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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I have always been a huge fan of V.C Andrews and have been reading her books since I was younger. For some reason though, this book had been sitting on my book shelf for ages and I haven’t had a chance to read it… Until now. Oh boy am I so glad I did! I love the Casteel series, it is my second favorite series of all time by V.C. Andrews, falling right behind the Dollanganger series. Everything about it is so dark and disturbing that it is literally impossible to tear your eyes away from the pages. In this book, that is no different. Once again, we are taken back to Farthinggale Manor where lies, secrets, and deceit take over.
In this book, we follow the life of Heavens mother Leigh and how she came to live in Farthinggale. We get a better look as to who the Van Voreen’s are, and how Jillian came to be this cool and evil woman. Gosh, she truly is as sick as they come! While much of this book does match (almost exactly) all the evil things that had befallen on Heaven, it is interesting to see where it all truly began.
Once again, V.C. Andrews does not disappoint. I enjoyed the ending of this series and look forward to reading more of these books (that I have adored for years). I have so many of them just sitting on my book shelves and after reading this one I have this intense need to start on another series that I haven’t read yet. If you are a new V.C. Andrews reader, I recommend starting with the first book of the series of course. But also read the Flowers in the Attic (which is an entirely different series, but a GOOD one). If you are just curious, I strongly suggest just trying one of her books out! Just be sure to make sure it is the first book in the series as you need to read them in order.
In this book, we follow the life of Heavens mother Leigh and how she came to live in Farthinggale. We get a better look as to who the Van Voreen’s are, and how Jillian came to be this cool and evil woman. Gosh, she truly is as sick as they come! While much of this book does match (almost exactly) all the evil things that had befallen on Heaven, it is interesting to see where it all truly began.
Once again, V.C. Andrews does not disappoint. I enjoyed the ending of this series and look forward to reading more of these books (that I have adored for years). I have so many of them just sitting on my book shelves and after reading this one I have this intense need to start on another series that I haven’t read yet. If you are a new V.C. Andrews reader, I recommend starting with the first book of the series of course. But also read the Flowers in the Attic (which is an entirely different series, but a GOOD one). If you are just curious, I strongly suggest just trying one of her books out! Just be sure to make sure it is the first book in the series as you need to read them in order.
Worst book I have ever read in my entire life
Repetitive
Unrealistic
Over the top
Odd
Cringe
Everything bad
I had to stay up so that I could burn it in peace after confirming that the end was truly not worth it. I’ll never forgive the person who gave this to me.
My life would have been much better if I had never crossed its path
I have no faith in The human race anymore
How could something be so bad
Those of you who are putting five stars we know you’re related to the author
Go read some real stuff please
Repetitive
Unrealistic
Over the top
Odd
Cringe
Everything bad
I had to stay up so that I could burn it in peace after confirming that the end was truly not worth it. I’ll never forgive the person who gave this to me.
My life would have been much better if I had never crossed its path
I have no faith in The human race anymore
How could something be so bad
Those of you who are putting five stars we know you’re related to the author
Go read some real stuff please
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book (along w/ the rest of the series) when I was probably 12 or 13. My best friend was reading this one and we read it together. @ the time it was so good and I went back to read the first 4. I was told when I was younger that I should read V.C. Andrews books when I was still young because when I got older I would not want to...I own so many of them that I have not read that are sitting on my bookcase and I feel like I should read them seen as a bought them but part of me feels like I will no longer like them...kinda like I've out grown them or something...eh we shall see if I ever do get around to reading them...
(Rating based on my remembered feelings when I read this book as a 14 year old.)
1.5 stars
My main feeling on finishing this was, thank god this series is over.
For me personally, this book was just not at all enjoyable, the story had massive inconsistencies within this book and with the overall timeline of the series as a whole and the characters were awful.
My main feeling on finishing this was, thank god this series is over.
For me personally, this book was just not at all enjoyable, the story had massive inconsistencies within this book and with the overall timeline of the series as a whole and the characters were awful.
This was the most disturbing book out of the entire Casteel series. And I'll add, I think this was the most disturbing one, even if I consider the whole Dollangangers series, and that's saying a lot...
I know it was Neiderman behind the name of VC Andrews, but it was really damsel on distress and on crack, this time. And just like crack, it was absolutely addictive.
I really wish Andrews had more time to write the entire collection, this book might have turned a bit more surprising, but I won't complain. It got me hooked from the very start.
Anyway, now I'm wondering if I want to read other books written by Neiderman or just stop. I know there's one book out there by Andrews that I still haven't read. I'll have to check My Sweet Audrina and then I will make up my mind.
Or... Someone please suggest me other authors in this same vein, haha! I know, I'm a lost cause.
I know it was Neiderman behind the name of VC Andrews, but it was really damsel on distress and on crack, this time. And just like crack, it was absolutely addictive.
I really wish Andrews had more time to write the entire collection, this book might have turned a bit more surprising, but I won't complain. It got me hooked from the very start.
Anyway, now I'm wondering if I want to read other books written by Neiderman or just stop. I know there's one book out there by Andrews that I still haven't read. I'll have to check My Sweet Audrina and then I will make up my mind.
Or... Someone please suggest me other authors in this same vein, haha! I know, I'm a lost cause.
Luke and Leigh are one of my all-time favorite pairings, regardless of genre, story, anything. Though this was the point were Andrew's ghostwriter started finishing her novels, this story of Heaven Casteel's mother is still beautiful and sweeping today, and holds a place in my heart. Leigh was a terrific narrator.
The final in the series fills in the blanks about Leigh and how she ends up in the Willies. There were parts of this story that seemed a little too convenient/unbelievable, and one thing I struggled with was her age. She seemed much too mature, especially when this would have been set in the 40s. Her mother is psycho, and I doubt that a young 23yr old filthy rich man would be sucked in by such a woman. Especially the wait until we are married story-line.
There is just something off about these people that is unbelievable. The way Tony acts, the way Jillian acts. How everything falls together at the end. I am not sure how I would have written it, but I think it would have been better done by a woman. I don't love reading books where men describe the minds of women, because it always comes across as false to me.
There is just something off about these people that is unbelievable. The way Tony acts, the way Jillian acts. How everything falls together at the end. I am not sure how I would have written it, but I think it would have been better done by a woman. I don't love reading books where men describe the minds of women, because it always comes across as false to me.