Reviews with content warning for Vomit - The Butterfly Garden

Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

29 reviews

thebiblioboo's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

prachidayal's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

Medium read (6 hours)
I don't know what to say because I can't figure out what Hutchison's goal was in writing this book. It's so graphic and reads as trauma porn. While it is written well, the shocking descriptions are what carry the book, not the writing. It feels like a YA novel with a desperate attempt to tell a dark story. There are a lot of plot holes (further diminishing the book's structure) with an anticlimactic ending. Why could the 20-something girls not overpower the old man? Why did Sirvat do what she did? Why did Elenor never look up and see Maya, and how was the Gardener willing to take that risk?
Also, why are we expected to sympathize with Sophia? She stood by while the Gardner kidnapped girls for a decade because she thought she would lose her child to a man who would be in prison (or on death row).
Lastly, Maya's age on her license was 19 and she was there for 3.5 years which just doesn't add up. I also worry that while some of the book's audience is deeply repulsed by the plot, there might be an audience filled with creeps that enjoy this book for all the wrong reasons. The characters were poorly developed because they just had one dimension (Bliss is the exception.) Maya is supposed to be smart and nonchalant, Avery is just aggressive, and Desmond was written like someone we are supposed to root for despite being so complacent. Also, I get the plan to seduce him into helping them escape, but it seemed like Maya actually likes him, and the other butterflies saw it too. How were they not furious with her? Also, how was Desmond okay with having sex with the same person as his dad and brother? The dialogue also felt forced. One of the major mysteries throughout the book is supposed to be that Maya is hiding something, and the conclusion to that fell flat. Also, she was extremely open to telling her story, so I don't know why the officers were being so pushy. Finally, not only did the book read like it was written by a man, but it also read like a book authored by someone who has a fetish for people of color. It was nauseating to read sentences like "her orange wings contrasted her ebony skin," "her caramel skin," or my favorite, "she was an exquisite creature of Japanese descent."
I liked Bliss, and the writing (excluding the dialogue) was pretty good.

Content Warnings

hiyageorgie1's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I feel the same way about this book as a disgruntled parent feels about their child – I love it to pieces, but I can't bring myself to rant and rave about how good it is, knowing all its flaws.

Content Warnings

em_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark sad tense

5.0

Content Warnings

cait's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

juliaaa02's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

eepi's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

valentinaambrosius's review

Go to review page

dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m sorry but I have to deduct a full point for the ridiculously abrupt ending and the nothing plot twist. As in there was no twist and the book just ended while I waited for a thing to happen.

Now, after having read a few other reviews I’ve got very little to add in the shape of substance. So I’ll just reiterate.

Yes, it does require a certain amount of suspension of disbelieve that this large group of girls didn’t think to band together—considering they’re already quite close; and seem able to stay somewhat out of view of prying ears and eyes—to take down The Gardener.

That being said I understand—well I think I can emphasize with the amount of courage it would take to do so. I’ve never been brutally violated like they have; but at least a few of them seem to be strong enough, brave enough and convincing enough to get the other butterflies to join them.

Furthermore I loved hating Maya, her wit, her sarcasm and how mature she was while staying a believable 18 year old woman/girl. (at 18 I’d still say child; but that is a personal choice)

I have to admit that The Gardener was rather tame. He did what he did to the girls, yes, but considering this trilogy is called The Collector; I couldn’t help but think of the book The Collector. I forgot his name, but The Gardener reminded me of him or more precisely what he could’ve been. The collector is from the perspective of the Collector. Still I believe this collector could’ve been more like that one; creepier, more unhinged. His behaviour seemed perfectly normal except for the killing and violating etc. his reactions to requests and to the things the girls wanted and how they rebelled seemed perfectly well adjusted.

This kind of thing could be true for actual men like this… I just doubt it?

Avery would’ve been a nice collector, a more believable/interesting Gardener in my opinion. Though that might’ve pushed into cliché territory.

Desmond was equally a bit to forthcoming and painfully naïve. Maya’s refusal to spill also seemed only there for drama’s sake. A girl this cynical suddenly thinking she can love a man into letting her out and letting him discover for himself when he proves from the get-go to have no interest in exploring?

So, yes, 4 stars. It was beautifully written. The story structure was an amazing and well used tool id like to see and read more of. I just might pick up the next one.

Content Warnings

carissa230's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional fast-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

5.0

Maya is living as a butterfly in a garden. The gardener is a man that cares for the garden and the butterflies. After years in the garden Maya is free. The FBI is questioning her, it's clear that she is hiding something. The question is how involved was Maya in the garden? Did she help to lure the girls there, or is there something else that she is hiding?

As the story slowly unfolds it is clear that these girls have been through some horrible events. They have been part of and witnessed things that most can't even imagine.

Content Warnings

More...