Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Seeds of Yesterday by V.C. Andrews

3 reviews

madelinequinnee's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was the perfect end to the Dollangangers’ story. I think this may be my second favourite book of the series after Flowers In The Attic, it had very much the same vibe as the original whilst still being gripping and memorable. 

There are of course some flaws in this book which you find in all the later written stories once VC Andrews passed and her ghostwriter took over, but I still think it was very enjoyable and had the same captivating atmosphere that all her books entail. 

I’m looking forward to reading the final book in this series!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My usual disclaimer when it comes to the Flowers In The Attic series: I don't enjoy these books because they are good or even well written, but because they play a movie in my head and draw me in for reasons completely unknown to me. However, I did not like this one as much which is disappointing because it is the end of the series, at least- the end of what VC Andrews actually wrote (not counting the prequel she wrote before her death which is also on my TBR). I still cried and wanted to punch the air though, so 4 stars it is.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Incest, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Minor: Child death and Suicide

amora32's review against another edition

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

The book centers around a dysfunctional family who are held in ancestral home where the narrator experienced a tremendous amount of trauma as a child. They are essentially held emotionally hostage by a highly volatile and abusive male family member, whom nobody wishes to upset or challenge, and this character is not held accountable for any of his actions. The only character who challenges him is a much younger sister, who is assaulted when she does so. Christian religious zealotry, accidents/attacks which lead to disability, shut shaming, and child abandonment are also themes. There is also A LOT of upsetting ableism, but it is cast as being a negative thing (author was a wheelchair user and was disabled, though the language used is dated of course).