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Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

67 reviews

zoemain's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Um, okay, so I loved this book! It is certainly not for a sensitive audience because there are many very disturbing themes and ideas. However, if you’re like me and love dark, twisted fictions, I cannot recommend this more. There is also a dystopian aspect to the novel that I really enjoyed. And the characters were so complex! I was fascinated by the Gardener and his sons and loved all of the girls. 
The reviews stating that the Butterflies could have easily escaped their entrapment are not wrong. The logic in this book is flawed, but I could easily overlook this. I should probably take a star off because I felt like the book could have been longer and therefore given some more insight into the Garden. Oh, also, every description of layout in this novel is extremely confusing. I employed the help of my friends to translate descriptions of surroundings a few times but they couldn’t fathom what Hutchison had written either.
But I loved the rest of the writing. I loved the way the book focused on the story of the Garden but also gave insight into Maya’s backstory and the police interviews. So it’s  a 5 stars from me! Read the content warnings before purchasing.
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damnitdelayna's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

5.0

“…and I thought how fucking unfair it was that he made us butterflies, of all things.
Real butterflies could fly away, out of reach.”

Book Dynamics✨
Under 300 pages
No chapters
Alternating POV
3 parts

I’m not going to sugar coat it. This book is fucked up. It was exactly what I was looking for 🙃😂

I would call it SVU after dark. It’s not too graphic so even though the subject matter is very heavy it was easier to digest. 

The twist in the last few pages.. Wow wee. I did not see that coming one bit! 



Overall: grab it if the synopsis interests you. I don’t think you will be disappointed.


Favorite Character: Bliss. 
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maybesky's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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ellethewraith's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

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jacquelinepon's review

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

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jjenkins's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

This is a very dark thriller told from an FBI investigator’s perspective and a victims perspective as they investigate a horrible tragedy involving the kidnapping, abuse, and murder of girls. The writing was stunning and the story unfolded in a very unique way
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larny10's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

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eepi's review

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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

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peytonliveslife's review

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dark 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? Yes

5.0

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valentinaambrosius's review

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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. 
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