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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
“Chile…anyway…” -Nicki Minaj
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EUGENICS?!?! Please…
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EUGENICS?!?! Please…
Sad horror mystery! I'm the kind of reader that doesn't always quite follow the clues, and this story wraps it up in such a way that you understand what you missed. Subtly queer themes.
So many twists I got whiplash, and I loved it.
In 1978, Dr. Helen Hildreth is the director at the countryside psychiatric hospital, the Hillside Inn. Known for it's cutting edge holistic approach to mental health treatment, the Inn is renowned for its success. Gran's two grand children, Eric and Violet spend their days learning, exploring the grounds, and hunting monsters. One day, Gran brings home a new patient to live with them named Iris. Fast forward to 2019 and monster hunter Lizzy Shelley is hunting her own monsters from the past.
Things I loved:
- the settings. An old psychiatric hospital that resembles a cottage in a peaceful countryside? Yes please. All the imagery was well done. From the B West basement rooms to the gin distillery to the fields and forest surrounding the house, I felt like I was wherever the writer was describing.
-the characters. Much like the plot, I was on a rollercoaster for who I liked to then hated to then sympathized with in the span of a few chapters. Even minor character like Julia, Old Mac, and Patty had me in turmoil alongside the struggles of Violet and Iris. The only person who I hated (rightfully so) was Gran.
- the plot. I enjoy old psychiatric hospital plot lines to begin with, but this one was unique. It wasn't at all what I thought it would be. The hospital played a subtle backdrop to the true story of the unlikely patients. This book TRULY had me on my toes. Just when I thought Violet's past and storyline was explained, the last page left me shocked. I actually loved how her character's story ended.
-the ode to Mary Shelley. While Frankenstein was not one of my favorite books ever (I think in part to having to read it during high school) I always adore a literary nod in a book.
In 1978, Dr. Helen Hildreth is the director at the countryside psychiatric hospital, the Hillside Inn. Known for it's cutting edge holistic approach to mental health treatment, the Inn is renowned for its success. Gran's two grand children, Eric and Violet spend their days learning, exploring the grounds, and hunting monsters. One day, Gran brings home a new patient to live with them named Iris. Fast forward to 2019 and monster hunter Lizzy Shelley is hunting her own monsters from the past.
Things I loved:
- the settings. An old psychiatric hospital that resembles a cottage in a peaceful countryside? Yes please. All the imagery was well done. From the B West basement rooms to the gin distillery to the fields and forest surrounding the house, I felt like I was wherever the writer was describing.
-the characters. Much like the plot, I was on a rollercoaster for who I liked to then hated to then sympathized with in the span of a few chapters. Even minor character like Julia, Old Mac, and Patty had me in turmoil alongside the struggles of Violet and Iris. The only person who I hated (rightfully so) was Gran.
- the plot. I enjoy old psychiatric hospital plot lines to begin with, but this one was unique. It wasn't at all what I thought it would be. The hospital played a subtle backdrop to the true story of the unlikely patients. This book TRULY had me on my toes. Just when I thought Violet's past and storyline was explained, the last page left me shocked. I actually loved how her character's story ended.
-the ode to Mary Shelley. While Frankenstein was not one of my favorite books ever (I think in part to having to read it during high school) I always adore a literary nod in a book.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a book that kept getting better and better. It built upon its ideas and delivered in a fast paced climax. I experienced this as an audiobook, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy consuming books that way. The different voices for each character, and the emotion in each, helped the atmosphere of the book. This was my first Jennifer McMahon. Based on my experience I will definitely be reading more! . This book flipped back and forth between past and present, which did a lot to help build the suspense. Overall, it was a fun book, suspenseful atmosphere, and a recommended read from me!
Spoiler
Thanks to some other reviews, I knew there was a twist coming. I was keyed up to watch for any clues or hints, and I picked up on the big twist pretty early. To the authors credit, it was a small deliberate omission in the beginning that clued me in, and then one small clue dropped in the middle of the book that sealed it. I thought that was well done, and if I hadn't been looking for it, I may have missed it! That said, it wasn't the only twist in the book, and I love the last minute twist add-ins once the sister v sister confrontation finally happened! Well done!
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug use
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated