Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - The Roanoke Girls

Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

37 reviews

sarahweyand's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

1.25

I thought THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS was going to be my low-rated book on the month, but look at me exceed expectations. Maybe part of the reason here is on me, but I thought this book was a YA mystery when it was in fact a very adult thriller that centers heavily around the first listed trigger warning here. The book's synopsis in no way alludes to this being the crux of the story, reader be warned. So....not the most fun surprise.

I can understand and appreciate some dark, disturbing literature when done right. I read a lot of horror and I like a lot of horror. But in this context I cannot stand for the girl-on-girl hate and women blaming this book is full of. Every woman is alluded to being or just flat-out described as a slut, a mean girl, trailer trash, or some other nasty moniker that is not equally ascribed to the male characters. And given what this book is about at it's core, that's really fucking disgusting.

Unfortunately, I think this means I'm done with Amy Engel as an author, but maybe that's for the best. Please don't read this book. If you need something dark and depraved, read PRETTY GIRLS or something. And if you're a contrarian and this means you really have to read it now, please read the content warnings so you know what you're getting into. I'm not messing around.

Content Warnings

tilly_thecat's review against another edition

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dark sad

2.5

I'll give this book credit, it's unflinching in it's story of a topic most would rather not think about and...I couldn't stop reading it!

That said, there were a few things that make this a difficult read. For one, I think the sexual content was gratuitous. These characters are horny AF all the time and it gets old fast. Every interaction between Lane and Cooper ends with a drawn out sex scene, every kiss has tongue, etc. It was a slog to get through at times.

Obviously there's a major ick factor considering the subject. However I don't think the author actually went far enough. The characters don't seem to have any problems calling the Roanoke girls (victims who have been groomed since birth) sluts and whores, but no one calls out Yates for what he is: a rapist and a pedophile.

This might just be a nitpick but I think GENERATIONS of incest would definitely have more consequences. Inbreeding isn't the same as cloning. Seriously, they are all hotties and have zero health issues? Because of this it makes it seem more like a sick fantasy, and harder to suspend my disbelief.

Content Warnings