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Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
"A young woman thinks she has escaped her past only to discover that she's been hovering on its edges all she and her younger sister, Fawn, bide their time in a dilapidated warehouse in a desolate town north of New York City; their parents escaped there with dreams of starting an art commune. But after the girls' father vanishes all traces of stability disappear for the family, and the girls retreat into strange worlds of their own myth-making and isolation. As the sisters both try to survive their increasingly dark and dangerous adolescences, they break apart and reunite repeatedly, orbiting each other like planets. Both endure stints at the Veld Center, a wilderness camp where troubled teenage girls are sent as a last resort, and both emerge more deeply warped by the harsh outdoor survival experiences they must endure, and the attemps by staff to break them down psychologically"--
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 11, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 15, 2022
“Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You” by debut author Ariel Delgado Dixon is a tragic tale of two sisters, whose destiny is intertwined, regardless of how hard they try to disconnect the ties.
Two sisters grew up in an artist’s commune in New York City, abandoned by one parent and then another, having only each other for company. Both siblings spend time (separately) at the Veld Centre, a treatment home for troubled youth, and what they discover there unleashes feelings and fears long since hidden. As adults the two siblings are trying to live their own lives, staying as far away from each other as possible. But Fern, the youngest, cannot stay away from her older sister, and in fact, she seeks her out and when their pasts and future collide, everything changes forever.
For a debut novel, “Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You” is a good read. It encapsulates the power of sibling relationships, with the backdrop of mental illness and parental neglect. Dixon writes a pretty piece, but her poetic language takes some getting used to. Initially, when I picked up this novel, I had no idea what I was reading and I did not get into it until about one third of the way through, when the plot broke through and the characters really began to show themselves.
The story is told across two time periods, both in the future when the siblings reconnect in New York, and in the past when the oldest sister is spending time at Veld. Each chapter has one, the other or a combination of both time periods and they aren’t clearly marked, but there is a clear distinction (through the use of a few extra spaces before a new paragraph, sometimes a fancy symbol) that indicates a change.
I was captivated by the character of Fern, and I wanted to know more about things from her perspective. She was such a deeply disturbed character and yet we only got to know her side of things from her sister and others who knew her. The ending did not provide the satisfaction I was hoping for, as it was left open to interpretation and left a few questions unanswered.
“Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You” is definitely well written, and Dixon has the skill set to launch a stellar writing career. I look forward to her next work, and I know we will see more of her in the future.
Expected publication date: Feb. 15, 2022
“Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You” by debut author Ariel Delgado Dixon is a tragic tale of two sisters, whose destiny is intertwined, regardless of how hard they try to disconnect the ties.
Two sisters grew up in an artist’s commune in New York City, abandoned by one parent and then another, having only each other for company. Both siblings spend time (separately) at the Veld Centre, a treatment home for troubled youth, and what they discover there unleashes feelings and fears long since hidden. As adults the two siblings are trying to live their own lives, staying as far away from each other as possible. But Fern, the youngest, cannot stay away from her older sister, and in fact, she seeks her out and when their pasts and future collide, everything changes forever.
For a debut novel, “Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You” is a good read. It encapsulates the power of sibling relationships, with the backdrop of mental illness and parental neglect. Dixon writes a pretty piece, but her poetic language takes some getting used to. Initially, when I picked up this novel, I had no idea what I was reading and I did not get into it until about one third of the way through, when the plot broke through and the characters really began to show themselves.
The story is told across two time periods, both in the future when the siblings reconnect in New York, and in the past when the oldest sister is spending time at Veld. Each chapter has one, the other or a combination of both time periods and they aren’t clearly marked, but there is a clear distinction (through the use of a few extra spaces before a new paragraph, sometimes a fancy symbol) that indicates a change.
I was captivated by the character of Fern, and I wanted to know more about things from her perspective. She was such a deeply disturbed character and yet we only got to know her side of things from her sister and others who knew her. The ending did not provide the satisfaction I was hoping for, as it was left open to interpretation and left a few questions unanswered.
“Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You” is definitely well written, and Dixon has the skill set to launch a stellar writing career. I look forward to her next work, and I know we will see more of her in the future.
February 15, 2022
I almost don't know what to say about this debut novel. It is well written but confusing with shifting timelines; the story is intriguing yet somehow unsatisfying.
Two teen sisters are pretty much raising themselves with parents who are more absent than present in their lives. The mother takes the attitude that her girls will be able to develop in their own ways, not realizing children need structure and security. They live north of NYC in a dilapidated warehouse their parents had dreamed of turning into an art commune. After several serious problems crop up, the older sister, who is the narrator of the story but remains unnamed throughout, finds herself carted off to the Veld Center, a wilderness camp for troubled teens. Her younger sister, Faun, ends up there too at some point we are told. The two sisters have a complex relationship but Faun definitely seems to be the one completely out of control, if we can believe the narrator. The two deserve each other.
This is an uncomfortable read, especially for those sensitive to issues of animal abuse and violence. Don't say I didn't warn you!
I received an arc of this debut thriller from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the opportunity.
Two teen sisters are pretty much raising themselves with parents who are more absent than present in their lives. The mother takes the attitude that her girls will be able to develop in their own ways, not realizing children need structure and security. They live north of NYC in a dilapidated warehouse their parents had dreamed of turning into an art commune. After several serious problems crop up, the older sister, who is the narrator of the story but remains unnamed throughout, finds herself carted off to the Veld Center, a wilderness camp for troubled teens. Her younger sister, Faun, ends up there too at some point we are told. The two sisters have a complex relationship but Faun definitely seems to be the one completely out of control, if we can believe the narrator. The two deserve each other.
This is an uncomfortable read, especially for those sensitive to issues of animal abuse and violence. Don't say I didn't warn you!
I received an arc of this debut thriller from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the opportunity.
February 10, 2022
I was invited to read and review by St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley, and it sounded like a winner; a debut to boot. I am disappointed not to be able to read further, because this is clearly a writer with talent, and the story is an interesting one thus far.
Here’s the thing: I see foreshadowing that suggests the family dog is going to meet with a lot of pain, and I am not up for it.
There’s been a trend away from this lately, and I suspect this is why: there’s a lot of push-back against it these days. There was a time when the sacrifice of a (fictitious) pet was considered a lesser evil. Rather than kill or torture a character that the protagonist loves and the reader may have bonded with, take out the dog, cat, horse, etc. It’s sinister foreshadowing, but nobody is dead yet. But these days, animals in general and pets in particular are out of bounds. If a writer goes there at all, it must be well in the past and with as few details as possible. Less is more, and usually, none is even better.
Were it not for the animal cruelty that other reviewers have referenced, both with the dog and the wilderness camp, I would gladly finish and review this galley. I wish the author well, and look forward to seeing what they publish next, assuming this deal breaker doesn’t make it into their next endeavor.
My rating isn’t based on much because I didn’t get far; four stars is the rating I give most often, but this time it should be taken with a grain of salt.
Here’s the thing: I see foreshadowing that suggests the family dog is going to meet with a lot of pain, and I am not up for it.
There’s been a trend away from this lately, and I suspect this is why: there’s a lot of push-back against it these days. There was a time when the sacrifice of a (fictitious) pet was considered a lesser evil. Rather than kill or torture a character that the protagonist loves and the reader may have bonded with, take out the dog, cat, horse, etc. It’s sinister foreshadowing, but nobody is dead yet. But these days, animals in general and pets in particular are out of bounds. If a writer goes there at all, it must be well in the past and with as few details as possible. Less is more, and usually, none is even better.
Were it not for the animal cruelty that other reviewers have referenced, both with the dog and the wilderness camp, I would gladly finish and review this galley. I wish the author well, and look forward to seeing what they publish next, assuming this deal breaker doesn’t make it into their next endeavor.
My rating isn’t based on much because I didn’t get far; four stars is the rating I give most often, but this time it should be taken with a grain of salt.
December 31, 2021
Talk about a dysfunctional upbringing! The older sister reviews her past, and it’s not pretty. As she catches up to the present time, she makes it unquestionably clear that there’s something very sinister about her little sister, Fawn / May. And then her sister sneaks back into her life again and cuddles up just way too close to be comfortable.
This is a fresh approach to an age-old story, and it really works for me. I love this author’s style; the tension, the confusion, the saying something by not saying much at all is so intriguing. Just wait until you learn about the “Juvenile Rehabilitation'' these kids endured. I stayed up reading this one, and when it ended, I wasn't ready. Looking forward to more from this debut author.
Sincere thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Random House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is February 15, 2022.
This is a fresh approach to an age-old story, and it really works for me. I love this author’s style; the tension, the confusion, the saying something by not saying much at all is so intriguing. Just wait until you learn about the “Juvenile Rehabilitation'' these kids endured. I stayed up reading this one, and when it ended, I wasn't ready. Looking forward to more from this debut author.
Sincere thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Random House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is February 15, 2022.
October 15, 2021
I've read murder mysteries with less tension than this story. I was continually waiting for the next bad thing to happen. The relationship between the sisters was complex and confused - and at times confusing. I was frustrated at times that there were no consequences to Fawn's behaviours. and yet it made perfect sense. Their mother and the loft, are characters that are both loud and quiet as they take their in their places in the story. I liked that Fawn's name suggests a gentle and fearful creature! The book is beautifully written and has a great sense of place. It's also a major eye opener if places like Veldt really exist for errant teenage girls. All in all it's a great read.
Read
February 15, 2022Thank you to Random House and Ariel Delgado Dixon for my copy of this book. The cover is AMAZING and really captured my attention. It's about two sisters fighting back against a family of mental illness and neglect. The story is told in both the present and the past, and is both dysfunctional and confusing. To be honest, it was much to confusing for me, and the writing didn't click in my mind. The writing is slow and perhaps builds to something, but sadly I didn't get through enough for it to capture my attention. Maybe I'll come back one day, but for now it is a DNF.
December 19, 2021
I found this book utterly impossible to put down. I also found it acerbically witty, smart, wicked and scrupulously observant. At time relentlessly brutal though never once not entertaining. The way that Delgado weaves the story through time and space makes this novel thrillingly engaging from cover to cover. No doubt that this is also attributable to the fact that the story is totally unpredictable and largely original. It thankfully never once veers into the cliches that many other novels that try to explore similar themes often do.
I won’t give away any of the plot, as I’m certain it’s better experienced firsthand than written about. I will say that it’s almost daunting how many themes this book boldly takes on head to head. More importantly, and more impressively, it takes them on in such a refreshingly original voice. It shies away from practically nothing, chock-full as it is with trauma, betrayal, the complexities that exist between sisters and women, death and loss, manipulation, gentrification, abandonment, grief, mental illness, love, friendship, and how all of these forces germinate into, and often ultimately haunt our identities into adulthood.
One of the most unique and entertaining aspects of Delgado’s writing is the way that she is able to put her characters into situations that illicit bewilderingly contradictory responses in the reader. I found many sections of the story to be somehow deeply disturbing and darkly hilarious at the same time. A thin line that I imagine must be difficult to execute well. But it is often contradictions such as these which are the hallmark of reality’s absurdity, cruelness and indifference.
I find the fact that this is a debut novel to be quite remarkable given how clear, forceful and distinctively it is written. Delgado has proven with this book that she is an uncompromisingly badass writer to look out for.
I won’t give away any of the plot, as I’m certain it’s better experienced firsthand than written about. I will say that it’s almost daunting how many themes this book boldly takes on head to head. More importantly, and more impressively, it takes them on in such a refreshingly original voice. It shies away from practically nothing, chock-full as it is with trauma, betrayal, the complexities that exist between sisters and women, death and loss, manipulation, gentrification, abandonment, grief, mental illness, love, friendship, and how all of these forces germinate into, and often ultimately haunt our identities into adulthood.
One of the most unique and entertaining aspects of Delgado’s writing is the way that she is able to put her characters into situations that illicit bewilderingly contradictory responses in the reader. I found many sections of the story to be somehow deeply disturbing and darkly hilarious at the same time. A thin line that I imagine must be difficult to execute well. But it is often contradictions such as these which are the hallmark of reality’s absurdity, cruelness and indifference.
I find the fact that this is a debut novel to be quite remarkable given how clear, forceful and distinctively it is written. Delgado has proven with this book that she is an uncompromisingly badass writer to look out for.
Want to read
November 7, 2021Omg the premise of this is kind of giving me WHITE OLEANDER VIBES. #need
April 19, 2022
It took me so long to finish this book, because not only is it boring but it also goes nowhere. This book has no idea what it is trying to be.
Is is a coming-of-age novel?
Thriller?
Philosophical journey?
It attempts to be all of these and succeeds at none of them. The choices made are weak and the conversations had are listless and perplexing. Mysteries are not simply "things I haven't told you yet", mysteries are meant to be narratives that lead to an unknown ending. Enjoyable mysteries are meant to breadcrumb the reader to inevitably find the ending that was in front of them all along. Even if you do not adhere to these guidelines, novels can bring all the same enjoyment while circumventing common tropes. The glaring weakness is the amount of characters introduced, named, and subsequently forgotten. There is no need to have this many settings with a full cast of characters and still find a way to introduce more.
I will give the author credit for her ambition and character building, but she is completely at sea when it comes to setting, development, time management, and intrigue.
Is is a coming-of-age novel?
Thriller?
Philosophical journey?
It attempts to be all of these and succeeds at none of them. The choices made are weak and the conversations had are listless and perplexing. Mysteries are not simply "things I haven't told you yet", mysteries are meant to be narratives that lead to an unknown ending. Enjoyable mysteries are meant to breadcrumb the reader to inevitably find the ending that was in front of them all along. Even if you do not adhere to these guidelines, novels can bring all the same enjoyment while circumventing common tropes. The glaring weakness is the amount of characters introduced, named, and subsequently forgotten. There is no need to have this many settings with a full cast of characters and still find a way to introduce more.
I will give the author credit for her ambition and character building, but she is completely at sea when it comes to setting, development, time management, and intrigue.
January 30, 2022
Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn you is Ariel Delgado Dixon’s debut and I was super impressed. Told from the perspective of our nameless narrator we are thrown into the story of two sisters, and the repercussions of their traumatic childhoods on their adult lives.
This book is pure dysfunction at every turn. It’s dark, dark, dark but also funny and impossible to put down. It tackles so much but doesn’t feel bloated. I don’t want to go too far into the plot because there’s some jaw dropping surprises that you should discover for yourself.
Overall, it’s a powerful story of how you can both love and hate the people who hurt you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this title.
January 13, 2022
This debut shows flashes of brilliance, but for some reason didn't click with me. Probably I'm not the target audience, and I found myself being irritated by some of the choices.
November 30, 2021
This is the story of two sisters, five years apart in age, and their absolutely dysfunctional upbringing that includes a self involved mother, an absent father who only returns to their lives because he has no alternative, a boarding school for troubled teens that is horrendous and their interactions with each other. The older one who was the narrator was, as far as I could determine, nameless; the younger one either Fawn or May depending on where and how she was living. The story is told in many segments ranging from the present, to childhood and young adulthood. It will make most readers very involved in their lives. Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for an ARC for an honest review.
February 7, 2022
I received this book through a goodreads giveaway and Penguin Random House publishers for my honest opinion. The following is my own.
After 3 days of trying to read this I just couldn't finish it. It took me that long to read 50 pages. Just couldn't connect with the characters at all and it seemed to be to be all over the place. I couldn't follow or figure what was going on.
After 3 days of trying to read this I just couldn't finish it. It took me that long to read 50 pages. Just couldn't connect with the characters at all and it seemed to be to be all over the place. I couldn't follow or figure what was going on.
February 9, 2022
I spent the majority of this book feeling confused. Despite a somewhat promising premise, I disliked this book and probably should have just not finished. The writing is difficult to follow, and the author jumps around time-wise without warning.
January 19, 2022
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You is the title of a book by Ariel Delgado Dixon. Don't say I didn't warn you is my first thought. Maybe this story made sense to Ms Dixon but it sure didn't to me. There is absolutely no order to the chapters about the main character and her sister. Constantly back and forth in time. I want to thank NetGalley and Random House for an early copy to review.
November 8, 2021
I didn't know what to expect with this novel, but I ended up really really enjoying it. The characters are complex and nuanced, and secrets are revealed in a way that feels well-paced without being "gotcha"-y. The jumps back and forth in time were occasionally difficult to keep straight, but ultimately I found that kind of worked with the whole tone.
February 11, 2022
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You by Ariel Delgado Dixon is a recommended literary debut novel following the tragic tale of two sisters.
The two sisters Fawn(or May), and our unnamed narrator, are five years apart and survived a traumatic childhood that included living in a commune, abandonment by both parents, and stints in the Veld Center, a wilderness camp and program for troubled youth. Even as adults when the sisters try to stay away from each other, Fern always seeks out her sister. When our narrator thinks she is escaping her past, it is always right there. The stays at the Veld Center and the struggle for survival the program necessitated have resulted in deep, psychologically changes.
Basically the plot is an unnamed adult looking back at the very messed-up childhood of her and her very disturbed sister. The narrative follows two different time periods and the structure of the novel can initially make where and when the reader is confusing until you become accustom to the indications of a change. This is also a rather slow moving, confusing novel for about the first third. The writing style can be very poetic at times, but beautiful writing can't always compensate for other flaws in the plot and construction of a novel.
Not all of the recollections our narrator shares involve her sister. Many of the memories are solely from her life experiences. However, while following their dysfunctional history it is clear that the sisters have many unnamed bonds that connect them to each other. You will also realize the background of the constant battle these two sisters are engaged in with each other. It is a tension filled and very disturbing novel with unlikable characters. Animal lovers need to avoid this one.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/0...
The two sisters Fawn(or May), and our unnamed narrator, are five years apart and survived a traumatic childhood that included living in a commune, abandonment by both parents, and stints in the Veld Center, a wilderness camp and program for troubled youth. Even as adults when the sisters try to stay away from each other, Fern always seeks out her sister. When our narrator thinks she is escaping her past, it is always right there. The stays at the Veld Center and the struggle for survival the program necessitated have resulted in deep, psychologically changes.
Basically the plot is an unnamed adult looking back at the very messed-up childhood of her and her very disturbed sister. The narrative follows two different time periods and the structure of the novel can initially make where and when the reader is confusing until you become accustom to the indications of a change. This is also a rather slow moving, confusing novel for about the first third. The writing style can be very poetic at times, but beautiful writing can't always compensate for other flaws in the plot and construction of a novel.
Not all of the recollections our narrator shares involve her sister. Many of the memories are solely from her life experiences. However, while following their dysfunctional history it is clear that the sisters have many unnamed bonds that connect them to each other. You will also realize the background of the constant battle these two sisters are engaged in with each other. It is a tension filled and very disturbing novel with unlikable characters. Animal lovers need to avoid this one.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/0...
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 7, 2022DNF @ page 98
I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
I hate to DNF an ARC but I haven't been reading because of being sick and now that I'm feeling up to it again, this is not the book I am gravitating towards. When I was reading it, I just wasn't vibing. Will return later.
I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
I hate to DNF an ARC but I haven't been reading because of being sick and now that I'm feeling up to it again, this is not the book I am gravitating towards. When I was reading it, I just wasn't vibing. Will return later.
Read
March 19, 2023As a rule, I do not rate things by people I’ve met and may meet again. It feels like bad karma. But I am compelled to leave a little note here saying this book deserves a higher overall rating. 👀
July 1, 2023
This book was beautifully written, but it took me over 2 months to finish, and I still couldn’t tell you the purpose or hardly anything that happened in the book.
July 14, 2022
I hated 99% of this book. The dueling timelines were puzzling, there was little to no character development, I was confused about basic plot lines/events, and the narrator made choice after choice I couldn’t understand.
Both protagonists (the narrator and her sister Fawn) were not just unlikeable but truly evil. Neither experienced real consequences or meaningful growth.
The ending made no sense to me, in a frustrating way, and there was little to no closure for anyone introduced in the book.
Two stars for some glimpses of strong writing/imagery from this first time author. She would’ve benefitted from far more editing. I had to force myself to get through the book because it was so hard to read/understand.
Both protagonists (the narrator and her sister Fawn) were not just unlikeable but truly evil. Neither experienced real consequences or meaningful growth.
The ending made no sense to me, in a frustrating way, and there was little to no closure for anyone introduced in the book.
Two stars for some glimpses of strong writing/imagery from this first time author. She would’ve benefitted from far more editing. I had to force myself to get through the book because it was so hard to read/understand.
March 28, 2022
Dark, weird, super addictive. I want to read this one again, slowly—it's doing something so cool with structure and time. And the prose, itself, is mesmerizing.
March 21, 2022
When I saw the synopsis of DON'T SAY WE DIDN'T WARN YOU, it was a must-read. I was really interested in the storyline of the troubled teen center and how that shaped the characters later in life. The Veld Center chapters were definitely the most engaging sections, but it turns out the storyline that drew me to the book was only one aspect of the book.
As the story progressed, each page was laced with a sense of dread for what might be to come. I had so many questions.
Was Fawn truly sinister, plotting to come for her sister? How will it impact innocent people in the path of her seemingly sociopathic ways? On the other hand, is the narrator to be trusted? Is she innocent of many of the things that landed her at the Veld Center?
Part of me wishes that I could have had some glances at Fawn's side of things. If there were some sections where she twisted the plot around in the manipulative way her sister seems to think she functions, it really would have built up the unreliable narrator vibes. The other part of me does appreciate the lack of insight into Fawn's psyche, as it left me just as unsure of her intentions as the narrator.
Unfortunately, while I was initially swept up by the possibilities of where the book might take me, the last 30% or so was pretty anticlimactic. Perhaps I just don't understand the purpose of the final outcome, but it felt as though there wasn't enough chaos around to warrant the narrator's final actions. I wanted a big showdown or reveal, but instead the final pages felt like a big shoulder shrug.
This book gave me hints of THE PUSH and a bit of OTHER PEOPLE'S CLOTHES, but didn't leave me wide-eyed, short of breath, staring into the abyss to take it all in. There are many great reviews, so this seems to be landing for some, but it came up short of my expectations in the long run.
As the story progressed, each page was laced with a sense of dread for what might be to come. I had so many questions.
Was Fawn truly sinister, plotting to come for her sister? How will it impact innocent people in the path of her seemingly sociopathic ways? On the other hand, is the narrator to be trusted? Is she innocent of many of the things that landed her at the Veld Center?
Part of me wishes that I could have had some glances at Fawn's side of things. If there were some sections where she twisted the plot around in the manipulative way her sister seems to think she functions, it really would have built up the unreliable narrator vibes. The other part of me does appreciate the lack of insight into Fawn's psyche, as it left me just as unsure of her intentions as the narrator.
Unfortunately, while I was initially swept up by the possibilities of where the book might take me, the last 30% or so was pretty anticlimactic. Perhaps I just don't understand the purpose of the final outcome, but it felt as though there wasn't enough chaos around to warrant the narrator's final actions. I wanted a big showdown or reveal, but instead the final pages felt like a big shoulder shrug.
This book gave me hints of THE PUSH and a bit of OTHER PEOPLE'S CLOTHES, but didn't leave me wide-eyed, short of breath, staring into the abyss to take it all in. There are many great reviews, so this seems to be landing for some, but it came up short of my expectations in the long run.
February 26, 2022
This book was too much for me. It is a very tense book and there are so many wrong things happening. Do not read this book if you are an animal lover or have any difficulty reading about animal abuse. I don't think many of the characters are likeable which made it a hard book for me to keep reading. I also get frustrated when characters with serious, destructive mental health problems are left to their own devices and never get any help or have bad consequences for what they are doing.. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.
June 28, 2022
Two sisters have lived separately in life at times. Throughout this novel, their story is about trauma and living with it. They live in an abandoned warehouse where their parents had thought they would have an art commune. When the father disappears from the sisters lives, the stability is gone. They retreat into their own strange worlds of isolation and myth-making. As sisters try to survive their dark and dangerous teenage lives. The sister both end up going to Veld Center which is a wilderness camp where troubled teenage girls go as a last resort. They both survive the wilderness camp but are warped and traumatized by the experiences. The two sisters must understand their bonds that link them. The trauma they endured will shaped what they will become as adults.
This is an unsettling story searching for their own place in the world. The two sisters separate and “connect” throughout this story. I thought that this story was good but at times difficult to read as I couldn’t imagine living their life. It didn’t stop me from reading it as I needed to see what happened. It is a well written novel. A novel that ought to be read even with it being so weird and at times haunting.
Disclaimer I received this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Two sisters have lived separately in life at times. Throughout this novel, their story is about trauma and living with it. They live in an abandoned warehouse where their parents had thought they would have an art commune. When the father disappears from the sisters lives, the stability is gone. They retreat into their own strange worlds of isolation and myth-making. As sisters try to survive their dark and dangerous teenage lives. The sister both end up going to Veld Center which is a wilderness camp where troubled teenage girls go as a last resort. They both survive the wilderness camp but are warped and traumatized by the experiences. The two sisters must understand their bonds that link them. The trauma they endured will shaped what they will become as adults.
This is an unsettling story searching for their own place in the world. The two sisters separate and “connect” throughout this story. I thought that this story was good but at times difficult to read as I couldn’t imagine living their life. It didn’t stop me from reading it as I needed to see what happened. It is a well written novel. A novel that ought to be read even with it being so weird and at times haunting.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
February 10, 2022
Dysfunctional doesn't begin to describe this family of two young women who are almost feral. Their mother, an artist, more or less abandoned them to a warehouse in a town under an interstate while she's in NYC and their father, a musician, hasn't been seen in years. This is narrated by the older, unnamed sister and it moves around in time (a lot) between her teen years, her time in the Veld Center (a sort of boot camp treatment facility for teens), and the present, when she is living with a woman in the warehouse, which has been renovated and going back and forth to NYC herself. The younger sister, Fawn, has serious mental health issues. She too is sent to Veld but now she's been released and she's presenting herself as May. There's drug use, there's abuse, there's lot of stuff. Animal lovers (aren't we all) need to be forewarned. Oddly, the best parts were actually at Veld, with its small portraits of other teens and the program itself, Neither of the narrator or Fawn/May were sympathetic. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A gritty coming of age story.
February 3, 2022
A dark and twisting story of two sisters trying to survive an extremely traumatic upbringing. As in many dysfunctional families, the power struggle between the sisters as they attempt to survive childhood with different methods and mixed results is all too real. The sisters orbit each other through the years as they navigate truly terrible obstacles, some of their own creation. This novel is filled with gut wrenching tension as the past is relayed in segments.
For me, the most interesting parts took place at the "Veld Center", a wilderness camp for troubled teams. An endless hike filled with questionable methods and protocols. In many ways, the ending was not completely satisfying, but the writing is so good, that the book in its entirety is an enjoyable read. If you like dark childhoods, stories of trauma, dysfunctional families, outward-bound for "problem kids," then this is a novel for you #DontSayWeDidntWarnYou #netgalleyreads #NetGalley #Random House
For me, the most interesting parts took place at the "Veld Center", a wilderness camp for troubled teams. An endless hike filled with questionable methods and protocols. In many ways, the ending was not completely satisfying, but the writing is so good, that the book in its entirety is an enjoyable read. If you like dark childhoods, stories of trauma, dysfunctional families, outward-bound for "problem kids," then this is a novel for you #DontSayWeDidntWarnYou #netgalleyreads #NetGalley #Random House
March 9, 2022
Weird disturbed characters with traumatic childhoods are right up my alley, however this book did not really work for me.
There are two sisters, one of them is the narrator and is unnamed. The other is Fern. Fern is the really disturbed one (warning…Animal Cruelty) but the other sister is also messed up, just not the extent that Fern is.
Their childhood was a mess, with a mother flitting in and out of their lives. Both sisters end up in a sort of reform school for girls.
With each chapter bouncing between time periods, I spent most of the time confused. I didn’t find any of the characters likable.
Overall I found the book confusing and disturbing (I would not have chosen the book if I’d known about the animal cruelty) but on the other hand, I think the writing is really well done.
There are two sisters, one of them is the narrator and is unnamed. The other is Fern. Fern is the really disturbed one (warning…Animal Cruelty) but the other sister is also messed up, just not the extent that Fern is.
Their childhood was a mess, with a mother flitting in and out of their lives. Both sisters end up in a sort of reform school for girls.
With each chapter bouncing between time periods, I spent most of the time confused. I didn’t find any of the characters likable.
Overall I found the book confusing and disturbing (I would not have chosen the book if I’d known about the animal cruelty) but on the other hand, I think the writing is really well done.
January 22, 2022
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You by Ariel Delgado Dixon. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the gifted e-Arc.
I was pretty confused for the first half of this book. It kept jumping back in forth between time periods and I wasn't able to get into the flow of it. I got used to it around the halfway mark and started to understand what was going on. I never really felt satisfied with the story line though. I still had many questions at the end and felt like we didn't get the whole story.
"I had forgotten one of the first rules of survival. I had been warned. Down the mountain isn't down."
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You comes out 2/15.
I was pretty confused for the first half of this book. It kept jumping back in forth between time periods and I wasn't able to get into the flow of it. I got used to it around the halfway mark and started to understand what was going on. I never really felt satisfied with the story line though. I still had many questions at the end and felt like we didn't get the whole story.
"I had forgotten one of the first rules of survival. I had been warned. Down the mountain isn't down."
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You comes out 2/15.
May 15, 2022
Unique, compelling, hard to put down, but also frustrating and unsatisfying. It took me a few chapters to get sucked in, and it remained a bumpy ride. It is a dramatic, traumatic tale, but there are elements thrown in to heighten the effect that never get resolved, and entire chapters that just act to slow the pace to a crawl. Many sections are amazingly told, gripping short stories unto themselves that make this book worth the time, but the end result is disjointed and leaves many of the questions it asks unanswered.
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