The Line Between
A Novel
by Tosca Lee
Howard Books
General Fiction (Adult)
Pub Date 29 Jan 2019


I am reviewing a copy of The Line Between through Howard Books and Netgalley:



If you are fond of thrillers that deal with conspiracies as well you will love The Line Between by New York Times Bestselling author Tosca Lee.


Wynette Roth has been turned out of New Earth, a doomsday cult that is entirely self contained on the American Prarie, she comes into a world that is poised on the brink of madness a mysterious outbreak causing early onset Dementia is spreading across the nation.


Now Wynter must start over in a world she had been taught to look at as evil. She is face to face with the appocalypse that she had feared all her life until her sister shows up with medical samples. Wynter learns that night there is something sinister at play and that these samples are key to understanding the disease.


Just as the power grid fails and the country is sent into chaos Wynter must find a way to get the samples to a lab in Colorado. Uncertain of who she can trust Wynter takes up with a former military man Chase Miller who has his own reasons for wanting to get close to the samples as well as getting close to winter.


I give The Line Between five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Pre-apocalypse and dystopian stories are not my usual cup of tea but I was attracted to <i>The Line Between</i> when the blurb cited an extinct disease emerging from melting permafrost in Alaska. But, other than a pretty generic appearance at the outset, this aspect was fairly incidental to the primary storyline. However, I still got caught up in following the main character, Wynter Roth, as she grew up in the compound of a doomsday cult called New Earth. The group was led by an enigmatic but increasingly questionable leader, Magnus Theisen.

Although some of the plot and relationships are a tad predictable, Tosca Lee gives them a contemporary twist and kept me reading. Overall, this was an interesting and readable thriller which juggled a variety of themes - science, religion, medicine, family, ethics, loyalty, suspense, and even a bit of romance.


FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had everything that would appeal to me, the pacing was nicely done, the characters and their development was something that I can root for and even some of the unrealistic aspects of the story didn't affect my five star rating. The villain was realistically scary and every character including the minor ones had depth. I can definitely say this is a favorite read of mine.

History has proven many times over that when man battles nature, nature will win every time. When all your life you've been preparing for the end of civilization and suddenly you are in the midst of the catastrophe but without the resources you thought you'd have, what options do you have? Who can you trust?
A long dormant disease that causes dementia is beginning to show up in populated areas. Our main character has spent the majority of her life in a doomsday group that has been predicting the end of the world for many years. She has now been forced to leave the group and does not know how to "deal" with current events. So of course, she is chosen to save the rest of the world. Along the way, she meets many characters, some good, some not so good, and learns that her former beliefs may not have been grounded in truth.
The story is original, the characters compelling, and the race to save the world pretty exciting. This author is well known for writing a great book and she's clearly put in the time and effort to give her readers another hit.

Another incredibly believable thriller from Tosca Lee! In The Line Between. gives us the emergence of a previously extinct disease that causes dementia and madness, an apocalyptic cult, suspense and a dash of romance! Combine all of these factors and you get one page turning read!

The Line Between is one of those books for me that scream "Read Me" from the moment I read the synopsis. Creepy cult leader, check. Pre-apocalypse, check. Family drama, check. I truly enjoyed the journey it took me on. It doesn't appear that I am alone in that feeling either. Tosca Lee's book is getting rave reviews on Good Reads and Amazon. I myself rated it 4.5 stars which doesn't happen too often for me. This book doesn't fall completely in one genre which makes me think that people who don't always read my types of books will love it too. One thing about it that is different is that we witness the main characters journey into and out of the cult her mother brought them to when Wynter was young. We get to hear her thoughts on this strange new place as a young girl, and understand how she could have fallen under the spell of "New Earth's charismatic leader. We experience as readers the moment her beliefs begin to falter, and appreciate the actions she must take in order to survive. Add to this interesting story the potential outbreak of a deadly virus, and I am hooked! Where did this virus come from? Who may benefit from its release? And can the world be saved?
Loved it! I highly recommend this book. Also, Tosca is a wonderful writer, and is very engaging with her readers in real life. I follow her on Instagram and she is very appreciative to the kind words people send her way. When an author takes time out of their busy schedule to respond to us bloggers, they earn my utmost respect. Yay for Tosca Lee! :)

The Line Between by Tosca Lee is an exhilarating apocalyptic 5 star cult thriller. The chapters are brilliantly laced between past and present from when Wynter first entered the cult and her life after. The details of Wynters’ life in the cult were believable. The conflicts she faces with whats true, questioning what she was taught to believe and what her current reality is outside the cult is enthralling. Her bravery and loyalty to her sister and niece is heartwarming.
Its a very entertaining story that anyone can enjoy, once I started reading it I breezed through it easily.

Thank you NetGalley, Howard Books and Tosca Lee for this ARC for my honest opinion.

Description
In this frighteningly believable thriller from New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee, an extinct disease re-emerges from the melting Alaskan permafrost to cause madness in its victims. For recent apocalyptic cult escapee Wynter Roth, it’s the end she’d always been told was coming.

When Wynter Roth is turned out of New Earth, a self-contained doomsday cult on the American prairie, she emerges into a world poised on the brink of madness as a mysterious outbreak of rapid early onset dementia spreads across the nation.

As Wynter struggles to start over in a world she’s been taught to regard as evil, she finds herself face-to-face with the apocalypse she’s feared all her life—until the night her sister shows up at her doorstep with a set of medical samples. That night, Wynter learns there’s something far more sinister at play and that these samples are key to understanding the disease.

Now, as the power grid fails and the nation descends into chaos, Wynter must find a way to get the samples to a lab in Colorado. Uncertain who to trust, she takes up with former military man Chase Miller, who has his own reasons for wanting to get close to the samples in her possession, and to Wynter herself.

Filled with action, conspiracy, romance, and questions of whom—and what—to believe, The Line Between is a high-octane story of survival and love in a world on the brink of madness.

I recently read The Line Between (Howard Books), by Tosca Lee. And let me tell you, the story began with THE BEST first paragraph I've ever read. Talk about sucking me in!

Wynter Roth is kicked out of an apocalyptic cult and just as she's starting to find a new normal the world falls into mass chaos. Could her cult leader be right? Did she just leave her only safety and salvation to enter a world coming to it's end? An old disease melts through the permafrost (a bit scary as I just experienced the polar vortex and the reality of this happening someday becomes more real every year) and is quickly spread through the flu. At first everyone is baffled as to the new widespread onset of early dementia but cities quickly start shutting down and the power grid is hit with an attack. Meanwhile an answer and possible vaccine falls into Wynter's lap. She has to overcome her naivety and figure out how to get to the right people all the while navigating a foreign world.

This novel is fast paced with just the right amount of twists and turns. And you guys, the plot is partially taken out of the news! I sent multiple texts before the book came out telling my friends/family put it at the top of their TBR lists. HIGHLY recommend.

The best part(s):
1. There will be a sequel.
2. It's already in development for television! READ MORE HERE

The Line Between was released January 29, 2019. Save the bacon, save the world.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Tosca for selecting me as part of your street team!

Light, Entertaining Apocalypse fiction!

When Wynter Roth was seven years old, she, along with her mother and older sister, Jaclyn joined a doomsday cult known as ‘New Earth'. For the next fifteen years Wynter called the compound home, indoctrinated to fear the outside world, until that fateful day when she was banished by the prophet leader, Magnus. Forced to leave her family behind, Wynter finds sanctity in the home of her mother's best friend, her husband, and teenage daughter. Just as she's starting to adjust to life on the outside, a deadly epidemic begins spreading through America, infecting everyone in its past with early-onset dementia. When, Jaclyn shows up on her doorstep with a stolen case of medical samples, it is up to Wynter to drive across country and deliver the vials to a lab at Colorado State University. The fate of the human race depends on it!

I only heard about the existence of this book a week ago, but as soon as I read the book summary I knew I had to read it asap. Cult storylines have always fascinated me, as have apocalypse/post-apocalypse ones, and this book did not disappoint. It's fast-paced, action-packed and encompasses a wide range of genres – thriller, action, adventure, sci-fi, drama, romance, women's fiction, chick-lit, and contemporary. It reminded me a little of ‘Birdbox' since the dementia led to madness.

I enjoyed the first half a bit more, particularly the cult flashbacks – how at first everyone was all welcoming and friendly, but you just know sinister motives will soon be revealed. Another of my favourite bits was Wynter adjusting to life outside the cult. The technology and pop culture references made for amusing reading.

Considering the serious subject matter, this was a very tame read, which had its advantages, giving the book a hopeful feel, as opposed to a dark, dreary one. The violence that there is, is mild, with no blood and gore, and zero profanity. The most violent scene occurs in the opening chapter with the farm pigs.

Some parts were somewhat unrealistic. Wynter was a little too ‘worldly’ considering the sheltered life she had led, but to be honest there just wasn't time to focus on this, and doing so would've stalled the quick moving plot. The only other issue I had was that any obstacle Wynter faced was too easily resolved.

I'd like to thank Netgalley, Howard Books, and Tosca Lee for the digital copy. All in all, an exciting, fantastic novel. Pick up a copy today!

Review posted on Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram.

3.5 stars. The Line Between is my first novel by Tosca Lee. The cover drew me in and the plot kept me reading!

Wynter, her mother and older sister joined New Earth after running from her abusive father. It seemed like Magnus was their savior and life would be both better and yet, simpler, behind the gates. As time progresses, Wynter realizes that the simpler life is not always best. After being cast out, she enters the world as its being ravaged by a new disease with unknown origins and no known cure. Wynter ventures out into the unknown and strange world after realizing what’s come into her possession may save it.

I liked the story but it was challenging keeping up with the storylines while flitting back and forth between the timelines chapter after chapter. I also wish that the chapters had past and present on them so I could orientate myself before starting one. Either that or written in chronological order. Also, what’s with the ending!! I had no idea this was going to end on a cliffhanger. Is the world saved or did it really end?! I guess I’ll be reading the next book to find out.

This book was reminiscent of both The Handmaid’s Tale and David Koresh’s Branch Davidian cult. The story was fast-paced and hard to put down. My only complaint is that the ending felt a little rushed.

Wow, Wow, and Wow! Apocalyptic storylines have never been my forte, but Tosca Lee had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The female protagonist Wynter Roth was relateable, the atmosphere as she headed across the American prairie maintained an exciting momentum, and I was very sad to reach the end. This is definitely a book that I will be recommending for the many months to come.

The Line Between is the story of Wynter Roth, a cult escapee who panics when she realizes that the world may be ending, like the New Earth leader predicted. As Wynter struggles with crippling fear & anxiety regarding life outside the cult, an extinct disease reemerges into the world & starts causing madness in people, sweeping the nation and infecting thousands of people. When her sister shows up on her doorstep one night with medical samples and a warning to go as quick as she can to Colorado, she realizes that she may be one of the only people who can stop this epidemic. On her journey to Colorado, she meets an ex-marine, Chase, who decides to help her - but what is his reasoning behind wanting to help?

When I first read the description of the book, I was intrigued because of the cult storyline. Then I realized that there was more to it - there is also a whole world ending storyline! I wouldn't usually think these would mesh well, but I think that Tosca Lee did a wonderful job with this book. It was a wild ride, and I was on the edge of my seat for the entire journey to Colorado. I totally felt for Wynter! This book had me looking over my shoulder the whole time, and I really enjoyed it.

Ripped from current headlines, Tosca Lee’s latest thriller blends a cult, a pandemic, and a national terroristic threat into one gripping chase through the American Heartland, all told through 22-year-old Wynter’s eyes. Frightened, overwhelmed, and battling mental illness, Wynter meets the kindness of strangers, searches for her faith, and never gives up hope. Readers who like fast-paced thrillers with memorable characters will love The Line Between. I can’t wait for the sequel!

This is one of those stories that, once you’ve begun reading, you find difficult to put down for very long. I found myself coming back to it again and again to “just read a little bit more” and before long, I didn’t bother putting it down at all.

The reader is introduced to Wynter Roth as she is about to be “delivered to Satan for the destruction of her flesh.” In other words, she’s being exiled from the cult community she’s lived in since she was six years old. Tosca Lee may as well have provided a lone drummer beating the solemn “POM. POM. POM.” that accompanies the condemned on their walk to the scaffold, so emotionally weighted was the scene. Without knowing anything about this community or why Wynter was being excommunicated, I was hooked.

From there, the story alternated between going back in time to fill in key parts of Wynter’s history, eventually unveiling why she was cast out of the New Earth community, and moving the story forward in the present as Wynter tries to adjust to life outside New Earth, where a new, virulent, and deadly strain of the flu is pushing people to madness. The insight into Wynter’s time in the cult was both chilling and intriguing. I shuddered at the subtle way truth was twisted to keep these people enslaved to their way of life, and the more I knew of cult leader Magnus, the more my skin crawled. But I loved the anticipation that built as the scales fell off Wynter’s eyes even as she became more tightly ensnared in Magnus’s plans.

As the book progressed, the focus narrowed until it was squarely on Wynter’s efforts to get the samples to Colorado and then her determination to rescue her young niece, Truly, from the New Earth community. The momentum never let up, and it was quite a ride to the finish, but I couldn’t help feeling that some of the biggest challenges Wynter faced resolved a little too quickly and easily, particularly right at the end.

That said, there’s a follow-up due to release later this year, so perhaps things aren’t as resolved as they seem? I’m looking forward to finding out!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Such a great book. Tosca Lee is a queen! I enjoyed this fast passed, edge of my seat thrill ride of a story. A book not to be missed. Can't wait for book two!

Oh gosh—this is already a top read for me in 2019 and I’ve read some GREAT books! I found Tosca Lee’s latest book The Line Between to be intellectually fascinating, darkly mesmerizing, and addictive. It has it all—cults, romance, signs of the apocalypse, survivalist suspense! This book just kept serving me exactly what I didn’t know I wanted until I devoured every last word. I read this in a day and a half! Do yourself a favor and add this book to your 2019 reads—you won’t regret it!

Reflection

Where to begin with this one? Wynter is quite a fascinating character, and completely carries one heck of a story on her young, but strong shoulders. Wynter has spent her whole life being taught that she is weak because she covets what others have, she wants to remember life outside the walls, and because she is curious and inquisitive. To me, all of these qualities truly show Wynter’s strength of character. Wynter is one of many intriguing females in this book. Strong women. Women who seem to go with what society wants, but who rebel in their own private, unseen ways. A lipstick hidden in a pocket. A secret thought not revealed in confession. These women are truly inspiring, and they are pretty amazing!!! For me, Wynter is the best part of this book.

But as Wynter is cast out from the cult, she struggles with re-entry to society. This felt incredibly authentic to me. Wynter wanted nothing more than to leave, but once she is out, she feels quite lost. She hasn’t shaken the fear of damnation instilled in her for most of her life inside of those walls. She sees signs everywhere. She hears the leader’s voice in everything she does. I loved the way Lee wrote this part of the story.

If you read my post a few days ago, I studied cults in my doctoral program, among other violent extremist organizations. Actually, I had a really fun lecture when I taught organizational behavior where I had people review highly-amped organizational cultures and decide if they were a cult or culture, based on the definition of cults. That one had some interesting results! But I won’t shame any companies here. Those lessons were for me and my students (and probably wherever they posted about me on social media or rate my professor).
Back to the cults—Tosca Lee really did a great job with the cult here. Go back and read my post about some hallmarks of apocalyptic cults such as the one in The Line Between. The leader Magnus is SOMETHING else! I can’t wait for you to learn more about Magnus. I actually can’t really talk about Magnus too much because I want readers to experience him in all of his glory! But you are in for a treat when you read this book!

I haven’t even really mentioned the other, even more crazy plot to this book. People are getting sick! Really sick! And doing sick things to themselves and to others. And all of this makes Wynter unsure if she is going crazy or not. Because let’s be honest, the things happening in this book are definitely crazy! The entire plot around the illness and the samples—well let’s just say you won’t be able to put the book down after about the first 25%. I know I couldn’t!

I want to thank the author and publisher for my copy of the book. It made the experience of reading it even more delightful. So clever and fun! I’ll be reading whatever you publish next, Tosca Lee!

The very versatile Tosca Lee presents her latest novel which continues to delight her many readers and adds a bit more luster to an already brilliant career. She ties together two themes and blends them together quite well. Wynter Roth is a young very bright woman that has been an inhabitant of what is clearly a cult termed New Earth for most of her life. She has been indoctrinated with the gospel according to Magnus Theisen who is the founder and leader of New Earth. Believing in the facts as outlined by the cult she is thrust out of her sinecure by a decision made by Magnus to take her as his second wife. She suddenly awakens and realizes that all is not as it should be in her protected world. Basically she gets the wake up call due to the fact that her sister is Magnus' wife already and the very concept of being a second wife is alien to her. In making her views vehemently known and refusing to comply with the marriage she gets herself thrown out of New Earth and goes to live with relatives.
At the time Wynter leaves the cult a virulent disease begins to attack people all over the United States. The symptoms are early onset dementia with death following in short order. There is no cure available and the nation and it's economy starts to shut down in the face of the widespread sickness. Tying in Wynter's leaving the cult is the fact that her sister comes to her with medical grade samples which were taken from Magnus. He is obviously attempting to have these samples which have been exposed to the disease tested, a vaccine developed, and than sold to rich buyers making himself rich and powerful. Where this takes the novel is a very well researched description of Wynter's attempts to bring the samples to people that can best work towards developing a vaccine and disseminating it to the entire population.
A very well done story with Ms Lee's carefully investigated details adding even more towards the reader's enjoyment.

This was my first by Tosca Lee, but it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this book and found the premise of it to be particularly fascinating.

Wynter’s story is told in a dual timeline style using flashbacks to help the reader understand what her life was like in the cult New Earth before was cast out. In present day, the world is on the brink of apocalypse. Wynter must overcome her fears of the cult’s doomsday teachings as she courageously gets caught up in a race to save the world. I was amazed at Wynter’s strength as she fought her internal struggles while adjusting to life in the world outside of New Earth. Personally I think it would be difficult enough to integrate into the “real world” after living in any cult without the threat of total destruction of humanity looming.

Fast paced, eerie and gripping.

Occasionally, I wonder what life must be like for former cult members who are experiencing the outside world for the first time. What goes through the mind when they come across people, situations, and things that directly contradict what they’ve been taught? Do they consider themselves fortunate to have escaped, or do they wish they could return?

In Tosca Lee’s new novel, The Line Between, the main character Wynter has been cast out of the cult she was brought into as a child. She’s been separated from the only family she has left, and finds a home with her mother’s former friend and teenage daughter. Even as she’s adjusting to smartphones and a 24 hour news cycle, the country starts experiencing a viral outbreak of what looks like early onset dementia. Is America coming to the end? Was the enigmatic leader of the cult right in his doomsday predictions? Or is he a con artist taking advantage of a dire situation?

This is a breath-taking, heart-racing, 5-star thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. The chapters alternate between past and present, between Wynter’s time in the cult and her life after. The revelations in the narrative seemed to get worse, until I got to the point where I wasn’t sure I could read any more. But I had to see it through. What would happen to Wynter, and the man she meets and reluctantly trusts? Would Wynter get to where she needed to be as the world around her descended deeper into chaos? Who was responsible for what was happening anyway?

I’m no scientist, but I did understand a bit about the cause of the viral outbreak. I’m familiar enough with Mad Cow Disease and its human variant. I still can’t give blood in the USA after having lived in Britain during the outbreak in the 1990s. There are also similarities to CTE, which is known for its connection to NFL players who had concussions during their careers. But you don’t need scientific knowledge to love this book as I did. My only problem was that I was left wanting more at the end. Thankfully, I’ve heard there’s a sequel in the works. It’s also been picked up for development as a television series!

Disclaimer: I received an electronic copy of this Advance, Uncorrected Reader’s Proof from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a review, and the words above are my own.