A review by higglebee
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I have a confession, this book did not make me cry. This book made me enraged. Reading this book as someone the same exact age as our main character, as a woman who is almost 40, I am appalled but not surprised at how accurately the treatment of young Vanessa is described. The voice of Vanessa is dynamic throughout the book which is a testament to how talented the author is. Vanessa's story can be found in every elder millennial woman's experience, at least in part.  I spent the better part of this book just seething. I see too much of myself in Vanessa, but I know I'm not alone in this. Overall, this book is a story about healing. It's a story of how perspective changes gradually over time and how growing up is really hard when you experience trauma as a child.