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kira20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Incest, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
morgue666'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
3.5
that said for the things i enjoyed i had so many issues with this book that i was convinced this had to be partly ghostwritten but that may not be correct idk. i felt like there were just a few too many plot lines that seemed to go nowhere?
“As if she knew she was soon to die, my mother had glued paper flowers on the attic walls, including, too, a strange-looking orange snail and a purple worm.”
just break my fucking heart. such a good ending.
Graphic: Incest, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
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
toofondofbooks_'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
4.0
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
eyrechrysalis's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Cancer
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).