The Roanoke Girls

3.5

Not going to lie.... It was massively hard to read in places, (the contents not the writing). The author is brilliant but I found the subject matter a little hard to choke down. If you are into taboo subject books, this one will blow you away.

I wish the title had given a bit more away to be honest haha

This review can also be found on my blog.This was really not what I was expecting, although not to the book's detriment. What I thought would be more paranormal YA turned out to be an adult thriller. This is a tense story about some pretty serious topics and is masterfully woven throughout multiple timelines. Sometimes I find this confusing, but I felt it was extremely clear when we were in the story and was able to keep each point in time separate in my mind. The characters are all distinct and pretty fully fleshed out. I liked how dubious Lane's morals felt at times and thought her character was handled well overall. Overall this was a pretty compelling read whose only downfall was that it sometimes felt pretty far-fetched. I'd definitely recommend it to those who can handle the content.Blog Twitter Instagram Facebook

[b:The Roanoke Girls 30689335 The Roanoke Girls Amy Engel https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489050287l/30689335.SY75.jpg 51235136]Dark and GrittySo, I would love to be like the many people online reviewers that this book is slightly taboo and not worth the time or energy. I can't however seeing as I blew through this in two days. It feels dark yet pulls you in and a few chapters in you feel like it is Flowers in the Attic for a new generation. The novel's protagonist is Lane, a young woman who has returned to the family estate, Roanoke, she fled from as a teen in the middle of nowhere Kansas to help search for her missing “cousin” Allegra. Lane's grandparents still reign supreme at Roanoke and through chapters that jump around in time and from different viewpoints we quickly learn that this home is not a good place for young girls to grow up. Multiple generations of girls have suffered the effects of living at the estate and the damage is not just the physical but more important the psychological aspect of the family and home dynamic. While the mystery of what happened to Allegra is compelling, what keeps the pages turning are the revelations of the scope of the abuse. For readers who are easily triggered by sexual abuse rest easy that this book does not have that. The author's focus is more focused on the abuse and the pain that it caused.

This isn't a thriller, and barely a mystery. It is a family drama. You know the big secret of the family less than halfway in, and the culprit of the main mystery considering the number of characters is more than obvious from the start.

also cw for incest and pedophilia. besides the obvious the protags main love interest as a teen is also much older than her and this is never called attention to even when they reunite when older. Found that strange in a book with such themes. Almost as it's going "hey this dude might have been taken advantage of a teen but at least they're not blood related!"

Predictable and not very good.

3.5 stars

When I picked up The Roanoke Girls, I was in a rut with many aspects of like. Particularly reading, as I was completely failing my reading challenge and couldn't seem to finish any book I picked up.

The Roanoke Girls is a compelling, creepy read that is different to the thrillers I've read before. In a refreshingly new take on a mystery novel, I both knew the creepy twists that were coming and simultaneously was desperate to find out more.

If that doesn't intrigue you, I finished the book in under 2 hours.

I couldn't put it down. I'd say it's a modern day equivalent to V.C. Andrews (especially the Heaven/Dark Angel series).

First and foremost, this novel can trigger emotions if you are a victim of sexual abuse. With that said, the author deals with said sexual abuse in a tasteful way.

Why did I pick it up?

I picked up this book due to recommendation from a booktuber that I follow. I am starting to realize that I do not like to know about a book before reading. I like going in blindly.

Describe the book in 5 words

Perverse, Incestuous, Sick, Compelling and Fast Paced

Who would like The Roanoke Girls

Hmmm. Let me ponder that.
Anyone that likes a good psychological thriller.

Are there illustrations?

None.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Its a good psychological thriller. Its really difficult for me to review this book without spoilers because I want to go in depth about the characters and their experiences. * I don't believe in spoilers. *

My one caveat about this novel is, I wanted to get a better look into the minds of the grandmother and grandfather. A lot of the storyline had to do with them, but you really only get a sense of them through the eyes of others.

I would recommend.

This is definitely one of those books which make you feel...icky. It's got such atmosphere for such a short book and it certainly keeps you reading, but it's got an element of discomfort. Overall I did enjoy the story and the character portrayal and would recommend it to people who read thrillers and mysteries with a darker side to them.

I know I am not going to be able to do a good job at reviewing this book. As you all know by now I am not the greatest at putting into words how I feel about a book I read but I am going to try my best.

Let me start by saying I had heard so many people talking about this book before I got it and all of the mixed feelings on it is what made me really want to read it.

The subject matter of this book is taboo and I can understand why people were conflicted about this story. That being said though I think Amy Engel's writing is addicting. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I was so engaged in this story I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

I think the subject matter was handled in an appropriate manner. The author never glorifies it.

The characters were all well developed and everyone of them had their own set of flaws which I loved. Not one character was made out to be perfect.

When you read this book be prepared to go on an emotional roller coaster. You should be cautious going into this book though because there are potential triggers.

I don't want to give to much away so I am going to stop at that.

Even though the subject matter of this book is hard to digest I found myself sucked into the story and I ended up really liking it.

* Thanks to Blogging for Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dark and twisted but very readable.