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stayfangirl_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
stella_angelica's review against another edition
4.0
well, that was a page-turner, but damn was it sad
miahindle01's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
brainra's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Wow! Wow!
How have I never read these books? So excited to have the next two books to carry on with! The author grips you in a vice as soon as you read the first paragraph. There was literally no way out of finishing this book, other than usual life distractions! The idea of children shut away, learning about life and maturing in this way had me hooked. Constantly searching for the secret, the reason, the cliffhanger. Boy, not disappointed at all! If you have lead a sheltered life and managed to miss this epic saga please boil the kettle, switch off your phone and bloody read them!
How have I never read these books? So excited to have the next two books to carry on with! The author grips you in a vice as soon as you read the first paragraph. There was literally no way out of finishing this book, other than usual life distractions! The idea of children shut away, learning about life and maturing in this way had me hooked. Constantly searching for the secret, the reason, the cliffhanger. Boy, not disappointed at all! If you have lead a sheltered life and managed to miss this epic saga please boil the kettle, switch off your phone and bloody read them!
cedrisc's review against another edition
5.0
I have decided to go back and reread some Virginia Andrews novels. I still love this book, and I have probably read it 20 times since I was a teen. It is easy to read, and the story line definitely makes you think. This was one of the 'naughty' series of my teenage years, and those of us who didn't have brothers loved it. I read it in a day, it is just one of those books you can gobble down without a break.
nyquilsquirrel's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
jonezeemcgee's review against another edition
4.0
4.0
I have been feeling nostalgic lately, so I grabbed up several used Virginia Andrews books and started on my quest to scratch the 8th-grade itch I have been suffering from.
I have to say of the many many many books I read at that time period in my life, this book stood out so clearly that upon re-read I found myself recalling every moment with equal parts either hesitancy and excitement. I may not like all the characters, agree with what happened or even one particular glossed over the moment that I was too fond of (no spoilers here), but the writing is very addicting. The writing isn't without its defects though as it can suffer from awkward dialogue and descriptions (see the description of the father's accident), and is sometimes more tell than show. The subject matter, while very dark, is still incredibly interesting. I can see how this author paved the way for many other similar dark tales that have come since, but nothing quite does it for me as VC does. Surprisingly this holds up.
I have been feeling nostalgic lately, so I grabbed up several used Virginia Andrews books and started on my quest to scratch the 8th-grade itch I have been suffering from.
I have to say of the many many many books I read at that time period in my life, this book stood out so clearly that upon re-read I found myself recalling every moment with equal parts either hesitancy and excitement. I may not like all the characters, agree with what happened or even one particular glossed over the moment that I was too fond of (no spoilers here), but the writing is very addicting. The writing isn't without its defects though as it can suffer from awkward dialogue and descriptions (see the description of the father's accident), and is sometimes more tell than show. The subject matter, while very dark, is still incredibly interesting. I can see how this author paved the way for many other similar dark tales that have come since, but nothing quite does it for me as VC does. Surprisingly this holds up.
comrademun's review against another edition
4.0
read this for the fifth time. i used to be all "omg, that's an awful woman, omg ew incest" (as i was much younger when i read it before) but this time was completely, "how could a mother do that?" made me cry several times. funny how being a mom changes your perception of things.