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Casteel #4
Gates of Paradise
Stunned by tragedy, desperate and alone, Heaven's daughter clung to the frailest of dreams!
The car crash that killed Heaven and Logan left Annie Casteel Stonewall orphaned and crippled. Whisked off to Farthinggale Manor by the possessive Tony Tatterton, Annie pines for her lost family, but especially for Luke, her half-brother. Friend of her childhood, her fantasy prince, her loving confidante...without the warm glow of Luke's love, she is lost in the shadows of despair. When Annie discovers Troy's cottage hidden in Farthinggale's woods, the mystery of her past deepens. And even as she yearns to see Luke again, her hopes and dreams are darkened by the sinistesr Casteel spell...treacherous, powerful and evil!
(back cover)
488 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 18, 1989
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4923 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
369 books9,002 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 228 reviews
September 3, 2020
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.
After her an accident kills her parents and leaves her paralized from the waist down. Annie leaves her home in Winnerow to live with Tony. A man shes heard of all her life but only just met. He seems a kind old man who wants only whats best for her. One thing after another happens and all the secrets of the women who came before her begin to surface and nothing is what she believed it to be.
Not a bad read. It makes me sad to see the way that Heaven's story ends though, but through Annie we get a pretty good conclusion to the series. While I do intend to read Web of Dreams, its really a prequel, so to me this is the story's conclusion. In true V.C. Andrews fashion. It's filled with angst, tragedy, horror, and incest. Only for some reason this book's one felt so much more eww than normal. But that might just be me.
After her an accident kills her parents and leaves her paralized from the waist down. Annie leaves her home in Winnerow to live with Tony. A man shes heard of all her life but only just met. He seems a kind old man who wants only whats best for her. One thing after another happens and all the secrets of the women who came before her begin to surface and nothing is what she believed it to be.
Not a bad read. It makes me sad to see the way that Heaven's story ends though, but through Annie we get a pretty good conclusion to the series. While I do intend to read Web of Dreams, its really a prequel, so to me this is the story's conclusion. In true V.C. Andrews fashion. It's filled with angst, tragedy, horror, and incest. Only for some reason this book's one felt so much more eww than normal. But that might just be me.
February 19, 2013
I find everyone's distaste for this book rather interesting, as it was my favorite of all five in the Casteel series. Even if the Troy-being-her-dad storyline was not new for the reader, it was new for Annie, and I liked seeing him through her eyes. Luke and Annie's relationship was cute to me, although on the incest-y side; when I heard that both Fanny and Heaven were expecting at the same time, I figured their offspring would either grow up hating or loving each other. I am glad to see it is the latter.
As a young woman of Annie's age, their ideas of Farthy captivate me. Sometimes it is best to forget maturity and allow yourself to indulge in childish fantasies again. Even after she arrives at the mansion and most of her hopes are destroyed, the cottage remains a mystical place - one of an enigmatic beauty.
I just thought Gates of Paradise portrayed a mostly accurate seventeen year old girl point of view. Something about her recovery, Tony's off-key attitudes, and seeing Annie grow up as her beliefs about love, friendship, and family are tested really meant a lot to me as a V.C. Andrews novel. The incest isn't there just for show; it is a result of the twisted family lines explored in the rest of the Casteel novels. However, it did get on my nerves that Annie still called Heaven and Logan her mommy and daddy. That is a little unbelievable. (And annoying.) Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed most everything about the book - most of all, Troy and Annie's relationship, I am glad Troy lives on so unexpectedly.
As a young woman of Annie's age, their ideas of Farthy captivate me. Sometimes it is best to forget maturity and allow yourself to indulge in childish fantasies again. Even after she arrives at the mansion and most of her hopes are destroyed, the cottage remains a mystical place - one of an enigmatic beauty.
I just thought Gates of Paradise portrayed a mostly accurate seventeen year old girl point of view. Something about her recovery, Tony's off-key attitudes, and seeing Annie grow up as her beliefs about love, friendship, and family are tested really meant a lot to me as a V.C. Andrews novel. The incest isn't there just for show; it is a result of the twisted family lines explored in the rest of the Casteel novels. However, it did get on my nerves that Annie still called Heaven and Logan her mommy and daddy. That is a little unbelievable. (And annoying.) Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed most everything about the book - most of all, Troy and Annie's relationship, I am glad Troy lives on so unexpectedly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2010
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. This book was terrible, a sad, sad echo of the first book in the series. The main character Annie is sickeningly sweet and good, much like Heaven was but so much more annoying. The relationship with her half-brother/cousin is...strange and unbelievable. Tony Tatterton, sigh, it's just a rehash of the previous two books in the series. And most of the time Annie is stranded in one room, confused about her nurse, Tony, her half-brother/cousin/lover, blahblahblahblah. You want to beat your head against the wall. Also, I hate Logan. I can't believe Heaven would be with such an imbecile. The end.
I will, of course, read the final book in this series. Sigh.
I will, of course, read the final book in this series. Sigh.
September 30, 2013
I was really disappointed with this book. I felt that the story line was definitely lacking and it was very obvious that this book was written by the ghost writer. I also noticed that even some of the names were wrong in this book, such as saying Logan's middle name was Robert when all through the previous books it was stated that his middle name was Grant. Also, Drake's full name was wrong. I just feel that this book was poorly written and the ghost writer did not take much care to make sure the story line was accurate, even with something as simple as names of characters. I was also very disappointed in how Logan was portrayed in this book. In the first two books he was seen as Heaven's savior and forever friend even though they occasionally had fights that tore them apart. However, this book made it seem that he never really cared and always let her down. I got the feeling that for every mistake he used a line like "I'm sorry. You know I never want to make you hurt." To me it just did not follow with the characteristics V.C had originally created for him. I was very disappointed in this book to say the least.
July 28, 2019
I feel like I should open with a special defense for Annie's character since so many dismissive takes on Gates of Paradise center on her being annoying. *Chris Crocker shriek* LEAVE ANNIE ALONE! But honestly, I thought she was pretty outspoken and intelligent all crazy ass happenings considered and had the potential for her own second gen spin-off with Luke Jr. She even inherited Troy's artistic side and his disposition for fantasy, but for all her, Luke Jr. and Drake's engaging traits displayed in the opening chapters, none of them ever get the chance to be fully fleshed out characters because the captivity at Farthy and plodding through the thicket of secrets fans already know up to this book drown out all of the promising development.
You've got a temporarily paralyzed, somewhat naive girl under the care of a sinister nurse Ratchet type and overseened at the debilitated Farthy by none other than Machiavellian pervert grandpa Tony. This should have been a twisted Stephen King's Misery-meets- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - meets gothic horror but it just meanders and puts out any tension before it can get off the ground. It was like the ghostwriter was afraid to go too dark so every "twist" comes off very neutered. There could have been some really messed up, edge of your seat confrontations between Annie and her captors but instead she gets drugged up or falls asleep.
Also, Drake was given the shortest end of the stick by being turned into another middling years Logan and worshipping the ground Tony walked on even when his niece claims her life and sanctity are in danger. There was also some weird romantic tension in that accidental kiss that was never addressed. Instead of him becoming anything interesting, he turns into Sir Gaslight and blames everything on Annie's meds.
Luke Jr., while given very little page space, is like the second coming of Tom so I had to love him and all his white knight, beta ways. Also, Aunt Fanny's evolution to maternal hen without losing any of her characteristic spunk was pretty awesome to witness.
All in all, this one can be skipped for the much superior fifth entry into the Casteel saga, Web of Dreams, without losing anything, but it wasn't absolute crap either. Take it as a bored, rainy day book or if you absolutely have to have your crazy Casteel fix, even when the sum of its parts is half-baked.
You've got a temporarily paralyzed, somewhat naive girl under the care of a sinister nurse Ratchet type and overseened at the debilitated Farthy by none other than Machiavellian pervert grandpa Tony. This should have been a twisted Stephen King's Misery-meets- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - meets gothic horror but it just meanders and puts out any tension before it can get off the ground. It was like the ghostwriter was afraid to go too dark so every "twist" comes off very neutered. There could have been some really messed up, edge of your seat confrontations between Annie and her captors but instead she gets drugged up or falls asleep.
Also, Drake was given the shortest end of the stick by being turned into another middling years Logan and worshipping the ground Tony walked on even when his niece claims her life and sanctity are in danger. There was also some weird romantic tension in that accidental kiss that was never addressed. Instead of him becoming anything interesting, he turns into Sir Gaslight and blames everything on Annie's meds.
Luke Jr., while given very little page space, is like the second coming of Tom so I had to love him and all his white knight, beta ways. Also, Aunt Fanny's evolution to maternal hen without losing any of her characteristic spunk was pretty awesome to witness.
All in all, this one can be skipped for the much superior fifth entry into the Casteel saga, Web of Dreams, without losing anything, but it wasn't absolute crap either. Take it as a bored, rainy day book or if you absolutely have to have your crazy Casteel fix, even when the sum of its parts is half-baked.
March 20, 2019
The writing is boring and the story is medium ok. Kinda
September 2, 2022
This is where the Casteel series loses some of it's charm for me. It feels a lot like fan service, whether it really is or not. Not terrible, but not as fantastic as the first three Casteel books.
April 12, 2012
The three first books were told by Heaven, but this book is told by Heaven’s daughter Annie. It’s interesting to read about how she finds out her family’s secrets. It’s also interesting to see how she deals with everything after a terrible accident, what she does to deal with it and how other people treat her.
Some things in the book, and some characters, are just sick, unfortunately people like that exist in the real world as well, and what Annie thinks about it and how she deals with it is very realistic, as is her struggles.
This saga seems to become more and more like a soap opera by each book, or maybe they’ve been like this from the beginning, it just that I notice it more now. Although the book as interesting, I still think the saga could have ended after the last book. And in this book as well, the ending could end the whole saga, so I am looking forward to reading what happens in the last one. The first book, Heaven, is still my favourite.
Some things in the book, and some characters, are just sick, unfortunately people like that exist in the real world as well, and what Annie thinks about it and how she deals with it is very realistic, as is her struggles.
This saga seems to become more and more like a soap opera by each book, or maybe they’ve been like this from the beginning, it just that I notice it more now. Although the book as interesting, I still think the saga could have ended after the last book. And in this book as well, the ending could end the whole saga, so I am looking forward to reading what happens in the last one. The first book, Heaven, is still my favourite.
October 29, 2008
This is my least favorite book in the series and it grates on my nerves after just a few chapters. One thing that really bothers me throughout the novel is that eighteen-year-old Annie still calls her parents "Mommy" and "Daddy". The whole fantasy Farthy thing in the beginning is extremely repetitive and the recuperation at Farthy becomes that way after a while also. The only thing that saves this novel is the appearance of Troy at the end.
June 19, 2012
This was by far the weakest book in the Casteel family series, partly because it shifted POV from Heaven (who I'd grown to love and had been so used to from the other three books) and partly because of the unsatisfying "ending" to Heaven's story. I felt like she deserved so much more. The story lines seemed a bit redundant by this book (although I understand why they were written). It still had the same feel as the other books but I think I had just hoped for something different.
August 6, 2019
Much like FALLEN HEARTS, this is one of the better ghostwriter-mimicking-VC books so far as tone & style...but, also like FALLEN HEARTS, there's a lot of missed opportunity.
First, let me say Neiderman had a much better grasp of Fanny in this one. Watching her shift from trampy cougar to Casteel matriarch was great -- I'm so glad she was ultimately redeemed, because even with her faults she was one of my fave characters in this saga (Tom, Grandpa Toby, & Leigh being the others).
Second, Annie takes a lot of guff...but I liked her. Granted, she's obsessed with Luke Jr -- but she was temporarily crippled, lonely, scared, & grieving. Cut the kid some slack, huh? She's definitely Troy's offspring, given her artistic side & bipolar/SAD (whichever it is -- they never really make that clear), & her ignorance over Tony's issues is excusable, given that Heaven made a point to keep her totally ignorant** of his ped0bear creepitude. And she really does try to convey her peril to other characters, all of whom either can't (Rye) or won't (Drake, Mrs Broadfield) help her escape -- so how is that her fault?
That said...there's a whooole lot of wheel-spinning & aborted tension in this book. The repetition is really tedious -- not only secrets we already know from previous installments, but stuff that happened a few chapters back. >____< We also don't get much forward momentum until maybe 70% in, because Annie can't hardly move (again, not her fault)...but Neiderman jumped the shark in this aspect, turning what could've been a 400-pg atmospheric gothic nightmare (think MISERY) into a puttering, sputtering talkfest.
There are occasional scenes that are worth the slog, so it's not a *bad* book, per se. But it should've been either half the length *or* infused with twice as much peril. Instead, it just kinda meanders along without any oomph. You can easily skim through the first 60% & not miss anything significant.
One other note, re: Drake. What a wasted character. He starts out great, then disappears into the ranks of Tony's penis-choir, singing his praises & doing nothing of value for the plot. Booooo! Hissss!
2.5, rounded up...because Fanny rocks. :D
**This is a highly questionable choice on Heaven's part. I'd understand if Annie was little, but she's 18 now. You need to arm her against any potential interaction with this withered limb on the family tree.
First, let me say Neiderman had a much better grasp of Fanny in this one. Watching her shift from trampy cougar to Casteel matriarch was great -- I'm so glad she was ultimately redeemed, because even with her faults she was one of my fave characters in this saga (Tom, Grandpa Toby, & Leigh being the others).
Second, Annie takes a lot of guff...but I liked her. Granted, she's obsessed with Luke Jr -- but she was temporarily crippled, lonely, scared, & grieving. Cut the kid some slack, huh? She's definitely Troy's offspring, given her artistic side & bipolar/SAD (whichever it is -- they never really make that clear), & her ignorance over Tony's issues is excusable, given that Heaven made a point to keep her totally ignorant** of his ped0bear creepitude. And she really does try to convey her peril to other characters, all of whom either can't (Rye) or won't (Drake, Mrs Broadfield) help her escape -- so how is that her fault?
That said...there's a whooole lot of wheel-spinning & aborted tension in this book. The repetition is really tedious -- not only secrets we already know from previous installments, but stuff that happened a few chapters back. >____< We also don't get much forward momentum until maybe 70% in, because Annie can't hardly move (again, not her fault)...but Neiderman jumped the shark in this aspect, turning what could've been a 400-pg atmospheric gothic nightmare (think MISERY) into a puttering, sputtering talkfest.
There are occasional scenes that are worth the slog, so it's not a *bad* book, per se. But it should've been either half the length *or* infused with twice as much peril. Instead, it just kinda meanders along without any oomph. You can easily skim through the first 60% & not miss anything significant.
One other note, re: Drake. What a wasted character. He starts out great, then disappears into the ranks of Tony's penis-choir, singing his praises & doing nothing of value for the plot. Booooo! Hissss!
2.5, rounded up...because Fanny rocks. :D
**This is a highly questionable choice on Heaven's part. I'd understand if Annie was little, but she's 18 now. You need to arm her against any potential interaction with this withered limb on the family tree.
July 26, 2025
This book is how you do forbidden romance in the worst possible way. Ive never hated so many characters and just people in general as i do after reading this book.
In case it wasn't clear, I HATE this book. Every character is disgusting, and somehow Fanny is the only character who ends up being redeeming and she the most annoying individual in all the other books.
FMC is in love with her brother/cousin who she's grown up with as her brother/cousin and he feels the same way. That's our forbidden love and it's so gross. But it's okay because you'll find out they aren't actually blood so that makes 18 years of this longing okay? Gross
Grandpa is a disgusting, pervy old man still doing the same disgusting, pervy things.
Troy, the man people think we should swoon for, slept knowingly with his niece and had a kid with her ... but that's okay because he's sweet and tragic? and ends up saving his daughter from his creepy, Pervy brother (her grandfather) and tells her the truth so she can finally be with her cousin/brother without feeling guilty.
The entire book is disgusting. Incest is not my trope, forbidden romance should not include incest to make it forbidden. This book makes me Hate people.
In case it wasn't clear, I HATE this book. Every character is disgusting, and somehow Fanny is the only character who ends up being redeeming and she the most annoying individual in all the other books.
FMC is in love with her brother/cousin who she's grown up with as her brother/cousin and he feels the same way. That's our forbidden love and it's so gross. But it's okay because you'll find out they aren't actually blood so that makes 18 years of this longing okay? Gross
Grandpa is a disgusting, pervy old man still doing the same disgusting, pervy things.
Troy, the man people think we should swoon for, slept knowingly with his niece and had a kid with her ... but that's okay because he's sweet and tragic? and ends up saving his daughter from his creepy, Pervy brother (her grandfather) and tells her the truth so she can finally be with her cousin/brother without feeling guilty.
The entire book is disgusting. Incest is not my trope, forbidden romance should not include incest to make it forbidden. This book makes me Hate people.
September 24, 2023
The greatest YA author of my lifetime. read her books if you love young adult, I did in my 20's
January 20, 2023
Con ganas de acabar ya y cerrar los amores y sagas familiares tormentosas
March 3, 2013
Not a big fan of this one. For starters, I couldn't get past the fact that Heaven had died (and so young). It just seemed unfair, the way life continued to play such mean tricks on the poor girl. I wasn't much of a fan of Annie Stonewall. The book just didn't seem part of the other 3 books. I know that the author changed by this point, but I was unable to become sympathetic with Annie. Her feelings for Luke were always described as fairy tales which made me think of young children love, which was so different from the love life Heaven had and which I had become accustomed to. Each book in this series took me about 2 weeks to get through, but I actually had to take about a month off after beginning this one. I have to read Web of Dreams even though I'm skeptical, but I think it's about time we learn the truth about Leigh, since she is the true beginning of all these characters.
June 20, 2007
The second big Andrews series and the one I liked the most. Something about the Casteel family hit a stronger chord than the Dollanganger clan.
June 9, 2010
Terrible. And yet, I must read this damn series to the end.
June 24, 2018
(Rating based on my remembered feelings when I read this book as a 14 year old.)
March 17, 2015
I dont understand why other people gave this book such bad reviews. This may have truthfully been my favorite one of the series. Was nice to have such a happy ending after all the sadness.
August 27, 2019
Gates of Paradise
So, I wanted to watch this movie with my mom on lifetime. So, I decided I was going to read the book first. I had no idea it was the fourth book in a series but I have some thoughts.
I'm not sure that Heaven had to be killed here, but I suppose we wouldn't have seen Tony Tatterton any other way; or at least in the way he did here. He turns out being the controlling, manipulator, He tells Annie that he has the chance to make amends and wants to, and maybe he did which is the sad part. Unfortunately for him he can't be any other way so he literally pays off Drake so they could keep Annie away from her past and what's left of her family especially Luke. I loved Luke and Annie’s forbidden love story in the beginning because it was written in the true Andrews style.
I don't agree with many of the reviews where Annie is accused of being whiny and spoiled; no Annie is not as strong as Heaven but in all fairness, she never had to face the obstacles Heaven did and had no reason to until now. Considering what happened to her I think Annie did show a lot of strength and defiance in some ways, especially when she was faced with Tony and Drake's lies, but she was annoying in her near obsession of Luke who she thought was her half-brother at one time. I was annoyed that she be upset at the thought of his finding a possible girlfriend why were they allowed to become so close like this? They weren't locked up together like Chris and Cathy so in some ways its bizarre. It's okay that they were close but to develop those kinds of feelings. It's not like they didn't have lives outside each other's and yet it seems that way. Oh well. In getting back to Tony like I said just pathetic. That he could still have that old lust for the young Leigh; how sad. I guess Leigh came back through Heaven and then through Annie and so on.
Still not a bad book just wish Heaven didn't have to die and the way she did too. No surprise that Fanny's jealousy drove her to her death practically. But why would Heaven being the strong-willed woman she always was; get in a car with a drunk Logan when a storm was about to start? She knew the storm was starting and she knew Logan had enough to drink; more than anything why did they put up with Fanny? Why even go to that party when all she did was keep throwing her affair with Logan in their face? I will be back tracking this series because I need to see how it started.
So, I wanted to watch this movie with my mom on lifetime. So, I decided I was going to read the book first. I had no idea it was the fourth book in a series but I have some thoughts.
I'm not sure that Heaven had to be killed here, but I suppose we wouldn't have seen Tony Tatterton any other way; or at least in the way he did here. He turns out being the controlling, manipulator, He tells Annie that he has the chance to make amends and wants to, and maybe he did which is the sad part. Unfortunately for him he can't be any other way so he literally pays off Drake so they could keep Annie away from her past and what's left of her family especially Luke. I loved Luke and Annie’s forbidden love story in the beginning because it was written in the true Andrews style.
I don't agree with many of the reviews where Annie is accused of being whiny and spoiled; no Annie is not as strong as Heaven but in all fairness, she never had to face the obstacles Heaven did and had no reason to until now. Considering what happened to her I think Annie did show a lot of strength and defiance in some ways, especially when she was faced with Tony and Drake's lies, but she was annoying in her near obsession of Luke who she thought was her half-brother at one time. I was annoyed that she be upset at the thought of his finding a possible girlfriend why were they allowed to become so close like this? They weren't locked up together like Chris and Cathy so in some ways its bizarre. It's okay that they were close but to develop those kinds of feelings. It's not like they didn't have lives outside each other's and yet it seems that way. Oh well. In getting back to Tony like I said just pathetic. That he could still have that old lust for the young Leigh; how sad. I guess Leigh came back through Heaven and then through Annie and so on.
Still not a bad book just wish Heaven didn't have to die and the way she did too. No surprise that Fanny's jealousy drove her to her death practically. But why would Heaven being the strong-willed woman she always was; get in a car with a drunk Logan when a storm was about to start? She knew the storm was starting and she knew Logan had enough to drink; more than anything why did they put up with Fanny? Why even go to that party when all she did was keep throwing her affair with Logan in their face? I will be back tracking this series because I need to see how it started.
July 26, 2023
Gates of Paradise was probably my favorite in the Casteel series, and I couldn't tell you why. My plan was to do some writing today and attempt to finish my second novel, but instead, I was so engrossed in reading this book. 443 pages and I finished it in one day.
Even though Annie spends most of the book cooped up in Farthinggale Manor recovering from paralysis resulting from a car accident that killed both of her parents, I found this book page-turning, LOL. I thought about giving it five stars.
I loved the forbidden love between her and her half-brother and cousin (it's complicated) Luke. Of course, if you've read the previous books in order as you should, you'll know, but Annie and Luke don't know.
The only thing I would change is .
I thought about this book and book 2 that the characters need to start using paternity tests. I actually feel bad for Tony because Leigh would have loved him back in a perfect world and they would have had their daughter, Heaven, grow up at Farthinggale Manor with them.
It seemed like Drake had a crush on Annie and was jealous of Luke. I liked Fanny's evolution in this book and stopped disliking her. I don't think she had a job.
I wish I could discuss this series with someone and ask them if they thought Logan was Heaven's true love or Troy. I think Troy was better for her. Not to encourage an incestuous relationship, but their daughter turned out okay genetically.
I loved this quote: "Actions taken long ago had determined that two families as different as night and day would cross paths and destinies (441)." Instead of the Casteel Family series, this should be called the Casteel/Tatterton family saga. With the love of Luke and Annie, the two families will finally be joined by blood (if they have children).
Even though Annie spends most of the book cooped up in Farthinggale Manor recovering from paralysis resulting from a car accident that killed both of her parents, I found this book page-turning, LOL. I thought about giving it five stars.
I loved the forbidden love between her and her half-brother and cousin (it's complicated) Luke. Of course, if you've read the previous books in order as you should, you'll know, but Annie and Luke don't know.
The only thing I would change is .
I thought about this book and book 2 that the characters need to start using paternity tests. I actually feel bad for Tony because Leigh would have loved him back in a perfect world and they would have had their daughter, Heaven, grow up at Farthinggale Manor with them.
It seemed like Drake had a crush on Annie and was jealous of Luke. I liked Fanny's evolution in this book and stopped disliking her. I don't think she had a job.
I wish I could discuss this series with someone and ask them if they thought Logan was Heaven's true love or Troy. I think Troy was better for her. Not to encourage an incestuous relationship, but their daughter turned out okay genetically.
I loved this quote: "Actions taken long ago had determined that two families as different as night and day would cross paths and destinies (441)." Instead of the Casteel Family series, this should be called the Casteel/Tatterton family saga. With the love of Luke and Annie, the two families will finally be joined by blood (if they have children).
July 20, 2019
I’m mad I read this book. It was very redundant. I mean, if you hadn’t read the other books, it would explain a lot, but GOP is basically a long review of the others. There’s nothing that goes on that’s original except the fact that she’s in a wheelchair. It was boring and predictable. The ghost writer did not keep it true to VC’s flow. I would recommend just reading g the first three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2014
Book number four in the Casteel saga.
Even though I finished it in only two days, I didn't really like it.
Everything is so predictable, you KNOW what's going to happen and can't believe some of the decisions that are made by the characters.
Spoilers:
I definitely hated the way things ended for Heaven (and Logan). They portrayed Logan as a totally different person, and maybe he changed, after all, many years had passed since the third book but I didn't think Heaven would've allowed such behaviour. Meh.
Annie? Sometimes I liked her, sometimes not. She seemed so boring to me, kind of a goody two-shoes, except for her relationship with Luke (come on, "incest" again??).
I can't help but feel confused by the turn Drake's character took. I know everyone seems to get tangled in Tony's web, but Drake? He changed so much in just a couple of days? I think they tried to do this to make us think he was kind of like his father, or even Logan at the beginning, dazzled by Tony's money and position.
The end of the book is feeble and again, predictable.
Oh, last words: Troy? We will love you forever <3
Even though I finished it in only two days, I didn't really like it.
Everything is so predictable, you KNOW what's going to happen and can't believe some of the decisions that are made by the characters.
Spoilers:
I definitely hated the way things ended for Heaven (and Logan). They portrayed Logan as a totally different person, and maybe he changed, after all, many years had passed since the third book but I didn't think Heaven would've allowed such behaviour. Meh.
Annie? Sometimes I liked her, sometimes not. She seemed so boring to me, kind of a goody two-shoes, except for her relationship with Luke (come on, "incest" again??).
I can't help but feel confused by the turn Drake's character took. I know everyone seems to get tangled in Tony's web, but Drake? He changed so much in just a couple of days? I think they tried to do this to make us think he was kind of like his father, or even Logan at the beginning, dazzled by Tony's money and position.
The end of the book is feeble and again, predictable.
Oh, last words: Troy? We will love you forever <3
November 19, 2013
##spoiler alerts##
Terrible. So boring. Seemed like a preteen book. I know most of these books were young adult books but they didn't really seem like it until the ghost writer took over. I think V.C. Andrews did an amazing job with the books she wrote but then after that they became so immature and childish. This was boring and everything that happened I already knew or expected it to happen. If you've read the previous books in the series then you know that they're not really brother and sister or cousins. So THAT wasn't a surprise. And then when Troy came into the picture you knew EXACTLY who it was. UGH. It wasn't exciting and everything that happened wasn't interesting. I forced my way through the book and was happy when it was finally over. I'm trying to read some of the other books written by the ghost writer and like I said before, they're all terrible. I wanted to read all her books, which I will, the ones SHE wrote. The rest are garbage and I'm not gonna read them, unless I was maybe 10 years old....
Terrible. So boring. Seemed like a preteen book. I know most of these books were young adult books but they didn't really seem like it until the ghost writer took over. I think V.C. Andrews did an amazing job with the books she wrote but then after that they became so immature and childish. This was boring and everything that happened I already knew or expected it to happen. If you've read the previous books in the series then you know that they're not really brother and sister or cousins. So THAT wasn't a surprise. And then when Troy came into the picture you knew EXACTLY who it was. UGH. It wasn't exciting and everything that happened wasn't interesting. I forced my way through the book and was happy when it was finally over. I'm trying to read some of the other books written by the ghost writer and like I said before, they're all terrible. I wanted to read all her books, which I will, the ones SHE wrote. The rest are garbage and I'm not gonna read them, unless I was maybe 10 years old....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2012
Least favorite in the series.
Novels that were truly written by Ms. Andrews were Flowers in the Attic, Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, My Sweet Audrina, Heaven, and Dark Angel. When Virginia became seriously ill while writing the Casteel series, she began to work even harder, hoping to finish as many stories as possible so that her fans could one day share them. Since her death many have wondered whether there would continue to be new V.C. Andrews novels. Beginning with the final books in the Casteel series they worked closely with a carefully selected writer to organize and complete Virginia's stories and to expand upon them. The identity of this writer was kept a secret from the general public at the request of the Andrews family for years. The ghostwriter has since been identified as thriller and horror novelist Andrew Niederman. The novels that may have been begun by Andrews and finished by Neiderman were Garden of Shadows, Fallen Hearts, Gates of Paradise, and Web of Dreams. Everything after Dawn was written by Neiderman.
Novels that were truly written by Ms. Andrews were Flowers in the Attic, Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, My Sweet Audrina, Heaven, and Dark Angel. When Virginia became seriously ill while writing the Casteel series, she began to work even harder, hoping to finish as many stories as possible so that her fans could one day share them. Since her death many have wondered whether there would continue to be new V.C. Andrews novels. Beginning with the final books in the Casteel series they worked closely with a carefully selected writer to organize and complete Virginia's stories and to expand upon them. The identity of this writer was kept a secret from the general public at the request of the Andrews family for years. The ghostwriter has since been identified as thriller and horror novelist Andrew Niederman. The novels that may have been begun by Andrews and finished by Neiderman were Garden of Shadows, Fallen Hearts, Gates of Paradise, and Web of Dreams. Everything after Dawn was written by Neiderman.
June 21, 2020
Tarde muchísimo tiempo en poder terminar esta novela. Ciertamente me gustó mucho de lo que sucede, pero la sentí predecible. El final en general me parece bueno, tarde o temprano tenia que terminar la historia de Heaven y su descendencia.
Claramente desde Corazones Caídos se siente mucho la ausencia de la pluma y el dinamismo de la verdadera V.C. Andrews. Leí este y su anterior libro para terminar la saga, pero sin duda cada vez se fue alejando más y más de lo que hacía brillar tanto la historia de Heaven.
Claramente desde Corazones Caídos se siente mucho la ausencia de la pluma y el dinamismo de la verdadera V.C. Andrews. Leí este y su anterior libro para terminar la saga, pero sin duda cada vez se fue alejando más y más de lo que hacía brillar tanto la historia de Heaven.
December 5, 2007
Honestly, I can't remember if I read this one or not.
But if I did...here's what happened:
Young teen-aged girl, poor cruel family, hot older brother, gets adopted by cruel rich adoptive-family, hot adoptive father (or step-father), hot adoptive brother (or step-brother), SEX SEX SEX, cruel, rich, adoptive family dies bequeathing everything to now-sexually-active pregnant-with-brother's-child, teen-aged girl.
Something like that.
And yet...I couldn't put these books down!
But if I did...here's what happened:
Young teen-aged girl, poor cruel family, hot older brother, gets adopted by cruel rich adoptive-family, hot adoptive father (or step-father), hot adoptive brother (or step-brother), SEX SEX SEX, cruel, rich, adoptive family dies bequeathing everything to now-sexually-active pregnant-with-brother's-child, teen-aged girl.
Something like that.
And yet...I couldn't put these books down!
Read
March 29, 2015I loved these books as a youngster. There was something about the melodramatic world that hooked me. As adult they seem too overdone, but back then they were fun. I need to re-read it for a proper refresh. This series wasn't as good as the Dollanganger one, but took different turns and still remained one of the best Andrews series. The series got less interesting as it progressed - I liked Leigh and Heaven's books more - but this one was decent.
December 26, 2015
The Casteel family saga continues for Heaven's daughter Annie. When her parents are tragically killed in a car accident Annie is taken to Farthinggale Manor, a place she has always dreamt of visiting. But on her arrival Annie quickly realizes it is a cold and dark place, still hiding many family secrets.
August 14, 2019
“You’ve got to learn something from every defeat in life or life will defeat you.”
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