Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

102 reviews

agameofbooksblog's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

“Flowers in the Attic” by V.C. Andrews is a mesmerizing literary gem that effortlessly earns its five-star rating. The story delves into the lives of the Dollanganger family, tragically hidden away in their grandmother’s mansion, and exposes the depths of family bonds, greed, and forbidden love. Andrews’ writing skillfully weaves a haunting narrative, unraveling dark secrets and hidden desires, making it utterly impossible to put down.

What sets this book apart is its profound allegorical depth, brilliantly captured by the author. The characters’ struggles are portrayed with raw intensity, showcasing the complexities of their relationships and the harsh realities they face. Even going into this story knowing the twists, the impact of the story remains shockingly palpable, a testament to Andrews’ mastery in creating a suspenseful and emotionally charged experience.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Child death, Rape, and Death of parent

jbarnofski's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This book is well written but devastating. I knew that going in, but I  realize how much of the book would be so fraught. OOF. I’ll be feeling this one for a while.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail

hue's review against another edition

dark

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

Well, that was truly something huh. Not sure how I'll melt that but I'm glad I picked it up. One twisted telling of a seemingly perfect family that implodes the moment the Father falls into the hands of death. A lot of topics that aren't easy to melt are delt with in this book, what about child abuse and gaslighting, incest born children doing incesty things, kids being deprived from the contact of other human beings aside from their siblings and their grandmother, as well as an occasional visit from their fairly narcissistic mother. Definitely as horrid as been told.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

ehamlett's review

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Incest, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death and Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent

toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I decided to read this cult classic because my mom told me several years ago that it was the first book she remembers really enjoying. I was skeptical, because like many, all I had ever heard about this book was that there was an incestuous relationship depicted in it. However, what I actually read wasn't simply a story about a brother and sister hooking up. That is a thing within the pages, but it is truly a small, small aspect. It is a book that explores child abuse, trauma bonds, and asks the question: just how cruel will a person be in the name of fortune? how far will they go? what makes the world go 'round, love or money? I honestly think that this book is a haunting example of just how cruel humanity can be and there are so many discussions to be had.

Having said that, the writing itself isn't that great. The story itself had me hooked from page one though.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

saraellenme's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Incest, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Animal death and Torture

maggiemaryamos's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

eyrechrysalis's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Violence and Gaslighting

bubblepricks's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Incest, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent

brianathebookdragon's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, and Death of parent

Minor: Child death and Car accident