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A review by finalgirlkate
The Mirror House Girls by Faith Gardner
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
This book got me out a two month long reading slump, it was definitely a 5 star for me.
I have a mixed history with cult books, but this one did it so well. You really understand why Winona gets sucked into the cult, and how what Simon and the other girls say affect her so much. I loved the irony of Winona being the only one to actually overcome her issue, while the other girls who all claimed to be fixed all had the same issues they came into the house with - Kristen was still an alcoholic, Maude was still scared of snakes, and Scarlett was still claustrophobic.
I hated Maude. I don't think I'm meant to like her, but she is actually evil in my opinion, just as evil as Simon. That woman looks for any opportunity to hurt someone or something physically. You could feel her salivating at the opportunity to become a prison ward for all the new girls joining Mirror House. Her need for control allowed Simon to keep his hands clean, and have someone else surveilling the house for him and keep the other girls in line.
I wish we had a little more insight to the other girls who joined the Mirror House later in the book. They are a monolith, and it was really difficult to keep them straight. They just had names, no other defining characteristics. I would've also loved to see Simon unraveling a bit more - it feels like he looses his grip really quickly towards the end. He goes from being very manipulative but smart and somewhat rational, to an outright murderer in a chapter or two. It all happens very quickly, and it would've been nice to see that change happen, even if Winona isn't noticing the pattern herself.
Definitely interested in other books by this author!!
I have a mixed history with cult books, but this one did it so well. You really understand why Winona gets sucked into the cult, and how what Simon and the other girls say affect her so much. I loved the irony of Winona being the only one to actually overcome her issue, while the other girls who all claimed to be fixed all had the same issues they came into the house with - Kristen was still an alcoholic, Maude was still scared of snakes, and Scarlett was still claustrophobic.
I hated Maude. I don't think I'm meant to like her, but she is actually evil in my opinion, just as evil as Simon. That woman looks for any opportunity to hurt someone or something physically. You could feel her salivating at the opportunity to become a prison ward for all the new girls joining Mirror House. Her need for control allowed Simon to keep his hands clean, and have someone else surveilling the house for him and keep the other girls in line.
I wish we had a little more insight to the other girls who joined the Mirror House later in the book. They are a monolith, and it was really difficult to keep them straight. They just had names, no other defining characteristics. I would've also loved to see Simon unraveling a bit more - it feels like he looses his grip really quickly towards the end. He goes from being very manipulative but smart and somewhat rational, to an outright murderer in a chapter or two. It all happens very quickly, and it would've been nice to see that change happen, even if Winona isn't noticing the pattern herself.
Definitely interested in other books by this author!!