Reviews - A Botanical Daughter

1.58k reviews for:

A Botanical Daughter

Noah Medlock

3.67 AVERAGE

thekiffney's review against another edition

5.0

dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

kennedyevermore's review against another edition

3.0

dark hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Very fun read! Overall, I enjoyed this. I thought most of the characters were interesting and had good character development. I thought the body horror was written well. I wouldn’t say this book is over-the-top gory or especially scary, so if you’re looking for straight-up horror this book probably isn’t for you.

My favorite part of this was definitely Jennifer and Constance/Chloe’s relationship. I almost wish more of this book was dedicated to that relationship as opposed to Gregor and Simon.

My main issue with this book is Gregor. At times he fits the mad-scientist archetype and acts as a villain in the story. Yet he drastically switches to caring for Chloe and thinking of her as a daughter seemingly without reason. It also seems like him and Simon are going to break up at multiple points throughout the story and their relationship feels very toxic at times. Yet, he is forgiven by the end without having much character development. This aspect of the story was a bit confusing to me and it felt like the author didn’t want to commit to making him truly evil for the sake of keeping the happy ending.

Other than this issue, I thought the book was a fun read and I am excited to read more from this author.

shivelyblinnash's review

great concept, poor execution

lyram's review

3.0

adventurous tense medium-paced

really strong first half, the end took a direction I didn’t feel it had earned

camoore_0000000's review against another edition

2.0

mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I enjoyed reading and there were parts I really loved; however, I found it disappointing. The plot moves along but the characters & their development never align. No one reacts in a realistic way. The beats of the story are awkward and miss their mark. AGAIN, I loved the story, but more for what it could have been rather than what it is. I would definitely try another book by this author to see if any other stories are a better fit for me.

brujaespecial's review against another edition

3.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Found this in the horror section and I don’t know that is quite the right fit. Yes, there is a touch of Frankenstein and some deaths, but mostly it is an exploration of found (created?) family, high society, and queer love in the 1800s. The wording was beautiful, but the story just didn’t do it for me. The switch of the main characters feeling toward their creation halfway through I think extended the plot, but was nonsensical. The ending was fairly predictable and rather happy for what I had hoped was horror, but I can’t fault the author for my presupposition.

atlasdaily's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional tense 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

A breathtaking story with so much agency granted to its characters, and where the plot develops and stretches not unlike the mycelium of the tale. Some Truly human (even if they were Not) characters and really good symbolism and writing. It was the perfect blend of horror and family and yearning and romance.