Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Crudelia De Mon. La mia vera storia by Serena Valentino

5 reviews

caoilo's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful sad 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

5.0

The book stays true to the original Cruella from the animated Disney movie and not the live-action movies. 
I loved to see how Cruella grew up and what made her the way she was. 
There are often times when the reader will feel sorry for her. It did have me crying by the end but to be fair a lot of the trauma that Cruella went through with her parents hit home. Not the money and the gifts lol but what happens with them.

It was so tempting to think everything was down to the curse but I'm not so sure of that. 

And I wish there was an answer to some degree as to why Anita did what she did at Dinner with Cruella, her mother and Mr Shortbottom. 

If you know you know.

Unfortunately, I did predict the twist with her money and mother. Still, it may be hard for some to believe a parent could treat their child so badly but I had a mother who was quite similar. That is probably why I saw it coming.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

keepingitread'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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

chloelj27's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment