MY RATING : ★★★★ (4/5)
“Roanoke girls never last long around here. In the end, we either run or we die.”
― Amy Engel, The Roanoke Girls
After reading this book, Roanoke will be a name you won’t be able to forget. For me it’s Flowers in the Attic meet Riverdale (the TV SHOW). Suspense, thriller and devious scheming is what you’ll find in this book.The book introduced us to Lane, whose mother just committed a suicide leaving her orphan in New York City. Until one day, a social worker informed her that her two only relatives from Kansas wants to take her in. There, begins the journey of Laney-girl into the house of dark secrets and the most twisted relationships.
Amy Engel’s prose is as enchanting as her characters. The peculiar thing about this book is when you tell the story out loud to a friend, or reflect on it, it doesn’t have any extraordinary aspects but somehow she managed to get me hooked through every page. The writing is simple yet delicate. You can feel the charisma from the characters through the descriptions and their behaviours. You become attracted yourself to the characters without knowing why.
Lane and her cousin Allegra has one of the most toxic yet relatable relationship I’ve ever seen. I can relate to the relationship I have with my sister. It’s like this unconditional family love that you seem to never escape. Even if they are cruel to each other, jealousy crawling out of every part, they seem to always find each other and need each other’s presence. An eternal curse in the family.
But the real disturbing thing about the novel is the manipulative grandfather. He doesn’t talk much but when he does it’s like the world stops spinning and no one else existed only him. The author succeeded in portraying the manipulation aspect without having to describe and use as much words. It’s in the little gesture and manners.
I love the cult aspect of the Roanoke Girls. Where Allegra and Lane are the last of them but the Roanoke family have made such a big impact in their town that everybody knows about them. No one knows what makes them so different yet so beautifully attractive. We have a mystic side to a family name and I think the author incorporate it perfectly.
The only downside of the novel, is the ending. I don’t want to spoil anything here so I’ll just say I find it unfair how she portrays the strong aspect the two protagonists to have an ending that illustrate the total opposite of it : they seem weak, victimized. But the reality is, life is unfair and I guess that’s what the author wanted to show us.
If you want to give it a try you can purchase it here: Chapters-Indigo
Did you read this book ? 🙂 Would you want to ?
Thank you to Penguin Random House for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review !
Great review Trang! I had some issues with this and hemmed and hawed between giving it 3 or 31/2 stars before settling on the latter. I couldn’t stand any of the characters but loved the author’s style of writing which is what kept me reading.💁🏻
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LOL yes no problem, the characters are not likable that’s for sure but it was necessary to the story for me haha 🙂 Glad you kept on reading, the writer is skilled thats for sure 😀
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Would love to read this book!
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You totally should try it out 😀 It’s.. weird and twisted LOL
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Flowers in the Attic meets Riverdale = you NAILED it! 👌🏼 haha! This was a good read for me but I do agree with you on the ending, I mean I get it but at the same time like you mentioned, it did seem a little to neat for all that occurred. Great review 😃
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HAHA I TRIED to find the best comparisons possible 😀 ❤ Thank you so much for passing by always appreciate yoru comments giirrll ❤ MUCH LOVE
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Awww thank you for doing the same, you’re appreciated on this end as well ☺️💕much love to you ❤️
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I have seen it around but not a lot of reviews. Sounds interesting:)
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It’s different, but not that extraordinary 😀 If you want a weird, twisted tale for Summer, that’ll be a good one !
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Brilliant review! So far, all the ones I’ve read have kept me on the fence about reading the book, but you convinced me! It sounds as if the book looks simple but has that “magical key element” to make it such an engrossing read.
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YAYY 😀 Glad to hear I conviced you muahha 😀 Hope youre not disappointed tho 😦 It’s very strange, you must read it to experience it. The feeling of wanting to know more but also realizing that wtf why am I reading this it’s not even that special LOL The author kept me through it
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Some books are just magic this way, haha!
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Fabulous review..I’ve been on the fence about the book, like Donna, I kind of want to read it, but then I’m not entirely sure… Time will tell… if I’m meant to read it, I’;m sure it#ll find its way to my hands! XD
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Hahha totally understand 😀 !! Thank you for taking the time to read my review !
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Wonderful review Trang! I absolutely agree with it from all angles. I laugh because I also found myself making a VC Andrews comparison (gotta love those dysfunctional families). Have to say that the ending was a bit off for me as well, but agree that I feel the author was establishing something here. Fantastic!
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HAHA YES. The writing is very particular… you are self conscious that the plot is not so special but somehow it keeps you reading you know. & Flowers in the attic is a favourite of mine ❤ !! Did you finish the series ?
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I would actually have to look to see if I finished the series. I have read through a lot of VC Andrews. I am honestly not sure which book was the final?
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Really great review, wonderfully indepth without sacrificing spoilers. I’ve been looking forward to this book for a while and I think you just sealed my next amazon order
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Oh damn ! I’m happy to hear that 😀 I hope you enjoy it though! Or at least get to experience the writing style I was talking about hehe 🙂 Let me know !
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Gotta admit my mind does a little squeal of terror at any mention of Flowers in the Attic (I never actually read it, but had a friend who did me the favour of giving me a rundown of the plot so I never have to!!) But I love the sound of the writing and it sounds like a powerful book (even if the ending was a letdown). Great review!
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HAHAH omg you should totally reaaad it!! 😀 I love that book so much, thank you for passing by and reading my review it’s always a pleasure to see that ❤ MUCH LOVE
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hahaha absolutely!!! 😀 You’re welcome!! ❤
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