Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Heaven by V.C. Andrews

4 reviews

madelinekramer2021's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Abandonment

wuthrinheights's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Dark, grueling, terrifying; this gothic horror novel kept me in suspense. Even when I put it down, I still feel the dark clouds above me that chilled me to my bones. 

The reading journey felt long--as it bore the tale of Heaven Leigh Casteel from when she was 10 until she was 17. Years of poverty, hardship, abuse. It was shocking to read about her life; Andrews kept churning curveball after curveball that surprised me every few pages.

It was painful to see Heaven--sweet, pure Heaven--lose her innocence through the years. How everyone kept using her as a pawn for their own disgusting, selfish needs. And how she still remains brave, loyal, and hardworking.

The ending was a bit anticlimactic, especially compared to the rest of the book, but I'm hoping that it gets better for her in the coming books. But who am I kidding? Brontësque VC Andrews could never write a happy book. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Trafficking, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

kengore's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

• 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

1.75

It would have been fine if it wasn't for

the incest

which in my opinion ruins everything for this book. Completely innecesary.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, and Abandonment

Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Suicide attempt

beaverla's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, and Terminal illness