How did you feel after reading the introduction? How did knowing the author was an abuse survivor herself influence your reading of the book?

The purpose of the author's introduction was to give readers a bit of a heads-up about painful subjects discussed in the book. How did you feel after reading it? How did knowing the author was an abuse survivor herself influence your reading of the book?

Knowing the author had suffered abuse made the book more authentic. Misty emotionally goes elsewhere when being abused. The author presents this in a very realistic way. I think the author was honest in portraying the guilt and fear that Misty felt, although Misty was the victim.

It actually made the details make sense, understandable why she would need to escape in so many ways.

I have to say that I didn't like this book at all. It made no sense to me. I understand that the author had suffered abuse and that is horrible.
I found this book disjointed and just plain crazy. A little girl that can take her skin off, huge bottles growing in a yard, and any number of ridiculous things made this a very hard book to read. Several times I almost quit but decided to continue reading. I was hoping it would get better, but it never did.

I am hoping that writing this novel gave the author perhaps some closure on the abuse she endured. I know that I can go to her website for further details but as yet have not done that. My heart goes out to all abused women.

Ashley Blooms is incredibly brave to have written this book, and even when there were parts of the narrative that didn't work for me, I trusted that she, having experienced abuse as a child, knew exactly why she created the scenes, events, and characters she did. I have deep respect for her willingness to tell this story. Reading stories like this, when the author has personally experienced intense abuse, builds empathy, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to read it. It was really difficult.

I found the introduction worthy of reading. I often skip these sections and go directly to the narrative. But in this case, I am glad I read it, as it prepared me for what was coming. It prepared me for the upcoming sections of child abuse, and, to be honest, I had to skim over those details. I was glad I was prepared.

I was honestly hesitant to read this book knowing it was about abuse and also having a child suffer abuse...I wanted to like this book, I really did, but I guess I just didn't get the "magical" elements to this book I found confusing and disjointed (at least for me). I hope that writing this book was a cathartic release for the author and wish her the best!

Reading the introduction and knowing the author was an abuse survivor gave me additional insight into this book. It added authenticity to the topic of abuse as opposed to an author who has not experienced it (although authors can write about experiences outside their own). I did feel that this book was part of Ashley Blooms' process to understanding and healing from her own personal trauma.

I also felt that reading the introduction and knowing that author had first-hand experience made me trust it more and it felt authentic.

After reading the introduction, I prepared myself for a roller-coasting, tears falling journey. I never got that. For me, Misty's character and experiences didn't give me all the "feels" I was expecting. It was helpful to know Blooms is an abuse survivor. I hope writing the book has healed her in some ways. I truly wish her the best!

I agree with Jessica F. The magical stuff just got in the way of understanding the abuse and feeling empathy for Misty. The magic put distance between the reader and the characters and made the characters seem unreal. Too bad because this could have been a good book about families, Appalachia, and the pain of abuse. It only partly succeeds. Someone should go back and edit this into the book it should be.

I agree with Jessica and Joy whose reviews are directly above mine. Abuse is devastating and horrible, and what makes it even worse is that there still is a tendency for females of some ages to be blamed for it happening: "Well, she DID go to that party..." type of unacceptable mentality. I wish the magic part had not taken over the story- particularly at the end. I would have liked to have seen a more realistic treatment of the issue.

I’ve been struggling with words to explain my reaction to this book. Over the years I’ve read and enjoyed disturbing books but my reaction to this book was almost physical and I had to put it down. I also considered opting out on the discussion but I persevered.

Misty’s isolation was palpable. Talking to the garden and trees, etc was pathetic. Her estrangement from Penny added to her isolation. The green glass man and other odd things befuddled me. I kept looking for the symbolism and couldn’t find it so I thought I was missing something. Following the sexual abuse it was apparent that Misty was troubled I kept waiting for her to be rescued which didn’t happen till the end.

Knowing that the author suffered sexual abuse as a child did have an affect on me. Her writing was superb as it conveyed the emotions in raw terms of a young person who has been abused. I felt that she drew from her own experience and it went to the very core of me. I Couldn’t help but think that maybe this author still hasn’t healed from her own experiences

Having just read other responses to the book I have to say I was unfamiliar with the term magical fantasy. I agree it did nothing to enhance the book as I kept searching for the symbolism and that was a distraction. I also feel that writing this story was a catharsis for the author. She is obviously a very talented writer. Her characters were well drawn and I felt Misty’s pain and have a greater understanding of how deep the pain of abuse goes. I don’t know that the authors pain has been thoroughly dealt with and I have every hope that writing this has helped her.

It gave the story a bit of an authentic feeling that I probably wouldn't have otherwise experienced due to the magical realism.

I think it as helpful to know. Also made the abuse in the book more gut wrenching. Although i struggled with the fantasy characters, i assume this is how the author coped with her abuse.

I totally agree with anni. It was obvious to me that the psychological pain misty felt was very realistic because it was experienced by the author. It brought to light the suffering and damage that is done to a child of sexual abuse. If the very act of child abuse is horrifying the effects of it on the mental state the victim is left with is altered in a horrific manner. We might read about sexual abuse of a child but we don’t necessarily relate to the mental pain associated with it. The author made the pain real and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it