Reviews

Burst by Mary Otis

danidsfavereads's review against another edition

4.0

This was a lovely story about family and dreams.

I liked seeing the interaction between Charlotte and Viva. Their mother/daughter relationship was challenging and complex.

It was interesting to see Viva strive towards her goals and have a hard time recalibrating after an accident.

(3.5)

jvanry03's review against another edition

4.0

This book was not what I was expecting when I picked it up. It’s a story about mothers and daughters and how the relationship between them can ebb and flow but no matter what has happened, they are always each others safe place.
It took me a while to understand the writing style and organization of the book but once I did I really liked the way the author set it up.
You see the characters grow and detach from each other just to be pushed back together by fate and love. They are both the same whether they wanted to be or not.
I would’ve liked a few more moments of a Gilmore Girls-esque relationship but I guess I understand that that isn’t the main point of this story.
You can spend your whole life hating someone and still love them. And if you spend your whole life avoiding becoming something, you may become just that.

alexycred's review against another edition

4.0

Trauma?? Abuse?? Moms who don’t know how to mom?? Abandonment?? No happy ending?? This must be love.

iagozino's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

kristensreadingnook's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars

I am always in for a mother/daughter story. And like most mother/daughter relationships, this one is complicated, and yet the bond they shared kept pulling them back together no matter how far one of them tried to stay away. I, personally, struggle with reading about alcoholism and neglect, which is why my rating is 3.5 stars, but the writing was masterful at evoking emotion.

Read if you like:
Family sagas covering a whole lifetime
Mother/daughter relationships
Dance stories

Thank you to Zibby Books for a digital ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

steobr508's review

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

michelle_stevens's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.25

michelleglogovac's review against another edition

5.0

Thoroughly enjoyed this depiction of mother and daughter and the complexity of what that relationship truly looks like. Otis’ writing is superb and she leaves no details out…I felt like I was perfectly able to picture the characters as if they were in a movie.

I was lucky enough to also interview Mary Otis on my podcast to discuss BURST and her writing process. Please listen here: www.themlgcollective.com/ep172

sjreinardy's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

wylie's review

reflective medium-paced

3.75