I'm unsure of what to make of this - it sucked me in and I read it really fast, because I wanted to uncover what happened. I expected something different than what this ended up being and that disappointed me a little. The reveal was underwhelming to me, since I saw it coming and hoped to get a bit more of an explanation

a bit more of actual family dynamics or the "why" in general - you can guess the why, but I would've liked a little more "meat to it", if that is the correct saying here

.

However, the twist wasn't the fascinating thing in here, it was more of Merricat's voice and her anxieties, it was interesting to uncover more and more how her mind works. She sounds way younger than she is, the way she personified objects for example and the magical thinking of course.

It took a little while for me to understand that Constance isn't the one making the rules, but Merricat puts these rules on herself, always becoming more rigid. Then the rituals she believes are protecting her and her sister. The way this safe space shrinkes over time. It's a very smart exploration of mental illness imo and I liked the book a lot for it.

Maybe I'll love it more if I should ever read it again, I'd like to see how some things read after knowing how the story ends. Until then, I can say I liked it, but hoped to love it.