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lotoblanco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Torture, Stalking, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury
directorpurry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence and Blood
alychee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment
ajay913's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Confinement, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Grief
angryredpanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
rachelditty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I'll admit, I would have liked to know more about what she did to Mary before the story started, but with how much we saw in the story itself, I think we've seen plenty. The degree to which Mary was horrendously bullied was terrible and tear-jerking. With all the newspaper clippings and hints at fire as an element, I was fully expecting her to end up killing Mary. But the way Mary really died was even more devastating. She was only thirteen. :(
Ella's art was used at such good times to allow the story and the reader both to breathe. She has such a kind face and was so ready and willing to fix Mary's broken dolls and offer her friendship when she realized that's what Mary wanted. To see that Ella had moved away from her mother, someone Ella very obviously cares deeply about, and that her father is so consistently absent, really drove home why Ella was so drawn to Mary as well. Ella was empathetic and kind, but she also understood Mary's loneliness and sense of rejection and lack of a place that was truly hers like no one else had ever understood.
They became friends. :( I'm glad they have each other now.
Quotes and passages I liked (I read this on e-book so pages may not line up):
"I rather like it [Mary from The Secret Garden] isn't one of the usual type--those pretty ones who are always kind and patient despite the terrible hardships they face. Life just isn't like that. Mine isn't anyway," (p. 20).
"What is it that stops an adult from sitting down and really saying, 'How are things with you?' or 'Is everything okay?' I suspect that they are afraid they would have to do something, get involved. Or maybe they just can't imagine anything unpleasant or nasty. Maybe they don't want to think that something horrid can be happening to people they know," (p. 70).
"Are they deliberately cruel or do they just not care? OR does it amount to the same thing?" (p. 106).
"Once I was back up here, I wrapped [my doll] in a blanket, and, just as I had seen that mother do in the dark all those nights ago, I stood at my window and rocked my ugly monster back and forth. I wanted to show her some kindness. I sang her a lullaby and then laid her in my bed, tucking the blankets around her so that she was snug, her head resting on my pillow. I covered her with a blanket so she could rest in the warm and teh quiet after I had gone." (p. 186).
A very good but sad read. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for an upsetting, emotional read. I didn't expect to care about Mary and Ella as much as I did and still do. Very well done and great art style.
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Very severe bullying, please be safe.bibliophilemama's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
mollybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
manonee03's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, and Suicide