A review by jodiej_
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I don’t really write reviews so here goes. This book was so hard to get through but was absolutely necessary to read, I found myself having to put it down a few times because of how dark and intense it got.
I have to admit that I did find myself getting angry and frustrated at Vanessa and asking her why can’t you see what it was?? Why can’t you see what he did to you? Why can’t you see that it wasn’t love and he was an evil disgusting predator?? Then I would carry on reading again and understand that the brainwashing was so so deep that she genuinely believed it was love.
There was moments in the book where she seemed to realise that she was being manipulated but then convinced herself that he wasn’t manipulating her, he was just trying to make her understand.
This book tells a very realistic story of what it’s like to be groomed and raped. It’s not as simple as saying they was and coming forward it changes a victims whole life, thought process and feelings. They start believing that this is what love is supposed to feel like.
A dark heartbreaking but an absolute reality for victims.
I have to admit that I did find myself getting angry and frustrated at Vanessa and asking her why can’t you see what it was?? Why can’t you see what he did to you? Why can’t you see that it wasn’t love and he was an evil disgusting predator?? Then I would carry on reading again and understand that the brainwashing was so so deep that she genuinely believed it was love.
There was moments in the book where she seemed to realise that she was being manipulated but then convinced herself that he wasn’t manipulating her, he was just trying to make her understand.
This book tells a very realistic story of what it’s like to be groomed and raped. It’s not as simple as saying they was and coming forward it changes a victims whole life, thought process and feelings. They start believing that this is what love is supposed to feel like.
A dark heartbreaking but an absolute reality for victims.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship