leelee77's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
minimicropup's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Sympathetic, nervous, endearing.
We almost don't get to meet our MC because they are slowly dying in the bath before they are saved by their friend. They soon find themselves desperate, penniless, and homeless in the middle of a mental health crisis.
We meet our other MC through past perspectives because they drowned (presumably on purpose). They are a parent and spouse living in an older house on a plot of land where their architect spouse is designing a new summer home for the family.
🇳🇴 Set mainly on an isolated plot of land near Ålesund, Norway from late summer to late autumn.
🐺🐕Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags:
👌 This felt like real story. Immersive, seamless, at no point did i feel the pacing too slow or fast or erratic. I was hooked right to the ending and other than my little percentage counter I had no idea we were nearing the ending.
😃 All the characters are morally grey and blind to their flaws and privilege. I felt for and kind of liked all the characters at some point, then started to question their motives and dislike them, then we learn more and I'd be back to feeling for them again. The narrative is third person omniscient-ish where we get glimpses into each of their minds, but things don’t always add up.
😍 I love a nanny trope. Taking care of children and keeping space for all their needs and unpredictability is instantly frightening to me! The isolation here is from not knowing the language, having to keep a secret about true identity, and bonding with the kids while fighting exhaustion and trying to protect them from the "off" vibes all around them. None of it was contrived or convenient so it felt all the more atmospheric and really sucked me in to their world. I've never been to Norway but I felt like I was there.
😃 All the characters are morally grey and blind to their flaws and privilege. I felt for and kind of liked all the characters at some point, then started to question their motives and dislike them, then we learn more and I'd be back to feeling for them again. The narrative is third person omniscient-ish where we get glimpses into each of their minds, but things don’t always add up.
😍 I love a nanny trope. Taking care of children and keeping space for all their needs and unpredictability is instantly frightening to me! The isolation here is from not knowing the language, having to keep a secret about true identity, and bonding with the kids while fighting exhaustion and trying to protect them from the "off" vibes all around them. None of it was contrived or convenient so it felt all the more atmospheric and really sucked me in to their world. I've never been to Norway but I felt like I was there.
Mood Reading Match Up:
- Nannying for mysterious, secretive family with likeable kids (saying creepy things!) and eerie diary entries
- Magical ecological/environmental realism with touches of nature's revenge
- Paranormal creepy apparitions and folklore in an isolated forest setting
- Themes and commentary on healing, environmental ethics, virtue signalling, and our relationship with nature
Content Heads-Up: Mental illness (PTSD, panic, suicide, depression, psychosis/hallucinations). Physical abuse (insinuated, described; relationship and domestic). Toxic, neglectful parenting. Suicide attempt. Suicide. Environmental damage and contamination.
Format: Kindle
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death
Animal death isSpoiler
death of foxes, squirrels, small forest animals from contaminated waterczoltak's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Animal death
turn_the_paige's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Grief, Self harm, Death of parent, Blood, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Domestic abuse
boxofcats's review against another edition
Main character whiny and annoying, circumstances very unrealistic so it's hard to settle into the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
vivien82uk's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s a very intriguing read, I enjoyed this book because it has many pov’s. We have many characters and there’s dynamic relationships going on between each of them which makes it interesting and keeps the story fresh.
It’s dark and at times ‘horror vibes’ it’s well written. Definitely a great read.
It’s dark and at times ‘horror vibes’ it’s well written. Definitely a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
Self harm is mentioned in context to the main character. Suicide is mentioned a few times because it is also relevant to the story line.hopeadinfinitum's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse
breekeeler's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Animal death
chichio's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
On a line by line basis, this book is beautifully written but it’s the whole story that I have issues with. The plot started off pretty strong but, unfortunately, I think it has a loose theme and overall message that’s merely brushed up against rather than explored with any real, interesting depth. Also, the ending was so anticlimactic and rushed—after all that build up and tension, I definitely expected more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Animal death, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
aimee_lou's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Car accident, Animal death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit