Customer Reviews

Raven: The Fourth Novel in the Special Orphans Miniseries

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Raven has a different feel than the first three since she still has her mom, even though she doesn't know who her dad is. Her mom lands in jail so it's off to live with Uncle. Since this is a mini-story, lots of details that could have been explored - the implication that Uncle had dome something maybe naughty with Mom - were briefly mentioned and then never explored. This series had the potential to have a full and more fleshed out story for each girl, it's too bad that Neiderman decided to cut short and make a mini-series instead of another superb series like the Cutler series.

Raven's mother, an alcoholic and a drug addict, has finally gotten herself into big trouble. As in, legal trouble, as in, she very well may go to jail. Raven is sent to live with her Uncle Reuben, Aunt Clara, and her cousins Jennifer and William. Reuben beats her, Clara won't stand up to him, Jennifer makes things unbearable for Raven in school. Raven dreams about getting away from them, but nothing seems to go right for her. Eventually, however, Reuben beats her badly enough for the school officials to find out, and Raven is taken from the home.

This is the best in the series, easily. It's better written and Raven is a better character than Butterfly or Crystal, equal with Brooke. The last two of the series, have characters that are more concrete, and that the reader will empathize with. If you are going to read the series, at least try to get to Raven.

This book was much, much, MUCH better than the first three in the series! Sadly, that's not saying much. Raven's story is different from the other girls', however, and not quite as predictable. I really liked Raven's character. She is bold, smart, and not afraid to speak her mind!
I would have loved to see this book made into a full-length novel, without the ugly cover! I am tired of these teenybopper "mini-books" V.C. keeps writing, but if you have to read one, pick this one.

Raven's upbringing wasn't the best. Her mother smoked ..., had one too many one night stands, and drank too much. She never knew her father and her mother never remarried. But some how out of all of this she managed to blossom as a good, strong person. But she's put to the test when her mother gets in troulbe for drugs and she has to live with her spoiled cousin Jennifer, her cruel uncle Reuben, her sweet cousin William, and gentle aunt. Life dosen't get any easier for Raven since her Uncle and Jennifer seem to be trying to ruin her life. Will she be able to survie?

I've only read another book in this series (Butterfly) and I found this one to be not so realistc but still a good read. I'm planning on reading the other two (Brooke and Crystal) with high hopes. VC Andrews is a talented writer or suspense and mystery. I hope her other books are just as good.

I liked the book, it was half frightening(how uncle Reuben treated Raven..), and half funny and enjoyable. I found it very interesting, but some parts were a little bit too irrealistic, because of the aggressive uncle and his wife. I also found it a bit strange that a teenager like Raven was able to deal with such a problem so easily. But I enjoyes it most of the time, but however I prefered Runaways.

I've been reading V.C. Andrews novels since I was 12. They have always kept me guessing and amazed at the craziness of the characters. However, I found Jennifer and Reuben completely unbelieveable characters. Granted, there are a rather large amount of broken homes, but Jennifer and Reuben are so unrealistic. And Raven! All of a sudden, she moves away from her terrible mother and in with her evil uncle. And what does she do? She starts going to school and doing her homework? What the... If anything, I'd expect her to do worse. The only (absolutely only) good thing about this book is she didn't come from that silly orphanage the other three came from. This story was slightly more original than the first three. Slightly.

I've just finished reading Raven yesterday and I totally loved it, even thought some scenes scared me(u know which-with the uncle adn the abuse). The book was good but the qwriting style is definatelly different. Since V.C Andrews passed away her family has been writing the books adn they're almost like a sugar substitute for the real thing. Sweet but not quite there. She gave more depth, the houses were more descriptive and the evil sisters, cousins, mommas, grannys etc, were REAL bitchy. But so far I have Heaven series to read, didn't get to those yet. All in it's time I suppose. Ruby series I loved! And the Flowers in the attic to! Great books for those cold snowy winter days!

I really don't like to read but someone suggested V.C. Andrews and the Raven was my first pick. I'm happy that I chose it because it grabed me. I can realt to it because my dad was a drunk and beat us or left us stranded. It's awesome I think it's great for teenagers!

My mom went out one day because she was tired of seeing me not reading and thought that kids should read in the summer. So she bought me the whole orphans set ( Butterfly,Crystal,Brooke,Raven and Runaways) I thought Raven was an excellent book , how she stood up to her uncle Rueben and Jennifer . I think that her Uncle was so horrible to her. Anyway I have read 3 out of 5 books since June28,1999 and I can't stop V.C. Andrews ( ghost writer) has done an excelent job on thisbook . I am 13 and I am keeping these books for my children. I think I have made my mom so happy to see me read instead of watching t.v. or other non reading things

Raven is another excellent book by Virginia. It was thrilling as well as being sad and sympathetic. Well done Virginia (and family) on another great book. Even though your gone, your memories will live on in a lot of hearts.