Reviews with content warning for Drug use - Moja temna Vanessa

Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Moja temna Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

434 reviews

charlie333's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

jackbifrost's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

aquariusvintage's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

calistaandrechek's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The writing was so good, but the story was disturbing. The book did it's job making me uncomfortable.

Content Warnings

watson_my_shelf's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

As Vanessa reflects on her relationship with her high school teacher that started when she was 15 years old and spanned into her 30s, the reader is able to see how it all started and continued on. This book is difficult to read - it is no escape to fiction. However, I found it to be an important read. Russell allows the reader to see how the teacher, Strane, manipulates teenage girls into believing they are "the only one." The reader sees the long-term affects that being manipulated and raped by her teacher has on her. The point of view alternates between current Vanessa and past Vanessa, really allowed the reader to dive into the characters and storyline.

I did find the storyline to be a bit boring at times, but this book is definitely worth reading and was very eye opening for me.

Content Warnings

pseudoliterature's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Sometimes you go into a book thinking you know what it is going to be in it, that you are prepared, but it doesn't make it easier.

My Dark Vanessa is a character exploration of how abuse can mark you life, and other's, in a way that goes beyond your control. It is beautifully written, and I hated every second of it. The story was realistic in a way that made me physically unable to keep on reading this book at times, it explores trauma without any filters, and I appreciate it because this type of stories deserve to be told and exposed to the public as a warning note. However, I would not recommend this book to any survivor of sexual assault unless they are 100% aware of all the contents that the story touches upon.

TW//This is a story about a girl and her relationship with one of her teachers, it follows her throughout her life, and explores in detail how the abuse has affected her and how the manipulation of this man changed her perception of the relationship to something consensual, even though she was 14/15 when it started. It is physically and emotionally explicit and includes explicit scenes of sexual abuse, grooming, harassment, drug and alcohol abuse, child pornography, suicide, and rape.

This book doesn't shy away of the ugly moment, and if you are in the right mental state I'd recommend it, but if you have any hesitation upon reading the trigger warnings I'd say wait, don't be rushed to read it, be prepared and take your time.

Content Warnings