The Dark Side: A Novel

The Dark Side by Danielle Steele is a 2019 Delacorte Press publication.

This book is a bit of a departure for Danielle Steele. The title gives readers fair warning that this book might address some distressing subject matter, and the emotions evoked are not the same as those one might feel when reading most of her other books.

The story revolves around Zoe Morgan, a woman who endures a sad, tragic childhood, but still manages to become successful, eventually finding love and getting married. Although Zoe and her husband, Austin, had trouble conceiving, they eventually welcomed a beautiful baby girl. But, the ghost of Zoe’s past intrudes upon her intentions of being the perfect mother….

One can’t say very much about this book without show more revealing too much of the plot. I will say that for those who are familiar with popular crime shows, or who read crime fiction on a regular basis, nothing in this novel will come as a big shock- and you will probably catch on to where the plot is headed very early on.

Therefore, for me, the story was very predictable, the main suspense factor being the fear that the character’s slow dawning will come too late. Despite that, the book is compulsively readable and because of its brevity, I had no trouble reading it in one sitting. I did feel as though the book was rushed through, though, and the writing didn’t live up to Steele’s usual quality.

This book covers some familiar ground for me, as it was a hot topic for shows like Law & Order and thriller/ suspense novels, especially during the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, this specific topic seems to be cropping up again with ever increasing regularity. This is the third book in the past year I’ve read with a similar plot.

Still, the subject matter is absolutely riveting and is one that often leaves me feeling conflicted. I felt queasy and horrified, but also found that the circumstances in this novel made me take a harder look at the psychology surrounding the issue at hand.

Overall, this book is effective and suspenseful, thought-provoking and sad, even though I was not as shocked by it as other readers might be. The material is not new for me, but despite that, it was a compelling enough story, and I’m still glad I read it. However, it didn’t satisfy my craving for one of Steele’s traditional storylines. So, I’m off to pick another one her books- maybe an older one, this time.

3.5 stars show less

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The Miracle of a Child

It has been many years since I have picked up a Danielle Steel book. I think I was in high school the last time I read a good DS book. Until this one that is. I loved this very much. Thank you to NetGalley and all parties involved in me receiving a copy of this book. I get pulled into books that are on the darker side of things. This was totally that. Zoe has a difficult childhood where her younger sister ends up dying from leukemia and during the time of the progression of the illness Zoe is ignored and left to her own most of the time. Even after her show more sister's death the parents excess in their own worlds and Zoe is left in the cold. Zoe grows up and leads a very isolated life with few friends. Until she meets Austin and falls in love. After they are married, they have a baby girl named Jamie. I loved Jamie as a character. I thought that Zoe and Austin deserve a little bundle of joy after everything she has gone through. But as the story progresses you learn that this child is either accident prone or her mother needs help. The more the story continues I as the reader wanted to throttle Zoe as a mother. While there are sicknesses that inflict people, I just felt this anger for Zoe then toward the end I was sad. If Miss Steel continues to write in this vain, I will be a big fan in no time at all. A solid four stars from me. show less

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). show more 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. show less

The Dark Side by Danielle Steel
Story of a woman who grows up to be just like her mother. the hero, the one who wouldn't leave the very sick daughter at any cost.
She is now raising her own child but the child is very sickly and the ER nurses know them by name. She has rules and goes through many nanny's so she can work at her non profit that will help a lot of others who've been abused.
Her husband knows her back story and can't understand why she just won't put up fences so the daughter won't wonder the house and stairs and get hurt.
She is very over active and wants rules for everything.
Things go drastically wrong for the little girl, always in the hospital and mother jumps to conclusions about aches and pains.
Mother in law figures show more something out as to her profession and tells her son and he finds it's spot on...
He confides in the primary pediatrician and she gets the ball rolling. What a sad story.
So heartbreaking and you hope they get to her in time...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device). show less

Oh My Gosh, what a psychological thriller Danielle Steel has written in The Dark Side, and what a dark side this book is!Very different than the normal Danielle Steel books. This is a story about Munchansan By Proxy, which is a terrible disease and is sure portrayed by the main character, Zoe Morgan. She wants to be a good mother but is a mother from hell. The storyline sure kept me enthralled on the edge of my seat. A very heavy, informative subject that I learned about in reading The Dark Side! You feel the pain, anguish, concern of the husband, the doctors, and all the people involved, but especially the innocent child.

I have read Danielle Steel books for years, I always get the new ones because I know it's going to be a good story. This one did not disappoint, but it's not a normal Danielle Steel book. A lot happens in the first chapter to setup the story, and it can get a little confusing, I honestly don't know how I would handle it if my sister died young, but I can't imagine I would hurt my child like Zoe did. However the mind is a strange thing, and you don't know how you'd act unless you are in those circumstances. Great story!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Zoe's little sister died of leukemia when Zoe was ten. Her mother shut down emotionally leaving Zoe to pretty much raise herself causing severe emotional scarring. Her dark side didn't come out until after the birth of her own daughter years later.
While being a very well written book, I didn't think it was as dark and mysterious as some had previously reviewed.