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jenniferreadshorror's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Trigger warning - attempted suicide.
OK, so I found this difficult to get into. I understand the idea. It's been a very difficult time for our main character, Lexie, and then when things start to get on track, there is a breakup. But it's the lie to get a job interview that puts me on edge. I'm sorry, girl. How are you getting on a plane with a passport in another name?!
Anyway, now Sophie is in Norway, and she is a nanny to two intelligent little girls who need a vegan diet and an unorthodox education.
Slowly finding out about the local folklore and hauntings of the home, you grow with the family as they carry on with daily life.
the Norwegian folklore stories are a nice touch within the story. They are haunting in themselves.
The story goes from past to present in the chapters and just has me on edge... she isn't Sophie? What? Worried when is she going to get caught!
Overall, it was a lovely read.
OK, so I found this difficult to get into. I understand the idea. It's been a very difficult time for our main character, Lexie, and then when things start to get on track, there is a breakup. But it's the lie to get a job interview that puts me on edge. I'm sorry, girl. How are you getting on a plane with a passport in another name?!
Anyway, now Sophie is in Norway, and she is a nanny to two intelligent little girls who need a vegan diet and an unorthodox education.
Slowly finding out about the local folklore and hauntings of the home, you grow with the family as they carry on with daily life.
the Norwegian folklore stories are a nice touch within the story. They are haunting in themselves.
The story goes from past to present in the chapters and just has me on edge... she isn't Sophie? What? Worried when is she going to get caught!
Overall, it was a lovely read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt and Suicide
bookishfifi's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
kaitlynbarrett's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Suicide
leelee77's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
minimicropup's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Sympathetic, nervous, endearing.
We almost don't get to meet our MC because they are slowly dying in the bath before they are saved by their friend. They soon find themselves desperate, penniless, and homeless in the middle of a mental health crisis.
We meet our other MC through past perspectives because they drowned (presumably on purpose). They are a parent and spouse living in an older house on a plot of land where their architect spouse is designing a new summer home for the family.
š³š“ Set mainly on an isolated plot of land near Ć lesund, Norway from late summer to late autumn.
šŗšGrowls, Howls, and Tail Wags:
š This felt like real story. Immersive, seamless, at no point did i feel the pacing too slow or fast or erratic. I was hooked right to the ending and other than my little percentage counter I had no idea we were nearing the ending.
š All the characters are morally grey and blind to their flaws and privilege. I felt for and kind of liked all the characters at some point, then started to question their motives and dislike them, then we learn more and I'd be back to feeling for them again. The narrative is third person omniscient-ish where we get glimpses into each of their minds, but things donāt always add up.
š I love a nanny trope. Taking care of children and keeping space for all their needs and unpredictability is instantly frightening to me! The isolation here is from not knowing the language, having to keep a secret about true identity, and bonding with the kids while fighting exhaustion and trying to protect them from the "off" vibes all around them. None of it was contrived or convenient so it felt all the more atmospheric and really sucked me in to their world. I've never been to Norway but I felt like I was there.
š All the characters are morally grey and blind to their flaws and privilege. I felt for and kind of liked all the characters at some point, then started to question their motives and dislike them, then we learn more and I'd be back to feeling for them again. The narrative is third person omniscient-ish where we get glimpses into each of their minds, but things donāt always add up.
š I love a nanny trope. Taking care of children and keeping space for all their needs and unpredictability is instantly frightening to me! The isolation here is from not knowing the language, having to keep a secret about true identity, and bonding with the kids while fighting exhaustion and trying to protect them from the "off" vibes all around them. None of it was contrived or convenient so it felt all the more atmospheric and really sucked me in to their world. I've never been to Norway but I felt like I was there.
Mood Reading Match Up:
- Nannying for mysterious, secretive family with likeable kids (saying creepy things!) and eerie diary entries
- Magical ecological/environmental realism with touches of nature's revenge
- Paranormal creepy apparitions and folklore in an isolated forest setting
- Themes and commentary on healing, environmental ethics, virtue signalling, and our relationship with nature
Content Heads-Up: Mental illness (PTSD, panic, suicide, depression, psychosis/hallucinations). Physical abuse (insinuated, described; relationship and domestic). Toxic, neglectful parenting. Suicide attempt. Suicide. Environmental damage and contamination.
Format: Kindle
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death
Animal death isczoltak's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Animal death
turn_the_paige's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Grief, Self harm, Death of parent, Blood, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Domestic abuse
boxofcats's review against another edition
Main character whiny and annoying, circumstances very unrealistic so it's hard to settle into the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
vivien82uk's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Itās a very intriguing read, I enjoyed this book because it has many povās. We have many characters and thereās dynamic relationships going on between each of them which makes it interesting and keeps the story fresh.
Itās dark and at times āhorror vibesā itās well written. Definitely a great read.
Itās dark and at times āhorror vibesā itās well written. Definitely a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
Self harm is mentioned in context to the main character. Suicide is mentioned a few times because it is also relevant to the story line.hopeadinfinitum's review
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse