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ash_schroeder27's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. Unlike others that I’ve read, it’s full of enjoyable content from start to finish. There’s no slow beginning. In the middle you think that it’s gonna be all over, but then you realize there’s still 100 pages left.
It was really easy to get attached to the characters, even the really minor ones like Keri and Jeremy. (Who I’m glad had a happy ending)
It was really easy to get attached to the characters, even the really minor ones like Keri and Jeremy. (Who I’m glad had a happy ending)
plums4you's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
hdbblog's review against another edition
5.0
How on earth do I explain to you how much I loved The Butterfly Clues? It seems like anything I say just won't be enough. There is a mystery at it's core, and one that is beautifully done. I had no idea the entire time where the story line was ultimately taking me. However it's so much more than that. Layered on top of it all is the story of a girl who is looking for redemption, the inability to let go of the past, and the deep want to face the future head on. This book is amazing.
Before I dive into the meat of why this story blew me away, I feel it only fair to tell you about our main character. Lo isn't your normal teenage protagonist. Her heart was broken by her brother's death and she's been struggling to pick up the pieces ever since. Even though Lo's heart is in the right place, her guilt has caused her to pick up OCD tendencies. These show a lot in the story line. I'm warning you because they can be very disconcerting and distracting. Following a character who is constantly muttering tap tap tap banana and counting random items can be difficult. However I will promise you that if you can overlook the little things, and focus on the person that Lo is under all of this, you'll fall in love.
Now for the good part. The mystery. Lo finds herself inexplicably drawn to certain items, and locations. It is this habit that lands her in the middle of a murder investigation. I won't go into too much detail because, despite how difficult this plot is to figure out early on, I dislike spoilers. What I will say is that Kate Ellison weaves a story that will pull you in deeply. The setting of Neverland is amazing. Kids go here to hide, to disappear, and for Lo that is the attraction. There she can be whatever she wants. It is the anonymity of it all that allows her dive deeper and deeper into the mystery, and ultimately into danger. As I said, this part is so well done! Once the story takes off there isn't a moment to breathe, and I loved every minute of it.
I'll quit rambling and get straight to the point. Lo's story is fascinating. I know that some readers might be put off by her OCD tendencies but I'll tell you honestly, it wouldn't be the same story without them. Imagine being unable to run away from danger because you had to your count steps. Or being so filled with the need to take something, or go somewhere, that you put your well being at stake for it. Lo is special, and it is her overall character that really makes this book. Even if it doesn't sound like something you'd normally read, give The Butterfly Clues a chance. I loved it! I hope you will too.
Before I dive into the meat of why this story blew me away, I feel it only fair to tell you about our main character. Lo isn't your normal teenage protagonist. Her heart was broken by her brother's death and she's been struggling to pick up the pieces ever since. Even though Lo's heart is in the right place, her guilt has caused her to pick up OCD tendencies. These show a lot in the story line. I'm warning you because they can be very disconcerting and distracting. Following a character who is constantly muttering tap tap tap banana and counting random items can be difficult. However I will promise you that if you can overlook the little things, and focus on the person that Lo is under all of this, you'll fall in love.
Now for the good part. The mystery. Lo finds herself inexplicably drawn to certain items, and locations. It is this habit that lands her in the middle of a murder investigation. I won't go into too much detail because, despite how difficult this plot is to figure out early on, I dislike spoilers. What I will say is that Kate Ellison weaves a story that will pull you in deeply. The setting of Neverland is amazing. Kids go here to hide, to disappear, and for Lo that is the attraction. There she can be whatever she wants. It is the anonymity of it all that allows her dive deeper and deeper into the mystery, and ultimately into danger. As I said, this part is so well done! Once the story takes off there isn't a moment to breathe, and I loved every minute of it.
I'll quit rambling and get straight to the point. Lo's story is fascinating. I know that some readers might be put off by her OCD tendencies but I'll tell you honestly, it wouldn't be the same story without them. Imagine being unable to run away from danger because you had to your count steps. Or being so filled with the need to take something, or go somewhere, that you put your well being at stake for it. Lo is special, and it is her overall character that really makes this book. Even if it doesn't sound like something you'd normally read, give The Butterfly Clues a chance. I loved it! I hope you will too.
rjdenney's review against another edition
I couldn't finish it.
Maybe some other time it'll appeal to me.
The main character has some type of OCD and it was hard for me to keep up with her
and I guess because I've never read a book from the perspective of a character with
a disorder, this didn't do anything for me. I'll try again sometime.
Maybe some other time it'll appeal to me.
The main character has some type of OCD and it was hard for me to keep up with her
and I guess because I've never read a book from the perspective of a character with
a disorder, this didn't do anything for me. I'll try again sometime.
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
If you've ever felt an overwhelming, irrational desire or need ot count something, or arrange something, or say or do something repeatedly, or else your world will fall apart, you've got a small idea of what Lo is going through. She seems to be dealing with her brother's disappearance and death, and her family's disintegration, by becoming OCD. She takes risks, like wandering the dangerous part of Cleveland called Neverland. She accidentally gets almost in the middle of a murder, and then she becomes obsessed with solving it.
This book is a phenomenal story of someone who is all too human and suffering, but somehow survives all the punches life throws, even if they leave scars.
(Wow, this book was awesome and crazy! I remember counting and doing OCD stuff like the main character, Lo, but not that much. I can see OCD in a whole new light, and have more compassion and understanding now for those who experience this. And the story rocked!)
This book is a phenomenal story of someone who is all too human and suffering, but somehow survives all the punches life throws, even if they leave scars.
(Wow, this book was awesome and crazy! I remember counting and doing OCD stuff like the main character, Lo, but not that much. I can see OCD in a whole new light, and have more compassion and understanding now for those who experience this. And the story rocked!)
tatyshills's review against another edition
5.0
A murder, a mystery, stolen goods, runaway teens, and more, all in a place called Neverland. The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison, follows a High School Junior named Penelope (Lo) Marin, who has developed a mental disorder, known as OCD. With the OCD she is drawn to beautiful objects, pendants, miniature sculptures, etc, and every muscle in her body compels her to take it. Based in Cleveland, this story shows how everything comes full circle, you always get the answers you want, one way or another. This book caught my eye on my high school English teachers’ book shelf, because I am very interested into murder [mystery] novels. Even though people told me not to judge a book by its cover, the cover certainly caught my eye and told me I had to read it.
Penelope (Lo) Marin was near the mysterious world in Cleveland known as Neverland, something drew her in. Maybe it was because she was on the run from the rightful and true owner of On her adventure back to Neverland she came across a flea market and met a man named Mario. Mario gave Lo a choice to take something for free, a horse pendant necklace and a butterfly glass figurine. She stole the necklace and chose the butterfly figurine, noticing that it belongs to Sapphire. She became curious of the murder of Sapphire, and did everything she could to be close with her and find out who Sapphire’s killer was- even if it may kill her. On this journey Lo meets a handsome street artist who lives in Neverland, and is known as Flint.
I really enjoyed this novel because it really showed me what people think about the police. That they don’t care if it’s a lost child or a run away, that they will ignore your every statement about something you really believe in. I am a person who really enjoys murder [mystery] novels, since they give me something to think about, and shows me what really happens in the world. The ending of this book really satisfied me since it told us who did it, and how Lo and Flint recover from this scary adventure. It also throws in a little twist as to Lo’s passed brother Oren, and how he is connected to this whole story.
I personally believe this is a fantastic book, one of the best I have read in awhile. I think that this book deserves a reward for how well written it is. There are some grammatical and spelling errors, but they are really hard to notice unless you are a perfectionist, or you are an english teacher. This book really reminds me of the Divergent series, because in the Divergent series everything was connected to one deceased person. In Divergent’s case it would be the main character (Tris)’s mom. If you’re a person who seeks excitement, suspense, mystery, and always leaving you to wonder “What’s next? I can’t stop reading!”, then this is certainly the book for you!
Penelope (Lo) Marin was near the mysterious world in Cleveland known as Neverland, something drew her in. Maybe it was because she was on the run from the rightful and true owner of On her adventure back to Neverland she came across a flea market and met a man named Mario. Mario gave Lo a choice to take something for free, a horse pendant necklace and a butterfly glass figurine. She stole the necklace and chose the butterfly figurine, noticing that it belongs to Sapphire. She became curious of the murder of Sapphire, and did everything she could to be close with her and find out who Sapphire’s killer was- even if it may kill her. On this journey Lo meets a handsome street artist who lives in Neverland, and is known as Flint.
I really enjoyed this novel because it really showed me what people think about the police. That they don’t care if it’s a lost child or a run away, that they will ignore your every statement about something you really believe in. I am a person who really enjoys murder [mystery] novels, since they give me something to think about, and shows me what really happens in the world. The ending of this book really satisfied me since it told us who did it, and how Lo and Flint recover from this scary adventure. It also throws in a little twist as to Lo’s passed brother Oren, and how he is connected to this whole story.
I personally believe this is a fantastic book, one of the best I have read in awhile. I think that this book deserves a reward for how well written it is. There are some grammatical and spelling errors, but they are really hard to notice unless you are a perfectionist, or you are an english teacher. This book really reminds me of the Divergent series, because in the Divergent series everything was connected to one deceased person. In Divergent’s case it would be the main character (Tris)’s mom. If you’re a person who seeks excitement, suspense, mystery, and always leaving you to wonder “What’s next? I can’t stop reading!”, then this is certainly the book for you!
ladytiara's review against another edition
4.0
Sixteen-year-old Lo's family has fallen apart since the death of her brother a year earlier. Her father works all the time, her mother rarely leaves her bedroom, and Lo's obsessive compulsive disorder is threatening to overwhelm her. Her life is built around numeric rituals, like repeating things three times and tapping on her leg nine, nine, and then six times. She also hoards objects in her room and keeps everything arranged in a precise order. Through her obsessive collecting, she ends up with some items that belonged to a young woman named Sapphire who was murdered in a rough neighborhood called Neverland. Lo becomes obsessed with the dead girl and with solving her murder. Her quest takes her into Neverland, putting her in grave danger and bringing her close to a mysterious street artist named Flynt.
The Butterfly Clues is a really interesting look at obsessive compulsive disorder. Lo is a fascinating heroine. She's had obsessive compulsive disorder since she was a young child, but in the past year, it's completely taken over her life. Her relationships with her parents have completely broken down, she has no friends, and her grief for her brother is overwhelming. Kate Ellison really brings this character to life. Some of the OCD parts are a bit hard to read, but it's also easy to understand why her disorder has taken over her life since she needs something she can control and these rituals bring her some comfort. Her relationship with Flynt becomes a bright spot in her life even as she struggles with whether she can really trust him.
I found the mystery a bit predictable, although this didn't bother me as it's Lo's journey that is the most interesting part of the story. There were some parts of the book that strained credulity. Lo continually puts herself in danger (for example, making multiple trips to the creepy strip club where Sapphire worked). But even though there were scenes that made me want to shake some sense into Lo, I also understood where she was coming from; she feels a connection to the dead girl, and her need to uncover the truth of Sapphire's death becomes a full-blown compulsion. There was a subplot involving some of Lo's fellow students that felt a bit tacked on and didn't add anything to the story. But these are minor complaints, and overall, I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to fans of contemporary YA.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
The Butterfly Clues is a really interesting look at obsessive compulsive disorder. Lo is a fascinating heroine. She's had obsessive compulsive disorder since she was a young child, but in the past year, it's completely taken over her life. Her relationships with her parents have completely broken down, she has no friends, and her grief for her brother is overwhelming. Kate Ellison really brings this character to life. Some of the OCD parts are a bit hard to read, but it's also easy to understand why her disorder has taken over her life since she needs something she can control and these rituals bring her some comfort. Her relationship with Flynt becomes a bright spot in her life even as she struggles with whether she can really trust him.
I found the mystery a bit predictable, although this didn't bother me as it's Lo's journey that is the most interesting part of the story. There were some parts of the book that strained credulity. Lo continually puts herself in danger (for example, making multiple trips to the creepy strip club where Sapphire worked). But even though there were scenes that made me want to shake some sense into Lo, I also understood where she was coming from; she feels a connection to the dead girl, and her need to uncover the truth of Sapphire's death becomes a full-blown compulsion. There was a subplot involving some of Lo's fellow students that felt a bit tacked on and didn't add anything to the story. But these are minor complaints, and overall, I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to fans of contemporary YA.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
sjruskin's review against another edition
1.0
I don't know if I should even rate this book. It could be a great mystery, but I just couldn't get over her OCD. It was extremely annoying and kept stopping the flow of the book. I realize that this is probably the point because that is what OCD would be like, but I just had it. Maybe if it was toned down a bit and I could focus on the mystery more, I would feel better about it. As it is, I just can't recommend.
missbookiverse's review against another edition
4.0
Lang und breit
Der Leser wird auf der ersten Seite direkt ins Geschehen geworfen. Es bleibt kaum Zeit sich Protagonistin Lo erst mal anzuschauen oder sich zu fragen, was es mit ihrem Bruder Oren auf sich hat. Schon ist man mittendrin in einer kleinen, dreckigen Gasse von Neverland und entkommt nur knapp einem Schuss.
Nach diesem turbulenten Anfang wurde ich Stück für Stück mit Informationen gefüttert. Es hat gedauert bis ich in Erfahrung bringen konnte unter welchen Umständen Oren damals gestorben ist. Hier konnte ich mal einen Blick auf Los todtraurige Mutter werfen, dort mal auf Los Status an ihrer Schule und so hat sich das Gesamtbild nach und nach zusammengesetzt.
Mit Lo konnte ich mich sehr schnell anfreunden. Sie ist ein seltsames Mädchen, äußerst liebenswert und loyal, durch ihre Zwangsneurosen wirkt sie aber nach außen etwas verrückt. Ihre Macken hat die Autorin mit viel Feingefühl beschrieben. Ich kenne niemanden persönlich, der unter schweren Neurosen leidet, aber die Art wie Lo Dinge zählt und anordnet (alles muss in Dreiergruppen sein, noch besser sechs oder neun, niemals vier, vier ist schlecht), kam mir äußerst authentisch vor. Bevor sie einen Raum betritt oder verlässt, muss sie drei Mal abklopfen und „banana“ sagen. Ihr ständig wiederkehrendes „tap tap tap banana“ hat mich nie genervt, eher zum Lächeln gebracht, weil es so typisch Lo war. Ich konnte mit ihr mitfühlen, wenn sie sich für ihre Macken geschämt hat. Lo kann sich fast nie im Unterricht melden, weil sie dann jede Antwort drei Mal sagen müsste. Manchmal passiert ihr das auch bei Gesprächen und sie versucht die zwei Wiederholungen anschließend so leise wie möglich zu flüstern, damit niemand ihr unnatürliches Verhalten mitbekommt.
In diesem Zusammenhang fand ich die Reaktionen von Los Eltern sehr interessant und geradezu herzzerreißend. Die Mutter kann ganz gut mit den Neurosen ihrer Tochter umgehen. Sie gibt ihr Tipps, um Aufmerksamkeit zu vermeiden und ordnet das Essen auf ihrem Teller in Dreiergruppen an, weil sie weiß, dass Lo das beruhigt. Ihr Vater ist da leider ganz anders. Ihn macht das Verhalten seiner Tochter wahnsinnig. Er schafft es einfach nicht, sie zu verstehen. Er will nicht sehen, dass sie nichts für ihr Verhalten kann und denkt sie wolle ihn damit absichtlich ärgern, wenn sie sich selbst nicht stoppen kann.
Kate Ellison erweckt mit ihren Worten nicht nur Lo zum Leben, sie erschafft auch eine Atmosphäre, die perfekt zur Geschichte passt. Die kühle, einsame Stimmung, die das Mädchen umgibt, wird mühelos über die Seiten transportiert. Die Sätze sind relativ kurz und manchmal stakkatoartig, sicher nicht jedermanns Geschmack, aber mir hat es gefallen.
Zugegeben, ich fand Los Charakter und ihre persönliche Entwicklung weit spannender als die kleine Kriminalgeschichte, in die sie sich verstrickt. Am Anfang dachte ich, ich hätte alles durchschaut, aber obwohl hier wahrlich nicht das komplizierteste Mordkomplott aufgetischt wird, wurde ich doch noch überrascht. Leider fällt Lo auf ihrer Spurensuche ziemlich viel in den Schoß und der Zufall ist ihr stets hold. Sie ist immer zur rechten Zeit am rechten Ort, hat den richtigen Riecher und große Ohren, wenn sich jemand verplappert. Ich konnte das verschmerzen, aber eingeschweißte Krimifans würden sicher nur darüber lachen.
Den Schluss fand ich sehr gelungen. Die Autorin hält hier nämlich perfekt die Waage. Vieles verläuft glimpflich, Los Zukunft sieht nicht rabenschwarz aus, aber es werden auch Momente eingestreut, die klar machen, dass vor der Familie noch ein steiniger Weg liegt, den vielleicht nicht alle gemeinsam bis zum Ende gehen werden.
Kurz und knapp
Kate Ellison hat mit The Butterfly Clues ein bewundernswertes Debüt vorgelegt. Ihr Kriminalfall wirkt zwar arg konstruiert, aber dafür schildert sie meisterhaft die Situation einer Familie, die an ihrer Trauer zu zerbrechen scheint und die Gefühle eines Mädchens, das unter Zwangsneurosen leidet.
Der Leser wird auf der ersten Seite direkt ins Geschehen geworfen. Es bleibt kaum Zeit sich Protagonistin Lo erst mal anzuschauen oder sich zu fragen, was es mit ihrem Bruder Oren auf sich hat. Schon ist man mittendrin in einer kleinen, dreckigen Gasse von Neverland und entkommt nur knapp einem Schuss.
Nach diesem turbulenten Anfang wurde ich Stück für Stück mit Informationen gefüttert. Es hat gedauert bis ich in Erfahrung bringen konnte unter welchen Umständen Oren damals gestorben ist. Hier konnte ich mal einen Blick auf Los todtraurige Mutter werfen, dort mal auf Los Status an ihrer Schule und so hat sich das Gesamtbild nach und nach zusammengesetzt.
Mit Lo konnte ich mich sehr schnell anfreunden. Sie ist ein seltsames Mädchen, äußerst liebenswert und loyal, durch ihre Zwangsneurosen wirkt sie aber nach außen etwas verrückt. Ihre Macken hat die Autorin mit viel Feingefühl beschrieben. Ich kenne niemanden persönlich, der unter schweren Neurosen leidet, aber die Art wie Lo Dinge zählt und anordnet (alles muss in Dreiergruppen sein, noch besser sechs oder neun, niemals vier, vier ist schlecht), kam mir äußerst authentisch vor. Bevor sie einen Raum betritt oder verlässt, muss sie drei Mal abklopfen und „banana“ sagen. Ihr ständig wiederkehrendes „tap tap tap banana“ hat mich nie genervt, eher zum Lächeln gebracht, weil es so typisch Lo war. Ich konnte mit ihr mitfühlen, wenn sie sich für ihre Macken geschämt hat. Lo kann sich fast nie im Unterricht melden, weil sie dann jede Antwort drei Mal sagen müsste. Manchmal passiert ihr das auch bei Gesprächen und sie versucht die zwei Wiederholungen anschließend so leise wie möglich zu flüstern, damit niemand ihr unnatürliches Verhalten mitbekommt.
In diesem Zusammenhang fand ich die Reaktionen von Los Eltern sehr interessant und geradezu herzzerreißend. Die Mutter kann ganz gut mit den Neurosen ihrer Tochter umgehen. Sie gibt ihr Tipps, um Aufmerksamkeit zu vermeiden und ordnet das Essen auf ihrem Teller in Dreiergruppen an, weil sie weiß, dass Lo das beruhigt. Ihr Vater ist da leider ganz anders. Ihn macht das Verhalten seiner Tochter wahnsinnig. Er schafft es einfach nicht, sie zu verstehen. Er will nicht sehen, dass sie nichts für ihr Verhalten kann und denkt sie wolle ihn damit absichtlich ärgern, wenn sie sich selbst nicht stoppen kann.
Spoiler
Am tiefsten hat mich die Szene getroffen, in der Los Vater in ihr Zimmer stürzt, ihren ganzen „Plunder“ entdeckt und alles zerstört und in Müllsäcke stopft. Als Leser wurde mir Los Hortungszwang erst da richtig bewusst. Davor habe ich immer nur ein paar Sammelobjekte vor Augen gehabt.Kate Ellison erweckt mit ihren Worten nicht nur Lo zum Leben, sie erschafft auch eine Atmosphäre, die perfekt zur Geschichte passt. Die kühle, einsame Stimmung, die das Mädchen umgibt, wird mühelos über die Seiten transportiert. Die Sätze sind relativ kurz und manchmal stakkatoartig, sicher nicht jedermanns Geschmack, aber mir hat es gefallen.
Zugegeben, ich fand Los Charakter und ihre persönliche Entwicklung weit spannender als die kleine Kriminalgeschichte, in die sie sich verstrickt. Am Anfang dachte ich, ich hätte alles durchschaut, aber obwohl hier wahrlich nicht das komplizierteste Mordkomplott aufgetischt wird, wurde ich doch noch überrascht. Leider fällt Lo auf ihrer Spurensuche ziemlich viel in den Schoß und der Zufall ist ihr stets hold. Sie ist immer zur rechten Zeit am rechten Ort, hat den richtigen Riecher und große Ohren, wenn sich jemand verplappert. Ich konnte das verschmerzen, aber eingeschweißte Krimifans würden sicher nur darüber lachen.
Den Schluss fand ich sehr gelungen. Die Autorin hält hier nämlich perfekt die Waage. Vieles verläuft glimpflich, Los Zukunft sieht nicht rabenschwarz aus, aber es werden auch Momente eingestreut, die klar machen, dass vor der Familie noch ein steiniger Weg liegt, den vielleicht nicht alle gemeinsam bis zum Ende gehen werden.
Kurz und knapp
Kate Ellison hat mit The Butterfly Clues ein bewundernswertes Debüt vorgelegt. Ihr Kriminalfall wirkt zwar arg konstruiert, aber dafür schildert sie meisterhaft die Situation einer Familie, die an ihrer Trauer zu zerbrechen scheint und die Gefühle eines Mädchens, das unter Zwangsneurosen leidet.