Cowboys say, "We Burn Daylight," so I picked the book up thinking Bret Anthony Johnston was going to tell a story about cowboys in Waco, Texas. His Prologue quickly set me straight. It is a story about Waco and guns and a showdown that makes High Noon or the O.K. Corral look puny in comparison. Johnston's story deals with the events leading to the raid on the Branch Davidian Compound in 1993. He tells the story through the eyes of two teenagers; Roy, the Sheriff's son and Jaye, who comes from California with her mother who comes because cult leader Perry Cullen makes her "visible." The teenagers provide the reader with an insight into the hopes and fears they experience as time moves slowly toward the climax. Additional insight is provided through a series of "On the Lamb" podcasts with interviews of some of the cult members. The Romeo and Juliet epigraph is appropriate for the story as Roy and Jaye worry about family and each other much as Shakespeare's young lovers did in their time. No cowboys here, but a number of heroes and perhaps a lesson for law enforcement and for those who watched media coverage of the standoff. In Johnston's Epilogue, several mysteries become clear. Jaye narrates this final chapter as Roy is finished with talking. We learn who the creator of the Lamb podcasts is and the reason behind them. The novel provides an intimate portrait of events beyond the scope of the media and its blatant quest for ratings at the time and allows a closer look at the real tragedy of Waco. The novel is well worth a careful read, especially for anyone who witnessed the progression of events in real time.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

WOW. That's truly all I can manage after finishing this book. What an impressive feat by Johnston to take on this sensitive and challenging topic, and turn it into an absolute masterpiece. As a history buff, this almost felt like reading nonfiction. It was INSANELY good. The author has clearly done an exorbitant amount of research for this novel, and it absolutely shows. These characters that were fictionalized felt like they were real, and that made it even better. I hope Johnston continues to venture down similar avenues, because this was downright astonishing work.

There are 2 main indicators as if a novel is great or not so great.
1. Do you find yourself wishing it was 400 pages longer?
2. Is it highly quotable?

This one answers yes on both counts.

Inspired by the true events in Waco, Texas, We Burn Daylight is the fictional story of fourteen year olds Roy - son of the sheriff - and Jaye - daughter of one of the Lamb’s followers. Jaye is new to Waco and thinks everyone on the compound her and her mother have just moved to is nuts; she sees Perry aka The Lamb for the con artist and manipulator that he is. Roy is the son of the local sheriff, who is trying to determine if Perry and his followers are doing anything illegal on their compound.
While I know the basics of what happened in Waco in 1993, I wasn’t familiar with the specifics of the cult and the siege. I really enjoyed this book, it was incredibly well written and well researched, with believable charters. One of my favorite aspects about this book was that the characters actually acted their written ages - one of my biggest peeves in books is when children behave wildly out of character for the age they are written, whether too mature or too childish for the assigned age. These were 14 year olds who spoke and behaved and thought like 14 year olds… all without making the book come off as YA.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of We Burn Daylight in exchange for my honest review.

We Burn Daylight takes as inspiration the siege on the Branch Dividian compound in
Waco. Texas in 1993, and adds in a teenage love story. The writing is good, but the story could have been told with more intensity, especially the portrayal of “the Lamb,” - I found myself wanting more details about his life, and how he came to be kind of man people followed and believed in despite his being a pedophile. I wanted to know the members of his cult more intimately so that I could begin to understand how they were drawn in, and why they stayed. I kept waiting for an emotional connection, but the interspersed transcripts from a podcast only served to further distance me from the story. This will be a good book cub title, with much to be discussed.

I have to admit, my knowledge of the Waco tragedy from the 90's is next-to-nothing, so I had no real preconceived notions coming into this tale, which clearly does NOT claim to be nonfiction. I quickly got attached to the characters, and I appreciated and enjoyed the use of present-day interviews of some of the participants to flesh out the story. I think the landscape of the compound was set very well, and the interaction between the townspeople and the sect was fascinating.

I enjoyed this -- I felt real emotions at the end, which doesn't often happen. Recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being given freely.

Unfortunately I was very disappointed in this book. I didn’t like it at all and I’d rather not write a review. Sorry
Irene G

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Star-crossed lovers, Roy and Jay, must endure the tragic events unfolding in Waco, Texas in 1993. I absolutely loved this fictive depiction of a real world event. Jay's mom becomes infatuated with a David Koresh type, while Roy is the son of the sheriff who is tasked with investigating the cult. The pacing is excellent, and the narrative picks up so much speed that it reads like a thriller by the end. The ending will stay with you.

One of the strongest examples of historical fiction done right. Superb.

Roy is the 14-year-old son of the sheriff. Jaye is the 14-year-old daughter of a woman who has left her husband behind in California to follow a man who is ordinary in every way, although he does know his scripture from having it beaten into him by his father. These two teenagers meet in Waco, Texas, in 1993. Jaye knows what’s happening inside the compound, Roy tries to figure out life on the outside. These are the two people who recount the story, interspersed with the transcript of a podcast taking place 30 years after the fatal event.

Though a mildly interesting twist happens at the end, I found the pacing glacial. I understand the author wasn’t trying to play up the salacious aspects of the case it is based on, but those aspects made the documentaries about this interesting, whether they sided more with the folks inside or the government’s perspective. I was just bored.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES JULY 30, 2024.

I highly recommend WE BURN DAYLIGHT for fans of literary fiction as well as book club stories. There's a lot going on here with the 1993 cult and the present day podcast; the author combines the stories into a compelling tapestry. Perry is a delightfully creepy character. I liked how the relationship between Jaye and Roy developed. As the FBI closes in, we begin to worry about whether Jaye will escape. This is a well-written and suspenseful novel with sophisticated character development.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the advance e-galley; all opinion in this review are completely my own.

Maybe it's the fact that I grew up in Central Texas in the 90s, or that I had family in the Waco area during the events of that February/March of 1993, but when I heard the premise of this book I knew I had to read it. There was so much nostalgia in the description of the homes/lives that I was hooked. I heard this pitched as a Romeo/Juliet retelling withe the background of a doomsday cult and Johnston delivered on the promise. Jaye and Roy were sweet and naive, but at the same time read the adults in their lives with accuracy that adults don't give teens credit for.

My emotions ran the gamut throughout my read. From the butterflies of young love, to the sinking dread of what I knew was coming. I also enjoyed the twist and reveals as they played out, and the unique format of adding interviews in the form of modern era podcasts looking back on the events in the stand off to fill in places that the POV narrators were blind.

Overall, I was pleased with the book and would recommend it!

I could not put this book down. Tackling the Waco tragedy but through the eyes of 2 precious teenagers, one the son of a local Sheriff and the other a daughter living on the ranch with her mother, who got caught up in the spell of the cult leader and her daughter became collateral damage. Although the daughter sees through all the fog and fire and brimstone, she cannot convince her mother, and knows in order to survive she has to play along. Over the course f the novel, the two young people meet and develop an adolescent crush. The author does a great job of bringing the reader in to the minds of the characters, with their distinct personalities all the while advancing the story. This is a not to be missed title. Highly recommend.

I love when a page-turner meets creativity in writing style. This is that kind of book. Suspense makes for read-until-you're-falling-asleep nights and well-crafted phrases make for rereading the frequent brilliant sentences: an intriguing tension. A kiss to make you remember your best one, family dynamics to make you cringe, characters to make you want a happy ending, dramatic preparation to make you know you won't get it. Quite the book!!

Two 14 year olds meet at a gun show in Waco, Texas. Jaye's mother has moved her from California because she is tired of her life with her husband and is enamored with Perry Cullen, leader of the cult. Jaye went with her mother but does not like Perry or the cult life. She meets Roy, the Sheriff's son and they instantly have a connection.

Although fiction, this brings back the memories of when the raid on the Davidian ranch happened in 1993 and gives us an inside look at the life of these people and this young couple caught in the middle.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Take two star-crossed teens, a cult set in Waco, in 1993, a sheriff trying to stave off a massacre and a current day podcast examining that point in history and you have a masterful story told by a masterful storyteller. Roy, a fourteen year old son of the sheriff, a lock picker and an optimist meets a girl at a gun show. The girl, Jaye, also fourteen, moved to Waco with her mother who was enamored with Perry, aka the Lamb, the leader of a cult waiting for the world to end.

Through Jaye we gain an understanding of what life was like in the shoddily built compound sans toilets but significantly armed to fend off intruders and how Perry seeks to increase the following generation with children from children. Jaye, a nonbeliever, wants to protect her mother and at the same time tries to steer clear of Perry. While he leads his study group she enters his room, steals food and calls Roy with whom she has fallen in love. She creates opportunities to see him outside the compound and share a kiss.

Roy’s family have always been macho. Dad and grandfather were sheriffs and his brother is a Marine. Roy perceives himself as less. He and his best friend Coop are constant companions. After meeting Jaye, he tries to keep that a secret from everyone. He joined his sheriff father at the compound to suggest Perry keep everything aboveboard. While exploring the property, Jaye finds Roy. Their feelings are reciprocated.

The sheriff is concerned that the FBI wants to get involved and takedown the cult. There is nothing he can do to stop the oncoming siege. Jaye is trapped inside and Roy winds up at Coop’s house watching and waiting and hoping Jaye gets out. What is going through his mind? How can he deal with the trauma of it all?

While their love is intense, it does not overshadow the bigger picture of what is happening. The insightful glimpses into a cult, the emotions on all sides and a thought provoking sense of what is right about this, what is wrong with this keeps the reader captivated. The interspersed excerpts of a podcast have participants on all sides giving their historical perspective. Does time change people? Are there regrets? Read to find out!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this amazing ARC.

This fictionalized account of the Branch Davidian disaster in 1993 just never came together for me. In some places and in some speech, I felt like I was in the 21st century, but most of the time, I felt like the time period depicted was the 1950s. For example, in one place one of the characters turned on the TV and was pleased to note that the test pattern was still on (therefore it was prior to 6 AM). I can’t remember how long ago it was that TV stations began staying on 24 hours, but it was definitely much earlier than 1993.

Many of the other depictions were definitely over the top, as well, making the story less believable or even, downright cartoonish.

However, it was a worthy read. It was also interesting to me, personally, since I’d just finished Victor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Yes, Man searches for meaning is eternal and knows no bounds.

I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Random House, in exchange for an honest review.

Wowzers! This book was written in a way that made me feel like I was there living it all first hand. I loved the different viewpoints of the two teens navigating first love somewhat in a fantasy haze juxtaposition to the podcasters interviewing key characters and bringing it back to reality.

I just reviewed We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston. #WeBurnDaylight #NetGalley

Disclaimer reads that this is not about David Koresh but it really does feel like true crime. Very well written, especially with volleying between viewpoints and current podcast interviews. This book was fan-freaking-tastic!!!

I was provided with a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Gen Xers remember the siege at Waco all too well. Cult leader (and I do use that term advisedly as a religious scholar) David Koresh was under siege at his compound in Texas, accused of hoarding firearms and abusing children. Rather than listening to the advice of religious scholars (come ON, people), the FBI led an ill-advised charge that resulted in the burning to death of dozens of innocent women and children. In some ways, the assault on Waco led to the radicalizing of the far right in America that we see today.

Johnston provides a sensitive and humanized look at Waco through the eyes of two fictional teenagers orbiting the lives of a Koresh-like figure named the Lamb. Roy is the younger son of the local sheriff, who inherited the job from a long line of sheriffs and whose son is currently stationed in Afghanistan as a Marine. Jaye is a rebellious teen whose mother is captivated by the Lamb and leaves her father to join the group in Waco. Roy and Jaye soon fall in teenager infatuation and then genuine love - but the cost of their relationship lies in the Lamb's increasing instability and interest in child brides, the potential smuggling of guns and grenades through the camp, and the awful reckoning that will spill the blood between them.

Johnston is a master of individual voice, differentiating Roy and Jaye as well as the sheriff, the Lamb, and Jaye's mother. He intersperses short vignettes from the main characters with podcast interviews from 2024, a writing device that never feels gimmicky but helps move the plot along. The reader alternately sympathizes with and condemns every character in the book, including the sheriff and the Lamb. And it all builds to a totally unexpected twist as the FBI storms the compound, and what happens afterward.

I realize it's only April, but of the 28 books I've read so far in 2024 "We Burn Daylight" is the best. Definitely five stars.

Bret Anthony Johnston is a superb storyteller. His character development is only topped by his ability to weave multiple storylines into a superb tapestry. If you like good stories, recent history, interesting characters, and suspense . . . . give "We Burn Daylight" your attention.