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Casteel #1
Heaven
Of all the folks in the mountain shacks, the Casteels were the lowest -- the scum of the hills.
Heaven Leigh Casteel was the prettiest, smartest girl in the backwoods, despite her ragged clothes and dirty face...despite a father meaner than ten vipers...despite her weary stepmother, who worked her like a mule. For her brother Tom and the little ones, Heaven clung to her pride and her hopes. Someday they'd get away and show the world that they were decent, fine and talented -- worthy of love and respect.
Then Heaven's stepmother ran off, and her wicked, greedy father had a scheme -- a vicious scheme that threatened to destroy the precious dream of Heaven and the children forever!
Heaven Leigh Casteel was the prettiest, smartest girl in the backwoods, despite her ragged clothes and dirty face...despite a father meaner than ten vipers...despite her weary stepmother, who worked her like a mule. For her brother Tom and the little ones, Heaven clung to her pride and her hopes. Someday they'd get away and show the world that they were decent, fine and talented -- worthy of love and respect.
Then Heaven's stepmother ran off, and her wicked, greedy father had a scheme -- a vicious scheme that threatened to destroy the precious dream of Heaven and the children forever!
440 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1985
1,966 people are currently reading
10.1k people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
347Ìýbooks8,756ÌýfollowersBooks 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 904 reviews
February 27, 2023
Here's another book that screws with the grading curve. If you look at other 4-star reads�Frankenstein, for example—there's no way poor VC Andrews can measure up. Yet my verdict stands...four shiny stars, the sign of a book I plan to keep around, & I'm not ashamed to admit it. (Don't look, Mary Shelley.)
The first section deals with Heaven's life as “hillbilly scum� in the West Virginia mountains. Abandoned by their stepmother & ignored by their asshole father Luke, teenage Heaven & her brother Tom struggle to provide for their younger siblings & near-crippled grandfather. I enjoyed this portion quite a bit—a sort of Special Victims Unit meets Boxcar Children mashup of melodrama that climaxes when their worthless father decides to sell his kids for $500 each. Blinded by rage & ignorance, Heaven chooses to escape with a yuppie couple�& so begins the second section featuring Heaven, Kitty, & Cal.
Kitty is another hillbilly refugee, & she plans to train Heaven as a revenge trophy against Luke, who knocked her up when she was Heaven's age. Kitty is an abusive, shrill cougar; she's also more than a little OCD, demanding fresh linens every day, color-coded towels, etc. All this wouldn't be so bad except she delights in abusing Heaven at every opportunity, whether verbally, physically, or mentally. But for all her flaws, Kitty is somewhat sympathetic. She really doesn't know how to love someone properly; she really does think she's doing Heaven a service by dragging her from the mountainside & plopping her into daughterly servitude. In Kitty's eyes, anything is better than being a hill-scum whore.
It's a twisted, if understandable, point of view—as opposed to Cal, her sad sack o� beta husband (a type all too common in the VC Universe). Of course it's not long before this transparent milksop turns his attention to Kitty's adopted daughter. Heaven, for her part, knows sex with Cal must be wrong...but she's so desperate for fatherly love that she allows him to seduce her with his wishy-washy ways. Cal's seduction is probably the most sinister aspect of the book; it's creepy & sad that Heaven is so inexperienced & desperate for love that she allows that kind of affection. It's abuse that's veiled by the abuser & victim both, which is equal parts disturbing & fascinating.
…In short, it’s classic VCA at her finest: OTT family melodrama + light gothic touches + OMGWTF moments sprinkled throughout. It’s also one of VCA’s best books, period; if you’re looking to dip your toe into this breed of classic soapy schlock, HEAVEN is a good place to begin. (Yeah, I know FLOWERS is generally considered the original VCA masterwork, but the Casteel saga is a much better story overall. So there. 😶)
The first section deals with Heaven's life as “hillbilly scum� in the West Virginia mountains. Abandoned by their stepmother & ignored by their asshole father Luke, teenage Heaven & her brother Tom struggle to provide for their younger siblings & near-crippled grandfather. I enjoyed this portion quite a bit—a sort of Special Victims Unit meets Boxcar Children mashup of melodrama that climaxes when their worthless father decides to sell his kids for $500 each. Blinded by rage & ignorance, Heaven chooses to escape with a yuppie couple�& so begins the second section featuring Heaven, Kitty, & Cal.
Kitty is another hillbilly refugee, & she plans to train Heaven as a revenge trophy against Luke, who knocked her up when she was Heaven's age. Kitty is an abusive, shrill cougar; she's also more than a little OCD, demanding fresh linens every day, color-coded towels, etc. All this wouldn't be so bad except she delights in abusing Heaven at every opportunity, whether verbally, physically, or mentally. But for all her flaws, Kitty is somewhat sympathetic. She really doesn't know how to love someone properly; she really does think she's doing Heaven a service by dragging her from the mountainside & plopping her into daughterly servitude. In Kitty's eyes, anything is better than being a hill-scum whore.
It's a twisted, if understandable, point of view—as opposed to Cal, her sad sack o� beta husband (a type all too common in the VC Universe). Of course it's not long before this transparent milksop turns his attention to Kitty's adopted daughter. Heaven, for her part, knows sex with Cal must be wrong...but she's so desperate for fatherly love that she allows him to seduce her with his wishy-washy ways. Cal's seduction is probably the most sinister aspect of the book; it's creepy & sad that Heaven is so inexperienced & desperate for love that she allows that kind of affection. It's abuse that's veiled by the abuser & victim both, which is equal parts disturbing & fascinating.
…In short, it’s classic VCA at her finest: OTT family melodrama + light gothic touches + OMGWTF moments sprinkled throughout. It’s also one of VCA’s best books, period; if you’re looking to dip your toe into this breed of classic soapy schlock, HEAVEN is a good place to begin. (Yeah, I know FLOWERS is generally considered the original VCA masterwork, but the Casteel saga is a much better story overall. So there. 😶)
December 4, 2011
Um...I almost gave this five stars because I love V.C. and her trashy, soap opera books (but, you know, it's not beautifully written or anything so I restrained myself). I must say: I am horrified by the amount of people that I've proudly told I'm reading V.C. again, only to receive a confused or blank look in return. Is V.C. Andrews not required reading for teenagers? And let me tell you, it still holds up for us adults.
It's been a looong time since I last read Heaven, and I was expecting all of these things in this book: (1) at least one dead parent, (2) a wealthy grandparent, (3) a boarding school, (4) a witch (why are you laughing? --that lady is crazy-looking), (5) an incestuous relationship with an uncle who doesn't know he's the girl's uncle until it's too late!, (6) somebody to sculpt or paint or be in a cranberry bog (I think those are in other series, maybe?), (7) an adoption, (8) and a bastard child.
So not all of that happened, but it was still pretty darn exciting. And, actually, the writing isn't THAT horrible.
DO NOT start reading the later series from V.C. because those really are horribly written--I think the ghostwriters weren't selected as well, and I think they stopped using V.C.'s actual plots and notes and just started slapping together books using all of the 8 elements I listed above (and probably more). Start out as you should with Flowers in the Attic and go through the series as they were published. I am adding this very helpful link for you sad people that have yet to experience the awesome trashiness that is V.C. Andrews:
Go forth, enjoy, and you're welcome.
It's been a looong time since I last read Heaven, and I was expecting all of these things in this book: (1) at least one dead parent, (2) a wealthy grandparent, (3) a boarding school, (4) a witch (why are you laughing? --that lady is crazy-looking), (5) an incestuous relationship with an uncle who doesn't know he's the girl's uncle until it's too late!, (6) somebody to sculpt or paint or be in a cranberry bog (I think those are in other series, maybe?), (7) an adoption, (8) and a bastard child.
So not all of that happened, but it was still pretty darn exciting. And, actually, the writing isn't THAT horrible.
DO NOT start reading the later series from V.C. because those really are horribly written--I think the ghostwriters weren't selected as well, and I think they stopped using V.C.'s actual plots and notes and just started slapping together books using all of the 8 elements I listed above (and probably more). Start out as you should with Flowers in the Attic and go through the series as they were published. I am adding this very helpful link for you sad people that have yet to experience the awesome trashiness that is V.C. Andrews:
Go forth, enjoy, and you're welcome.
August 2, 2019
|| || || ||
The Casteel series was the last of the family sagas that V.C. Andrews had a hand in before she died and her ghostwriter took over. It's impossible not to compare it to the Dollanganger series, especially since both approximate what you'd get if you decided to adapt a bodice-ripper for the not-so-discerning young-adult audience. On a scale of one to trash, this ranks a solid Bertrice Small: the writing is just as melodramatic, and Andrews regularly and predictably makes out parental figures to be abusive the same way that Small could be counted on to make all of her villains libertines and deviants.
HEAVEN is about a young girl named Heaven Leigh (get it?) Casteel. She lives in the hills, cramped in a small shed with her four other siblings, grandparents, father, and stepmother. She is the only child from her father's first marriage; her mother died in childbirth, and her father kept her on a pedestal in his mind. No other woman can match up, not even his daughters or his new wife, so he mostly ignores his children, abuses his wife, and is a regular attendee of the local "den of ill repute" despite the fact that they're all starving.
Heaven catches the eye of a rich boy because of her beauty, and this is a trope of Andrews's, too: there's always a soft and sensitive boy hero figure to whisk the heroine away from her wretched life-- until he proves to be just as disturbing as everyone else, only better at hiding it. Logan doesn't have a chance to show off any true colors he might have, though, as Heaven's father gets an STD, and kind of loses it after his wife has a deformed stillborn child; he gets the brilliant idea that the solution to their money problems is to sell off his children for $500/ea. to local rich people in the area.
Heaven gets sent off to live with a woman named Kitty, but her nickname could be "Mommie Dearest." She lives in a house filled with creepy ceramic animals and everything is pink. She has violent mood swings, and living in Casa de Crazy, you could find yourself having your hair lovingly combed out one minute, only to be thrown into a scalding hot Lysol bath the next (note: pretty sure this Lysol name-drop in the book was #notsponsored). Her only solace in this house is Kitty's young husband, Cal, but his feelings towards Heaven-- as you would expect-- aren't exactly pure.
HEAVEN was a good book-- and by a good book I mean it told a good story, even though the writing was arguably not good. It reminded me a lot of the stories I used to read on FictionPress back in the day, with its long laundry list of soap opera plot devices, and the fact that virtually every character in this book except for the good ones were villains. I hated Kitty, and I also hated Heaven's siblings, especially Fanny and "Our Jane." Tom was also creepy, and he and Heaven definitely had a "Flowers in the Attic" vibe going on, and I'm worried about what might happen with their relationship in the next book. Logan will be back, I'm sure, but whether he stays nice and heroic is anyone's guess.
If you're into bodice-rippers and vintage sleaze, I really can't urge you strongly enough to pick up V.C. Andrews's books. There is nothing quite like them, and you can take that how you like.
3 to 3.5 stars
March 17, 2013
Her stories might seem sensational even trashy but at least V Andrews was talking about the ugly. This and Andrews other books, made my ugly feel less lonely, it kept me company at night, when my ugly was creeping outside my bedroom door demanding a sandwich from his cooperative wife before he moved on to complete his nights work.
In an era when the misery memoir was not so present, before child-line and the wider acceptance of abuse in the home she unconsciously kept a lot of abuse victims company when no one else wanted to know. Weird thing but when I started facing up to my past ugly I gave all her books away, now I want them back.
Now studying literature I am wondering about her place among writers. Is it really trashy? Or is it highlighting the long history of oppression and abuse of women. It plays on real fears , the book was written years ago but we still live in a world where it is still not as safe for a female to walk down the same street alone at night as it for a male. Heaven is a good character, there is something about her that makes her strong, appealing and memorable. As a witness to the ugly, with a family that belongs Jerry Springer show or a soap, I refuse to be ashamed for having V C Andrews entire collection in my literary past, and I thank her for being there.
In an era when the misery memoir was not so present, before child-line and the wider acceptance of abuse in the home she unconsciously kept a lot of abuse victims company when no one else wanted to know. Weird thing but when I started facing up to my past ugly I gave all her books away, now I want them back.
Now studying literature I am wondering about her place among writers. Is it really trashy? Or is it highlighting the long history of oppression and abuse of women. It plays on real fears , the book was written years ago but we still live in a world where it is still not as safe for a female to walk down the same street alone at night as it for a male. Heaven is a good character, there is something about her that makes her strong, appealing and memorable. As a witness to the ugly, with a family that belongs Jerry Springer show or a soap, I refuse to be ashamed for having V C Andrews entire collection in my literary past, and I thank her for being there.
June 9, 2022
Reread this wonderful book in paperback, after being without my kindle for a week, and it’s still as beautiful as when I first read it, in my teens. The Casteel series is my favourite of Virginia Andrews� books!
August 24, 2008
OK - I know it doesn't really deserve 4 stars because it has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, but it brings back such fun memories. I was about 14 when I first read this book, giggling with my girlfriends over all the dirty parts. Re-reading it as a "grown-up" cemented my love for the book - it's horrible, tasteless, trashy and loads of fun!
I see it as a poor man's Little House on the Prairie (if they had lived in West Virginia) You've got Ma, Pa and a bunch of unkempt children sharing a one bedroom house. Of course, there are a few parts that are different. In this book, Pa gets an STD and sells all his kids at $500 a pop. Plus, some of the brothers and sisters aren't exactly appropriate with each other. And at one point, the kids contemplate eating the family dog because they're hungry. But other than that, it's EXACTLY the same...
I see it as a poor man's Little House on the Prairie (if they had lived in West Virginia) You've got Ma, Pa and a bunch of unkempt children sharing a one bedroom house. Of course, there are a few parts that are different. In this book, Pa gets an STD and sells all his kids at $500 a pop. Plus, some of the brothers and sisters aren't exactly appropriate with each other. And at one point, the kids contemplate eating the family dog because they're hungry. But other than that, it's EXACTLY the same...
May 12, 2018
Well, I love V.C. Andrews now. The emotion, the messages and the subtle-ness. The characters, the complexity, the gray-ness of it all. I don't think I could make a coherent review if I tried, but I loved this book, now...where did it throw my shattered heart?
October 18, 2022
I wanted to reread Heaven because the screen adaptation was scheduled to air last Saturday on Lifetime. So, I reread it and I want to tell you why this book is a MUST READ!
V.C. Andrews was one of my all time favorite authors until she died in 1986 and her family hired a ghostwriter, Andrew Neiderman, to finish some her WIPs. Decades later, in my opinion no one has written such genre-bending [Gothic/contemporary/suspense/thriller/mystery/horror], complex and dark, generational sagas filled with dysfunctional families, ugly secrets and forbidden love like V.C. Andrews.
Especially, I haven’t found anyone else that has written extreme poverty, adversities and hardships like her. The physical and emotional imagery is superb. You cannot only actually "see" the two-room shack in the hills of West Virginia too small for the family of nine, or hear and feel the howling wind filtering through the wood’s cracks, you can smell the shack, the dirty cloths and the fumes from the latrine because there is no running water or bathrooms, or smell the rotting food that you’ll have to eat if you don’t want to starve�. You can also really feel the pang of starvation in you stomach, the embarrassment of being “Of all the folks in the mountain shacks, the lowest, the scum of the hills�, the desperation of seeing your younger siblings starve to death, and the despair and fear of being hated, abused, neglected and ultimately abandoned by your parents.
If you want to connect with characters at unexpected levels and desperately root for them, even for the evilest of them, because of everything they have been put through� If you want to wince, gasp, hold your breath, cry� all the feels� you gotta read the Dollanganger and Casteel series!
Heaven is the first book of the Casteel series and even though I enjoyed the Dollanganger series overall more than the Casteel series, Heaven is may favorite of all V.C. Andrews� books! I liked it even more than Flowers in the Attic, which I never thought possible!
Rereading Heaven was an even more amazing than reading it the first time because years later I had read more books and had more books to compare it with! And still� There are no books like V.C. Andrews�! Her books have been translated to nineteen languages and made into twelve film adaptations!
I PROMISE THIS IS GOOD STUFF PEOPLE! GOOD STUFF! YOU GOTTA READ THEM!
V.C. Andrews was one of my all time favorite authors until she died in 1986 and her family hired a ghostwriter, Andrew Neiderman, to finish some her WIPs. Decades later, in my opinion no one has written such genre-bending [Gothic/contemporary/suspense/thriller/mystery/horror], complex and dark, generational sagas filled with dysfunctional families, ugly secrets and forbidden love like V.C. Andrews.
Especially, I haven’t found anyone else that has written extreme poverty, adversities and hardships like her. The physical and emotional imagery is superb. You cannot only actually "see" the two-room shack in the hills of West Virginia too small for the family of nine, or hear and feel the howling wind filtering through the wood’s cracks, you can smell the shack, the dirty cloths and the fumes from the latrine because there is no running water or bathrooms, or smell the rotting food that you’ll have to eat if you don’t want to starve�. You can also really feel the pang of starvation in you stomach, the embarrassment of being “Of all the folks in the mountain shacks, the lowest, the scum of the hills�, the desperation of seeing your younger siblings starve to death, and the despair and fear of being hated, abused, neglected and ultimately abandoned by your parents.
If you want to connect with characters at unexpected levels and desperately root for them, even for the evilest of them, because of everything they have been put through� If you want to wince, gasp, hold your breath, cry� all the feels� you gotta read the Dollanganger and Casteel series!
Heaven is the first book of the Casteel series and even though I enjoyed the Dollanganger series overall more than the Casteel series, Heaven is may favorite of all V.C. Andrews� books! I liked it even more than Flowers in the Attic, which I never thought possible!
Rereading Heaven was an even more amazing than reading it the first time because years later I had read more books and had more books to compare it with! And still� There are no books like V.C. Andrews�! Her books have been translated to nineteen languages and made into twelve film adaptations!
I PROMISE THIS IS GOOD STUFF PEOPLE! GOOD STUFF! YOU GOTTA READ THEM!
August 10, 2019
“If you work to obtain your goal, and realize from the very beginning that nothing valuable comes easily, and still forge ahead, without a doubt you’ll reach your goal, whatever it is.�
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! Highly Recommend
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! Highly Recommend
September 9, 2022
While I felt that the Flowers in the Attic was a excellent book, I feel that the Casteel series is overall the best (at least, the parts written by VC herself) I have read this book 7 or 8 times, and I never get tired of it, as I notice something new every time I read it.
You can't help but feel bad for this poor girl since she is so mistreated by her father for something that was not even her fault! And you also have to wonder how someone like Heaven's mom would fall for someone like Luke Casteel, but then as the story goes along you see what a suave and charming bastard Luke Casteel can be.
You wonder why things happen the way they do, but much like Flowers in the Attic, the story of Heaven continues through a series, and the Heaven series is just as enjoyable, with VCA's writing talent but a different story from Flowers in the Attic so that this book isn't repetitive or boring. Enjoy!
You can't help but feel bad for this poor girl since she is so mistreated by her father for something that was not even her fault! And you also have to wonder how someone like Heaven's mom would fall for someone like Luke Casteel, but then as the story goes along you see what a suave and charming bastard Luke Casteel can be.
You wonder why things happen the way they do, but much like Flowers in the Attic, the story of Heaven continues through a series, and the Heaven series is just as enjoyable, with VCA's writing talent but a different story from Flowers in the Attic so that this book isn't repetitive or boring. Enjoy!
Read
May 5, 2024C’est uniquement parce que ça se lit bien que je l’ai terminé parce que WTF.
Au moins dans la série La famille Landry Ruby est attachante. Ici Heaven est complètement incompréhensible. Instable. Difficile à aimer, à comprendre.
Les dialogues sonnent archi faux.
Les événements sont une série de loop interminables et sont ultra difficiles et horribles à un point tel que c’est juste trop.
Heaven a des alliés qu’elle repousse les uns après les autres pour finir par se plaindre d’être seule. 😅
Ouff. C’est vieux et poussiéreux ce roman.
Au moins dans la série La famille Landry Ruby est attachante. Ici Heaven est complètement incompréhensible. Instable. Difficile à aimer, à comprendre.
Les dialogues sonnent archi faux.
Les événements sont une série de loop interminables et sont ultra difficiles et horribles à un point tel que c’est juste trop.
Heaven a des alliés qu’elle repousse les uns après les autres pour finir par se plaindre d’être seule. 😅
Ouff. C’est vieux et poussiéreux ce roman.
December 16, 2011
This was a favorite from my early teenage years, so when I saw it on sale, I thought I'd see if the magic was still there. The answer was a resounding NO. Sad.
The first half of the book wasn't so bad. Heaven Leigh Casteel (the name should have been my first clue...) lives in the hills of West Virginia, and her family is at the bottom of the pecking order in their small town. Actually, the Casteels live out of town, up in the hills. (Seven miles away from town, to be exact. Yet it only takes them an hour to walk to and from town for school or church, but if Grandpa is with them it can take them them up to two hours. Quite the speed-walking family.) She cares for her younger brothers and sisters with her hard-working but increasingly depressed stepmother, while her father is largely absent. So far, so good. Heaven is a bit of a wuss, and the conversation is stilted, but there's not much to complain about.
Halfway through the book, Heaven's father sells all his children to childless couples, for $500 each. In her new wealthy household with a new stepmother and stepfather, Heaven turns into a complainer: she has to wear K-Mart clothes (which aren't good enough for her fashion tastes, even though she had only rags to wear before), she has to do chores around the house (this sort of whining probably appealed to me as a teenager), and her new stepmother doesn't love her enough.
Oh, and when her stepmother is in the hospital, Heaven seduces her stepfather and then feels terrible about it. Um, gross?
From what I remember, the series keeps getting worse, with worse and worse things happening to Heaven, who never learns to stick up for herself. So I won't be reading onward.
(Side note: I think V.C. Andrews is the only author I know of who has written more books after dying than she wrote when she was alive. Seems kind of unfair to other authors, whose careers stop at death.)
The first half of the book wasn't so bad. Heaven Leigh Casteel (the name should have been my first clue...) lives in the hills of West Virginia, and her family is at the bottom of the pecking order in their small town. Actually, the Casteels live out of town, up in the hills. (Seven miles away from town, to be exact. Yet it only takes them an hour to walk to and from town for school or church, but if Grandpa is with them it can take them them up to two hours. Quite the speed-walking family.) She cares for her younger brothers and sisters with her hard-working but increasingly depressed stepmother, while her father is largely absent. So far, so good. Heaven is a bit of a wuss, and the conversation is stilted, but there's not much to complain about.
Halfway through the book, Heaven's father sells all his children to childless couples, for $500 each. In her new wealthy household with a new stepmother and stepfather, Heaven turns into a complainer: she has to wear K-Mart clothes (which aren't good enough for her fashion tastes, even though she had only rags to wear before), she has to do chores around the house (this sort of whining probably appealed to me as a teenager), and her new stepmother doesn't love her enough.
Oh, and when her stepmother is in the hospital, Heaven seduces her stepfather and then feels terrible about it. Um, gross?
From what I remember, the series keeps getting worse, with worse and worse things happening to Heaven, who never learns to stick up for herself. So I won't be reading onward.
(Side note: I think V.C. Andrews is the only author I know of who has written more books after dying than she wrote when she was alive. Seems kind of unfair to other authors, whose careers stop at death.)
December 27, 2012
This is the book that set me on the path to become the avid reader I am to day. My mothers co-worker told her about it. Then she started telling my sister about it, they passed it back and forth and had very interesting conversations that I could not get involved in because I did not know anything about Heaven, her father, or her "fresh" sister Franny. Finally they finished and it was just sitting there mocking me. So I picked it up. Then I was able to talk about this sad faimly. Then I read every V C Andrews book I could get my hands on.
Since then I have read hundreds of books. Thanks V C Andrews=)
Since then I have read hundreds of books. Thanks V C Andrews=)
March 8, 2020
There's too much sadness in this book. The characters feel sad and their story get sadder. If you want to be sad or pretend to be sad, read this book. It makes you cry. Guaranteed.
October 19, 2023
I probably read all of V.C. Andrews books in my late 20's many moons ago and was addicted and highly anticipated each and everyone of them. All great stories and reads!
February 12, 2012
I remember this book so well, I read it in 1988!!! I rated it 5 when I first joined Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, 5 because of the impact the memories have had on me over the years... I remember loving this book, the entire series, so much. Having re-read this book now, my feelings have not changed. Reading it as an adult has been just as emotional as it was when I was so much younger.
Yes, with many others, I am ashamed to say I thrived on these books as a youngun, I passed a GCSE Exam on Oral English with Flowers in the Attic and those books lead me to the Casteel's.
I will be continuing my re-reads from the late Virginia Andrews with enthusiasm, I loved her books back then and from re-reading this book 24 years later, I know I will love the rest just as much now!
Yes, with many others, I am ashamed to say I thrived on these books as a youngun, I passed a GCSE Exam on Oral English with Flowers in the Attic and those books lead me to the Casteel's.
I will be continuing my re-reads from the late Virginia Andrews with enthusiasm, I loved her books back then and from re-reading this book 24 years later, I know I will love the rest just as much now!
November 23, 2019
“If you work to obtain your goal, and realize from the very beginning that nothing valuable comes easily, and still forge ahead, without a doubt you’ll reach your goal, whatever it is.�
� V.C. Andrews, Heaven
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler free way. If you feel anything in my review is a spoiler and is not already hidden in spoiler brackets please let me know. Thank you.
� V.C. Andrews, Heaven
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler free way. If you feel anything in my review is a spoiler and is not already hidden in spoiler brackets please let me know. Thank you.
Heaven lives in a small little house on a mountain in West Virginia. She has an older brother a younger brother, and two younger sisters. Things aren't easy for them. They are very poor and their dad isn't around much, usually out drinking or bedding what little money they have. Its hard work and a hard life for Heaven but she loves the mountains. Things are changing for Heaven though and they are changing fast and not all of it is good. (Sorry for the vague blurb. I don't know what else to say without giving away any spoilers.)
So ever since I was able to read a book this size, I have loved V.C. Andrews. I knew even then that the books were a bit preverted and there seems to always be a little bit incest like things happening, but still the stories are intriguing and always pretty dark. This one was no exception to any of that. As a child/teen when I read this book. I felt bad for Heaven, but loved the adventure that was happening. As an adult I just hate all the adults in this story. ALL of them are messed up, I swear. Anyways, I will continue on with the series eventually.
How I choose my rating:
1* Did not finish, or hated it but forced myself to finish.
2** Didn't really like it. Didn't hate it but not sure why I finished it other then for some closure.
3*** I liked it. I had some issues with it, but as a whole it was good. I probably won't reread again ever, but there is a chance I might finish the series. (If part of one) But if not it's not a huge loss.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this again, and I will finish the series. (If part of one) I would recommend to those I know hold interest in this books content.
5 I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will definitely be rereading this and probably more than once. I will finish the series and reread it multiple times. (If part of one) I will recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!!
March 11, 2021
I first read Heaven, by V.C. Andrews, in high school and it has remained one of my most beloved books. I have reread it countless times over the years, as the ripped cover and loose binding can attest. Each time I am drawn back into the enthralling world of Heaven Casteel. Heaven, her ma and pa, grandparents and four siblings all live in a one room dilapidated shack deep in the hills of West Virginia. They are among the poorest of the hill people and the crimes of Heaven’s uncles have tarnished the Casteel name. Heaven is close with her siblings, especially kind-hearted Luke, but life is hard. In addition to Pa’s drinking, prowling and nasty temper, the harsh terrain, no money and scarce food contribute to their daily struggles.
Heaven, the beautiful and brave heroine, and her four siblings suffer through abandonment, deaths, cruel unrelenting winters and near starvation. When a closely guarded family secret is revealed, Heaven begins to question her own identity and place among her family. Andrews' vivid imagery and attention to detail makes me feel as if I am suffering their ordeals and celebrating their small joys right along with them. Through her descriptions of the unforgiving yet beautiful landscape and the traditions their dwellers hold dear, I can see why many remain, despite the hardships. What I love about the characters is that they are complex. No one is all good or all bad. Everyone has their flaws, but ultimately they are all just trying to survive against overwhelming odds and a crippling circle of poverty. Heaven’s story is heartbreaking at times, triumphant at others. It is also a tale of first love and the fragile bonds of family.
This book is full of surprises, twists and turns. It is fast-paced and mysterious. If you enjoy this book you will also love the sequels. Five stars!
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Heaven, the beautiful and brave heroine, and her four siblings suffer through abandonment, deaths, cruel unrelenting winters and near starvation. When a closely guarded family secret is revealed, Heaven begins to question her own identity and place among her family. Andrews' vivid imagery and attention to detail makes me feel as if I am suffering their ordeals and celebrating their small joys right along with them. Through her descriptions of the unforgiving yet beautiful landscape and the traditions their dwellers hold dear, I can see why many remain, despite the hardships. What I love about the characters is that they are complex. No one is all good or all bad. Everyone has their flaws, but ultimately they are all just trying to survive against overwhelming odds and a crippling circle of poverty. Heaven’s story is heartbreaking at times, triumphant at others. It is also a tale of first love and the fragile bonds of family.
This book is full of surprises, twists and turns. It is fast-paced and mysterious. If you enjoy this book you will also love the sequels. Five stars!
Find this book and other titles within .
April 23, 2008
OK so I went through a phase in my teens where I read and owned every VC Andrews book, as evident by the 46+ books listed here! (I just sold them on ebay when I bought my house, so I didn't have to pack them up and move them for the millionth time!) But this series, marked by Heaven Casteel was by far my favorite series and I read it many many times. I stopped reading the newer books in college, since they weren't really by VC anymore and every new book that came out seemed dumber and was written poorly. Her earlier books were the best!
August 20, 2019
This one was pretty crazy lol!! Had tons of family drama, sadness, love, sex! Wow!! A typical VC Andrews book! I felt so bad for all the things that Heaven went through in her childhood, and throughout her young adult life!.
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Is this a well written literary work of art?! Hahaha absolutely not!! BUT it was twisted, fun, and crazy! Sometimes you just need to read a book just for fun!!.
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Is this a well written literary work of art?! Hahaha absolutely not!! BUT it was twisted, fun, and crazy! Sometimes you just need to read a book just for fun!!.
August 1, 2022
Oh how I have missed VC Andrews!! I devoured half this book in one night, would’ve finished the whole thing but I made myself put it down and go to bed.
June 26, 2019
I originally read this back in middle school and for whatever reason I remember enjoying it in an ironic way. VC Andrew's writing has been called campy and melodramatic enough that it might have tainted my original point of view. Having read it almost fifteen years later, I am struck by how disturbing and haunting the story of Heaven's survival really is. There was actually one night that Kitty's antics left me so angry I had trouble sleeping.
This wasn't a "fun" read but it was page turning. It wasn't a hopeful or uplifting story, but it did make me care so much for a couple of the Casteels that they felt like real people. Love is only an illusion, lies rule the day, and maybe you really can never go home again - was Andrews a nihilist?? I'm compelled to read the rest of the series but I'm also kind of afraid. I need to go find Jesus now haha
This wasn't a "fun" read but it was page turning. It wasn't a hopeful or uplifting story, but it did make me care so much for a couple of the Casteels that they felt like real people. Love is only an illusion, lies rule the day, and maybe you really can never go home again - was Andrews a nihilist?? I'm compelled to read the rest of the series but I'm also kind of afraid. I need to go find Jesus now haha
April 28, 2022
This is my favorite Andrews' series. It's dramatic and far fetched and taboo and I fucking love it.
August 8, 2018
Ebbene si, di nuovo la Andrews. Devo confessare che ho un vero e proprio debole per i suoi romanzi, non saprei nemmeno dire il perché. Forse mi piacciono le atmosfere che riesce ad evocare, i suoi personaggi sempre in bilico tra il bene e il male, non so. Il fatto è che ogni tanto adoroÌý rileggere qualcosa di suo ed ogni volta scopro qualcosa che mi era precedentemente sfuggito.
Il Seme dell' odio, narra le vicende di Heaven, una ragazzina che vive in povertà in una fredda casupola sulle montagne della Virginia, assieme alla sua numerosa famiglia. Alla vigilia del suo decimo compleanno, sua nonna Annie le rivela le sue vere origini: quella che lei chiama mamma, di fatto non è altri che la seconda moglie di suo padre Luke. La sua vera madre si chiamava Angel, di origini nobili eÌý successivamente defunta dopo averla partorita. La vita di Heaven è molto difficile: il padre non le riserva né attenzione, né affetto, non riesce neppure a guardarla negli occhi in quanto gli ricorda la defunta e adorata prima moglie. Egli suole spendere il poco denaro in suo possesso ubriacandosi, giocando d'azzardo e perdendo tempo con le "ragazze della casa di Shirley". Gli eventi precipitano quando la matrigna esasperata, decide di abbandonare la sua famiglia . E' allora che Heaven si trova a dover fronteggiare una situazione veramente drammatica...
Sulla trama non dirò altro per non rovinare la lettura di quanti si vorranno cimentare. Dirò soltanto che è stata da me sintetizzata al massimo e che riserva molteplici colpi di scena che tengono il lettore incollato al libro fino alla parola fine.
Ricordo gli inverni, quando i rami spogli degli alberi scricchiolavano sinistramente, sferzati dal vento gelido e raschiavano contro la nostra misera capanna abbarbicata sul ripido pendio dei colli del West Virginia
Questa è una storia dura, colpisce per la crudezza con cui l'autrice descrive la vita di questa sfortunata famiglia che sprofonda sempre più nel baratro della miseria. La protagonista cerca di rimanere a galla con la dignità che la contraddistingue anche quando la situazione è veramente disperata. Ciò che più la fa soffrire però, non è il morso della fame o i brividi di freddo ma l'avversione che suo padre sembra nutrire nei suoi confronti. I suoi occhi non si posano mai su di lei e le riserva sempre parole cattive. Heaven cresce con un senso di inadeguatezza nei confronti degli uomini, non pensa di essere all'altezza di nessuno, ne' tantomeno di meritarne l'amore. Si crea nella sua anima un vuoto affettivo che cerca di colmare dando amore alle persone sbagliate e ricevendo da loro in cambio sentimenti contrastanti e distruttivi. In tutto il romanzo aleggia un atmosfera lugubre: il vento, ulula, sferza, scalfisce con la sua forza distruttiva. La Andrews è esperta nel rappresentare con la forza della sua scrittura, i paesaggi, gli stati d'animo e le situazioni,Ìý tutto mixato in un' unica soluzione, che rende la narrazione efficace ed evocativa. Contribuiscono a rendere ancora più cupo il racconto i continui riferimenti religiosi. Dio viene visto non come salvifico ma come punitivo e severo. Heaven subisce il suo giudizio attraverso le parole del sacerdote Wise e vive la sua fede con un misto di senso di colpa e speranza. Ciascun personaggio della storia viene descritto con aspetti ambivalenti; infatti ho riscontrato che nessuno di essi si presenta in maniera monolitica come buono o cattivo. La stessa Heaven è una persona buona, cerca di fare sempre la cosa giusta, ma talvolta è anche capace di un sentimentoÌý di odio accecante che talvolta le limita le capacità di giudizio. Suo padre Luke, invece, rappresenta il cattivo di turno ma è anche toccato da momenti di redenzione, soprattutto alla fine del libro. Rispetto ad altre opere della Andrews, dove man mano che le pagine scorrono, la speranza sembra soccombere sotto i colpi dell'amara sorte, ne Il Seme dell'Odio l'autrice ha cercato di creare un finale dove ciascun personaggio si evolve in maniera positiva.Ìý ÌýUn libro scritto in maniera superba da un' autrice maestra nel suo genere. Un romanzo per chi ama le atmosfere cupe, un mystery gotico che spiazza e tormenta, anche quando è terminato.
Buona Lettura
Lettrice Assorta
Il Seme dell' odio, narra le vicende di Heaven, una ragazzina che vive in povertà in una fredda casupola sulle montagne della Virginia, assieme alla sua numerosa famiglia. Alla vigilia del suo decimo compleanno, sua nonna Annie le rivela le sue vere origini: quella che lei chiama mamma, di fatto non è altri che la seconda moglie di suo padre Luke. La sua vera madre si chiamava Angel, di origini nobili eÌý successivamente defunta dopo averla partorita. La vita di Heaven è molto difficile: il padre non le riserva né attenzione, né affetto, non riesce neppure a guardarla negli occhi in quanto gli ricorda la defunta e adorata prima moglie. Egli suole spendere il poco denaro in suo possesso ubriacandosi, giocando d'azzardo e perdendo tempo con le "ragazze della casa di Shirley". Gli eventi precipitano quando la matrigna esasperata, decide di abbandonare la sua famiglia . E' allora che Heaven si trova a dover fronteggiare una situazione veramente drammatica...
Sulla trama non dirò altro per non rovinare la lettura di quanti si vorranno cimentare. Dirò soltanto che è stata da me sintetizzata al massimo e che riserva molteplici colpi di scena che tengono il lettore incollato al libro fino alla parola fine.
Ricordo gli inverni, quando i rami spogli degli alberi scricchiolavano sinistramente, sferzati dal vento gelido e raschiavano contro la nostra misera capanna abbarbicata sul ripido pendio dei colli del West Virginia
Questa è una storia dura, colpisce per la crudezza con cui l'autrice descrive la vita di questa sfortunata famiglia che sprofonda sempre più nel baratro della miseria. La protagonista cerca di rimanere a galla con la dignità che la contraddistingue anche quando la situazione è veramente disperata. Ciò che più la fa soffrire però, non è il morso della fame o i brividi di freddo ma l'avversione che suo padre sembra nutrire nei suoi confronti. I suoi occhi non si posano mai su di lei e le riserva sempre parole cattive. Heaven cresce con un senso di inadeguatezza nei confronti degli uomini, non pensa di essere all'altezza di nessuno, ne' tantomeno di meritarne l'amore. Si crea nella sua anima un vuoto affettivo che cerca di colmare dando amore alle persone sbagliate e ricevendo da loro in cambio sentimenti contrastanti e distruttivi. In tutto il romanzo aleggia un atmosfera lugubre: il vento, ulula, sferza, scalfisce con la sua forza distruttiva. La Andrews è esperta nel rappresentare con la forza della sua scrittura, i paesaggi, gli stati d'animo e le situazioni,Ìý tutto mixato in un' unica soluzione, che rende la narrazione efficace ed evocativa. Contribuiscono a rendere ancora più cupo il racconto i continui riferimenti religiosi. Dio viene visto non come salvifico ma come punitivo e severo. Heaven subisce il suo giudizio attraverso le parole del sacerdote Wise e vive la sua fede con un misto di senso di colpa e speranza. Ciascun personaggio della storia viene descritto con aspetti ambivalenti; infatti ho riscontrato che nessuno di essi si presenta in maniera monolitica come buono o cattivo. La stessa Heaven è una persona buona, cerca di fare sempre la cosa giusta, ma talvolta è anche capace di un sentimentoÌý di odio accecante che talvolta le limita le capacità di giudizio. Suo padre Luke, invece, rappresenta il cattivo di turno ma è anche toccato da momenti di redenzione, soprattutto alla fine del libro. Rispetto ad altre opere della Andrews, dove man mano che le pagine scorrono, la speranza sembra soccombere sotto i colpi dell'amara sorte, ne Il Seme dell'Odio l'autrice ha cercato di creare un finale dove ciascun personaggio si evolve in maniera positiva.Ìý ÌýUn libro scritto in maniera superba da un' autrice maestra nel suo genere. Un romanzo per chi ama le atmosfere cupe, un mystery gotico che spiazza e tormenta, anche quando è terminato.
Buona Lettura
Lettrice Assorta
July 18, 2023
This book started off rough! Really rough. It got less painful as the book went on. However, this re-read has shown me that I don’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I did! Or else I’m reading it a lot differently than I did years ago. It was ‘meh� for me. Not good. Not so bad it’s good. In my quest to re-read books I’ve been hanging onto to see if I honestly like them or if I’m hanging onto nostalgia, this was nostalgia. I am going to finish rereading the series, but it’ll likely be my last re-read for this one!
March 9, 2009
HEAVEN IS A AWESOME BOOK IT HAS 5 BOOKS IN THAT FAMILY STORY ,IT IS BY THE AUTHOR WHO CREATED THE BOOK FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC BASED ON A TRUE STORY ONCE YOU READ THE FIRSTN BOOK ITS VERY HARD TO STOP! I HAVE READ ALL 5 BOOKS OF THE CASTEEL FAMILY AND IM SO HOOKED IM STARTING ON FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC(THE DOLLANGAR FAMILY)
September 15, 2009
God! I had forgotten this one! I'm ashamed to say I read it and loved it! In my defense, I was only in seventh grade. From the looks of it, I'm not the only reviewer who cut their teeth on these books!
March 26, 2008
I was almost embarrassed to admit that I read this, but whatever. Who doesn't like a fluffy book every now and again? This one was pretty damn craptastic.
July 2, 2019
Read this book (and all the other VC Andrews books) back in the day during a summer in high school. Rereading as an adult and still doesn’t fail to impress. So good.
May 29, 2018
Edit: I re-read this again for Peter Monn's book club and enjoyed it as much as before. This time I decided to annotate as I went so it took longer for me to read (about a month!) but I had a great time getting my feelings out as I was reading. I'm going to keep my last review because even though I discover new things or feel new things with each re-read, my general thoughts haven't changed. I can't believe I never made the connection between Kitty and what she feared a hill girl like Heaven would do, though.
5 stars and honestly don't ever see that happening. Can't wait for the movie to come out!
Plot:
This is a re-read for me. I've read this book several times, mostly in high school and college. I was obsessed with V.C. Andrews, her books, and her characters. I decided I missed reading her books and decided I would re-read this series again. A part of me was afraid that I might not love this book anymore because it's been so long and I have changed but if anything, I loved this book even more.
The story is very tragic, but at the same time inspiring. Poor Heaven goes through a lot of abuse, neglect, and overall suffering in this book. People who are easily sensitive or triggered by child abuse, neglect, statutory rape, and graphic descriptions should probably tread carefully. I've always liked Heaven slightly more than Flowers in the Attic. I was surprised to actually find myself in tears at certain parts.
For a hilarious, spoiler filled recap, I highly recommend going here:
Setting:
V.C. Andrews does a fantastic job with her settings. This book is set in West Virginia, deep in the mountains full of country folk and poverty. The setting is described so well that sometimes I forgot I was there. There are a few other places besides West Virginia in the book but the majority of the story takes place there.
Characters:
While VCA is a fantastic storyteller and great with description, it's really the characters that have always touched me. It's exactly why I spent most of my high school and some of my college days participating in writing roleplays that featured her wonderful characters with their deep and complex backstories.
Heaven Leigh Casteel is one of my favorite female characters of all time. I found her easy to relate to despite never having to go through most of what she did. She was likable, inspirational, and kind. There were times in which she was definitely very naive or thought she was better than others, but I think it's great to have flaws. I also like that she grows as a character. She values education, reading, and family more than anything.
Then there's Tom, Heaven's slightly younger brother. He's more optimistic than Heaven about their life and family members, devoted, and funny. In the past I didn't like Fanny at all to be honest but she kind of grew on me this time. Maybe it's because as an adult I have learned that life isn't always black and white and that Fanny's upbringing has definitely made her into what she is. While I did find some of her actions to be very selfish, for the majority of the time I just felt sorry for her. She also brought comic relief to the story, especially when it involved her trying to unsuccessfully woo Heaven's boyfriend.
Granny and Grandpa were endearing but could also be frustrating when they would excuse child abuse and neglect. And while I didn't like Sarah or Luke Casteel, I did feel they were authentic characters. Luke also goes through a lot of character growth and while his remorse later on doesn't make up for what he did in the past, I also ended up feeling sorry for him. Keith and Our Jane were decent characters but could also be slightly annoying. I also liked Miss Deale, though she also felt a little too perfect at times. It was nice to see at least one adult be caring and generous, though.
Now here's the embarrassing character--Logan Stonewall. Heaven's boyfriend. Back in high school, I really loved his character for whatever reason. Maybe I had the same naivety that Heaven did. He just seemed very sweet and devoted. This time around, I saw him differently. He started out sweet, if not somewhat creepy with the love-at-first-sight thing. Then he became clingy and I didn't care much for his slut shaming in regards to Fanny and in thinking Heaven was just "so pure" and that he hoped she would stay that way.
It gets worse when they get older and he turns his back on her when she admits that she isn't quite as pure as he thinks she is. And when she tries to explain , he won't hear of that either. Just thinking of how I used to idolize his character makes my stomach turn. He's a bastard. Not the worst bastard in this book, but definitely a bastard.
The worst bastard is Cal Dennison. There will be SPOILERS here so skip to the next part if you don't want to be spoiled.
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Okay. So Cal seems nice enough in the beginning, but over time he shows himself to be a coward. Even when he tries to help and shower Heaven with gifts and affection, he doesn't stand up to his wife when she abuses the poor girl. He lets Heaven be abused, makes her love him as a father figure, then takes serious advantage of her. He knows her situation as she's told him everything, given him all the ammo he needs.
While I'm not sure if he purposefully meant to go after Heaven (I don't believe he did in the beginning), there is definitely a point in which you can feel him trapping Heaven. His behavior once they returned to Winnerow was almost worse since he continued to try and control her. I was so glad when he finally let her go!
While Kitty was most definitely a terrible, abusive character, at the same time she was also pretty interesting. I hated her for abusing Heaven though. She seems to become remorseful at the end, which honestly touched me, but at the same time I couldn't help but wonder if it was only because she knew she was dying. Would she have ever been remorseful otherwise? Her death didn't make me sad. She had a tragic past as well but allowed it to shape her into granite for the most part.
Relationships:
The best relationship is the brother-sister one between Heaven and Tom. For once there is no incest or even vibe/suggestion other than Tom jokingly wanting to marry someone like Heaven. Being the oldest and most responsible of their siblings, they had to take on a lot as kids and it just cemented their already close relationship. One of the hardest things was seeing their relationship strain as each were taken away from one another. They don't seem quite as close after that, which is a real shame.
Heaven's relationship with Logan was sweet in the beginning but he was way too clingy and had high standards, especially as they got much older. It's almost ironic considering what happens in the third book. Logan has one hell of a virginity/purity complex. He also seemed to be less considerate toward Heaven as they got older and things got worse for her. I did feel sorry for him when she snapped at him in one scene but I didn't feel sorry any other time.
I found Heaven and Fanny's relationship to be interesting. Heaven clearly cares more about Fanny than Fanny does her but even Fanny has her sweet moments. The rivalry between them was amusing at times, though.
The entire Casteel family aspect was actually interesting. They felt like a real family with complex issues. I would have liked to see Granny stick around longer, though.
Heaven's relationship with Cal and Kitty was also interesting, though at the same time sometimes very hard to get through. I do like that while Heaven initially blames herself for the abuse both of them deal her that she later realizes she did nothing wrong except try to love them. Good girl, Heaven!
Writing/Voice:
While VCA can get really flowery and some of the dialogue seems a bit advanced when some of the Casteels are still kids, I love the writing. Her descriptions are wonderful, the dialect felt authentic, and the dialogue is good.
Ending:
The ending is so satisfying because Heaven is finally free from Luke, Kitty, Cal, and Logan! Some of her loose ends, such as Grandpa, Fanny, Tom, Our Jane & Keith are also tied up. I did wonder what had ever happened to Sarah and Miss Deale though. There is such promise at the end as Heaven looks forward to meeting her mother's family and attempting to (at least for now) leave her dark past behind her.
Overall, I loved it even more than I first read it. It made me smile, laugh, and cry. It made me feel awful, disgusted, happy, and exhilarated. It's an emotional read that I'm pretty sure I'll always enjoy. I can't wait to re-read the rest, especially Dark Angel, which has always been my favorite out of all of her original books and also of this series, though Heaven is definitely #2!
5 stars and honestly don't ever see that happening. Can't wait for the movie to come out!
Plot:
This is a re-read for me. I've read this book several times, mostly in high school and college. I was obsessed with V.C. Andrews, her books, and her characters. I decided I missed reading her books and decided I would re-read this series again. A part of me was afraid that I might not love this book anymore because it's been so long and I have changed but if anything, I loved this book even more.
The story is very tragic, but at the same time inspiring. Poor Heaven goes through a lot of abuse, neglect, and overall suffering in this book. People who are easily sensitive or triggered by child abuse, neglect, statutory rape, and graphic descriptions should probably tread carefully. I've always liked Heaven slightly more than Flowers in the Attic. I was surprised to actually find myself in tears at certain parts.
For a hilarious, spoiler filled recap, I highly recommend going here:
Setting:
V.C. Andrews does a fantastic job with her settings. This book is set in West Virginia, deep in the mountains full of country folk and poverty. The setting is described so well that sometimes I forgot I was there. There are a few other places besides West Virginia in the book but the majority of the story takes place there.
Characters:
While VCA is a fantastic storyteller and great with description, it's really the characters that have always touched me. It's exactly why I spent most of my high school and some of my college days participating in writing roleplays that featured her wonderful characters with their deep and complex backstories.
Heaven Leigh Casteel is one of my favorite female characters of all time. I found her easy to relate to despite never having to go through most of what she did. She was likable, inspirational, and kind. There were times in which she was definitely very naive or thought she was better than others, but I think it's great to have flaws. I also like that she grows as a character. She values education, reading, and family more than anything.
Then there's Tom, Heaven's slightly younger brother. He's more optimistic than Heaven about their life and family members, devoted, and funny. In the past I didn't like Fanny at all to be honest but she kind of grew on me this time. Maybe it's because as an adult I have learned that life isn't always black and white and that Fanny's upbringing has definitely made her into what she is. While I did find some of her actions to be very selfish, for the majority of the time I just felt sorry for her. She also brought comic relief to the story, especially when it involved her trying to unsuccessfully woo Heaven's boyfriend.
Granny and Grandpa were endearing but could also be frustrating when they would excuse child abuse and neglect. And while I didn't like Sarah or Luke Casteel, I did feel they were authentic characters. Luke also goes through a lot of character growth and while his remorse later on doesn't make up for what he did in the past, I also ended up feeling sorry for him. Keith and Our Jane were decent characters but could also be slightly annoying. I also liked Miss Deale, though she also felt a little too perfect at times. It was nice to see at least one adult be caring and generous, though.
Now here's the embarrassing character--Logan Stonewall. Heaven's boyfriend. Back in high school, I really loved his character for whatever reason. Maybe I had the same naivety that Heaven did. He just seemed very sweet and devoted. This time around, I saw him differently. He started out sweet, if not somewhat creepy with the love-at-first-sight thing. Then he became clingy and I didn't care much for his slut shaming in regards to Fanny and in thinking Heaven was just "so pure" and that he hoped she would stay that way.
It gets worse when they get older and he turns his back on her when she admits that she isn't quite as pure as he thinks she is. And when she tries to explain , he won't hear of that either. Just thinking of how I used to idolize his character makes my stomach turn. He's a bastard. Not the worst bastard in this book, but definitely a bastard.
The worst bastard is Cal Dennison. There will be SPOILERS here so skip to the next part if you don't want to be spoiled.
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Okay. So Cal seems nice enough in the beginning, but over time he shows himself to be a coward. Even when he tries to help and shower Heaven with gifts and affection, he doesn't stand up to his wife when she abuses the poor girl. He lets Heaven be abused, makes her love him as a father figure, then takes serious advantage of her. He knows her situation as she's told him everything, given him all the ammo he needs.
While I'm not sure if he purposefully meant to go after Heaven (I don't believe he did in the beginning), there is definitely a point in which you can feel him trapping Heaven. His behavior once they returned to Winnerow was almost worse since he continued to try and control her. I was so glad when he finally let her go!
While Kitty was most definitely a terrible, abusive character, at the same time she was also pretty interesting. I hated her for abusing Heaven though. She seems to become remorseful at the end, which honestly touched me, but at the same time I couldn't help but wonder if it was only because she knew she was dying. Would she have ever been remorseful otherwise? Her death didn't make me sad. She had a tragic past as well but allowed it to shape her into granite for the most part.
Relationships:
The best relationship is the brother-sister one between Heaven and Tom. For once there is no incest or even vibe/suggestion other than Tom jokingly wanting to marry someone like Heaven. Being the oldest and most responsible of their siblings, they had to take on a lot as kids and it just cemented their already close relationship. One of the hardest things was seeing their relationship strain as each were taken away from one another. They don't seem quite as close after that, which is a real shame.
Heaven's relationship with Logan was sweet in the beginning but he was way too clingy and had high standards, especially as they got much older. It's almost ironic considering what happens in the third book. Logan has one hell of a virginity/purity complex. He also seemed to be less considerate toward Heaven as they got older and things got worse for her. I did feel sorry for him when she snapped at him in one scene but I didn't feel sorry any other time.
I found Heaven and Fanny's relationship to be interesting. Heaven clearly cares more about Fanny than Fanny does her but even Fanny has her sweet moments. The rivalry between them was amusing at times, though.
The entire Casteel family aspect was actually interesting. They felt like a real family with complex issues. I would have liked to see Granny stick around longer, though.
Heaven's relationship with Cal and Kitty was also interesting, though at the same time sometimes very hard to get through. I do like that while Heaven initially blames herself for the abuse both of them deal her that she later realizes she did nothing wrong except try to love them. Good girl, Heaven!
Writing/Voice:
While VCA can get really flowery and some of the dialogue seems a bit advanced when some of the Casteels are still kids, I love the writing. Her descriptions are wonderful, the dialect felt authentic, and the dialogue is good.
Ending:
The ending is so satisfying because Heaven is finally free from Luke, Kitty, Cal, and Logan! Some of her loose ends, such as Grandpa, Fanny, Tom, Our Jane & Keith are also tied up. I did wonder what had ever happened to Sarah and Miss Deale though. There is such promise at the end as Heaven looks forward to meeting her mother's family and attempting to (at least for now) leave her dark past behind her.
Overall, I loved it even more than I first read it. It made me smile, laugh, and cry. It made me feel awful, disgusted, happy, and exhilarated. It's an emotional read that I'm pretty sure I'll always enjoy. I can't wait to re-read the rest, especially Dark Angel, which has always been my favorite out of all of her original books and also of this series, though Heaven is definitely #2!
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