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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Although the story didn't ring as completely new to me, I was impressed with Collins' writing and the characterization. Rather than a saccharine relationship between the sick mother and the haunted daughter, it was refreshing to read complex characters handling complicated situations in a way that felt authentic.
dark
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Incest, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Classism
The Winter Sister
By Megan Collins
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️/5
This debut novel by Megan Collins was a wonderful, unexpected surprise. I had not heard of this book, seen it reviewed anywhere, but saw it as a debut option on my @bookofthemonth app and I am so glad I ordered it!
Persephone, named from Greek mythology, died on a cold, snowy night when she’d barely had time to live. Sneaking out to see her boyfriend, who she was forbidden to see, left one night and that was the last night her sister, Sylvie saw her alive.
Sixteen years later, Sylvie returns home to care for her estranged mother- diagnosed with cancer. Their relationship and the unsolved case and lack of closure, take Sylvie back to places she doesn’t want to go. And to add fuel to the fire, the forbidden boyfriend (Ben) of old, was a nurse at the cancer center where her mom was being treated. Talk about a recipe for an emotional volcano.
Why did she keep her sister’s secrets?
Why did the case remain unsolved?
How could Ben be entrusted to care for sick people in pain?
Why did her mother shut her off?
As Sylvie traverses all the memories, revelations, and secrets she herself has guarded– you are taken on a journey that will leave you desperately wanting to know what happened.
And let me tell you fellow reader, You don’t have it figured out. You don’t have it figured out at all.
Book Quote: “I believed that you could love someone so much, and still, you could hurt them. I believed that a heart could pound with pain and love at exactly the same time.”
#bookofthemonth @bookofthemonth #botm #bookofthemonthfebruary2019 #thewintersister #thewintersisterbymegancollins #thriller #mysterythriller #psycholigicalthriller #mystery #megancollinsauthor
@atriabooks @atriathrillers
By Megan Collins
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️/5
This debut novel by Megan Collins was a wonderful, unexpected surprise. I had not heard of this book, seen it reviewed anywhere, but saw it as a debut option on my @bookofthemonth app and I am so glad I ordered it!
Persephone, named from Greek mythology, died on a cold, snowy night when she’d barely had time to live. Sneaking out to see her boyfriend, who she was forbidden to see, left one night and that was the last night her sister, Sylvie saw her alive.
Sixteen years later, Sylvie returns home to care for her estranged mother- diagnosed with cancer. Their relationship and the unsolved case and lack of closure, take Sylvie back to places she doesn’t want to go. And to add fuel to the fire, the forbidden boyfriend (Ben) of old, was a nurse at the cancer center where her mom was being treated. Talk about a recipe for an emotional volcano.
Why did she keep her sister’s secrets?
Why did the case remain unsolved?
How could Ben be entrusted to care for sick people in pain?
Why did her mother shut her off?
As Sylvie traverses all the memories, revelations, and secrets she herself has guarded– you are taken on a journey that will leave you desperately wanting to know what happened.
And let me tell you fellow reader, You don’t have it figured out. You don’t have it figured out at all.
Book Quote: “I believed that you could love someone so much, and still, you could hurt them. I believed that a heart could pound with pain and love at exactly the same time.”
#bookofthemonth @bookofthemonth #botm #bookofthemonthfebruary2019 #thewintersister #thewintersisterbymegancollins #thriller #mysterythriller #psycholigicalthriller #mystery #megancollinsauthor
@atriabooks @atriathrillers
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a wild ride of a book. I really enjoy the way the author writes out stories, this being the second book of hers I've read. The characters are all very compelling and the story sucked me in quickly and I was constantly finding myself thinking about it and trying to find time to finish it. I'm going to need to read more of her books.
If the protagonist wasn't so stupid and annoying, I would have given this a higher rating.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
I loved this debut novel. I received an ARC for an honest review and there is so much to fawn over in this book. First, I loved the character's relationships. They felt real and nuanced, complex and moving. I especially loved the dialogue between everyone--it captivated me. Sylvie is a great narrator--I loved her voice, her power, her nerves, everything.
The mystery is great. I suspected everyone, then crossed characters off my list, and then had to return them to the list as new clues emerged.
The setting is atmospheric. The feeling of winter crept into my house even though I was reading in 80 degree heat.
(This is not important to my love of a work but: I loved the cover for that reason--the cold winter sky seeping into her bones, floating in constellations.)
Atmospheric, addicting, satisfying.
The mystery is great. I suspected everyone, then crossed characters off my list, and then had to return them to the list as new clues emerged.
The setting is atmospheric. The feeling of winter crept into my house even though I was reading in 80 degree heat.
(This is not important to my love of a work but: I loved the cover for that reason--the cold winter sky seeping into her bones, floating in constellations.)
Atmospheric, addicting, satisfying.