Lightning Strikes Breaks to V.C. Andrews Formula
Written: Jul 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: True to V.C. Andrews writing style without copying it
Cons: More,More,More of the second string characters
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| sparklesky's Full Review: V. C. Andrews - Lightning Strikes |
Lightning Strikes is the second installment of the Rain series of novels from V.C. Andrews. This book chronicles once again our lead lady Rain Arnold, a young black girl from a housing project in Washington, D.C. To benefit those who have not yet read Rain I will give a little background as to the first book.
Rain starts out and follows much the same patented V.C. Andrews formula that has been employed by a ghostwriter for her estate since her passing. Beautiful rose amid weeds,brother falling madly in love with heroine, and tragic poverty to name a few. Rain soon learns through a tragic course of events she does not indeed belong in her surroundings-at least not by blood. She is in fact the daughter of a rich,spoiled white woman. Her maternal Grandmother soon moves her into her mansion to begin her life as a servant of the house. She is never to reveal her true bloodline.
While Rain failed miserably to break the Andrews mold, Lightning Strikes sets out to redefine it without becoming a whole new beast. In the past I felt I could have written the storyline myself without much difficulty. This book will through complete curve balls at you,when "bam" the next one is in the air and you must fumble the ball.
At the beginning of Lightning Strikes we find Rain preparing to study abroad in England. Her maternal grandmother has made plans for young Rain to stay with her sister and brother-in-law as a household servant. They are not informed as to her true bloodline either. The reader picks up on the close relationship between grandmother and granddaughter immediately. Any avid Andrews reader knows this is not part of the formula. Witty dialogue between the two characters fuels the opening scenes.
Rain soon finds herself in England. The author goes to great length to provide a descriptive backdrop for the story to move along. We learn more about London through Rain's travels-everything from their transit system to local food culture.
The second string story characters in this book are fascinating to say the least. I was left wanting to know the full story of Leonara and Richard,Boggs and Mary Margaret, and the dead mistress still lurking about Endfield's(the house where Rain stays) dark corridors..
My only complaint with this novel is that it may have to many possible storylines going on at once. I was not left satisfied with any of the characters endings-some came to such an abrupt halt. You will find all the traditional Andrews flair-love,sex, and lies. This new installment adds so much more. Congratulations to the ghost writer responsible for this one.
Eye of the Storm is the next book due out in the Hudson series and Lightning Strikes contains to an excerpt. If this excerpt if any indication the third novel should be the best in this series.
To find out more about V.C. Andrews on the web go to: http://www.simonsays.com/vcandrews
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sparklesky
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Member: Melissa
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