I was so excited when I got an email from NetGalley saying that The Roanoke Girls is READ NOW for a limited number of members and then with the speed of ten cheetahs I ran and clicked the button. I’ve read many reviews of this book and what intrigued me from the start was the darkness and strangeness of it. The Roanoke Girls is very interesting and very shocking.
After her mother’s suicide fifteen year old Lane Roanoke is taken in by her grandparents on their family estate somewhere in Kansas where things are not what they seem. Lane knows very little about her mother’s time on the estate but what she knows is that her mother ran away without ever speaking to her parents again. It is in this place that Lane meets Allegra, her wild cousin, who is being raised by Gran and Grandpa. Both Roanoke girls become close and go on many adventures in town but underneath Allegra’s presence lies something dark and twisted which soon Lane uncovers but the discovery becomes so shocking that it makes her flee the estate keeping very little contact with her cousin. She is called back to the estate many years later by her grandfather because of Allegra’s mysterious disappearance. Lane knows the dark secret this place holds and she isn’t quite sure that Allegra left willingly. Her appearance in town lights a fire on an old romance but also makes her have to deal with the darkness she tried so hard to avoid. Will Lane be able to find the truth behind her cousin’s disappearance and will she be able to escape the darkness that has followed a generation of the Roanoke girls?
“Sometimes it’s a revelation, even to me, how much more comfortable I am with cruelty than with kindness.”
I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll keep my thoughts spoiler-free. The Roanoke Girls isn’t a book you’ll usually stumble upon as well as the themes in it. This book won’t be for everyone and I have seen a few DNFs of it because of the major theme in it. Having read Gather the Daughters and pretty much loving it I was very excited to start this one because I love reading stories that are twisted and unusual and that show us humans and our darkest sides. I think that we all love finding out more about how cruel and deviant people can be and these kinds of stories intrigue us but at the same time repulse us. This is the first time I’ve read a book that deals with this subject matter so openly and because it’s the main theme in the story I felt very uncomfortable reading it at times but couldn’t stop looking away because I wanted to find out more. I think it’s best if you go into this book blind but reading a few reviews would be OK as well as knowing that it deals with many themes that some people will find triggering. The Roanoke Girls is definitely not for everyone because if you don’t like dark tales you won’t be able to get past first fifty pages. I have had some discomfort reading this book but that’s solely because of the main theme and this book isn’t a five star material for me. The story could’ve been better fleshed out and the scenes ended abruptly at times. I like that it had an adequate resolution to it and we got the see Lane’s ‘somewhat’ character development towards the end.
“…sometimes you have to hurt people just to prove you’re alive.”
If you’re not squeamish and like reading books that show the worst in people then this is the one for you.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher (Hodder & Stoughton) for allowing me to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.
My rating:
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I don’t mind sensitive themes being included in books but a novel centred around them might not be my cup of tea. Your review makes me want to give it a go though so good effort!
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Thank you Stuart!
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Great review!
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Thank you Janel!
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Brilliant review 🙂 I’m glad you reviewed this as I trust your opinion and previously I’d seen lots of contrasting reviews, so it was difficult for me to decide if I liked the sound of it or not. While the synopsis looks great, I’m a little squeamish so I think I’ll have to avoid the book! 🙂
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Thank you Misti! It has been getting very mixed reviews that’s for sure. I guess my mindset is mostly dark so I don’t mind reading these stories and it’s completely understandable that you’re put off by it.
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I recall seeing many reviews for this one and they all mentioned a bit of darkness, but from your review I gather it’s really rather strong… in that darkness department! hmm… Great review… I had actually forgotten about the book already so maybe it’s time to revisit my interest in it 🙂 Great review!
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Well I wouldn’t call it ‘a bit’ dark because it is very dark as I mention in my review. It’s not overly dark but it is unsettling yet intriguing! Thank you. I hope you get a chance to read it!
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Nice review. I had a different take on this one. (It is fun when that happens). If interested here is my review: https://books6259.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/the-roanoke-girls-by-amy-engel/
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I’ll check it out!
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Loved this one and now more that I know my review is inside! haahahaha It was twisted but I couldnt stop reading…
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YAAASSSSSS OMG I SWEAR WE HAVE THE SAME TASTE IN BOOKS HAH so happy you get to read this finally!!😍😍
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Haha yeah! 😀
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Great review Nikola. I really wanted this ARC but got rejected. Its still a book that I hope to read soon though the themes sound really heavy.I am not very squeamish but like you, I bet some parts will make me uncomfortable.
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Thanks Diana! Ah, it’s such a shame you didn’t get it.. I hope you get a chance to read it in the future!
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I don’t mind a dark tale but it does scare me a little how tense and unsettling this one sounds. I started reading White is the Coldest Colour some years ago and had to put it aside after reading the first chapter. Before reading that one I thought I could handle reading about abuse without a problem but even I have my limits. I’m definitely interested in this novel but it would be a risk so maybe better not? Great review though!
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It’s not something an adult can’t handle but the central theme is something that might cause people to not read it. It’s definitely not YA book. I haven’t heard of WITCC but I just googled it and it sounds very disturbing!! Thanks Inge!
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I really enjoyed this one, too, despite the difficult theme. You’re right that it fell a little short on character development and I also had a hard time with seeing what the big attraction was for all those women.
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Hi there! Yeah, the character development wasn’t that good.. It is a strange book..
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Great review! I’m dying to read this one myself… I tried to request it a couple of times but was never approved. Good to hear it was a good one for you!
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Thanks Yvo! I’m surprised that you got declined for it.. Such a shame! Hope you get a chance to read it in the future!
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Most likely due to the territory limitations… I don’t have a copy yet, buut hopefully some time soon; although I have a ton of other reads I need to get to as well haha.
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The level of “twisty-ness” continues to intrigue me. Glad you were able to enjoy it, even with the little shortcomings. Great review, Nikola.
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Thanks Lashaan!
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