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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: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
Animal death isabbie234's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis