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ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Ableism, Confinement, and Child death
Moderate: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Torture, and Grief
angryredpanda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Violence, Death, and Bullying
rachelditty's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
When I first got this from the library, I was intrigued by the dual timelines and the different ways in which the story was told--diary entries from the 1980's and drawings from 2017. I was almost immediately drawn in by Mary and her terror at having to face her again after finding solace while she was away, and from there, as the story unfolded, it was both hard for me to pick up and hard for me to put down.
I was truly drawn to Mary's story and the way in which she told it to us readers, which, given her selective mutism, is not only extremely brave in my opinion, but also sadly cathartic on her behalf. We the readers, as well as Ella, finally get to hear Mary's story and understand what she's been through, but she never really gets to know that.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicide
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Very severe bullying, please be safe.bibliophilemama's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
mollybooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
manonee03's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide, Death, Child death, and Emotional abuse
nerdysread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
A hunted orphanage. Ghost. Mystery. Great characters. A book not like the other books.
Anyway it was great. And perfect for this season
Anyway it was great. And perfect for this season
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, Child death, and Emotional abuse
avadore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Ooft, love a book for younger audiences that pulls off some seriously scary/spooky stuff. This is like the YA version of We Have Always Lived In The Castle with some seriously beautiful and haunting illustrations. I want to leave it in a little free library around the corner but am also afraid of it going to a kid who's not ready for this level of scare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death
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