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A review by melliedm
Sundial by Catriona Ward
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A horrifying story of how trauma lives inside of us, centered on mother (Rob) and daughter (Callie) who both appear to suspect one another of being a danger whilst escaped together in an isolated desert retreat.
Sundial was filled with surprises and grotesque imagery, but also managed to be a display of restraint. The book frequently gave us just enough information to draw a conclusion without spelling it out for us, which is a refreshing change of pace. A chilling thriller that kept me flipping pages until I reached the ending.
The story is told through switching perspectives of Rob and Callie, Rob’s past as she recounts details to her daughter, and passages from a book that Rob has written. The only sore spot for me was the latter. I had hoped it would be more relevant as the story continued, but for me it served to interrupt the pace.
Other than that, I loved this read. Make sure to check the content warnings before picking it up, though, because it definitely deals with many big trigger items (albeit quite deftly).
Sundial was filled with surprises and grotesque imagery, but also managed to be a display of restraint. The book frequently gave us just enough information to draw a conclusion without spelling it out for us, which is a refreshing change of pace. A chilling thriller that kept me flipping pages until I reached the ending.
The story is told through switching perspectives of Rob and Callie, Rob’s past as she recounts details to her daughter, and passages from a book that Rob has written. The only sore spot for me was the latter. I had hoped it would be more relevant as the story continued, but for me it served to interrupt the pace.
Other than that, I loved this read. Make sure to check the content warnings before picking it up, though, because it definitely deals with many big trigger items (albeit quite deftly).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Confinement, Death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, and Animal death