Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

15 reviews

eepi's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism

Be careful with this book.

valentinaambrosius's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m sorry but I have to deduct a full point for the ridiculously abrupt ending and the nothing plot twist. As in there was no twist and the book just ended while I waited for a thing to happen. 
 
 Now, after having read a few other reviews I’ve got very little to add in the shape of substance. So I’ll just reiterate. 

Yes, it does require a certain amount of suspension of disbelieve that this large group of girls didn’t think to band together—considering they’re already quite close; and seem able to stay somewhat out of view of prying ears and eyes—to take down The Gardener. 

That being said I understand—well I think I can emphasize with the amount of courage it would take to do so. I’ve never been brutally violated like they have; but at least a few of them seem to be strong enough, brave enough and convincing enough to get the other butterflies to join them. 

Furthermore I loved hating Maya, her wit, her sarcasm and how mature she was while staying a believable 18 year old woman/girl. (at 18 I’d still say child; but that is a personal choice) 

I have to admit that The Gardener was rather tame. He did what he did to the girls, yes, but considering this trilogy is called The Collector; I couldn’t help but think of the book The Collector. I forgot his name, but The Gardener reminded me of him or more precisely what he could’ve been. The collector is from the perspective of the Collector. Still I believe this collector could’ve been more like that one; creepier, more unhinged. His behaviour seemed perfectly normal except for the killing and violating etc. his reactions to requests and to the things the girls wanted and how they rebelled seemed perfectly well adjusted. 

This kind of thing could be true for actual men like this… I just doubt it? 

 

Avery would’ve been a nice collector, a more believable/interesting Gardener in my opinion. Though that might’ve pushed into cliché territory. 

 

Desmond was equally a bit to forthcoming and painfully naïve. Maya’s refusal to spill also seemed only there for drama’s sake. A girl this cynical suddenly thinking she can love a man into letting her out and letting him discover for himself when he proves from the get-go to have no interest in exploring?

 

So, yes, 4 stars. It was beautifully written. The story structure was an amazing and well used tool id like to see and read more of. I just might pick up the next one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury

jcpreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book which made me a little apprehensive going into it. You never know if it’s actually going to live up to the hype. I finished this book less than 30 seconds ago and I’m already typing up a review, so that should tell you something already.

The writing style of this one was unique. It took a bit for me to get used to the differing POV’s without a distinct indication of the change. It also took me a little bit to get used to the fact that this book didn’t have chapters, which I’m typically one to stay away from. HOWEVER, once adjusting this book had me hooked. I was actually hooked by page 15 which was way too early on for my comfort.

The character development was incredibly intriguing to see play out literally until the very last page. The narrator, Maya/Inara was mildly unreliable but mainly because the reader needs to have that inkling of doubt. Learning about the main character’s life before, in the middle, and after was important to this plot. Dot Hutchinson is an incredible writer and has a beautiful way of stringing words together.

I’m not a series girl, and I know I’ve said that before. So believe me when I say, I cannot wait to get my hands on book #2 of this series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Colonisation

ferndepluto's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Abortion

beauty_andbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

While this had a creep essence to it, the story more relied on the story of friendship and community among the “butterflies” in the garden. I wanted more creepy than the friendship factor. I think most people who aren’t used to true crime thrillers will think this is a fine book but the synopsis sort of tricked me into thinking it would be a terrifying read. 

Another thing to keep in mind is there are no chapters. So keeping track of the story can be tough sometimes. It goes between past and present with a border symbol that breaks them apart. It’s an interesting format. This books is also part of a 4 book series but all the books in the series involve totally different crime stories with just the same detectives. So for me personally, I will not be investing my time in reading the others.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, and Murder