kaylalynn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
3.0
I had very mixed feelings about this book. I liked being able to get a glimpse into Cruella De Vil life to see what lead her down the path she takes. I found the story interesting as I feel as though I didn't know very much about Cruella De Vil as I don't remember watching 101 Dalmatians much as a kid. However, this book frustrated me so much! I understand that she was a child, but I just can't fathom how you could not see how she was being taken advantage of and that her mother even with everyone shouting it in her face when more than one person is saying the same thing maybe you should investigate it. I get it she lost her father and was probably just trying to cling to the one parent she had left but she was left alone to be raised basically by the servants. Due to it frustrating me it lost some star points.
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
bookdragonenby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Throughout the novel my sympathy and then pity for Cruella grew. I am extremely satisfied with the novel and how the story unfolded. Seeing the events from this new perspective is fun and also frustrating. After Cruella's final push into madness the book ran to follow her falling state. I wish we had it more drawn and thorough, but the fastness of the pace allowed for the sense of madness to engulf you as you go on.
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
sam_fielder_137's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A great insight into the mind of an adult who has been consumed by the traumas of their childhood, this book is surprisingly deep and disturbing. It's very difficult to make a villain forgivable, but an even greater task to make a villain heartbreakingly pitiable, and Serena Valentino does just that. A simple villain origin story became a tragedy at some point along the way. The only reason it isn't five stars is because the character (dip?) was kind of out of nowhere. Also (because that's the kind of reader I am) I so desperately wanted Cruella to change for the better, but that isn't possible and I understand that to a certain extent.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Classism, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
lizzieg22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Suicide
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Emotional abuse
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