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madelinequinnee's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
This was just as sad and heartbreaking as Flowers In The Attic, but perhaps even more so because it shows how difficult it is to let go of the past and trauma from childhood.
I’m glad Cathy managed to eventually get revenge on her mother, even if it didn’t work out how she originally intended it to.
Overall I think this was an excellent sequel to a brilliant first novel!
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
ehamlett's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
favvn's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
But oh. The revenge plot. So absolutely unhinged. Cathy, you sadistic maladjusted freak. Please get therapy now that you've had revenge 🩷 And the ending chapter with Cathy describing a quiet and content life with Chris and her two sons from a previous marriage and affair, only to end it with her wondering when two twin size beds "long enough for two small boys to grow into men" appeared in the attic and buying a picnic basket like the one the grandmother used? Chilling. The cycle continues, even without the lure of wealth and a sprawling mansion.
Also, this being a VC Andrews book there's probably more content warnings that I'm forgetting. Just consider the melodrama of classic flicks like A Summer Place or Peyton Place but toss in social taboos beyond premarital sex or infidelity and you get this book.
And as another aside since the content warnings don't include "racial stereotypes" as an option, my idiot niave self had hoped the inclusion of a black woman wouldn't have gone into the Magical Negro Trope and The Mammy Stereotype but. Henny is there to be a plot device caricature. The only black character in this series so far.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
dontforgetthelights's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail