Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Crudelia De Mon. La mia vera storia by Serena Valentino

8 reviews

caoilo's review against another edition

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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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keepingitread's review against another edition

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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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shannonvonpesach's review against another edition

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dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Loved the writing style disliked the story. 
I also start to see a pattern of miserable daughters being abused (mentally or physically) in the other books. As it seems this is the only way to become evil. 

I really looked forward in this one but I was really disappointed and confused because of the timeline.

Hope the next one is better.

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bookdragonenby's review against another edition

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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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sam_fielder_137's review against another edition

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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.

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lizzieg22's review against another edition

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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


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chloelj27's review against another edition

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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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greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

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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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