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tarajean334's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was a good book, but I was really looking forward to more of a continuation of the first book. I mean I love Priya and her family, but I wanted more of the Garden Girls.
laykinmb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
alternativehippy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
mermaidhair's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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
3.75
konvineo's review against another edition
4.0
Through the two books in The Collecter series, Dot Hutchison has snuck her way onto my list of favourite authors. There's just something about her writing, and the way she treats the serious topics she chooses to write about in this particular series.
I find that I breeze through her books, both [b:The Butterfly Garden|29981261|The Butterfly Garden (The Collector #1)|Dot Hutchison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461392121s/29981261.jpg|47426931] and [b:Roses of May|30109999|Roses of May (The Collector, #2)|Dot Hutchison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1490085052s/30109999.jpg|50532900]. It's gripping, and it's easy to read. Even though, it gets graphic at times, it never turns into written gore porn. And that, I think, is one of the reasons why I enjoy this series so much. I'm highly picky about what thrillers and crime novels I read because what I don't need in my life is all the brutal stuff to be written in a weirdly romantised/sexualised way. While the crimes in [b:Roses of May|30109999|Roses of May (The Collector, #2)|Dot Hutchison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1490085052s/30109999.jpg|50532900] are sexual in nature, they're not written in a sexual way, if that makes sense?
Hell, the writing is so good that I don't even mind that it switches between 1., 2. (kind of) and 3. person. A fact that is absolutely amazing, because I was super worried when I started reading that it would be too jarring, but it never bothered me. But I do have to say, that I think this book was a lot less disturbing (?) than the first book. There's a subtle build up, so it does get kind of disturbing at the end. It could also just be that during the year between reading this book and The Butterfly Garden I've gotten more cynical, so it just takes a bit more to really get to me, so yeah that's definitely also a possibility.
I also really like the characters. They're all fierce in their own way, they're all broken in their own way. It's compelling to read about. There's a nice mixture of seriousness and the type of playful banter where it's okay to joke about the hard things because the people you're talking to gets it.
The plot twist were kind of easy to guess, but I think with the writing, the characters and the overall plot, the book doesn't suffer under it.
So yeah, I'll definitely read the next book once it's published!
I find that I breeze through her books, both [b:The Butterfly Garden|29981261|The Butterfly Garden (The Collector #1)|Dot Hutchison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461392121s/29981261.jpg|47426931] and [b:Roses of May|30109999|Roses of May (The Collector, #2)|Dot Hutchison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1490085052s/30109999.jpg|50532900]. It's gripping, and it's easy to read. Even though, it gets graphic at times, it never turns into written gore porn. And that, I think, is one of the reasons why I enjoy this series so much. I'm highly picky about what thrillers and crime novels I read because what I don't need in my life is all the brutal stuff to be written in a weirdly romantised/sexualised way. While the crimes in [b:Roses of May|30109999|Roses of May (The Collector, #2)|Dot Hutchison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1490085052s/30109999.jpg|50532900] are sexual in nature, they're not written in a sexual way, if that makes sense?
Hell, the writing is so good that I don't even mind that it switches between 1., 2. (kind of) and 3. person. A fact that is absolutely amazing, because I was super worried when I started reading that it would be too jarring, but it never bothered me. But I do have to say, that I think this book was a lot less disturbing (?) than the first book. There's a subtle build up, so it does get kind of disturbing at the end. It could also just be that during the year between reading this book and The Butterfly Garden I've gotten more cynical, so it just takes a bit more to really get to me, so yeah that's definitely also a possibility.
I also really like the characters. They're all fierce in their own way, they're all broken in their own way. It's compelling to read about. There's a nice mixture of seriousness and the type of playful banter where it's okay to joke about the hard things because the people you're talking to gets it.
The plot twist were kind of easy to guess, but I think with the writing, the characters and the overall plot, the book doesn't suffer under it.
So yeah, I'll definitely read the next book once it's published!
literaturefaerie's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series so much. This author is so good at keeping the story interesting. I never feel bored reading these books. TW: rape, violence, gore, murder, incest, suicide, death of a family member