Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

13 reviews

jcpreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book which made me a little apprehensive going into it. You never know if it’s actually going to live up to the hype. I finished this book less than 30 seconds ago and I’m already typing up a review, so that should tell you something already.

The writing style of this one was unique. It took a bit for me to get used to the differing POV’s without a distinct indication of the change. It also took me a little bit to get used to the fact that this book didn’t have chapters, which I’m typically one to stay away from. HOWEVER, once adjusting this book had me hooked. I was actually hooked by page 15 which was way too early on for my comfort.

The character development was incredibly intriguing to see play out literally until the very last page. The narrator, Maya/Inara was mildly unreliable but mainly because the reader needs to have that inkling of doubt. Learning about the main character’s life before, in the middle, and after was important to this plot. Dot Hutchinson is an incredible writer and has a beautiful way of stringing words together.

I’m not a series girl, and I know I’ve said that before. So believe me when I say, I cannot wait to get my hands on book #2 of this series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Infertility, Incest, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

ferndepluto's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Abortion, and Animal death

beauty_andbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

While this had a creep essence to it, the story more relied on the story of friendship and community among the “butterflies” in the garden. I wanted more creepy than the friendship factor. I think most people who aren’t used to true crime thrillers will think this is a fine book but the synopsis sort of tricked me into thinking it would be a terrifying read. 

Another thing to keep in mind is there are no chapters. So keeping track of the story can be tough sometimes. It goes between past and present with a border symbol that breaks them apart. It’s an interesting format. This books is also part of a 4 book series but all the books in the series involve totally different crime stories with just the same detectives. So for me personally, I will not be investing my time in reading the others.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Slavery, Stalking, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence