Scan barcode
katemw93's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I love the writing style Mayquist has, it reads so so beautifully! I could relate to Lena as someone returning from abroad who is trying to find their way and I understood that struggle of wanting to be somewhere else but adjusting to being back home when everything changed in your absence. For me, the book started a little bit slow. I was immediately dranw in by the prose and just the style of the story, but the plot itself took a little while to cook and develop. But once the idea was planted in her mind for how everything would play out, I was hooked and turning through the pages faster and faster. I have never really been interested in botany before (and not a hobby I would pick up) but I really found myself more and more interested in the plants and the way the pertained to the plot.. Mayquist is definitely an author to watch.
tricechara's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Definitely no horror. Not as villainous or as delectable as anticipated. Still entertaining and rather upbeat (?)
Don't be mislead by the tags, this novel is gothic in tone and setting only. And the Gatsby comparisons are GENEROUS. I am glad I just borrowed the book rather than purchased it.
Don't be mislead by the tags, this novel is gothic in tone and setting only. And the Gatsby comparisons are GENEROUS. I am glad I just borrowed the book rather than purchased it.
sprainedbrain's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kourteb's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.0
While I enjoyed this book, it is absolutely not a gothic horror. I would call it a gatsby-esque mystery and even that is more a vibe than description of plot. I will say that after finishing the book, the overall plot seems a bit lackluster. I think if character development was furthered and more plot lines were expanded or explored, it would've been a better book. I'm not sure I will recommend it to others, but I'm not upset that I read it. Jonathon was my favorite and had a heartbreaking story. I wish we would've gotten more of this. It seemed very skimmed over with just enough info given for the plot.
oleanderp1nk's review against another edition
4.0
Väga hea. Mulle meeldis väga. Natuke meenutas mulle House of Hunger aga parem. Imekombel oli raamat väga hea aga pärast paari nädalat unustasin palju asju mis raamatus toimus. Võib-olla ka sellest tingitud et järgmine raamat mu listis oli natuke parem
joannagalaska's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nithya_natalya's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a very fun novel, and once I got into it, moved very quickly. Very dark and bitter, and a satisfying portrayal of the decay beneath the glitz of capitalism and celebrity. The only reason that I didn't give this five stars is because I wanted it to go further than it did. While the atmosphere and general mood of the novel felt gothic, the climax and resolution didn't feel grisly and tragic and destructive enough. It felt like eat the rich, except we only got the appetizer before the novel was over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Child abuse, Addiction, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Ableism, Medical content, Vomit, Self harm, Murder, and Confinement
juliafrat's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
i just don’t think gothic novels should be allowed to end this happily…
i was bored for most of this book and then just when it got interesting, every climax and resolution was super contrived and predictable. the main character was absolutely void of any personality, and each character’s motivations made no logical sense.
i will say the writing was pretty, and i was compelled enough to finish. like i wanted to figure out what was going on. but overall this was just a poor attempt at an edgy, mysterious gothic thriller. it’s been done before and done way better.
i was bored for most of this book and then just when it got interesting, every climax and resolution was super contrived and predictable. the main character was absolutely void of any personality, and each character’s motivations made no logical sense.
i will say the writing was pretty, and i was compelled enough to finish. like i wanted to figure out what was going on. but overall this was just a poor attempt at an edgy, mysterious gothic thriller. it’s been done before and done way better.