Scan barcode
favvn's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
Maybe I'm rating it so high just because I am through with the Dollaganger Series (as written by VC Andrews herself) and elated to finally read something else or the series itself grew on me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Gotta say, however, that it is 100% bullshit that Cathy kills herself after Chris dies . I do not care about any reasoning behind it, any "power of love" stuff, and so forth. It was so unecessary after EVERYTHING she overcame and after, ya know, the whole second book wherein she resolves to love anyone other than him. I'm supposed to believe she couldn't find a new purpose, a place firmly within her sons' lives without Chris by her side? Cathy, the woman who seduced her mother's second husband as an elaborate revenge plot??? Hello??
Also have to say the ending.... wasn't my idea of "happy ever after." Like Bart becominga televangelist ? As a good thing, as a redemption/look how Normal and Adjusted he is thing? After all the ways god and Christianity was straight up used to abuse the family. Nah. That's nightmare material.
Gotta say, however, that it is 100% bullshit that
Also have to say the ending.... wasn't my idea of "happy ever after." Like Bart becoming
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Incest, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Alcohol, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Suicide
amora32's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexism, Suicide, Car accident, Incest, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Violence, Body shaming, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual content, Classism, Alcohol, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, and Alcoholism
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).
More...