Little Darlings

Product Information

The main idea of the book is based on the European myth of the Changeling, an evil fairy who abducts babies and leaves in their place its own creatures. ( more about that here) Dragon Awards Winners". Locus Online. 2019-09-03. Archived from the original on 2021-07-11 . Retrieved 2023-07-04. I could not put this one down! If you want a creepy read then this is a MUST READ! On a side note, this has been optioned to film and I hope with all my heart that this happens. This would be perfect on the big screen. An easy 5 Stars! The child is not mine as the first was, I cannot sing it to rest, I cannot lift it up fatherly and bliss it upon my breast; Yet it lies in my little one's cradle, And sits in my little one's chair, And the light of the heaven she's gone to transfigures its golden hair." ~ From The Changeling by James Russell Lowell

Unforgettable . . . One suspects that the real sorceress here is Golding, whose writing has given a voice to every wronged mother." Dumpleton, Elise (2019-03-31). "April Book Releases". The Nerd Daily. Archived from the original on 2023-07-04 . Retrieved 2023-07-04.

Success!

Sunset's character was fairly developed; it's clear how her mum's constant nagging affected her confidence and I enjoyed reading the passages where she retreated into 'Wardrobe City' and found comfort in her imagination, and later channelled this creativity into songwriting. Her parents intense arguments force her to step up and help take care of her two younger siblings, and she develops a sweet bond with the nanny Claudia which was a nice addition and good way of including an adult voice to condemn her parents' behaviour within the story.

I love the narrative surrounding the friendship formed by Sunset and Destiny. Sunset's character was far more developed than Destiny. I feel for Destiny's mum as well who was never developed further than as a character obsessed with Danny, and she never gained her own agency. It would have been great to see a storyline where Destiny and her mother find happiness with themselves, after seeing Danny's reality at the premiere.The mom of newborn twins, Lauren's intense love for her boys shines throughout the book. She took me through many emotions and while she was surrounded by a cloud of mystery. I wanted to believe her. Real or imagined ? This is what I kept asking myself.

I think the police procedural aspects are the weakest part of the novel. Little Darlings is at its strongest when hovering somewhere between a portrait of postpartum depression and a dark, sinister fairy tale. I can speak from experience when I say depression can be terrifying. And just like in this novel, you can never quite be sure what is a legitimate feeling and what is an exaggerated response brought on by your mental state; these two often overlap. Detective Joanna Harper isn't convinced Lauren was imagining the incident and she begins to investigate further, contrary to her superior's wishes. Personally I love something juicier, more surprising, twisty and extreme stories when it comes to read something mysterious but this book is mystical, psychological fiction playing with our minds. It didn’t fit with my expectations but the writing is quiet good and the parts about Lauren’s fight with inner demons, her struggles to be a good and protective mother, trying to gather her strength mentally and psychically without anyone’s support were written quiet impeccably. It’s impossible not to feel for her character and live inside her mind and heart.

Become a Member

A huge thank you to Sarah at Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley and Melanie Golden for a galley of this novel to read and review. My biggest issue is the ending. It is wildly open. I thought I would get a specific plot-twist or a satisfying explanation. I usually enjoy it if the author leaves open a book. I'm so sorry, but I don't like it here. I needed some straight answers. Little Darlings is inspired by those dark and creepy fairytales that I love to be scared by! The idea of changelings, a child secretly substituted by fairies in infancy, has always fascinated me. I knew I had to read this book as soon as I heard what it was about and it definitely did not disappoint! The story is inspired by some deliciously creepy dark fairy tales that adds an extra layer to the sinister, menacing and eerie feel of the book. I absolutely love these types of tales and found myself devouring this one! One day, at the park, Lauren’s babies disappear from her side and she faces with her biggest fear: because when they’re found, she realizes the babies she deliver not her babies! :Somebody kidnapped and replaced them.