In the fifth book in the series we get a more high-profile mission than in book 4. The cult plot was quite interesting. Of course, these books are fast and to the point, which doesn't allow Muchamore to explore this setting as much as I would have liked. Nevertheless, it is another fast, very entertaining read.

All the virtues that I have praised in my reviews of previous books in the series are present here, but I have to admit that at this point the stories do not seem as fresh, simply because the formula remains the same.

I liked that a character they met in this story
was rescued from the cult and became a Cherub agent. I'm looking forward to reading more about Rat in the following books. He seems another little troublemaker like James.

I had a couple of problems with the story:

Not that it's that important, but I found it bizarre that Lauren would be given the black shirt at the end of this mission and James wouldn't. Lauren is an excellent agent, and James' is not the best behaved one, but when it comes to missions his track record is incredible, clearly better than Lauren's. He always tackles the most dangerous roles and he usually makes the most important breakthroughs. When this mission seemed to be failing, he was the one who made the breakthrough of getting sent to the Ark, and managed to get Lauren sent too. It's ridiculous that Lauren has been awarded the black shirt and he hasn't.

Dana's subplot in this book seemed rather forced. I liked seeing her shine, she deserves it, but it strains my suspension of disbelief that the terrorists would choose two random inexperienced teenage girls from a cult to perform such a delicate and high-pressure job, and that Dana would be one of them, since she had joined the cult very recently. ( )

In a lot of ways I think this may actually be my favourite of the series. I love Lauren and I adore Rat. The little team they form is awesome. James isn't as annoying as he can be in some of the other books as well. And I love seeing Dana get the chance to shine. ( )

THE CULT ONE. Definitely the high point of the series.

This book didn't disappoint me. Like the books before it, it kept me on my toes wondering if they will get through the mission. I like how the author ended the book. ( )

Als cherub ontdekt dat er een verband bestaat tussen de terroristische milieugroepering Help Earth en de rijke religieuze sekte The Survivors, wordt James naar Australië gestuurd om te infiltreren in de sekte.
Deze missie is vooral geestelijk weer zwaarder dan zijn vorige. The Survivors leven in complete afzondering, verscholen in de woestenij. James moet alles op alles zetten om niet te worden gehersenspoeld.
Deze keer vecht hij niet alleen tegen terroristen. Hij moet ook vechten om zijn verstand niet te verliezen.