Recently, I had the opportunity to receive an ARC of The Daisy Chain Collapse by A.C. Nightingale. While life got a little chaotic over the past few months and I wasn’t able to post before the book’s release, I was able to read it… and I’m so glad I did.
The Daisy Chain Collapse is a collection of thoughts and stories from those affected by the events of The Daisy Chain Reaction. If you haven’t read that book yet, I strongly recommend starting there first. If you continue reading this review… be warned: spoilers ahead.
“Truth is, I am only brave in fixed amounts. Some days my courage is like a whisper, and some days it’s nothing at all. But I keep trying.”
The book opens with Violet, following her through everyday moments of life. There’s a quiet, bittersweet foreshadowing in how careful Cam is to tell her he loves her every time they part – something that hits especially hard because we know what’s coming. You also get to see Charlie (Thorne) both before the event and after, which adds depth to his grief and growth. Beyond that, the story expands outward, showing the ripple effects on multiple people – not just Charlie, Cam, and Mei’s parents, but individuals you didn’t even realize were impacted in the first book.
This story is heart-wrenching. It captures the early stages of grief, as well as the emotional limbo of loving someone in a coma. You see how different people react, interact, and slowly figure out how to keep moving forward when their world has been altered forever.
Above all, the book highlights how people with hearing loss, chronic illness, or autism navigate the world, and how they learn to keep going in the face of loss.
Deaf Representation
A.C. Nightingale is hard-of-hearing, and her portrayal of Deaf culture, Deaf experiences, and sign language is chef’s kiss. CHAMP. Deafness is not treated as something that defines the characters, but rather as one part of who they are, and is shown naturally into how they live, grieve, and advocate for themselves. The book also addresses the reality of constant judgment, assumptions, and the worries that come with hearing loss. One particular scene was difficult to read because of how deeply I related to it.
The story explores topics like gradual hearing loss, choosing whether or not to read lips, wearing hearing aids (or not), and the complexities of communication. One line that stood out to me was Violet’s statement: “Communication is a bridge.” The book offers so many moments that hearing readers can learn from… without feeling preachy.
Notable Quotes
“I can’t expect the world to see me as unique but equal if I choose to view myself as ‘less than.’ Others’ perceptions start with how we see ourselves.”
“An interpreter’s job isn’t to edit or change the message. If you censor hearing people just to protect the Deaf, then it wouldn’t be true communication anymore. Everyone deserves access to communication.”
Final Thoughts
More than anything, this book reminds you to make sure the people in your life never have to wonder how you feel about them. It may not always be easy, or perfectly timed…but it can be real.
And I absolutely love the recurring question woven throughout the story:
“What are you looking forward to?”
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