What do you think?
Rate this book
Casteel #5
Web of Dreams
With nowhere to go, no one to help her, will Leigh flee into the arms of the one person she shouldn’t run to? Don’t miss this fifth and final installment in the Casteel family saga from New York Times bestselling author and literary phenomenon V.C. Andrews (Flowers in the Attic, My Sweet Audrina), now a major Lifetime movie event.
Leigh VanVoreen had to escape from Boston’s Farthinggale Manor. The foul secret she harbored within her seemed to darken her life forever. Jillian, her mother, would not believe her, and Tony Tatterton, her stepfather, had betrayed her cruelly.
But the pure devotion of Luke Casteel promised her hope and respect. Only Luke knew her deepest of secrets…only Luke would love and protect her. Bravely she bore the suspicions of the Willies’ hillfolk, as she tried to grasp the happiness that had so long eluded her. Leigh prayed with all her heart that her bright, shining dreams would save her from tragedy at last…
Leigh VanVoreen had to escape from Boston’s Farthinggale Manor. The foul secret she harbored within her seemed to darken her life forever. Jillian, her mother, would not believe her, and Tony Tatterton, her stepfather, had betrayed her cruelly.
But the pure devotion of Luke Casteel promised her hope and respect. Only Luke knew her deepest of secrets…only Luke would love and protect her. Bravely she bore the suspicions of the Willies’ hillfolk, as she tried to grasp the happiness that had so long eluded her. Leigh prayed with all her heart that her bright, shining dreams would save her from tragedy at last…
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1990
445 people are currently reading
4941 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
369 books9,001 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
October 29, 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.
The story of Heaven's mother Leigh. This is a prequel to the Casteel series. I highly recommend reading this one last, not first as it does contain spoilers to the series.
This entire series was really good. Had all the factors you expect from a V.C. Andrews book. I didn't know if I would like this book or not since most of Leigh's life you learn throughout the rest of the series. However, it was well worth the read. It really lets you get to know Leigh and better understand her relationship with her mother, Tony, and Troy. It also gives a peek into Troy's childhood which I found helpful.
The only real downside to the book is that I knew how it was going to end. I knew a lot of the bad things that were about to come her way throughout the book, but even so, it was never boring and still had some surprises of its own.
The story of Heaven's mother Leigh. This is a prequel to the Casteel series. I highly recommend reading this one last, not first as it does contain spoilers to the series.
This entire series was really good. Had all the factors you expect from a V.C. Andrews book. I didn't know if I would like this book or not since most of Leigh's life you learn throughout the rest of the series. However, it was well worth the read. It really lets you get to know Leigh and better understand her relationship with her mother, Tony, and Troy. It also gives a peek into Troy's childhood which I found helpful.
The only real downside to the book is that I knew how it was going to end. I knew a lot of the bad things that were about to come her way throughout the book, but even so, it was never boring and still had some surprises of its own.
March 20, 2019
The ghost writer hired after the death of Ms Andrews sucks
March 8, 2016
I have always been a huge fan of V.C Andrews and have been reading her books since I was younger. For some reason though, this book had been sitting on my book shelf for ages and I haven’t had a chance to read it… Until now. Oh boy am I so glad I did! I love the Casteel series, it is my second favorite series of all time by V.C. Andrews, falling right behind the Dollanganger series. Everything about it is so dark and disturbing that it is literally impossible to tear your eyes away from the pages. In this book, that is no different. Once again, we are taken back to Farthinggale Manor where lies, secrets, and deceit take over.
In this book, we follow the life of Heavens mother Leigh and how she came to live in Farthinggale. We get a better look as to who the Van Voreen’s are, and how Jillian came to be this cool and evil woman. Gosh, she truly is as sick as they come! While much of this book does match (almost exactly) all the evil things that had befallen on Heaven, it is interesting to see where it all truly began.
Once again, V.C. Andrews does not disappoint. I enjoyed the ending of this series and look forward to reading more of these books (that I have adored for years). I have so many of them just sitting on my book shelves and after reading this one I have this intense need to start on another series that I haven’t read yet. If you are a new V.C. Andrews reader, I recommend starting with the first book of the series of course. But also read the Flowers in the Attic (which is an entirely different series, but a GOOD one). If you are just curious, I strongly suggest just trying one of her books out! Just be sure to make sure it is the first book in the series as you need to read them in order.
In this book, we follow the life of Heavens mother Leigh and how she came to live in Farthinggale. We get a better look as to who the Van Voreen’s are, and how Jillian came to be this cool and evil woman. Gosh, she truly is as sick as they come! While much of this book does match (almost exactly) all the evil things that had befallen on Heaven, it is interesting to see where it all truly began.
Once again, V.C. Andrews does not disappoint. I enjoyed the ending of this series and look forward to reading more of these books (that I have adored for years). I have so many of them just sitting on my book shelves and after reading this one I have this intense need to start on another series that I haven’t read yet. If you are a new V.C. Andrews reader, I recommend starting with the first book of the series of course. But also read the Flowers in the Attic (which is an entirely different series, but a GOOD one). If you are just curious, I strongly suggest just trying one of her books out! Just be sure to make sure it is the first book in the series as you need to read them in order.
September 26, 2015
Need to be reviewed.
ETA (9/25/15):
Trigger Warning: Rape mention. Child sex abuse mention.
V.C Andrews is my ultimate guilty pleasure read (currently). I mean it's trashy tragic over-dramatic gothic-influenced horror, that I eat up with a spoon. #NoRegrets #SorryNotSorry
The author used foreshadowing with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. I saw the rape of her stepdad coming from a mile away. It was still pretty squicky, not gonna lie.
Also that doll. That freaky doll that Leigh had to pose in the nude (at 12 years old!) for her step dad to paint and later sculpt, which served as a catalyst for the rape itself. That whole plot line made my skin crawl. The whole grooming and sexual molestation was skeevy. I'm glad that the ghostwriter portrayed it as it really was, as wrong and exploitative.
I felt really bad for Leigh, because I understood how she felt, the wanting to tell people, and when you do, sometimes people call you a liar and/or slut-- sometimes the other parent. It really sucks, but it's real. I admire the bravery of survivors who reach out are believed, and have the abuser(s) get prosecuted. Let's not forget about the bravery of those who have their voice silenced either because of dissociation/repressing or threats by the abuser, and even those who make excuses and apologize the rapist. We are still brave. I didn't realize until now how much this plot-line has really affected me.
So this book took me on a whirlwind of emotions from lolz to sadz.
ETA (9/25/15):
Trigger Warning: Rape mention. Child sex abuse mention.
V.C Andrews is my ultimate guilty pleasure read (currently). I mean it's trashy tragic over-dramatic gothic-influenced horror, that I eat up with a spoon. #NoRegrets #SorryNotSorry
The author used foreshadowing with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. I saw the rape of her stepdad coming from a mile away. It was still pretty squicky, not gonna lie.
Also that doll. That freaky doll that Leigh had to pose in the nude (at 12 years old!) for her step dad to paint and later sculpt, which served as a catalyst for the rape itself. That whole plot line made my skin crawl. The whole grooming and sexual molestation was skeevy. I'm glad that the ghostwriter portrayed it as it really was, as wrong and exploitative.
I felt really bad for Leigh, because I understood how she felt, the wanting to tell people, and when you do, sometimes people call you a liar and/or slut-- sometimes the other parent. It really sucks, but it's real. I admire the bravery of survivors who reach out are believed, and have the abuser(s) get prosecuted. Let's not forget about the bravery of those who have their voice silenced either because of dissociation/repressing or threats by the abuser, and even those who make excuses and apologize the rapist. We are still brave. I didn't realize until now how much this plot-line has really affected me.
So this book took me on a whirlwind of emotions from lolz to sadz.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2019
Web of Dreams is absolutely up there with Heaven and Dark Angel in quality. The ghostwriter must have downed some shots before writing it because unlike Fallen Hearts and Gates of Paradise, it goes full gothic, tragic darkness and doesn't let up on conflict. Poor Leigh is absolutely put through the emotional wringer with possibly the worst parents and subsequent stepfather in fictional existence and, even knowing what was coming, her journey is absolutely heartbreaking and may or may not leave you with a temporary loss of faith in humanity.
Leigh, unlike Heaven, has lived life in a sheltered, gilded cage and is tragically never given the chance to mature into adulthood, so she is less resourceful, mature and strong willed than Heaven but they are very alike in their sensitive natures, gracious hearts and keen intuition. Leigh's desperation for love and trust puts her on false leads sometimes, but once she catches on to ugly truths, even when often too late, she sticks to her convictions.
Lillian was horrendously even more devoted to her self-interest and sick vanity than hinted in Dark Angel and Tony is revealed to be a complete and total fucking liar about Leigh's supposed temptress status. Really, though, Tony has just always been insane and willing to twist reality to meet his depraved desires so I guess in retrospect Gates of Paradise was less him going senile and more of his true, kookoobananas nature coming out.
I never thought I'd see a side of Troy that was adorable and lighthearted but he's only four years old in WOD so you get that rare glimpse of his personality before he went all broody, misanthropic and clinically depressed and started wearing open pirate shirts and sleeping with open windows.
Luke was only in the last couple chapters of the book but for what we see of him in his more hopeful, green age is actually kind of endearing and makes you wish him and Leigh had gotten more time.
Leigh, unlike Heaven, has lived life in a sheltered, gilded cage and is tragically never given the chance to mature into adulthood, so she is less resourceful, mature and strong willed than Heaven but they are very alike in their sensitive natures, gracious hearts and keen intuition. Leigh's desperation for love and trust puts her on false leads sometimes, but once she catches on to ugly truths, even when often too late, she sticks to her convictions.
Lillian was horrendously even more devoted to her self-interest and sick vanity than hinted in Dark Angel and Tony is revealed to be a complete and total fucking liar about Leigh's supposed temptress status. Really, though, Tony has just always been insane and willing to twist reality to meet his depraved desires so I guess in retrospect Gates of Paradise was less him going senile and more of his true, kookoobananas nature coming out.
I never thought I'd see a side of Troy that was adorable and lighthearted but he's only four years old in WOD so you get that rare glimpse of his personality before he went all broody, misanthropic and clinically depressed and started wearing open pirate shirts and sleeping with open windows.
Luke was only in the last couple chapters of the book but for what we see of him in his more hopeful, green age is actually kind of endearing and makes you wish him and Leigh had gotten more time.
August 2, 2023
Wow, so I finally finished the Casteel series, or as I call it in my head, the Heaven series! I started with Heaven as I wanted to read more V.C. Andrews after loving My Sweet Audrina and Whitefern.
I was going to read this book before book 4, Annie's book, but the tiny font (smaller than the other books) scared me off.
You can tell in the beginning that Jillian is unhappy being married to Leigh's father. Shortly, they divorce and Jillian shacks up with the fabulously wealthy, young, and handsome Tony Tatterton. Jillian is obsessed with her looks and youth and fears her husband's lust draining both of them, so she relies on Leigh to entertain Tony. Unfortunately, Tony looks to Leigh to satisfy his lusts...Leigh initially views Jillian as a good mother, but then Jillian reveals her true colors.
The scene where Tony has Leigh pose in the nude for a doll just makes you feel so uncomfortable. It was definitely not necessary for him to need her to pose nude. Leigh's body wasn't fully developed either.
And it's sad knowing that Leigh died at fourteen giving birth to her rapist's baby, a child who should have never been conceived.
Everyone's like Luke seems so great in this book, but you can already see the red flags with the drinking. Though it was sweet that he was going to wait for her to give birth for them to consummate their marriage. Basically, the two never had sex, lol.
It was brave of Leigh to run off, but not smart. Also, she and Luke married way too quickly. Had she stayed at Farthinggale Manor, she probably would have survived.
I would have liked to have known what Annie and Luke plan to do with Farthy now that the last original Tatterton, Troy, is dead.
I was going to read this book before book 4, Annie's book, but the tiny font (smaller than the other books) scared me off.
You can tell in the beginning that Jillian is unhappy being married to Leigh's father. Shortly, they divorce and Jillian shacks up with the fabulously wealthy, young, and handsome Tony Tatterton. Jillian is obsessed with her looks and youth and fears her husband's lust draining both of them, so she relies on Leigh to entertain Tony. Unfortunately, Tony looks to Leigh to satisfy his lusts...Leigh initially views Jillian as a good mother, but then Jillian reveals her true colors.
The scene where Tony has Leigh pose in the nude for a doll just makes you feel so uncomfortable. It was definitely not necessary for him to need her to pose nude. Leigh's body wasn't fully developed either.
And it's sad knowing that Leigh died at fourteen giving birth to her rapist's baby, a child who should have never been conceived.
Everyone's like Luke seems so great in this book, but you can already see the red flags with the drinking. Though it was sweet that he was going to wait for her to give birth for them to consummate their marriage. Basically, the two never had sex, lol.
It was brave of Leigh to run off, but not smart. Also, she and Luke married way too quickly. Had she stayed at Farthinggale Manor, she probably would have survived.
I would have liked to have known what Annie and Luke plan to do with Farthy now that the last original Tatterton, Troy, is dead.
September 10, 2019
I reached for Angel. She looked shocked, saddened. I held her in my arms and pressed her to me, searching for the comfort I needed so desperately. Ironically, the doll Tony created was here to soothe me after the terrible thing he had done. But there was more of myself in this doll than there was of him, I thought. And now she despised him as much as I did.
Methinks the entire Casteel series is a comment on building & maintaining fantasy. Toys, dolls, painting, cruises, circuses, whittling, makeup, facial creams, hidden cottages, constant interior redecoration, cougars, may/december...all these things appear repeatedly, & all deal with this theme of fantasy, or the illusion of perpetual youth. Every major character is obsessed with maintaining their fantasies, & most are victims of their own unfulfilled wishes--only a few, like Young Annie & Luke Jr, or (eventually) Fanny, manage to break the mold & be content in the here & now.
That said, this prequel/finale is vastly superior to the mediocrity of books 3-4. Don't be deceived; beneath the WTFlolz soapy schlock that VCA delivers in spades, this is an extremely grim installment in an already dark saga--but it's also an intense recount of Leigh's survival & escape to a happier life, though that life ultimately proves to be a short one. (I loved that last page, re: her looking at the stars.)
Anyone who's read the Casteels is familiar with Leigh's story--but even so, there's always been some uncertainty as to whether she was a willing participant in Tony's seduction. Well, this book definitively answers all questions about Leigh & Tony's twisted relationship. It also breaks your heart re: Jillian's role in the family dynamic--she's a particularly vivid villain in the classic Evil Mother mold, & her sanctioning of the abuse is revealed in subtle ways throughout (one of the few things the ghostwriter has done with any real finesse). I defy anyone not to cringe whenever Leigh is rebuffed by that narcissistic cow; the scene where Jillian builds a new, fantastical explanation to rewrite her life yet again & still allow for Leigh's pregnancy is chilling.
I disliked the diary framing device--not because Leigh is telling her story this way, but where & how the diary is found. Given the timeline contained within the diary, that particular location makes no sense. But if you skip the prologue & epilogue (neither of which are necessary), that bugaboo disappears. So there you go. >__> Another inconsistency: the fact that Leigh never spares a thought for her beloved bff or her boyfriend after running away. I get that she was in love with Luke by then, but you'd think they would've crossed her mind--even if it's just 'huh, maybe I should send Jennifer a postcard to let them know I'm ok.'
...Otherwise, a good read. Definitely one of the best in the VCA universe.
Methinks the entire Casteel series is a comment on building & maintaining fantasy. Toys, dolls, painting, cruises, circuses, whittling, makeup, facial creams, hidden cottages, constant interior redecoration, cougars, may/december...all these things appear repeatedly, & all deal with this theme of fantasy, or the illusion of perpetual youth. Every major character is obsessed with maintaining their fantasies, & most are victims of their own unfulfilled wishes--only a few, like Young Annie & Luke Jr, or (eventually) Fanny, manage to break the mold & be content in the here & now.
That said, this prequel/finale is vastly superior to the mediocrity of books 3-4. Don't be deceived; beneath the WTFlolz soapy schlock that VCA delivers in spades, this is an extremely grim installment in an already dark saga--but it's also an intense recount of Leigh's survival & escape to a happier life, though that life ultimately proves to be a short one. (I loved that last page, re: her looking at the stars.)
Anyone who's read the Casteels is familiar with Leigh's story--but even so, there's always been some uncertainty as to whether she was a willing participant in Tony's seduction. Well, this book definitively answers all questions about Leigh & Tony's twisted relationship. It also breaks your heart re: Jillian's role in the family dynamic--she's a particularly vivid villain in the classic Evil Mother mold, & her sanctioning of the abuse is revealed in subtle ways throughout (one of the few things the ghostwriter has done with any real finesse). I defy anyone not to cringe whenever Leigh is rebuffed by that narcissistic cow; the scene where Jillian builds a new, fantastical explanation to rewrite her life yet again & still allow for Leigh's pregnancy is chilling.
I disliked the diary framing device--not because Leigh is telling her story this way, but where & how the diary is found. Given the timeline contained within the diary, that particular location makes no sense. But if you skip the prologue & epilogue (neither of which are necessary), that bugaboo disappears. So there you go. >__> Another inconsistency: the fact that Leigh never spares a thought for her beloved bff or her boyfriend after running away. I get that she was in love with Luke by then, but you'd think they would've crossed her mind--even if it's just 'huh, maybe I should send Jennifer a postcard to let them know I'm ok.'
...Otherwise, a good read. Definitely one of the best in the VCA universe.
December 4, 2011
Ahhh, two years after rereading the first book in the Casteel series, I have finally read the fifth and final. And, you guy, soooo much better than the fourth book, which I only gave one sad star. While our fourth book gave us Annoying Annie, Heaven's daughter, the fifth one showed us where all of the sick secrets ("the evil Casteel curse") began with Leigh, Heaven's mother.
The book starts out with Annie and (not actually her brother/cousin) Luke at Farthinggale, there to bury Troy, Annie's real and fabulous father. Oh, Troy. I weep. And Annie discovers a diary...
Bam, it's Leigh's 12th birthday. She has a great life, the daughter of a luxury cruise owner, living it up in a brownstone if Boston. Then her selfish, social-climbing, crazy mother runs away with Tony Tatterton, a much younger but much wealthier man. The family is broken up, Leigh's father fading into the background without too much of a fight. It's never really clear if he knows that Leigh isn't really his daugher (Jillian duped him), but regardless, I found his abandonment of Leigh deplorable. Shame on you, Clive.
Jillian spins into her own world, constantly working to keep up her beautiful youthful appearance, and ignoring her own daughter, new husband, and adorable brother-in-law, who is essentially her stepson because he's four and being raised by Tony. Which, shame on you too, Tony, for not figuring out that Jillian was a real bitch and not going to help raise this kid. Leigh has disturbing encounters with her new stepfather, who is secretly encouraged by Jillian to seduce Leigh (apparently sex takes away from your beauty, who knew?). When Leigh is raped and Jillian doesn't believe her, Leigh runs away, meets a dude at a train station, misses her train because she's at the circus with this guy, then she marries him. You guys, it's a sweeter, younger Luke! Not Annie's Luke, but Heaven's father! Not biological father because that's Tony. But the father she grew up who really sucked, but you see, it's because his life was destroyed when his child bride died while giving birth to Heaven. Sigh. It all makes sense now.
The only thing that doesn't make sense? How old Leigh is. She's 12-14 in the book, but either acts like she's 5 (stand up to your mama, dangit) or 16 (when she's with her friends, dating guys). I forgive you, V.C. and/or ghostwriter. This was so awesome otherwise, and good grief, so much better than Annie's story that I just feel grateful. And want to read another V.C. series. Obviously.
The book starts out with Annie and (not actually her brother/cousin) Luke at Farthinggale, there to bury Troy, Annie's real and fabulous father. Oh, Troy. I weep. And Annie discovers a diary...
Bam, it's Leigh's 12th birthday. She has a great life, the daughter of a luxury cruise owner, living it up in a brownstone if Boston. Then her selfish, social-climbing, crazy mother runs away with Tony Tatterton, a much younger but much wealthier man. The family is broken up, Leigh's father fading into the background without too much of a fight. It's never really clear if he knows that Leigh isn't really his daugher (Jillian duped him), but regardless, I found his abandonment of Leigh deplorable. Shame on you, Clive.
Jillian spins into her own world, constantly working to keep up her beautiful youthful appearance, and ignoring her own daughter, new husband, and adorable brother-in-law, who is essentially her stepson because he's four and being raised by Tony. Which, shame on you too, Tony, for not figuring out that Jillian was a real bitch and not going to help raise this kid. Leigh has disturbing encounters with her new stepfather, who is secretly encouraged by Jillian to seduce Leigh (apparently sex takes away from your beauty, who knew?). When Leigh is raped and Jillian doesn't believe her, Leigh runs away, meets a dude at a train station, misses her train because she's at the circus with this guy, then she marries him. You guys, it's a sweeter, younger Luke! Not Annie's Luke, but Heaven's father! Not biological father because that's Tony. But the father she grew up who really sucked, but you see, it's because his life was destroyed when his child bride died while giving birth to Heaven. Sigh. It all makes sense now.
The only thing that doesn't make sense? How old Leigh is. She's 12-14 in the book, but either acts like she's 5 (stand up to your mama, dangit) or 16 (when she's with her friends, dating guys). I forgive you, V.C. and/or ghostwriter. This was so awesome otherwise, and good grief, so much better than Annie's story that I just feel grateful. And want to read another V.C. series. Obviously.
September 30, 2011
I WAS SO MAD WHEN I DISCOVERED JUST HOW SELFCENTERD JILLIAN REALLY WAS. I FELT SO SHOCKED WHEN I READ THAT LEIGH WAS NOT CLEAVES REAL DAUGHTER. HOW THE CINDERELLA STORY THAT JILLIAN INVENTED WAS NOTHING MORE THAN WISHFULL THINKING ON JILLIANS BEHALF. WHAT I WISH WOULD HAVE HAPPEN IS FOR THERE TO BE A BOOK EXPLAINING WHY JILLIAN WAS SO HELL BENT ON BEING SO MUCH IN LOVE WITH HERSELF.
Read
May 8, 2021Holy Moly I finished the whole damn series. Ugh I'm sad that Heaven died and I'm sad about what happened to her mom Leigh... honestly VC Andrews has written some of the most memorable female characters OF ALL TIME
Read
February 2, 2009Wow! This book was so bad, it was great! I just can't believe anyone would be as stupid as Leigh and her mom were. No way, Jose. (Although I guess you don't read V.C. Andrews for its realism!)
"My stepfather wants to paint nude pictures of me and makes inappropriate remarks. Is that normal?" "Yes, Leigh. He's an artist. And artists have to paint nude people. Particularly my 14-year-old daughter."
Ugh. I think Leigh should have taken karate lessons. Then she could've taken care of sleazy Tony AND mommy dearest!
"My stepfather wants to paint nude pictures of me and makes inappropriate remarks. Is that normal?" "Yes, Leigh. He's an artist. And artists have to paint nude people. Particularly my 14-year-old daughter."
Ugh. I think Leigh should have taken karate lessons. Then she could've taken care of sleazy Tony AND mommy dearest!
August 23, 2025
Wat een mooie afsluiter van deze serie. Ik heb er oprecht van genoten & het was leuk om eindelijk het perspectief van Leigh te kunnen lezen, net zoals bij de Dollanganger serie, waarbij we op het einde ook het perspectief van Olivia konden lezen.
September 1, 2009
Not my favorite in the series, but it did reveal some things that were mentioned the the books prior to this one.
This book was all about Leigh VanVoreen. What a horrible, vain mother she had in Jillian VanVoreen. It seems as though her father, a captain of the many ships they owned, was a good man. But, he married Jillian, who was much younger than he, and he ended up wrapped up in his work to pay much attention to her.
So, as these 2 married people drifted farther and farther apart, Jillian was drawn into the arms of Tony Tatterton, a millionaire and President of Tatterton Toys. Jillian meets him and is hired to paint a mural on one of the walls of his home. She takes her daughter Leigh to meet Tony and his little brother Troy. Their parents died in an accident and Tony is more of a father to Troy than a brother.
Lying about her age, Jillian leaves her husband and marries Tony Tatterton, who believes she is 20 years younger than she actually is. From then on, all she does is complain to her daughter Leigh about how much attention he needs and how he is always wanting sex; she therefore has her own bedroom in the house and is constantly denying her husband.
Then she encourages Leigh to pose for Tony for a new Tatterton toy: a personalized doll; everyone will want a miniature doll of themselves, a collectible. Tony takes Leigh to the cabin on the grounds of Farthington Manor to sketch, then make a clay mold of her for the first doll. She must pose nude, which Leigh finds very strange, but her mother insists its because the doll will look exactly like her in every way. Even when Tony starts touching her, her mother insists it's because he's an artist and he needs to for his masterpiece.
After the doll is finished and Leigh is presented the doll from Tony on her 13th b-day, her mother decides to go on holiday, leaving Tony in the hosue w/ Leigh. He then visits her bedroom at night and rapes her on two occasions. When her mother returns and Leigh tells her mother what has happened, she doesn't believe her, telling her she's making it all up.
When a couple of months go by and Leigh begins to feel sick, she realizes she is pregnant and informs her mother, who in turn, blames her for the whole thing, saying Leigh took advantage of her husband and the whole thing is her own fault.
From there on, Leigh flees Farthington to go and live w/ her grandmother. On the way she comes into contact w/ Luke Casteel, who is w/ the circus. He takes her to the circus and she ends up missing her bus. He then learns the whole story of her being raped and pregnant. He vows to take care of her and proposes marriage.
This is a far cry from the Luke Casteel we read about in the first few books of the series. He takes Leigh to the Willies after they marry and tells his family that she is pregnant with his baby. They never consumate their marriage,as Luke wants to wait until after the baby is born.
This whole book is made to be a journal Leigh kept and is found by Annie and Luke from the 4th book in the series. The last pages of the book Leigh is going into labor. Then there is a letter from a private investigator letting Jillian know they located her daughter in the Willies and that she had died in childbirth and that the baby lived, (who was Heaven Casteel, named by Luke).
It was a good book but a little long and drawn out. I didn't mention much about Troy only because he was 4 yrs. old in the book, but he was very smart and the only thing Leigh did enjoy about her short stay at Farthington Manor.
This book was all about Leigh VanVoreen. What a horrible, vain mother she had in Jillian VanVoreen. It seems as though her father, a captain of the many ships they owned, was a good man. But, he married Jillian, who was much younger than he, and he ended up wrapped up in his work to pay much attention to her.
So, as these 2 married people drifted farther and farther apart, Jillian was drawn into the arms of Tony Tatterton, a millionaire and President of Tatterton Toys. Jillian meets him and is hired to paint a mural on one of the walls of his home. She takes her daughter Leigh to meet Tony and his little brother Troy. Their parents died in an accident and Tony is more of a father to Troy than a brother.
Lying about her age, Jillian leaves her husband and marries Tony Tatterton, who believes she is 20 years younger than she actually is. From then on, all she does is complain to her daughter Leigh about how much attention he needs and how he is always wanting sex; she therefore has her own bedroom in the house and is constantly denying her husband.
Then she encourages Leigh to pose for Tony for a new Tatterton toy: a personalized doll; everyone will want a miniature doll of themselves, a collectible. Tony takes Leigh to the cabin on the grounds of Farthington Manor to sketch, then make a clay mold of her for the first doll. She must pose nude, which Leigh finds very strange, but her mother insists its because the doll will look exactly like her in every way. Even when Tony starts touching her, her mother insists it's because he's an artist and he needs to for his masterpiece.
After the doll is finished and Leigh is presented the doll from Tony on her 13th b-day, her mother decides to go on holiday, leaving Tony in the hosue w/ Leigh. He then visits her bedroom at night and rapes her on two occasions. When her mother returns and Leigh tells her mother what has happened, she doesn't believe her, telling her she's making it all up.
When a couple of months go by and Leigh begins to feel sick, she realizes she is pregnant and informs her mother, who in turn, blames her for the whole thing, saying Leigh took advantage of her husband and the whole thing is her own fault.
From there on, Leigh flees Farthington to go and live w/ her grandmother. On the way she comes into contact w/ Luke Casteel, who is w/ the circus. He takes her to the circus and she ends up missing her bus. He then learns the whole story of her being raped and pregnant. He vows to take care of her and proposes marriage.
This is a far cry from the Luke Casteel we read about in the first few books of the series. He takes Leigh to the Willies after they marry and tells his family that she is pregnant with his baby. They never consumate their marriage,as Luke wants to wait until after the baby is born.
This whole book is made to be a journal Leigh kept and is found by Annie and Luke from the 4th book in the series. The last pages of the book Leigh is going into labor. Then there is a letter from a private investigator letting Jillian know they located her daughter in the Willies and that she had died in childbirth and that the baby lived, (who was Heaven Casteel, named by Luke).
It was a good book but a little long and drawn out. I didn't mention much about Troy only because he was 4 yrs. old in the book, but he was very smart and the only thing Leigh did enjoy about her short stay at Farthington Manor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2009
Web of Dreams is the prequel and final book in the Casteel series. It opens on Annie and Luke returning to Farthinggale Manor for Troy Tatterton’s funeral. While poking around, Annie finds a diary that belonged to her grandmother, Leigh, and begins to read it. The rest of the book is written in Leigh’s voice (minus the epilogue). When the story begins, Leigh is celebrating her 12th birthday with her mother Jillian and her father Cleave. Jillian is supposed to be a children’s book illustrator, although this is something I never completely buy about her. I feel like she is too selfish, flighty, and shallow to have the patience to create any kind of art. Cleave owns a cruise ship company, which Jillian loved at one point because it made her feel wealthy and important, but the bloom is off that rose and she now yearns for a mansion with a maze – hmm, that is awfully specific.
The book goes on to tell the full story of Leigh, and it ends with Annie flipping through the rest of the blank pages and finding a letter from a PI to Tony, explaining that Leigh died in childbirth. Taren at The Chick Manifesto points out some inconsistencies about whether Tony knew or not, how Jillian got the diary, and even the shortness of time between Heaven and Tom’s birth. The idea that Luke cheated of Leigh when they never even consummated their marriage is one of the things I find saddest in the book, after all the raping. I feel like a lot of the series sets up this idea that Leigh was Luke’s one true love and his loss of her is why he’s such a drunk, and an awful father and husband, yet cheating would make this seem false.
I liked the character of Leigh. After the many versions of Leigh’s story that Heaven and Annie hear throughout the series – she was innocent, she was a manipulative slut – I like ending the series on her own version of the story. I had an easier time getting through this series than I did with the Dollanganger series – none of the books were as boring as If There Be Thorns, but it seems like this series has more rape and incest/inappropriate sexual relations than the Dollanganger series does.
Full recap/review at http://dogearedandwellread.wordpress....
The book goes on to tell the full story of Leigh, and it ends with Annie flipping through the rest of the blank pages and finding a letter from a PI to Tony, explaining that Leigh died in childbirth. Taren at The Chick Manifesto points out some inconsistencies about whether Tony knew or not, how Jillian got the diary, and even the shortness of time between Heaven and Tom’s birth. The idea that Luke cheated of Leigh when they never even consummated their marriage is one of the things I find saddest in the book, after all the raping. I feel like a lot of the series sets up this idea that Leigh was Luke’s one true love and his loss of her is why he’s such a drunk, and an awful father and husband, yet cheating would make this seem false.
I liked the character of Leigh. After the many versions of Leigh’s story that Heaven and Annie hear throughout the series – she was innocent, she was a manipulative slut – I like ending the series on her own version of the story. I had an easier time getting through this series than I did with the Dollanganger series – none of the books were as boring as If There Be Thorns, but it seems like this series has more rape and incest/inappropriate sexual relations than the Dollanganger series does.
Full recap/review at http://dogearedandwellread.wordpress....
September 11, 2013
This is the first book I've read by this author and, to be honest, is not the sort of thing I would normally pick for myself, but I rescued it from a batch of books my sister was getting rid of and couldn't resist dipping into it. I'm really good I did.
This is the story of Leigh, read through her diary by her granddaughter. When her happy life is torn apart by her parent's divorce, Leigh soon finds that her life is only going to get worse. Her mother, selfish and vain, quickly marries the young, rich Tony Tatterton. Although Leigh loves living in the splendour of his mansion and her step-brother, Troy, she misses her father and her old life. And as her mother becomes more distant, encouraging her daughter to 'occupy' her husband, Leigh is drawn into a life she hates. But the worst is yet to come.
Apparently, this is one of a number of books about the Castell family, but I didn't find it difficult to follow by not having read the ones that came before. Leigh's life is tragic and disturbing, but makes for a page-turning read! My only critiscm is that Leigh is supposed to be 12 when she starts the diary, but comes across as being a lot older and sophisticated than that. I also felt her father was a slightly unrealistic character in the second half of the book. But apart from that, I really enjoyed discovering this new author and will be seeking out more of her work.
This is the story of Leigh, read through her diary by her granddaughter. When her happy life is torn apart by her parent's divorce, Leigh soon finds that her life is only going to get worse. Her mother, selfish and vain, quickly marries the young, rich Tony Tatterton. Although Leigh loves living in the splendour of his mansion and her step-brother, Troy, she misses her father and her old life. And as her mother becomes more distant, encouraging her daughter to 'occupy' her husband, Leigh is drawn into a life she hates. But the worst is yet to come.
Apparently, this is one of a number of books about the Castell family, but I didn't find it difficult to follow by not having read the ones that came before. Leigh's life is tragic and disturbing, but makes for a page-turning read! My only critiscm is that Leigh is supposed to be 12 when she starts the diary, but comes across as being a lot older and sophisticated than that. I also felt her father was a slightly unrealistic character in the second half of the book. But apart from that, I really enjoyed discovering this new author and will be seeking out more of her work.
March 31, 2014
This was my favorite book from the Casteel Saga. It was definitely interesting to find out how it all started. Jillian and Tony are simply monsters, I felt sorry for Jillian in the previous book, but now I think she deserved what happened to her. Troy was such a wonderful boy, and he grew up to be the Troy we all love, despite the circumstances the surrounded his life and Farthy.
Leigh was the original victim, she was naive and so innocent, and needed someone to protect her and save her, so the ending was perfect.
I can't help but wonder: What happened to Luke? I get he became sour and mean when he lost Leigh, but to such extreme as we knew him previously? Would Leigh and Luke have been happy if she had not died? And finally, as I read in a review, how did the diary end up at Farthy if Leigh had it until she died?
It makes me sick also knowing Tony knew about Heaven's existence all along, ugh!
Leigh was the original victim, she was naive and so innocent, and needed someone to protect her and save her, so the ending was perfect.
I can't help but wonder: What happened to Luke? I get he became sour and mean when he lost Leigh, but to such extreme as we knew him previously? Would Leigh and Luke have been happy if she had not died? And finally, as I read in a review, how did the diary end up at Farthy if Leigh had it until she died?
It makes me sick also knowing Tony knew about Heaven's existence all along, ugh!
November 14, 2015
Último livro da saga que mais não é do que um retorno, em forma de diário, à infância de Leigh/Angel, a personagem que nunca chegamos a conhecer desde o primeiro livro, pois já tinha morrido quando a narrativa teve início.
Assim com este último volume somos docemente transportados ao início de tudo e certos factos que fomos lendo ao longo dos livros anteriores começam a fazer muito mais sentido.
Gostei muito de ter relido estas histórias mais de 20 anos depois de o ter feito pela primeira vez.
Para quem gosta de histórias recheadas de intriga e emoções fortes, esta saga é ideal!
Assim com este último volume somos docemente transportados ao início de tudo e certos factos que fomos lendo ao longo dos livros anteriores começam a fazer muito mais sentido.
Gostei muito de ter relido estas histórias mais de 20 anos depois de o ter feito pela primeira vez.
Para quem gosta de histórias recheadas de intriga e emoções fortes, esta saga é ideal!
June 24, 2018
(Rating based on my remembered feelings when I read this book as a 14 year old.)
September 24, 2023
The greatest YA author of my lifetime. read her books if you love young adult, I did in my 20's
December 18, 2019
Oh, this book gets me every time. I didn’t think I was going to cry when I finished it as I felt quite level headed while reading it. I knew there was going to be no happy ever after, as I already knew the story. Yet when I finished the last page of the last chapter (not the epilogue) I burst out crying, actual proper sobs! I knew it was coming, but it was still like a soccer punch to the stomach.
This is the final instalment for the Casteel family saga; however, this is a prequel to Heaven and Annie’s story. This is Heaven’s mother Leigh’s story. We know about her past and how she came to be living in the Willies from the previous four books. Everything else had, also, been pieced together once secrets had been revealed. However, this book really fills in the details; we get to see everything that happened told by Leigh, herself. I had forgotten it was in the form of Leigh’s diary, and I was a bit disappointed with how Annie found it. I thought it felt a bit forced and rushed in the prologue.
This is the most heartbreaking story out of them all, though. Heaven and Annie, although they did have hardships to overcome, they did get happiness in their lives. Leigh’s story, though, is driven by a selfish mother, Jillian. Everything that happened and would happen as a consequence was all down to Jillian’s need to remain young and beautiful. She cared about nothing else, including her own daughter. The events that follow Jillian’s decision to leave Cleeve VanVoreen and marry Tony Tatterson have cataclysmic ramifications. It is truly tragic that she took her happy and carefree daughter and caused her the most horrific sadness.
I think besides the first book in the saga this would be my favourite. We really get to see how the story all started and where Heaven came from and what caused all the following events to happen. Everything is bred from secrets and lies, but here we get the beginning of them.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put into words the loss I feel at the end of this book, and I know after my reaction this time that it will be the same every time I read them in the future. I wish there were more of the story left to read; I’d like to know what became of Farthy once Troy died and did the family get the happy ever after that they so deserved. Could they put all the tragedy behind them or were mistakes destined to be repeated?
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com
This is the final instalment for the Casteel family saga; however, this is a prequel to Heaven and Annie’s story. This is Heaven’s mother Leigh’s story. We know about her past and how she came to be living in the Willies from the previous four books. Everything else had, also, been pieced together once secrets had been revealed. However, this book really fills in the details; we get to see everything that happened told by Leigh, herself. I had forgotten it was in the form of Leigh’s diary, and I was a bit disappointed with how Annie found it. I thought it felt a bit forced and rushed in the prologue.
This is the most heartbreaking story out of them all, though. Heaven and Annie, although they did have hardships to overcome, they did get happiness in their lives. Leigh’s story, though, is driven by a selfish mother, Jillian. Everything that happened and would happen as a consequence was all down to Jillian’s need to remain young and beautiful. She cared about nothing else, including her own daughter. The events that follow Jillian’s decision to leave Cleeve VanVoreen and marry Tony Tatterson have cataclysmic ramifications. It is truly tragic that she took her happy and carefree daughter and caused her the most horrific sadness.
I think besides the first book in the saga this would be my favourite. We really get to see how the story all started and where Heaven came from and what caused all the following events to happen. Everything is bred from secrets and lies, but here we get the beginning of them.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put into words the loss I feel at the end of this book, and I know after my reaction this time that it will be the same every time I read them in the future. I wish there were more of the story left to read; I’d like to know what became of Farthy once Troy died and did the family get the happy ever after that they so deserved. Could they put all the tragedy behind them or were mistakes destined to be repeated?
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my reviews visit www.pinkanddizzy.com
November 28, 2021
This is probably my favorite book in the whole Casteel series and Leigh is probably my favorite Andrews heroine of all. She is just so real, she has the appropriate feelings for a girl her age, and for no other heroine have I felt such a strong desire for her to have a happy ending. Even though I knew going in what her end would be, I hate how her story ends.
This book is a disturbingly real representation of grooming. It is sickening and upsetting and very uncomfortable to read about, Andrews often said that her books were based on true stories, but this is the only one that feels genuinely true. Leigh reacts to events in very natural ways, she feels fear, excitement and disgust. She breaks down and cries, she feels faint and sickly when she can’t handle her emotions, and she tries to turn to her mother for guidance. The whole doll scenario is very creepy, and makes Jillian something of a monster. In the other books Luke is presented as something of a monster for selling his kids, but that is really what Jillian does as well.
The one thing I don’t like about this book is that it works quite hard to make Jillian the bad guy. It does so by emphasizing how Tony really wants Julian to care for Troy, how happy he is when he thinks she has come to the hospital, how he wants to spend his free time with her, and how much he desires her. It implants the suggestion that if Jillian hadn’t been so terrible, Tony may not have turned to Leigh instead.
Now, Jillian is awful but none of that excuses what Tony does. He could’ve just gotten a mistress like normal people!
The second thing that is a minor annoyance is that Troy though four years old, at the start, sounds quite a lot older than he is supposed to be, even for a precocious child. That is a minor gripe however, as it is really difficult to write children, and anyone who has spent time with four-year-olds know that they exist in a world and vernacular of their own.
All in all this is a wonderful prequel to the Casteel series, the ghostwriter did a good job here. The opening and closing inserts of Annie felt quite redundant and presented more questions than they answered. It also reminded me about how I never really cared for Annie and how much I disliked book 4 of the series.
Anyway, Leigh deserved better, I wish she could’ve been Luke’s Angel for much longer.
This book is a disturbingly real representation of grooming. It is sickening and upsetting and very uncomfortable to read about, Andrews often said that her books were based on true stories, but this is the only one that feels genuinely true. Leigh reacts to events in very natural ways, she feels fear, excitement and disgust. She breaks down and cries, she feels faint and sickly when she can’t handle her emotions, and she tries to turn to her mother for guidance. The whole doll scenario is very creepy, and makes Jillian something of a monster. In the other books Luke is presented as something of a monster for selling his kids, but that is really what Jillian does as well.
The one thing I don’t like about this book is that it works quite hard to make Jillian the bad guy. It does so by emphasizing how Tony really wants Julian to care for Troy, how happy he is when he thinks she has come to the hospital, how he wants to spend his free time with her, and how much he desires her. It implants the suggestion that if Jillian hadn’t been so terrible, Tony may not have turned to Leigh instead.
Now, Jillian is awful but none of that excuses what Tony does. He could’ve just gotten a mistress like normal people!
The second thing that is a minor annoyance is that Troy though four years old, at the start, sounds quite a lot older than he is supposed to be, even for a precocious child. That is a minor gripe however, as it is really difficult to write children, and anyone who has spent time with four-year-olds know that they exist in a world and vernacular of their own.
All in all this is a wonderful prequel to the Casteel series, the ghostwriter did a good job here. The opening and closing inserts of Annie felt quite redundant and presented more questions than they answered. It also reminded me about how I never really cared for Annie and how much I disliked book 4 of the series.
Anyway, Leigh deserved better, I wish she could’ve been Luke’s Angel for much longer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2019
I first read this book when I was about 12 and what a difference 18 years makes! I remember reading the first couple of books in the Casteel series a bunch of times but I'm pretty sure I only read this once. I don't remember anything about it and I don't remember having any special feelings towards it.
But this time round I loved it! I thought it was better than all the other books in the series. I think this is mainly to do with Leigh, she's not as annoying as Heaven and the events feel entirely out of her control. I ended up feeling really sorry for her.
Her mother was vile, letting your own child be sexual abused because it got you out of having to sleep with your own husband! What sort of sicko does that!? Leigh makes several attempts to tell her mother what is going on and is dismissed every single time.
The whole Portrait Doll thing should have set off alarm bells for everyone. A collectable item aimed at the teen market, but requires the model to be naked so it can be exact. Who would let their kid model for that? Well apart from Jillian, the worlds worst mother. When Leigh models for Tony, it makes me feel sick.
Once thing though, I didn't understand Leigh's attachment to the doll. Wouldn't it have just brought back bad memories?
The ending where she meets and marries Luke felt rushed but otherwise I loved this book!
But this time round I loved it! I thought it was better than all the other books in the series. I think this is mainly to do with Leigh, she's not as annoying as Heaven and the events feel entirely out of her control. I ended up feeling really sorry for her.
Her mother was vile, letting your own child be sexual abused because it got you out of having to sleep with your own husband! What sort of sicko does that!? Leigh makes several attempts to tell her mother what is going on and is dismissed every single time.
The whole Portrait Doll thing should have set off alarm bells for everyone. A collectable item aimed at the teen market, but requires the model to be naked so it can be exact. Who would let their kid model for that? Well apart from Jillian, the worlds worst mother. When Leigh models for Tony, it makes me feel sick.
Once thing though, I didn't understand Leigh's attachment to the doll. Wouldn't it have just brought back bad memories?
The ending where she meets and marries Luke felt rushed but otherwise I loved this book!
November 15, 2020
I really thought we were done with this series so I felt it was taking it a bit too far with a fifth book.
In this book, Annie and Luke find a journal with Leigh's story in it. We finally get the truth about Leigh and Tony and it pretty much confirmed what I thought. Leigh's parents were terrible and Tony was just a rapist.
I was actually happy when Leigh met Luke but then I thought about how Luke was horrid to Heaven while she was growing up and happily sent her off to live with Tony, he must have really hated her.
I was thinking all the way through how come this journel was at Farthy and the book tries to explain this at the end by saying that Tony's PI did manage to track Leigh down and let Tony know that she had died in childbirth. That doesn't seem to match up with what Tony knew previously and also how did the PI get the journal?
I also can't believe that Leigh took the doll with her with all the associated memories.
In this book, Annie and Luke find a journal with Leigh's story in it. We finally get the truth about Leigh and Tony and it pretty much confirmed what I thought. Leigh's parents were terrible and Tony was just a rapist.
I was actually happy when Leigh met Luke but then I thought about how Luke was horrid to Heaven while she was growing up and happily sent her off to live with Tony, he must have really hated her.
I was thinking all the way through how come this journel was at Farthy and the book tries to explain this at the end by saying that Tony's PI did manage to track Leigh down and let Tony know that she had died in childbirth. That doesn't seem to match up with what Tony knew previously and also how did the PI get the journal?
I also can't believe that Leigh took the doll with her with all the associated memories.
November 8, 2019
I can’t say that this is been one of the best of Virginia Andrews books but it’s been okay to read. That happened some good characters, I hated Jillian with a passion. If ever there was a more selfish cruel mother then that’s the character that Jillian was, And Tony was misleading you think you’d like him and then he turns out to be a beast. Virginia Andrews books continue on the same path always but this one doesn’t feel as fleshed
out so well in the story as previous books have and that’s why I’ve given it 3 stars Rating. The ending felt rushed And almost untidy which left me feeling a little dissatisfied at the end of the book.
out so well in the story as previous books have and that’s why I’ve given it 3 stars Rating. The ending felt rushed And almost untidy which left me feeling a little dissatisfied at the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2021
Read it years ago and absolutely loved it. It was unputdownable.
August 17, 2019
This book was really good and the ending conclusion was perfect!!! So happy I decided to read this series and I absolutely recommend :)
November 23, 2022
I genuinely liked this book and it was a good end to this series. Leigh was a good character and it was interesting to read her story was Heaven’s but in reverse. It makes it full circle.
I’m a bit disappointed in Jillian since she was a little flat in this book. I also wish Tony’s change to an evil man would’ve been done better.
This is the 3rd VCA series I’ve read and the 2nd for 2022. I’ll give it some time before I start a new one. Most likely going to be Dawn.
I’m a bit disappointed in Jillian since she was a little flat in this book. I also wish Tony’s change to an evil man would’ve been done better.
This is the 3rd VCA series I’ve read and the 2nd for 2022. I’ll give it some time before I start a new one. Most likely going to be Dawn.
March 7, 2024
what the fuck did i just read. v. c. andrews, who also wrote flowers in the attic, is deeply disturbed. that being said, i read the whole thing so i guess im the real loser.
August 7, 2019
This book just hurt my heart.
You know Leigh dies, that's not a spoiler if you've read the series in order and I knew I was going to like her. In fact, I think I liked her best out of her, Heaven and Annie. She's got the sense and backbone Heaven didn't have until Fallen Hearts and she lacks the whiny, spoiled, sheltered personality that Annie had. If only she had been a few years older or had an adult-- any adult that she could count on I think she could have survived.
I know she's a fictional character but I hope Jillian went to the circle of hell housing vain people who are transformed into ogres. She was so awful she should have been struck dead everytime she opened her mouth. The slower disappointment was Leigh's father Cleave. You're fooled into sympathizing with him-- someone has to make the money! But Why was his business all that important that he couldn't see Leigh most especially when she needed him?
I always sympathized with Tony in the earlier books even though he did a deplorable thing. Because it always seemed that he was truly in love with Leigh, he was desperate for a father-daughter relationship with Heaven and was so lonely he tried to hold Annie hostage. But he was just a crazy pedophile that was hoodwinked into a bad marriage by a woman he actually deserved. I think it was Farthy, everyone who lived there for long seemed to be crazy, even Troy in his way.
I really wanted Leigh to be little Miss Bad Girl like Tony and Jillian always said just to get back at her parents, I wanted her to seduce Tony, make him love her over Jillian and break his heart (because wasn't the beginning written like that? With Tony obsessed and missing Leigh until eventually he started mixing up all the women in his life?) when she realized Jillian doesn't believe he got her pregnant...but I knew it wouldn't be written that way. I knew she'd be the victim and it was just heartbreaking. It makes me wonder what the point of such a life was? Poor Leigh.
I wish the preface and epilogue had been longer. What happened to Drake and Fanny? What was Luke and Annie's life like? And what were they going to do with Farthy since Troy, the last Tatterton died? Other things that bothered me about the whole series: what was up with the women denying their husbands? I mean yeah, they get tried of it but why couldn't any woman desire having sex? And why was every single man just gagging for it? And when they couldn't get it why was the obvious choice to take advantage of the nearest teenage girl? And I still can't understand how Luke (who's shockingly a great guy in this) could've been so devoted to Leigh but still knocked up Sarah with Tom at the same time? I wish he had done it just before he met Leigh, it would have made his devotion to her less questionable.
I wonder if Andrews planned this book out for Neiderman? Or if he and the publishers cooked this plot up because there are so many plotholes from the other books that weren't explained here. I wonder if this is where she wanted him to go and I feel like she could done so much more. If I ever reread the Casteel series I'm going to start with this first and read it in generational order but I definitely didn't like reading this knowing Leigh would die, it made that much more sadder.
You know Leigh dies, that's not a spoiler if you've read the series in order and I knew I was going to like her. In fact, I think I liked her best out of her, Heaven and Annie. She's got the sense and backbone Heaven didn't have until Fallen Hearts and she lacks the whiny, spoiled, sheltered personality that Annie had. If only she had been a few years older or had an adult-- any adult that she could count on I think she could have survived.
I know she's a fictional character but I hope Jillian went to the circle of hell housing vain people who are transformed into ogres. She was so awful she should have been struck dead everytime she opened her mouth. The slower disappointment was Leigh's father Cleave. You're fooled into sympathizing with him-- someone has to make the money! But Why was his business all that important that he couldn't see Leigh most especially when she needed him?
I always sympathized with Tony in the earlier books even though he did a deplorable thing. Because it always seemed that he was truly in love with Leigh, he was desperate for a father-daughter relationship with Heaven and was so lonely he tried to hold Annie hostage. But he was just a crazy pedophile that was hoodwinked into a bad marriage by a woman he actually deserved. I think it was Farthy, everyone who lived there for long seemed to be crazy, even Troy in his way.
I really wanted Leigh to be little Miss Bad Girl like Tony and Jillian always said just to get back at her parents, I wanted her to seduce Tony, make him love her over Jillian and break his heart (because wasn't the beginning written like that? With Tony obsessed and missing Leigh until eventually he started mixing up all the women in his life?) when she realized Jillian doesn't believe he got her pregnant...but I knew it wouldn't be written that way. I knew she'd be the victim and it was just heartbreaking. It makes me wonder what the point of such a life was? Poor Leigh.
I wish the preface and epilogue had been longer. What happened to Drake and Fanny? What was Luke and Annie's life like? And what were they going to do with Farthy since Troy, the last Tatterton died? Other things that bothered me about the whole series: what was up with the women denying their husbands? I mean yeah, they get tried of it but why couldn't any woman desire having sex? And why was every single man just gagging for it? And when they couldn't get it why was the obvious choice to take advantage of the nearest teenage girl? And I still can't understand how Luke (who's shockingly a great guy in this) could've been so devoted to Leigh but still knocked up Sarah with Tom at the same time? I wish he had done it just before he met Leigh, it would have made his devotion to her less questionable.
I wonder if Andrews planned this book out for Neiderman? Or if he and the publishers cooked this plot up because there are so many plotholes from the other books that weren't explained here. I wonder if this is where she wanted him to go and I feel like she could done so much more. If I ever reread the Casteel series I'm going to start with this first and read it in generational order but I definitely didn't like reading this knowing Leigh would die, it made that much more sadder.
May 27, 2024
Worst book I have ever read in my entire life
Repetitive
Unrealistic
Over the top
Odd
Cringe
Everything bad
I had to stay up so that I could burn it in peace after confirming that the end was truly not worth it. I’ll never forgive the person who gave this to me.
My life would have been much better if I had never crossed its path
I have no faith in The human race anymore
How could something be so bad
Those of you who are putting five stars we know you’re related to the author
Go read some real stuff please
Repetitive
Unrealistic
Over the top
Odd
Cringe
Everything bad
I had to stay up so that I could burn it in peace after confirming that the end was truly not worth it. I’ll never forgive the person who gave this to me.
My life would have been much better if I had never crossed its path
I have no faith in The human race anymore
How could something be so bad
Those of you who are putting five stars we know you’re related to the author
Go read some real stuff please
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews