Kristina Anderson
The Dark Side is darker than Danielle Steel’s other novels, but it still contains her unique and engaging writing style. The Dark Side is a fascinating story that quickly pulled me in and had me staying up late to finish it. The book is well-written with a good flow and steady pacing. I like that the story is written in the third person. Zoe Morgan is a developed character, though, not likeable. Her childhood shapes her whole life. Zoe becomes an overachiever determined to excel at everything she does and that includes motherhood. I like how the story gradually evolves as you move through the book. The Dark Side deals with a topic that is rarely addressed and is very hard to prove (I do not want to say too much and spoil it for you). It is an emotional story that will touch the heart of parents. The Dark Side is a psychological suspense that will linger in your mind long after you finish it.
6 people found this review helpful
Becky Baldridge
It's been quite awhile since I've read a book by Danielle Steel, but The Dark Side is different than what I've seen in the past. The story starts a little slow. Incredibly sad, but slow, and I'll admit that I was confused about where this one was going. That said, once Zoe marries and has a child, I started to get it. From there things get a bit darker with each incident, and the tension slowly rises. The story is disturbing and at times downright chilling. It's also a thoroughly compelling read, and once it starts to really take shape, I had a hard time putting it down. Looking back on it, that earlier part of the book may have moved slowly, but it offers some insight into why Zoe acted the way she did. It doesn't excuse it by any means, but it does help with understanding what started Zoe's spiral. Steel's detached writing style may cause a lack of connection for some, but it worked for me. This one hits on a hard topic to understand and for me, it all came together to create a story I won't soon forget.
1 person found this review helpful