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Orphans #5
Runaways
The spellbinding Orphans series concludes in this thrilling new novel from V.C. Andrews(R)...
"All for one and one for all" was the girls' motto. In the grim foster home for orphans run by Louise and Gordon Tooey, at least Brooke, Crystal, Raven, and Butterfly had each other. Calling themselves "sisters," together they could forget the past and dream of a new chance...a real home. Then they discovered a secret even more haunting than Gordon's heavy boots pounding on the wooden floors. Their fragile hopes of a better life shattered, they escaped the only way they could. Soon they were runaways in a borrowed car, desperately wishing to wake up one morning in a place of sunshine and love.
Raven hoped to be a singer, Butterfly wanted to be a dancer, Crystal planned for college, and Brooke privately hoped to find her mother in California. On the open road the chains of sadness that had bound them seemed to melt away, and the kindness of strangers made a secure future seem almost real. But the highway was a dangerous place, and soon they were penniless and more vulnerable than ever. Alone under the wide western sky, they had only each other to ask if they should give up their dreams...or if they were really halfway to a haven of safety and happiness....
"All for one and one for all" was the girls' motto. In the grim foster home for orphans run by Louise and Gordon Tooey, at least Brooke, Crystal, Raven, and Butterfly had each other. Calling themselves "sisters," together they could forget the past and dream of a new chance...a real home. Then they discovered a secret even more haunting than Gordon's heavy boots pounding on the wooden floors. Their fragile hopes of a better life shattered, they escaped the only way they could. Soon they were runaways in a borrowed car, desperately wishing to wake up one morning in a place of sunshine and love.
Raven hoped to be a singer, Butterfly wanted to be a dancer, Crystal planned for college, and Brooke privately hoped to find her mother in California. On the open road the chains of sadness that had bound them seemed to melt away, and the kindness of strangers made a secure future seem almost real. But the highway was a dangerous place, and soon they were penniless and more vulnerable than ever. Alone under the wide western sky, they had only each other to ask if they should give up their dreams...or if they were really halfway to a haven of safety and happiness....
342 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1998
76 people are currently reading
3042 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
370 books9,073 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 110 reviews
March 7, 2013
I read a book called Runaways, by V.C Andrews. This book takes place in America in the past by like 10 years or so. The book is about four teenage girl orphans who live in a foster home with many other children. They are like sisters. The foster house is not the best whatsoever. They are constantly forced to clean and do not have a loving home. They are in constant fear of there foster "father" Gordon Tooey. He is a tough giant who is terrible and mean. One day the girls can not take it anymore. They decide to run away. Along the way of there journey. They face hardships and think about gong back. In the end they stick together and things go as they were meant to be. This book is incredible!
This book is one of my favorites! I think the characters are relatable. The four girls are all so different and you can connect with them. They are all so the same but all so different. When I read it I think I can feel how the character is feeling. I think the author's words flow smoothly along the page. I can really grasp what is happening. I feel like I am really there.
Overall I would give this book a 5.5 out of 5 stars if that was possible. It is a great book! You can really understand what the author is saying. You can relate to the characters easily as well. I enjoyed reading this book! I have reread this book so many times! And personally I don't like rereading books unless I really enjoy it. If you like books that you can relate to or something that really happens you will love this.
This book is one of my favorites! I think the characters are relatable. The four girls are all so different and you can connect with them. They are all so the same but all so different. When I read it I think I can feel how the character is feeling. I think the author's words flow smoothly along the page. I can really grasp what is happening. I feel like I am really there.
Overall I would give this book a 5.5 out of 5 stars if that was possible. It is a great book! You can really understand what the author is saying. You can relate to the characters easily as well. I enjoyed reading this book! I have reread this book so many times! And personally I don't like rereading books unless I really enjoy it. If you like books that you can relate to or something that really happens you will love this.
March 17, 2025
Tellement bon.
Read
April 27, 2017You can run, but you can't hide!.
The story of VC Andrews' 4 Orphans, Crystal, Raven, Butterfly and Brooke, picks up about 3 years after they all meet at Lakewood House. They have become sisters, with bonds so deep that they can pull Butterfly out of comatose states with the power of their mantra.
Stuck under the supervision of an adoption sabotaging Foster Mom and a children hating creepy Foster Father, the Orphanteers decide to take their future into their own hands. Their plan to runaway works for a while, however they are forced to grow up very quickly. Their roadtrip across country teaches them many of life's lessons. When to trust, who to love, how to survive and when its time to let go.
Satisfying conclusion to the Orphans series.
The story of VC Andrews' 4 Orphans, Crystal, Raven, Butterfly and Brooke, picks up about 3 years after they all meet at Lakewood House. They have become sisters, with bonds so deep that they can pull Butterfly out of comatose states with the power of their mantra.
Stuck under the supervision of an adoption sabotaging Foster Mom and a children hating creepy Foster Father, the Orphanteers decide to take their future into their own hands. Their plan to runaway works for a while, however they are forced to grow up very quickly. Their roadtrip across country teaches them many of life's lessons. When to trust, who to love, how to survive and when its time to let go.
Satisfying conclusion to the Orphans series.
June 3, 2020
Another successful hit from V.C. Her characters are always relatable and enjoyable to her readers. I do feel as though the epilogue did fall a little flat though. Almost as if we needed another chapter to wrap up story lines. I just felt like the book would have been a little bit better if we had been given more information at the end on how the girls ended up where they did in the epilogue and how they got there once they all split up from Butterfly.
July 30, 2019
Unfortunately, this book had the same annoying issue the other books in the series had: it was an entertaining read, moved smoothly, and then - suddenly and without warning - the end slammed into you with all the delicacy and unexpectedness of a high-speed car wreck.
Now, don't get me wrong; I love endings that take me by surprise. I love it when I turn the last page of a book and just sit there in awe, thinking something like, "Wow, I didn't see that coming!"
This book does that, but not in a good way.
Other than the ending, I really enjoyed this series, and definitely do not regret reading it.
Now, don't get me wrong; I love endings that take me by surprise. I love it when I turn the last page of a book and just sit there in awe, thinking something like, "Wow, I didn't see that coming!"
This book does that, but not in a good way.
Other than the ending, I really enjoyed this series, and definitely do not regret reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2021
Four teenage orphan girls on a road trip. Perfect book.
April 14, 2018
This book felt like I had been reading it much longer than I had. I really don't know why. I liked this. It was different than the other series. It's a cross country adventure. I could see this being a movie. Yes there already is a few but this had more excitement. Though no Thelma and Louise. I really liked that movie. Now I want to watch it again. I found myself thinking of that movie, crossroads as well as other wanting to make it in LA books and movies.
I'm confused. If Crystal is 3 yrs older and the other girls are 17. Why is Crystal still in foster care? I think there's a mistake.
K so Gordon is a crank. Yells if you aren't out of bed ready n with the bed made as an example. It's described like a prison to an extent.
"Crystal is smart enough to become President if women could." They can now. Though Hilary wasn't voted in. I don't want her to be the first female president. Would be odd how a couple were both President but we have had fathers n sons. Whoops! Okay I'm Canadian but I tend to say we. Lol I have a son (Justin Trudeau) as my current Prime Minister. Lucky Americans have Hitler for president. I mean Donald Trump. Sorry people I may offend. I didn't like either of your choices. I never cared about who was President until Obama. 😍😍😍 I love him.
It's been years???? Can't be too many years or Crystal would be gone. Out of the system.
Ok so just Louise is nice. Oh and the grandma. But I didn't know of her before.
Raven wants to be a singer?
And Louise is back to not nice. Ruining Butterfly's chance for adoption to keep getting money. Oh they say Louise loves the kids and doesn't want to give them up. Sad that saying she has some issues made the people not interested. It happens though.
Nice so Gordon's a perv.
If they have $1400 combined to runaway to California with then Brooke sure wasn't left much. I thought she would have gotten a decent amount. Guess not.
I don't like their chant. Seems creepy to me but I get for them it's encouraging.
Oh ouch!!!! They pointed out the Twin Towers and that they look like they could fly a plane into them. 😢😢😢
When the bikers gave the girls the shortcut I worried it was a trap. Sure enough!!!!! Me no likey! I'm glad Brooke did what I wanted her to do and peeled off running over their bikes.
Ha the old man who has the girls come to his house to be looked after by his wife. Well he talks about all these people like the girls would know who he's talking about. I know people like that. I find it cute n funny.
They going to move in with the elder couple they're staying with.
Didn't grab their number before leaving?
I figured Sunshine the hitchhiker would rob them. Yep!
The cocaine they found in the car seats when looking for change for food, I thought they would sell it. Nope!!! Just tossed it into the rain.
Raven with the boy Taylor in the town where the girls work at a restaurant to make money to keep travelling since they were robbed, is how sooo many girls I've known are. Like oh he's different for me or doesn't believe it. Or then there's the fun defensive. Is it so hard to believe someone could love me. Uh? Obviously not. But I'm always suspicious if love is thought of right away.
So when the girls are debating on what to do for Butterfly for some reason I kept feeling like a girl was missing. I had to think. It's like wait there's only 4. Why do I think 5? Silly me.
I thought maybe Raven shouldn't go off with Taylor in case she's contagious or to help look after Butterfly but right away she assumed it was concern for her getting hurt. Though it may be that. I just thought Brooke told her she maybe shouldn't go for reasons I stated.
Yep she did exactly what I thought. Raven gave herself to the guy. Stupid girls. 😒 Stupid people.
She had arms.... I should hope so. Not that all do.
Seemed obvious that garage guy Todd doesn't have a girlfriend.
I didn't know this was a cross country adventure. They're meeting many nice people. Borderline unrealistic but they're there. Well that was quick. Already talking of how much they like each other. But that does happen. Ok that was just a few kisses. The girls were worried. I thought they worried for no reason. Wha BAM! She lets him cop a feel. Then takes off her top and there goes the bra. Actually the way the other books were not very sexual I hadn't expected this. She's moving REALLY fast. It's like whoa! Wtf?! And how did he know she never had before? Well I'm glad my first was who it was. Raven's would be awful and upsetting.
Him and his girlfriend broke up 3 months prior yet they say recently. I guess if it was a long relationship then I suppose.
Butterfly seems so much more mousy and shy in this book.
Funny. I had finished the series Luxe right before this series. Both took place in New York. Though this is now cross country. But did start there.
When driving the elderly woman left behind and they said there was an odd smell I thought it was going to be tinkle but they said charred wood. Not sure what that smell is. Old person smell? 🤔
When the old lady had them drop her off not at her house I figured something was up. She talked of how big it was so I was surprised she didn't want them to see it. When she said it was a mess I thought maybe she was hoarder. I also wondered if she had dementia or Alzheimer's or something else that could cause confusion. It was really sad she lived in a cardboard box. Often I feel people have a choice to do something but in this case they didn't. What could they do? They are homeless kids virtually broke. And call who to help? Sadly there wouldn't be any help except if she went to a shelter but it would probably be up to her.
Oh! Tension rising. Lack of money does that. It adds to other life stresses. I didn't like their chant and now the name Orphanteers is being mocked. Raven said it's childish. So perhaps that was it. It is a total kids thing. I'm a kid at heart but I still feel uncomfortable with the chant.
With the man who slumped over the steering wheel I wondered if it would be too late for CPR. For there was the time for the woman to walk to the road. Poor kids the 2 little girls scared about their dad. Brooke at the gas station I thought she would have dialled 911. Chances for him is slim but possible. Oh ok my bad. I was thinking they should drive him to the hospital if they can. I thought he was out on the ground. I'm falling asleep so we'll blame that. Lol
Butterfly reminds me of a toddler. It bothers me.
After the native man found the girls sleeping in the rocks. They had run out of gas on a reservation escaping the hotel with Gordon. The girls were caught after saving that man. Gordon came. He's pissed about his drugs more than anything. The coke the girls had dumped back when. He said one of the girls had to stay with him. Brooke did. He asked if she wanted to have sex with him because he's experienced and a real man. Hmmm him and Louise didn't have their own kids. 🤔 He tied Brooke's arm to his arm. She untied his side and escaped with her wrist still tied. Got the girls and they raced off.
Anyway after all that and they start following the native man one of the girls asked what's next and Crystal said scalping. 😱😱😱 She's not a jokester so 😱😱😱😱😱😱. I'm also confused because she's so smart yet doesn't know that scalping didn't begin with the "Indians". It's a common misconception. I have learned a lot in recent years of the history of Native Americans. Far from enough though.
I just had a thought. What about Ravens mom? I'm assuming still in jail or a rehab.
Ha! Crystal's like me. Hates to waste time. It's good and bad.
Ok if she's in such a trance she's even drooling then yes that is bad. Butterfly needs a doctor. Or natural anxiety relievers.
Everything Annie couldn't be. Healthy! Ouch! To me. The baby Steven, Anita and Tommy had after adopting Butterfly.
I wish Crystal had her glasses on on the covers. I like the visuals. I HATE that the keyhole covers were discontinued. They should have kept it with the old artistry and the peek a boo cover. All V C Andrews fans loved them. It was like a mystery. I hope if they redo any covers/editions that they do it that way again.
OMG Those were seizures Butterfly was having? I had learned that seizures aren't necessarily like what you think from movies etc. Not sure how the chant helped them though. Poor girl really should have seen a doctor a lot sooner.
At first I thought Butterfly could be a pretty name but it bothered me through this book. So I guess not after all. Raven is pretty. 🦋
Welp! I'm done that series. But I need MORE!!!! Lol Hopefully off to another V C Andrews series.
I'm confused. If Crystal is 3 yrs older and the other girls are 17. Why is Crystal still in foster care? I think there's a mistake.
K so Gordon is a crank. Yells if you aren't out of bed ready n with the bed made as an example. It's described like a prison to an extent.
"Crystal is smart enough to become President if women could." They can now. Though Hilary wasn't voted in. I don't want her to be the first female president. Would be odd how a couple were both President but we have had fathers n sons. Whoops! Okay I'm Canadian but I tend to say we. Lol I have a son (Justin Trudeau) as my current Prime Minister. Lucky Americans have Hitler for president. I mean Donald Trump. Sorry people I may offend. I didn't like either of your choices. I never cared about who was President until Obama. 😍😍😍 I love him.
It's been years???? Can't be too many years or Crystal would be gone. Out of the system.
Ok so just Louise is nice. Oh and the grandma. But I didn't know of her before.
Raven wants to be a singer?
And Louise is back to not nice. Ruining Butterfly's chance for adoption to keep getting money. Oh they say Louise loves the kids and doesn't want to give them up. Sad that saying she has some issues made the people not interested. It happens though.
Nice so Gordon's a perv.
If they have $1400 combined to runaway to California with then Brooke sure wasn't left much. I thought she would have gotten a decent amount. Guess not.
I don't like their chant. Seems creepy to me but I get for them it's encouraging.
Oh ouch!!!! They pointed out the Twin Towers and that they look like they could fly a plane into them. 😢😢😢
When the bikers gave the girls the shortcut I worried it was a trap. Sure enough!!!!! Me no likey! I'm glad Brooke did what I wanted her to do and peeled off running over their bikes.
Ha the old man who has the girls come to his house to be looked after by his wife. Well he talks about all these people like the girls would know who he's talking about. I know people like that. I find it cute n funny.
They going to move in with the elder couple they're staying with.
Didn't grab their number before leaving?
I figured Sunshine the hitchhiker would rob them. Yep!
The cocaine they found in the car seats when looking for change for food, I thought they would sell it. Nope!!! Just tossed it into the rain.
Raven with the boy Taylor in the town where the girls work at a restaurant to make money to keep travelling since they were robbed, is how sooo many girls I've known are. Like oh he's different for me or doesn't believe it. Or then there's the fun defensive. Is it so hard to believe someone could love me. Uh? Obviously not. But I'm always suspicious if love is thought of right away.
So when the girls are debating on what to do for Butterfly for some reason I kept feeling like a girl was missing. I had to think. It's like wait there's only 4. Why do I think 5? Silly me.
I thought maybe Raven shouldn't go off with Taylor in case she's contagious or to help look after Butterfly but right away she assumed it was concern for her getting hurt. Though it may be that. I just thought Brooke told her she maybe shouldn't go for reasons I stated.
Yep she did exactly what I thought. Raven gave herself to the guy. Stupid girls. 😒 Stupid people.
She had arms.... I should hope so. Not that all do.
Seemed obvious that garage guy Todd doesn't have a girlfriend.
I didn't know this was a cross country adventure. They're meeting many nice people. Borderline unrealistic but they're there. Well that was quick. Already talking of how much they like each other. But that does happen. Ok that was just a few kisses. The girls were worried. I thought they worried for no reason. Wha BAM! She lets him cop a feel. Then takes off her top and there goes the bra. Actually the way the other books were not very sexual I hadn't expected this. She's moving REALLY fast. It's like whoa! Wtf?! And how did he know she never had before? Well I'm glad my first was who it was. Raven's would be awful and upsetting.
Him and his girlfriend broke up 3 months prior yet they say recently. I guess if it was a long relationship then I suppose.
Butterfly seems so much more mousy and shy in this book.
Funny. I had finished the series Luxe right before this series. Both took place in New York. Though this is now cross country. But did start there.
When driving the elderly woman left behind and they said there was an odd smell I thought it was going to be tinkle but they said charred wood. Not sure what that smell is. Old person smell? 🤔
When the old lady had them drop her off not at her house I figured something was up. She talked of how big it was so I was surprised she didn't want them to see it. When she said it was a mess I thought maybe she was hoarder. I also wondered if she had dementia or Alzheimer's or something else that could cause confusion. It was really sad she lived in a cardboard box. Often I feel people have a choice to do something but in this case they didn't. What could they do? They are homeless kids virtually broke. And call who to help? Sadly there wouldn't be any help except if she went to a shelter but it would probably be up to her.
Oh! Tension rising. Lack of money does that. It adds to other life stresses. I didn't like their chant and now the name Orphanteers is being mocked. Raven said it's childish. So perhaps that was it. It is a total kids thing. I'm a kid at heart but I still feel uncomfortable with the chant.
With the man who slumped over the steering wheel I wondered if it would be too late for CPR. For there was the time for the woman to walk to the road. Poor kids the 2 little girls scared about their dad. Brooke at the gas station I thought she would have dialled 911. Chances for him is slim but possible. Oh ok my bad. I was thinking they should drive him to the hospital if they can. I thought he was out on the ground. I'm falling asleep so we'll blame that. Lol
Butterfly reminds me of a toddler. It bothers me.
After the native man found the girls sleeping in the rocks. They had run out of gas on a reservation escaping the hotel with Gordon. The girls were caught after saving that man. Gordon came. He's pissed about his drugs more than anything. The coke the girls had dumped back when. He said one of the girls had to stay with him. Brooke did. He asked if she wanted to have sex with him because he's experienced and a real man. Hmmm him and Louise didn't have their own kids. 🤔 He tied Brooke's arm to his arm. She untied his side and escaped with her wrist still tied. Got the girls and they raced off.
Anyway after all that and they start following the native man one of the girls asked what's next and Crystal said scalping. 😱😱😱 She's not a jokester so 😱😱😱😱😱😱. I'm also confused because she's so smart yet doesn't know that scalping didn't begin with the "Indians". It's a common misconception. I have learned a lot in recent years of the history of Native Americans. Far from enough though.
I just had a thought. What about Ravens mom? I'm assuming still in jail or a rehab.
Ha! Crystal's like me. Hates to waste time. It's good and bad.
Ok if she's in such a trance she's even drooling then yes that is bad. Butterfly needs a doctor. Or natural anxiety relievers.
Everything Annie couldn't be. Healthy! Ouch! To me. The baby Steven, Anita and Tommy had after adopting Butterfly.
I wish Crystal had her glasses on on the covers. I like the visuals. I HATE that the keyhole covers were discontinued. They should have kept it with the old artistry and the peek a boo cover. All V C Andrews fans loved them. It was like a mystery. I hope if they redo any covers/editions that they do it that way again.
OMG Those were seizures Butterfly was having? I had learned that seizures aren't necessarily like what you think from movies etc. Not sure how the chant helped them though. Poor girl really should have seen a doctor a lot sooner.
At first I thought Butterfly could be a pretty name but it bothered me through this book. So I guess not after all. Raven is pretty. 🦋
Welp! I'm done that series. But I need MORE!!!! Lol Hopefully off to another V C Andrews series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2015
When my mother left, I laid claim to her books. This was how I ended up with a nearly-complete collection of VC Andrews's works. At the time, the Orphans series was my favorite. (Understandable when I look back at it from a psychological standpoint.) And while I don't necessarily dislike it now that I've read through it again as an adult, I can definitely appreciate all the criticisms I've come across.
For one, perhaps it has something to do with the POV not switching from girl to girl (as I would have preferred) but seeing the entire adventure through Brooke's eyes. Some of the characters just didn't seem like the same people they'd been in their own books.
For one, in Crystal's book, they established that she was going into the tenth grade. That would make her about sixteen, whereas the other girls were all twelve or thirteen. But at the start of Runaways they're all suddenly the same age.
I didn't mind Raven being so standoffish and outspoken, but she seems so much more shallow all of sudden.
And I hated how utterly useless Butterfly was. She existed to be protected, and I was sick of her character before I was even halfway through my rereading.
Character flaws aside, I felt like this book got pretty repetitive. Like there were only a few plot points that got used over and over again.
However, at its most basic-- an adventure story with a strong focus on friendship and family-- I still found this to be enjoyable. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) it's one of those books that gets better the less you analyze it. And I can definitely see why it appealed to me all those years ago. Feeling the sting of being recently abandoned by a parent, I really got into all the (admittedly long-winded) sentimental passages about how tough not being part of a family was for each of the girls. And this series fit into a bit of a pattern I had going at the time (The Outsiders, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) of books that focused strongly on pseudo-families built on incredibly strong friendships.
So the Orphans series may not be some amazing literary work, but I still enjoyed it, and it could work as a good introduction to VC Andrews's writing as it doesn't seem quite as dark or mature as nearly every other book of hers that I've read.
For one, perhaps it has something to do with the POV not switching from girl to girl (as I would have preferred) but seeing the entire adventure through Brooke's eyes. Some of the characters just didn't seem like the same people they'd been in their own books.
For one, in Crystal's book, they established that she was going into the tenth grade. That would make her about sixteen, whereas the other girls were all twelve or thirteen. But at the start of Runaways they're all suddenly the same age.
I didn't mind Raven being so standoffish and outspoken, but she seems so much more shallow all of sudden.
And I hated how utterly useless Butterfly was. She existed to be protected, and I was sick of her character before I was even halfway through my rereading.
Character flaws aside, I felt like this book got pretty repetitive. Like there were only a few plot points that got used over and over again.
However, at its most basic-- an adventure story with a strong focus on friendship and family-- I still found this to be enjoyable. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) it's one of those books that gets better the less you analyze it. And I can definitely see why it appealed to me all those years ago. Feeling the sting of being recently abandoned by a parent, I really got into all the (admittedly long-winded) sentimental passages about how tough not being part of a family was for each of the girls. And this series fit into a bit of a pattern I had going at the time (The Outsiders, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) of books that focused strongly on pseudo-families built on incredibly strong friendships.
So the Orphans series may not be some amazing literary work, but I still enjoyed it, and it could work as a good introduction to VC Andrews's writing as it doesn't seem quite as dark or mature as nearly every other book of hers that I've read.
July 14, 2013
What does it say about me when my favorite V.C. Andrews novel is the one written by her ghostwriter ten years after her death?
I have to be honest--the only reason I love Runaways so much is because it is so very unlike many of Andrews other works. It isn't a family saga, for one thing. It doesn't have a waify, innocent young girl being assaulted by every male figure in her life. It doesn't have horrible, cringe-worthy sex scenes. It isn't stuffed with stiff, 1800's dialogue or dark mansions or deep family secrets.
In fact, Runaways was a heartwarming novel about four young women who escape a shitty situation and only pull through by loving each other and staying loyal to their friendship. How very un-V.C.!
So I read the four "Orphans" novellas last summer and they were alright, but they still felt pretty thin. Like, the characters had potential, even if they were a bit tropey (Brooke the tomboy, Raven the vamp, Crystal the brain, Butterfly the innocent), but the stories were pretty basic. And the storytelling in Runaways (which, for whatever reason, was narrated by Brooke, who seemed the most generic out of the all the characters) could be pretty formulaic, it read differently because you could tell it had heart. The parts with the homeless woman, the old grandparents, the couple who lost a child--they were soap-opera dramatic, but not seemingly soulless like so much of V.C.'s work. I also loved the on-the-road girl talk. Niederman certainly can write believable dialogue, something Miss Andrews never quite got the hang of.
Not a perfect novel, but a sweet, coming-of-age sisterhood tale that surprised me with the amount of vulnerability, kindness, and sweetness it showed towards the four friends. It was a great end to this series.
I have to be honest--the only reason I love Runaways so much is because it is so very unlike many of Andrews other works. It isn't a family saga, for one thing. It doesn't have a waify, innocent young girl being assaulted by every male figure in her life. It doesn't have horrible, cringe-worthy sex scenes. It isn't stuffed with stiff, 1800's dialogue or dark mansions or deep family secrets.
In fact, Runaways was a heartwarming novel about four young women who escape a shitty situation and only pull through by loving each other and staying loyal to their friendship. How very un-V.C.!
So I read the four "Orphans" novellas last summer and they were alright, but they still felt pretty thin. Like, the characters had potential, even if they were a bit tropey (Brooke the tomboy, Raven the vamp, Crystal the brain, Butterfly the innocent), but the stories were pretty basic. And the storytelling in Runaways (which, for whatever reason, was narrated by Brooke, who seemed the most generic out of the all the characters) could be pretty formulaic, it read differently because you could tell it had heart. The parts with the homeless woman, the old grandparents, the couple who lost a child--they were soap-opera dramatic, but not seemingly soulless like so much of V.C.'s work. I also loved the on-the-road girl talk. Niederman certainly can write believable dialogue, something Miss Andrews never quite got the hang of.
Not a perfect novel, but a sweet, coming-of-age sisterhood tale that surprised me with the amount of vulnerability, kindness, and sweetness it showed towards the four friends. It was a great end to this series.
May 17, 2013
I have been reading Runaways by V.C. Andrews which is about 4 orphan girls who act as sisters wanting to feel loved and to be adopted. This book is based off of 4 other books about the 4 girls’ past and how they all meet up, which is in the book Runaways. Why it’s called Runaways is because they hate where they live. Everyone is cruel and their foster parents only want money and a clean home. Even though it doesn’t feel like a home to the girls. So they decide to runaway to California and become what they want to be in life and to start a new life. They feel loved by each other, but what they really want is a place to call ‘home’. I thought of what the theme of this book could be ‘a past full of sadness could become a future full of success and happiness’. Their past was filled with complete disappointment and sadness. First losing their parents, being put in an awful orphanage, and not being loved are horrible things. “What use is having someone care for you if they just end up holding you back, trying to turn you into their idea of the perfect child?” I’d been through that before- I couldn’t believe that it was going to happen again. “Do you have an alternative?” Crystal questioned. I stared at her a moment. “Yes.” “What?” “Let’s run away,” I said finally (31)’. That was the first suggestion of running away because their foster parents were telling the people who wanted children that the child had something terribly wrong with them. That’s what made the parents rethink about getting a child, so they never adopted. They were all fed up and made an escape plan. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read a book that will keep you interested at the beginning all the way to the end.
September 9, 2013
The characters were not that believable. . . and too trusting and at times idiotic.
It was an OKAY book, not too good but not horrible. I found what I've read of the Gemini series to be awful compared to this series.
I like how Raven suddenly develops the talent for singing in the concluding book. I don't recall it saying anything about her "passion" for singing in her personal book.
And there always has to be molesty men every book. I guess its a V.C. Andrews trademark, but Neiderman just makes it boring and unoriginal through each book.
I've also noticed a LOT of reused names. There can't be any book now without the name Taylor popping up somewhere as either a first or last name.
I don't know, I feel like after the Hudson series, the quality just went down.
The series' ending gave the story closure, and it was a happy ending. Not a very memorable read though. . .
It was an OKAY book, not too good but not horrible. I found what I've read of the Gemini series to be awful compared to this series.
I like how Raven suddenly develops the talent for singing in the concluding book. I don't recall it saying anything about her "passion" for singing in her personal book.
And there always has to be molesty men every book. I guess its a V.C. Andrews trademark, but Neiderman just makes it boring and unoriginal through each book.
I've also noticed a LOT of reused names. There can't be any book now without the name Taylor popping up somewhere as either a first or last name.
I don't know, I feel like after the Hudson series, the quality just went down.
The series' ending gave the story closure, and it was a happy ending. Not a very memorable read though. . .
July 2, 2016
All Four Girls Band Together for Freedom
You may want to read the four books about each of the girls in this book before reading this, although I did read this novel first.
In a place where girls are casted aside, too old and unwanted for adoption, the place where these four girls end up seems to be one of the bad ones. I found myself hating what they were subjected to and rooting as they plotted, then escaped for freedom. Their journey to find the elusive freedom and themselves is undesirable. As a reader, you get caught up right with them, living through their pain, feeling their happiness, cheering them on and groaning with their failures or disappointments. It is a seemingly realistic book to a point, although I have never been in any such situation and it is a book that I highly recommend.
You may want to read the four books about each of the girls in this book before reading this, although I did read this novel first.
In a place where girls are casted aside, too old and unwanted for adoption, the place where these four girls end up seems to be one of the bad ones. I found myself hating what they were subjected to and rooting as they plotted, then escaped for freedom. Their journey to find the elusive freedom and themselves is undesirable. As a reader, you get caught up right with them, living through their pain, feeling their happiness, cheering them on and groaning with their failures or disappointments. It is a seemingly realistic book to a point, although I have never been in any such situation and it is a book that I highly recommend.
May 16, 2009
One of my favorites now, (but then again, they all end up being my favorite). All four girls decide to run away from the foster home they're living in after one of the girls almost gets molested by their foster father.
From the moment they take off, it is an adventure and they learn a lot of lessons along the way about the kindness of people, and how people can take advantage.
I do have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the ending of this book. Sometimes the author will leave you wishing things ended differently for the main character. But with this book, she leaves you happy for all four.
From the moment they take off, it is an adventure and they learn a lot of lessons along the way about the kindness of people, and how people can take advantage.
I do have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the ending of this book. Sometimes the author will leave you wishing things ended differently for the main character. But with this book, she leaves you happy for all four.
November 17, 2013
Years after reading the first 4 minibooks to this series, I finally got my hands on the 5th and final book- Runaways. I really enjoyed Brooke, Butterfly, Raven, and Crystal so naturally I was excited to read the last book where they all came together. I followed the 4 girls through their ups and downs in Runaways. I continually thought to myself while reading that if this story were true, I doubt many things would have gone as they did. Leaving me to feel the story was kind of unrealistic. I thought the ending was anti-climactic.
Over all it was a quick read and although it was kind of a let down for me, I would still recommend the series for others to read.
Over all it was a quick read and although it was kind of a let down for me, I would still recommend the series for others to read.
November 5, 2014
This book was okay overall but I'll have to admit it's not GW's best work by a long shot. Plus I couldn't help but think that some of the girl's mistakes in this book was pretty laughable I mean come on, picking up a hitchhiker, stealing a credit card, which of course can be easily tracked, actually stealing a car?! Come on! Plus (and yes I get that they are orphans) but it seems like they wanted a pity party all of the time for their situation. I know it's sad but no one wants to feel sorry for you all of the time. Sadly the books after this one are no better and it gets worse. I long for the days of the good VCA books!
November 21, 2014
When I read these novels back in the day I would have given them 3-3.5 STARS and now would say about one Star
I started reading VC Andrews books in the 1991 and stopped about 2003.
I have read:
-Dollanganger Series
-Casteel Series
-Cutler Series
-Landry Series
-Logan Series
-Orphans Series
-Wildflowers Series
-Hudson Series
-Shooting Stars Series
-DeBeers Series
-Broken Wings Series
As a preteen reading these novels was a rebellion and the gothic theme also seemed cool. I stopped reading this author because the novelty wore off, the novels are too formulaic that I could not tell one book from another and gothic aspect was lost.
I started reading VC Andrews books in the 1991 and stopped about 2003.
I have read:
-Dollanganger Series
-Casteel Series
-Cutler Series
-Landry Series
-Logan Series
-Orphans Series
-Wildflowers Series
-Hudson Series
-Shooting Stars Series
-DeBeers Series
-Broken Wings Series
As a preteen reading these novels was a rebellion and the gothic theme also seemed cool. I stopped reading this author because the novelty wore off, the novels are too formulaic that I could not tell one book from another and gothic aspect was lost.
December 7, 2010
I didn't read this novel until a few years after I finished the first 4 of the series.
It was odd returning to the girls after they more or less managed to work through their problems. Especially when it turned out that their problems had only just begun. In this novel they all proceed to run away from the Home they get placed in, mainly because their guardians are getting a little touchy-feely.
But things on the road are not how the girls expected. And who but a group of naive girls would expect paradise?
It was odd returning to the girls after they more or less managed to work through their problems. Especially when it turned out that their problems had only just begun. In this novel they all proceed to run away from the Home they get placed in, mainly because their guardians are getting a little touchy-feely.
But things on the road are not how the girls expected. And who but a group of naive girls would expect paradise?
September 11, 2016
All 4 orphans are brought together in this book, after, for 1 reason or another, things don't workout in their previous foster homes. The girls are very bonded; will stick together through thick & thin! They embark on an expedition not knowing what can lie ahead.
It's very recommended that you ready the 4 mini series prior to Runaways, bc the mini series tells each girls' own individual story.
Butterfly, Crystal, Brooke & Raven -- start there, & enjoy!
It's very recommended that you ready the 4 mini series prior to Runaways, bc the mini series tells each girls' own individual story.
Butterfly, Crystal, Brooke & Raven -- start there, & enjoy!
February 7, 2017
This book is one of the books that shaped my childhood. I haven't read any of the other books in this series yet (since I haven't had the time, money, ability) to find them, but I didn't need to! I didn't even know this book was in a series until I got to the back cover and saw the list of the other books. It was a hand-me-down from my mother and I'm so glad she had me read it. It is absolutly amazing. I've read it more times then I can count, I would 100% reccomend it.
June 27, 2007
This was my first V.C. Anderws book, I read it when I was about twelve and have loved her ever since. She is like the jelly dought of literature, you know you shouldn't be reading it, you know that it's trash that will rot your mind but it's just so good! Look in between Kafka and Vonnegut sometimes I like to read something that requires no brain movement. don't judge me :)
August 26, 2008
I am thinking there is more than one children’s novel, and that this is a series. The one I listen to on tape was good, but I was surprised it was a children's novel. There was a descriptive sex scene that I ended up fast forwarding through. This is a book I would not teach to students in the classroom
September 1, 2011
It was better than #2, #3 and #4 (and much better than #1 - rip-off of Petals on the Wind), but Raven and Butterfly were soooo annoying!
Quite amusing book, but Andrew Neiderman is not as imaginative as the real V.C. Andrews.
Quite amusing book, but Andrew Neiderman is not as imaginative as the real V.C. Andrews.
June 17, 2012
The last V.C. Andrews book I ever read. I believe I was 14 at the time. This is when I woke up from my V.C. Andrews spell and realized how shitty her books actually were. All my other ratings for her books are totally skewed simply for the fact that I remember the books differently as a half dumb/half gullible adolescent. Oh well, V.C. Andrews will always have a soft spot in my heart.
April 23, 2013
3.5 stars.
I was really disappointed with this book. Mainly, because Raven's character was so bitchy. She was completely different from how she had been portrayed in her stand-alone story. She reminded me of Fern and Clara from the Cutlet series or Vera from My Sweet Audrina. Runaways just didn't meet my expectations.
I was really disappointed with this book. Mainly, because Raven's character was so bitchy. She was completely different from how she had been portrayed in her stand-alone story. She reminded me of Fern and Clara from the Cutlet series or Vera from My Sweet Audrina. Runaways just didn't meet my expectations.
June 24, 2013
This was about 4 girls who were put in a foster home and were very unhappy so they stole the car and took off to greener pastures. The poor girls thought that anywhere would be better than where they came from. They ran into many obstacles but somehow they overcame them.
this was really a great read!
this was really a great read!
July 22, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. The first two chapters were a little slow but once i got past that i couldn't set the book down....I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series to find out what other adventures these young ladies have encountered. I would highly recommend runaways to anyone looking for an adventurous story with lots of twist and turns and bravery. Love this story
June 25, 2016
The conclusion to four orphaned girls as interesting as you follow their plight for a "real" connected life. When they run away from their dysfunctional foster home, they could never imagine the many challenges they would face. Both positive and negative forces are met along their journey. Many lessons are learned as they find their own lives.
May 20, 2009
What sticks out most is the sappy ending regarding Butterfly, who I've already said was my least favourite. Too much melodrama! But then this is V.C. Andrews... there can never be too much melodrama. ;)
August 5, 2011
The orphans series is a wonderful drama series by vc andrews. she knows how to twist a tail of deception lies lust love drama sadness fear and many other emotions. you will know the main character as if she was you... quite enjoyable!
July 5, 2012
I was hesitant to read this because of the descriptions I had read - I had this picture in my head that it would be horrifying - and the beginning was pretty messed up but once they left the Tooey house it lost the danger appeal and was just okay. Decent book.
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