Review: Adare Series

My Sweet Audrina and Whitefern

My Sweet Audrina (MSA)
V.C. Andrews

Audrina always knew she was second best. Second best to the First, to the original, perfect Audrina.

Audrina Adare grew up knowing she was born with a purpose. Her parents were trying to replace the daughter they lost. When her sister Audrina (the first) was killed in the woods, her parents felt such a loss at their beloved daughter that they decided to replace her. Audrina knew she could never be like her sister. She could never be so perfect, try as she might.

She lived with her parents Damian and Lucietta, her younger sister Sylvia, her aunt Ellsbeth and her cousin Vera. They all lived in her mother’s family home, which was called “Whitefern”.

At 9 years old, Audrina never felt right. It was difficult, always being told about the first Audrina. The perfect Audrina. Her father, Damian, was convinced that Audrina could channel her sister and be just like her. He forces Audrina to sit in a rocking chair, and meditate (for lack of better word), trying to connect with the First Audrina’s spirit.

There is also one rule in this house: Do not go into the woods. That is where Audrina was killed. They are not safe.

But when Audrina meets the new neighbours, Arden Lowe and his mother Billie, she cannot help but be drawn to them. Finally, people who seem to accept her for who she is: Audrina. Just Audrina; no “second” in front of, no mocking, no judgement.  The Lowe’s seem to have their own secrets though: Why doesn’t Billie ever come out of the house? Why is Arden so anxious to get close to Audrina?

and secrets always come out in the end.

A dark, twisted story with secrets around every corner. I won’t give too much away, so this is a very basic outline of the story. Originally written by V.C. Andrews herself, she does a wonderful job of portraying the lengths people will go to protect their family members. The characters are described so in-depth that you have no problem envisioning them as you eagerly turn the pages and fall deeper and deeper into the web of lies, betrayal and secrets that hold this fragile world together.  The shocking twist at the end will have you in awe and disbelief, and possibly rereading in order to pick up on all the nuances throughout the story.

I personally love that the ending is vague, it leaves it to the reader to imagine what could happen next. One of my favourites! You will not be disappointed.  5/5 stars!

*There is a Lifetime adaptation of this book.  Strongly suggest reading the book first as the movie focuses on main points only, and leaves a lot out (character development and whole characters). Plus Spoilers! 

Whitefern
V.C. Andrews (written by the ghostwriter: Andrew Neiderman)

*Spoilers for those who haven’t read this or MSA

The highly anticipated sequel, published 34 years later, but set only 12 years in the story’s future.

Audrina and Arden are married. Sylvia has grown into her own person, albeit still needing help now and then.

Damian is on his deathbed. It come to pass that he has left the majority to his company to Audrina, not Arden as it originally seemed. Arden is not happy and demands Audrina sign over her authority.

As the story progresses, Arden turns into a sort of Damian-esque character. The word that comes to mind is “brute”. He is rough, quick to anger and just downright mean to Audrina. Most of this is due to their inability to conceive a child.

While Audrina is busy being a housewife, and teaching Sylvia how to take care of herself and learn new skills, it seems that besides Arden’s new attitude, Whitefern is no longer the dark and dreary place it once was.

However, Audrina cannot figure out her father’s motives for giving her majority control over the business. She refuses to sign it over to Arden, which just irritates him more.

Then one day, Sylvia announces “baby’s coming”. This throws Audrina’s world upside down, and it looks as if Audrina will never be free of the curse that is on the house.

More secrets, a deeper web of betrayal and the whole truth finally revealed!

A very unique way to continue the story so many years later. Predictable at times, but overall, a more “classic” V.C. Andrew-style story than what us fans have been reading lately. Although, any hardcore VCA fan can tell it has been written by the ghostwriter, just by the style of writing and a few timeline mistakes. 

For this particular reader, the characters didn’t grow up to be who I thought they would be.  Like I mentioned in my review of My Sweet Audrina, I liked how the original story ended and could imagine what happened to the characters in my own way, but I do believe Virginia would be proud of this story-line.