Runaways

Rating:
Summary: Fun and Hilarious
Review: Forget "Thelma and Louise"! These girls really put adventure in this V.C. Andrews novel. They took home, to a lot of people on their journey to California. Well, their attempted journey.

That's too bad that the Tooley's were lying, greedy people. Seriously, if Ms. Tooley wanted money, she quit should have the foster home bussiness, and got a JOB!!! Hello! Read this book with your favorite snack and beverage, in a comfortable place. Because you won't want to put this book down.

These girls are smart and fearless. "Dorothy" and all her "imaginary friends" can't beat them! Haaeeey!!!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good
Review: I liked this book more than some of the other V.C. Andrews books that have come out recently. Runaways is an example of why I keep reading her books even though they have become progressively worse since her death. This book is a refreshing change from the other V.C. books (no rape, incest, evil grandparents, or dark family secrets). For once, none of the characters have sex in this book! It's considerably more tamer and therefore less exciting, but the characters are more likeable. It's easier to relate and sympathize with these girls.

Rating:
Summary: Unlikely events and a stupid plot
Review: I'm a huge fan of V.C. Andrews' early works, but lately these ghostwriters have really unrealistic plots. The first four Orphan books were good not great, but this one was the worst.
You steal a car, run away, and do what with your lives?The girls get into all kinds of odd situations and the ending is just worse. They go through all this hardship and, like all her ghostwriter works, happy ending for everyone. The second worst V.C. book I ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing from old VC books
Review: I've read all of the reviews for this and other titles and found that not too many people thought the same as I did.
After taking a..say...3 or 4 year hiatus from Andrews books, it was refreshing to stumble upon the four Orphan books, and the final story where they all join together. It is nice to read about 4 different girls, their hurdles, and how each of their individual personalities and talents complement each other. It takes you from one person to the next so you don't become bored too easily. Brooke and Crystal were my 2 favorite characters; Crystal was intelligent and sensible, and Brooke was similar but a bit more easy going. Raven and Butterfly were alright but again reminded me of the weak and fragile characters that populate most of VC Andrews books. It was different, and better I have to say, to finally read about characters who were strong and did the best with what they had.

The major reason I stopped reading Andrews for awhile was because I got tired of the repetitive story plots, the whiny, helpless female leads, and most of all, the over-used rape and incest. Although Gordon Tooey does come close by sneaking on Crystal in the bathroom, it doesn't dwelve into it to much.

One thing I didn't like about the book was that Raven appeared to be less helpful and strong in this book almost to the point where I was hoping the other girls would kick her out of the car and drive off. Also, as I read from another reviewer, why wasn't there anything written about her desire to sing in the first book about her (1 of 4)?? It just seem to have been written up suddenly so that she wouldn't be the only girl without a talent. It lacks consistency.
Anyways, I think i've rejuvenated my interest in Andrew's books again! Time to hit the library.

Rating:
Summary: Prefer her earlier works
Review: Like many of the readers that gave the novel a bad review, I started reading V.C. Andrews with Flowers in the Attic 10 or so years ago. Runaways was okay but lacked in true V.C. Andrew's storytelling. For several years now the novels written by the ghost writter are written strictly for teens. Although all novels start out with the characters in their teens, the story use to unfold for an adult to enjoy. The original stories were written with such intensity and suspense. They fell into a predicatable format, but the approach was filled with such suspense to the horrific outcome! It's obvious that the Orphan series is for the young adult genre. They reminded me of the books I read in my pre-teens. I AM GETTING TOO OLD FOR V.C. ANDREWS but I feel if I stop, I will be missing out on something!!!! But I will stop here and just reread the books I did enjoy. I know this is redundant after many of the reviews, but go read Flowers in the Attic, My Sweet Audrina and Heaven!!!!! As for any new books from the ghost writter, move those books out of the Horror Shelf and to the Young Adult section!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Great End to a Mediorce Series
Review: Runaways is the fifth novel in the Orphans series, and the only full length one. It is narrated by Brooke. The girls have become friends after arriving very close in time to each other at the once upon a time resort turned foster home run by Louis and Gordon Tooey. Gordon, however, is a monster, sort of a Uncle Reubenesqe figure. All of the girls live in fear of him.

So, they come up with a plan to escape, with involves stealing the station wagon owned by Gordon and Louise, which they later find cocaine beneath the seat of. On the way to California to look for Brooke's absentee mother, they are robbed by a fellow runaway and Brooke and Raven fall in love, one with a decent guy. There is a pregnancy scare and in the end, Gordon gets them. They manage to run away again, and this time, they run out of gas on an Indian reservation and finally get some help, and even a home for Butterfly.

This book was really good. It really made me like the rest of the series, despite the metaphors and dialogue that didn't seem even close to realistic. There is something about the four girls that makes them human and worth reading about, that the Wildflowers series didn't have. Maybe they just needed a station wagon. Anyway, give this a go. And if you like it, try and read the four girls stories.

Rating:
Summary: Great End to a Mediorce Series
Review: Runaways is the fifth novel in the Orphans series, and the only full length one. It is narrated by Brooke. The girls have become friends after arriving very close in time to each other at the once upon a time resort turned foster home run by Louis and Gordon Tooey. Gordon, however, is a monster, sort of a Uncle Reubenesqe figure. All of the girls live in fear of him.

So, they come up with a plan to escape, with involves stealing the station wagon owned by Gordon and Louise, which they later find cocaine beneath the seat of. On the way to California to look for Brooke's absentee mother, they are robbed by a fellow runaway and Brooke and Raven fall in love, one with a decent guy. There is a pregnancy scare and in the end, Gordon gets them. They manage to run away again, and this time, they run out of gas on an Indian reservation and finally get some help, and even a home for Butterfly.

This book was really good. It really made me like the rest of the series, despite the metaphors and dialogue that didn't seem even close to realistic. There is something about the four girls that makes them human and worth reading about, that the Wildflowers series didn't have. Maybe they just needed a station wagon. Anyway, give this a go. And if you like it, try and read the four girls stories.

Rating:
Summary: Runaways
Review: V.C. Andrews Runaways is the best book that I have ever read. It is about four girls Brooke, Raven, Crystal, and Butterfly (Janet). Raven hoped to be a singer, Crystal planned to go to college to be a doctor, Butterfly a dancer, and Brooke secretly hoped to find her mother in California. They lived in New York at a foster home called the Lakewood House, which was owned by Gordon Tooey and his wife Louise. The four girls runaway to California, borrowing Gordon's car. During their trip a lot of mishaps had happened. Making their journey much more difficult. There were almost times where they wanted to give up. This book I thought was very exciting. It has so much suspense and drama. When you read it everything is described so perfect, it is almost as if you were there. If you want to know how these brave young girls lived the rest of their lives you should read the book. I guarantee that this book is one of them books you don't want to put down and you can't wait until the end.

Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: We all know what put the strong Brooke, the intelligent Crystal, the loyal Raven and the fragil Butterfly in the orphanege. But what happened after that? THis book tells that.

Life at the orphanege isn't fun for the four Orphanteers but it's liveable. Or so they think until their foster father takes a step too far. So to get freedom they plan their escape and set out to California on the open road. But once they get on the road their faced with more they could ever imagine. Who should they trust? Who's safe? Who's gonna help them? Making good and bad choices on the way the four orphans work slowly towards their destiny. ANd they'll make it, just as long as they don't get caught.

I was plesently surprised with this novel. The short books where great reads that I enjoyed a lot but they where just missing something. This was definaly a good book. I reccomend it to anyone whose a VC Andrews and an Orpahns fan. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!