Scan barcode
byp's review
3.0
2 1/2 stars. I've yet to find one of these YA historicals that really works for me.
cutenanya's review against another edition
4.0
This is an interesting book with a murder case in the central plot though I fear this is not the typical type of murder mystery where one guesses who is the murderer and rather, it is the story of how Violet comes across her gift and how she uses her gift to solve th murder case. I think the whole concept in this book is nice and the characters are certainly interesting, unfortunately, I find the plot too thin and it would have been much better if the author focused more on the suspense and made it harder to guess who the killer was. It's too obvious and I find that disappointing.
Another problem with this book is the romance in the story. I like the relationship between Colin and Violet but I simply don't know how the two has progressed from childhood friends to lovers. I think it would be better if this side of the story is further developed. I have a feeling this book is intended to be the first book in a series but ended up being a standalone. I really would like to see how Lord Jasper trains Violet to become a more successful medium and I would also like to know more about Lord Jasper's powers.
Another problem with this book is the romance in the story. I like the relationship between Colin and Violet but I simply don't know how the two has progressed from childhood friends to lovers. I think it would be better if this side of the story is further developed. I have a feeling this book is intended to be the first book in a series but ended up being a standalone. I really would like to see how Lord Jasper trains Violet to become a more successful medium and I would also like to know more about Lord Jasper's powers.
r3ader's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
It was a great read and I even thought abou giving it 5⭐️, but it lacked something to get 5⭐️. I don't know what. However I loved the little romance and also the whole murder mystery. Did not know who the murderer was until it got revealed, but I was never any good at guessing the murderer in books and movies, so I guess it doesn't mean much.
I also really liked Violet as the protagonist. She acted very reasonable and I never felt the wish to reach into the book and ask her "wtf?" xD
I do feel like the storyline of her and her mother wasn't finished very, well. Like after ALL that has happened, THAT'S how we end this storyline?? But okay, wasn't as important.
I also really liked Violet as the protagonist. She acted very reasonable and I never felt the wish to reach into the book and ask her "wtf?" xD
I do feel like the storyline of her and her mother wasn't finished very, well. Like after ALL that has happened, THAT'S how we end this storyline?? But okay, wasn't as important.
missbookiverse's review
Nach 18% gebe ich auf. Ich hab das Gefühl das Buch lohnt sich für mich einfach nicht, weil ich es am Ende eh nur mit 2-3 Sternen bewerten würde. Es langweilt mich, der Schreibstil ist durchschnittlich und die Figuren relativ flach. Außerdem finde ich Séancen und Geister einfach nicht besonders interessant.
madhamster's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting look into the Victorian phenomenom of fake-mediums. Violet's mother earns her living as a medium, which creates some issues for Violet, particularly when ghosts - real ones - start appearing to her.
A teeny-tiny bit once-over-lightly, but it is a good, quick read - with enough romance, intrigue, and historical setting to captivate most readers.
A teeny-tiny bit once-over-lightly, but it is a good, quick read - with enough romance, intrigue, and historical setting to captivate most readers.
amethystbookwyrm's review against another edition
5.0
This and my other reviews can be found at http://amethystbookwyrm.blogspot.co.uk/
Violet has never believed in ghosts and people who can see them because of helping and living with her charlatan spiritualist mother. However, when Violet, her mother and Colin, an Irish orphan who helps out her mother and Violet has been getting strange feeling for him, visit Lord Jasper’s country estate, Violet keeps seeing a drowned girl everywhere she goes. Now with the help of Colin and her friend Elizabeth have to find out who this girl is and who killed her before they strike again.
Haunting Violet is another brilliant book by Harvey with everything I have grown to love about her work but instead of vampires it has Victorian’s and ghosts. I really like the mystery in this book as it kept me guessing about who the killer was and what was going to happen next.
I really like Violet because she is nice, down to earth and very loyal even when she does not really want to be. I also like the secondary characters as I felt they all had their own individual stories especially Elizabeth and Lord Jasper. I like the romance between Violet and Colin as it is sweet, romantic and had real depth to it.
I love Haunting Violet and I hope that there is another book; I would recommend this to people who liked Alyxandra Harvey’s other books.
Violet has never believed in ghosts and people who can see them because of helping and living with her charlatan spiritualist mother. However, when Violet, her mother and Colin, an Irish orphan who helps out her mother and Violet has been getting strange feeling for him, visit Lord Jasper’s country estate, Violet keeps seeing a drowned girl everywhere she goes. Now with the help of Colin and her friend Elizabeth have to find out who this girl is and who killed her before they strike again.
Haunting Violet is another brilliant book by Harvey with everything I have grown to love about her work but instead of vampires it has Victorian’s and ghosts. I really like the mystery in this book as it kept me guessing about who the killer was and what was going to happen next.
I really like Violet because she is nice, down to earth and very loyal even when she does not really want to be. I also like the secondary characters as I felt they all had their own individual stories especially Elizabeth and Lord Jasper. I like the romance between Violet and Colin as it is sweet, romantic and had real depth to it.
I love Haunting Violet and I hope that there is another book; I would recommend this to people who liked Alyxandra Harvey’s other books.
charlestonmes's review against another edition
4.0
This had everything I wanted - ghosts, murder, mystery, and romance. Well done, Alyxandra Harvey, well done!
katetj's review against another edition
5.0
More reviews can be found at my blog Nomalicious Reads
As soon as I heard about Haunting Violet I jumped to pre-order it, I have a massive obsession for any book with ghosts, and especially try to get my hands on any YA novel that has them mentioned in the synopsis.
My first trial was deciding if I should pre-order the hardcover or the paperback, I know most people wouldn't take pause and instantly order the hardcover, but I have a thing for paperbacks, and as soon as I saw the cover of the paperback, I had to get it, yes I thought the hardcover was equally stunning, but I couldn't resist.
So after I solved that dilemma, I read a few reviews and found out that not only did Haunting Violet have ghosts, but it also was set in England in the late 1800's, which is a favourite time period for me, so I was beyond excited.
I can't describe the joy of finding it in my mailbox earlier than I was expecting it (yesterday), and it didn't take me long to dive straight into the wonderful world that Alyxandra Harvey had created.
Violet Willoughby is no wilting flower, she has a lot to deal with; her mothers lies and outrageous personality, romantic interests, the rules of society, suddenly being able to see ghosts and a murderer on the loose who doesn't like the questions that she is asking.
Haunting Violet is a thrilling read, you get sucked right in to the mystery with Violet wondering who on earth did it, Harvey did a great job because honestly I came no where near close to guessing who was the killer, and that's one of the things I'm good at! (shame that I can't put it on a resume!)
The romance meshed well with the plot and didn't overwhelm it in the slightest.
I fell in love with Colin and just wanted to punch Xavier in the face every time he called Violet beautiful, I think she got it the first one hundred times you said it pal!
At the ending, the first thing I said was 'Aww' with a big smile on my face and had to stop myself from turning back to the start and reading it from the beginning all over again.
Haunting Violet will be found in my favourites pile and I'm hoping very much for a sequel, because even though the loose ends were tied off nicely it still has that potiential opening for a sequel
Now I'm off to go stalk Alyxandra Harvey's site for more info. (After some stalking I came across Alyxandra's twitter where she posted this: For those asking: Haunting Violet is a standalone. But I wrote a sequel bc I couldn't help myself ;) (but it's uncontracted so no promises.) You can find her twitter here.)
So it looks like I'll be waiting! Many people already love Haunting Violet, so I'm hoping that it wont be too long until the sequel in approved. :D
As soon as I heard about Haunting Violet I jumped to pre-order it, I have a massive obsession for any book with ghosts, and especially try to get my hands on any YA novel that has them mentioned in the synopsis.
My first trial was deciding if I should pre-order the hardcover or the paperback, I know most people wouldn't take pause and instantly order the hardcover, but I have a thing for paperbacks, and as soon as I saw the cover of the paperback, I had to get it, yes I thought the hardcover was equally stunning, but I couldn't resist.
So after I solved that dilemma, I read a few reviews and found out that not only did Haunting Violet have ghosts, but it also was set in England in the late 1800's, which is a favourite time period for me, so I was beyond excited.
I can't describe the joy of finding it in my mailbox earlier than I was expecting it (yesterday), and it didn't take me long to dive straight into the wonderful world that Alyxandra Harvey had created.
Violet Willoughby is no wilting flower, she has a lot to deal with; her mothers lies and outrageous personality, romantic interests, the rules of society, suddenly being able to see ghosts and a murderer on the loose who doesn't like the questions that she is asking.
Haunting Violet is a thrilling read, you get sucked right in to the mystery with Violet wondering who on earth did it, Harvey did a great job because honestly I came no where near close to guessing who was the killer, and that's one of the things I'm good at! (shame that I can't put it on a resume!)
The romance meshed well with the plot and didn't overwhelm it in the slightest.
I fell in love with Colin and just wanted to punch Xavier in the face every time he called Violet beautiful, I think she got it the first one hundred times you said it pal!
At the ending, the first thing I said was 'Aww' with a big smile on my face and had to stop myself from turning back to the start and reading it from the beginning all over again.
Haunting Violet will be found in my favourites pile and I'm hoping very much for a sequel, because even though the loose ends were tied off nicely it still has that potiential opening for a sequel
Now I'm off to go stalk Alyxandra Harvey's site for more info. (After some stalking I came across Alyxandra's twitter where she posted this: For those asking: Haunting Violet is a standalone. But I wrote a sequel bc I couldn't help myself ;) (but it's uncontracted so no promises.) You can find her twitter here.)
So it looks like I'll be waiting! Many people already love Haunting Violet, so I'm hoping that it wont be too long until the sequel in approved. :D
aunt13soc1al's review against another edition
4.0
This story is an excellent tale of mediums, ghosts, the late 1800s in London, and yet it's also a tale of love's triumphs and tribulations. I couldn't help but think of Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone while I was reading this. While Collins is not a YA author, but he did write some amazing mysteries in his day. I've read a couple of his books, and loved each of them. I can only say that to remind me of him is a great accomplishment.
Violet is a very believable character, as are the others involved throughout the story. I was kept guessing until the end when the mystery finally comes to a head. I loved the interactions between her and her mother as well as her and Colin, who was definitely a dreamy presence in a story filled with fickle boys as was common in those days.
I would suggest you pick this up and read it. It's quick and will suck you in. I haven't read any of her other books, but I fully intend to add them to my TBR list. And I can only hope Harvey writes another book like this (maybe a sequel, maybe not) for me to read.
Violet is a very believable character, as are the others involved throughout the story. I was kept guessing until the end when the mystery finally comes to a head. I loved the interactions between her and her mother as well as her and Colin, who was definitely a dreamy presence in a story filled with fickle boys as was common in those days.
I would suggest you pick this up and read it. It's quick and will suck you in. I haven't read any of her other books, but I fully intend to add them to my TBR list. And I can only hope Harvey writes another book like this (maybe a sequel, maybe not) for me to read.