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Landry #1
Ruby
The only family Ruby Landry has ever known are her loving guardian Grandmere Catherine, a Cajun spiritual healer, and her drunken Grandpere Jack. Although thinking about her dead mother and mysterious father sometimes makes her feel as sad and solemn as the wind sighing through the Spanish moss, Ruby is grateful for what she has. Her life is filled with hope and promise, especially when her attraction to handsome Paul Tate blossoming into a wonderful love affair. But Paul's wealthy parents forbid him to associate with a poor Landry, and Grandmere urges Ruby to focus on her dream of becoming a great painter.
AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE LOOMS.
A shocking scheme of blackmail and deception. comes to light when Ruby sees her father for the first time in a faded photo- graph. Stunned and devastated when Grandmere dies soon after, iK left to seek out an explanation on her own. Finding her father in his massive New Orleans mansion, Ruby is quickly subjected to his world of lies, torment . . . and madness. Still, she clings to her memories of only true love might be able to save her now.
--back cover
AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE LOOMS.
A shocking scheme of blackmail and deception. comes to light when Ruby sees her father for the first time in a faded photo- graph. Stunned and devastated when Grandmere dies soon after, iK left to seek out an explanation on her own. Finding her father in his massive New Orleans mansion, Ruby is quickly subjected to his world of lies, torment . . . and madness. Still, she clings to her memories of only true love might be able to save her now.
--back cover
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
563 people are currently reading
6,022 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
365books8,763followersBooks 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 431 reviews
December 9, 2013
This was a fun bit of trash.
Our heroine, Ruby, is living a happy life in the bayou with her traiteur grandmere. She believes her father was a passing stranger who knocked up her mama & never knew of her existence...but she finds out the truth when Grandmere passes away from an untreated heart condition. Obeying a deathbed request, Ruby slips away from her drunken grandfather & runs off to New Orleans, eventually ending up on her father's doorstep. Pierre is rich as sin & living the Creole life with a huge house, successful business, etc. He's also a Sensitive Beta Male who's thrilled to discover that he's got another daughter...but Pierre's wife (Daphne) hates Ruby on sight & her long-lost twin (Gisselle) immediately sets out to make her new sister miserable. The trainwreck really hits the fan when Ruby decides to consult a voodoo priestess & get some relief from Gisselle's bitchitude.
Dun-dun-DUN. :P
WTFery addicts, don't fear; there's plenty of the random crap that makes VCA novels so addictive. This book includes (but isn't limited to) incestuous half-sibling makeouts, visits to Storyville sex-toy shops (where Gisselle is thrilled to point out the dildos :P), references to prostitution & nymphomania, attempted rape, nude sketching of the opposite sex, arranged teenage marriages in the bayou, periodic appearances of voodoo, incarceration in asylums, crippling car accidents, & smoking joints. Unlike most, there's an actual timeline for this one -- 1962, if my math is correct -- and the slightly tacky, old-fashioned details re: clothes, cocktails, music, & rebellion of spoiled white kids fit that period pretty well.
Unfortunately, Ruby's narration lacks the emotional punch of Cathy or Heaven. She's an extreme Mary Sue: sweet to the max, highly sensitive, eager to please, & possessing prodigy-like artistic skills. She's also stupidly trusting, repeatedly wounded by Gisselle's schemes, & has no backbone whatsoever. The worst of the Sue disease is how Ruby allows Gisselle & Daphne to take advantage of her, & that gets old really fast because it happens almost every chapter. Okay, I know Ruby's only 16; it's not surprising that she's still intimidated by a sophisticated stepmom. But the way she lets Gisselle walk over her, taunt her, & treat her like shit? DOORMAT CENTRAL. Stand up for yourself, girl! How many times does it need to happen before you get a clue?! Cathy & Heaven were also victims of circumstance & adulthood, but they would never have allowed that kind of crap from someone on an equal footing.
...So, yeah. Ruby is a dim bulb, but you can't help feeling sorry for the poor kid. And despite her repeatedly protesting against the inbred Cajun stereotypes, at the end of the book she's still trying to squash those improper feelings for ...who, like Chris in Flowers, continues to press his case for a HEA despite the blood relationship. So there's that much to besmirch her pristine Sue status. :D
Random: This book has a lot of duality, which is one of my favorite gothic tropes. It's not a pure gothic novel, per se, but it does hover on the fringes of the genre, much like Flowers.
Our heroine, Ruby, is living a happy life in the bayou with her traiteur grandmere. She believes her father was a passing stranger who knocked up her mama & never knew of her existence...but she finds out the truth when Grandmere passes away from an untreated heart condition. Obeying a deathbed request, Ruby slips away from her drunken grandfather & runs off to New Orleans, eventually ending up on her father's doorstep. Pierre is rich as sin & living the Creole life with a huge house, successful business, etc. He's also a Sensitive Beta Male who's thrilled to discover that he's got another daughter...but Pierre's wife (Daphne) hates Ruby on sight & her long-lost twin (Gisselle) immediately sets out to make her new sister miserable. The trainwreck really hits the fan when Ruby decides to consult a voodoo priestess & get some relief from Gisselle's bitchitude.
Dun-dun-DUN. :P
WTFery addicts, don't fear; there's plenty of the random crap that makes VCA novels so addictive. This book includes (but isn't limited to) incestuous half-sibling makeouts, visits to Storyville sex-toy shops (where Gisselle is thrilled to point out the dildos :P), references to prostitution & nymphomania, attempted rape, nude sketching of the opposite sex, arranged teenage marriages in the bayou, periodic appearances of voodoo, incarceration in asylums, crippling car accidents, & smoking joints. Unlike most, there's an actual timeline for this one -- 1962, if my math is correct -- and the slightly tacky, old-fashioned details re: clothes, cocktails, music, & rebellion of spoiled white kids fit that period pretty well.
Unfortunately, Ruby's narration lacks the emotional punch of Cathy or Heaven. She's an extreme Mary Sue: sweet to the max, highly sensitive, eager to please, & possessing prodigy-like artistic skills. She's also stupidly trusting, repeatedly wounded by Gisselle's schemes, & has no backbone whatsoever. The worst of the Sue disease is how Ruby allows Gisselle & Daphne to take advantage of her, & that gets old really fast because it happens almost every chapter. Okay, I know Ruby's only 16; it's not surprising that she's still intimidated by a sophisticated stepmom. But the way she lets Gisselle walk over her, taunt her, & treat her like shit? DOORMAT CENTRAL. Stand up for yourself, girl! How many times does it need to happen before you get a clue?! Cathy & Heaven were also victims of circumstance & adulthood, but they would never have allowed that kind of crap from someone on an equal footing.
...So, yeah. Ruby is a dim bulb, but you can't help feeling sorry for the poor kid. And despite her repeatedly protesting against the inbred Cajun stereotypes, at the end of the book she's still trying to squash those improper feelings for ...who, like Chris in Flowers, continues to press his case for a HEA despite the blood relationship. So there's that much to besmirch her pristine Sue status. :D
Random: This book has a lot of duality, which is one of my favorite gothic tropes. It's not a pure gothic novel, per se, but it does hover on the fringes of the genre, much like Flowers.
September 23, 2011
Rubie's story and the Landry series is my all-time second favorite series behind the Dollanganger series. I love everything about Ruby. This series has so many twists and turns it made my head spin. The twin aspect made Ruby's story stand out from all others in my opinion. I adored Giselle. I know she was a b with an itch, but still she always kept things interesting. Beau was another reason I really enjoyed the Ruby series so much. He was an awesome love interest.
March 29, 2021
Weird novel of psychological suspense set in New Orleans with lots of twists. There are secrets aplenty. Book One in the Landry Series. I enjoyed the Lifetime Movie Series based on the books.
May 14, 2009
Reading Virginia Andrews' books when I was 15, they were kind of exciting. Reading them at 25, they were not.
Flowers in the Attic and the subsequent series were some of my favourite books to read during my teen years, and after being given a pile of books from a friend recently which included the Landry series I was looking forward to starting them. Unfortunately I was sorely disappointed. The writing style is simplistic, the description is nothing more than a list of features and the plot is tired.
I've been informed that all of Andrews' books feature this beautiful, hard done by girl, experiencing forbidden love then finding out she is part of a rich powerful family formula, but there's only so many times you can read about a girl falling in love with her brother. The first time it's an interesting taboo. The second time it's one big yawn.
Flowers in the Attic and the subsequent series were some of my favourite books to read during my teen years, and after being given a pile of books from a friend recently which included the Landry series I was looking forward to starting them. Unfortunately I was sorely disappointed. The writing style is simplistic, the description is nothing more than a list of features and the plot is tired.
I've been informed that all of Andrews' books feature this beautiful, hard done by girl, experiencing forbidden love then finding out she is part of a rich powerful family formula, but there's only so many times you can read about a girl falling in love with her brother. The first time it's an interesting taboo. The second time it's one big yawn.
October 9, 2023
I think it's best if I don't revisit these books. I am sad to say that I found Ruby melodramatic, repetitive and a bit boring. Ruby is just too perfectly perfect and naive. I finished it but have no desire to reread the rest in the series. I think I'll have to stick to the Lifetime movies which are super melodramatic but also culled so they're never boring. Guess I'll give it a 3 but it's really a 2.5 in my head but now people complain if we don't bump up. People will yell at me no matter what I rate it anyway.
Here's a cat to make up for it:
Here's a cat to make up for it:
July 16, 2015
Pseudo incest, evil twins, family secrets, lies and betrayal, complete with an evil stepmother.
What more could you want?
Trashylicious mess. I also love the gothic and dark aspects of it aswell.
Will be reading the rest of the series.
What more could you want?
Trashylicious mess. I also love the gothic and dark aspects of it aswell.
Will be reading the rest of the series.
January 4, 2008
The books by this author are like reading a soap opera - totally addicting and a guilty pleasure.
October 19, 2023
I read this right when it came out in the mid 90's. I can still remember the story about Ruby's life. One day I hope to re-read her stories from my 20's.
March 21, 2022
All Ruby does is tremble (get horny) and not stand up for herself and yet I was entertained
So it’s not that it’s necessarily like a well-written story and some parts are super cringy and/or problematic as hell. BUT this is a fun, drama-full read. It’s like one of those melodramas where there’s a scandal every second and a lot of things seem unprobable, but you keep watching because you’re invested. I mean I can’t say I was bored and I love the New Orleans setting.
I think this is definitely worth reading if you’re looking for something a little less serious, with plenty of villains to hate, and a heroine who progresses from a doormat to slightly less of a doormat (there’s more books in this series though, so I’m not bashing her I think she has time to grow ~ and yes I will be reading)
So it’s not that it’s necessarily like a well-written story and some parts are super cringy and/or problematic as hell. BUT this is a fun, drama-full read. It’s like one of those melodramas where there’s a scandal every second and a lot of things seem unprobable, but you keep watching because you’re invested. I mean I can’t say I was bored and I love the New Orleans setting.
I think this is definitely worth reading if you’re looking for something a little less serious, with plenty of villains to hate, and a heroine who progresses from a doormat to slightly less of a doormat (there’s more books in this series though, so I’m not bashing her I think she has time to grow ~ and yes I will be reading)
June 17, 2014
If you've ever read Flowers In The Attic or any other of V.C. Andrews' books and liked/enjoyed it, then you'll enjoy this one.
I honestly was a bit skeptical about reading this cause I hadn't read the blurb or anything and honestly, V.C. Andrews has written A LOT of books and series about teenage girls so I expected something similar.
While some of the themes and events are a bit familiar, it was a very nice read and once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. Don't skip ahead or read spoilers or anything of the sort (as highly tempting as it may be, believe me...) but just keep reading on as it gets better in my opinion.
It did start off a bit slow and the book is just a tad lengthy but again, it's a very interesting, drama-filled read and while some parts again, are predictable there are a few surprises here and there and despite caving and reading the Wiki article on what happens in the rest of the series, I really want to read the rest of them. I read most of the Dollanganger series but I have to say the Landry series is now my new favourite (:
Writing wise, it's not too heavy but it's not a walk-in-the park either. You might need your dictionary one or two times and some parts are a little heavy with the description of the bayou but I liked Ruby (even though she was a little dumb sometimes) and found her a lot different from the main protagonist in Flowers In The Attic, Cathy.
Even if you don't like old books, this was a very nice read and I recommend it.
I honestly was a bit skeptical about reading this cause I hadn't read the blurb or anything and honestly, V.C. Andrews has written A LOT of books and series about teenage girls so I expected something similar.
While some of the themes and events are a bit familiar, it was a very nice read and once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. Don't skip ahead or read spoilers or anything of the sort (as highly tempting as it may be, believe me...) but just keep reading on as it gets better in my opinion.
It did start off a bit slow and the book is just a tad lengthy but again, it's a very interesting, drama-filled read and while some parts again, are predictable there are a few surprises here and there and despite caving and reading the Wiki article on what happens in the rest of the series, I really want to read the rest of them. I read most of the Dollanganger series but I have to say the Landry series is now my new favourite (:
Writing wise, it's not too heavy but it's not a walk-in-the park either. You might need your dictionary one or two times and some parts are a little heavy with the description of the bayou but I liked Ruby (even though she was a little dumb sometimes) and found her a lot different from the main protagonist in Flowers In The Attic, Cathy.
Even if you don't like old books, this was a very nice read and I recommend it.
July 4, 2022
Ruby Landry is een jong meisje dat opgroeit bij haar grootmoeder in de Bayou. Ze is goed bevriend met Paul Tate, een aardige jongeman uit een rijker milieu. Maar als de vriendschap meer dreigt te worden, vertelt haar grootmoeder haar dat Paul haar halfbroer is, de zoon van haar moeder en Pauls vader.. Dit is een schok voor Ruby, die het op vraag van grootmama eerst niet aan Paul vertelt, maar later door omstandigheden het geheim toch onthult.
Ruby komt dan ook nog te weten dat haar vader in New Orleans woont, en dat ze nog een tweelingzusje heeft. Grootmoeder laat Ruby beloven dat ze na haar dood naar New Orleans zal gaan om hen op te zoeken, want ze wil niet dat opa Jack, die een dronkaard is en al lang niet meer bij grootmama woont, zeggenschap zal krijgen over Ruby.
En Ruby komt haar belofte na. Als Jack haar als bruid wil verkopen aan één van zijn dronkemansvrienden, vlucht Ruby naar de stad.
Zal ze daar bij haar familie het geluk vinden? Zal ze aanvaard worden?
Het eerste deel van het boek vond ik het beste, de beschrijving van Ruby's leven met haar grootmoeder in de Bayou. Het tweede deel vond ik minder, het leven van de rijke Creolen vol leugens en bedrog en snobisme.
Ik heb ook een deel van de Dollanganger saga gelezen, en ik heb de indruk dat, net als in die boeken, het verhaal van Ruby steeds maar weer over dezelfde thema's zal gaan. Ik ben eigenlijk niet van plan nog volgende delen te lezen.
Ruby komt dan ook nog te weten dat haar vader in New Orleans woont, en dat ze nog een tweelingzusje heeft. Grootmoeder laat Ruby beloven dat ze na haar dood naar New Orleans zal gaan om hen op te zoeken, want ze wil niet dat opa Jack, die een dronkaard is en al lang niet meer bij grootmama woont, zeggenschap zal krijgen over Ruby.
En Ruby komt haar belofte na. Als Jack haar als bruid wil verkopen aan één van zijn dronkemansvrienden, vlucht Ruby naar de stad.
Zal ze daar bij haar familie het geluk vinden? Zal ze aanvaard worden?
Het eerste deel van het boek vond ik het beste, de beschrijving van Ruby's leven met haar grootmoeder in de Bayou. Het tweede deel vond ik minder, het leven van de rijke Creolen vol leugens en bedrog en snobisme.
Ik heb ook een deel van de Dollanganger saga gelezen, en ik heb de indruk dat, net als in die boeken, het verhaal van Ruby steeds maar weer over dezelfde thema's zal gaan. Ik ben eigenlijk niet van plan nog volgende delen te lezen.
January 18, 2021
Cette autrice a le don de créer des histoires pas possibles, de vies ultra difficiles remplies de mensonges et de supercheries!
Je savais à quoi m’en tenir et je me pensais plus brillante 😅 mais je me suis fait embarquer pareil!
Oui j’ai ressenti des similitudes avec Fleurs captives , beaucoup! Mais j’ai lu comme une voiture de course quand même.
Ruby est une jeune fille attachante qui veut juste sans sortir et qui est prise dans un tas de mensonges et à travers une multitude de situations poches. Je l’a suivais pas à pas tomber dans les pièges et j’étais telllllllement mal pour elle. Je voyais même plus de mal qu’il y en a eu (une chance! Je n’aurais pas survécu)
J’ai vécu telllllement d’émotions! J’ai le coeur qui pompait et qui voulait me sortir de ma poitrine. J’ai enragé pour elle.
Quelle histoire sens dessus dessous! Et je suis supposée aller dormir après ça??? 😅
Je savais à quoi m’en tenir et je me pensais plus brillante 😅 mais je me suis fait embarquer pareil!
Oui j’ai ressenti des similitudes avec Fleurs captives , beaucoup! Mais j’ai lu comme une voiture de course quand même.
Ruby est une jeune fille attachante qui veut juste sans sortir et qui est prise dans un tas de mensonges et à travers une multitude de situations poches. Je l’a suivais pas à pas tomber dans les pièges et j’étais telllllllement mal pour elle. Je voyais même plus de mal qu’il y en a eu (une chance! Je n’aurais pas survécu)
J’ai vécu telllllement d’émotions! J’ai le coeur qui pompait et qui voulait me sortir de ma poitrine. J’ai enragé pour elle.
Quelle histoire sens dessus dessous! Et je suis supposée aller dormir après ça??? 😅
March 27, 2020
Honestly, his was THE perfect book to read at the beginnings of the Corona virus! Easy to read, fun - a perfect distraction! I mean it's also trashy and stupid and there is so much to rip apart really.... But I feel it saved me!
February 28, 2023
Following his success with the Cutler Series, Andrew Neiderman spun out another enjoyable series based on Virginia Andrews' notes. This series didn't QUITE have the feel of its predecessors, but is still a worthwhile and engaging book (and series)
While the Cajun vs Creole is a bit stereotyped (but nowhere near as the heavy stereotypes Neiderman used in later books) the characters are still rather enjoyable. The rest of the Landry series is much the same, a bit heavy with some stereotypes but overall a well-rounded guilty pleasure read. It was cool to see an artist as the leading lady this time, and Ruby deals well with all the crud that others toss her way in this book.
4 out of 5 stars for a decent and worthwhile read.
While the Cajun vs Creole is a bit stereotyped (but nowhere near as the heavy stereotypes Neiderman used in later books) the characters are still rather enjoyable. The rest of the Landry series is much the same, a bit heavy with some stereotypes but overall a well-rounded guilty pleasure read. It was cool to see an artist as the leading lady this time, and Ruby deals well with all the crud that others toss her way in this book.
4 out of 5 stars for a decent and worthwhile read.
April 3, 2021
Yikes the racist and colonial treatment of African Traditional Religions is atrocious.
Whew lawd
Whew lawd
February 19, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐️
Probably my favorite VC Andrews book since Flowers in the Attic. While still having a lot of the same themes as previous books, I really enjoyed the change of setting and thought it added to the creepiness of the story. Being in the New Orleans area and dealing with magic/voodoo was a lot different and it really worked. The characters were really good. Grandmere Catherine was my favorite.
Taking off half a star because the ghost writer can’t seem to write a story without an incestuous character. I’ve come to accept that there will always be a horrible stepmother, a horrible sibling, and adults that are dumber than rocks, but still can’t get over the incest. At least this one didn’t have a r*pe scene.
Probably my favorite VC Andrews book since Flowers in the Attic. While still having a lot of the same themes as previous books, I really enjoyed the change of setting and thought it added to the creepiness of the story. Being in the New Orleans area and dealing with magic/voodoo was a lot different and it really worked. The characters were really good. Grandmere Catherine was my favorite.
Taking off half a star because the ghost writer can’t seem to write a story without an incestuous character. I’ve come to accept that there will always be a horrible stepmother, a horrible sibling, and adults that are dumber than rocks, but still can’t get over the incest. At least this one didn’t have a r*pe scene.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 29, 2015Ruby was never an exceptional story - most of the Andrews magic died with her. The continued stories with the ghostwriter worked slightly but not well enough for me. By now its getting generic and a little too melodramatic, even though the changes of scenery are fascinating.
August 26, 2016
horrifying and captivating at the same time
March 28, 2023
i live for this
April 5, 2021
❖︎︎Cٱ❖︎�
Ruby is our protag and a super naive, sweet girl from the bayou. She is pretty gullible, yet still wants to trust people, even by the end of the book. There were people she could have, and should have, written off, but still wants to develop healthy relationships with them. By contrast, her twin sister Gisselle is just horrible. She is mean girl that everyone hates, but somehow still sort of wants to be. She has all the fun. Goes to all the parties. She has no reason to be a miserable cow, but she is. I don't know that she really deserved what she got in the end, but I'm not going to say that she didn't either. Of course, she learned it all from Daphne, her 'mother.' If Gisselle is the Mean Girl, Daphne is the Queen Bitch. She's super manipulative and plain hateful to Pierre, the twins' father. Pierre, for his part, is pretty much a pushover. I'm glad he stuck up for himself and Ruby in the end. Grandmere was great. She was strong and independent and helped everyone she could, giving up her own health in the process. Grandpere, the opposite, was a terrible person. I almost felt sorry for him in the beginning, but then the scene with him and Buster through me over the edge. He's horrible. I am so glad that Paul made another appearance in the end. I really like him. He's just a good guy. In love with his sister (and Gisselle was totally flirting with him! WTF is with these siblings???), but a nice guy.
Rating: 👍�
❖︎︎SٳپԲ❖︎�
I loved the description of the Bayou was perfect. I'm not super familiar with that area, but I got a really good visual. With New Orleans, I think we got more sights than an actual description, but I think it was such a huge place to cover, that it was well done.
Rating: 👍�
❖︎︎Pdz❖︎�
A true rags to riches story with so much family back story thrown in. I'm not going to go into that tangled web, but suffice it to say, when this truth does come out, some people ->Daphne<- are going to be humiliated. That makes me happy.
Ruby had a rough time of it through the entire book. She loses everyone who matters to her and is thrown into this new world with a jealous sister, hateful 'mother,' somewhat unstable father, and a guy who claims to be in love with her and is pretty pushy for sex, but is questionable after. I really do think Beau has genuine feelings for her though. He's just a teenager with raging hormones.
Kind of glad that they are going away to a private school after this. Ruby needs to start over and Gisselle needs to not have the upper hand with her socially.
Rating: 👍�
❖︎︎Random Thoughts❖︎�
Muskrats? Eek
Is this backwoods bayou magic for real?
Oh, a prostitute? Nice.
Voodoo? Wonder if that is really what did it. Wasn't planning on this being a supernatural story.
Evaluated???? Nasty trick, Daphne. And she had the shrink in her pocket to claim Ruby was a nympho. Dirty playing.
August 19, 2014
V.C. Andrews has this absurd way of taking a completely unbelievable situation and spinning a story that sucks you in and spits you out at the end. I'm not sure how she does it, I think it may have to do with the fact that all of her books have a mystic or spiritual element and it puts a spell on her readers. You think? No? Okay, but it's not more far fetched then the idea of bayou babies split up at birth and thrust back together in a myriad of betrayal, deceit, and sex.
There is something about the writing of V.C. Andrews that leaves me turning the pages. All of her stories have the same conflict of moral vs immoral values. Blood ties vs family ties. Good vs Evil. There is always a very clear line that is drawn within the pages and then those lines get crossed. You would think that since all of her stories are similar in nature that I would tire of them, but in fact, when I pick up a V.C. Andrews novel I always dig right in. I flip through those pages just waiting for the jaw drop.."What?" or "No Way!" moment. It's always there, I know it's coming, and yet I still groan...Noooooooo!
While waiting for that epic moment of the book I am always entertained with great descriptive writing, full of clear details and a straight storyline. No matter how many times I shake my head at the audacity of one of her books I never get lost within the pages. Her stories may be wicked and they may be shocking but they are always easy to follow and keep up with. There are not twists and turns that leave you confused, in fact, the twists and turns along the way actually help spell out the story instead of muddle it. I appreciate that, there are many a novels I have read only to get lost in all the craziness that an author can throw at us poor readers thinking that they are fooling us but in reality are just being fools. Another thing I appreciate is the dialect of her characters. This book, having a cajun and creole feel to it could have been buried under the writing accent of her characters. Nothing is more of a turn off then a book I have to re-read the sentences a few times trying to make sense of what they were saying.
Grab this book for a good read. Hell, grab any V.C. Andrews novel for a good read. Don't expect an in depth plot. Don't expect thought provoking writing. Don't expect memorable story lines as I can forget one of her books as soon as I close it shut. You will find, however, an entertaining story. You will find a few pages that might make you squirm. You can find a new author to love and hate at the same time.
Thrashdthoughts.com
There is something about the writing of V.C. Andrews that leaves me turning the pages. All of her stories have the same conflict of moral vs immoral values. Blood ties vs family ties. Good vs Evil. There is always a very clear line that is drawn within the pages and then those lines get crossed. You would think that since all of her stories are similar in nature that I would tire of them, but in fact, when I pick up a V.C. Andrews novel I always dig right in. I flip through those pages just waiting for the jaw drop.."What?" or "No Way!" moment. It's always there, I know it's coming, and yet I still groan...Noooooooo!
While waiting for that epic moment of the book I am always entertained with great descriptive writing, full of clear details and a straight storyline. No matter how many times I shake my head at the audacity of one of her books I never get lost within the pages. Her stories may be wicked and they may be shocking but they are always easy to follow and keep up with. There are not twists and turns that leave you confused, in fact, the twists and turns along the way actually help spell out the story instead of muddle it. I appreciate that, there are many a novels I have read only to get lost in all the craziness that an author can throw at us poor readers thinking that they are fooling us but in reality are just being fools. Another thing I appreciate is the dialect of her characters. This book, having a cajun and creole feel to it could have been buried under the writing accent of her characters. Nothing is more of a turn off then a book I have to re-read the sentences a few times trying to make sense of what they were saying.
Grab this book for a good read. Hell, grab any V.C. Andrews novel for a good read. Don't expect an in depth plot. Don't expect thought provoking writing. Don't expect memorable story lines as I can forget one of her books as soon as I close it shut. You will find, however, an entertaining story. You will find a few pages that might make you squirm. You can find a new author to love and hate at the same time.
Thrashdthoughts.com
September 15, 2015
This was the beginning of my slow wall slide for VC Andrews books. I ultimately stopped with the third book in this series, once I realized I had read this before. . .
These are not classic literature by any stretch of the imagination, so, I am not going to waste anyone's time with characterization or anything like that. These are trashy books, and were meant to be taken as such. They do come up with some magnificent names (Gisselle Dumas is a pretty badass name), but, that's about it.
The first two series (Dollanganger and Casteel) were shocking and entertaining. The Cutler series moved quickly, but was definitely soapier than the previous two series. This one was pretty much highlights from those three series thrown together into one new series.
These are not classic literature by any stretch of the imagination, so, I am not going to waste anyone's time with characterization or anything like that. These are trashy books, and were meant to be taken as such. They do come up with some magnificent names (Gisselle Dumas is a pretty badass name), but, that's about it.
The first two series (Dollanganger and Casteel) were shocking and entertaining. The Cutler series moved quickly, but was definitely soapier than the previous two series. This one was pretty much highlights from those three series thrown together into one new series.
Read
July 8, 2007In the summer between seventh and eighth grade, I read every V.C. Andrews novel that I could get my hands on. Ruby is the one I remember the most, so I decided to look it up.
It's pretty steamy...at least from my recollection as a middle school innocent.
There are all the classic Andrews plot points: Incest, dark family secrets, young hot damsel as protagonist, a rich man whom she loves, and a poor one who loves her (secret brother? anyone care to refresh my memory?)
It's pretty steamy...at least from my recollection as a middle school innocent.
There are all the classic Andrews plot points: Incest, dark family secrets, young hot damsel as protagonist, a rich man whom she loves, and a poor one who loves her (secret brother? anyone care to refresh my memory?)
June 16, 2018
Primeiro volume de uma série que adorei! Recordo-me que fiquei ansiosa para que saísse o segundo...
October 11, 2016
Ну, она меня увлекла)
February 18, 2022
Loved the bayou setting a lot, also the story. Typically VCA with some repeating plot aspects but I’m a sucker for her books nontheless
October 22, 2024
3.75 Stars Rounded Up
The Landry Series is the fourth series I’m starting by VC Andrews and it’s not nearly as good as the others I’ve read. I’ve read about the Dollangers, Cutlers, and Hudsons. This one peaked my interest because it’s a series based out of Louisiana and I’m from the New Orleans area.
This was the first book I had mixed feelings about who the villains and heroes were in the book because there was shadiness all around.
The story starts out with Ruby in the bayou and I’m not Cajun but I feel like it was such a stereotypical representation of Cajuns that it made me cringe.
I get she’s from the Bayou but all they ate was gumbo and jambalaya. Like that’s not all Cajun people eat. They made it to sell on the side of the road. They made it to eat at events. They also ate it for “supper�. It was too much. Why they gotta listen to the latest Cajun music, too???
There’s really no such thing as half brother and sister. They’re your sister or your brother. That’s it! But maybe that’s what people tell themselves to make sense of incest. We will see in the next book where that storyline takes us.
I’m also sickkkk of hearing about a bosom!!!! But I’m sure I’ll hear it fifty thousand more times before the series is over.
Jack Landry was a horrible piece of work with literally no redeemable qualities. Like why was that necessary for him?! Why???
I thought I read this series before but I must’ve started it and never finished because I felt like a lot of stuff was new to me information.
Being from New Orleans, this book had my skin crawling if I didn’t mention that already. Why did she have to come to New Orleans during Mardi Gras?? Then she was gullible when she got there talking to EVERYONE! Ugh nobody is walking down the street with a mask on during Mardi Gras who’s not up to no good!! And don’t even get me started on the black women and the voodoo. A straight mess!!
Giselle got screwed over in my opinion. I would feel a certain type of way if someone who looked just like me came into my world and became an insta fave. It don’t excuse a lot of her actions but it was a little messed up.
Overall, there was really only one jaw dropping moment that happened and it happened at the end. The pace was steady and not very overly exciting overall.
I do plan on reading the next book in the series. Hopefully, it goes up from here.
The Landry Series is the fourth series I’m starting by VC Andrews and it’s not nearly as good as the others I’ve read. I’ve read about the Dollangers, Cutlers, and Hudsons. This one peaked my interest because it’s a series based out of Louisiana and I’m from the New Orleans area.
This was the first book I had mixed feelings about who the villains and heroes were in the book because there was shadiness all around.
The story starts out with Ruby in the bayou and I’m not Cajun but I feel like it was such a stereotypical representation of Cajuns that it made me cringe.
I get she’s from the Bayou but all they ate was gumbo and jambalaya. Like that’s not all Cajun people eat. They made it to sell on the side of the road. They made it to eat at events. They also ate it for “supper�. It was too much. Why they gotta listen to the latest Cajun music, too???
There’s really no such thing as half brother and sister. They’re your sister or your brother. That’s it! But maybe that’s what people tell themselves to make sense of incest. We will see in the next book where that storyline takes us.
I’m also sickkkk of hearing about a bosom!!!! But I’m sure I’ll hear it fifty thousand more times before the series is over.
Jack Landry was a horrible piece of work with literally no redeemable qualities. Like why was that necessary for him?! Why???
I thought I read this series before but I must’ve started it and never finished because I felt like a lot of stuff was new to me information.
Being from New Orleans, this book had my skin crawling if I didn’t mention that already. Why did she have to come to New Orleans during Mardi Gras?? Then she was gullible when she got there talking to EVERYONE! Ugh nobody is walking down the street with a mask on during Mardi Gras who’s not up to no good!! And don’t even get me started on the black women and the voodoo. A straight mess!!
Giselle got screwed over in my opinion. I would feel a certain type of way if someone who looked just like me came into my world and became an insta fave. It don’t excuse a lot of her actions but it was a little messed up.
Overall, there was really only one jaw dropping moment that happened and it happened at the end. The pace was steady and not very overly exciting overall.
I do plan on reading the next book in the series. Hopefully, it goes up from here.
April 13, 2021
I love Andrew books and this one was pretty good! I will definitely continue this series. The idea that she has this twin and they were separated at birth is pretty interesting. The twin was a brat, of course, but it really showcased how well Ruby was raised and how she turned out to be a nice, normal teenager. The things she wanted to do was definitely normal, sexuality wise. I liked how her father took her in with no question but he had his own problems to deal with. Hopefully the issue with his brother will come more into play with the other books. The mother was a screw and they should have made a bigger deal about her trying to put Ruby in a mental hospital! I'm glad Ruby tried to say true to her roots and her upbringing. The whole thing with the voodoo added a bit to the background of the book so that was nice as well.
October 8, 2022
Hé la la, Virginia C. Andrews est une de mes Autrices chouchou. Mais ici ce ne fût pas facile. J'ai voulu abandonner au moins 20 fois. J'étais dans une montagne russes. J'ai même eu une panne de lecture mais j'ai réussi. Vais-je lire la suite? Rien n'est moins sur. Malgré tout ça reste une bonne lecture.
February 21, 2019
Este livro narra a história de Ruby, uma órfã que já adolescente acabou por conhecer o pai e uma nova família mas cuja adaptação à nova vida foi cheia de dificuldades.
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