Review of The Satin Moth

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Satin Moth" by Jennie Dodd.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Maddie, the daughter of the 10th Lord of Eastlyn, Robert Montague, lives a sheltered life with her overly protective father and Aunt Frances in Eastlyn Castle. Her happiest times are when her twin cousins, Rowan and Clarissa, come to visit. The cousins bonded together because they were all motherless. After their mothers’ deaths, their fathers refused to remarry and subject any woman to the same fate as their wives. As Maddie approaches her 13th birthday, she and Rowan begin to understand that Eastlyn Castle and the Montague family have been cursed for 300 years, and it is up to Maddie to save them all. What is the curse against the Montague family? Will Maddie be successful in ending the curse? Read The Satin Moth by Jennie Dodd to find out.

Jennie Dodd did a fantastic job writing this novel. The demographic and character developments were fully developed. I could easily visualize the African village, the slave ship, and the castle. Each character had a specific role in the story. I enjoyed the detailed instructions on mounting and displaying moths and butterflies. There is a poem about grief that is beautiful and relatable to the feelings that I had when I faced the deaths of loved ones. I could also easily relate to Bubble’s and Squeak’s muddy paws not being a good combination with the castle’s polished floors.

The voodoo, the inhumane treatment of slaves, and the overall human suffering aspects of this book were disturbing to read because they were realistically written, and I could vividly visualize them. However, I consider this a positive aspect of the author’s writing skills, not a negative aspect.

With only one minor error, this well-written book deserves nothing less than 5 out of 5 stars. The smooth-flowing plot, the mystery behind the 300-year-old curse, and the suspense in the storyline all made this book enjoyable. I considered nothing in this book a negative aspect or a reason to reduce my rating.

Mature readers who enjoy reading about voodoo, ghosts, and human suffering are most suited for this book. I will caution sensitive readers that there is some gory content surrounding slavery and voodoo. Also, there is some non-borderline profanity that some readers may find offensive. Although many of the characters believed in God and prayed, and there is other religious content, there is also Voodoo religion, atheism, and beliefs in other gods mentioned, which makes it suitable for all. No religious or non-religious belief is preached to the readers.

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The Satin Moth
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[Williams Jaden]

The Satin Moth by Jennie Dodd follows Maddie, daughter of the 10th Lord of Eastlyn, as she discovers that her family has been cursed for 300 years. With the help of her cousins, Maddie must uncover the curse’s mystery and find a way to break it before it's too late.

[Naimah Agboluaje]

Well, y'all, after readin' this here review, it looks like "The Satin Moth" by Jennie Dodd is a darn good read! The reviewer says that the book is well-written and the characters are fully developed, and I reckon that's mighty important in a story like this. It seems like it's got a bit of everything - mystery, suspense, and even some voodoo. But fair warning to y'all sensitive folks, there's some gory content and a touch of profanity. Overall, the review gives it a solid 5 out of 5 stars, which is impressive. So if you're lookin' for a book with a touch of the supernatural and plenty of suspense, I reckon "The Satin Moth" might just be the one for ya! Intriguing mystery, kept me guessing until the end.

[Joe Alex 2]

The premise of this story about a cursed family and a young girl’s mission to break the curse is intriguing, especially with the mysterious elements surrounding voodoo, slavery, and human suffering. The author’s skill in creating vivid settings and well-developed characters sounds impressive, though the dark and disturbing themes may be challenging for some readers. Despite this, the detailed writing and the suspenseful plot make me interested in reading the book to see how Maddie’s journey unfolds. I would likely read it, given the rich narrative and suspenseful mystery.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

This book tasked us back to those dark days of slave labour, juxtaposed with the almost idyllic first few pages. The reviewer gave me a good ‘feel’ of the book, and of what to expect. I always ebonies set in history, and this one is written well.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

If you’re into gothic mysteries with a dark twist of voodoo, ghosts, and ancestral curses, "The Satin Moth" by Jennie Dodd is a hauntingly beautiful read. A 13-year-old girl must unravel a 300-year-old curse tied to her family’s tragic past. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[NetMassimo]

I'm not into historical fiction, but this novel uses a dark period of human history to mix the hideous practice of slavery with some classic horror/fantasy elements such as voodoo and curses. The story spans about three centuries to unravel the dark past in an attempt to end the curse. Thank you for your great review!

[Leen282]

The cover spoke to me right away, yet I did not expect a storyline about Africa, voodoo, a 300 year old curse. What happened to the mothers who passed away, that the fathers refuse to remarry and have the new wives undergo the same destiny? The suspense and mystery surely make for a very good book.

[Mr Benj]

The Satin Moth" by Jennie Dodd., a book that features two cousins and their fathers. It will be interesting to find out the bonding between these two cousins, and how they were able to cope without their mothers.

[Lauren Stjohn]

"The Satin Moth" review encompasses all the aspects of this fantastic historical novel, generating a tantalizing interest in reading the novel. The book touches the parts of history, slavery in colonial England, intrigue, and the hauntings of generations past. The author's skillful inclusion of the voodoo aspect adds a generous spice to the looming atmosphere of the castle. Well done. Thank you.

[Esther Ntebono]

THE SATIN MOTH, is a captivating and bewitching novel set in the historical period. The imagery of this piece are so vivid you could picture so clear the look of the castle, the emotions are relatable as well such as fear, love, excitement, happiness and sadness. It depict a fathers overwhelming love and protectiveness to his motherless daughter and fears he maybe too harsh. Maddie his daughter on the other part wished to explore as other girls her age do even with her mischievous cousins. It leaves you endlessly curious as to what happens in the family and what happens between Tristan and Maddie. OMG this is a gripping piece and is meant just for you. I love it so much.

[Rupali Mishra]

Congrats on BOTD!
Jennie Dodd's "The Satin Moth" is an astonishingly beautiful book for fans of gothic thrillers with a sinister edge of magic, spirits, and inherited spells. Due to the terrible history of her family, a thirteen-year-old girl has to break a three hundred-year-old curse.

[Odikpa Theophilus Otega IV]

That 300 year old curse is the bait for me Also very interested in reading about how the African slave trade contributes to the story. I'm from the eastern part of Nigeria myself - Igboland specifically - and I've heard/read alot about the parts we played in the transatlantic slave trade. There's a popular and striking story about the mass suicide of a group of enslaved Igbos who waded or jumped into the Dunbar Creek in Georgia after overpowering their captors, just before they could be delivered to their new masters. That story always moves me.

[Natalie MT]

I really enjoyed your review! You're very specific about the things that you liked about it. It sounds like it was a really enjoyable book for you.

[Amy Luman]

The curse on this family really interests me. I am intrigued by the fact that Maddie and Rowan are the ones who figure it out. I also want to know more about the way things are done and people are treated in this novel. Congratulation on BOTD!