Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

56 reviews

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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canascorner's review against another edition

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

4.0

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daniellafrella's review

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

5.0

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mariam_reads's review

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challenging dark emotional tense 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? N/A

4.0

The ending felt very rushed and a lot of things didn’t add up, really liked the idea of the book and the way it was written, and how it switched from the police interview to the main character’s point of view. 
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aledamian's review

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

4.0

 Maya fue secuestrada por “El Jardinero”, un hombre obsesionado con preservar la belleza, pero ella no es la primera ni la única que se encuentra en aislada de su libertad en el Jardín donde vivió algunos años. Tendrá que contarles a los agentes del FBI los horrores a los que se enfrentó mientras estaba cautiva, así como el extraño tatuaje que se encuentra en su espalda, pero más perturbador es lo que les pasa cuando llegas a cumplir la mayoría de edad en ese lugar. 

Quiero empezar diciendo que este libro contiene muchas escenas de abuso sexual, manipulación y secuestro, así que no es un libro para todos. Las cosas por las que paso Maya son muy perturbadoras y son cosas que pasan todos los días, unos de una manera y otros de otra. Cuando comencé a leer este libro yo esperaba encontrar algo parecido a lo que vemos en las series de televisión y de cierta forma es lo que esperaba, pero va mucho más allá. La autora sin ser tan grafica en sus escenas lograba provocarme muchos escalofríos y me causaba horror lo que nos estaba contando. Lo que me provocaba más horror es saber que uno de sus hijos hacia lo mismo que él, pero más extremista y el otro era incapaz de hacer algo y el mismo Jardinero se veía así mismo como un dios y normalizaba todo lo que hacía porque el simple hecho que las amaba. Sin duda no es un libro que recomiende leer en las noches, pero entre más leía para mí era más difícil soltar el libro hasta que lo termine. Las escenas y los personajes están muy bien construidos y me encanto que viésemos diferentes personas, aunque pienso que el Jardinero debería de tener una persona más específica a quienes secuestrar, pero a ciencia cierta no sé porque no estudio ni psicología ni criminalística. 

Creo que fue bueno que no leyera este libro cuando era más joven porque me hubiera dejado muy perturbada, aun soy joven y me siento perturbada por lo que leí, creo que si planeta no me hubiese mandado el libro no lo hubiera leído. 
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lmagie's review against another edition

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dark sad medium-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? It's complicated

2.25

Aweful things happen to a single character that constantly reminds us how strong and indiferent she is to all trauma. 
Uses first person POV.
Could use some more character development and maybe the timeline (present-past-present-past-further past-present) wasn't the best choice
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