Reviews

The Marsh King's Daughter by Karen Dionne

sarahasyouwish's review

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was a fast-paced and very atmospheric psychological thriller. I loved the Upper Peninsula setting in Michigan along with the survival aspect of the story. I did find Helena a little frustrating at times as far as the decisions she made regarding her father, but I thought they made sense with her character and the story. This was very well done.

akdorman's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Set in Michigan UP, this book is written by a Michigan author. I think the author lives near me! I thought it was good and suspenseful. Definite trigger warnings, proceed with caution if you’re a highly sensitive person. 4⭐️

sarahjolyons6's review

4.0

This thriller really sucked me in. Told from them perspective of a kidnappers daughter. Although she is now an adult and married mother of two she was rescued at 12 years old. She had no clue until then that her mother was a victim of kidnapping and she is the product of that. After her father escaped prison she begins hunting for him. Told in alternating timelines, I felt like this was well written and something different than the average thriller. There was a little too much hunting details but otherwise loved it.

kelseyholler's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

jennerator's review against another edition

4.0

This book kept my attention which is impressive these days. The way the author unrolled the story a little at a time was a nice difference from other books I've read.

chymerra's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sardino883's review against another edition

2.0

uuuggghhhh. another meh, unthrilling "thriller." It had potential but fell far short with way too much time spent on describing hunts and not enough time examining the interesting parts: going into society. You get glimpses of her hardships and lack of connections but nothing amazing. I understand that the point is to show that her childhood was normal to her, but that didn't mean that it had to be boring to the reader.

tyrshand's review against another edition

4.0

There are several aspects of the novel that make it fascinating. Foremost, the perspective of main character. Yes, her father is a horrible, creepy criminal... But growing up without knowledge of what is right and what he did made for an interesting mix of emotion in Helena. If it had just been a novel of someone afraid of her evil dad I don't think it would have been as powerful as it was being the tale of a woman who both loved her father and knew he was awful.

The second aspect that made me love this is the entwining of the fairy tale. I loved how it showed that fairy tales can have effects on true life.

And the third aspect is just how capable Helena is. In my thrillers, I usually want a character thatch take care of her or his self.

eileeen's review against another edition

3.0

Really compelling story but all of the characters are unlikeable. It’s often understandable given their circumstances but it’s hard for me to really like something when I hate the characters.

ramonamead's review against another edition

4.0

Every single page of this book is intense! The story starts in present day and goes back and forth between Helena's mission to track her father, and the story of their past together. It is all woven together smoothly, secrets and details released gradually as it all comes together in heart pounding scenes. I don't think I've ever gasped out loud so much while reading a book! The premise is incredibly unique and wonderfully written. The only issue I have is that while Helena discusses having some difficulty adjusting to life outside of the marsh, she never mentions therapy or any other work that would account for how well adjusted she seems to be. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good thriller, and a gut wrenching story!