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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
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
Amazing book with a disappointing ending :(
In Eleanor Barker-White's gripping psychological thriller debut, "My Name Was Eden," a mother's relief at her daughter's survival after a drowning incident soon turns to unease when the daughter begins acting strangely.
After being rescued from a near-drowning incident, Lucy's daughter Eden insists on being called Eli, the name reserved for her unborn twin. Despite assurances from doctors and her husband, Lucy senses something is amiss as Eden's behavior undergoes unsettling changes. As she grapples with the truth behind Eden's transformation, while confronting her own suppressed traumas, she realizes that her daughter may not be who she seems, raising chilling questions about identity and survival.
Vanishing Twin Syndrome is not a topic usually seen in novels and the focus on Lucy as the primary narrator, with occasional insights from Eden's best friend Charlie, leaves readers grappling with an unresolved puzzle. Barker-White's decision not to directly explore Eden's perspective adds to the ambiguity, culminating in a frustrating twist that offers little clarity. Moreover, the portrayal of a character struggling with gender identity within a female body feels disjointed and underexplored, casting a disconcerting shadow over the narrative. While the novel offers intriguing insights into the "evil twin" trope, its ambiguous execution ultimately leaves readers longing for more clarity and depth.
After being rescued from a near-drowning incident, Lucy's daughter Eden insists on being called Eli, the name reserved for her unborn twin. Despite assurances from doctors and her husband, Lucy senses something is amiss as Eden's behavior undergoes unsettling changes. As she grapples with the truth behind Eden's transformation, while confronting her own suppressed traumas, she realizes that her daughter may not be who she seems, raising chilling questions about identity and survival.
Vanishing Twin Syndrome is not a topic usually seen in novels and the focus on Lucy as the primary narrator, with occasional insights from Eden's best friend Charlie, leaves readers grappling with an unresolved puzzle. Barker-White's decision not to directly explore Eden's perspective adds to the ambiguity, culminating in a frustrating twist that offers little clarity. Moreover, the portrayal of a character struggling with gender identity within a female body feels disjointed and underexplored, casting a disconcerting shadow over the narrative. While the novel offers intriguing insights into the "evil twin" trope, its ambiguous execution ultimately leaves readers longing for more clarity and depth.
I think the beginning of the synopsis was misleading. I was hoping for an edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller, but it was more of a domestic suspense kind of pacing. The premise had me immediately, and I was invested despite the slower initial pace. It does pick up in the middle but hits another lull towards the end – I feel like if I went into this with the proper expectations, then I would have enjoyed it much more!
The story and Vanishing Twin Syndrome?? Give me more of that. I need more creepy kids and more of Eden/Eli. I think there was so much the author could do with this. I am 100% going to pick up her next book and see what is in store for us next. Still a solid debut, and I know there are a TON of great reviews out there. I think it was a timing thing for me with this one. It’s hard to follow a couple of heavy and intense reads.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
felt realistic but maybe a little too realistic with certain things never really being explained
dark
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Received as a Goodreads giveaway. The pacing on this book was so incredibly slow. The plot was relatively predictable but had good twists that were carried through the epilogue. The author just really went into details that added to the word count, not the plot. Charlie and Eden/Eli either felt too grown up or too juvenile and it felt as though the characters were in limbo which made their behaviors and habits not make a ton of sense. James (Lucy’S husband) was a shithead and we were never lead to like him so I’m not sure why there was an attempt at a 3rd act redemption. He sucked point blank period. The story felt like it was often stalling and needed shock value to push it forward where things just got out of hand.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced