Reviews

If There Be Thorns by V.C. Andrews

breadhag's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

3.0

definitely_not_hitler's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Violence

fallenxx's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Incest, and Death

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Grief

calyxconcision's review against another edition

4.0

This one was good. I really enjoyed reading from Jory and Bart's perspectives. Bart's unsettled me, though, in the way it's supposed to. Particularly, the end where Cathy is narrating the epilogue. I don't have much else to say, my brain is fried. Maybe I'll have more to say about the series when I read the last one. Good on Cathy for being able to forgive her mother, though - albeit, too late.

Also, this edition of the book has 392 pages. Not 352.

madelinequinnee's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

Well that was free birth control if I ever needed it 

To begin with I wasn’t enjoying this as much as the first two books in the Dollanganger series, but by the end I was rather enthralled. Bart’s character truly infuriated me, and reminded me a lot of Kevin in We Need To Talk About Kevin. I think he’s good proof that no matter how much love and affection you put upon a child, they can still easily become radicalised by those around them. 

I’m interested to see where this story goes next. I can’t see Bart becoming a nicer character from what is implied in the epilogue, but I am curious about Cindy’s character, and how she’ll grow to become. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Violence, Gaslighting, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Mental illness, and Misogyny

noorhan4455's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense

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

3.5

kittyroar666's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

3.75

pizzahutbookit's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

renatalynn's review against another edition

4.0

interesting story line
would never have guess the story would go there

catalystcomet's review

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

3.0