This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Heather Osborne for Readers' Favorite
Anatomy of a Darkened Heart by Christie Stratos is a gothic thriller surrounding the lives of the Whitestone children, but mainly the eldest sister, Abigail Delilah. Unwanted and abused by her mother, Abigail faces a life of solitude and fear while her two younger siblings are treated well. However, when unfortunate circumstances befall the family, Abigail takes command, determined to set right the wrongs she faced. Yet, with all the abuses of her past, will Abigail be able to fight back her own demons, or will the foundations put in place by her mother’s neglect and abuse finally overcome her sanity?
This novel ticked so many boxes for me—from the convoluted nature of the mother to the battles Abigail faces within herself. Anatomy of a Darkened Heart by Christie Stratos is a prime example of a gothic thriller. The writing style is exceptional, and I was hooked from the first page. I wanted more and more, yet the author gave me just enough to keep pulling me further in. The descriptions, both of the home and the characters, were appropriate to the time and also the plot, with allusions to the dangers of the Victorian home of the era. Each page unveiled a new horror as Abigail fought against her demons, eventually leading her to turn against those who had stolen so much from her as a child. The first book in the Dark Victoriana Collection, I am very excited to see where this series goes, and I plan to read the next book, Brotherhood of Secrets. I would wholly recommend this to fans of gothic novels as it takes the genre to another level.
