A review by bookedbymadeline
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Now that HCP Union finally got their fair contract I can share one of my backlist HarperCollins reviews 🎉 Today I’m sharing my review for My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (which I read in December)!

Great discussions on victimhood and what it’s like to not be the “perfect victim.” Really makes you reflect on victim blaming, consent, culpability, and the aftermath that survivors face. 

The book is very well written which made me want to keep reading but with how dark the content is I had to take breaks.
The chapters were too long at times for my taste because then I couldn’t just pick it up whenever I had a free moment. I really liked the alternate timelines, as we see Vanessa in the present and her reflections of the past. 

Good ending that was satisfying, but didn’t tie everything up neatly leaving it a bit open ended. There was also great character development that felt more realistic than most books! Vanessa’s progress and growth was full of ups and downs with one step forward two steps back, showing how non-linear healing can be. Overall a fantastic book that I’d recommend but also want to remind others to be cautious with the content!


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