"Petals on the Wind" is a continuation of the Dollanganger series by Virginia Andrews. The story follows Catherine, who survived terrible abuse in her childhood and is now struggling to break free from the cycle of abuse. The plot delves into Catherine's journey from a child to a grown woman finding her way in the world, facing challenges and seeking revenge against those who wronged her. The writing style is described as challenging and emotive, portraying the characters' struggles and haunted past.

Characters:

The characters are complex and flawed, often embroiled in abusive relationships, with Cathy as a deeply flawed protagonist seeking revenge.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by melodrama and emotional depth, with a focus on character motivations shaped by trauma.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Cathy seeking vengeance against her mother while navigating complex relationships with various men, often leading to abusive and problematic situations.

Setting:

The setting shifts through different locations in the southern United States, focusing on new homes and environments after their escape.

Pacing:

Pacing fluctuates, with slower moments due to relationship complexities, but remains engaging through dramatic developments.

exuberantly alive we should have felt to be freed, at last, from such a grim, lonely and stifling place. How pitifully delighted we should have been to be riding on a bus that rumbled slowly southward...

Notes:

This book is a sequel to 'Flowers in the Attic' and continues the story of the Dollanganger children.

The main characters are Cathy, Chris, and Carrie who escape from their abusive situation.

Cathy has intense relationships with older men, including her guardian Dr. Paul and a ballet dancer named Julian.

Themes of revenge and unresolved trauma are central to the plot.

Cathy's character often forgives male abuse, leading to criticism of the book's portrayal of relationships.

The narrative includes incestual attraction between Cathy and Chris, which is controversial.

Carrie, their sister, suffers from the trauma of her childhood, leading to deep emotional struggles and ultimately suicide.

The story explores how the traumatic past haunts characters even after gaining freedom.

Cathy's journey is filled with poor decisions and toxic relationships, showing a cycle of abuse.

The ending has dramatic twists but leaves many readers feeling unsatisfied with character outcomes.

Virginia Andrews' writing style combines gothic elements with family drama, making it a melodramatic read.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes high content warnings due to themes of abuse, incest, mental illness, suicide, and overall dark themes.

Has Romance?

There is a high level of romantic involvement in the story, characterized by complex, often unhealthy relationships.

From The Publisher:

The captivating and unforgettable saga of the Dollanganger family continues in Petals On the Wind, the New York Times bestselling sequel to Flowers in the Attic and the inspiration behind the Lifetime original movie and "tortured love story" (Variety).

Forbidden love comes into full bloom. For three years they were kept hidden in the eaves of Foxworth Hall, their existence all but denied by a mother who schemed to inherit a fortune. For three years their fate was in the hands of their righteous, merciless grandmother. They had to stay strong…but in their hopeless world, Cathy and her brother, Christopher, discovered blossoming desires that tumbled into a powerful obsession. Now, with their frail sister, Carrie, they have broken free and scraped together enough for three bus tickets and a chance at a new life. The horrors of the attic are behind them…but they will carry its legacy of dark secrets forever.

Ratings (13)

Loved It (7)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (19):

Read It (15)
Want To Read (4)

What can you read after
Petals on the Wind?

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About the Author:

One of the most popular authors of all time, V.C. Andrews® has been a bestselling phenomenon since the publication of Flowers in the Attic, first in the renowned Dollanganger family series, which includes Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, and Garden of Shadows. The family saga continues with Christopher's Diary: Secrets of Foxworth, Christopher's Diary: Echoes of Dollanganger, and Secret Brother, as well as Beneath the Attic, Out of the Attic, and Shadows of Foxworth as part of the fortieth anniversary celebration. There are more than ninety V.C. Andrews novels, which have sold over 107 million copies worldwide and have been translated into twenty-five foreign languages. Join the conversation about the world of V.C. Andrews at Facebook.com/OfficialVCAndrews.

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Petals on the Wind

Virginia Andrews

Book 2 in the series:Dollanganger