Scan barcode
becky_m8's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
kaylinvm94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
lakesidebooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Murder, and Gaslighting
shyan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mandi23d's review against another edition
Boring. Too gothic for me i guess. Had some mystery i was holding out for but the creepy ghost threw me off.
spookykumya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kag220's review against another edition
Couldn’t get into the story. My mind kept wandering and I was bored. The overwhelming references to the gothic novel trope was off putting.
jrannings's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
libraryofaleo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.25
Rating: 4.25 stars
The Daughters of Block Island opens with Thalia, our mc, who discovers that she has, or had, a sister named Blake. Blake, was recently murdered on Block Island where Thalia grew up and where their mother still lives. We dive into Blake's travels and time on Block Island leading up to her murder. About 25% into the story, we switch to Thalia, as she returns home to figure out what exactly happened to Blake and why her mother never told her she had a sister.
I personally enjoyed having both perspectives included. In fact, I'm not sure how invested I would have been in Blake's story if I didn't have her perspective. Another reviewer mentioned removing the prologue and I think the story could have worked so well without it. The switch in perspectives definitely would have been jarring, but at that point, you couldn't turn back. You would be compelled to find out what happened to Blake.
Speaking of Blake, I felt gripped by her story. She was struggling so much with her sobriety while dealing with some incredibly heavy feelings like abandonment and desperation. This ties in so well with the actual history of Block Island. (Yes, I was surprised to find out it was a real place too) I was devastated for Blake as the layers of circumstances around her murder were revealed.
This book was filled with so many twists and turns. So many times, I thought I knew who was the culprit, but I was wrong over and over again. The atmosphere was creepy and confusing in the best way. It truly is a Gothic novel where the house itself feels like it's a character and not just a backdrop.
If you're looking for something atmospheric and haunting and tragic, I think you might just find it in The Daughters of Block Island. This was my first time reading one of Carmen's stories and I couldn't put it down.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher. Thomas & Mercer, for an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
The Daughters of Block Island opens with Thalia, our mc, who discovers that she has, or had, a sister named Blake. Blake, was recently murdered on Block Island where Thalia grew up and where their mother still lives. We dive into Blake's travels and time on Block Island leading up to her murder. About 25% into the story, we switch to Thalia, as she returns home to figure out what exactly happened to Blake and why her mother never told her she had a sister.
I personally enjoyed having both perspectives included. In fact, I'm not sure how invested I would have been in Blake's story if I didn't have her perspective. Another reviewer mentioned removing the prologue and I think the story could have worked so well without it. The switch in perspectives definitely would have been jarring, but at that point, you couldn't turn back. You would be compelled to find out what happened to Blake.
Speaking of Blake, I felt gripped by her story. She was struggling so much with her sobriety while dealing with some incredibly heavy feelings like abandonment and desperation. This ties in so well with the actual history of Block Island. (Yes, I was surprised to find out it was a real place too) I was devastated for Blake as the layers of circumstances around her murder were revealed.
This book was filled with so many twists and turns. So many times, I thought I knew who was the culprit, but I was wrong over and over again. The atmosphere was creepy and confusing in the best way. It truly is a Gothic novel where the house itself feels like it's a character and not just a backdrop.
If you're looking for something atmospheric and haunting and tragic, I think you might just find it in The Daughters of Block Island. This was my first time reading one of Carmen's stories and I couldn't put it down.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher. Thomas & Mercer, for an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
moyarb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Murder
Moderate: Rape