A review by thespicylemon
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

This book was unsettling, frustrating. enraging, and disturbing. I thought the author did a great job of exploring Vanessa's psyche and subtly including the ways Strane groomed her into the relationship and manipulated her into keeping quiet and making himself into the victim. My feelings while reading flipped between the desire to protect the teenage Vanessa and feeling so disgusted at Strane and the anger I felt towards the adult Vanessa for not coming forward, although I believe the way she had been brainwashed for decades was explained well. This was difficult to read but definitely reflective of a disturbing and illegal student-teacher relationship. 

I thought the writing was a tad bit repetitive and I thought it was building towards something bigger. I think the ending needed something to make it better and maybe give Vanessa a catharsis that showcases her knowledge of what Strane did and accepting that she was the victim, his death, etc.   
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