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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Murder
The author took a classic fairytale The Marsh King by Hans Christian Andersen and put her own twist on it. This is a fast-paced story about the child of a rapist/kidnapper who was raised in the marshland completely cut off from civilization. It is told in rotating points of view from the time she lived on the marsh to her as an adult reintroduced to society. She uses all the skills her father taught her to track him down after he escapes from prison. I was not able to put her story down. This is a must-read!
4.5 stars but this could have been a 5 with small tweaks. I was really hoping that the mother would have a pov since there was a clear difference in emotions between how she felt about mom vs dad. The ending felt lack luster compared to the story as a whole, but definitely a great book!
A pleasant surprise! For some reason, I held conviction that I wasn't going to enjoy this book, but I really did. Can I just say how refreshing it is to read a story about Michigan where it is crystal clear the author has spent extensive time here. I knew all the little towns, recognized landmarks, and understood the culture she writes of in reference to the U.P. The book is suspenseful, without being terrifying, dark without making me feel gross, and very realistic. I love the messiness of emotions Helena struggles with. That's real life. The fact that she deeply loves and despises her abusive father; and that she wants to love her mother, but her deep disconnect with her(by way of her father's plan) makes it so difficult. The fact that this entire book is made of her tracking her father and having flashbacks of memories from childhood without any other real plot is a testament to the author's good writing. It holds your attention even when all Helena is doing is walking the woods.
If you happen to have had a malignant narcissist for a father, you'll probably want to skip this one.
The ending seemed rather far-fetched, but I did enjoy the story overall
Really enjoyed this book about the daughter of a woman who was kidnapped as a young teen. The mother plays a fairly minor role as the main relationship was between the daughter and her kidnapper (among various crimes) father. It was such a unique way to approach the story and while I felt no sympathy for the father I understood how Helena could.
Honest review is a 4.5! I enjoyed this book so much. I took off half a star because it was difficult for me to get through the scenes when Helena described the ways she idolized her father. I can definitely understand that we all process trauma differently. I unfortunately can relate to the internal struggle of trying to figure out my own feelings for my dad.
Nejmen det här var inget vidare hörni. Eller det låter ju rätt bra: handlingen kretsar kring Helen, som växt upp ute i träskmarkerna på gränsen till Kanada, tillsammans med sin idoliserade pappa och undergivna mamma. Då är hon helt ovetandes om att pappan är en våldtäktsman och mördare, som kidnappade hennes mamma när hon var 16 år och sedan dess har hållit henne fången i träsken. Nu, 15 år senare, är det en annan femma och Helen, som var delaktig i tillfångatagandet av pappan, har själv man och barn. Så får hon höra på radion att hennes pappa har rymt från fängelset och helt plötsligt slår det henne att hon antagligen är den enda som kan stoppa honom. För han har alltid varit en otroligt duktig jägare: men under deras liv i träsket lärde han också henne allt han kunde. Så hon ger sig av efter honom... men kanske är det precis det han vill?
Som sagt, det låter rätt spännande, men näää den här boken hade ingenting som inte every fellow thriller-bok har. Den var rätt tråkig och B. Gick fort att läsa. Kommer gå fort att glömma.
Som sagt, det låter rätt spännande, men näää den här boken hade ingenting som inte every fellow thriller-bok har. Den var rätt tråkig och B. Gick fort att läsa. Kommer gå fort att glömma.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced