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guessgreenleaf's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Child death, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Torture, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Incest, and Sexual content
chandranolynne's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Funny that I was just discussing how I want to re-read Lord of the Flies, and then the next day while hunting for a book written by an author with my name, I find this. Honestly, though, I would have rather I just re-read Lord of the Flies.
This is the mashup of Gossip Girl and The Lord of the Flies that we never knew we didn't need. It started off okay. It was mysterious and fairly exciting. Then it devolved into stereotypes being stereotypical as the author attempted to touch on racial and social-class issues with far too one-dimensional characters. I could see what she was going for, but unfortunately this one didn't quite make the grade for me.
This is the mashup of Gossip Girl and The Lord of the Flies that we never knew we didn't need. It started off okay. It was mysterious and fairly exciting. Then it devolved into stereotypes being stereotypical as the author attempted to touch on racial and social-class issues with far too one-dimensional characters. I could see what she was going for, but unfortunately this one didn't quite make the grade for me.
neesa_books's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kayemcie's review
4.0
Man this brought me back to high school when I read Lord of the Flies. What a really great look at how fragile we as people can be when placed in dire circumstances. I loved reading this book and definitely recommend it!
shoshpursley's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lazygal's review
3.0
Ok, but not as good as Beauty Queens. I'd recommend this to those who like the "marooned students trying to survive" genre, but beyond that it won't appeal.
ellieafterall's review
3.0
this book was enjoyable to read - sort of creepy, but in a slow and sneaky way. it was a really good reading experience, actually, because i didn’t put this book down. i just wish it fleshed out its characters and themes more - there’s nothing more annoying than things that are half-assed. and a majority of this book felt half-assed.
let me use one example so i don’t spoil the book: the title, Damselfly. About 80% (!) into the book, we’re told by Mel and Sam that damselflies are like dragonflies, but more dangerous, and predators that are always looking for their next prey. and you get that metaphor that the author was trying to push there - that Sam, too, was becoming dangerous, except she really isn’t. she doesn’t stand up for the people she loves just as much as she didn’t in the entire first half of the book. she doesn’t take things into her own hands, be fierce, or even do anything resembling a dangerous situation. she follows mel, even till the end. See what I mean? She changed, yes, but she didn’t grow. And it’s frustrating because we could see that natural growth in other characters, yet our mc is still as placid and felt more like a supportive character instead of a main one.
It was still good though! The cover is beautiful. Also random side note but I loved the font in the book, it was so easy to read and also fit the book really well. The writing was entertaining, like I said, but nothing really mind blowing. I’m down to read more books by this author, but I think she can do way better than Sam. If we didn’t get those flashbacks, I really think her voice would’ve been flat and unremarkable.
ALSO IM ANNOYED SHE AND MEL DIDNT DATE ?? their bond is so close and Sam would literally do anything for her ?? (ahem: they’re gay.)
TW for mentions of self harm, domestic abuse, drug abuse and suicidal attempts. And also teenagers being really stupid, but that’s to be expected lmao
let me use one example so i don’t spoil the book: the title, Damselfly. About 80% (!) into the book, we’re told by Mel and Sam that damselflies are like dragonflies, but more dangerous, and predators that are always looking for their next prey. and you get that metaphor that the author was trying to push there - that Sam, too, was becoming dangerous, except she really isn’t. she doesn’t stand up for the people she loves just as much as she didn’t in the entire first half of the book. she doesn’t take things into her own hands, be fierce, or even do anything resembling a dangerous situation. she follows mel, even till the end. See what I mean? She changed, yes, but she didn’t grow. And it’s frustrating because we could see that natural growth in other characters, yet our mc is still as placid and felt more like a supportive character instead of a main one.
It was still good though! The cover is beautiful. Also random side note but I loved the font in the book, it was so easy to read and also fit the book really well. The writing was entertaining, like I said, but nothing really mind blowing. I’m down to read more books by this author, but I think she can do way better than Sam. If we didn’t get those flashbacks, I really think her voice would’ve been flat and unremarkable.
ALSO IM ANNOYED SHE AND MEL DIDNT DATE ?? their bond is so close and Sam would literally do anything for her ?? (ahem: they’re gay.)
TW for mentions of self harm, domestic abuse, drug abuse and suicidal attempts. And also teenagers being really stupid, but that’s to be expected lmao
booksforlosers's review
4.0
This was less of a survival story and more of a test of human sanity/influence. Throughout the story, the author shows how the teenagers influence each other's decisions, and what unthinkable things they're willing to do to each other when they cannot come to an agreement The protagonist is one of the most neutral forces, but still leans to her best friend, Mel's side, but also finds herself susceptible to the compliments of the ever popular and similarly Indian Rittika, who is confident and controlling, as well as, naturally hate-able from the perspectives of readers. The story flashes back to Samantha's life prior to the plane crash, and shows her broken home and the safety she found in Mel's family. The story in itself was not very dramatic or fast paced, but it had a very solemn mood to it, never humorous or light in writing style, and was somewhat thought-provoking. Unquestionably solid 4 stars.