#bookocd: Way to revive a dead series by a ghost writer, or Review:: Christopher’s Diary: Echos of Dollanganger by VC Andrews

Since finding Dawn in the library in 6th grade, I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the books branded by the iconic brand, VC Andrews. With few exceptions, I have looked at these pulp throwbacks as an interesting way to mark the passage of time. The newest series, The Diaries series, examines the haunting story of the Foxworth family (of Flowers in the Attic fame) through a new generation reading the lost diary of Christopher Dollanganger/Foxworth.

Kristin was able to hide the diary found by her father at the raising of Foxworth Hall from every one, except her father (of course) and her classmate, the rich Kane Hill. Kane takes an interest in Kristin, and moreso, the diary. As Kane and Kristin discover bits and pieces of the life her distant relatives led during their attic imprisonment, they also fall under the Intoxicating spell of the Diary. And as the brother and sister in the attic share a morphing relationship, so does the relationship between Kane and Kristin. But is Kane really with Kristin, or is he just using her to get more information about the Foxworth’s local legend?

I have to be honest, once I was figuring out where this was going (and how this was merging into the next book in the series), I fought the urge to toss it across the room. I won’t spoil it, but seriously I was a little bit annoyed and also partially a little warmed by the concept presented in the book—especially since seeing the lifetime movie remake of Flowers in the Attic.

There have been so many discussions about VC Andrews, herself. First, she was still alive, then her death was hidden—because she left notes. Now, I have an inkling of her ghostwriter (whom, by the way, I read books from before the internet existed readily!), and I am pretty sure the notes are exhausted—and that is okay.  And I am apparently drinking the Kool Aid because I preordered the next book in the series—I also blame my #bookocd for needing to finish series.

The story, while providing a modern take on a ‘classic’ story, is not without the cliches of other books in Andrews’ ‘body of work.’ There’s always a girl, who sets herself apart from the trappings of so many of her friends. She’s considered snobby because she holds herself to a higher standard, and then she meets a boy, usually rich, who stops doing all the things he’s notorious for to bare his soul to her. Usually they do the deed and then things change. Granted, there wasn’t a lot of Cinderella-type work in this one. And, while her mom was dead, Kristin had a great relationship with her father.

Overall, it isn’t as terrible as some of the other books; I mean that as a compliment in a weird way.

Again, they already have my money for the next one, but I feel my interest waning.