A review by erica_reads_things
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging 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

5.0

Very intense subject matter but so well done. This book really shows us some of the ways that survivors of abuse process what has happened to them, especially when these things happened in their childhood. Their stories can be complicated, messy, and processed through a lens of trauma and manipulation without even knowing that's what's happening. This was just so we'll done and showed the complexities of survivors. 

---

Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Suicide, Toxic friendship

Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol