"CN. Bullying, Abusive Parents, Neglect, Blood, Eye Injury, Sexual Assault

I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

I understand that this a a prequel to a horror movie that is supposed to explain the back story of the titular Toxic Daughter, Chi.

I don't know if it's my autism or this manga/ comic, but I didn't get it or enjoy it very much at all.

Chi is an odd child, for reasons not especially explored. She is fixated on bugs, especially dead ones, and lives a life of suffering and neglect. She was abandoned by her only friend because of the bullying and is clearly not cared for by her parents in any way. Honestly, these things hit very close to home for me, but the way they were presented wasn't even that distressing for me, beyond them seemingly being a simple reason for her aberrant and violent behaviour. This read to me as lazy and ignorant.


This is a general synopsis that contains potential spoilers:

The story follows the friend that abandoned Chi and the boy she has a crush on as the boy takes it upon himself to try to help Chi, more out of a neurotic need to please his teacher and parents than any care got Chi as a person. Chi has no regard for the boy who goes out of his way to cover up injuries to himself and others she causes, which leads to him being shamed. He decides to take this out on the friend in some incredibly unpleasant scenes and ends up getting attacked by Chi.

I just...don't get it. It's zero to a hundred with sexual assault out of nowhere.

This wasn't for me."

"This volume was so painful to read even though it DID have some fun and sweet moments! I overall really liked the banter between our leads because Lloyd is a natural flirt and seeing Wisteria's reactions to his flirting is super cute!

But on the flip side, those reactions and those moments I think have unintentionally been really painful for her. We're seeing more of the past as she experiences having an actual human near her and interacting with her. Seeing her struggle so much, especially with her reminding herself again and again he is leaving, really hurt my heart. I would even say that her decision in the end was triggering and extremely upsetting.

I'm not one for characters "saving" one another through romance, but it's so painfully obvious that Wisteria and Lloyd are two very lonely and hurting individuals. I truly want them to find solace in one another because I think there were a few moments where it really shows they can be a couple who works together and has fun side-by-side. That was definitely shown when they were fighting monsters (which was EPIC!) and was one of my favorite moments honestly.

The ending really left me sad and have felt "off" since reading it a few hours ago and I truly hope that Lloyd steps in to help Wisteria. I don't know what that "help" could look like except for him staying with her in this world, and based on some of his actions, I think there is a chance he would stay. However, I don't know what their "romance" could look like either, but I do think they would both be a lot happier together than separated.

Cheers to desperately hoping that volume four will be happier! I know this series hasn't been a "happy" read in general, but it hurts to read even though I'm very much invested in their story."