Natilie ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆ (returning)'s Reviews > The First Day of Spring

2.8/5 .𖥔 ݁ 🪐˖

This is extremely dark and twisted. If there's one think that freaks me out, it's child killers. However, I found myself having a lot more empathy for the main character, Chrissie, as we discover how the debate of nature versus nurture comes into it.

Plot જ⁀➴
The plot is sort of already layed out for you, there was no sort of guessing what would happen next. To me it felt more like a recount and discovering why Chrissie was the way she was (which is still super interesting). It just wasn't for me, I really like tense situations and feeling that sense of urgency. Nothing was particularly shocking.

The themes however - something I love. It viewed motherhood through a deep dark lens, and strongly emphasised nature VS nurture. After reading this book - I'm on the side of nurture plays a bigger role, for sure.

Characters જ⁀➴
Chrissie, the MC, is such an interesting character. The way her brain works was different to typical 'psycho children' and that was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed her inner monologue. All the other characters weren't in the spotlight enough for me to judge, but that didn't bother me, this is all about Chrissie.

World/Setting જ⁀➴
Nancy Tucker was absolutely masterful with painting the environment. It's not a world I'd want to live in and I don't particularly like the setting, but the way the author described it and brought it to life really added to the emotional punch this book had.

Pacing જ⁀➴
This is where the book really let me down. I kept waiting for a development in the story, but it felt like it was all impact and punchy at the start and then from then on .... I don't know what happened. It became about the relationships about the characters and not really a story. I did like towards the end when (view spoiler)[ Chrissie and Linda reconciled. It was interesting to see how they'd grown up, but it just only happened at the end and that was kind of it for me. (hide spoiler)]

would I recommend this? i'm honestly really not sure. If you like dark, punchy twisted elements then I think you'd enjoy the shock factor of this.

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score card:

plot: 2/5
characters: 5/5
world/setting: 4/5
pacing: 1/5
enjoyment: 2/5

total: 2.8/5ੈ✩‧₊˚

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reading log ⋆˚✿˖°

total hours of reading: 3.4
avg. minutes per session: 18
av.g pages per minute: 2.6

09/04 7:41am
we are finishing this book today ladies and gentlemen!! i’m not exactly sure what the resolution is going to be that’s why i’ve been reluctant, it seems more like a recount if that makes sense

08/04 12:46pm
on the messed up scale, this is like an 8/10 holy this gives me the shivers. if there’s one thing that freaks me out, it’s a child with no empathy. loving it so far and i’m 33% of the way in I think - not scaling up to be a 5 star read but definitely a good one

07/04 8:50pm
this is exactly what i've been after. it's all kinds of creepy and weird and twisted and gives me the heebie beebies.

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pre-reading *ੈ𑁍༘⋆

hello! welcome back to natilie's regular programming - disturbing thrillers. i got this recommendation of youtuber Hailey Hughes, who always has something that hits the spot.

i'm still in hospital (so i have nothing better to do) and i'm predicting this could be a 5 star read... i'm excited!!