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Storms #1
Family Storms
"In the eye of the storm . . . "Living on the streets with her destitute mother, selling knickknacks and trinkets just to survive, Sasha Porter dreams of someday having a normal life, with a real house and family. But she never dreamed a devastating tragedy would bring her those very things: on a stormy night by a rainspattered highway, a speeding car veers out of control, striking and killing her mother and badly injuring Sasha.
." . . is anywhere truly safe? "
In the hospital, Sasha is whisked off to a fancy private suite at the request of wealthy Mrs. Jordan March, a complete stranger who keeps watch by Sasha's bedside and insists she come live at her family's sprawling, luxurious mansion. Sasha soon learns Mrs. March never recovered from the loss of her daughter Alena, and with nowhere else to go, Sasha agrees to use Alena's room, sleep in her bed, and wear her clothes. But someone will make sure that Sasha never takes Alena's place: a jealous sister dead set on making Sasha's life a living hell.
." . . is anywhere truly safe? "
In the hospital, Sasha is whisked off to a fancy private suite at the request of wealthy Mrs. Jordan March, a complete stranger who keeps watch by Sasha's bedside and insists she come live at her family's sprawling, luxurious mansion. Sasha soon learns Mrs. March never recovered from the loss of her daughter Alena, and with nowhere else to go, Sasha agrees to use Alena's room, sleep in her bed, and wear her clothes. But someone will make sure that Sasha never takes Alena's place: a jealous sister dead set on making Sasha's life a living hell.
483 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2011
109 people are currently reading
2714 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
370 books9,116 followersBooks published under the following names - Virginia Andrews, V. Andrews, Virginia C. Andrews & V.C. Endrius. Books since her death ghost written by Andrew Neiderman, but still attributed to the V.C. Andrews name
Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school.
While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family.
After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator.
Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.
Promise gleamed over the horizon for Virginia when she submitted a 290,000-word novel, The Obsessed, to a publishing company. She was told that the story had potential, but needed to be trimmed and spiced up a bit. She drafted a new outline in a single night and added "unspeakable things my mother didn't want me to write about." The ninety-eight-page revision was re-titled Flowers in the Attic and she was paid a $7,500 advance. Her new-generation Gothic novel reached the bestseller lists a mere two weeks after its 1979 paperback publication by Pocket Books.
Petals on the Wind, her sequel to Flowers, was published the next year, earning Virginia a $35,000 advance. The second book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an unbelievable nineteen weeks (Flowers also returned to the list). These first two novels alone sold over seven million copies in only two years. The third novel of the Dollanganger series, If There Be Thorns, was released in 1981, bringing Virginia a $75,000 advance. It reached No. 2 on many bestseller lists within its first two weeks.
Taking a break from the chronicles of Chris and Cathy Dollanganger, Virginia published her one, and only, stand-alone novel, My Sweet Audrina, in 1982. The book welcomed an immediate success, topping the sales figures of her previous novels. Two years later, a fourth Dollanganger novel was released, Seeds of Yesterday. According to the New York Times, Seeds was the best-selling fiction paperback novel of 1984. Also in 1984, V.C. Andrews was named "Professional Woman of the Year" by the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Upon Andrews's death in 1986, two final novels—Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts—were published. These two novels are considered the last to bear the "V.C. Andrews" name and to be almost completely written by
Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school.
While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family.
After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator.
Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.
Promise gleamed over the horizon for Virginia when she submitted a 290,000-word novel, The Obsessed, to a publishing company. She was told that the story had potential, but needed to be trimmed and spiced up a bit. She drafted a new outline in a single night and added "unspeakable things my mother didn't want me to write about." The ninety-eight-page revision was re-titled Flowers in the Attic and she was paid a $7,500 advance. Her new-generation Gothic novel reached the bestseller lists a mere two weeks after its 1979 paperback publication by Pocket Books.
Petals on the Wind, her sequel to Flowers, was published the next year, earning Virginia a $35,000 advance. The second book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an unbelievable nineteen weeks (Flowers also returned to the list). These first two novels alone sold over seven million copies in only two years. The third novel of the Dollanganger series, If There Be Thorns, was released in 1981, bringing Virginia a $75,000 advance. It reached No. 2 on many bestseller lists within its first two weeks.
Taking a break from the chronicles of Chris and Cathy Dollanganger, Virginia published her one, and only, stand-alone novel, My Sweet Audrina, in 1982. The book welcomed an immediate success, topping the sales figures of her previous novels. Two years later, a fourth Dollanganger novel was released, Seeds of Yesterday. According to the New York Times, Seeds was the best-selling fiction paperback novel of 1984. Also in 1984, V.C. Andrews was named "Professional Woman of the Year" by the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Upon Andrews's death in 1986, two final novels—Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts—were published. These two novels are considered the last to bear the "V.C. Andrews" name and to be almost completely written by
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
February 17, 2011
What I Can Tell You:
My sister and I grew up big VC Andrew fans and have read so many of her books. Family Storms is a 2 part series and I cannot wait to get book 2.
As man VC Andrew fans know, VC Andrews died in 1986 and her family works closely with a ghost writer who has taken synopsis' created by VC herself and created stories that will continue to excite long time fans of VC Andrews.
Family Storms, is about Sasha who after losing her mother when she is struck by a teen driver named Kiera March. Kiera's mother takes Sasha in and has her living in her beloved deceased daughter Alena's room. While dealing with the loss of her mother, an injury from the accident, and now a "new" family situation, Sasha feels alone and tries to be the person she knows her mother would want her to be. She accepts the gifts Ms. March presents to her, handles herself with the elusive Mr. March and deals with the jealousy of a Kiera who was never put first when her sister was alive.
When Sasha shines in the adult March's eyes, Kiera does what she can to make sure they never put another "daughter" ahead of her.
I personally loved this story. It stays very true to the VC Andrews library. I found myself wanting to yell "Sasha, don't trust her" so many times. Kiera is evil and will obviously be found out, hopefully Sasha can make it out with her diginity and be a stronger person in the long run.
My sister and I grew up big VC Andrew fans and have read so many of her books. Family Storms is a 2 part series and I cannot wait to get book 2.
As man VC Andrew fans know, VC Andrews died in 1986 and her family works closely with a ghost writer who has taken synopsis' created by VC herself and created stories that will continue to excite long time fans of VC Andrews.
Family Storms, is about Sasha who after losing her mother when she is struck by a teen driver named Kiera March. Kiera's mother takes Sasha in and has her living in her beloved deceased daughter Alena's room. While dealing with the loss of her mother, an injury from the accident, and now a "new" family situation, Sasha feels alone and tries to be the person she knows her mother would want her to be. She accepts the gifts Ms. March presents to her, handles herself with the elusive Mr. March and deals with the jealousy of a Kiera who was never put first when her sister was alive.
When Sasha shines in the adult March's eyes, Kiera does what she can to make sure they never put another "daughter" ahead of her.
I personally loved this story. It stays very true to the VC Andrews library. I found myself wanting to yell "Sasha, don't trust her" so many times. Kiera is evil and will obviously be found out, hopefully Sasha can make it out with her diginity and be a stronger person in the long run.
November 28, 2011
Family Storms, Storms #1, by V.C. Andrews
Grade: C-
“Well? What is she planning to buy you? What is she going to do for you now?”
“Have me take the place of her dead daughter.”
Sasha Porter has spent the last year living on the streets with her alcoholic mother in Southern California. Sasha is not yet fourteen when she and her mother are hit by a car while trying to cross the Pacific Coast Highway. When Sasha wakes up in the hospital her whole life is turned upside down: her mother is dead, her leg is broken and the mother of the young girl who was driving the car has arranged to pay for all of her medical bills. Mrs. March lost a daughter, Alena, to cancer a couple years before and has decided to take Sasha home with her and try to make up to her what her her other daughter, Kiera, did.
Sasha is soon whisked away to the biggest mansion she has ever seen, put into private school and given a limo with a driver to drive her to and from school but things may not be as perfect as they seem. Sasha finds that not everyone in the March house is excited she’s now part of the family and Mrs. march seems to be trying to replace her daughter who died with Sasha. Sasha soon discovers that having money doesn’t mean your problems go away, in fact it can make them much, much worse.
I wasn’t sure what I expected when I started reading Family Storms but I was very surprised with the story that I got. Family Storms was very dark story from start to finish. There is no humor and the characters are some of the meanest, most selfish that I have ever encountered. I am not a fan of poor girl becomes rich and has to deal with horrible snobby rich people and that is a lot of what this book is.
I liked Sasha but at the same time really didn’t like her. I don’t believe that a girl who’s father abandoned her, mother is an alcoholic and lived on the streets for years is as well adjusted and easy going as Sasha is. She has no problems herself except for the ones that the rich people who are fostering her create. She is way too much of a good girl and way too innocent for me. I found her to be very fake, unrealistic and unlikeable which is a problem as she is the main character and narrates the book. I wanted a lot more depth from her and I found her to fall flat.
As I mentioned before the rest of the characters are some of the meanest and selfish people ever and it was painful to read about how they treated Sasha. Kiera is a sociopath and everyone just brushes off everything that she does and she does some really messed up stuff. The book touches on some very heavy issues but it never delves deeper to get really real. I was very angry at the end of this book because of the events that happened to Sasha and how it just gets swept under the rug and it’s not talked about again even by Sasha. I found most of the book to be very frustrating because of this and other instances where a subject is kind of brought up and then never talked about. I felt like there were a lot of loose strings that never got tied up.
I would classify this book as a Young Adult but if I was a parent I wouldn’t let my child under sixteen or seventeen read this book but I may just be old fashioned. There are some very heavy subjects in this book but they are not dealt with in a good way and I wouldn’t want young girls to think that you can hit someone’s mother with your car while on drugs, get probation and then treat her daughter like she’s less then garbage and hurt her in the worst way possible. This could have been a great book but sadly it feel very, very short and sugarcoats big issues that need to be taken much more seriously.
Grade: C-
“Well? What is she planning to buy you? What is she going to do for you now?”
“Have me take the place of her dead daughter.”
Sasha Porter has spent the last year living on the streets with her alcoholic mother in Southern California. Sasha is not yet fourteen when she and her mother are hit by a car while trying to cross the Pacific Coast Highway. When Sasha wakes up in the hospital her whole life is turned upside down: her mother is dead, her leg is broken and the mother of the young girl who was driving the car has arranged to pay for all of her medical bills. Mrs. March lost a daughter, Alena, to cancer a couple years before and has decided to take Sasha home with her and try to make up to her what her her other daughter, Kiera, did.
Sasha is soon whisked away to the biggest mansion she has ever seen, put into private school and given a limo with a driver to drive her to and from school but things may not be as perfect as they seem. Sasha finds that not everyone in the March house is excited she’s now part of the family and Mrs. march seems to be trying to replace her daughter who died with Sasha. Sasha soon discovers that having money doesn’t mean your problems go away, in fact it can make them much, much worse.
I wasn’t sure what I expected when I started reading Family Storms but I was very surprised with the story that I got. Family Storms was very dark story from start to finish. There is no humor and the characters are some of the meanest, most selfish that I have ever encountered. I am not a fan of poor girl becomes rich and has to deal with horrible snobby rich people and that is a lot of what this book is.
I liked Sasha but at the same time really didn’t like her. I don’t believe that a girl who’s father abandoned her, mother is an alcoholic and lived on the streets for years is as well adjusted and easy going as Sasha is. She has no problems herself except for the ones that the rich people who are fostering her create. She is way too much of a good girl and way too innocent for me. I found her to be very fake, unrealistic and unlikeable which is a problem as she is the main character and narrates the book. I wanted a lot more depth from her and I found her to fall flat.
As I mentioned before the rest of the characters are some of the meanest and selfish people ever and it was painful to read about how they treated Sasha. Kiera is a sociopath and everyone just brushes off everything that she does and she does some really messed up stuff. The book touches on some very heavy issues but it never delves deeper to get really real. I was very angry at the end of this book because of the events that happened to Sasha and how it just gets swept under the rug and it’s not talked about again even by Sasha. I found most of the book to be very frustrating because of this and other instances where a subject is kind of brought up and then never talked about. I felt like there were a lot of loose strings that never got tied up.
I would classify this book as a Young Adult but if I was a parent I wouldn’t let my child under sixteen or seventeen read this book but I may just be old fashioned. There are some very heavy subjects in this book but they are not dealt with in a good way and I wouldn’t want young girls to think that you can hit someone’s mother with your car while on drugs, get probation and then treat her daughter like she’s less then garbage and hurt her in the worst way possible. This could have been a great book but sadly it feel very, very short and sugarcoats big issues that need to be taken much more seriously.
November 4, 2011
This is the first book I have read by well known author V.C. Andrews. She is famous for her Flowers in the Attic series, but I never had a chance to check them out and read them. When I was offered this novel for review, I figured it would be a good place to start and work my way backwards through her books.
While I really enjoyed the first couple of chapters in this book, it really started to stall after that. It seemed to stretch on and on with no real progression in the plot. After Sasha and her Mother are hit by a car, Sasha wakes up in the hospital and learns that her Mother didn't make it. They were homeless and therefore without insurance so she wasn't really receiving the treatment she deserved. When Mrs. Marsh shows up in her hospital room and moves her to a private room, she is curious to know why she is helping her. Mrs. Marsh reveals that her daughter Kiera was the one that hit them with her car while intoxicated with drugs. Mrs. Marsh is very wealthy and insists that Sasha come live with her and her family so she can have a proper home and wonderful life. Sasha is hesitant in moving in with her because she feels it to be a betrayal to her Mothers memory to live in the same house as the person who caused all the heartache.
After Sasha moves into the home though, she realizes Mrs. Marsh has some ulterior motives for her being there. She seems to be replacing her daughter Alena with Sasha after Alena passed away awhile back. Sasha is living in her room, wearing her clothes, and even being treated like Alena by Mrs. Marsh.
The book is predictable and rather quite boring after Sasha is moved into the house. I struggled with finishing this book and was just thankful when it ended. If this is any indication of what the other books by this author are like, then I am not too sure I will be picking up anymore.
While I really enjoyed the first couple of chapters in this book, it really started to stall after that. It seemed to stretch on and on with no real progression in the plot. After Sasha and her Mother are hit by a car, Sasha wakes up in the hospital and learns that her Mother didn't make it. They were homeless and therefore without insurance so she wasn't really receiving the treatment she deserved. When Mrs. Marsh shows up in her hospital room and moves her to a private room, she is curious to know why she is helping her. Mrs. Marsh reveals that her daughter Kiera was the one that hit them with her car while intoxicated with drugs. Mrs. Marsh is very wealthy and insists that Sasha come live with her and her family so she can have a proper home and wonderful life. Sasha is hesitant in moving in with her because she feels it to be a betrayal to her Mothers memory to live in the same house as the person who caused all the heartache.
After Sasha moves into the home though, she realizes Mrs. Marsh has some ulterior motives for her being there. She seems to be replacing her daughter Alena with Sasha after Alena passed away awhile back. Sasha is living in her room, wearing her clothes, and even being treated like Alena by Mrs. Marsh.
The book is predictable and rather quite boring after Sasha is moved into the house. I struggled with finishing this book and was just thankful when it ended. If this is any indication of what the other books by this author are like, then I am not too sure I will be picking up anymore.
May 7, 2019
God ja.... Flauwe start, ergernis over verpleegsters die zusters worden genoemd en plots weer verpleegsters zijn.. Weinig uitdieping van een toch wel zwaar thema, verder weinig realistisch. Naar het einde toe een beetje beter maar echt overtuigd ben ik niet. Het tweede deel krijgt nog een kleine kans.
November 17, 2011
Let me start off by saying that this review will contain spoilers, so if you haven't read this book stop reading now.
With that being said, if you have read any of VC Andrews earlier books (that she herself actually wrote) you will understand my review better. But, if you haven't read any of her earlier books, let me just tell you that her books usually have twists, turns, deceit and betrayal in them. And you usually come across one or more of them early on in the book.
"Family Storms" was nothing like that. I was greatly disappointed. Now, if you are wondering why I gave the story 3 stars if I was so disappointed, it was because I still thought the writing wasn't too bad. The writing is what kept me reading when I wanted to stop so many times. There were numerous times that I thought for sure something deceitful was about to happen, but I was so wrong.
This story was about a girl, Keira, who hits a homeless mother and daughter with her car one rainy night. The mother ends up dying and the girl, Sasha, ends up with a broken femur. While Sasha is in the hospital being treated, Keira's mom, Jordan or Mrs. March, shows up telling Sasha who she is and offering her her home to come and stay while she is recuperating.
Sasha agrees and soon finds out that the Marchs are very wealthy and that they had, not to long ago, lost their younger daugher, Alena, to an illness.
When Sasha is given Alenas room to stay in (despite all the empty guest rooms the house has) I thought for sure I knew what was coming and where the story was going. And then when Mrs. March kept referring to Alena and comparing Sasha and Alena, I knew for sure what was going to happen. But, no, I was wrong. What a disappointment. That is one of the things that kept me reading though. I thought for sure that, at least, by the end of the book, what I had been thinking will actually happen. But, no....the story took a different direction.
Sasha soon meets Keira and instead of Keira feeling remorse for what she had done, she feels resentment towards Sasha. And she acts like a total bitch to her; especially after she sees how her mother is doting on her and offering her everything of Alenas and then some.
Mrs. March, in turn, does nothing but put down her daughter, Keira, and call her on all of her faults and wrong doings.
This all goes on through about the first 1/3 of the book. And as I said before, I am certain, that by this time something crazy is gonna happen.
But again, no. Actually what does happen makes no sort of sense to me. Keira befriends Sasha and gets Sasha to believe that she is sorry for everything and that she wants to take her under her wing, so to speak.
That was OK, but not when Keira gets Sasha to wear all these skimpy clothes, that Sasha is even suspect about. They still have their tags on them and Keira doesn't wear stuff like them so why would Sasha believe Keira when Keira says that they are her clothes and she is lending them to her?? C'mon, Sasha is smarting then that. And you know it too.
Then when Keira tells her about the VA Club??? What it meant and the initiation, the tattoo?? How dumb is that! And Sasha goes along with it so easily despite the doubts running through her head....That was another thing that upset me with the book.
And the clincher for me was when Keira came home from the party on the ship saying how miserble it was and her parents believed her story just like that?? After Mrs. March did nothing but point out how horrible her own daughter was and even telling Sasha to watch herself with her....she is going to just believe that story that easily??
The tattoo, the club, Keiras friends just going along with the whole thing??
And then when Keira ODs, I gave the story one last chance to turn into something worthy of reading the next book. I thought maybe Keira wouldn't make it and Sasha really would end up taking the place of Alena. But that didn't happen either.
I can't express enough how upset I am with this story.
It is 3 in the morning and I couldn't go to sleep until I wrote this review.
Like I said at the beginning, if you have ever read one of VC Andrews earlier books you should understand exactly where I am coming from. If you haven't, you should read one because they are great!
With that being said, if you have read any of VC Andrews earlier books (that she herself actually wrote) you will understand my review better. But, if you haven't read any of her earlier books, let me just tell you that her books usually have twists, turns, deceit and betrayal in them. And you usually come across one or more of them early on in the book.
"Family Storms" was nothing like that. I was greatly disappointed. Now, if you are wondering why I gave the story 3 stars if I was so disappointed, it was because I still thought the writing wasn't too bad. The writing is what kept me reading when I wanted to stop so many times. There were numerous times that I thought for sure something deceitful was about to happen, but I was so wrong.
This story was about a girl, Keira, who hits a homeless mother and daughter with her car one rainy night. The mother ends up dying and the girl, Sasha, ends up with a broken femur. While Sasha is in the hospital being treated, Keira's mom, Jordan or Mrs. March, shows up telling Sasha who she is and offering her her home to come and stay while she is recuperating.
Sasha agrees and soon finds out that the Marchs are very wealthy and that they had, not to long ago, lost their younger daugher, Alena, to an illness.
When Sasha is given Alenas room to stay in (despite all the empty guest rooms the house has) I thought for sure I knew what was coming and where the story was going. And then when Mrs. March kept referring to Alena and comparing Sasha and Alena, I knew for sure what was going to happen. But, no, I was wrong. What a disappointment. That is one of the things that kept me reading though. I thought for sure that, at least, by the end of the book, what I had been thinking will actually happen. But, no....the story took a different direction.
Sasha soon meets Keira and instead of Keira feeling remorse for what she had done, she feels resentment towards Sasha. And she acts like a total bitch to her; especially after she sees how her mother is doting on her and offering her everything of Alenas and then some.
Mrs. March, in turn, does nothing but put down her daughter, Keira, and call her on all of her faults and wrong doings.
This all goes on through about the first 1/3 of the book. And as I said before, I am certain, that by this time something crazy is gonna happen.
But again, no. Actually what does happen makes no sort of sense to me. Keira befriends Sasha and gets Sasha to believe that she is sorry for everything and that she wants to take her under her wing, so to speak.
That was OK, but not when Keira gets Sasha to wear all these skimpy clothes, that Sasha is even suspect about. They still have their tags on them and Keira doesn't wear stuff like them so why would Sasha believe Keira when Keira says that they are her clothes and she is lending them to her?? C'mon, Sasha is smarting then that. And you know it too.
Then when Keira tells her about the VA Club??? What it meant and the initiation, the tattoo?? How dumb is that! And Sasha goes along with it so easily despite the doubts running through her head....That was another thing that upset me with the book.
And the clincher for me was when Keira came home from the party on the ship saying how miserble it was and her parents believed her story just like that?? After Mrs. March did nothing but point out how horrible her own daughter was and even telling Sasha to watch herself with her....she is going to just believe that story that easily??
The tattoo, the club, Keiras friends just going along with the whole thing??
And then when Keira ODs, I gave the story one last chance to turn into something worthy of reading the next book. I thought maybe Keira wouldn't make it and Sasha really would end up taking the place of Alena. But that didn't happen either.
I can't express enough how upset I am with this story.
It is 3 in the morning and I couldn't go to sleep until I wrote this review.
Like I said at the beginning, if you have ever read one of VC Andrews earlier books you should understand exactly where I am coming from. If you haven't, you should read one because they are great!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2019
Classic. I felt like I should be sneaking and hiding to read this book like I was in middle school. 😂
January 6, 2014
This book pretty much sticks to the formula, so it falls a bit flat. The difference is that Sasha Porter starts off homeless...and she's quarter-Chinese. Strange how the other ethnic VCA heroine I remember (Rain) also lived in poverty (the Projects). So only ethnic people live in rough neighbourhoods? What are you trying to say, VCA? Anyhoo, this leads to Sasha and her mum's looks referred to as "exotic".
Ridiculously wealthy Jordan March brings Sasha into her family, and it turns out Sasha is some calligraphy painting, clarinet playing, child genius, or whatever. Naturally, her new "sister", Kiera, hates her - because of who Sasha is, or who she isn't? Turns out Jordan's trying to get Sasha to take the place of her dead daughter, Alena. She didn't die in mysterious circumstances or madness or anything - just acute leukaemia. And you know what that means, everyone - CANCER GLAMOURISATION! As various forms of media - both fictional and non-fictional - have taught us, people with cancer aren't regular people like you and me. They're BETTER than us. Absolutely flawless in every single way, even before they were diagnosed. Cancer patients are martyrs who die for our sins, because as they're perfect in every way, they have no sin of their own. And here I thought cancer patients don't want people to think of them as "special"; they just want to be like anyone else...
Anyhoo, Kiera tries to turn Sasha into a bad girl, or at least give her the appearance of one, by forcing her to get a specific tattoo, making her wear the trashiest clothes possible (that outfit at Disneyland is just AWFUL), inducting her into a sex-confessional club, and getting her drugged and raped while everyone watches. Also, Kiera was driving the car that injured Sasha and killed her mother.
So there's a whole lot of virgin-shaming, slut-shaming, cancer-martyrising, poor-shaming...and why is there a sequel? There doesn't need to be one, but I'll read it, anyway.
Ridiculously wealthy Jordan March brings Sasha into her family, and it turns out Sasha is some calligraphy painting, clarinet playing, child genius, or whatever. Naturally, her new "sister", Kiera, hates her - because of who Sasha is, or who she isn't? Turns out Jordan's trying to get Sasha to take the place of her dead daughter, Alena. She didn't die in mysterious circumstances or madness or anything - just acute leukaemia. And you know what that means, everyone - CANCER GLAMOURISATION! As various forms of media - both fictional and non-fictional - have taught us, people with cancer aren't regular people like you and me. They're BETTER than us. Absolutely flawless in every single way, even before they were diagnosed. Cancer patients are martyrs who die for our sins, because as they're perfect in every way, they have no sin of their own. And here I thought cancer patients don't want people to think of them as "special"; they just want to be like anyone else...
Anyhoo, Kiera tries to turn Sasha into a bad girl, or at least give her the appearance of one, by forcing her to get a specific tattoo, making her wear the trashiest clothes possible (that outfit at Disneyland is just AWFUL), inducting her into a sex-confessional club, and getting her drugged and raped while everyone watches. Also, Kiera was driving the car that injured Sasha and killed her mother.
So there's a whole lot of virgin-shaming, slut-shaming, cancer-martyrising, poor-shaming...and why is there a sequel? There doesn't need to be one, but I'll read it, anyway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2011
I enjoy all VC Andrews books, (with the exception of the DeBeers series; that one was a complete waste of time). This first book in the 2 book series was pretty good. It's written in the predictable Andrews fashion.
Poor, homeless girl and alcoholic mother are living on the streets until an accident occurs, killing her mother and injuring poor Sasha. The mother of the girl who hit Sasha with her car feels bad and takes her in. Mrs. March does this more for herself, trying to emotionally replace the daughter she lost to a blood disease when she was very young.
Sasha moving into the dead girls room and Sasha being a decent, loving person who appreciates all that is given to her from this rich family brings more hate and animosity from Keira, the spoiled rich brat who hit and killed Sasha's mother while she was high on ectasy.
Then all of a sudden, Keira starts being overly nice to Sasha, (classic VC Andrews fashion). If you're a regular reader of Andrews books you already know whats coming.
these books are a guilty pleasure and I've read every book written by this author. The only downer I can find about this book is that I have to wait until November to read book 2 in this series. That's way too long!
Also, it may not matter to most, but it bothers me that the girl on the cover of the book looks nothing like Sasha as described in the book. Sasha has some Asian qualities to her and this girl obviously does not. Note to VC Andrews, your last few covers haven't been that good. Please refer to the original VC Andrews covers, (such as Flowers in the Attic). They were better as drawings in leiu of real people.
Poor, homeless girl and alcoholic mother are living on the streets until an accident occurs, killing her mother and injuring poor Sasha. The mother of the girl who hit Sasha with her car feels bad and takes her in. Mrs. March does this more for herself, trying to emotionally replace the daughter she lost to a blood disease when she was very young.
Sasha moving into the dead girls room and Sasha being a decent, loving person who appreciates all that is given to her from this rich family brings more hate and animosity from Keira, the spoiled rich brat who hit and killed Sasha's mother while she was high on ectasy.
Then all of a sudden, Keira starts being overly nice to Sasha, (classic VC Andrews fashion). If you're a regular reader of Andrews books you already know whats coming.
these books are a guilty pleasure and I've read every book written by this author. The only downer I can find about this book is that I have to wait until November to read book 2 in this series. That's way too long!
Also, it may not matter to most, but it bothers me that the girl on the cover of the book looks nothing like Sasha as described in the book. Sasha has some Asian qualities to her and this girl obviously does not. Note to VC Andrews, your last few covers haven't been that good. Please refer to the original VC Andrews covers, (such as Flowers in the Attic). They were better as drawings in leiu of real people.
November 8, 2011
This is the first in this new series, which I think is geared more towards teens than any other age group. It tells the story of Sasha Porter, living a normal life with her mother and father, until one day her father leaves them without a word. Her mother tries to take care of them, but gets increasingly depressed and starts drinking. She ends up losing her job and apartment and they have to resort to living on the streets. Within three years, her mother is losing her mind and Sasha prays that they would someday have a home of their own. On a rainy night, her mother urges Sasha to wake up and tells her they are going home, but while crossing the highway, a car hits them, killing her mother instantly and leaving Sasha with a broken leg.
Mrs. March then comes to the hospital and tells Sasha she is helping her because her daughter is the one that was driving the car. She feels bad and wants to make things right, so she asks Sasha to live with them. She agrees and then realizes that Mrs. March isn't over the death of her youngest daughter, who died from Leukemia. While she tries to get Sasha to replace her youngest daughter, their oldest daughter is trying to get Sasha out of their house, and will stop at nothing to get it done. Sasha soon finds out that as her mother once told her, you can trust no one.
Mrs. March then comes to the hospital and tells Sasha she is helping her because her daughter is the one that was driving the car. She feels bad and wants to make things right, so she asks Sasha to live with them. She agrees and then realizes that Mrs. March isn't over the death of her youngest daughter, who died from Leukemia. While she tries to get Sasha to replace her youngest daughter, their oldest daughter is trying to get Sasha out of their house, and will stop at nothing to get it done. Sasha soon finds out that as her mother once told her, you can trust no one.
June 1, 2013
I was a huge V.C. Andrews fan throughout junior high and high school, so I picked up this latest book mainly for nostalgic reasons. This book follows the same "formula" that I recall from other VCA books where there is an orphaned, or orphaned-like girl who ends up with a ridiculously wealthy family by some strange circumstances.
This book was interesting and fast-paced enough for me to get through it quickly. I liked Sasha's character at the beginning of the book, but by the middle she didn't even seem like the same girl. I thought she became incredibly naive, when initially she seemed so self-sufficient with an innate ability to read people and situations. The old Sasha returns for a bit at the end of the story, but by then it's maybe too late. It also wraps up very quickly at the end...with a slightly farfetched resolution.
At the end, I am reminded why I loved VCA books in the past and also why I stopped reading them. This book will hold me over for awhile, so I think I will skip the rest in the series.
This book was interesting and fast-paced enough for me to get through it quickly. I liked Sasha's character at the beginning of the book, but by the middle she didn't even seem like the same girl. I thought she became incredibly naive, when initially she seemed so self-sufficient with an innate ability to read people and situations. The old Sasha returns for a bit at the end of the story, but by then it's maybe too late. It also wraps up very quickly at the end...with a slightly farfetched resolution.
At the end, I am reminded why I loved VCA books in the past and also why I stopped reading them. This book will hold me over for awhile, so I think I will skip the rest in the series.
June 8, 2011
This is closer to 3 1/2 stars. Anyone who has read VCA before could tell where the climax of this book was headed. I almost didn't want to keep reading bc I knew something horrible was going to happen to Sasha. I am definitely looking forward to the sequel this fall. To me, there seems to be two types of VCA books. The older ones, and the newer ones. Obviously the Dollangagner series, but I would lump The Casteel, Cutler, Landry, and Logan families all in a category of more "classic" VCA. And there seemed to be a shift in writing style with Orphans, Wildflowers, Hudson, etc....I liked the older style better, but I can't really put my finger on what it is that makes it a bit different. I am wondering who the girl on the cover is supposed to be, Sasha or Kiera? I assumed Sasha but she seems so much older than Sasha is and has the eyes Kiera is described as having...not sure...
November 5, 2011
I only read the first 135 pages.. The action has been really slow so far and I think there's too much background information on some characters and too less on others. I don't think I will finish this book.
April 4, 2017
Reading some of these reviews, I think I read a different book than everyone else, because I missed something.
December 10, 2024
Classic VC Andrews
November 27, 2011
Note: This is a joint review of both "Family Storms" and "Cloudburst"
When I think back to my adolescence, V.C. Andrews always pops into my mind. She was my absolute favorite author, with her Dollanganger/Flowers in the Attic series being the first set of books I became absolutely obsessed with. I still remember the thrills and excitement of a new V.C. Andrews release and hurrying to the local B. Dalton (pre-Barnes & Noble and Amazon) to pick it up as quickly as I could and staying up late into the night to devour it. Such were my emotions when I was asked to read and review Family Storms and Cloudburst, the two entries in the new "Secrets" saga - - thrills, excitement and a flashback to my teen years.
For those readers not in the know, author V.C. Andrews passed away in 1986, leaving her family to hire a writer to continue her legacy with outlines of future stories. Sadly, those sketches left by Ms. Andrews seem to be long gone.
Perhaps it's unfair for me to rate these books against the Flowers in the Attic series - - my absolute favorites - - but I can't help but do so. No one would accuse V.C. Andrews' writing of approaching Shakespearian levels; in fact, she was the late 70s/early 80s generation's Stephenie Meyers. She was a storyteller of addictive proportions, creating absolutely unforgettable characters and giving her tales a creepy, gothic factor. Family Secrets and Cloudburst fall short in this regard, although not for lack of potential.
The premise is good enough - - homeless young girl taken in by an obscenely wealthy family shrouded in secrets and with a young daughter who died tragically and a living daughter, spiraling out of control, who not only is responsible for the accident that placed Sasha in her family home and took her mother away from her but who deeply resents her.
I can't help but think if this book had been written and published 25-30 years ago, a deep dark secret would have been revealed about the younger daughter's death, one of the housekeepers might have been a Rebecca-esque Mrs. Danvers and perhaps Jordan Marsh may have literally tried to turn Sasha into her deceased daughter. Alas, none of this came to pass.
Similarly, in Cloudburst, several interesting storyline opportunities were passed up or allowed to slowly peter out. Characters that could have and should have been fleshed out were not; some issues were dragged out to nearly painful proportions.
Sasha was a confusing heroine for me. I liked her better in Family Storms although her ignorance at times was confounding. In Cloudburst she didn't seem like the best kind of friend and frankly, I couldn't understand how she kept the friends she had or why any of them would want to befriend her. I wanted to like her more than I did but she was so frustrating at times that I wanted to pull at my own hair.
I was disappointed with the ending of Cloudburst, which felt more like a non-ending to me. I waited for the trademark V.C. Andrews twists and turns and they simply were not forthcoming. Also missing was the gothic feel so apparent in early Andrews works, like the Flowers in the Attic series and the stunning stand alone, My Sweet Audrina.
Purely cosmetic and shallow but I loved the covers from the earliest Andrews books - - they added to the stories and told tales of their own. I don't particularly care for the more recent covers that feature simple photos. They are rather dull and honestly, the model(s) on the covers look(s) much too old to be Sasha.
That said, these are still V.C. Andrews books and, as such, they make great vacation books, or a good book to curl up with on a cold and rainy day. They won't be the filet mignon of your library but they are a quick fast food burger and will satisfy your literary cravings.
Review Copyright © Psychotic State Book Reviews
http://www.psychoticstate.net
When I think back to my adolescence, V.C. Andrews always pops into my mind. She was my absolute favorite author, with her Dollanganger/Flowers in the Attic series being the first set of books I became absolutely obsessed with. I still remember the thrills and excitement of a new V.C. Andrews release and hurrying to the local B. Dalton (pre-Barnes & Noble and Amazon) to pick it up as quickly as I could and staying up late into the night to devour it. Such were my emotions when I was asked to read and review Family Storms and Cloudburst, the two entries in the new "Secrets" saga - - thrills, excitement and a flashback to my teen years.
For those readers not in the know, author V.C. Andrews passed away in 1986, leaving her family to hire a writer to continue her legacy with outlines of future stories. Sadly, those sketches left by Ms. Andrews seem to be long gone.
Perhaps it's unfair for me to rate these books against the Flowers in the Attic series - - my absolute favorites - - but I can't help but do so. No one would accuse V.C. Andrews' writing of approaching Shakespearian levels; in fact, she was the late 70s/early 80s generation's Stephenie Meyers. She was a storyteller of addictive proportions, creating absolutely unforgettable characters and giving her tales a creepy, gothic factor. Family Secrets and Cloudburst fall short in this regard, although not for lack of potential.
The premise is good enough - - homeless young girl taken in by an obscenely wealthy family shrouded in secrets and with a young daughter who died tragically and a living daughter, spiraling out of control, who not only is responsible for the accident that placed Sasha in her family home and took her mother away from her but who deeply resents her.
I can't help but think if this book had been written and published 25-30 years ago, a deep dark secret would have been revealed about the younger daughter's death, one of the housekeepers might have been a Rebecca-esque Mrs. Danvers and perhaps Jordan Marsh may have literally tried to turn Sasha into her deceased daughter. Alas, none of this came to pass.
Similarly, in Cloudburst, several interesting storyline opportunities were passed up or allowed to slowly peter out. Characters that could have and should have been fleshed out were not; some issues were dragged out to nearly painful proportions.
Sasha was a confusing heroine for me. I liked her better in Family Storms although her ignorance at times was confounding. In Cloudburst she didn't seem like the best kind of friend and frankly, I couldn't understand how she kept the friends she had or why any of them would want to befriend her. I wanted to like her more than I did but she was so frustrating at times that I wanted to pull at my own hair.
I was disappointed with the ending of Cloudburst, which felt more like a non-ending to me. I waited for the trademark V.C. Andrews twists and turns and they simply were not forthcoming. Also missing was the gothic feel so apparent in early Andrews works, like the Flowers in the Attic series and the stunning stand alone, My Sweet Audrina.
Purely cosmetic and shallow but I loved the covers from the earliest Andrews books - - they added to the stories and told tales of their own. I don't particularly care for the more recent covers that feature simple photos. They are rather dull and honestly, the model(s) on the covers look(s) much too old to be Sasha.
That said, these are still V.C. Andrews books and, as such, they make great vacation books, or a good book to curl up with on a cold and rainy day. They won't be the filet mignon of your library but they are a quick fast food burger and will satisfy your literary cravings.
Review Copyright © Psychotic State Book Reviews
http://www.psychoticstate.net
January 17, 2019
I think my only issue was how quickly Sasha changed from someone who was independent and hard as a rock to a naive, easy-to-manipulate child, as pointed out by others as well. But I reasoned that it could be due to the fact that she was desperate for friends coming into a new school to the point that she was easily fooled by Kiera. Nonetheless, it angered me how someone could be so foolish. I went from muttering "Sasha, you idiot" to wanting to scream "SASHA, YOU ****ING IDIOT" and burn the entire book. I've read a few other novels ghostwritten under VC Andrews' name but this book has by far the closest resemblance to her actual writing. It's messed up as you'd expect from a VC Andrews book so there's that. I liked it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2018
I found this book infuriating. I don’t understand how Mrs. March can be so complacent. Why can’t she discipline and take charge of her relationship with Kiera? Do real teenaged girls act this way? How can something like drugging and raping a 14 year old girl be swept under a rug and leave us satisfied with the ending? I think if March’s truly wanted Sasha to thrive in their home they would have sent her to a therapist as well. I made it to the end because I find it difficult to put a book down once it’s started but this story was ridiculous and obviously made for teenagers. It wasn’t the worst I’ve ever read but definitely nowhere near a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2011
Having not read a V.C. Andrews novel since the author's untimely death in the mid 1980's during I believe the Casteel series; this book was a pleasant surprise. This book offers a look into an age old arguement between my husband and me; are children a product of their environment or our they simply born bad?
By the time she has entered her teens, Sasha Porter has already lived a life of the damned; first deserted by her father, things slowly grow worse as her mother slips a bit deeper into the realm of alcohol with each passing day. Sasaha and her mother are evicted from their apartment, moving into a fleabag hotel, which they will eventually also be evicted from.
Being homeless, they earn enough money for food and clothing from a thrift shop; Sasha's mother creating and selling beautiful works of calligraphy, while Sasah creates and sells lanyards. As a heavy rain falls over Southern California and fog rolls over the landscape, Sasha hhurries after her mother who says they are going home. Crossing a street, the duo makes it nearly to the opposite sidewalk when a vehicle screeches around the corner, breaking Sasha's leg and instantly killing her mother. While recuperating in a hospital ward, Sasha will meet a beautiful, wealthy woman, Jordan March, the mother of seventeen year old Kiera March, the driver of the automobile which struck Sasha and her mother.
Mrs. March takes Sasha into her home, the largest mansion in the area, where Sasha meets the the spiteful, belligerent Kiera, who makes Sasha's every waking moment torture. When Kiera is ordered into psychotherapy by the judge in conjunction with the accident, will things finally become better; or will they get worse?
By the time she has entered her teens, Sasha Porter has already lived a life of the damned; first deserted by her father, things slowly grow worse as her mother slips a bit deeper into the realm of alcohol with each passing day. Sasaha and her mother are evicted from their apartment, moving into a fleabag hotel, which they will eventually also be evicted from.
Being homeless, they earn enough money for food and clothing from a thrift shop; Sasha's mother creating and selling beautiful works of calligraphy, while Sasah creates and sells lanyards. As a heavy rain falls over Southern California and fog rolls over the landscape, Sasha hhurries after her mother who says they are going home. Crossing a street, the duo makes it nearly to the opposite sidewalk when a vehicle screeches around the corner, breaking Sasha's leg and instantly killing her mother. While recuperating in a hospital ward, Sasha will meet a beautiful, wealthy woman, Jordan March, the mother of seventeen year old Kiera March, the driver of the automobile which struck Sasha and her mother.
Mrs. March takes Sasha into her home, the largest mansion in the area, where Sasha meets the the spiteful, belligerent Kiera, who makes Sasha's every waking moment torture. When Kiera is ordered into psychotherapy by the judge in conjunction with the accident, will things finally become better; or will they get worse?
July 9, 2016
I’ll mention first that this rating might not be what it once was as this is the second time I’ve read this book. Also V.C Andrews is one of my favourite authors so if you don’t enjoy her books normally, I doubt that this will be one that you like much either.
One great thing about a V.C Andrews book is that you can sit there after reading part of it and just simply wonder “Who thinks that way?” or “Who would make that the basis of book?” But you are never left without some kind of surprise while reading her books. Suspense and thrilling twists and turns are key. This book did not disappoint.
I would probably suggest this book for someone in there later teenage years so probably 16+ simply because of the content and how scarring it might be for younger people, but then again sometimes that depends on your maturity.
All in all this is a great book with a thrilling ending. Can’t wait to pick up Cloudburst and start reading it.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
For more reviews please visit www.booksmyquietfriends.blogspot.com
One great thing about a V.C Andrews book is that you can sit there after reading part of it and just simply wonder “Who thinks that way?” or “Who would make that the basis of book?” But you are never left without some kind of surprise while reading her books. Suspense and thrilling twists and turns are key. This book did not disappoint.
I would probably suggest this book for someone in there later teenage years so probably 16+ simply because of the content and how scarring it might be for younger people, but then again sometimes that depends on your maturity.
All in all this is a great book with a thrilling ending. Can’t wait to pick up Cloudburst and start reading it.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
For more reviews please visit www.booksmyquietfriends.blogspot.com
July 1, 2018
Sasha has been living on the streets with her destitute mother since her father’s abandonment and her mother’s descent into alcoholism. Their fragile world is shattered when they are both hit by a speeding driver on a rainy night. Sasha’s mother is killed, and she is gravely injured. Her life changes again when the March family take her into their palatial home and she is given everything she and her mother desired for her. With little time to grieve and heal from her injury, the secrets within this charmed world become evident when she learns about the death of the March’s younger daughter and the March’s inability to let go of her. Ensconced in the daughter’s room with her clothes and things as constant reminders it soon becomes evident that the mother is trying to turn Sasha into her dead daughter. This fact is couple with older daughter’s jealously and menace that threatens to trap Sasha in its web.
A gripping and fast paced story in the tradition of V.C Andrews who has written another low-key thriller for her fans.
A gripping and fast paced story in the tradition of V.C Andrews who has written another low-key thriller for her fans.
September 5, 2011
Sasha Porter and her mother are homeless. When they are hit by a teen driver high on Ecstasy, Sasha's world comes to a halt when her mother is killed instantly. To make up for what she has lost, the teen's mother, Mrs. March, invites Sasha to come stay with them at their mansion, where Sasha will have the best clothes, the best schooling, the best everything. However, she is placed in the bedroom of the March's dead daughter, Alena, where she is expected to be as perfect. At first the teen daughter who killed Sasha's mother, Kiera, seems to hate Sasha's presence but as time passes, she becomes more like a big sister to her. Unfortunately for Sasha, this is only an act to get closer to her and make her life a living hell.
I was very surprised at the twists in this book. This seemed like something Miss Andrews would have written herself if she were still living. I felt so bad for Sasha and hated Kiera and anyone else who hurt Sasha all throughout the book. Can't wait for the sequel!
I was very surprised at the twists in this book. This seemed like something Miss Andrews would have written herself if she were still living. I felt so bad for Sasha and hated Kiera and anyone else who hurt Sasha all throughout the book. Can't wait for the sequel!
May 20, 2012
I absolutely adored it!
I literally couldn’t put the book down. It kept me wanting to read more and that is what love about certain books. It had a really good plot line with lots of twists and turns and a very surprising turn of events. The way Andrews tricks her readers into believing that the older sister Kiera is really up to something good when really she’s plotting and using Sasha. The hostile relationship between Jordan March and her daughter Kiera also make me wonder what secrets the family hold and the way they act towards each other makes it seem like something else is going on or Andrews has withheld the reason why Kiera is so hostile towards her mother. It also makes me wonder whether or not there is some truth to the fact that Jordan March is trying to turn Sasha into her late daughter Alena with Sasha sleeping in Alena’s old bedroom and wearing her clothes. Hopefully it will all be uncovered in the second book Cloudburst.
I literally couldn’t put the book down. It kept me wanting to read more and that is what love about certain books. It had a really good plot line with lots of twists and turns and a very surprising turn of events. The way Andrews tricks her readers into believing that the older sister Kiera is really up to something good when really she’s plotting and using Sasha. The hostile relationship between Jordan March and her daughter Kiera also make me wonder what secrets the family hold and the way they act towards each other makes it seem like something else is going on or Andrews has withheld the reason why Kiera is so hostile towards her mother. It also makes me wonder whether or not there is some truth to the fact that Jordan March is trying to turn Sasha into her late daughter Alena with Sasha sleeping in Alena’s old bedroom and wearing her clothes. Hopefully it will all be uncovered in the second book Cloudburst.
November 28, 2015
It took me a bit to write this review in my journal, two days I think because I didn’t even know where to start.
I got to page 128 and I just couldn’t do it anymore. The writing is subpar at best and honestly, it’s rather boring. Even the teaser is boring. If all it is, is a jealous teen who feels no remorse for what she did and the foster kid duking it out, I have no interest.
It would have been better if it was written as a fantasy thriller or even just working off of the story of the girl and her mom. I don’t know, I’ve seen some reviews and I know some people like this stuff but there’s just no urgency for me.
I think a book about the life of the mom and girl would have been much better. The readers get a glimpse of that life with the first couple of chapters and I think it would have made a better story.
It just seems to stall and become very predictable. I have the second book but I’m not going to read it if I can’t even be bothered to read this one.
I got to page 128 and I just couldn’t do it anymore. The writing is subpar at best and honestly, it’s rather boring. Even the teaser is boring. If all it is, is a jealous teen who feels no remorse for what she did and the foster kid duking it out, I have no interest.
It would have been better if it was written as a fantasy thriller or even just working off of the story of the girl and her mom. I don’t know, I’ve seen some reviews and I know some people like this stuff but there’s just no urgency for me.
I think a book about the life of the mom and girl would have been much better. The readers get a glimpse of that life with the first couple of chapters and I think it would have made a better story.
It just seems to stall and become very predictable. I have the second book but I’m not going to read it if I can’t even be bothered to read this one.
July 28, 2018
Unbelievably shocking and good story
April 23, 2016
I really liked this book and am looking forward to book 2. Sasha is a teenaged girl who is going through a rough patch in her life. Her mom and her are living on the street and selling knickknacks and trinkets to get by. One rainy day while crossing the street they are hit by a teenager driver. When Sasha wakes up in the hospital she sees a strange woman sitting next to her bed. She finds out her mom had died and this new woman is the mother of the girl who hit them. This woman and her family take Sasha in their house. Sasha is given a room which turns out to be the younger daughter of the woman who has taken in Sasha. The young girl had died a few years earlier. This story is about how Sasha is conflicted with trying not to forget her mom while trying to live with the family responsible for her moms' death.
March 21, 2011
It's very rare for me to give a 5 star rating, but w/ Family Storms, I felt it was well deserved. Of the more recent Andrews's books, this is the first one that I've really liked in awhile. And in fact, reminded me of Flowers in The Attic. There was so much I liked, I don't where to begin :)! Let's see, I thought the story was well written and fast paced w/ relateable and memorable characters. I really liked Sasha's character, especiallty her strength and determination; and found myself rooting for her. Ofcourse, the suspense and unpredictability of the plot were added bonuses and had me hooked from beginning to end. I can not wait for then next book, and would def recommend this book to other readers, even adults!
June 28, 2011
Ahhhhh one of those pick me up settle in, and complete reading it within a day, a interesting tale spun around a spunky character who has been down and out, and through an accident which kills her Mother ends up in a wealthy family, it contains opulence,how the nouveau rich live, the thankless rude and nasty daughter, who will before the book is over change her ways??? maybe not.
Great reading on a summer day, while sitting on the balcony, then taking the book to bed, curled up with my pussy cat, who continually keeps on sniffing the book, no doubt as this is a book I got at the library, it once spent some time in a house which had a cat, so pussy cat is dreaming of another creature which left her/his smell behind on the book.
Life is good!
Great reading on a summer day, while sitting on the balcony, then taking the book to bed, curled up with my pussy cat, who continually keeps on sniffing the book, no doubt as this is a book I got at the library, it once spent some time in a house which had a cat, so pussy cat is dreaming of another creature which left her/his smell behind on the book.
Life is good!
December 24, 2011
A young girl, already lost in society and homeless, living in the streets, lost the only possession she had left...her mother. Both, mother and child hit by a reckless, drug induced driver at high speeds, finds herself waking in a hospital alone with no one to answer her only question, where is her mother? Finally, her answer comes and along with it a new world seperate from the one she was use to living. The mother of the driver that killed her mother brings her to live in their home, provide schooling, and anything else she would need, with all the riches in the world. Will she be able to live in the home of the person responsible for her mothers death that now holds the key to her future? This was a great book and I loved the story.
February 15, 2012
I was enjoying this book, it was going to be a solid 3-3.5 stars. I thought it would be a book I could recommend to my nieces and the other teens I know. But then 2/3 through the book, it all changed and I would never recommend it to younger teens and probably not even to older teens (not the ones I know anyway). Another review I read says it best: "There are some very heavy subjects in this book but they are not dealt with in a good way and I wouldn’t want young girls to think that you can hit someone’s mother with your car while on drugs, get probation and then treat her daughter like she’s less then garbage and hurt her in the worst way possible. This could have been a great book but sadly it feel very, very short and sugarcoats big issues that need to be taken much more seriously."
December 29, 2012
I finally have finished another V.C. Andrews novel. I have to also give great applause to the author who has helped her family finish her novels she started so many years ago Andrew Neiderman. This of course is a great novel. Sasha a homeless girl living on the streets with her mother and is one day walking on the streets and they both get hit by a car. Tragically her mother dies she is rushed to the hospital not knowing her fate. She is taken in by a very wealthy family by the last name March. This novel had me crying at the end telling how Kiera March the March's daughter takes revenge on Sasha. The next novel in this series is called Cloudburst and I know as always will be just as great a novel as all of V.C. Andrews novels are.
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