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ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
4.0
If I remember right, this was compared to one of my favorite books by an author I read for the first time (and I think a debut?): [b:The Unbecoming of Maya Dryer|23627348|The Unbecoming of Maya Dryer|Michelle Hoodkin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|43232672]. And I see why, although for me what comes to mind are two other books (one I did not finish yet). These are both taking place in a mental institution, as does this one: [b:I Never Promised You a Rose Garden|45220|I Never Promised You a Rose Garden|Hannah Green|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1309209871s/45220.jpg|3585] and [b:Red Orc's Rage|591773|Red Orc's Rage (World of Tiers #6)|Philip José Farmer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1323053392s/591773.jpg|2137715].
All highly recommended (even though I did yet finish "... Rose Garden").
Farmer's "Red Orc's Rage" has a similar concept like this one, I do not count that as a spoiler, at least I hope not, or that most will not know both. Farmer will probably be read after reading the first 5 books in the "Word of tiers"-series, without knowledge of that, it might seem overly weird.
So, how about reviewing this one without spoiling anything?
A bit short, but there is a sequel, which I have already bought, when I bought this one.
The female MC struggles with a bad thing that happened, leading to her own mother calling the police and getting her committed into an insane asylum. All this takes place in Canada, although regrettably (I like to look up places on Google Earth) some of it is made up.
Alison (the heroine) reveals on the first page that she has killed someone. This sets the stage for her twisted journey inside the Asylum, given drugs, questioned by police and her doctor, bullied by inmates and constantly thinking about what happened and what to reveal and what to do.
Another doctor, Faraday (sic!), helps her and diagnoses her conditions. Just then you think, it might get in a romance direction, the story takes a left exit and reveals how much Alison (and the reader) does not know, I have not guessed most twists, so thats a plus.
Another twist, and then - the ending, which is ok for me, open enough for a sequel, rather realistic (for me, others may think different).
Although I do not see too many similarities to Mara Dryer, this is good, not totally 5 stars, but 4 highly recommended and I will surely read the next book after taking a breather with something different. As a trilogy it could be as earth-shattering as Mara Dryer, but I think it was planned for two books, with the second book taking another turn, if I guess right.
All highly recommended (even though I did yet finish "... Rose Garden").
Farmer's "Red Orc's Rage" has a similar concept like this one, I do not count that as a spoiler, at least I hope not, or that most will not know both. Farmer will probably be read after reading the first 5 books in the "Word of tiers"-series, without knowledge of that, it might seem overly weird.
So, how about reviewing this one without spoiling anything?
A bit short, but there is a sequel, which I have already bought, when I bought this one.
The female MC struggles with a bad thing that happened, leading to her own mother calling the police and getting her committed into an insane asylum. All this takes place in Canada, although regrettably (I like to look up places on Google Earth) some of it is made up.
Alison (the heroine) reveals on the first page that she has killed someone. This sets the stage for her twisted journey inside the Asylum, given drugs, questioned by police and her doctor, bullied by inmates and constantly thinking about what happened and what to reveal and what to do.
Another doctor, Faraday (sic!), helps her and diagnoses her conditions. Just then you think, it might get in a romance direction, the story takes a left exit and reveals how much Alison (and the reader) does not know, I have not guessed most twists, so thats a plus.
Another twist, and then - the ending, which is ok for me, open enough for a sequel, rather realistic (for me, others may think different).
Although I do not see too many similarities to Mara Dryer, this is good, not totally 5 stars, but 4 highly recommended and I will surely read the next book after taking a breather with something different. As a trilogy it could be as earth-shattering as Mara Dryer, but I think it was planned for two books, with the second book taking another turn, if I guess right.
thebriary's review against another edition
4.0
The romance was creepily inappropriate and I would have liked to see more development between Alison and Tori but overall it was interesting enough to capture my attention for an entire sick day.
kristenkrae's review
3.0
At first, I absolutely LOVED this book. I liked how the author described how Ali could see shapes and colors and taste peoples words and other sounds. I found myself on the edge of my seat a number of times because I was dying to know what happened to Tori. (Some girl Ali supposedly disintegrated). However, the story took a turn when this fake neurophysiologist/fake university student/janitor/alien guy tells Ali he needs her help to get to his home planet??
So she helps him, and they obviously fall in love, and then Ali has to go home and never see this Faraday guy again??
I especially hated the part when Ali is about to return how and she says "I love you" and he says "I don't love you" even though Ali can "taste" that he's lying. Why couldn't he just say I love you too? Regardless she knows what he is feeling, because it's not like she can go back, and she's never going to see him again anyways.
Ultimately, the beginning of the book was great until the last 40-50 pages or so. Then, I was just disappointed.
So she helps him, and they obviously fall in love, and then Ali has to go home and never see this Faraday guy again??
I especially hated the part when Ali is about to return how and she says "I love you" and he says "I don't love you" even though Ali can "taste" that he's lying. Why couldn't he just say I love you too? Regardless she knows what he is feeling, because it's not like she can go back, and she's never going to see him again anyways.
Ultimately, the beginning of the book was great until the last 40-50 pages or so. Then, I was just disappointed.
kaeliwolf's review
5.0
No words... It was mind-blowingly utterly amazing. There are no words to describe the amazingness I accidentally witnessed. I didn't know how much this book would consume me until it happened. There is no going back after this book, it will change your perception.... of basically life. Read it
brianne_k's review against another edition
3.0
More 3.5 than a 4, but the plot was quite intriguing.. but what I found most enjoyable was Alison describing her numbers and letters as colours, feelings, and tastes. I thought that was brilliant.
stephxsu's review
3.0
R.J. Anderson steps away from faeries and tackles an entirely new genre and writing style in her latest novel, ULTRAVIOLET. ULTRAVIOLET is weird and crazy, but surprisingly, this genre-defying novel is an enjoyable success.
The less you know about ULTRAVIOLET before you read it, the better your reading experience will most likely be. ULTRAVIOLET’s plot doesn’t quite twist and turn, per se, but reader engagement is primarily predicated on unexpected revelations. This means that the characters feel somewhat lacking. Alison doesn’t stand out as a protagonist, though she is, fortunately, not a damsel-in-distress. Supporting characters take on rather one-dimensional roles: you’ve got yourself a plethora of fairly stereotypical mental patients, and the lifelong tension between Alison and her mother feels undeveloped.
Fortunately, the odd appeal of the story makes up for lackluster characters. While the writing is elementary, the story inexplicably sucks you in: you’re right there alongside Alison, having your mind blown and trying desperately to figure out where in this new version of the world you fit. Just when you thought the story couldn’t get any stranger, R.J. Anderson throws you another curveball. It’s pretty incredible, actually, how far she manages to stretch the story while still making everything fit together logically!
Overall, ULTRAVIOLET is not a masterpiece, but it was an entertainingly crazy read. Definitely recommended to readers who look more for originality in their reads.
The less you know about ULTRAVIOLET before you read it, the better your reading experience will most likely be. ULTRAVIOLET’s plot doesn’t quite twist and turn, per se, but reader engagement is primarily predicated on unexpected revelations. This means that the characters feel somewhat lacking. Alison doesn’t stand out as a protagonist, though she is, fortunately, not a damsel-in-distress. Supporting characters take on rather one-dimensional roles: you’ve got yourself a plethora of fairly stereotypical mental patients, and the lifelong tension between Alison and her mother feels undeveloped.
Fortunately, the odd appeal of the story makes up for lackluster characters. While the writing is elementary, the story inexplicably sucks you in: you’re right there alongside Alison, having your mind blown and trying desperately to figure out where in this new version of the world you fit. Just when you thought the story couldn’t get any stranger, R.J. Anderson throws you another curveball. It’s pretty incredible, actually, how far she manages to stretch the story while still making everything fit together logically!
Overall, ULTRAVIOLET is not a masterpiece, but it was an entertainingly crazy read. Definitely recommended to readers who look more for originality in their reads.
serru's review
1.0
The synesthesia thing was an interesting idea and the prose, while a little excessive at times, fit with Alison's cross-wired perception of the world. But I found the book slow and monotonous, I had a lot of trouble getting into it but I kept reading because I wanted to know what the mystery was. Well, the explanation turned out to be a huge and ridiculous plot twist that I just did not find convincing at all. Also, I hated who Alison's romantic interest was, so when the plot twist came, that pretty much ruined the book for me.
thebookhaze's review
4.0
I liked this book because it talked about synesthesia. I think it would be so cool to have an extra sense that most people didn't have.
This book does a great job of telling the story while informing the reader about this condition. I thought it was fascinating, and I enjoyed the story too. There are just enough elements of reality enmeshed with technology too advanced for us to understand right now, so we see it as other-worldly. The story makes perfect sense, and I can totally see how it could happen.
I like that synesthesia is a real condition, and that it could seem strange to people who didn't know about it or understand it. I feel like that's pretty much how everything is in life; people find it hard to accept the things that they don't understand.
The story itself was interesting mostly in dealing with the psyche. After all, most of it is set in a mental hospital. It's really interesting to see how the definition of "crazy" can be different to people though, and sometimes it's scary, because I believe that any one of us can be crazy, given the right circumstances, or rather, wrong circumstance.
Good book.
This book does a great job of telling the story while informing the reader about this condition. I thought it was fascinating, and I enjoyed the story too. There are just enough elements of reality enmeshed with technology too advanced for us to understand right now, so we see it as other-worldly. The story makes perfect sense, and I can totally see how it could happen.
I like that synesthesia is a real condition, and that it could seem strange to people who didn't know about it or understand it. I feel like that's pretty much how everything is in life; people find it hard to accept the things that they don't understand.
The story itself was interesting mostly in dealing with the psyche. After all, most of it is set in a mental hospital. It's really interesting to see how the definition of "crazy" can be different to people though, and sometimes it's scary, because I believe that any one of us can be crazy, given the right circumstances, or rather, wrong circumstance.
Good book.
michalice's review
4.0
Review from Much Loved Books Review-Ultraviolet
I have picked Ultraviolet up a few times in my local shops and read the back but didn't find it interesting enough to want to buy it.
I will raise my hand and say I was very mistaken.
After we get past the first few paragraphs I found myself really interested in Alison and how she sees/hears things in colours. It was fascinating to see how she describes numbers, letters, names, sounds although I probably wouldn't want it myself.
I really love how R.J.Anderson has based her book around a subject I have never heard of, and as soon as the medical name was given Synesthesia I googled it's meaning straight away.
I felt sorry for Allison, she never knew what was wrong with her for a long time and was told from a young age not to mention it to anybody or talk about it at all, and she has gone through her life hiding part of who she is.
R. J. Anderson has built a world around one medical word and it's easy to fall straight into it and feel the ups and downs of Alison's life. When she finally gets her diagnosis you are happy that Alison has the relief needed to know she isn't insane and that there really is something wrong with her.
Although Alison doesn't get her big Happy Ever After, I really liked how it ended.
[Book was sent to me from Belle Books for R.A..K]
I have picked Ultraviolet up a few times in my local shops and read the back but didn't find it interesting enough to want to buy it.
I will raise my hand and say I was very mistaken.
After we get past the first few paragraphs I found myself really interested in Alison and how she sees/hears things in colours. It was fascinating to see how she describes numbers, letters, names, sounds although I probably wouldn't want it myself.
I really love how R.J.Anderson has based her book around a subject I have never heard of, and as soon as the medical name was given Synesthesia I googled it's meaning straight away.
I felt sorry for Allison, she never knew what was wrong with her for a long time and was told from a young age not to mention it to anybody or talk about it at all, and she has gone through her life hiding part of who she is.
R. J. Anderson has built a world around one medical word and it's easy to fall straight into it and feel the ups and downs of Alison's life. When she finally gets her diagnosis you are happy that Alison has the relief needed to know she isn't insane and that there really is something wrong with her.
Although Alison doesn't get her big Happy Ever After, I really liked how it ended.
[Book was sent to me from Belle Books for R.A..K]