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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
When I read the synopsis for Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson on NetGalley, I assumed it was a paranormal story, which is why I requested it. As it turns out, it isn’t really all that paranormal until towards the end, but I was not at all disappointed by this. Ultraviolet turned out to be completely enthralling without the paranormal aspect that usually draws me to YA books.
The story revolves around Alison, a 16-year old girl who believes she killed the most popular girl in school, Tori. Not only does Alison think she killed Tori, but she firmly believes she actually disintegrated the girl. Tori did seem to disappear off the face of the earth, and Alison was the last person to see her. It doesn’t help that Alison had Tori’s blood on her hands when she came flying into her house in a total fit of rage. The next thing Alison knows, she’s waking up in a mental ward, being shipped off to another mental hospital for teenagers suffering a range of mental conditions.
Alison struggles to prove she’s sane while questioning that fact herself. She hides her unique abilities from her psychiatrist and everyone else because she was taught to do so long ago by a seemingly cold and unfeeling mother. Alison isn’t a vampire, werewolf, or ghost whisperer. She’s really not all that paranormal at all. She’s a synesthete someone who can hear colors, taste words, and see sounds. While this is a very real condition, Alison’s is amplified a bit more than a typical synesthete. Alison doesn’t even know that her condition has a name, let alone is fairly common (1 in 23 people have some form of synethesia, according to the author) until a mysterious scientist comes into her life.
R. J. Anderson really brings synesthesia to life through Alison’s descriptions. I really did find myself understanding how a number can be a color, how a voice could taste like chocolate, and how other senses could kick in cause something as simple as a song to become a full sensory experience. Those descriptions alone were so beautifully written and impressive that I wasn’t at all upset to find that I wasn’t reading the traditional paranormal story that I was expecting. In fact, I’m very happy that I misinterpreted the synopsis, otherwise I may have passed up this great story that, at its heart, is really about a young girl trying to figure out who and what she is, and whether or not she’s normal or completely insane. I can totally relate!
The story revolves around Alison, a 16-year old girl who believes she killed the most popular girl in school, Tori. Not only does Alison think she killed Tori, but she firmly believes she actually disintegrated the girl. Tori did seem to disappear off the face of the earth, and Alison was the last person to see her. It doesn’t help that Alison had Tori’s blood on her hands when she came flying into her house in a total fit of rage. The next thing Alison knows, she’s waking up in a mental ward, being shipped off to another mental hospital for teenagers suffering a range of mental conditions.
Alison struggles to prove she’s sane while questioning that fact herself. She hides her unique abilities from her psychiatrist and everyone else because she was taught to do so long ago by a seemingly cold and unfeeling mother. Alison isn’t a vampire, werewolf, or ghost whisperer. She’s really not all that paranormal at all. She’s a synesthete someone who can hear colors, taste words, and see sounds. While this is a very real condition, Alison’s is amplified a bit more than a typical synesthete. Alison doesn’t even know that her condition has a name, let alone is fairly common (1 in 23 people have some form of synethesia, according to the author) until a mysterious scientist comes into her life.
R. J. Anderson really brings synesthesia to life through Alison’s descriptions. I really did find myself understanding how a number can be a color, how a voice could taste like chocolate, and how other senses could kick in cause something as simple as a song to become a full sensory experience. Those descriptions alone were so beautifully written and impressive that I wasn’t at all upset to find that I wasn’t reading the traditional paranormal story that I was expecting. In fact, I’m very happy that I misinterpreted the synopsis, otherwise I may have passed up this great story that, at its heart, is really about a young girl trying to figure out who and what she is, and whether or not she’s normal or completely insane. I can totally relate!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm gonna start this right off with a confession: I only read this instalment because I was initially interested in the second book but am incapable of not reading books in order (even if everyone promises it's a-okay).
Going fully unprepared into this explains the 3 stars, coming from both angles. Since I had no expectations, I could hardly be disappointed, but not knowing what kind of book I was reading also completelty caught me off guard because it's not until 75% into the book that it becomes clear what kind fo story/genre this is.
I highly enjoyed the first half of the book which is weirdly fast-paced yet slowly developing at the same time and it's decidely a well-oiled down the slide read.
That said I strangely don't have /that/ much opinion on the book which happens rarely and I personally don't think...is a good thing, maybe?
Fully intend to read the second book though ! Maybe afterwards I'll have a clearer view on this one?
With books in series it can always go either way.
Maybe the vague reviews right here is already telling in it's own.
Going fully unprepared into this explains the 3 stars, coming from both angles. Since I had no expectations, I could hardly be disappointed, but not knowing what kind of book I was reading also completelty caught me off guard because it's not until 75% into the book that it becomes clear what kind fo story/genre this is.
I highly enjoyed the first half of the book which is weirdly fast-paced yet slowly developing at the same time and it's decidely a well-oiled down the slide read.
That said I strangely don't have /that/ much opinion on the book which happens rarely and I personally don't think...is a good thing, maybe?
Fully intend to read the second book though ! Maybe afterwards I'll have a clearer view on this one?
With books in series it can always go either way.
Maybe the vague reviews right here is already telling in it's own.
I really enjoyed this book up until the alien part.
I found Alison to be a realistic and pitiful character. I felt bad for her throughout the book and really connected with her. I was mad for her, and scared for her.
I love that the book was set in my home province of Ontario! I don't think I have ever read a book set in my own province so that was huge bonus.
I was mad a Melissa and Kirk for being bad friends that both betrayed her as well as her mother initially until that heart to heart they had in the car.
I was surprised by Tori and Dr. Minta as well as Faraday.
I was really interested in Alison's tetrachromat and synesthesia. I was also looking forward to the sequel till I realized that it was from Tori's POV. :(
I found Alison to be a realistic and pitiful character. I felt bad for her throughout the book and really connected with her. I was mad for her, and scared for her.
I love that the book was set in my home province of Ontario! I don't think I have ever read a book set in my own province so that was huge bonus.
I was mad a Melissa and Kirk for being bad friends that both betrayed her as well as her mother initially until that heart to heart they had in the car.
I was surprised by Tori and Dr. Minta as well as Faraday.
I was really interested in Alison's tetrachromat and synesthesia. I was also looking forward to the sequel till I realized that it was from Tori's POV. :(
I liked the synesthesia element to this book and understanding the ways it can impact someone in different scenarios, like with loud noises and the overstimulation that can cause.
I was a little confused by the extraterrestrial twist but I didn't hate it, and I'm intrigued enough to read the follow-up!
I was a little confused by the extraterrestrial twist but I didn't hate it, and I'm intrigued enough to read the follow-up!
More of a 3.5 but it kept my interest very well so more than a 3.
The story opens with a confession that the narrator killed someone, they watched them disintegrate. Then the Narrator, Alison, describes waking up in a bleak hospital room and discovering that she was in an institution and had to deal with what was going on. Try to work out what had happened and come to terms with the fact that maybe, just maybe she wasn't crazy, but there was something different about how she thought.
And then things twisted.
Now I did guess some of the twisting but it still was interesting and kept me reading and while I see where the end came from I'm not sure it shouldn't have been a bit different.
The story opens with a confession that the narrator killed someone, they watched them disintegrate. Then the Narrator, Alison, describes waking up in a bleak hospital room and discovering that she was in an institution and had to deal with what was going on. Try to work out what had happened and come to terms with the fact that maybe, just maybe she wasn't crazy, but there was something different about how she thought.
And then things twisted.
Now I did guess some of the twisting but it still was interesting and kept me reading and while I see where the end came from I'm not sure it shouldn't have been a bit different.
I have no idea where to start with this book. From the beginning I really liked it, but then small things kept happening in the plot that made me sit there and think "really?". Towards the end I had given up on liking it. The ending was rushed so much, and it didn't leave me satisfied as a reader. Also it's bad when you think a book in one genre, then 50 pages till the end the authors like "let's change things up shall we?" I don't recommend this book.
Ultraviolet by R J Anderson is a science fiction novel which explores the feelings and the mind of Alison,who is registered in a psychiatric institution.No longer clear about her memories,Alison doesn't know if she truly has killed Tori-a beautiful and popular girl at school-or if her mind is playing tricks on her.Neglected by her mother,Alison seeks help from her therapist,Sebastian Faraday,for whom she soon starts to develop feelings of love and friendship.What Alison doesn't know is that people aren't always what they seem to be.
After having loved The Host by Stephenie Meyer,I decided to give science fiction another shot,thinking that you never know I might fall in love with this genre.And I must say, I was quite right.I really liked this book.It was quite a wonderful experience.In the beginning, the story was vague.I spent a little too much time trying to figure out what was wrong with Alison's brain.Finally loosing patience,I committed a book crime,I googled the symptoms faced by Alison and found out about the disorder.I know I ought to have left the suspense intact but I was so into the story that I HAD to know beforehand.But alas!It is a very well written book.It totally gave the vibes of a teenage girl talking about her feelings.At times I could relate to some parts of the story.I assume that it must have been written with teenagers in mind,not that adults can't read it.They can and they certainly should when they find the time to read.Like I said before it is a really good book.
Most of the characters were nice,except for a few annoying ones.Alison is a nice girl,yearning for her mothers love and acceptance since childhood.I felt so bad for her.She was treated like an outsider by her own mother.I don't blame her for not having a very strong self-esteem. She has only 1 bestfriend (who is really pathetic).Faraday,her therapist,reached out to her and helped her become more confident of herself.He guided her throughout her stay at Pine Hills and he believed in her more than she did in herself.He's a very friendly character.Kirk is one of the annoying characters.He's never serious about anything.He's the ideal mental patient character.
Overall it was a good read.If you haven't read it,by way of ARC,then you certainly should when the book comes out in June.Give it a try and see if you'll like it.
After having loved The Host by Stephenie Meyer,I decided to give science fiction another shot,thinking that you never know I might fall in love with this genre.And I must say, I was quite right.I really liked this book.It was quite a wonderful experience.In the beginning, the story was vague.I spent a little too much time trying to figure out what was wrong with Alison's brain.Finally loosing patience,I committed a book crime,I googled the symptoms faced by Alison and found out about the disorder.I know I ought to have left the suspense intact but I was so into the story that I HAD to know beforehand.But alas!It is a very well written book.It totally gave the vibes of a teenage girl talking about her feelings.At times I could relate to some parts of the story.I assume that it must have been written with teenagers in mind,not that adults can't read it.They can and they certainly should when they find the time to read.Like I said before it is a really good book.
Most of the characters were nice,except for a few annoying ones.Alison is a nice girl,yearning for her mothers love and acceptance since childhood.I felt so bad for her.She was treated like an outsider by her own mother.I don't blame her for not having a very strong self-esteem. She has only 1 bestfriend (who is really pathetic).Faraday,her therapist,reached out to her and helped her become more confident of herself.He guided her throughout her stay at Pine Hills and he believed in her more than she did in herself.He's a very friendly character.Kirk is one of the annoying characters.He's never serious about anything.He's the ideal mental patient character.
Overall it was a good read.If you haven't read it,by way of ARC,then you certainly should when the book comes out in June.Give it a try and see if you'll like it.