Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

15 reviews

marjolainegenot's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

First of all, this novel is incredibly predictable - do not be surprised if you've figured out the main gist of the story a few pages into the book. Lane returns to live with her grandparents following the death of her mother only to find out disturbing secrets have plagued generations of young women in her family. With themes of depression, wealth inequality and Stockholm Syndrome, this book is quite disturbing. Whilst it isn't badly written itself and certainly isn't selling itself to be the next best American novel, the plot and some of the characters feel like stock characters and the lack of nuance cheapens the experience that Lane and the Roanoke girls navigate. Moreover, although the themes in the novel are quite serious (sexual abuse, incest, rape), there is a lack of finesse with how the topic is handled and the novel feels more sensational than emotional. Quite a page turner and reads a bit like an investigative mystery - can easily be read in one go!
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thelovelylibrarylady's review against another edition

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

3.0

If I had to use only two words to describe this novel, they would be dark and disturbing. The Roanoke Girls is certainly not for the faint of heart. Engel, the author, does not shy away from the heavy themes in this story which include incest, child abuse, and death. Overall, I don't think I would go out of my way to recommend this title to other readers. The story was just okay and really relied on the shock factors of the topics involved. If you are looking to read something else from this author, I would suggest The Familiar Dark, a title I enjoyed more. 
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tkivlen's review against another edition

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

4.5

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patch's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I never reviewed this novel, but it's my all-time favorite mystery thriller. The way Amy Engel made me care so, so, so much about these characters had me in tension, sick to my stomach, feeling with them every single second. I've rarely been this deeply engaged in a story. Lane, Allegra, Cooper, I needed them all to be safe so badly and held my breath on more than one occasion. 

It's an incredibly dark book, devastating and bleak and messed up, with such an emotional punch behind it. The author doesn't shy away from any topic. Definitely look up some trigger warnings beforehand if there's anything you're particularly sensitive to.
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hannahlois's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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