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ashleyj_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Such a psychological roller coaster. I have a new thing I love in books: the combination of modern life and Fae lore! This was written excellently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Grief, and Suicide attempt
amiegold's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I initially thought I was going to give this book a solid 5 stars. The beginning sucked me in completely. I have never read or even heard a more accurate description of postpartum life. All of her emotions, good and bad, feel close to the surface throughout the entire book. She is a strong character and you empathize with her lack of sleep and determination to care for her children. As a mother of twins, the sleep deprivation is also incredibly accurately portrayed. How much sleep is enough sleep? At what point does sleep deprivation change who you are, or affect your judgement?
Through the entire book, I bounced back and forth between believing that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and believing her 'delusions' were very real. I would swing from hating her husband Patrick (with passion), to feeling that he was an accepting and loving husband doing his best in a tough situation.
I would recommend this book to lovers of thrillers and grimm fairy tales. I would not recommend this book to new mothers or individuals who may suffer from mental illness. If you like your stories to end neatly in a bow, this might not be the book for you.
Though I enjoyed the back and forth and uncertainty of this all, it fell short for me at the end. I feel like the author wanted me to decide for myself if Lauren was experiencing Postpartum Psychosis or if there really was a 'fairy' mother of twins that had switched her babies. I wish SO bad that Harper would have confirmed this one way or the other, as she was the only reliable character. Myself, I wanted to believe in fairies. I love the idea that she sacrificed her freedom and her 'sanity' to save her babies. But it also feels so dangerous and wrong on so many levels! Why the phone call about only 2 voices? Why the old woman with the book? These things weren't wrapped up and they can't all fit either narrative perfectly.
Through the entire book, I bounced back and forth between believing that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and believing her 'delusions' were very real. I would swing from hating her husband Patrick (with passion), to feeling that he was an accepting and loving husband doing his best in a tough situation.
I would recommend this book to lovers of thrillers and grimm fairy tales. I would not recommend this book to new mothers or individuals who may suffer from mental illness. If you like your stories to end neatly in a bow, this might not be the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing and Stalking
laura_pc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Content warnings for postpartum mental health, traumatic birth,lindseyrenee's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I wanted to like this more. It took probably 3/4 of the way through to really grab and hook me. I loved the premise and the little excerpts of folklore thrown in, but I wish that could have been incorporated more. Instead all I could think was how much of a shitbag the husband is from the jump, then how everyone immediately went to “she’s nuts” instead of anyone suggesting postpartum depression (yes I know it was actually changelings). Also, the romantic storyline for Harper felt so disjointed and didn’t do anything to move the story along.
Personally I think this was a better concept than execution.
Personally I think this was a better concept than execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Dementia and Stalking
emallovesreading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Kidnapping
wellreadhuman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
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