Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder with the Truth
4.2 | 966 ratings
Price: 18.1
Last update: 03-25-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Heidigreat bookI enjoyed listening to the book. The author reads the book and frequently cries when reading. She writes from the heart. Very informative. Had not idea the amount of emotional, physical and sexual abuse that was going on in the family. When listening to the book, I almost felt like I was going through the abuse to because the writer made you feel like you were there.
- clydeandbettylougoodI didn’t know this author but found her book interesting. She is a cousin to the Duggar family and was on their show.
Whether your familiar with the show or not its still a good read - C R Price⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Wow! An incredible story of a life healed from devastating family dysfunction. Amy’s faith and trust in God is a powerful witness of God’s healing and her determination to seek a healthy, whole life. She is a Holy Disruptor in the best way⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Stephanie McCallComes on Strong, So Pace YourselfWould it be too cliche to say "holy moley?" Okay, seriously, Amy Duggar King has undertaken an extremely courageous thing with Holy Disruptor. Writing a memoir or memoir-like book is brave enough. This...I can only offer her my deepest respect for risking, daring, to put those words on the page. Knowing what it must have cost her, I feel bad about rating the book only three stars, but there are solid reasons for that.
I'm going to craft this review "backwards," meaning I want to start with the negatives, the "reason" for the low rating, first. I love the fact that Amy was true to her own experiences here and spared readers nothing. But while that is a strength, it can become a problem craft-wise. I expected a book centered on actually becoming a "holy disruptor" and how to do it gracefully, whether your circumstances matched Amy's or not. That's the book I wanted, because my story is nowhere near as extreme as Amy's, but there are some things in life I'd like to "disrupt."
Instead, most of the book is Amy explaining and exploring the dreadful hardships she endured in her life, her reaction to Michelle and Jim Bob's lifestyle, and her reaction to Josh's horrible actions. All this is good. It's important, it's raw, and it's respectful--Amy is not here to "spill tea" or contribute to drama. At times though, I got so bogged down in these awful people and their dreadful choices, I actually felt a little nauseous. Amy's exploration of JL Duggar in particular, and the way both Jim Bob and Josh treated her later, are not only necessarily tough parts, but sometimes feel overdone. It's as if the book lingers so long on the darkness, there's not enough physical room page-wise, or emotional energy, for light.
That being said, there is light in here, and when I found it, I wanted more. For instance, it's easy to read the IBLP's rules and actions and get righteously angry. Beyond that though, Amy pointedly contrasts the IBLP with not only Scripture, but Scripture in context. The context lets readers linger on what that Scripture means, and reminds them that matters of personal conviction should never translate into autocratic control.
While I wanted much more of this, I also appreciated when Amy went into how to be a holy disruptor. Namely, she explicitly states that this doesn't mean going against Jesus and what He actually says. It means standing up, gracefully but strongly, against behavior the Bible and Jesus never condoned. I also appreciated that Amy spent time going over the signs and symptoms of the behavior that went on in her world--how to spot it and why to stand up to it, or run from it if necessary.
Again, I very much wish that this book had been weighted toward what's in the second half, rather than what's in the first. I also wish Amy had spent a bit more time on applying "disruptor" status and strategies to people and situations where, the elements might not be as urgent or easy to spot. Sometimes, this book comes across as rooted in "black and white thinking." I understand why; I'm a natural black and white thinker, and I'm unlearning that right now. However, this has the potential to leave readers who didn't endure situations like Amy's, a bit bemused or confused.
This said, I can't give Holy Disruptor a higher rating. I also don't recommend it unless you are fully prepared to engage with the content (and even then, do take care of yourself and put it down when and if needed). You may also want to read it alongside a book that's more "general" in its approach. However, Holy Disruptor is still an important book. I'd call it vital in a world where fringe groups like the Duggars get so much toxic publicity. Read it with discernment and prayer, but do read it if you're ready. - Marian O'QuinRedemptionThis is a powerful true story of generational trauma, pain, recognizing what needs changing and having the courage and grace to do it so that one can have a meaningful life. Beautifully written and very heartfelt. A book to keep and read again for the many lessons it teaches. Amazing courage, Mrs. King.
- AndreaThis Book Needs to be Celebrated & CommendedI wrote a long, beautiful review, but somehow it got lost, so I'm re-writing. This review will only be a small fraction of the original review.
Questions first. Some have to do with the book, some do not.
1. How in tarnation can anyone who claims to be Christians give someone a spooky clown party, knowing they have a fear of clowns? Sounds sadistic to me.
2. If the situation is a ministry, and everybody is to volunteer their time & talents because it is a ministry, then why does JB get to keep his profits? Why doesn't he donate all his money?
3. Why did they refuse to let their daughters be midwives for Anna's sister because her baby was out of wedlock, but they told their own child that he gets forgiveness, mercy, & grace? Why didn't Anna's sister get forgiveness, mercy, & grace?
4. Why was Jinger allowed to wear pants when she went hunting with her dad? This family clearly thinks it's a sin for women/girls to wear pants. (I don't think it's a sin for women/girls to wear pants, and I'm glad Jinger got to go hunting in pants. I'm simply curious as to WHY she was allowed to wear pants.)
I would love answers. Sounds like double standards & hypocrisy to me.
Now on to the review of the book.
I loved this book, and I'm glad Amy told her story. I felt her pain, because I have 2 narcissistic/psychopathic parents. I'm glad she has 1 good parent. And when she offered a hug to anyone going through abuse, believe me, I accepted her hug.
Amy told her story of horrific abuse from her dad & other family members - those who are supposed to love you the most. I have so much compassion & understanding for her. I still have PTSD & panic & the works from life-long abuse. I'm trying to heal, and her story gave me encouragement.
The lies/deceit she mentioned coming from the religious people doesn't surprise me. I've been involved in a couple of churches that covered for the big whigs or the people they liked. They made excuses for their bad behavior/sins, but anybody else who did the same thing was judged to high heaven. Double standards & hypocrisy.
I have a little bit of compassion for JB, because he WANTED his family/situation to be the perfect example, but when they weren't, it was easy to hide/cover up/make excuses; maybe if you lie it away, it will actually go away. But there were certain things he did that were inexcusable, such as not paying the cast members.
I'm glad Amy now lives in peace, free from abuse, has a good husband & son, and has her mom with her. Peace & Love.