Tonally, Emma Cline has flair in capturing the insecurity and bitter power politics shared between teenagers. Contempt, awe and sadness are captured really well in Evie's character. The capacity for cruelty exhibited by many characters also comes through sharply, and I felt genuinely for the plight for even the most periphery of characters, like Evie's mother.
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The mytisfying, sinister power of Suzanne was interesting to explore. The narrative of how Evie could be recruited into the cult by having an individual fixation on one of its senior female members was investing. 
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A criticism I'd have was that perhaps the book was a little too simile-heavily and formulaic, sometimes taking me out the moment. There were occasions as well where the parts of the novel that flash into modern day in the mid-section that didn't pique my interest.
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Those shortcomings for me however do not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel. I was stimulated by its incense-scented darkness.