Rating: Summary: Deja Vu --- All over again Review: While I did like the backdrop of Rain growing up in the projects, this story is a mix and match from some of the other series (Flowers series, and Heaven series). I did like the idea that the Grandmother was on Rain's side and not against her, but it is the same story of poor girl turn rich girl theme. Sibling love makes a return in this book as well. I would still recommend it if you are a V.C. Andrews fan, however, if you are new to her books, please start with the Flowers in the Attic series. You wont be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: Good, but written hastily Review: Yes, reading this story feels like deja vu -- imagine Dawn Cutler being black and growing up in a ghetto and you've got Rain Arnold. Still the story itself if quite good, although I feel the writer could have make more out of the plot and should have worked on it more, for example I couldn't understand why did Rain begin a relationship with Corbette when she already sees through his manipulations to get her. Also I would have enjoyed some fights between Rain and Alison.
Rating: Summary: Am I wrong for wanting to slap Rain? Review: C'mon give us some credit. All Rain is Dawn via an African-American girl. As a African-American I found this book(and broken wings) highly insulting. What is V.C. Andrews ghost writer trying to say? Perhaps he should find Mr.Peabody and his wayback machine and go back to 1950 where he belongs. Do all African-Americans live in the "hood"? Do they all read on a third grade level? C'mon do some research think of something new. Don't insult us we'd like a little change up. You can't just take V.C. Andrews novels and rewrite them into every other book you've made. The only V.C. like novel was Melody and that's still not saying much. How long are they going to keep this writer? At least take him to writing class so he can get some new ideals. As for the story of rain (sigh) Just read Dawn. It's just like Dawn. In fact don't bother buying any other novel. They are all the same Just replace the names.
Rating: Summary: Rain Rain come again... Review: I don't know what the fuss is all about... I enjoyed rain a lot. Yes, the book did follow the same line as other stories... but V.C andrews always did that. It was just the way she worked. It may be predictible but these books enthall me. The writer hasn't lost his touch yet because he still has me addicted. Bashing doesn't help to much... And you can't get these books confused because all of the characters come from different back grounds... I liked the fact that the book settled on characters besides the main one... you may be a little confused it the ghost writer didn't tell you more than you needed to knwo about every character. This book was wonderful... It involved poor life... a bi racial girl and for once a NICE grandmother. I don't think the writer could have done any better... does anyone agree?
Rating: Summary: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? Review: I have been reading V.C. Andrews' books every since I was in junior high. I would invade the bookstores to see if her new releases came out. The people in the bookstore know me by name. When I read Rain I was deeply disappointed. There were some good parts of the book. I did like the fact that the grandmother wasn't a cynical old witch and that she admired Rain's mother for bringing her up with morals. But it was the same plot used over and over and over again. I agree with most of the reviewers that gave a poor rating on this book. V.C. Andrews must be rolling in her grave to see her pride and joy decline in such a droll fashion. What happen to the thrilling writing and the edge of your seat suspence. Books like Flowers in the Attic and My Sweet Audrina. If you are a novice to V.C. Andrews books I suggest you start with Flowers in the Attic and work your way down. You'll see how her writing style was fresh and full of wonder and not where it is: Reduced, Reused and Recycled.
Rating: Summary: Same Old Story Review: Okay, so V.C. Andrews has been there and done that with the whole brother/sister shocking sceret thing. For someone who considers herself a successful writer, she doesn't seem to put much energy into creating different and more dynamic plots. Having already read the Landry and Casteel series, I was really hoping for something a little less redundant. Oh, and by the way, why do all of her characters end up doing the popular cute guy at school after only meeting him twice? Never mind the fact that her characters need to get a life and choose abstinence, and even then have obviously never heard of a condom and then are completely shocked when they're preganant . . .don't get me started. What about a relationship - at least some foreplay. So predictable. Also, her obsession with Rain being of mixed race was quite irritating. What difference does it make? I think she made a bigger deal out of it than it was. I really tried to relate to Rain's character because I thought the book had potential in the beginning but it just gradually went downhill from there.
Rating: Summary: ALL BLACK GIRLS BEWARE Review: V.C. Andrews should never write a book coming from a black persons view ever again. I was insulted by the way she depicts black people. First of all, Rain is sooooo special and beautiful because she is half white. Her mother was a rich white woman who couldn't keep her half black baby. (Why did she have to mess w/ a black man anyways?)Rain's new parents have been paid to keep her. (Are all black people so low?) Rain's other brother and sister are just so messed up in thier lives, but Rain- who came up in the same envirorment- is near perfect and not like anbody else. If you can get passed this horrible description of the black race then read the book. V.C. Andrews completly ignored the fact that thier is soooo much culture and pride in the black community. The 'hood' isn't just crazy black people running the streets and working hard for nothing.
Rating: Summary: Rain Review: Book Review: Rain Rain by V.C. Andrews is the first of five in her suspenseful thrilling Hudson series. Rain takes place in the ghettos of Washington D.C. surrounding the life of the main character, Rain Arnold. Rain grows up in "The Projects" with her mother, stepfather, sister Beni, and brother Roy where crime is an everyday occurrence. Rain is smart and gets good grades; she is always helping her mother around the house and tries to be a good daughter. Her sister Beni on the other hand always gets herself into trouble and hangs with the wrong crowd. Rain tries to avoid the streets as much as she can. Her brother Roy looks over the two girls and warns them to stay away from trouble. In a few situations both Rain and her sister are forced in bad situations that may lead to death. Their mother is hard working and caring, while her husband is a drunk who loses every job he gets. But Rain seems to think she is different and doesn't fit into the place she lives. The only place Rain has ever known changes in the blink of an eye when she overhears something that never should have been said. This secret will change her life in ways she never could imagine and everything she has ever loved is left behind. Under the circumstances at home Rain is sent to live with the wealthy Hudson family. Even though Rain always thought that she didn't fit into the place she was raised, she is also out of place living in the luxury she never had. Attending a prestige's all girls school Rain finds a talent in theater that will soon be her ticket to another new life. V.C. Andrews does a wonderful job of making this novel both sweet and aerie at the same time. She also captures your thoughts and pulls you in, keeping the reader reading and never wanting to put the book down. I really enjoyed this book and have already started reading Andres second. Also, she demonstrates well the differences of the two lives styles that Rain lives. I think this is open to anyone who likes mystery and love. This book will defiantly appeal to a young audience considering that Rain is a young girl who you watch grow up. I thought this was a great book and I am looking forward to reading all five.
Rating: Summary: A pleasant surprise! Review: This book is typical of the original VC Andrews series. If you ever enjoyed any of the Flowers in the Attic series or the Heaven series, you'll enjoy this. These books have never been literature, even when VC herself was writing them. They are not examples of great works - they are, however, rich with compelling, addicting storylines. These books are filled with mystery, scandle, incest, and images of the very poor and the very rich. These are things that most of us would never encounter in our ordinary lives. That's why these books work. And Rain is very true to the tradition. I just picked this up after not reading any VC Andrews for several years (they are by nature very similar in storyline, and you can get tired of it after a while) and was pleasantly surprised. I'm ordering Lightning Strikes and may try the Ruby and Melody series as well. Beware: Reading these books may be dangerous to your wallet - usually they're hard to put down!
Rating: Summary: good leson learned Review: V.C. Andrews was a great auther I am disappointed that she is no longer with us. Her books give a verey important lesson especially for kids like me who are adopted. the lesson is sometime your situation could be worst and be careful for what you wish for. everything that glitters is not gold.
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