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presleymarie85's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Suzanne Redfearn has created another character rich, family drama with her new novel Where Butterflies Wander. This is the second Suzanne Redfearn book I have read, the first being In an Instant, which is also a character rich family drama. Suzanne really writes her characters so richly, that they come alive across the pages and are able to stir up emotions in the reader.
After a family tragedy leads to the death of their youngest child, Marie, Leo and their remaining children, Hannah, Brendan, and Penelope move into Marie's family home in hopes of flipping it to sell and move into a new home that is tragedy free. Once there, they realize they are not alone on the family property and that the local "River Witch" Davina has occupied a small run down cabin on the property and she claims she has granted the cabin from Marie's grandfather. Despite Davina making impacts on Leo, Pen, and Hannah, Marie and Brendan are less then thrilled with Davina and want her to leave immediately. This decision will leave Brendan and Marie at a crossroads where their choices going forward will shape who they will become in the future.
I really loved how Suzanne wrote the characters of Davina and Penelope. These two really carry the book, where the secondary characters Leo and Hannah are written to really help with the tension throughout the book. I really hated Marie and Brendan's characters. Not sure if this was the goal that Suzanne wanted, but I loathed Marie entirely. I tried being sympathetic, I can't imagine the pain of losing a child and one that is part of a twin paring. But there really was no redeeming qualities of Marie that made me think "she's going through hell, she will come out of it changed and be better going forward." Marie is spiteful, petty, and just plain mean to her core. It isn't until the very end of the book that she has a chance to make her wrongs right and be a better person going forward. But as the reader, I was not optimistic that she was changed, and that she was only doing this one particular thing to clear he conscience or to make the score even. It was just a very shallow attempt at redeeming herself. The same could be said for Brendan. But at least at the end you read that he is actively trying to change and be better not only for himself but for his family as well.
I still would recommend Where Butterflies Wander to anyone who enjoys reading stories rich with characters and plot. I would advise that if you are a reader who has trouble reading about a Childs death or you personally have experience with this, take caution when reading. where Butterflies Wander doesn't go into descriptive details in the death, but it is the theme of this novel.
After a family tragedy leads to the death of their youngest child, Marie, Leo and their remaining children, Hannah, Brendan, and Penelope move into Marie's family home in hopes of flipping it to sell and move into a new home that is tragedy free. Once there, they realize they are not alone on the family property and that the local "River Witch" Davina has occupied a small run down cabin on the property and she claims she has granted the cabin from Marie's grandfather. Despite Davina making impacts on Leo, Pen, and Hannah, Marie and Brendan are less then thrilled with Davina and want her to leave immediately. This decision will leave Brendan and Marie at a crossroads where their choices going forward will shape who they will become in the future.
I really loved how Suzanne wrote the characters of Davina and Penelope. These two really carry the book, where the secondary characters Leo and Hannah are written to really help with the tension throughout the book. I really hated Marie and Brendan's characters. Not sure if this was the goal that Suzanne wanted, but I loathed Marie entirely. I tried being sympathetic, I can't imagine the pain of losing a child and one that is part of a twin paring. But there really was no redeeming qualities of Marie that made me think "she's going through hell, she will come out of it changed and be better going forward." Marie is spiteful, petty, and just plain mean to her core. It isn't until the very end of the book that she has a chance to make her wrongs right and be a better person going forward. But as the reader, I was not optimistic that she was changed, and that she was only doing this one particular thing to clear he conscience or to make the score even. It was just a very shallow attempt at redeeming herself. The same could be said for Brendan. But at least at the end you read that he is actively trying to change and be better not only for himself but for his family as well.
I still would recommend Where Butterflies Wander to anyone who enjoys reading stories rich with characters and plot. I would advise that if you are a reader who has trouble reading about a Childs death or you personally have experience with this, take caution when reading. where Butterflies Wander doesn't go into descriptive details in the death, but it is the theme of this novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
kbarton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Child death
Moderate: War
Minor: Animal death
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