You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This would have been far better if the family weren't so dysfunctional and actually communicated?
I liked the ending, but so much of the chaos and trauma could have been avoided if it weren't for miscommunication?
Like seriously? We are going to manipulate our second child into leaving her life behind, going across the planet, to work out what happened to our dead daughter, because we are too scared to tell our living daughter what happened to the one who died when she was 15??? I don't know, call me old fashioned, but I felt like these "white lies" caused more trauma than the truth would have.
I liked the ending, but so much of the chaos and trauma could have been avoided if it weren't for miscommunication?
Like seriously? We are going to manipulate our second child into leaving her life behind, going across the planet, to work out what happened to our dead daughter, because we are too scared to tell our living daughter what happened to the one who died when she was 15??? I don't know, call me old fashioned, but I felt like these "white lies" caused more trauma than the truth would have.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Even after many years, grief can sneak up on us as if it's fresh."
Holly Ringland immediately became one of my favorite authors after I've read her debut novel The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. Her writing style is so magical and unique. Her books have a special effect on me, leaving me in tears. She talks about heavy but important topics. The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding was a beautiful and emotional read about grief, sisterly love and family. It was mysterious, intelligent, inspiring and enchanting. A heavy but important novel. A true masterpiece.
My Dad passed away when I was eight, reading about grief and loss is always a hard topic for me. I definitely took my time with this book, not because I didn't enjoyed it but because of the challenge it faced me with. All those thought provoking quotes touched me deeply as I related to so many of them, I teared up on multiple lines and cried as well. The main topic in this novel was grief and loss. Esther's older sister Aura had disappeared a year ago. The novel is about how the family copes with the loss, how they seek to find answers about what happened. To seek the truth about her sister's death, Esther travels from Lutruwita, Tasmania, to Copenhagen, then to the Faroe Islands. Following the trail of seven fairytales Aura left behind.
Esther's character development through this journey was absolutely incredible to see.
The book includes some heavy topics that can be triggering for a lot of people so I would recommend looking up them.
This is the kind of novel that felt like it was written for me, that I loved taking my time with and pondering on deeper sentences. A truly life changing and relatable read especially to those who have lost someone dear to them, someone who you can't imagine your life without but are forced to learn everything again and keep going. Because someday you will smile and laugh again even if it seems impossible at the moment. Even if some days are so hard you just want to give up but you think of why you're still here, why you're still fighting.
I don't think I could express how much I loved this, how deeply it touched me... I didn't wanted this novel to end. I highly recommend reading this book when you'r looking for something emotional but inspiring and enchanting. And after or before reading this one please pick up The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart as well by the same author.
Holly Ringland immediately became one of my favorite authors after I've read her debut novel The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. Her writing style is so magical and unique. Her books have a special effect on me, leaving me in tears. She talks about heavy but important topics. The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding was a beautiful and emotional read about grief, sisterly love and family. It was mysterious, intelligent, inspiring and enchanting. A heavy but important novel. A true masterpiece.
My Dad passed away when I was eight, reading about grief and loss is always a hard topic for me. I definitely took my time with this book, not because I didn't enjoyed it but because of the challenge it faced me with. All those thought provoking quotes touched me deeply as I related to so many of them, I teared up on multiple lines and cried as well. The main topic in this novel was grief and loss. Esther's older sister Aura had disappeared a year ago. The novel is about how the family copes with the loss, how they seek to find answers about what happened. To seek the truth about her sister's death, Esther travels from Lutruwita, Tasmania, to Copenhagen, then to the Faroe Islands. Following the trail of seven fairytales Aura left behind.
Esther's character development through this journey was absolutely incredible to see.
The book includes some heavy topics that can be triggering for a lot of people so I would recommend looking up them.
This is the kind of novel that felt like it was written for me, that I loved taking my time with and pondering on deeper sentences. A truly life changing and relatable read especially to those who have lost someone dear to them, someone who you can't imagine your life without but are forced to learn everything again and keep going. Because someday you will smile and laugh again even if it seems impossible at the moment. Even if some days are so hard you just want to give up but you think of why you're still here, why you're still fighting.
I don't think I could express how much I loved this, how deeply it touched me... I didn't wanted this novel to end. I highly recommend reading this book when you'r looking for something emotional but inspiring and enchanting. And after or before reading this one please pick up The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart as well by the same author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt
I am extremely conflicted about this book!!!!
likes:
- the folklore / fairytale stories aspect
- the heritage aspects
- I think this is a really insightful look into what grief and loss can be like for some people
- I loved the found family, and lots of the characters in this book were really beautiful <3 I think it showed how much people are struggling need support
- Sisterhood, and motherhood! I appreciate women and the love they have for each other
- BEAUTIFUL WRITING and beautiful settings
dislikes:
- I think this was probably way too long than it really NEEDED to be (I kinda hated the first 100ish pages because the point of the story wasn't really getting there but nonetheless)
- I don't know WHY this had to include a romance and I dont know WHY the romance had to be with the character it was - it just ticks me off, I know things like this happens it real life but IDK I DONT LIKE ITTTT
Overall, it was an ok book! I am afraid it may turn to be a bit forgettable for me though, I had high hopes !!!! I will read from this author again so pls publish again xoxoxo
likes:
- the folklore / fairytale stories aspect
- the heritage aspects
- I think this is a really insightful look into what grief and loss can be like for some people
- I loved the found family, and lots of the characters in this book were really beautiful <3 I think it showed how much people are struggling need support
- Sisterhood, and motherhood! I appreciate women and the love they have for each other
- BEAUTIFUL WRITING and beautiful settings
dislikes:
- I think this was probably way too long than it really NEEDED to be (I kinda hated the first 100ish pages because the point of the story wasn't really getting there but nonetheless)
- I don't know WHY this had to include a romance and I dont know WHY the romance had to be with the character it was - it just ticks me off, I know things like this happens it real life but IDK I DONT LIKE ITTTT
Overall, it was an ok book! I am afraid it may turn to be a bit forgettable for me though, I had high hopes !!!! I will read from this author again so pls publish again xoxoxo
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall a very good read. Just not my favourite because some parts of the writing felt a little cliché.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
Amazing book, loved every minute of it. Fabulous writing, you feel like you are in the story and can see, smell and feel all landscapes and settings with all your senses. Great characters, lots of reflection. Very heavy, but all the feels
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
It took me a while to warm up to this book. Some of the decisions made I believe were wrong and unfair and I'm still annoyed about it.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated