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When she danced, she could dream...
Beautiful and talented, Rose was the apple of her father's eye. But when he is tragically taken from her, his carefully hidden secrets destroy the only life Rose has ever known -- and lead her into a world of luxury unlike any she has imagined. Rose is whisked off to a prestigious private school, while her mother falls into a hateful whirlwind of wealth and greed. But a most unlikely person will show Rose the true meaning of family -- and give her the courage to follow her dream....
269 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2001
14 people are currently reading
2150 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
370 books9,125 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 44 reviews
March 2, 2011
Inhalt:
Rose möchte tanzen, doch bevor sie diesen Traum überhaupt erahnt, trifft sie unvorbereitet ein harter Schicksalsschlag, der sie in die Hände eines verbitterten Menschen treibt. Sie setzt alles daran, diesen und sich glücklich zu machen…
Schreib-/Erzählstil:
Andrews ist längst nicht mehr die Autorin, sondern ein Ghostwriter, der die persönliche Note Andrews‘ nach ihrem Tode fortführt. Er bringt neue Elemente, wie Computer und Chatrooms mit ein und wandelt so in der Neuzeit, ohne aber die klassischen Elemente, wie reich und arm, Liebe und Trauer, Träume und Verlust, außer Acht zu lassen.
Meine Meinung:
Rose ist ein liebes Mädchen, das behütet und voller Hoffnungen aufwächst. Man merkt, in welches Loch sie nach einem Geschehen fällt, was nicht vorhersehbar war. Der dritte Teil rennt sehr durch die Geschichte, der Traum vom Tanz ist eher blass zu erahnen, weil man ja den Klappentext kennt. Man musste viel in die knapp 220 Seiten packen, einfach, um den Rahmen der anderen einzuhalten, die ebendiese Seitenzahlen vorweisen: Das kurze Leben Roses‘ anreißen, die neue Situation, der neue Weg ihrer Familie und schließlich den Traum vom Tanzen.
Fazit:
Für mich persönlich ist Rose sehr einfühlsam gewesen, dennoch wirkte das Buch etwas überladen und so richtig muss man wieder ordnen, welche Personen zueinander stehen und wieder nicht. Aufgrund des Talents, das bei ihr leider etwas untergeht, obwohl es darum im allumfassenden Teil geht, einen Punkt Abzug.
Rose möchte tanzen, doch bevor sie diesen Traum überhaupt erahnt, trifft sie unvorbereitet ein harter Schicksalsschlag, der sie in die Hände eines verbitterten Menschen treibt. Sie setzt alles daran, diesen und sich glücklich zu machen…
Schreib-/Erzählstil:
Andrews ist längst nicht mehr die Autorin, sondern ein Ghostwriter, der die persönliche Note Andrews‘ nach ihrem Tode fortführt. Er bringt neue Elemente, wie Computer und Chatrooms mit ein und wandelt so in der Neuzeit, ohne aber die klassischen Elemente, wie reich und arm, Liebe und Trauer, Träume und Verlust, außer Acht zu lassen.
Meine Meinung:
Rose ist ein liebes Mädchen, das behütet und voller Hoffnungen aufwächst. Man merkt, in welches Loch sie nach einem Geschehen fällt, was nicht vorhersehbar war. Der dritte Teil rennt sehr durch die Geschichte, der Traum vom Tanz ist eher blass zu erahnen, weil man ja den Klappentext kennt. Man musste viel in die knapp 220 Seiten packen, einfach, um den Rahmen der anderen einzuhalten, die ebendiese Seitenzahlen vorweisen: Das kurze Leben Roses‘ anreißen, die neue Situation, der neue Weg ihrer Familie und schließlich den Traum vom Tanzen.
Fazit:
Für mich persönlich ist Rose sehr einfühlsam gewesen, dennoch wirkte das Buch etwas überladen und so richtig muss man wieder ordnen, welche Personen zueinander stehen und wieder nicht. Aufgrund des Talents, das bei ihr leider etwas untergeht, obwohl es darum im allumfassenden Teil geht, einen Punkt Abzug.
March 26, 2025
nice little quick read…im over the incest vibes tho
September 16, 2022
4 sterren- Nederlandse paperback
Recensie volgt later. Uitgeleend aan Marjo.
Recensie volgt later. Uitgeleend aan Marjo.
February 9, 2015
Rose is het 3de deel van de ''Vallende Sterren'' serie van V.C Andrews. Dit deel beviel me gelukkig beter dan zijn voorganger ''Ice'', mede doordat Rose een interessanter verhaallijn had, meer diepgang bevatte en Rose zelf een boeiender personage was om te lezen.
Rose moet en zou dansen, daar begint de synopsis mee. Uiteindelijk komt dit pas ter sprake bij de laatste 2 hoofdstukken. Het verhaal komt in het begin maar langzaam op gang, voornamelijk in het eerste hoofdstuk. Daarin wordt veel te veel uitgelegd.
Rose verhuisd samen met haar vader en moeder om de haverklap naar verschillende steden omdat haar vader zich nergens kan aarden of doordat hij zijn werk kwijt raakt. Wanneer het gezin eindelijk denkt hun plek te hebben gevonden slaat het noodlot toe. Rose's vader overlijdt door een noodlottig ongeval waardoor Rose en haar moeder alleen komen te staan. Ze zijn radeloos omdat ze het financieel niet breed hebben. Enkele dagen later verschijnt er een onbekende vrouw aan de deur bij Rose en haar moeder in hun appartement die hun leven volledig op hun kop zet. Rose schijnt een invalide halfbroer te hebben. Rose en haar moeder nemen het aanbod van de onbekende vrouw, Charlotte, aan om bij haar plantage huis in te komen wonen met alle gevolgen van dien. Rose raakt haar moeder langzamerhand kwijt door macht en rijkdom, terwijl ze er alles aan doet om een band op te bouwen met haar halfbroer Evan en het uitzicht op een beter leven. Wanneer Rose de aandacht trekt van haar danslerares op school, krijgt ze de gelegenheid om te optreden en al haar emoties in de dans kwijt te raken. Wat ze echter niet weet is dat haar danstalent nauwlettend wordt bekeken en een toekomst op een school in de uitvoerende kunsten in New York in het verschiet ligt.
Het einde was wederom voorspelbaar, maar in de verschillende hoofdstukken kwamen er toch onverwachte wendingen voor waardoor het boek toch wel op sommige punten verrassend was. Rose is een fijn personage die geen blad voor de mond heeft en sterk overkomt. Opmerkelijk was wel dat haar danspassie pas tegen het einde van het boek kenbaar wordt gemaakt. De kleine seksscènes vind ik overigens in deze reeks wel een tikkeltje overbodig. Ze voegen niet veel aan het verhaal toe. (althans in Rose en Ice kwamen ze voor.) Desalnietemin, een vermakelijk boek.
Rose moet en zou dansen, daar begint de synopsis mee. Uiteindelijk komt dit pas ter sprake bij de laatste 2 hoofdstukken. Het verhaal komt in het begin maar langzaam op gang, voornamelijk in het eerste hoofdstuk. Daarin wordt veel te veel uitgelegd.
Rose verhuisd samen met haar vader en moeder om de haverklap naar verschillende steden omdat haar vader zich nergens kan aarden of doordat hij zijn werk kwijt raakt. Wanneer het gezin eindelijk denkt hun plek te hebben gevonden slaat het noodlot toe. Rose's vader overlijdt door een noodlottig ongeval waardoor Rose en haar moeder alleen komen te staan. Ze zijn radeloos omdat ze het financieel niet breed hebben. Enkele dagen later verschijnt er een onbekende vrouw aan de deur bij Rose en haar moeder in hun appartement die hun leven volledig op hun kop zet. Rose schijnt een invalide halfbroer te hebben. Rose en haar moeder nemen het aanbod van de onbekende vrouw, Charlotte, aan om bij haar plantage huis in te komen wonen met alle gevolgen van dien. Rose raakt haar moeder langzamerhand kwijt door macht en rijkdom, terwijl ze er alles aan doet om een band op te bouwen met haar halfbroer Evan en het uitzicht op een beter leven. Wanneer Rose de aandacht trekt van haar danslerares op school, krijgt ze de gelegenheid om te optreden en al haar emoties in de dans kwijt te raken. Wat ze echter niet weet is dat haar danstalent nauwlettend wordt bekeken en een toekomst op een school in de uitvoerende kunsten in New York in het verschiet ligt.
Het einde was wederom voorspelbaar, maar in de verschillende hoofdstukken kwamen er toch onverwachte wendingen voor waardoor het boek toch wel op sommige punten verrassend was. Rose is een fijn personage die geen blad voor de mond heeft en sterk overkomt. Opmerkelijk was wel dat haar danspassie pas tegen het einde van het boek kenbaar wordt gemaakt. De kleine seksscènes vind ik overigens in deze reeks wel een tikkeltje overbodig. Ze voegen niet veel aan het verhaal toe. (althans in Rose en Ice kwamen ze voor.) Desalnietemin, een vermakelijk boek.
June 19, 2024
So far the weakest in the series for me. The family situations were interesting but Rose as a character was not. I also found her to be a bit irritating with how judgmental she was at times when it came to her mother or her attitude about Evan’s virtual world.
Barry was nice, but also lacked a personality. This book moved too quickly, barely fleshing out the characters. I feel like Evan is really the only character that seemed to have a personality.
Rose’s sudden talent developing once she moved in with Charlotte and Evan also made little sense—wouldn’t someone else have remarked on her gracefulness before? Like at the beauty contest? The bones for this book were there, they were just not finished. It could have been a much creepier story if the effort had been made.
Anyway, this was still interesting enough but definitely the weakest in this series so far. We’ll see if that holds up or not.
Barry was nice, but also lacked a personality. This book moved too quickly, barely fleshing out the characters. I feel like Evan is really the only character that seemed to have a personality.
Rose’s sudden talent developing once she moved in with Charlotte and Evan also made little sense—wouldn’t someone else have remarked on her gracefulness before? Like at the beauty contest? The bones for this book were there, they were just not finished. It could have been a much creepier story if the effort had been made.
Anyway, this was still interesting enough but definitely the weakest in this series so far. We’ll see if that holds up or not.
January 4, 2013
VC Andrews has always been a favorite of mine since my childhood days. I have read (and re-read) all of her books, and although I am much older now and find that some of her work is better than others, I still enjoy the twists and turns, strangeness and mystery that continues to captivate my interest.
With that being said - it might also explain why I find the ghostwriter's quality of work lacking and less memorable than Andrews true writing, especially with the newer, more modern series.
If your looking for a quick read that you can probably finish than give it a shot, but if you're looking for a timeless piece of work that will make your heart race and leave you speechless - read VC Andrews' original stories.
With that being said - it might also explain why I find the ghostwriter's quality of work lacking and less memorable than Andrews true writing, especially with the newer, more modern series.
If your looking for a quick read that you can probably finish than give it a shot, but if you're looking for a timeless piece of work that will make your heart race and leave you speechless - read VC Andrews' original stories.
May 20, 2014
This book was highly unrealistic. Everything happened too suddenly and the characters had such little development. I'm noticing an unoriginal trend of the mothers being incredibly selfish and Im wondering when there will be a change.
I feel like it was a vague story compared to Cinnamon. Ice and Rose are similar in the fact that they are vague and lack details. Ice at least had focus on her talent, where Rose's novel focused on family drama and shoved in her talent for dancing at the very end. I liked the family drama, but it was still unrealistic in any way. No one could put the time and effort that Charlotte put in to set the Wallace's up for failure. This was just not a believable novel.
I feel like it was a vague story compared to Cinnamon. Ice and Rose are similar in the fact that they are vague and lack details. Ice at least had focus on her talent, where Rose's novel focused on family drama and shoved in her talent for dancing at the very end. I liked the family drama, but it was still unrealistic in any way. No one could put the time and effort that Charlotte put in to set the Wallace's up for failure. This was just not a believable novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2015
Another wonderful story about a young woman finding her place in life after a tragedy. Rose's life wasn't always perfect but she had tow parents who loved her until one night a death shatters her world into a million pieces.
September 4, 2008
I'm sure your wondering by now why I kept reading her books when I've thought all her recent ones sucked..... hmmm.... I can't answer that one.
May 20, 2009
The first two in this series were terrible. This one was marginally less terrible. ;)
December 28, 2019
Bon... Un nouveau personnage paré de toutes les vertus et de la beauté... Sans oublier un don inné pour la danse (oui, oui, elle n'a jamais dansé de sa vie et à 17 ans elle se lance dans une carrière de danseuse et va apprendre le classique dans l'école des arts déjà mentionnée dans les deux autres tomes).
Ceci étant, le père adoré et irresponsable de Rose meurt la laissant seule et dans le dénuement avec sa maman. Rapidement, on découvre l'existence d'un demi frère, Evan, qui est handicapé et vit avec sa tante ( qui est très riche bien entendu).
Bon, j'ai bien aimé la relation entre Rose et Evan, à mon sens réussie même si, pour des jeunes ils ont un langage plutôt désuet ( y compris dans les tournures de phrases) mais je ne sais pas si c'est du à la traduction ou si c'est réellement le style de l'auteur.
Bon bien entendu la mère de Rose est un petit peu creuse et obsédée par son physique et le passage du temps. Le mariage l'a aigrie... (ok oui ça ressemble à la plupart des autres mamans de la franchise) mais la fin apporte de l'espoir. La tante d'Evan est bien entendu diabolique et méchante ... Et la mère de Rose beaucoup trop faible et influençable. Cependant, j'ai beaucoup apprécié le personnage de Rose et l'histoire.
Ce que j'aime : le personnage de Rose et sa relation avec Evan
Ce que j'aime moins : plus trop de surprises sur le scénario : une mère faible, une riche pseudo bienfaitrice démoniaque. Un vocabulaire qui fait que les personnages ont l'air d'avoir 50 ans plutôt que 17. Le fait que Rose maitrise la danse en quelques mois ( enfin suffisamment pour entrer dans une école prestigieuse)
Pour résumer
Un tome sans grand originalité mais dont l'héroïne, Rose, est attachante et intéressante
Ma note
8/10
Ceci étant, le père adoré et irresponsable de Rose meurt la laissant seule et dans le dénuement avec sa maman. Rapidement, on découvre l'existence d'un demi frère, Evan, qui est handicapé et vit avec sa tante ( qui est très riche bien entendu).
Bon, j'ai bien aimé la relation entre Rose et Evan, à mon sens réussie même si, pour des jeunes ils ont un langage plutôt désuet ( y compris dans les tournures de phrases) mais je ne sais pas si c'est du à la traduction ou si c'est réellement le style de l'auteur.
Bon bien entendu la mère de Rose est un petit peu creuse et obsédée par son physique et le passage du temps. Le mariage l'a aigrie... (ok oui ça ressemble à la plupart des autres mamans de la franchise) mais la fin apporte de l'espoir. La tante d'Evan est bien entendu diabolique et méchante ... Et la mère de Rose beaucoup trop faible et influençable. Cependant, j'ai beaucoup apprécié le personnage de Rose et l'histoire.
Ce que j'aime : le personnage de Rose et sa relation avec Evan
Ce que j'aime moins : plus trop de surprises sur le scénario : une mère faible, une riche pseudo bienfaitrice démoniaque. Un vocabulaire qui fait que les personnages ont l'air d'avoir 50 ans plutôt que 17. Le fait que Rose maitrise la danse en quelques mois ( enfin suffisamment pour entrer dans une école prestigieuse)
Pour résumer
Un tome sans grand originalité mais dont l'héroïne, Rose, est attachante et intéressante
Ma note
8/10
March 8, 2019
I will always rate V.c. Andrews 5 stars even if the story line kinda disappears me. I just love these books, however I was less than happy on how this story just came to an abrupt end...everything explained in just a paragraph 🤷🏻♀️. Didn't care for that.. Heres hoping Honey is better than the first 3.
May 22, 2025
I’m not sure who told me that VC Andrews books were awesome and something I’d enjoy - but they were wrong! Not just me, but I don’t think anyone could enjoy this series.
I bought Ice and Rose at a used book sale, and normally once I figure out their books in a series, I’d have bought the rest. Thought I’d read Ice to start.
Good thing I saved my money…..
I bought Ice and Rose at a used book sale, and normally once I figure out their books in a series, I’d have bought the rest. Thought I’d read Ice to start.
Good thing I saved my money…..
May 17, 2020
A family tragedy forces Rose and her mother to live with the sister of her father's ex girlfriend. Much more interesting than 'Cinnamon' and 'Ice.' But it really comes off as a semi-redo of 'Flowers in the Attic.'
June 9, 2021
It was decent enough, not much character development but what can you expect from a 186 page book. The twist was decent I actually didn’t expect it. The comparison of sex and ice was really cringe I hated it. Other than that not too bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
Andrew Neiderman needs to be ashamed of himself for ruining VC Andrews life work! Seriously gross!
I did sort of like reading about Evan and Rose’s beginning relationship, but for the most part these are just so contrived.
I did sort of like reading about Evan and Rose’s beginning relationship, but for the most part these are just so contrived.
October 24, 2024
kind of pathetic. rose was smart but her mother deserved what happened when she agreed to Charlottes bargain. it would be interesting to see how Rose’s life continues now that she’s out of that house.
January 31, 2019
This book made me angry. I can't say more for fear of ruining it for someone else but there was a time I wanted to throw the damn book across the room.
February 8, 2019
So far my favorite in the series.
July 1, 2019
Book was okay. Not much of a plot.
October 8, 2021
Book 3 of "Shooting Stars" was better than book 2 easy read
December 4, 2021
I enjoyed this one the most from this series thus far. Has the classic v c andrews story going on.
All seemed too short and had much more to offer.
All seemed too short and had much more to offer.
July 15, 2023
Not bad, but not as good as the first two books in the series. The story kind of felt all over the place.
January 11, 2025
Ah, Virginia and Andrew back on their family saga bullshit. This is what I signed up for when reading this series.
November 23, 2025
Not really the age rating I had expected, but I like the deep psychology in this.
January 14, 2021
3/5
This one was actually pretty interesting. It had elements of FITA, and I feel like a quote was taken from that original book and re-said within this but who knows.
One thing that was weird was the whole half-brother thing. Like he seemed like an incestual creep but in the end, they are all good and dandy and I'm like :/
This one was actually pretty interesting. It had elements of FITA, and I feel like a quote was taken from that original book and re-said within this but who knows.
One thing that was weird was the whole half-brother thing. Like he seemed like an incestual creep but in the end, they are all good and dandy and I'm like :/
November 3, 2021
In an odd contrast, Rose has had both the most interesting story so far... yet she's the weakest character. To start with the positives, I did like this story. (Even though all the adults in this series come across as being either weak or flat-out evil.) Rose's relationship with Evan reminded me a little of The Secret Garden and Mary and Colin bringing each other out of their own shells. Unfortunately, from the very first page, Rose is defined by her relationship to others. The prologue is just one long account of who her father is. And while this is important, especially because his eccentricities really affected the way her family lived their lives, I don't feel like Rose really stands out herself. Which could be really problematic when the girls all come together. It wasn't that she was really shy or quiet. She stood up for herself at the right times and all that, but... there was just something missing. I worry that she's going to be swallowed up by the other girls' louder personalities.
(Can we talk for a second about their names? I'm far from being bothered by their unconventional names-- you hear anything enough times and it starts to sound fine. But I couldn't believe that Rose-- which is the only real name of the four, even if it is uncommon-- has been the only name so far that's been commented on and made fun of! Like, I cannot remember a single instance where Cinnamon had to explain away her name.)
But Rose being a little bland wasn't the thing about this installment that really bothered me. The big underlying theme here is that they're all exceptionally talented at some performing arts skill, but Rose's is barely mentioned until the end! And if it was just about any other talent, I could have been okay with this. If it had been Cinnamon or Ice who was just naturally good at acting or singing, despite practically no effort or practice going into it, okay I could buy that. It's uncommon, but it happens sometimes. But dancing? Do you have any idea how much work-- and I'm talking about a lifelong commitment-- you have to put into it to make it as a professional dancer? In the last book, this prestigious school they've all been accepted to was holding its own against Julliard! We're reminded again and again that Senetsky only accepts a handful of people each year. I do not believe that Rose could have just picked up dancing. Or even just turned a casual hobby-- which, her view on dancing when she first starts to get serious about it doesn't even seem to amount to that much-- into something audition worthy in the span of a few months. And I know they played the loophole game here. She didn't even have to formally audition. Madame Senetsky allows her son to choose one new student who just gets in each year. But... I don't buy it. She can't possibly be at the same level as everyone else, and I fear that's exactly how they're going to try to play it.
(I'm even more fired up after going back to reread the summary this site has for this book! They play it off like she's a dedicated young dancer who fears her dream is out of reach... That's just the thing: she doesn't have a dream! She's got a few people gushing about her natural grace and beauty who push her into it.)
(Can we talk for a second about their names? I'm far from being bothered by their unconventional names-- you hear anything enough times and it starts to sound fine. But I couldn't believe that Rose-- which is the only real name of the four, even if it is uncommon-- has been the only name so far that's been commented on and made fun of! Like, I cannot remember a single instance where Cinnamon had to explain away her name.)
But Rose being a little bland wasn't the thing about this installment that really bothered me. The big underlying theme here is that they're all exceptionally talented at some performing arts skill, but Rose's is barely mentioned until the end! And if it was just about any other talent, I could have been okay with this. If it had been Cinnamon or Ice who was just naturally good at acting or singing, despite practically no effort or practice going into it, okay I could buy that. It's uncommon, but it happens sometimes. But dancing? Do you have any idea how much work-- and I'm talking about a lifelong commitment-- you have to put into it to make it as a professional dancer? In the last book, this prestigious school they've all been accepted to was holding its own against Julliard! We're reminded again and again that Senetsky only accepts a handful of people each year. I do not believe that Rose could have just picked up dancing. Or even just turned a casual hobby-- which, her view on dancing when she first starts to get serious about it doesn't even seem to amount to that much-- into something audition worthy in the span of a few months. And I know they played the loophole game here. She didn't even have to formally audition. Madame Senetsky allows her son to choose one new student who just gets in each year. But... I don't buy it. She can't possibly be at the same level as everyone else, and I fear that's exactly how they're going to try to play it.
(I'm even more fired up after going back to reread the summary this site has for this book! They play it off like she's a dedicated young dancer who fears her dream is out of reach... That's just the thing: she doesn't have a dream! She's got a few people gushing about her natural grace and beauty who push her into it.)
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 5, 2014
one of the best, most loved series/authors of all time. V.C. Andrews books are something so easily recognizable and new books continue to evolve to go with the times and bring in a whole new generation of loving readers
May 7, 2011
The third book in the Shooting Stars series. Fast read.
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