michellesantiago's review
4.0
Set in during the Victorian Era, Haunting Violet follows Violet Willoughby, a daughter of a fake medium, who reluctantly participates in her mother's, Celeste Willoughby, elaborate schemes to deceive others into believing they can communicate with their dead loved ones. When Violet's mother was invited in the home of Spiritualist Lord Jasper, Celeste not only sees it as an opportunity gain new clients but for her daughter to make an advantageous marriage that will financially and socially help their family--Celeste wants nothing more than to be accepted in the fashionable society as a respectable lady. Although Violet did attract the attention of a proper young man, she cannot stop thinking about Colin, an orphaned boy her mother had took in from the streets and who Violet grew up with. But soon Violet realize that she can see and communicate with real spirits when the ghost of a murdered girl makes herself know to Violent through frightening visions and violent acts. Good thing she has her friend Elizabeth by her side who has a penchant for adventure. But Violet dare not let anyone know of her new found gift except for Colin, who understands her more than anyone. As the ghost gets more violent, Violet knows she must solve the mystery of her death before the murder strikes again.
I liked the character of Violet right from the beginning. She grew up with a mother like Celeste who was selfish, self-serving, sometimes mercenary and I felt bad for her. She had to assist her in fake seances which often felt made her feel guilty having to dupe innocent people but she knows that the ruse was the only way they get their income and so she does what her mother tells her. She was under her mother's thumb in the beginning but by the end of book, she came to her own and I liked seeing that growth in her character. The romance between Violet and Colin was really sweet and one of my favorite parts of the book. Those who are not fans of a romance in their reads, no worries, the story is not centered on Violet and Colin's romance and it's more a natural progression of their friendship. I really liked how their romance came to be, that they were best friends before they realize their feelings for each other.
As for the angry ghost, she was truly frightening as she always appeared to Violet drowned with the bruises from her murderer. There were some scenes that were truly scary like when Violet was in her bedroom and the ghost made the illusion of filling the bedroom with the pond water so that Violet was "drowning" too. If it was a movie, I'd be covering my eyes with my fingers during the angry ghost scenes. The mystery itself was easy to figure out but that could've been just me because I like to solve puzzles and I like to work them out in my mind. The setting of the novel, which was during the Victorian Era and for most of the book at a manor house in the country, really help set the tone for this Gothic ghost story--I pictured in my mind the whole novel being dark and somber with a film of fog over everything outside and I really like that atmospheric feel the author conveyed.
A thing that fascinated me was the elaborate smoke and mirrors act that Violet, Colin and Celeste put on. The whole Spiritualist thing really happened and was quite popular back then. There were really people like Celeste in the Victorian Era putting on this act and people were so desperate to hold on to their loved ones that already passed away that they let themselves be convinced that they really were talking to the dead. Or to some people "talking to the dead" was a form of entertainment. I thought that part of the novel felt authentic and was very well-researched by the author.
Haunting Violet was my first novel by Alyxandra Harvey and I quite enjoyed her writing--it was very readable and she can tell a good story. I found this novel to be a delightful and engaging read--part ghost story and part mystery with great characters and a sweet romance. I enjoyed the time period in which it was set and the world of Spiritualist (fake or otherwise) fascinating. I don't know if there will be a sequel because the story line was concluded quite nicely [Yay! No crazy cliffhangers!] but I wouldn't mind revisiting Violet's world again.
I liked the character of Violet right from the beginning. She grew up with a mother like Celeste who was selfish, self-serving, sometimes mercenary and I felt bad for her. She had to assist her in fake seances which often felt made her feel guilty having to dupe innocent people but she knows that the ruse was the only way they get their income and so she does what her mother tells her. She was under her mother's thumb in the beginning but by the end of book, she came to her own and I liked seeing that growth in her character. The romance between Violet and Colin was really sweet and one of my favorite parts of the book. Those who are not fans of a romance in their reads, no worries, the story is not centered on Violet and Colin's romance and it's more a natural progression of their friendship. I really liked how their romance came to be, that they were best friends before they realize their feelings for each other.
As for the angry ghost, she was truly frightening as she always appeared to Violet drowned with the bruises from her murderer. There were some scenes that were truly scary like when Violet was in her bedroom and the ghost made the illusion of filling the bedroom with the pond water so that Violet was "drowning" too. If it was a movie, I'd be covering my eyes with my fingers during the angry ghost scenes. The mystery itself was easy to figure out but that could've been just me because I like to solve puzzles and I like to work them out in my mind. The setting of the novel, which was during the Victorian Era and for most of the book at a manor house in the country, really help set the tone for this Gothic ghost story--I pictured in my mind the whole novel being dark and somber with a film of fog over everything outside and I really like that atmospheric feel the author conveyed.
A thing that fascinated me was the elaborate smoke and mirrors act that Violet, Colin and Celeste put on. The whole Spiritualist thing really happened and was quite popular back then. There were really people like Celeste in the Victorian Era putting on this act and people were so desperate to hold on to their loved ones that already passed away that they let themselves be convinced that they really were talking to the dead. Or to some people "talking to the dead" was a form of entertainment. I thought that part of the novel felt authentic and was very well-researched by the author.
Haunting Violet was my first novel by Alyxandra Harvey and I quite enjoyed her writing--it was very readable and she can tell a good story. I found this novel to be a delightful and engaging read--part ghost story and part mystery with great characters and a sweet romance. I enjoyed the time period in which it was set and the world of Spiritualist (fake or otherwise) fascinating. I don't know if there will be a sequel because the story line was concluded quite nicely [Yay! No crazy cliffhangers!] but I wouldn't mind revisiting Violet's world again.
roseice's review against another edition
4.0
A surprisingly enjoyable YA historical novel; props to the writing style and the quirky personality woven into the main character. A fun read.
bertiethefern's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
oliviakateamerica's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lestaslettering's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @ 85%
Where do I start? An NPD mother , childhood physical, emotional and verbal abuse. You could've have had a trigger warning, at the least. It's really painful for an abuse survivor to read a book like that. I thought this book would be like a refresher to The Mediator series by Meg Cabot but its safe to say I liked Susannah Simons better than any of the one dimensional characters in this book. Another problem I had with this book was the year, it was set in. Victorian England or Russian Monarchy lifestyles and accents are something I adore when done properly. Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare or My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand capture the essence perfectly but this book steered way off the path that the writing was more disturbing and infuriating. Violet is an idiot, I don't buy the "love" between her and Colin, every single character was exasperating. I have several choice words for her mother which would be inappropriate even in the 21st century. I recommend it to no one looking for a good spirit story or crime mystery. You are better off reading The Mediator by Meg Cabot or Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake or even the good old Nancy Drew series. If you want to enjoy a good story of espionage, go for Night School series by C.J.Daughterly or even Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter. In other words, run far far away from a booooooorrrrrringggg book like this. Boring is not even the worst thing about it. This deserves negative stars.
Where do I start? An NPD mother , childhood physical, emotional and verbal abuse. You could've have had a trigger warning, at the least. It's really painful for an abuse survivor to read a book like that. I thought this book would be like a refresher to The Mediator series by Meg Cabot but its safe to say I liked Susannah Simons better than any of the one dimensional characters in this book. Another problem I had with this book was the year, it was set in. Victorian England or Russian Monarchy lifestyles and accents are something I adore when done properly. Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare or My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand capture the essence perfectly but this book steered way off the path that the writing was more disturbing and infuriating. Violet is an idiot, I don't buy the "love" between her and Colin, every single character was exasperating. I have several choice words for her mother which would be inappropriate even in the 21st century. I recommend it to no one looking for a good spirit story or crime mystery. You are better off reading The Mediator by Meg Cabot or Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake or even the good old Nancy Drew series. If you want to enjoy a good story of espionage, go for Night School series by C.J.Daughterly or even Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter. In other words, run far far away from a booooooorrrrrringggg book like this. Boring is not even the worst thing about it. This deserves negative stars.
sstensland's review against another edition
3.0
I like this book well enough. Characterizations could have used some major improvement. There were events that happened that happened just for the sake of happening, it felt like. Some things felt like they happened too fast in too short of a time period. Also, there were plenty of things that were mentioned that could have continued on that we're never really mentioned again.
merlin_reads's review
3.5
Just an FYI, this book takes place in the 1800's - not the modern world as I so thought going in. So despite my initial confusion followed by the "is this a flashback" question, I enjoyed it. It was a classic whodunit mystery with ghosts and high class living.
Violet's mother is a scam artist. Fooling rich patrons that she can commune with the dead is the way she provides for her family. She raises Violet and another boy, Colin (a foster child of sorts) to help her with little tricks and gadgets that make people believe her story. Only problem is, ghosts are actually starting to make themselves known to Violet. One ghost in particular seems to want her story told.
Meet Rowena the ghost. She died a year ago. But what people thought was an accidental drowning is actually looking more and more like murder. Now Violet finds herself thrust into the middle of high society with a fraud for a mother and a dead girl haunting her. Oh let's not forget the son of a nobleman who wants her hand in marriage.
I really liked Violet as a MC. She was interesting and I found that I cared what was going to happen to her. When her life takes a turn for the worst, she takes matters into her own hands and finally stands up to her mother (not that that goes well, but...). But I was really invested in was who killed Rowena. I had a (few) suspects in mind and I enjoyed collecting all of the little clues that Harvey dropped in the story. I will definitely read more of her work in the future.
Violet's mother is a scam artist. Fooling rich patrons that she can commune with the dead is the way she provides for her family. She raises Violet and another boy, Colin (a foster child of sorts) to help her with little tricks and gadgets that make people believe her story. Only problem is, ghosts are actually starting to make themselves known to Violet. One ghost in particular seems to want her story told.
Meet Rowena the ghost. She died a year ago. But what people thought was an accidental drowning is actually looking more and more like murder. Now Violet finds herself thrust into the middle of high society with a fraud for a mother and a dead girl haunting her. Oh let's not forget the son of a nobleman who wants her hand in marriage.
I really liked Violet as a MC. She was interesting and I found that I cared what was going to happen to her. When her life takes a turn for the worst, she takes matters into her own hands and finally stands up to her mother (not that that goes well, but...). But I was really invested in was who killed Rowena. I had a (few) suspects in mind and I enjoyed collecting all of the little clues that Harvey dropped in the story. I will definitely read more of her work in the future.
meagan_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good book, it was really different than what I was expecting, I was expecting more of a corny YA suspense but it was so much deeper than that and I really enjoyed it, not saying much more because my cousin is on here and I got her this book as a gift because I enjoyed it so much!