s does. This lack of a villain leaves you off-balance and uncomfortable as you search for a source of your unease.
While not as bitter as some of Ms. Summers’ previous novels, The Project makes up for it in emotion. Lo is truly a tragic figure, abandoned by her only remaining family member at the same time she must come to grips with losing her parents. The scars from that accident are not just physical but cleave to her identity in a way that not even she realizes. At the same time, we understand Bea’s need to escape, to seek solace in a higher purpose, to make sense of her world which so suddenly and violently changed. Both sisters must deal with survivor’s remorse, and you are simply along for the ride.
The Project is Ms. Summers’ answer to the oft-asked question of how someone would voluntarily enter a cult-type organization. Through Bea and Lo, we see the appeal. However, just like with the sisters, Ms. Summers helps us understand that when it comes to cults, there are no easy answers.
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LibraryThing member NeedMoreShelves
Probably more like a 3.5 - some parts were very, very good (Lev, the creepy cult leader, was incredibly charismatic, so very easy to see how young women would get drawn in), but there were some jumps in time and logic that made the story just not quite fully realized.
LibraryThing member roses7184
If you know my reading tastes, then you’ll know that I am always in to read anything that has to do with cults. The fact that an individual can be so charismatic and intuitive, and then use those skills to create something so sinister, is fascinating to me. My favorite kinds of stories are always
Starting with the kudos, I have to say that I was immediately won over by the relationship between Bea and Lo. Although it wasn’t ever “perfect”, what sisterly bond ever is? Their connection felt realistic to me. I felt for Lo so deeply, as she tried to get back the one person that she had left in this world. I struggled not to tear up as her only living relative constantly ignored her, and pushed her away, in favor of the cult that ensnared her. In the same vein, I had so much love for the rawness that was Lo’s character. Not only had she lost so much around her, but she’d lost a portion of herself after the accident. I understood her pain, saw her fault lines, and wanted to comfort her.
It is the pace of this story that I truly struggled with. The first third, where Lo was digging into the history of the The Project, was perfect. I’m generally not a fan of alternating points of view, but in this case I couldn’t get enough of flashing back to Bea’s story and slowly uncovering what was really going. As the book neared the middle though, things drastically slowed down. This is also the point where I started to feel like Lo’s character was sliding uncomfortably into someone to pity instead of support. I truly felt like she had been built up to be someone who, despite everything, was fairly strong. Or at least that she put up a good front. Which made the latter half of this book extremely upsetting for me.
The other issue was that I never truly believed in Lev Warren. As a cult leader, I expected him to be larger than life. Someone who others were enraptured by, and wanted to follow. Instead, he felt a bit hollow to me. Like the idea of what a leader of this kind should be, without the actual flesh on the outside. I had a hard time believing that anyone would want to give their lives up for him, much less that he would be able to sway someone like Lo to his side. It felt manufactured, and I can’t deny that this made me sad. I was fairly sure I knew how this book was going to end by the mid point, and I was right. So I also felt like I missed out on any surprises.
I’m rambling, I know. My feelings about this story are all over the place. On the one hand, The Project is excellently written. Anyone who has read Courtney Summers’ stories before knows exactly what I mean. Bea and Lo were real people to me, and I was invested in their story. On the other hand, this book just didn’t deliver what I was hoping for. Maybe it’s because Sadie, Summers’ last book, completely broke my heart but this one fell flat for me.
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about those on the inside looking out. Those who were lured in, and then realized that they had to escape. So when I saw the premise of The Project, I knew that it was going on my reading list. It hit all those little reader buttons inside my brain, and I was thrilled. Perhaps my excitement was a little too high though, because this book and I had some problems with one another.Starting with the kudos, I have to say that I was immediately won over by the relationship between Bea and Lo. Although it wasn’t ever “perfect”, what sisterly bond ever is? Their connection felt realistic to me. I felt for Lo so deeply, as she tried to get back the one person that she had left in this world. I struggled not to tear up as her only living relative constantly ignored her, and pushed her away, in favor of the cult that ensnared her. In the same vein, I had so much love for the rawness that was Lo’s character. Not only had she lost so much around her, but she’d lost a portion of herself after the accident. I understood her pain, saw her fault lines, and wanted to comfort her.
It is the pace of this story that I truly struggled with. The first third, where Lo was digging into the history of the The Project, was perfect. I’m generally not a fan of alternating points of view, but in this case I couldn’t get enough of flashing back to Bea’s story and slowly uncovering what was really going. As the book neared the middle though, things drastically slowed down. This is also the point where I started to feel like Lo’s character was sliding uncomfortably into someone to pity instead of support. I truly felt like she had been built up to be someone who, despite everything, was fairly strong. Or at least that she put up a good front. Which made the latter half of this book extremely upsetting for me.
The other issue was that I never truly believed in Lev Warren. As a cult leader, I expected him to be larger than life. Someone who others were enraptured by, and wanted to follow. Instead, he felt a bit hollow to me. Like the idea of what a leader of this kind should be, without the actual flesh on the outside. I had a hard time believing that anyone would want to give their lives up for him, much less that he would be able to sway someone like Lo to his side. It felt manufactured, and I can’t deny that this made me sad. I was fairly sure I knew how this book was going to end by the mid point, and I was right. So I also felt like I missed out on any surprises.
I’m rambling, I know. My feelings about this story are all over the place. On the one hand, The Project is excellently written. Anyone who has read Courtney Summers’ stories before knows exactly what I mean. Bea and Lo were real people to me, and I was invested in their story. On the other hand, this book just didn’t deliver what I was hoping for. Maybe it’s because Sadie, Summers’ last book, completely broke my heart but this one fell flat for me.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
“The Project” was such a disappointment after reading “Sadie” by the same author, which blew me away. I was expecting a dark, emotional thriller. Instead I got a novel where very little happened. I never connected with Lo. She was weak and annoying and her sister, Bea, wasn’t much better.
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In fact none of the characters were appealing. The plot was slow and boring, especially the second half. I usually find novels which focus on cults fascinating but this one was meh. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member fionaanne
Incredibly well-constructed and written. I really needed more of the protagonist's rationalization and emotional state at the end of part 2 though; I just wasn't buying it, too abrupt.
LibraryThing member rmarcin
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
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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. Show Less
LibraryThing member yourotherleft
Bea and Lo Denham lost their parents to a car accident that almost took Lo‘s life, too. Bea finds solace in The Unity Project, a religious cult. When Lo recovers, she only wants her sister back but is soon tangled in the web of the Project. An eerie atmosphere, slowly revealed truths, believably
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damaged main characters and perspectives on the cult and its leader from both inside and outside make this a compelling read. Show Less
LibraryThing member caedocyon
DNF at 43%. Just not that into this. Lo's intense ambition isn't that relatable or appealing to me; it's obvious it's going to get her into trouble and I don't need the gory details. Plus I have a bunch of other library books I'm excited about.
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Young Adult — 2022)
Amy Mathers Teen Book Award (Shortlist — 2022)
International Thriller Writers Award (Winner — Young Adult Novel — 2022)
Language
Original publication date
2021