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madelinequinnee's review against another edition
- 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
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!
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
cosmicruin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Incest, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
amora32's review against another edition
3.5
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).