Reviews tagging 'Pedophilia'

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

29 reviews

milesbian's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abortion, Murder

marjolainegenot's review against another edition

2.75

dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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First of all, this novel is incredibly predictable - do not be surprised if you've figured out the main gist of the story a few pages into the book. Lane returns to live with her grandparents following the death of her mother only to find out disturbing secrets have plagued generations of young women in her family. With themes of depression, wealth inequality and Stockholm Syndrome, this book is quite disturbing. Whilst it isn't badly written itself and certainly isn't selling itself to be the next best American novel, the plot and some of the characters feel like stock characters and the lack of nuance cheapens the experience that Lane and the Roanoke girls navigate. Moreover, although the themes in the novel are quite serious (sexual abuse, incest, rape), there is a lack of finesse with how the topic is handled and the novel feels more sensational than emotional. Quite a page turner and reads a bit like an investigative mystery - can easily be read in one go!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Death of parent

lauraperez's review against another edition

1.5

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Suicide, Abortion, Pregnancy

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol

alicelalicon's review against another edition

3.5

challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol

amzyrebecca's review against another edition

2.75

dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Incest, Pedophilia

Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy

patch's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I never reviewed this novel, but it's my all-time favorite mystery thriller. The way Amy Engel made me care so, so, so much about these characters had me in tension, sick to my stomach, feeling with them every single second. I've rarely been this deeply engaged in a story. Lane, Allegra, Cooper, I needed them all to be safe so badly and held my breath on more than one occasion. 

It's an incredibly dark book, devastating and bleak and messed up, with such an emotional punch behind it. The author doesn't shy away from any topic. Definitely look up some trigger warnings beforehand if there's anything you're particularly sensitive to.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia

readeatretreat's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault

hannahlois's review against another edition

2.5

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood

nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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VC Andrews + Gillian Flynn = The Roanoke Girls

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia