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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Fantastic to see a book about this subject matter being widely read however I did not enjoy the writing style (very YA in style for such a complex subject). Lots of themes however none were explored enough. Some scenes quite graphic in description which unfortunately read as sensationalist- graphic for the sake of being graphic. The book could have been so much more. However I applaud the author for tackling the subject.
very very heavy and sad read. the writing is so effective in conveying strane’s manipulation and vanessa’s trauma. the book does such a good job at showing the romanticisation and the reality of the relationship and abuse. i didn’t exactly ‘enjoy’ reading this book but i thought it was very effective in its message and very well done.
This book is extremely uncomfortable to read, but even harder to put down.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Well, that was depressing. Good book, don't read it.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Difficult subject matter and at first I didn’t really like it at all. But as I got further into the story I changed my perspective about the whole story. It would make for a lively book club discussion I think.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have so many thoughts on this book, yet I’ve had a hard time writing it in words. I’ve been putting off reading this book because I knew it was going to be a hard book to read and it was. The topic of this was not easy to read about, so I know it’s even harder to write about. Yet the author did a phenomenal job writing. The topic was disgusting, but the writing was beautiful. The writing brings you into the mind of a 15 year old girl who’s in that situation and what goes on inside her mind. The victim blaming, the confusion of the love but being disgusted at the same time, and her thoughts when he abused her. Her thoughts in those scenes were heartbreaking and shows the struggle and confusion of her with Jacob. The way the author wrote Jacob and his manipulation was good. I could totally see how teenage girls fell into his trap, yet it’s clear he’s a vile human being.
The book also shows how people can turn a blind eye to people in Vanessa’s situation. The amount of people who knew or had an idea of what was happening to her did nothing about it or reported it, except one person was so frustrating. If more people just reported what they saw, Vanessa and all the other girls could have been saved. One of the reasons was because Vanessa “consented” to her relationship with Jacob and it’s the big question of the book that Vanessa faced. Was her relationship with Jacob love, or was it abuse and manipulation.
Not only do you read about how it affected her at the time, but also it affected her life so much 17 years later. With her college professors, relationships with men, and other women who went through the same thing she did.
The book also shows how people can turn a blind eye to people in Vanessa’s situation. The amount of people who knew or had an idea of what was happening to her did nothing about it or reported it, except one person was so frustrating. If more people just reported what they saw, Vanessa and all the other girls could have been saved. One of the reasons was because Vanessa “consented” to her relationship with Jacob and it’s the big question of the book that Vanessa faced. Was her relationship with Jacob love, or was it abuse and manipulation.
Not only do you read about how it affected her at the time, but also it affected her life so much 17 years later. With her college professors, relationships with men, and other women who went through the same thing she did.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes