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Secrets #1
Secrets in the Attic
From the imagination behind Flowers in the Attic comes a sensational new novel that spins a seductive web between fantasies and lies -- and uncovers the price for keeping Secrets in the Attic
Two Friends As Close As Sisters. One Killer Secret That Will Tear Their Small Town Apart.
In the dust and shadows of the attic, they shared everything -- fanciful stories, high school crushes, plans for the future, dreams to travel the world. For Karen, the attic is her escape from the reality of her stepfather's unwanted attention. Together in the eaves of a house with its own murderous history, the best friends concoct a scheme that will put Karen's stepfather in his place. It wasn't supposed to turn deadly. But in the attic Karen shares one more secret with her best friend -- a secret to take to the grave....
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 25, 2007
106 people are currently reading
3443 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
370 books9,113 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 135 reviews
January 1, 2023
Fairly standard for Virginia Andrews these days. Despite the fact that the new books are nowhere near as good as the ones she ACTUALLY wrote I still feel some sort of 'brand loyalty'!
There was something about Karen that I didn't like right from the start and so it was good to know my senses weren't off! Have the sequel and will read it.
There was something about Karen that I didn't like right from the start and so it was good to know my senses weren't off! Have the sequel and will read it.
November 15, 2015
Sometimes I hate that when I properly start a book I can't not finish it. I used to love Virginia Andrews books but then that was a long time ago. I thought I'd try this but I wish I hadn't. Two best friends, Zipporah, one with an idyllic family, and Karen, one whom apparently has a mother and step-dad who doesn't like her. When Karen breaks down one day and confides that he is sexually abusing her the girls hatch a plan to scare him off. Zipporah is brought home from school the next day and told Karen killed her step-dad. She then discovers her hiding in the attic. Karen explains her version of events and agrees to hide her for a while. I want to bitch-slap Karen. You just know she's lying and manipulating Zipporah and even tries to set her up with a guy she's slept with, telling her that she's living for both of them now. Karen had manipulated the guy, telling him Zipporah's easy and she almost gets raped! She also has a thing for Zipporah's brother and at times when she's talking you just wonder how crazy she is. Turns out she's cuckoo. She suckers them all, telling constant lies and drags Zipporah's family into a real mess once all is revealed. I found Karen annoying, Zipporah's guilt at lying and keeping secrets from her parents a bit tedious and found it all too predictable. Think i'll read more reviews of VA's books in future before I commit to actually reading it. It seems this is the start of a series and as much as I hate not reading sequels, I'll give them a miss.
December 24, 2008
Didn't like this book very much. Predictable, slow, and the plot was not believable. The characters in this book were weak and not interesting at all. The main character, Zipporah, was 'thick' and seemingly weak. She was easily manipulated by Karen. Zipporah was, in Karens words, 'thick' and it was very evident. Don't recommend this book.
February 2, 2016
I am severely disappointed in not just this book, but all the books coming from the ghost writer. I want to make myself very clear that I am disappointed with the ghost writer, not V.C. Andrews herself. Let me explain why:
The ghostwriter is supposed to be honoring V.C. Andrews. When she passed away he continued to write her books in her name to keep her vestige alive. As a heirloom and gift to her adoring fans. However, VCA's legacy is going down the drain, and it is because of the ghostwriter.He is responsible for her bequest and in her right the ghostwriter should be honoring her, and respecting her enough to write decent novels.
So many things are lacking in these books. Some examples are the bland characters -- naive and ignorant characters that are always the victims that never stand up for themselves, (These bimbos are also idolized by other characters, and meant for the reader to like them!) or nothing happening for several pages at a time. He tries to make cheesy metaphors brighten up the book, but it does not work!
Then the ghostwriter names this book 'Secrets in the Attic'! sound familiar? does it not sound like 'Flowers in The Attic?' to observant people it does. FITA is one of her best selling novels. However, on the cover he says SITA was written by VCA who has been dead.What an insult to VC Andrews herself! Even if he thought that would not insult her readers it comes across as insulting because that was her best book, and this title is a rip off. The ghostwriter who writes this could put out more effort into these books, and I mean much more effort.
I have not read any books published in 2010-2011. I remember reading VCA though, and caring for the characters, enjoying the scandals, and being fascinated by the women and their extravagance, and how it was like to be rich in the old days.I attempted to read the newer books for a while in hope of seeing a spark of the true VCA novels I once enjoyed. Yet they always leave me bitter and disgusted at the indolent , lollygagging filler he writes.I say filler because that is what it is.It is as if he writes a rough draft and calls it a book. It makes me livid and also very sad that I will never see a true VCA novel again.
Does this upset anyone other than me? does it sadden anyone to see how a writer who built up a reputation with legendary novels through hard work and creativity have someone take advantage of her work? I know I am not the only person who feels this way.
I miss the stories being in the older times and the step back pictures. The Hudsons and the Debeers is the closest he will ever come to VCA's legacy ever.
The ghostwriter is supposed to be honoring V.C. Andrews. When she passed away he continued to write her books in her name to keep her vestige alive. As a heirloom and gift to her adoring fans. However, VCA's legacy is going down the drain, and it is because of the ghostwriter.He is responsible for her bequest and in her right the ghostwriter should be honoring her, and respecting her enough to write decent novels.
So many things are lacking in these books. Some examples are the bland characters -- naive and ignorant characters that are always the victims that never stand up for themselves, (These bimbos are also idolized by other characters, and meant for the reader to like them!) or nothing happening for several pages at a time. He tries to make cheesy metaphors brighten up the book, but it does not work!
Then the ghostwriter names this book 'Secrets in the Attic'! sound familiar? does it not sound like 'Flowers in The Attic?' to observant people it does. FITA is one of her best selling novels. However, on the cover he says SITA was written by VCA who has been dead.What an insult to VC Andrews herself! Even if he thought that would not insult her readers it comes across as insulting because that was her best book, and this title is a rip off. The ghostwriter who writes this could put out more effort into these books, and I mean much more effort.
I have not read any books published in 2010-2011. I remember reading VCA though, and caring for the characters, enjoying the scandals, and being fascinated by the women and their extravagance, and how it was like to be rich in the old days.I attempted to read the newer books for a while in hope of seeing a spark of the true VCA novels I once enjoyed. Yet they always leave me bitter and disgusted at the indolent , lollygagging filler he writes.I say filler because that is what it is.It is as if he writes a rough draft and calls it a book. It makes me livid and also very sad that I will never see a true VCA novel again.
Does this upset anyone other than me? does it sadden anyone to see how a writer who built up a reputation with legendary novels through hard work and creativity have someone take advantage of her work? I know I am not the only person who feels this way.
I miss the stories being in the older times and the step back pictures. The Hudsons and the Debeers is the closest he will ever come to VCA's legacy ever.
February 10, 2016
Zipporah and Karen are best friends and are each others only friends. The attic is thier place to hang out and imagine different things. The nest they call it. One day Karen tells Zipporah her stepdad is molesting her and she wants her to help her come up with a plan to make him stop. Karen tells her all kins of wierd things she sees him doing. Then Karen suddenly kills her stepdad and asks Zipporah to let her live in the attic. Twisting her thoughts and making her think that if she's really her best friend she'd let her stay.
This novel is really a stretch. If your look for classic VC Andrews (evil grandmother, adventurous yet naive young girl etc) this is not it. The closet I've seen them get to classic VC Andrews was Celeste or Broken Flower. While I liked this novel better than some previous Andrews books, there were times I wanted to quit. Karen was a bit annoying (controlling) and Zipporah seemed so clueless I wondered what was wrong with her.
This novel is really a stretch. If your look for classic VC Andrews (evil grandmother, adventurous yet naive young girl etc) this is not it. The closet I've seen them get to classic VC Andrews was Celeste or Broken Flower. While I liked this novel better than some previous Andrews books, there were times I wanted to quit. Karen was a bit annoying (controlling) and Zipporah seemed so clueless I wondered what was wrong with her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2008
Let's get one thing straight. V.C. Andrews is dead, and she has been for a really long time. Her ghost writer has been writing in her name for quite awhile. Most of his books suck. But I heard that this one wasn't quite so bad, so I got my hopes up. This one was bad. I'm sad that this guy continues to ruin V.C. Andrews' good name.
August 2, 2011
I've read all of V.C. Andrews book written before this book. The plot sounded interesting enough but in reality this book was a big disappointment, especially from V.C. Andrews. I couldn't get past the 3rd chapter. The story was extremely slow moving, the characters were different than all of the other characters in V.C. Andrew's books, I found them boring.
July 29, 2011
Ridiculously boring. I don't know why I keep reading V.C. Andrews books, I guess I expect them to 'wow' me like vintage Andrews. The modern books can't touch the earlier works. Now THERE'S some good reading!
July 31, 2011
Boring and lame. I think I'm passed the age of VC Andrews
August 18, 2016
From the information on the front page, I thought this was a different book for some reason so I put off reading it for a while.
Part one of a two part series (I think), centers around two teenaged girls that befriend one another in a small town. One of these girls has many many secrets, but mostly it just boils down to her being a bit insane.
Zipporah's best friend, the one she feels as close to as a sister, turns her world up side down and puts her whole family and happiness at risk. I long ago accepted that V.C. Andrews books are no longer what I fell in love with years ago. I wasn't that upset when this one too, fell entirely too short of the standards I once held the original writer to.
It was a decent enough one though I guess, not too hard to read and although most of it felt too far fetched to be believable, it wasn't complete trash. For me, when it ended I felt pretty dissatisfied just at the fact that there wasn't much of a conclusion. I see that's probably, because it's half of a series and they had to leave more to keep you interested.
I agree with most of the reviews I read of this one, about how it was just too unbelievable and the main character was just too much of a follower. She really had no brain, when it came to her friend and the complete control she had over her. Pretty sad really. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else, but as I said.. it was 'okay'.
Part one of a two part series (I think), centers around two teenaged girls that befriend one another in a small town. One of these girls has many many secrets, but mostly it just boils down to her being a bit insane.
Zipporah's best friend, the one she feels as close to as a sister, turns her world up side down and puts her whole family and happiness at risk. I long ago accepted that V.C. Andrews books are no longer what I fell in love with years ago. I wasn't that upset when this one too, fell entirely too short of the standards I once held the original writer to.
It was a decent enough one though I guess, not too hard to read and although most of it felt too far fetched to be believable, it wasn't complete trash. For me, when it ended I felt pretty dissatisfied just at the fact that there wasn't much of a conclusion. I see that's probably, because it's half of a series and they had to leave more to keep you interested.
I agree with most of the reviews I read of this one, about how it was just too unbelievable and the main character was just too much of a follower. She really had no brain, when it came to her friend and the complete control she had over her. Pretty sad really. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else, but as I said.. it was 'okay'.
January 5, 2014
See, this is much better. Fresh, but still with the well-known tropes. Murder and fugitive-harbouring mix with abusive men and manipulative women. And Karen Stoker is manipulative to the max! Which are exaggerations, and which are outright lies? Virgin-shaming, guilt-tripping...Karen does it all, and the Stein siblings are total doormats on which she treads. Surprising that Zipporah and Jesse aren't charged with anything, and Karen seems to have gone straight to a mental care facility rather than a prison. But I just don't understand why the Stein parents would adopt Karen's child. Yes, Jesse's the father, but shouldn't he take responsibility for being led by his wang rather than his brain? Shouldn't he suffer consequences? There's a sequel, and I'm guessing that's from Karen's child's perspective...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2016
Started off interesting but quickly became predictable and boring...I was pretty sick of Karen's long epilogue. The language wasn't even believable. One part I found particularly annoying was when Karen was describing her stepfather's murder she said "he embraced my legs". Like really! That word didn't fit in with the tone of a distraught teenager describing a murder. And Zipphora....no one is that dumb. Karen's manipulation of her was soo obvious is was embarrassing. The idea behind the book is interesting enough but the deliverance is weak.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2009
eh, i kept reading to find out what happened but then it's just like why??
I wondered why zipporah was such an outcast that she could be so easily manipulated, seems like she had a good home, wasn't too ugly, too smart, or too dumb, i just didn't believe the new girl with the weird name would be so invisible.
And why was Karen so twisted??
confusing weak and just fluff
but i never got the real Vc andrews either,
I wondered why zipporah was such an outcast that she could be so easily manipulated, seems like she had a good home, wasn't too ugly, too smart, or too dumb, i just didn't believe the new girl with the weird name would be so invisible.
And why was Karen so twisted??
confusing weak and just fluff
but i never got the real Vc andrews either,
December 3, 2007
I haven't read a good V.C. Andrews book in years, the Ruby series is the last one I thought was any good at all. But I figured I'd give it a shot for old time's sake. Unfortunately, it was so dull I didn't even make it past the 2nd chapter. This book is another terrible dud that makes me wonder why they just don't give up already.
June 30, 2010
I'm sad because this book had potential but didn't take it anywhere. It was typical VC Andrews, following the same vein as the original books that she wrote but not quite reaching out far enough or capturing the reader. The ending was just too abrupt and left too many things unsaid.
Mind you, I read it in one evening so on the plus side of things, it was easy and quick to read!
Mind you, I read it in one evening so on the plus side of things, it was easy and quick to read!
July 6, 2015
Secrets in the Attic.... Flowers in the Attic? Why is this ghost writer trying to run V.C.'s name into the mud? This book never really went anywhere! Turns out none of what made it partially interesting was true, it was all made up by her crazy friend. If you want a good read, read the REAL VC books not this wanna be crap!
July 9, 2008
Ah VC Andrews takes me right back to my high school reading days. I loved the Flowers in the Attic Series so much! This was not as intriguing but I enjoyed it all the same. It was a good back to my roots summer read!
May 1, 2009
I decided to check in on the old V.C. Andrews line. I shouldn't have. Unlike Flowers, there was absolutely nothing to keep me reading. Cardboard characters, predictable story... luckily, it's a fast read so my time wasted was minimal.
April 10, 2013
Will have to read again, been quite a few years, but I LOVE VC ANDREWS!!!!
December 2, 2020
I haven't read any V.C. Andrews since I was a teenager more than twenty years ago, but this is much, much, much worse than I remember her work being. Granted, I'm older and presumably wiser, and I definitely have a much better sense of story than I used to.
What was the point of this book? There's no resolution to the ending, no emotional catharsis. It's just over, and then there's a baby coming, and what meaning am I supposed to get from any of this?
I'm disappointed by the conclusion I've drawn, that Karen was an unhinged liar and murderer the whole time. Because she's shown to have lied substantively to everyone in the rest of the cast at some point or other, her "best friend" included, absolutely nothing she ever said about her home life can be trusted, which means her sob story that could have proven her homicide was justifiable goes out the window. Her treatment of the narrator goes well beyond "unreliable" story status straight into manipulative--I'd like to think I wouldn't be stupid enough to almost sleep with a boy I knew my best friend had slept with, just because she wanted us to "share everything." But Zipporah goes right along with the plan until it's almost too late.
My takeaway from the story is that seems like the author really wanted to write a book about someone hiding in an attic, judging by the frequency of the Anne Frank references, which I found to be in poor taste. Yes, she's the most famous attic-dweller in our collective consciousness, but she was hiding from Nazi persecution, not from the consequences of killing her stepfather. Do those situations seem equivalent to you? Because they don't to me.
Early on, the only good thing I could say about the story was that it did feel like it captured what I remember most about being a teenager--the confusion, the balancing of different identities between home and school and friends, the naivete of sometimes trusting the wrong people. But whatever points I can give it for realistic depiction of that stage of life are completely negated by the ultimate pointlessness of the entire plot. Nothing meaningful happens, nobody seems to learn from their mistakes, and the surprise baby doesn't tie up narrative threads the way the author seems to think it does.
I'm glad the writing style was simplistic to the point of near mindlessness, because at least that meant this terrible story was a quick read and I can move on.
What was the point of this book? There's no resolution to the ending, no emotional catharsis. It's just over, and then there's a baby coming, and what meaning am I supposed to get from any of this?
I'm disappointed by the conclusion I've drawn, that Karen was an unhinged liar and murderer the whole time. Because she's shown to have lied substantively to everyone in the rest of the cast at some point or other, her "best friend" included, absolutely nothing she ever said about her home life can be trusted, which means her sob story that could have proven her homicide was justifiable goes out the window. Her treatment of the narrator goes well beyond "unreliable" story status straight into manipulative--I'd like to think I wouldn't be stupid enough to almost sleep with a boy I knew my best friend had slept with, just because she wanted us to "share everything." But Zipporah goes right along with the plan until it's almost too late.
My takeaway from the story is that seems like the author really wanted to write a book about someone hiding in an attic, judging by the frequency of the Anne Frank references, which I found to be in poor taste. Yes, she's the most famous attic-dweller in our collective consciousness, but she was hiding from Nazi persecution, not from the consequences of killing her stepfather. Do those situations seem equivalent to you? Because they don't to me.
Early on, the only good thing I could say about the story was that it did feel like it captured what I remember most about being a teenager--the confusion, the balancing of different identities between home and school and friends, the naivete of sometimes trusting the wrong people. But whatever points I can give it for realistic depiction of that stage of life are completely negated by the ultimate pointlessness of the entire plot. Nothing meaningful happens, nobody seems to learn from their mistakes, and the surprise baby doesn't tie up narrative threads the way the author seems to think it does.
I'm glad the writing style was simplistic to the point of near mindlessness, because at least that meant this terrible story was a quick read and I can move on.
March 11, 2020
A bit slow....until the last chapter or 2. Not in my top V.C. Andrews...but will read next in series to see how it plays out.
December 6, 2010
Read this all yesterday. Not as good as some of her earlyer books but still has enough there to keep you interested. I distrusted Karen thoughout the whole book. The things she said were meant to make you feel sorry for her but the way she just kept coming out with new things that happened to her made me smell a rat. By the end of the book you still don't know what was the truth as the only thing disproved was about the flat. I'm not sure if her stepfather did abuse her. Something bad must of happened to her but I can't help thinking she might of done it becuase of something her mother had done. I really hated the way Zippoarh and Jesse kept everything from their parents and how Zippoarh just blindly followed everything Karen said. Looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book.
January 8, 2016
I found this book at first quite addictive as I had great hopes been a Virginia Andrews fan and there was anticipation at first waiting for something to happen.. When something finally happened I found it to be a let down.. It was not exciting and the aftermath of the murder was somewhat boring. I found Karen at first to be an intriguing character, admittedly she was showing odd behaviour but I feel as though she turned crazy out of nowhere with no build up to it at all. Zipporah I didn’t think much of as a main character, she had nothing about her at all and she just mirrored Karen. I felt that the plot to the story was somewhat weak as well.. A young teenager hiding in the attic without been found out. Also i got the impression that her relations with Jesse were only written in there so that there could be a sequel.
I would rate this as 5/10
I would rate this as 5/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2015
My first Virginia Andrews book and perhaps I picked the wrong one, especially now that I find out that this is one of her later books, published since her death and is actually ghost written. I was pretty disappointed.
The characters were annoying, especially Karen (not saved by the fact that she is my namesake). I found it quite predictable and had to push myself through to finish it. The story was interesting but unfortunately, the frustrating characters let it down for me.
I won't be reading the second book, I'm afraid but will maybe check out an old School Andrews some day soon.
The characters were annoying, especially Karen (not saved by the fact that she is my namesake). I found it quite predictable and had to push myself through to finish it. The story was interesting but unfortunately, the frustrating characters let it down for me.
I won't be reading the second book, I'm afraid but will maybe check out an old School Andrews some day soon.
October 15, 2015
My my my.. This book was really mediocre.. I read it fast and I will read the 2nd one.. In hopes of finding out what really happened with Karen.. I thought Zipporah was really naive and clueless.. Especially about the whole situation with the guy at school and what Karen practically forced her into doing.. Why would she go along with it? Did she honestly think Karen's logic made any sense?? I liked the idea of Karen being nutty - it explained things.. I wish they would've explained why she was like that... And what really happened.. I guess that's why I feel I have to read the 2nd book.. Plus I'm on a V.C. Andrews bender..
May 8, 2011
This is such a sad book!!
I found this book sad and intamate,, you want the characters to pull together and survive even though surviving is against the odds!! It's heart warming how the children look out for eachother and protect each other!!
There us a twist in this book which I'm reluctant to mention because of spoilers!!
It's definitley worth a read!!
However the books that followed weren't as good I list intrest midway through the second book but have read them all because they were here and I was bored lol!! X
I found this book sad and intamate,, you want the characters to pull together and survive even though surviving is against the odds!! It's heart warming how the children look out for eachother and protect each other!!
There us a twist in this book which I'm reluctant to mention because of spoilers!!
It's definitley worth a read!!
However the books that followed weren't as good I list intrest midway through the second book but have read them all because they were here and I was bored lol!! X
January 16, 2016
*Deep breath*
Wow. Karen sure is a sicko.
But man, it made for great reading. You knew she was full of crap, and you had a feeling all throughout she wasn't telling the truth about her story, but I didn't expect her to be that demented.
I like that when I read a book though. I get pulled into sick twisted minds and go right along with whatever gets dished out.
V.C. Andrews always packs a punch with me. Each story is different, and yet I always get pulled right into it.
This is an older series, but it was new to me. I look forward to reading the next one too.
Wow. Karen sure is a sicko.
But man, it made for great reading. You knew she was full of crap, and you had a feeling all throughout she wasn't telling the truth about her story, but I didn't expect her to be that demented.
I like that when I read a book though. I get pulled into sick twisted minds and go right along with whatever gets dished out.
V.C. Andrews always packs a punch with me. Each story is different, and yet I always get pulled right into it.
This is an older series, but it was new to me. I look forward to reading the next one too.
June 20, 2014
I LOVE V.C. Andrews' original books. One of the reasons I picked this up was because the plot seemed decent and the story took place in 1962. I have to say the plot idea is great, but I felt that the ghostwriter re-hashed over certain points too many times. I have noticed this in other more recent books as well. I have to say that the character, Karen, really got on my nerves. So much so that I considered not finishing the book. She reminded me of my bratty cousin from childhood. The book had an intersting twist towards the end. ☆☆☆
January 21, 2015
As usual, VC Andrews' series never fail to surprise me, regardless of the story was written by the hired ghost writer. If you love the Dollanganger series, I don't think you should miss the Secrets series. Personally, I love VC Andrews' style of writing as it considered as gothic horror. I always enjoy reading her books as it was like riding a roller coaster or watching a movie which is so interesting that I can't take my eyes off it. But the book kept me wondering what had happened to Karen at the end. 5 stars for this.
August 10, 2015
Strange, eerie book. I couldn’t get that interested in the book in the beginning, but I continued. It got better as I continued. I thought it was in interesting book, having never read this type of book before. Karen was definitely a very strange friend. Zipporah, who would listen to the crazy things Karen comes up with and believe her all along. There’s a deadly secret they are keeping…up in that attic!! How many people’s lives will be affected by Karen’s shenanigans?! The ending caught me by surprise for sure.
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