Shadows of Foxworth

Dollanganger, Book 11

By: V. C. Andrews

Narrated by: Emily Ellet

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

Forbidden passions have been the hallmark of the Dollanganger clan since Flowers in the Attic debuted more than 40 years ago. In this third book of a new related trilogy, witness the birth of the Dollanganger curse as Corrine Foxworth’s children learn that family is but destiny by another, crueler name.

As a young girl in France, Marlena Hunter’s life was a fairy tale. She had a talented artist for a father, a doting mother, and a brother she couldn’t be closer to. She loved her family; she just didn’t know what her family actually was. When a car crash kills their parents, Marlena and Yvon lose not only France, but also their identity. Sent to Richmond, Virginia, they arrive at the home of two aunts they’ve never met before who tell them that their true last name is Dawson, that their father had fled the family years back - and that now the family is calling in the debt. Trapped in a mansion with as many secrets as rooms, Marlena yearns for escape. But in America, you can either make friends or make profit, and Yvon suddenly seems much more interested in the latter. While he is free to leave the house, Marlena is left to avoid lecherous tutors and the secretary-to-wife track expected of a woman. Caught between mastering the game to escape it and falling prey to its allure, she needs to learn fast - for Malcolm Foxworth has cast his eye in her direction. And no family name can protect her from the twisted roots of the Dollanganger family tree. 

©2020 Vanda Productions, LLC. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disappointed...

after reading the dollanganger series this was just a repetitive notion. I didn't like it as much as the other books. The diaries of Christopher... Stayed a down fall of this series... Sometimes the books were confusing and I didn't know who the characters were! I miss you VC Andrews

this book was horrible

this book had nothing to do with the foxworths really Malcolm didn't even come in until like chapter 11 and it was just horrible!

meh

I have read all of the other books in the series and I wasn't expecting a masterpiece. However, I did think that it would show some more insight into how Malcolm became the brute that he was in Garden of Shadows. I truly felt like I was reading 3 or 4 other storylines from VC Andrews books mashed together, but poorly. We have the ever present incest, ableism, and beautiful women who are hated by all of the ugly people around them. This switches out the names, but that's about it. I feel like I wasted my money.

Doesn't ring true to V.C. Andrews Style

It was a nice book, it just didn't have the depth of the original VC Andrews books, the meat and potatoes so to speak.

Great book

I really enjoyed the story . The performance was amazing , she did a really great! Keep me interested

worst vc ever

this book was awful. the story line was poor and predictable. the French accents were so annoying!

Awesome book

I love it and the re reader was great and I have loved V.C Answers books since I was 11years old

An unsatisfying conclusion....

The third and final in this prequel trilogy comes to a dissatisfying conclusion. In terms of plot structure, the story itself was too slow for my liking. Very little happened that effected the storyline or made the protagonist active within the novel.
There were plot points that were hinted at or told through dialogue, which would’ve made the story itself more engaging if it had been written into the linear narrative. There was such wasted opportunity to explore this story.
Marlena was not as outrageous as young Corrine or frustrated as her mother in the second part, but her naivety was beyond irritating. She lacked any agency or purpose within the plot and her character had no plans, goals or dreams. After spending 300 pages with her, I thought she was written to be a very one-dimensional protagonist.
Aside from characters being related, this had very little to do with the V.C. Andrews legacy and her story of Flowers in the Attic. The foreshadowing of Foxworth had no payoff and was only addressed in the final chapters - with no consequences or repercussions.
Ironically, the antagonistic aunt was my favourite character because she had layers and this book would’ve been better if it focused on her backstory.
The dynamics between Corrine’s children definitely didn’t need a whole novel dedicated to them, especially when it sadly lacked a substantial plot or engaging cast. However, Emily Ellet gave a good narration and I'd happily listen to more audio productions with her narrating.