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heatherslevin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mikeiswhere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I enjoyed this immensely. It walked a great line between focus on the broader, mysterious plot, and the smaller personal dramas, and I was enthralled by both. It was more horrifying than I thought it would be, but not to a fault.
coffeeandbooked's review
4.0
At first, I wasn't too sure about this book and originally gave it 3.5 stars but after thinking on this I have upped its rating to 4 stars. I did like the fairy tale stories I read by Deirdre Sullivan, Tangleweed and Brine this month, but something at the beginning of this book was making it difficult for me. Sullivan does use a lot of extremely short sentences which made the story a little disjointed for me. Once the plot picked up, this did not bother me at all and I flew through the rest of the book.
This story does push a few YA boundaries and is extremely dark, but it is done very well and sensitively.
Sullivan captured the aspect of living with anxiety extremely well, especially when you are living with relatives who do not understand why you do the things you do.
This book has LGBTQ+ representation as one of the main character's struggles with learning who she really is.
I would recommend Deirdre Sullivan and will definitely pick up her next book.
This story does push a few YA boundaries and is extremely dark, but it is done very well and sensitively.
Sullivan captured the aspect of living with anxiety extremely well, especially when you are living with relatives who do not understand why you do the things you do.
This book has LGBTQ+ representation as one of the main character's struggles with learning who she really is.
I would recommend Deirdre Sullivan and will definitely pick up her next book.
teaselkie's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
alba_1994's review against another edition
5.0
It was great to read this again to fresh up my memory for book 2. I love the world created here as well as the protagonist.
lavenderdragons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I struggled to get through the first half of this book HOWEVER, by the second half I was fully invested, even cried a little at one point and I didn't see the ending coming honestly!
flaffa's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
This was a very atmospheric, interesting and witchy story. The writing is very unique. It's almost lyrical but not in the typical way we're used to. It is told in first person and the characters are very believable, both in their thoughts and dialogue, aswell as actions. I didn't mind how dark this story was but it is something to keep in mind before you read it. I don't think it's for everyone but I personally loved it and I am glad to have picked it up.
This was a very atmospheric, interesting and witchy story. The writing is very unique. It's almost lyrical but not in the typical way we're used to. It is told in first person and the characters are very believable, both in their thoughts and dialogue, aswell as actions. I didn't mind how dark this story was but it is something to keep in mind before you read it. I don't think it's for everyone but I personally loved it and I am glad to have picked it up.
dl2001's review against another edition
4.0
Really, really enjoyed this book. I'm possibly biased because I love anything gay and witchy but even objectively speaking, this was a super fun read. Maybe would've preferred it in a non-audio format, the narrator did sound way too old. Hearing all the teenage slang in a voice of a woman that's in her 50s just did not feel right lol.
I definitely saw my own experiences reflected in Madeline - Deirdre Sullivan writes queer characters really well and I related a lot! I liked how Maddy and Una didn't necessarily end up together. I thought all the characters were nicely rounded out, especially Madeline and Catlin's mother. To me, Lon was an all-too-familiar representation of an abusive boyfriend that I've seen friends go through time and again. I did think he was a bit cartoonishly evil, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. Also, was expecting him to be a red herring - it was a bit obvious for him to be the serial killer but I suppose not every ending has to be a twist one.
I will say that I would prefer for this to be written more as a stand alone. When authors leave endings open solely for the purpose of writing a sequel, I feel like it's cheapened. This being said, I'm definitely going to be reading Precious Catastrophe.
(Also - Béal Ifreann? I see what you did there)
I definitely saw my own experiences reflected in Madeline - Deirdre Sullivan writes queer characters really well and I related a lot! I liked how Maddy and Una didn't necessarily end up together. I thought all the characters were nicely rounded out, especially Madeline and Catlin's mother. To me, Lon was an all-too-familiar representation of an abusive boyfriend that I've seen friends go through time and again. I did think he was a bit cartoonishly evil, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. Also, was expecting him to be a red herring - it was a bit obvious for him to be the serial killer but I suppose not every ending has to be a twist one.
I will say that I would prefer for this to be written more as a stand alone. When authors leave endings open solely for the purpose of writing a sequel, I feel like it's cheapened. This being said, I'm definitely going to be reading Precious Catastrophe.
(Also - Béal Ifreann? I see what you did there)