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The Mad Girl
Some children fondly remember learning to ride a bicycle or to kick a soccer ball with their parents. Her father's abuse dominates Cee Stark's childhood memories, her young mind scarred by the betrayal and trauma. Fearing that life will never improve, she prays for help.
After Cee's father and beloved brother are dead from an accident which she feels responsible for, the twelve-year-old turns to her parish priest for forgiveness and comfort. Over the next few years, she falls under the influence of his tortured mind and distorted teachings. Cee's struggle for emotional independence and the priest's desire for control begins a battle of wills. Several bad decisions are made resulting in three acts of violence in Albuquerque in the winter of 2012. Seventeen-year-old Cee is connected to the three victims, and the police follow the threads leading to her. However, the truth is more tangled.
The Mad Girl asks the question: Can a teen ever escape her mistakes, now that they have become deadly?
After Cee's father and beloved brother are dead from an accident which she feels responsible for, the twelve-year-old turns to her parish priest for forgiveness and comfort. Over the next few years, she falls under the influence of his tortured mind and distorted teachings. Cee's struggle for emotional independence and the priest's desire for control begins a battle of wills. Several bad decisions are made resulting in three acts of violence in Albuquerque in the winter of 2012. Seventeen-year-old Cee is connected to the three victims, and the police follow the threads leading to her. However, the truth is more tangled.
The Mad Girl asks the question: Can a teen ever escape her mistakes, now that they have become deadly?
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2021
About the author
Andrew Colvin
1 book16 followersAndrew Colvin is the pseudonym for the author, David Stanasolovich, who now lives in Arizona and was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico where the novel takes place. The Mad Girl is the author’s first novel. The author works in the high tech industry as a strategic planner and engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
December 5, 2021
The Mad Girl was unlike any book I have ever read. It was certainly very dark and twisted and not an easy read. And I loved it. The characters were all a bit messed up and I did not who to trust or believe at ant time thought the whole story.
Cee was a very damaged young girl. And after what she has been through I am not suprised. After past trauma's she turned to religion to help her, only she managed to find the worst priest in the world. He was one awful, awful man! I really felt for Cee and all that was happening to her. I could see the good in her but thing just did not seem to ever go right for her.
There is alot going on in this story, with Cee and the priest, as well as the detective. How it all comes together in the ending was really well done and I applaud the author for this. It is an intense and complex read and really worthwhile picking up.
Thank you to the author for sending me this paperback all the way to Australia. I look forward to your next book.
Cee was a very damaged young girl. And after what she has been through I am not suprised. After past trauma's she turned to religion to help her, only she managed to find the worst priest in the world. He was one awful, awful man! I really felt for Cee and all that was happening to her. I could see the good in her but thing just did not seem to ever go right for her.
There is alot going on in this story, with Cee and the priest, as well as the detective. How it all comes together in the ending was really well done and I applaud the author for this. It is an intense and complex read and really worthwhile picking up.
Thank you to the author for sending me this paperback all the way to Australia. I look forward to your next book.
May 14, 2023
Well, hello Andrew Colvin's The Mad Girl! This book caught my attention from the very beginning, and never mind that it took me entirely too long to finish it because this really was a very pacy and engaging read. I have a love/hate relationship with books that involve any form of cult and I think it is really easy for them to be a miss for me, but the touch of cult factor in this book was just perfect and it is also a very gritty and sometimes disturbing read. I was unsure if it was supposed to be a young adult or adult book, but now that I am done, I feel like it is more adult even though YA readers could definitely still read it as long as they are old enough (again, disturbing content that is not suitable for all readers). There are many viewpoints and even sometimes other viewpoints in the same chapters as others. This style means you basically know what any given character is thinking, and I really liked that for this storyline.
And the end! I was beginning to wonder just how things were going to play out and if I would like it, but Colvin managed to shock and surprise me in the best possible way. I was actually thrilled with the way he chose to end this book and I don't think I could have been satisfied with any other possibility, so on that level, it was extremely satisfying. As other readers have said, I have to concur that there is a ton going on with the storyline, and between the characters and different timelines it could definitely get confusing, but luckily for me, I was able to keep everything straight for the majority of the book. And really there is something to be said about taking notes while you read since that was my saving grace. The writing style is very unique as is the plot, and I am in awe of how well Colvin tied these things together and made it cohesive. The Mad Girl is a winner in my book and I would read anything else this author writes!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
And the end! I was beginning to wonder just how things were going to play out and if I would like it, but Colvin managed to shock and surprise me in the best possible way. I was actually thrilled with the way he chose to end this book and I don't think I could have been satisfied with any other possibility, so on that level, it was extremely satisfying. As other readers have said, I have to concur that there is a ton going on with the storyline, and between the characters and different timelines it could definitely get confusing, but luckily for me, I was able to keep everything straight for the majority of the book. And really there is something to be said about taking notes while you read since that was my saving grace. The writing style is very unique as is the plot, and I am in awe of how well Colvin tied these things together and made it cohesive. The Mad Girl is a winner in my book and I would read anything else this author writes!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 8, 2023
This book was truly a deeply, dark, disturbing thriller but it worked. There are many trigger warnings including self harm and abuse. It definitely was not an easy read.
Thank you Andrew Colvin for reaching out to me to review his book.
Cee is a girl who has been through a lot of very horrible things in her life. In order to cope, she turns to religion and the guidance of a controversial priest who has an agenda of his own.
There’s a lot going on in this book. Multiple timelines and multiple povs, it was difficult at times to keep things straight. The twist was unexpected and the ending seemed to leave things open for a possible sequel.
I was not a huge fan of the writing style. I thought it was a very in your face way of story telling that took a bit of getting used to.
The Mad Girl is available now and is free on kindle unlimited.
Thank you Andrew Colvin for reaching out to me to review his book.
Cee is a girl who has been through a lot of very horrible things in her life. In order to cope, she turns to religion and the guidance of a controversial priest who has an agenda of his own.
There’s a lot going on in this book. Multiple timelines and multiple povs, it was difficult at times to keep things straight. The twist was unexpected and the ending seemed to leave things open for a possible sequel.
I was not a huge fan of the writing style. I thought it was a very in your face way of story telling that took a bit of getting used to.
The Mad Girl is available now and is free on kindle unlimited.
August 23, 2021
This book starts off quick and gets you hooked immediately, as if you weren’t already intrigued by the title right? I’ve never read a book set in Albuquerque that I can remember and I enjoyed the setting. We flip back and forth between past/present and POV which helps you grasp the over all story. The character development is full of detail and you automatically connect with the main character Cee! Let me tell you the things high school kids talk about today will make you blush! I don’t remember being that sexually aware at the age but that was a long time ago and some *cough cough* partying. 😆 Your brain is kinda put all over the place trying to figure out what is real and actually going on. There are a bit of triggers here : rape, mental illness and violence so I just want to put that out there. All in all I look forward to Andrews next book!
August 26, 2022
Thank you @bythebookvp and Andrew Colvin (@colvin_the_mad_girl) for the gifted copy of The Mad Girl!
⚠️: Rape, Mental Health, Violence, Trauma
This novel took me by surprise! As I engage more with the YA genre, I am noticing how much it has evolved over the years when I myself was belonged to the category - while I read true crime by authors like John Grisham as a 14-15 year old, I was not exposed to novels with messy, gray characters at the time. The last one that got to me was All My Rage (by Sabaa Tahir) this year. Andrew Colvin’s novel has also been added to this growing list of excellent YA readings.
As the novel begins, we see the main character Cee Stark’s life shaped by her father’s abuse. She grows up with sentiments of betrayal and subsequent trauma. She turns to religion to understand her life. In unexpected turn of events, Cee loses her father and brother in an accident, which she feels responsible for. In order to atone her sins, she turns to a parish priest for spiritual guidance but once again is dominated by his strong will to control her.
Things spill over when seventeen-year-old Cee is connected with three violent crimes in Alberquerque and the police are able to follow the thread, which leads to her. Like many true crime novels, the truth is complex like the main character.
When I first heard the title, I was taken back as “mad” can also mean angry, but here, we see the author recast the definition of this word to include trauma and madness, and how these two notions influence Cee’s characterization throughout the novel!
⚠️: Rape, Mental Health, Violence, Trauma
This novel took me by surprise! As I engage more with the YA genre, I am noticing how much it has evolved over the years when I myself was belonged to the category - while I read true crime by authors like John Grisham as a 14-15 year old, I was not exposed to novels with messy, gray characters at the time. The last one that got to me was All My Rage (by Sabaa Tahir) this year. Andrew Colvin’s novel has also been added to this growing list of excellent YA readings.
As the novel begins, we see the main character Cee Stark’s life shaped by her father’s abuse. She grows up with sentiments of betrayal and subsequent trauma. She turns to religion to understand her life. In unexpected turn of events, Cee loses her father and brother in an accident, which she feels responsible for. In order to atone her sins, she turns to a parish priest for spiritual guidance but once again is dominated by his strong will to control her.
Things spill over when seventeen-year-old Cee is connected with three violent crimes in Alberquerque and the police are able to follow the thread, which leads to her. Like many true crime novels, the truth is complex like the main character.
When I first heard the title, I was taken back as “mad” can also mean angry, but here, we see the author recast the definition of this word to include trauma and madness, and how these two notions influence Cee’s characterization throughout the novel!
October 1, 2021
Let me tell you, it is one hell for a ride!
The characters are so dynamic and I really like the in depth look at each of the MC's stories. Its like 3 mains story lines that all merge into one. I loved following each character and getting bits of each story as we figured out what really happened with each of them.
Cee was such a great character to follow and it was interesting to watch the struggles with her mental health and her religion. With past traumas and the crazy relationship she had with her priest, it's no wonder she was second guessing her own thoughts and decisions.
The priests story was so crazy! I don't want to give too much away on his part, but the depth to which he would manipulate people was intense. As the story progresses, you really get to see his inner demons.
As for the main Detective and where a lot of this whole thing started, wow... I didn't see that coming, but it made so much sense to the story.
The Mad Girl is one of those books that has so much in depth detail but it adds to the story and doesn't overtake it. The way Colvin weaves his webs, telling such complex stories while keeping you wanting more is quite a gift.
*Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are so dynamic and I really like the in depth look at each of the MC's stories. Its like 3 mains story lines that all merge into one. I loved following each character and getting bits of each story as we figured out what really happened with each of them.
Cee was such a great character to follow and it was interesting to watch the struggles with her mental health and her religion. With past traumas and the crazy relationship she had with her priest, it's no wonder she was second guessing her own thoughts and decisions.
The priests story was so crazy! I don't want to give too much away on his part, but the depth to which he would manipulate people was intense. As the story progresses, you really get to see his inner demons.
As for the main Detective and where a lot of this whole thing started, wow... I didn't see that coming, but it made so much sense to the story.
The Mad Girl is one of those books that has so much in depth detail but it adds to the story and doesn't overtake it. The way Colvin weaves his webs, telling such complex stories while keeping you wanting more is quite a gift.
*Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2021
My kind of reading. I was captivated from the beginning. The story of a gifted, strong-willed teen who bounces between an abusive father and a religious cult is dark, engaging, and thoroughly engrossing. Celeste Stark lives in a state of PTSD brought on by the false friendships forged from social media by her high school peers. Celeste makes terrible and often dangerous choices, resulting in a chase by the police. Despite Cee's misdeeds, the author manages to narrate Cee's struggles in such a way that readers can empathize with her. A surprising ending amidst a lot of action and dark elements makes this novel an excellent read. Every twist and turn in the plot keeps you guessing. It is almost impossible not to care about the characters.The struggles Cee had experienced and reading what she had gone through caused me to feel a lot for her and I wanted to figure out how I could help. My hope was that Cee would have a happy ending and to know what would happen next. This is a powerful book. Cee certainly touched my heart. Cee had such a strong impact on me. Thank you for the wonderful read. This is one I highly recommend.
October 27, 2021
FAVOURITE QUOTE : ".... One addiction replacing another."
This is a story about a young girl named Cee Stark, who was abused by her father and it tainted her psyche. It is when she met Father Stephen Benkovsky, trying to find her unanswered questions . She found peace in her faith, but did she really?
This dark psychological thriller is a debut of Andrew Colvin. I loved the writing style, so gripping and mind twisting, that I enjoyed reading each and every word of the book. The characters of the story was so impactful, even though they were with me for a short period. I am saying "with me" because it felt like so; the writing is not just storytelling but a storytelling that helps you visualising.
Tbh, I needed to take my time writing my thoughts about this book because I was entwined with the story, I had to sit back and process all of it slowly. The story does include some topics like childhood abuse and trauma, rape, bullying and murders,which can be triggering for a lot of people, so i must mention that.
Also you will enjoy the multiple POV, if you are already a fan of that, because I really enjoy understanding every character closely. It helps me understand the story line more.
This is a story about a young girl named Cee Stark, who was abused by her father and it tainted her psyche. It is when she met Father Stephen Benkovsky, trying to find her unanswered questions . She found peace in her faith, but did she really?
This dark psychological thriller is a debut of Andrew Colvin. I loved the writing style, so gripping and mind twisting, that I enjoyed reading each and every word of the book. The characters of the story was so impactful, even though they were with me for a short period. I am saying "with me" because it felt like so; the writing is not just storytelling but a storytelling that helps you visualising.
Tbh, I needed to take my time writing my thoughts about this book because I was entwined with the story, I had to sit back and process all of it slowly. The story does include some topics like childhood abuse and trauma, rape, bullying and murders,which can be triggering for a lot of people, so i must mention that.
Also you will enjoy the multiple POV, if you are already a fan of that, because I really enjoy understanding every character closely. It helps me understand the story line more.
October 13, 2021
The Mad Girl is a dark psychological thriller that explores the impact of trauma and abuse.
We meet Cee shortly after the deaths of her father and brother. Traumatized by years of abuse at her father’s hands, Cee believes her hatred caused the tragic accident. Buried in guilt, Cee seeks solace from her faith and her local priest. What follows is a path of destruction and depravity at the hands of the very person from whom she seeks guidance and forgiveness.
We see abuse and trauma change Cee. Her desire for justice becomes carnal. I greatly empathized with her plight. The ideology of right and wrong takes center stage as Cee’s decisions, dictated by poor mental health, turn more sinister. Her moral code becomes corrupted.
This story begs two key questions:
-When helpers become abusers and push you towards wrongdoing, who is ultimately at fault?
-Is justice at any cost really justice at all?
In this debut, Colvin creates a good working premise that intrigued me and gave me much to ponder. While the characters are largely unlikable, they are intricately created. Many dangling plot lines are placed throughout the story. In some cases, these created puzzles to keep the mystery in play. However, in many other cases, they muddled the storyline and took away from the mystery. The potential twist at the end could’ve created a riveting conclusion, but it didn’t quite have the foundation upon which to be well executed.
This story places an important spotlight on the horrors of abuse and the way trauma effects mental health. Unfortunately, this book only looks at the negative ramifications and offers no healthy solutions.
Upon finishing this book, I asked myself: Whose words give you strength and confidence? And are they worthy of such?
*There are many, necessary content warnings for this book.
Thank you to Andrew Colvin for the opportunity to read and review this book.
We meet Cee shortly after the deaths of her father and brother. Traumatized by years of abuse at her father’s hands, Cee believes her hatred caused the tragic accident. Buried in guilt, Cee seeks solace from her faith and her local priest. What follows is a path of destruction and depravity at the hands of the very person from whom she seeks guidance and forgiveness.
We see abuse and trauma change Cee. Her desire for justice becomes carnal. I greatly empathized with her plight. The ideology of right and wrong takes center stage as Cee’s decisions, dictated by poor mental health, turn more sinister. Her moral code becomes corrupted.
This story begs two key questions:
-When helpers become abusers and push you towards wrongdoing, who is ultimately at fault?
-Is justice at any cost really justice at all?
In this debut, Colvin creates a good working premise that intrigued me and gave me much to ponder. While the characters are largely unlikable, they are intricately created. Many dangling plot lines are placed throughout the story. In some cases, these created puzzles to keep the mystery in play. However, in many other cases, they muddled the storyline and took away from the mystery. The potential twist at the end could’ve created a riveting conclusion, but it didn’t quite have the foundation upon which to be well executed.
This story places an important spotlight on the horrors of abuse and the way trauma effects mental health. Unfortunately, this book only looks at the negative ramifications and offers no healthy solutions.
Upon finishing this book, I asked myself: Whose words give you strength and confidence? And are they worthy of such?
*There are many, necessary content warnings for this book.
Thank you to Andrew Colvin for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 11, 2021
When reading about novels revolving psychological turmoils, I prefer their struggles to be shown rather than told, but this book made me realize that sometimes, there are some struggles that aren't meant to be left for the reader to figure out. Some things have to be told as it is.
Trauma is a hard thing to get right; it is difficult to understand if you haven't experienced it firsthand, and even then it manifests in different ways, varying from one person to another. Sometimes, even those who have gone through it or are going through it can't perfectly encapsulate what it feels like because it is difficult to grasp both as a concept and as a thing one is undergoing. That said, while The Mad Girl doesn't have a particularly masterful way of showing Cee's struggles, it is important to note that the info dumps aren't eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-your-head boring. Instead, I find myself wanting to know more about what Cee is feeling and how she attempts to cope with it.
One thing that grinded my gears while reading this book, though, is the dialogue. Yes, I understand that everyone has baggages they are carrying. I understand that many people, especially teenagers, express themselves in different ways, one of them being the manner with which they speak. But I find that the dialogues here are too stiff for my liking. Unnatural. Like it was forced out of them instead of flowing right out of their mouths. Not quite right. Perhaps other people will not find this as jarring, but I particularly dislike forms of media that portray highschool teenagers as shallow, way too edgy for their own good, sex-obsessed creatures. (To be fair, this seems to be the type of story that has to be told with characters like this, but I digress.)
Overall, I think this is a good read, definitely not recommending this to people who are sensitive in some regards as the contents might be too dark and triggering, but it's interesting and raw, which other audiences might find appealing.
Trauma is a hard thing to get right; it is difficult to understand if you haven't experienced it firsthand, and even then it manifests in different ways, varying from one person to another. Sometimes, even those who have gone through it or are going through it can't perfectly encapsulate what it feels like because it is difficult to grasp both as a concept and as a thing one is undergoing. That said, while The Mad Girl doesn't have a particularly masterful way of showing Cee's struggles, it is important to note that the info dumps aren't eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-your-head boring. Instead, I find myself wanting to know more about what Cee is feeling and how she attempts to cope with it.
One thing that grinded my gears while reading this book, though, is the dialogue. Yes, I understand that everyone has baggages they are carrying. I understand that many people, especially teenagers, express themselves in different ways, one of them being the manner with which they speak. But I find that the dialogues here are too stiff for my liking. Unnatural. Like it was forced out of them instead of flowing right out of their mouths. Not quite right. Perhaps other people will not find this as jarring, but I particularly dislike forms of media that portray highschool teenagers as shallow, way too edgy for their own good, sex-obsessed creatures. (To be fair, this seems to be the type of story that has to be told with characters like this, but I digress.)
Overall, I think this is a good read, definitely not recommending this to people who are sensitive in some regards as the contents might be too dark and triggering, but it's interesting and raw, which other audiences might find appealing.
August 2, 2022
This was such a captivating book, i was hooked from page 1. All the characters were royally messed up and the book was so dark but I loved every minute of reading it. I recently heard that this is a debut but it feels nothing like it.
Just read tws before you read though:)))
Just read tws before you read though:)))
September 13, 2021
3.5 stars for me, rounded up to 4. Thank you so much to Andrew Colvin for sending a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. I was lucky enough to also have a group of friends to buddy read this with so it was a lot of fun.
"you must be ready to burn yourself in your own flame; how could you rise anew if you have to first become ashes?" -Fredrich Willheim Nietzsche
Triggers: child abuse, domestic abuse, murder, self harm, sexual assault, abuse of power, rape, suicide. (a lot of heavy topics)
Wow, this book was INSANE!! Cee Stark has had a tough life. Growing up with an abusive father and a neglectful mother, Cee turns to her faith in the Catholic Church and finds a mentor in Father Benvovsky. He immediately sees something in here and takes her under his wing, but not in a normal way. At first, he was helping her, but the more she stayed under his guidance, the more she could see her father in him. When Cee's father and brother die, Benvovsky forgives her for her prayer that her father die, but also takes ownership of her every move. She hears him in her thoughts, sees him in everything she does... he consumes her. When bad things start happening, the police get involved, the past starts to reveal itself and everything and everyone is out of control.
First, the story line and plot were very interesting. I had never read a book of this nature or subject before so it was very interesting. However, the book was very confusing (I'm talking, I needed to take notes the whole time kinda confusing). The story was told in dual timeline and alternating POV, which I usually love, but keeping up with all the characters and the timeline at the same time was a struggle. Also, the dialogue was a little hard to keep up with sometimes and distracting at other times. With that being said... I really loved the ending. Once everything presented all started fitting together, the outcome was pretty good. I still was speechless at the end, and also confused but thats what was great. The ending can be interpreted one of two ways- its entirely up to the reader how and what you think happens at the end, which I thought was fun.
Suggestions: read this book with an empty mind, take alot of notes, and read with some friends.... it helps!!
"you must be ready to burn yourself in your own flame; how could you rise anew if you have to first become ashes?" -Fredrich Willheim Nietzsche
Triggers: child abuse, domestic abuse, murder, self harm, sexual assault, abuse of power, rape, suicide. (a lot of heavy topics)
Wow, this book was INSANE!! Cee Stark has had a tough life. Growing up with an abusive father and a neglectful mother, Cee turns to her faith in the Catholic Church and finds a mentor in Father Benvovsky. He immediately sees something in here and takes her under his wing, but not in a normal way. At first, he was helping her, but the more she stayed under his guidance, the more she could see her father in him. When Cee's father and brother die, Benvovsky forgives her for her prayer that her father die, but also takes ownership of her every move. She hears him in her thoughts, sees him in everything she does... he consumes her. When bad things start happening, the police get involved, the past starts to reveal itself and everything and everyone is out of control.
First, the story line and plot were very interesting. I had never read a book of this nature or subject before so it was very interesting. However, the book was very confusing (I'm talking, I needed to take notes the whole time kinda confusing). The story was told in dual timeline and alternating POV, which I usually love, but keeping up with all the characters and the timeline at the same time was a struggle. Also, the dialogue was a little hard to keep up with sometimes and distracting at other times. With that being said... I really loved the ending. Once everything presented all started fitting together, the outcome was pretty good. I still was speechless at the end, and also confused but thats what was great. The ending can be interpreted one of two ways- its entirely up to the reader how and what you think happens at the end, which I thought was fun.
Suggestions: read this book with an empty mind, take alot of notes, and read with some friends.... it helps!!
December 16, 2021
Whoa! What a crazy ride I have been on the last few days. The Mad Girl is an intensely dark thriller, that will make your heart race and your palms sweat. This is a book made for yelling at the characters. I am in shock on how relaxed teenagers were about sex and their conquests. The nonchalant attitude they take toward personal interactions, and how they enjoyed blowing up their own friends lives. Just to sit back and see the comments roll in on social media. It makes me so thankful that I did not grow up during the time of social media.
Cee Stark is one tough cookie, who has led a full life by the time she is 17. Haunted by the loss of her abusive father and brother in an accident. She learned to lean on her priest. She is putty in his hands; he is able to shape and mold her into thinking and believing as he does. His own agenda sets off a string of tragedies. Andrew Colvin presents you with dark, layered characters, who are all a bit twisted in their own way. Each of these characters are carefully crafted to weave in and around one another until their lives are tightly woven together. You will bounce back and forth between them all, learning bit by bit how their stories fit together.
This was a tough read at times, the emotion and torment felt by Cee is heart wrenching. The only issue I had with the book were the number of characters, it was hard to keep them all straight. This is a thriller like no other, gripping, chilling, and you have to be on your game to sort out what is going on. Thank you to Andrew Colvin for sending me your fascinating read!
Cee Stark is one tough cookie, who has led a full life by the time she is 17. Haunted by the loss of her abusive father and brother in an accident. She learned to lean on her priest. She is putty in his hands; he is able to shape and mold her into thinking and believing as he does. His own agenda sets off a string of tragedies. Andrew Colvin presents you with dark, layered characters, who are all a bit twisted in their own way. Each of these characters are carefully crafted to weave in and around one another until their lives are tightly woven together. You will bounce back and forth between them all, learning bit by bit how their stories fit together.
This was a tough read at times, the emotion and torment felt by Cee is heart wrenching. The only issue I had with the book were the number of characters, it was hard to keep them all straight. This is a thriller like no other, gripping, chilling, and you have to be on your game to sort out what is going on. Thank you to Andrew Colvin for sending me your fascinating read!
October 9, 2021
“It feels like I chose the wrong door somewhere in the past, left all the goodness behind. I’m hurtling down a dark path toward a terrible end. I know that there’s another cycle for me where I am happy and good, but I have to find it, take that path.”
Thank you so much to @colvin_the_mad_girl for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! This book is not for the faint of heart, it it very dark and touches on very sensitive topics, abuse, murder, rape, incest/molestation, cults, everything under the sun. A great book for October/spooky season, because this was a very twisted and dark story!
I really enjoyed this book, twisting back and forth between the past and present, and 3 different main character’s stories to try and weave together what happened. I wish I had buddy read this so I could talk through some of my confusion throughout the story, but by the end everything came together! I was pretty surprised by the ending, but I felt the natural progression towards it. Cee was a very unlikeable character (even just in the first 3 pages she’s doing unspeakable things) but I still always felt myself finding her reasoning and forgiving her until the next crazy thing she did. Many people state that the screwed up priest was their favorite character, but he was written so well that I HATED him and everything he stood for!
Thank you so much to @colvin_the_mad_girl for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! This book is not for the faint of heart, it it very dark and touches on very sensitive topics, abuse, murder, rape, incest/molestation, cults, everything under the sun. A great book for October/spooky season, because this was a very twisted and dark story!
I really enjoyed this book, twisting back and forth between the past and present, and 3 different main character’s stories to try and weave together what happened. I wish I had buddy read this so I could talk through some of my confusion throughout the story, but by the end everything came together! I was pretty surprised by the ending, but I felt the natural progression towards it. Cee was a very unlikeable character (even just in the first 3 pages she’s doing unspeakable things) but I still always felt myself finding her reasoning and forgiving her until the next crazy thing she did. Many people state that the screwed up priest was their favorite character, but he was written so well that I HATED him and everything he stood for!
October 15, 2021
Thank you to the author for sending me a gifted copy of the book in return for an honest review!
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⭐️⭐️There are TW for this book so make sure to look them up before reading ⭐️⭐️
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Cee Stark’s childhood memories consist of being abused by her father and has scarred her for life. After her father and brother pass away from a car accident, Cee turns to her Catholic priest for help and forgiveness. However, as the years pass by Cee becomes victim of the priest’s distorted teachings and his control. Cee struggles with her mental health and her desire to be forgiven by the priest and God. As a result, people start turning up dead or attacked and the evidence is leading to Cee. The question becomes “Can a teen ever escape her mistakes, now that they have become deadly?”
*
*
This is the authors debut novel and man o man! This book hooked me right from the start. In fact, I was showing my mom the book and she read the first two pages and I had to fight her to get the book back! (Okay, maybe not a literal fight, but she definitely did not want to give it back to me). The plot of the story was intriguing and kept me hooked. I hadn’t really read a book before that dealt with cult like behavior so it definitely added a twist. Overall, I enjoyed the book and will definitely read books from this author in the future!
*
⭐️⭐️There are TW for this book so make sure to look them up before reading ⭐️⭐️
*
Cee Stark’s childhood memories consist of being abused by her father and has scarred her for life. After her father and brother pass away from a car accident, Cee turns to her Catholic priest for help and forgiveness. However, as the years pass by Cee becomes victim of the priest’s distorted teachings and his control. Cee struggles with her mental health and her desire to be forgiven by the priest and God. As a result, people start turning up dead or attacked and the evidence is leading to Cee. The question becomes “Can a teen ever escape her mistakes, now that they have become deadly?”
*
*
This is the authors debut novel and man o man! This book hooked me right from the start. In fact, I was showing my mom the book and she read the first two pages and I had to fight her to get the book back! (Okay, maybe not a literal fight, but she definitely did not want to give it back to me). The plot of the story was intriguing and kept me hooked. I hadn’t really read a book before that dealt with cult like behavior so it definitely added a twist. Overall, I enjoyed the book and will definitely read books from this author in the future!
October 8, 2021
With his debut novel Colvin proves he has a natural talent for storytelling. 😎 The characters were interesting with strong back stories, especially the priest, who is ironically more mad than anyone else in the book!
The writing is excellent, often poetic, with some really great imagery.
The story is told from three different character perspectives and Colvin expertly weaves them together to create some surprising revelations and unexpected twists.
If you're looking for a dark, psychological thriller then definitely give this one a try!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest, non-biased review.
The writing is excellent, often poetic, with some really great imagery.
The story is told from three different character perspectives and Colvin expertly weaves them together to create some surprising revelations and unexpected twists.
If you're looking for a dark, psychological thriller then definitely give this one a try!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest, non-biased review.
March 2, 2023
The Mad Girl by @colvin_the_mad_girl is out now and on
KU and thanks to Andrew for for copy for my honest review
This book is truly an insane and fun wild ride. Like I have established I love a book about trauma and Cee is just such a fascinating protagonist to root for. I truly did not see any of these twists coming.
So why is this book scary: the past and religion taken to a cultish level
Scary Scale: Girl run away
After Book Reaction: 60
One Line Synopsis: This book truly is mad (and great)
Do you think you can escape your past mistakes or do you embrace them.
Content warnings for abuse, self harm, and sexual assault.
KU and thanks to Andrew for for copy for my honest review
This book is truly an insane and fun wild ride. Like I have established I love a book about trauma and Cee is just such a fascinating protagonist to root for. I truly did not see any of these twists coming.
So why is this book scary: the past and religion taken to a cultish level
Scary Scale: Girl run away
After Book Reaction: 60
One Line Synopsis: This book truly is mad (and great)
Do you think you can escape your past mistakes or do you embrace them.
Content warnings for abuse, self harm, and sexual assault.
May 2, 2022
This book was not a book of happiness, and that was what brought it closer to the truth. It contained dark parts and was a complex story that the author, of course, was able to write well. I loved the book. The author's style and concerns were of concern to me.
Thanks to the dear author of this book for giving me a copy of the book.
I look forward to reading his other books.
Thanks to the dear author of this book for giving me a copy of the book.
I look forward to reading his other books.
August 25, 2022
After Cee's father and beloved brother are dead from an accident which she feels responsible for, the twelve-year-old turns to her parish priest for forgiveness and comfort. Over the next few years, she falls under the influence of his tortured mind and distorted teachings. Cee's struggle for emotional independence and the priest's desire for control begins a battle of wills. Several bad decisions are made resulting in three acts of violence in Albuquerque in the winter of 2012. Seventeen-year-old Cee is connected to the three victims, and the police follow the threads leading to her. However, the truth is more tangled.
The Mad Girl asks the question: Can a teen ever escape her mistakes, now that they have become deadly?
Guys! Are you looking for a deliciously dark story? Maybe you need a break from the beach reads that are dominating our feeds this summer?! Whelp, here ya go!
The characters in this story are written so well, even if they are overwhelmingly unlikable. But that just adds to the pizazz that this book has! It is dark and intense and not for the faint of heart. But, it’s a great and very unique story with a WOW ending that you won’t want to miss!
Thank you so much to @colvin_the_mad_girl and @bythebookvbp for the #gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
The Mad Girl asks the question: Can a teen ever escape her mistakes, now that they have become deadly?
Guys! Are you looking for a deliciously dark story? Maybe you need a break from the beach reads that are dominating our feeds this summer?! Whelp, here ya go!
The characters in this story are written so well, even if they are overwhelmingly unlikable. But that just adds to the pizazz that this book has! It is dark and intense and not for the faint of heart. But, it’s a great and very unique story with a WOW ending that you won’t want to miss!
Thank you so much to @colvin_the_mad_girl and @bythebookvbp for the #gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
May 12, 2021
“I had to confess it, Nick. I had to. I know you don’t believe like I do.”He swallowed his anger with the mention of the priest. Fisher’s distaste for the priest and his influence on Cee was known to her. “Stick to this story now. Don’t tell anyone else. Keep up your normal habits, okay? “Thanks for being there for me.” This was a well thought fast paced book and I enjoyed reading this book. The storyline was great and it was an overall great read. I believe this is meant for teens and young adults. My favorite character is Cece because of the struggles she goes through. I was curious on her mother’s side and if that also contributed to her past trauma?
January 17, 2024
Too much going on and I don’t really understand what happened. Very descriptive writing but not enough plot? Found myself skimming a lot. Wasn’t a fan of all the hooking up talk or the religion. Confusing with all the characters and timelines.
June 16, 2021
The Mad Girl is a fast moving suspenful, dark, gritty tale with elements of trauma, crime and religion with an unexpected, yet very satisfying ending.
*Not for the light-hearted. Is as dark and triggering as it warns*
*Not for the light-hearted. Is as dark and triggering as it warns*
September 25, 2021
Round up to 4.5 stars for this book!
I think this is the best psychological thriller I have ever read! My mind is literally sore as I’m writing this review.
One of my favorite quotes in this book:
“It feels like I chose the wrong door somewhere in the past, left all the goodness behind. I’m hurtling down a dark path toward a terrible end. I Know that there’s another cycle for me where I am happy and good, but I have to find it, take that path”
This book follows Cee who was abused as a child and how that trauma shackled her emotionally even when she got away from her abuser physically. When a priest comes a long to help remove the shackles, she so desperately prayed to get rid of she is trapped under the influence of a master manipulator and only later realizes this blessing was a curse in disguise. The book entangles the past like a web where you can feel the hurt of this character even if you haven’t experienced it, understand the need for salvation that drives her and sit on the edge of your seat as this book takes you on mind-gripping journey of what is good and what is evil.
I really can’t believe this is the authors first book? The book although complex and full of triggers is written so expertly and smooth. I was immediately intrigued with every detail of this emotional and psychological journey. Usually I would skim through books that feel this overwhelming but I physically couldn’t help myself to read every word sentence to sentence. Its just that good.
And the ending! This ending will keep me awake for nights to come. I love how this book lingers in the back of your mind afterwards. Its dark and twisty but a down right masterpiece.
I will be reading anything and everything from this author to come in the future!
I think this is the best psychological thriller I have ever read! My mind is literally sore as I’m writing this review.
One of my favorite quotes in this book:
“It feels like I chose the wrong door somewhere in the past, left all the goodness behind. I’m hurtling down a dark path toward a terrible end. I Know that there’s another cycle for me where I am happy and good, but I have to find it, take that path”
This book follows Cee who was abused as a child and how that trauma shackled her emotionally even when she got away from her abuser physically. When a priest comes a long to help remove the shackles, she so desperately prayed to get rid of she is trapped under the influence of a master manipulator and only later realizes this blessing was a curse in disguise. The book entangles the past like a web where you can feel the hurt of this character even if you haven’t experienced it, understand the need for salvation that drives her and sit on the edge of your seat as this book takes you on mind-gripping journey of what is good and what is evil.
I really can’t believe this is the authors first book? The book although complex and full of triggers is written so expertly and smooth. I was immediately intrigued with every detail of this emotional and psychological journey. Usually I would skim through books that feel this overwhelming but I physically couldn’t help myself to read every word sentence to sentence. Its just that good.
And the ending! This ending will keep me awake for nights to come. I love how this book lingers in the back of your mind afterwards. Its dark and twisty but a down right masterpiece.
I will be reading anything and everything from this author to come in the future!
September 15, 2021
Several Trigger warnings for this book.
I really enjoyed this dark novel about a young girl warped by the Twisted guidance of her priest.
There was no sugar coating in this book, just raw truth about how the youth of today are perceived.
Cee was often a difficult character to like, but I often forgave her transgressions for she genuinely believed she was following God's will, and when she doubted it, the priest beat her down with senseless manipulations.
I particularly enjoyed the relationship with Elle being her anchor with sanity and peace.
Very well researched in philosophy and psychology. The way the author navigates Cee's mindset and thoughts. Her pull between dark and light is perfect.
A great read but I will say there is a lot of rape, murder, self harm, mentions of physical abuse, mental abuse and control. So if these are triggers for you, read with caution.
I really enjoyed this dark novel about a young girl warped by the Twisted guidance of her priest.
There was no sugar coating in this book, just raw truth about how the youth of today are perceived.
Cee was often a difficult character to like, but I often forgave her transgressions for she genuinely believed she was following God's will, and when she doubted it, the priest beat her down with senseless manipulations.
I particularly enjoyed the relationship with Elle being her anchor with sanity and peace.
Very well researched in philosophy and psychology. The way the author navigates Cee's mindset and thoughts. Her pull between dark and light is perfect.
A great read but I will say there is a lot of rape, murder, self harm, mentions of physical abuse, mental abuse and control. So if these are triggers for you, read with caution.
July 31, 2022
The Mad Girl features Celeste (Cee) Stark, a teenage girl that has known nothing but abuse all her life, from her father and brother.
After Cee Stark loses her older brother and abusive father at the age of twelve, she believes her family's death to be her fault and desperately seeks to atone for her sins. This leads her to find some semblance of peace under the twisted tutorage of Father Benkovsky.
We follow the story of a teenage girl as the tries to navigate through life while battling PTSD, Occultic teachings, and let's not forget, high school drama.
But what happens when a couple of bad decisions result to multiple deaths?
THOUGHTS
The book was one hell of ride, packed with unexpected twists and turns.
The author alternated between POVs, this helped in getting the full picture and understanding all the sides to the story.
Every single character had their own captivating backstory.
The mad girl by Andrew Colvin is a truely dark psychological thriller, one that will get your heart racing.
If you like books that keep you at the edge of your seat, this is the one for you.
**Trigger Warning: Rape, Abuse, Self-harm
After Cee Stark loses her older brother and abusive father at the age of twelve, she believes her family's death to be her fault and desperately seeks to atone for her sins. This leads her to find some semblance of peace under the twisted tutorage of Father Benkovsky.
We follow the story of a teenage girl as the tries to navigate through life while battling PTSD, Occultic teachings, and let's not forget, high school drama.
But what happens when a couple of bad decisions result to multiple deaths?
THOUGHTS
The book was one hell of ride, packed with unexpected twists and turns.
The author alternated between POVs, this helped in getting the full picture and understanding all the sides to the story.
Every single character had their own captivating backstory.
The mad girl by Andrew Colvin is a truely dark psychological thriller, one that will get your heart racing.
If you like books that keep you at the edge of your seat, this is the one for you.
**Trigger Warning: Rape, Abuse, Self-harm
August 3, 2022
First I loved the characters of this book. Three main stories, one is girl's, second one is priests and third one is detectives. All three together makes a great read. That girl's story have depth. Her childhood trauma and the religious beliefs makes it a believable tale. Read this one.
July 25, 2022
Before I start I’d like to mention that there is a lot of triggers in this book, this being said, if you’re worried about possibly being triggered please proceed with caution and read trigger warnings!
This book was dark and twisted, but it had me hooked from the first page, The main character was sometimes hard to like but very easy to forgive.
This novel was absolutely filled with details, (in a good way), it was a mind twisting, crazy ride. The multiple story lines that all tie in together was a very impressive and clever touch to this story line.
This a new level of psychological thriller, and it is very clear that the author did his research while writing this book. The book is dark, gritty and sometimes hard to read because of the emotions you get from it, from trauma and abuse to manipulation and religious cults. Definitely not a book for the faint of heart.
I would recommend this book to most people as long as they understand the content they will be reading.
*I was gifted this book by the author in exchange for a honest review, all opinions are my own*
This book was dark and twisted, but it had me hooked from the first page, The main character was sometimes hard to like but very easy to forgive.
This novel was absolutely filled with details, (in a good way), it was a mind twisting, crazy ride. The multiple story lines that all tie in together was a very impressive and clever touch to this story line.
This a new level of psychological thriller, and it is very clear that the author did his research while writing this book. The book is dark, gritty and sometimes hard to read because of the emotions you get from it, from trauma and abuse to manipulation and religious cults. Definitely not a book for the faint of heart.
I would recommend this book to most people as long as they understand the content they will be reading.
*I was gifted this book by the author in exchange for a honest review, all opinions are my own*
October 23, 2021
If I could summarize The Mad Girl in one word, it would be intense. I mean that in the best way.
This book took me for a crazy ride right from the start and I had to see where it was going.
The storyline revolves around three main players but at the heart of the story is Cee, a teenage girl that’s just trying to escape childhood abuse and guilt. She gets ‘guidance’ (loosely used) from her parish priest and let’s just say, it doesn’t turn out well. Father Stephen is off the deep end here with his beliefs and that’s putting it mildly. His character infuriated me, but was a necessary piece of the puzzle.
Three victims later, and the police are on Cee’s trail. The lead detective Will (the third main character here) is determined to prove Cee is involved. Will has his own secrets though and what is he willing to do to hide them?
I really enjoyed the ride here, and loved how every character had their own unique distinct voice. The writing was so well done and I had lots of empathy for Cee. The dialogue of the high school kids here was a peek into the minds of teens these days, and it was one of the scariest parts of this book for me.
No spoilers - but this is a twisty one and I didn’t see the twist coming. The very last chapter was the best…🤐 and to me, the perfect ending. LOVED how this one ended and that so rarely happens.
Check this one out friends. It’s not the happiest of tales. It’s dark and twisted, which I love. It’s a great psychological thriller that messes with the mind of the reader in so many great ways.
This book took me for a crazy ride right from the start and I had to see where it was going.
The storyline revolves around three main players but at the heart of the story is Cee, a teenage girl that’s just trying to escape childhood abuse and guilt. She gets ‘guidance’ (loosely used) from her parish priest and let’s just say, it doesn’t turn out well. Father Stephen is off the deep end here with his beliefs and that’s putting it mildly. His character infuriated me, but was a necessary piece of the puzzle.
Three victims later, and the police are on Cee’s trail. The lead detective Will (the third main character here) is determined to prove Cee is involved. Will has his own secrets though and what is he willing to do to hide them?
I really enjoyed the ride here, and loved how every character had their own unique distinct voice. The writing was so well done and I had lots of empathy for Cee. The dialogue of the high school kids here was a peek into the minds of teens these days, and it was one of the scariest parts of this book for me.
No spoilers - but this is a twisty one and I didn’t see the twist coming. The very last chapter was the best…🤐 and to me, the perfect ending. LOVED how this one ended and that so rarely happens.
Check this one out friends. It’s not the happiest of tales. It’s dark and twisted, which I love. It’s a great psychological thriller that messes with the mind of the reader in so many great ways.
October 6, 2021
This Novel tells a story about a teenage girl, who is abused by those whom she loves and trusts. It is quite intriguing with the trauma that she experiences and the subsequent events that follow.
“The Mad Girl” is a truly dark, psychological thriller, one of those kinds with a gripping storyline and a tensed atmosphere. I got hooked onto it from the very start. It is brilliantly plotted and a fast-paced compulsive read that will have you madly turning the pages.
The story is filled with sinister layers and complex characters that will leave you guessing things till the end!
Told from multiple POVs, this novel is more than just a thrilling and twisty fiction, and definitely drives the reader to a heart-stopping conclusion. The writing was bold and gritty and I was left in a sharp, unsettling edge all along.
It’s hard to believe that it is the Debut novel of the author Andrew Colvin, considering all the likeable elements of the book.
What’s also interesting is that this novel also has a cult/religious angle, which makes it even more interesting and mysterious.
I would highly recommend this book to any Crime/Thriller lovers!! Trust me, you won’t regret picking it up as your next read!!
“The Mad Girl” is a truly dark, psychological thriller, one of those kinds with a gripping storyline and a tensed atmosphere. I got hooked onto it from the very start. It is brilliantly plotted and a fast-paced compulsive read that will have you madly turning the pages.
The story is filled with sinister layers and complex characters that will leave you guessing things till the end!
Told from multiple POVs, this novel is more than just a thrilling and twisty fiction, and definitely drives the reader to a heart-stopping conclusion. The writing was bold and gritty and I was left in a sharp, unsettling edge all along.
It’s hard to believe that it is the Debut novel of the author Andrew Colvin, considering all the likeable elements of the book.
What’s also interesting is that this novel also has a cult/religious angle, which makes it even more interesting and mysterious.
I would highly recommend this book to any Crime/Thriller lovers!! Trust me, you won’t regret picking it up as your next read!!
January 3, 2022
➡️Thoughts:
This one was brutal- in the sense of all the dark content throughout. Lots of trigger warnings here before you commit. I don’t mind dark and twisty stories so this one worked for me! This book is focused on trauma and the effects it can create. There are many characters, which was hard to keep track of at times, but I appreciated each chapter specifically laying out which pov it was being told in. The author does an amazing job at being descriptive throughout!
This is a solid story with a surprising ending! It leaves an impression on you. Go check it out! This is a great buddy read to go back and forth about the plot and characters with!
There is a sequel in the works!
This one was brutal- in the sense of all the dark content throughout. Lots of trigger warnings here before you commit. I don’t mind dark and twisty stories so this one worked for me! This book is focused on trauma and the effects it can create. There are many characters, which was hard to keep track of at times, but I appreciated each chapter specifically laying out which pov it was being told in. The author does an amazing job at being descriptive throughout!
This is a solid story with a surprising ending! It leaves an impression on you. Go check it out! This is a great buddy read to go back and forth about the plot and characters with!
There is a sequel in the works!
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