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korikam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
aimeejane's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Confinement, Child abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Child death, Death, Abandonment, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
jesssicawho's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Domestic abuse
kreglow's review
- 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
Graphic: Bullying, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Drug use, Grief, Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Emotional abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Torture, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Rape, and Terminal illness
tferree's review
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
storytime2390's review
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, Murder, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Child death, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
dr_kat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Child death, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
hilarybuff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Some sections felt like they were dragged on or rehashed a tad too much, which is why I didn't give it 5 full stars. But the mystery kept me guessing as it evolved and I enjoyed getting to know the family. Sometimes dual timelines can take me out of the story, but I was invested in both past and present happenings. Very happy to have picked this book up!
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
jessyhayward's review
- 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
4.0
I loved this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat without relying on shock horror and made it very easy to empathise with the main characters (and some not-so-main characters). The past was eventually revealed, of course, and I thought it was a perfect (though fucked-up) explanation. I also liked the focus on sisterly relationships as it’s not written about much, and not only that, it was a realistic one. We all know sibling relationships are complex, and Francine and Madeleine represented this perfectly.
The atmosphere is written brilliantly. It really is a gothic, yet modern, setting. I adored the emphasis on the language of flowers, as well as the vivid descriptions of them. As disturbing as some of this novel was, I really did want to visit the home.
The only thing that I disliked was the characters. Hear me out…I empathised with them constantly, but oh man were they annoying. Francine grew on me slowly, but I hated the way she judged and slut-shamed other characters. Madeleine was also frustrating. That being said, they had their reasons and no one is perfect. Don’t let this stop you reading it, please.
Overall, I loved it and would definitely recommend it!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Child death, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, and Mental illness
maison's review
Graphic: Child death and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcohol and Domestic abuse