Book Log 2019 #1: The Incendiaries by R. O. Kwon

Faith, loss, and identity are the major themes of this novel, which sees two young college students interact with a local oddball turned cult leader, with horrifying results. The extent to which each of the characters is driven to do what they did by their past losses or current relationships is left to the reader to consider.

Reading reviews of this book I saw at least a couple of references to Donna Tartt's The Secret History, which I can see. Both books follow close-knit and often unhealthy relationships between college students, and both have tragic endings. One review also noted that the students in both books were not representative of typical college students, as they don't consume popular culture in the way that most do (and in the more recent book, a lack of texting).

That being said, I do find that this book travels much more in the real world than Tartt's book, and it is much easier to identify with the students at the heart of this book than those in The Secret History. I should also note that I hated The Secret History, and did not hate this one at all. 

Was it the most uplifting book to start the new year? No. But it's well worth reading.