Considering the amount of good gris-gris Ruby had about her, it didn't do much good. I liked that she kept her faith in it all despite NOTHING going right for her. Way to many black cats being killed for their bones for my liking. My memory must be really muddled with the Andrews books as I remembered this being alot better. I was waiting for a scene that never happened which I was convinced was in this book. Some events I didn't remember at all. Ruby had a bit more of a backbone in this one. She stood up for herself, not that it did her much good. I didn't really like the bits with Louis. He was a man in his 30s taking advantage of underage school girl. And everyone was more worried that Ruby was corrupting him!? What is wrong with these people!? And why did Ruby go back after he made her touch him? And why does Andrews (well her Ghostwriter) always make the main characters so stupid? Why do they always get pregnant? Keep your legs closed or use a condom for fucks sake! Gisselle is still a bitch. Actually maybe she's even a bigger bitch. Not even seeming that bothered when her father dies. And still tormenting Ruby. I kinda wish the story had ended that Daphne had sent them both to the Bayou. Would love to see how she would cope with that life. You don't really see that much of Beau in this book, I don't think I really buy his and Ruby's love story. Still grossed out that he was with Gisselle first. I suppose it's better than him actually being in love with his sister like young Paul. Can't have an Andrews book without incest though! I do relise now that I held these books up so high because I read them when I was so young. Now that I'm older, I'm not as forgiving. Don't get me wrong, these are still good stories and I love the whole family saga stretched over 5 books. I think these books will always have a special place in my heart but I'm beginning to think that Andrews books would be best enjoyed when your in your teens and more likely to sympathize with the characters mistakes, as you'll be at the age where you are making them all yourself.
The second book of the series on Ruby Laudry Dumas proved to be quite satisfactory, with the exception of the last couple pages in the last chapter. That part - I felt the author "rushed" to summarize and finish up the book. It would have done the book the honor it deserved by writing out things the same pace that the book took us through. In "Pearl of the Mist," Ruby suffered more problems and trouble, especially with her step-mother Daphne, and her evil twin sister, Giselle. Everyone had decided that Ruby would be responsible for every single bad things her sister did, especially at a private school, Greenwoods, where the girls were sent to. Giselle even went too far and had an accident and became a cripple. You would think that would make one person think hard, but for Giselle, she milked her handicap for all she could get from anything and anyone.To make matters worse for Ruby, her father died and her step-mother made life much more difficult for Ruby and Giselle. They were limited access to their trust, weren't given permission to leave campus, couldn't have friends over, you get the idea. Ruby seeked solace with her art teacher, and befriended a blind musician who was the grandson and cousin of the administrators at Greenwood.Near the end of the book, Ruby discovered a bigger problem, and she knew that by going back to Daphne, things would not look any better. She decided to find a ride back to her roots - the bayou, bringing something back with her, to her past."You play beautifully," I said quickly. "Thank you, but I don't play. I cry, I scream, I laugh through my fingers. The music just happens to be my words, the notes my letters." He shook his head. "Only other musician, a poet or an artist, would understand." - page 100.Now, onward to Book Number 3: "All That Glitters."
What do You think about Pearl In The Mist (1994)?
When I read these novels back in the day I would have given them 3-3.5 STARS and now would say about one StarI started reading VC Andrews books in the 1991 and stopped about 2003. I have read:-Dollanganger Series-Casteel Series-Cutler Series-Landry Series-Logan Series-Orphans Series-Wildflowers Series-Hudson Series-Shooting Stars Series-DeBeers Series-Broken Wings SeriesAs a preteen reading these novels was a rebellion and the gothic theme also seemed cool. I stopped reading this author because the novelty wore off, the novels are too formulaic that I could not tell one book from another and gothic aspect was lost.
—Kris - My Novelesque Life
There was a lot in this book that I didn't remember from reading this when I was a teen. I was frustrated with Ruby for the majority of this book. There were so many times that she just lets things happen to her and then cries that she has no control over what's happening to her. Towards the end, there was some growth in her character. I'm wondering if it was just that slow because there are 3-4 more books in the series.There was one really disturbing point in the book when she nearly let herself get very significantly taken advantage of that made me really very uncomfortable.I think I will read the next one--as long as I can get it on kindle for a reasonable price.
—Lindsey
I didn't enjoy the Landry series as much as I enjoyed the first three VCA series, but the Landry books are still an entertaining read, and Andrew Neiderman's efforts show here unlike his later books (The Hudson series and so on afterward) This series is unique in that it has identical twins, which is something our protagonists never had to deal with before.Ruby was an entertaining read and I liked this book, but I must say that I was somewhat disappointed with the ending. I mean, it just felt like a repeat of Dawn's dilemma in 'Secrets of the Morning' with not much variation in the details. It does pick up in the next book, 'All that Glitters', so you can kind of consider this as a 'stepping stone' novel in the Landry saga.
—Delicious Strawberry
