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dino46's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alistairlowe's review
4.0
“It was enough. It was enough to make me realize that most people enjoyed horror because it was far removed from their reality, while I enjoyed it because it showed me I didn’t have it so bad, not really. “
I was once again drawn by the cover! Look how beautiful it is!!!
This sounded like something along the lines of Cemetery Boys which I liked so I was keeping an eye on it. I have to say I didn’t even notice the author until I got it and imagine my surprise it’s by Leah Thomas. I read Because You’ll Never Meet Me few years back and I absolutely loved it so I expected no less of this book.
The story sets place in period of late 90’s to early 2000’s and it focuses on Dani who is coming to terms with the fact that he is trans while also being able to see ghosts. Dani’s only friend is a ghost named Sarah who doesn’t want to speak about her death. The main plot kicks in when Sarah convinces Dani to help some ghosts they run into which turns out to be a lot more dangerous than they expected.
I do have to say I think that the synopsis of this book is somewhat misleading. That did not affect my rating or enjoyment of this book but I think for some people it might. The synopsis literally says:
“Dani and Sarah might be more than friends, though Dani dares not say so. Dani is afraid that if he tells Sarah he’s trans, she won’t bother haunting him anymore.“
So I totally expected some ghostly romance between Dani and Sarah. However it turns out Sarah has feelings for Dani, but Dani pretty much rejects her for the whole book and it in fact makes him quite uncomfortable. There is actually a different love interest for Dani and I really liked how that relationship developed and even preferred it, I was just totally expecting something else.
This is a pretty heavy and dark book. It deals with trauma, murder, assault, sexual abuse, suicide and so on. There is a lot of emphasis on women who have been wronged by men. I thought that was handled really well. There is no sugarcoating, the pain they felt was portrayed as brutal and sick as it really is. However because it deals with such topics it might not be a book for everyone.
Personally I loved the characters and the way Leah Thomas writes. All of the side characters were very intriguing. The story was well paced even though there was a lot happening. Some thing were left with an open ending but I feel like it works better that way instead of giving them closure.
There are some minor things I take issue with which is why this is a 4 star read for me. Overall I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to Leah Thomas’s books in the future.
I was once again drawn by the cover! Look how beautiful it is!!!
This sounded like something along the lines of Cemetery Boys which I liked so I was keeping an eye on it. I have to say I didn’t even notice the author until I got it and imagine my surprise it’s by Leah Thomas. I read Because You’ll Never Meet Me few years back and I absolutely loved it so I expected no less of this book.
The story sets place in period of late 90’s to early 2000’s and it focuses on Dani who is coming to terms with the fact that he is trans while also being able to see ghosts. Dani’s only friend is a ghost named Sarah who doesn’t want to speak about her death. The main plot kicks in when Sarah convinces Dani to help some ghosts they run into which turns out to be a lot more dangerous than they expected.
I do have to say I think that the synopsis of this book is somewhat misleading. That did not affect my rating or enjoyment of this book but I think for some people it might. The synopsis literally says:
“Dani and Sarah might be more than friends, though Dani dares not say so. Dani is afraid that if he tells Sarah he’s trans, she won’t bother haunting him anymore.“
So I totally expected some ghostly romance between Dani and Sarah. However it turns out Sarah has feelings for Dani, but Dani pretty much rejects her for the whole book and it in fact makes him quite uncomfortable. There is actually a different love interest for Dani and I really liked how that relationship developed and even preferred it, I was just totally expecting something else.
This is a pretty heavy and dark book. It deals with trauma, murder, assault, sexual abuse, suicide and so on. There is a lot of emphasis on women who have been wronged by men. I thought that was handled really well. There is no sugarcoating, the pain they felt was portrayed as brutal and sick as it really is. However because it deals with such topics it might not be a book for everyone.
Personally I loved the characters and the way Leah Thomas writes. All of the side characters were very intriguing. The story was well paced even though there was a lot happening. Some thing were left with an open ending but I feel like it works better that way instead of giving them closure.
There are some minor things I take issue with which is why this is a 4 star read for me. Overall I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to Leah Thomas’s books in the future.
wildflowerz76's review
4.0
Leah Thomas has done it again in this supernatural contemporary story that seems to define intersectionality. Dani has just moved to a new town to escape their abusive father. And living under their bed....is a ghost. Sarah the ghost becomes Dani's best, and only, friend. Sarah died over 20 years ago and Dani is afraid if he tells her that he's trans, she won't like him anymore. Violet Ghosts tackle many hard topics, all while being a fantastic story.
clank's review against another edition
Ignore the blurb, the blurb has misled you.
I found this difficult to read and want to take a moment to thank authors (other authors, not this one) who provide TW's for their books.
This was less about Danny and Sarah's "relationship" and more about horrible true crime things happening to women. I'm sure you can check out some of the other top reviews for specific TWs.
Despite that, I didn't hate this book, but was also surprised to find out the author wasn't trans masc? Personally I prefer to read #ownvoices things. I think its difficult to write knowledgeable and thoughtfully about identities that aren't the authors own, but I do appreciate diversity in my books.
I think I'm just not going to rate it because I don't know what to get it. I enjoyed it enough to read it from start to finish, but probably would not recommend it to anyone.
I found this difficult to read and want to take a moment to thank authors (other authors, not this one) who provide TW's for their books.
This was less about Danny and Sarah's "relationship" and more about horrible true crime things happening to women. I'm sure you can check out some of the other top reviews for specific TWs.
Despite that, I didn't hate this book, but was also surprised to find out the author wasn't trans masc? Personally I prefer to read #ownvoices things. I think its difficult to write knowledgeable and thoughtfully about identities that aren't the authors own, but I do appreciate diversity in my books.
I think I'm just not going to rate it because I don't know what to get it. I enjoyed it enough to read it from start to finish, but probably would not recommend it to anyone.
friefrie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
5.0
Who allowed this book to be this good
book_dragon74's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jamielynnlano's review
LGBT+ rep: transmasc, bi/pan transmasc, gay, gay or bi/pan w (unclear), mlm (bi/pan tm x gay)
Other rep: Japanese-American, minor bipoc
CW: sexual abuse, child abuse, suicide, murder, bullying, homophobia, closeted, misgendering
Other rep: Japanese-American, minor bipoc
CW: sexual abuse, child abuse, suicide, murder, bullying, homophobia, closeted, misgendering
perhapsitsem's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
smartkeviareads's review
4.0
Violet Ghosts by Leah Thomas EXPECTED RELEASE DATE: JUNE 15, 2021
I received an ARC from Lark & Owl Booksellers in exchange for an honest review.
I must say this book does have a trigger warning: abuse, molestation, rape, transphobia, suicide, strangulation
Description: Dani's best friend, Sarah, is a ghost. But maybe that's normal when you've spent your childhood running from an abusive parent. Dani and Sarah might be more than friends, though Dani dares not say so. Dani is afraid that if he tells Sarah he's trans, she won't bother haunting him anymore. Sarah's got good reason to distrust boys, having been strangled by one. After Sarah and Dani come across another ghost haunted by her own brutal murder, they set out to bring peace and safety to spirits like her. But when an old rival reenters Dani's life, their unexpected friendship gives Dani a strange new feeling of belonging. As Dani starts to find his place in the living world, he'll need to let go of his ghosts.
Review: This book packs a lot (see trigger warning). From what I read from the description I went in expecting more or less something along the lines of a paranormal romance with LGBTQ representation. Now technically it does include those elements, but I would not classify this as a romance. With that being said if you're willing to endure all of the heavy topics that are explored in this book then you won't be disappointed in the overall story.
The way the author tackles the topic of trauma was what made me enjoy this book the most. Personally, I'm not usually interested in books with ghosts as characters. So, it was definitely a surprise to me that I even committed to reading this book all the way through. I think the biggest takeaway for me with this book was the author's way of exploring these very difficult subjects in a way that I could see young readers really identifying with. As a teacher it's very easy for me to lean towards cute books with LGBTQ rep but I understand the importance
of young readers needing books that explore these heavy topics that they are unfortunately able to identify with. With that being said the execution of those heavy topics is more important than just simply writing a book built with trauma. I think Thomas did a wonderful job of this and I can't wait to read more.
I received an ARC from Lark & Owl Booksellers in exchange for an honest review.
I must say this book does have a trigger warning: abuse, molestation, rape, transphobia, suicide, strangulation
Description: Dani's best friend, Sarah, is a ghost. But maybe that's normal when you've spent your childhood running from an abusive parent. Dani and Sarah might be more than friends, though Dani dares not say so. Dani is afraid that if he tells Sarah he's trans, she won't bother haunting him anymore. Sarah's got good reason to distrust boys, having been strangled by one. After Sarah and Dani come across another ghost haunted by her own brutal murder, they set out to bring peace and safety to spirits like her. But when an old rival reenters Dani's life, their unexpected friendship gives Dani a strange new feeling of belonging. As Dani starts to find his place in the living world, he'll need to let go of his ghosts.
Review: This book packs a lot (see trigger warning). From what I read from the description I went in expecting more or less something along the lines of a paranormal romance with LGBTQ representation. Now technically it does include those elements, but I would not classify this as a romance. With that being said if you're willing to endure all of the heavy topics that are explored in this book then you won't be disappointed in the overall story.
The way the author tackles the topic of trauma was what made me enjoy this book the most. Personally, I'm not usually interested in books with ghosts as characters. So, it was definitely a surprise to me that I even committed to reading this book all the way through. I think the biggest takeaway for me with this book was the author's way of exploring these very difficult subjects in a way that I could see young readers really identifying with. As a teacher it's very easy for me to lean towards cute books with LGBTQ rep but I understand the importance
of young readers needing books that explore these heavy topics that they are unfortunately able to identify with. With that being said the execution of those heavy topics is more important than just simply writing a book built with trauma. I think Thomas did a wonderful job of this and I can't wait to read more.