My Dark Vanessa

I was in a reading slump, mostly due to the world going sideways when I saw a promotion for this book, MY DARK VANESSA by Kate Elizabeth Russell. The premise, a teacher and an underage student who has "a relationship," really intrigued me. I ordered it (from an indie bookstore!) and had it shipped. 

Totally snapped me out of my slump.

This is dark and heavy. I was dumbfounded by now quickly Strane was able to groom Vanessa. He's such a repugnant character but yet vulnerable. The question is whether that vulnerability is a reflection of a genuine moral dilemma he is experiencing or is it part of his performance to ensnare Vanessa? Did he really not take things with other students as far as he did with Vanessa? Did he eventually develop genuine feelings for her? If you believe he limited his abuse with these others, is that proof of those feelings? Proof that he did have some morality? I have no doubt his ending is totally for selfish purposes; the coward’s way out. He can't face the consequences of his actions. 

Vanessa is such a sad personality and I'm not sure how I feel about her. She obviously deserves sympathy. I eventually became a little bit annoyed with her hanging on to Strane well after it was necessary for her to have contact with him UNTIL the scene in Ruby's office toward the end of the novel when she admits "I can't lose the thing I've held on to for so long. You know?" My face twists up from the pain of pushing it out. "I just really need it to be a love story. You know? I really, really need it to be that." That is how she was able to handle what happened to her and not completely fall apart; the difference between Vanessa walking around almost dead and actually being dead. 

For more about this author, please visit her website Kate Elizabeth Russell or on instagram @kateelizabethrussell