Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

1261 reviews

mkday82's review against another edition

4.0

Book #10- 2024

Title: My Dark Vanessa 

Author: Kate Elizabeth Russell

Pages: 369

Started: 04/06/2024 

Finished: 17/06/2024

Days: 14

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I’m going to start off by mentioning the trigger warnings for this book - child abuse, sexual abuse, manipulation, grooming, pedophilia and PTSD; if you are triggered by any of these things then do not read this book! My Dark Vanessa was a dark and somewhat disturbing read. The story is told in both past and present tense and is narrated by Vanessa Wye. The past takes us back to the year 2000 when Vanessa was 15 years old, attending boarding school and the relationship that begins with her 42 year old English teacher, Jacob Strane. The present brings us to the year 2017 when Vanessa is now 32 years old, now an adult but still grappling with what happened during her teenage years; was she a victim or a willing participant? The story was brilliantly written; it had me second guessing Strane’s intentions and if he was actually a good or bad person whilst also wanting to shake Vanessa to make her see the truth! It showed how systems, those we trust and who are meant to protect us, can fail victims and how trauma can shape a persons life. My Dark Vanessa is a fictional piece, however, upon doing a bit of research I discovered that it was inspired by the author’s own personal experience during her teenage years.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual content

zoeflynn's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.5

This book is dark. There were multiple points when I had to put the book down and just stare at the wall in disgust/shock. I would NOT recommend reading if you have been a victim of grooming or sexual assault, as it deals with these topics in the most raw and intense way imaginable. The author beautifully details how victims of grooming and statutory rape excuse the behaviors of their abusers. This book is so perfect in the me too era to help people understand the full gravity of these issues and work towards a society that tolerated them less.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicide

Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent

Minor: Gaslighting

lindasoderlundd's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Vomit, Child abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Animal death, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Medical content

heathernependa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

I am thoroughly disturbed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Self harm, Child abuse, and Suicide

eleanoremarie's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Rape

robinhobblove's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Child abuse

Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Minor: Death and Death of parent

sofieishere's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Suicide, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape

Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Vomit, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexism and Stalking

meliacartin's review against another edition

extremely intense and graphic depictions of sexual assault and abuse

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship

mafer1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts

emilylstevens's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Rape, and Sexual assault