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disnelyse's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I enjoyed the story, however, I feel that there could have been so much more added to the story. I felt that the story arc didn't necessarily have a clear peak point of problem(s) that many books do have. It felt as though the issues the main character had began early on and didn't necessarily build as much as they could have prior to the falling and concluding arc of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
in_love_with_bookish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
I loved this book right till the end and then it kind of fell apart for me. This could’ve been easily a 5 stars reads if it weren’t for the way the story ended. Still, I really think this book was such an immersive experience for me and something different and engaging.
I am not welcome. Somehow I know that. Something doesn’t want me here.
The story centers around Daffodil Franklin who’s planning on spending a quiet simple summer before going to college and she just found a perfect job for that; house-sitting a mansion for a wealthy couple.
Soon after she’s left alone, she starts to sense a deadly and malevolent presence in the house, a presence that doesn’t want Daffodil to be there. As Daffodil succumbs more to the loneliness of the house, she becomes more convinced that something is definitely wrong but she has no place to go and the house is not keeping quiet anymore.
The atmosphere in the story is stunning, the descriptions, the strong and looming sense of place, the dread of being alone in a house that’s trying to break you down bit by bit, all these elements were written effectively and in a haunted spooky voice that kept me on the edge of my seat and messed with my mind. The house felt like a larger-than-life antagonist, very ominous, very dangerous, and not to be ignored and underestimated. I really felt the tension and the unsettling threat of this character and that made me really pay attention and care to every little thing happening.
The book doesn’t have a lot of characters and I think the focus on just the main one drives home how lonely, isolated and vulnerable she really is in the house. I couldn’t help but root for her survival and for her to be okay because I just felt her essence through the author’s words. Daffodil is clearly struggling and it’s not only because of the house. As we dig deeper into her story and past, we understand why she feels this suffocating sadness clinging to her like a vital organ, we see what broke her heart and how tragic the past months have been for her.
The choice to focus solely on her was genius. I understood what she felt deeply because I spend the whole book with her, feeling what she felt, seeing what she saw, and descending into a state of madness and confusion like she did.
The writing is engaging and it’s so beautiful in the way it portrays sadness, loss, grief, and unsetting dread. I was so captivated, drawn deeply and strongly to this layered story and I felt so frustrated and in pain especially in those moments where our main character was in denial and in danger.
The ending however was a letdown for me, I just felt like it took away from the raw beauty of the story. I just felt like the story could’ve ended in much better ways and after all the struggles the character went through, she didn't deserve her story and journey to be used as a tool to romanticize the past. The ending was upsetting because I really think the character deserved more. I also felt like the story was led to a place that was hard to explain or maybe justify in a convincing way and this ending felt like the easy way out.
The story could've had a powerful hopeful ending for the people out there who are struggling and drowning in their feelings, instead, we ended up with an ending that broke my heart and presented that ending as a welcome escape.
The story is still beautiful for the ending to ruin it completely and I can’t wait to read Andrea Portes’s other books. I loved her writing style and the way she incorporates the atmosphere as a character and antagonist. Maybe I’ll pick up The Fall of Butterflies next, Its premise looked promising.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Grief, and Mental illness
caidyn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
CW: death, loss/grief, and some scenes of violence
I had no idea what I was in for with this book, but I knew it sounded so interesting. It's a quick read, too, one that I could have easily finished in one sitting if time had permitted. The story focuses around Daffodil, a teenager who's decided to stay at this old house for money over the summer while the family is away and there's construction being done. Of course, there's something she's not wanting to address that happened in her life, something that the house keeps drawing her back to thinking about.
Admittedly, I guessed the ending or I had a hint at it. It was very cleverly woven and I had ideas from the start about the truth of the matter. It was also the right mix of spooky to sweet. The book was never overwhelmingly scary or anything like that. It was more of a sweet read, too. And it was very quick. Overall, a very enjoyable book!
CW: death, loss/grief, and some scenes of violence
I had no idea what I was in for with this book, but I knew it sounded so interesting. It's a quick read, too, one that I could have easily finished in one sitting if time had permitted. The story focuses around Daffodil, a teenager who's decided to stay at this old house for money over the summer while the family is away and there's construction being done. Of course, there's something she's not wanting to address that happened in her life, something that the house keeps drawing her back to thinking about.
Admittedly, I guessed the ending or I had a hint at it. It was very cleverly woven and I had ideas from the start about the truth of the matter. It was also the right mix of spooky to sweet. The book was never overwhelmingly scary or anything like that. It was more of a sweet read, too. And it was very quick. Overall, a very enjoyable book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Violence
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