I was absolutely ENTHRALLED by this book! I think this may be one of the best interpretations of a changeling story that I've read in awhile. I couldn't put it down and had to keep reading to see what would happen next for Lauren and her twins.
This story takes the classic tale of 'kids swapped for fairy children' and adds a distinctly sinister twist to it. Lauren goes through a harrowing experience in the hospital after birthing her twins, believing that a woman tried to kidnap them and then being told she was "having a reaction and imagining things." Throughout the story we experience Lauren's continued paranoia and anxiety, and are on the constant edge of whether to believe her or not.
The writing in this story is done so well that I was truly pulled into Lauren's experience and had so much empathy for what she was going through. I've never had children, but the way the author writes about Lauren's experience having her babies and caring for them is so raw and accurate, and completely compelling. I couldn't stand Lauren's husband, but rather than dislike his part in the story, my disgust for his character just added more to the story for me.
There is also such a good undertone of women's experiences in the world and, specifically, what it is like being gaslighted by others. This is something so prolific in our society that people often don't even realize that they are doing it. I loved the way Golding handled this and really drew that element of the story out.
I was afraid at first that Harper's POV would bore me or have me itching to return to Lauren's POV, but I ended up really loving Harper's character as well. I enjoyed the parallels that Golding drew between Harper and Lauren, and I loved the empathy that Harper showed for Lauren.
Overall this was an excellent psychological thriller, it was dark and sinister, and still had important issues raised in it as well. I really enjoyed this and will be looking out for Melanie Golding's next book!
This story takes the classic tale of 'kids swapped for fairy children' and adds a distinctly sinister twist to it. Lauren goes through a harrowing experience in the hospital after birthing her twins, believing that a woman tried to kidnap them and then being told she was "having a reaction and imagining things." Throughout the story we experience Lauren's continued paranoia and anxiety, and are on the constant edge of whether to believe her or not.
The writing in this story is done so well that I was truly pulled into Lauren's experience and had so much empathy for what she was going through. I've never had children, but the way the author writes about Lauren's experience having her babies and caring for them is so raw and accurate, and completely compelling. I couldn't stand Lauren's husband, but rather than dislike his part in the story, my disgust for his character just added more to the story for me.
There is also such a good undertone of women's experiences in the world and, specifically, what it is like being gaslighted by others. This is something so prolific in our society that people often don't even realize that they are doing it. I loved the way Golding handled this and really drew that element of the story out.
I was afraid at first that Harper's POV would bore me or have me itching to return to Lauren's POV, but I ended up really loving Harper's character as well. I enjoyed the parallels that Golding drew between Harper and Lauren, and I loved the empathy that Harper showed for Lauren.
Overall this was an excellent psychological thriller, it was dark and sinister, and still had important issues raised in it as well. I really enjoyed this and will be looking out for Melanie Golding's next book!