A review by zayzay2
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

I have so much to say but all I'll say here is the author did a good job at showing a complex character, we usually hear stories of victims being perfect and always being taken advantage. For this story Vanessa believed she had the power to consent and played a role in it, realistically we know no 15 yr old has that much power nor consent in the eyes of the law and morality. She gave us a character who was different and was not the 'perfect' victim which I enjoyed, I like to see different types of victims and especially from her point of view made it so much better, he's would be sexual only and we know it. There's a quote that was said that describes the book so well, when she find out Taylor spoke out and she's asked to speak on stain she says I wonder how the public will react when they realise I'm not perfect and I essentially was involved. We as the reader know regardless of how forward or how much she wanted stain YOUR A CHILD, and that quote was what the book was about for me directing the idea that yes she may think she is also to blame but in reality she is not and he's 100% to blame which she realises in the end thankfully. Confronting the idea that there is no perfect victim, just because she wanted to be the stain does not mean that stain is less to blame she was groomed and he was an adult and knew what was doing. The idea that women do not need to be perfect to be believed and protect from abusers and pedophiles, that schools should be more aware of teacher/student interactions and put safety in place for students.