Scan barcode
saltandcedar's review
3.0
Not my usual read and while I didn't dislike it, it doesn't have me excited to read more like it either.
What I liked:
The relationship between Hanna and both her parents is really well done. The secrets of the town are revealed so slowly that you're never sure if there's still something more to uncover or if you pretty much have the whole picture, and I like a book that will keep me guessing. The whole colour-coded clothing aspect was definitely interesting.
What I didn't like:
There were times when bad things happened to some of the characters, but I felt like not enough time was dedicated to making the reader care about them, so it didn't pack the punch it should have. Some of the supernatural aspects of the story seemed a bit shoehorned in, and I felt the plot could have just been either fleshed out or tightened up just a bit more.
Overall, not a book I'd go out of my way to recommend. However, if find yourself the way I did with this book suddenly in your possession, it's entertaining.
What I liked:
The relationship between Hanna and both her parents is really well done. The secrets of the town are revealed so slowly that you're never sure if there's still something more to uncover or if you pretty much have the whole picture, and I like a book that will keep me guessing. The whole colour-coded clothing aspect was definitely interesting.
What I didn't like:
There were times when bad things happened to some of the characters, but I felt like not enough time was dedicated to making the reader care about them, so it didn't pack the punch it should have. Some of the supernatural aspects of the story seemed a bit shoehorned in, and I felt the plot could have just been either fleshed out or tightened up just a bit more.
Overall, not a book I'd go out of my way to recommend. However, if find yourself the way I did with this book suddenly in your possession, it's entertaining.
readingpenguin's review
2.0
This book is surreal. Hanna is a bipolar sixteen year old who was living with her aunt, but for one reason and another ran away from home to live with the mother she has never met or had contact with. Her mother, Rosalee, doesn't seem to want her anymore then her aunt did, but Hanna is determined. Rosalee tells her that if she can manage to fit in and make friends she can stay. Hanna quickly finds that her new home is extremely unusual. The town is full of monsters and supernatural phenomena. Everyone treats Hanna like an outsider, and expect her to die or run away screaming at any minute. Hanna meets Wyatt, who is part of a group of monster fighters called Mortmaine. Hanna and Wyatt banter back and forth and quickly succum to their mutual attraction.
The best sub-genre to place this in is horror, without a doubt. It's plenty violent and gory, with moments that even a jaded reader may find disturbing. The gratuitous violence was not really a problem for me, because I frequently read horror and usually enjoy it. The bizarreness of it all is also not a problem, because at least it's imaginative. Because Hanna suffers from hallucinations, what is real and what is in her head is sometimes ambiguous. I thought that was a nice touch.
My issue is the characters. Hanna has all the characteristics of a problem teen: she acts out, is sexually promiscuous, doesn't have a problem with violence, does drugs, and never thinks about consequences. She's bipolar and doesn't always take her meds. She's so very desperate for someone to love her, it's pitiful. There is just something off about Hanna's character. I liked her, I even sympathized with her at times. But, whether because of her illness or the weirdness of the setting/scenery, she never seemed real to me. She seems more like a caricature then a real person. And because of this, it's difficult to become really invested in her story.
Wyatt is similarly unreal and twisted. I did like him, and I felt like he started to grow a lot in the story. As for their relationship, it was just ok. It gets physical really quickly, and that did nothing to help the realism. They do have some good dialogue and banter. But at no point did I believe they were falling in love, or would remain together long term.
Aside from Hanna and Wyatt, who at least have moments of likeability, I hated every single character. Hanna's mother is irredeemable. I know that on some level she loves Hanna, but not once does she show it in any way that counts. The other teens seem cold and generic, none standing out at all. Except Petra, of course, who is so whiny that you root for her to die horribly.
I also think it's necessary to discuss whether this book is really appropriate for teens. For younger teens, probably not. It's too full of violence and sex with no reference to consequences. But for any reasonably mature teen over the age of 16 or so, this book is perfectly fine. It doesn't go so far as to really condone the bad behavior, and I don't see many readers wanting to emulate a crazy character in any case.
The bottom line is, I didn't like this book because I didn't care for the characters. But I'm entirely in favor of horror and surrealness and all of those wonderful things. So I'd say if your a horror/fantasy, and you don't mind deeply flawed characters, maybe give it a try. 2 stars.
The best sub-genre to place this in is horror, without a doubt. It's plenty violent and gory, with moments that even a jaded reader may find disturbing. The gratuitous violence was not really a problem for me, because I frequently read horror and usually enjoy it. The bizarreness of it all is also not a problem, because at least it's imaginative. Because Hanna suffers from hallucinations, what is real and what is in her head is sometimes ambiguous. I thought that was a nice touch.
My issue is the characters. Hanna has all the characteristics of a problem teen: she acts out, is sexually promiscuous, doesn't have a problem with violence, does drugs, and never thinks about consequences. She's bipolar and doesn't always take her meds. She's so very desperate for someone to love her, it's pitiful. There is just something off about Hanna's character. I liked her, I even sympathized with her at times. But, whether because of her illness or the weirdness of the setting/scenery, she never seemed real to me. She seems more like a caricature then a real person. And because of this, it's difficult to become really invested in her story.
Wyatt is similarly unreal and twisted. I did like him, and I felt like he started to grow a lot in the story. As for their relationship, it was just ok. It gets physical really quickly, and that did nothing to help the realism. They do have some good dialogue and banter. But at no point did I believe they were falling in love, or would remain together long term.
Aside from Hanna and Wyatt, who at least have moments of likeability, I hated every single character. Hanna's mother is irredeemable. I know that on some level she loves Hanna, but not once does she show it in any way that counts. The other teens seem cold and generic, none standing out at all. Except Petra, of course, who is so whiny that you root for her to die horribly.
I also think it's necessary to discuss whether this book is really appropriate for teens. For younger teens, probably not. It's too full of violence and sex with no reference to consequences. But for any reasonably mature teen over the age of 16 or so, this book is perfectly fine. It doesn't go so far as to really condone the bad behavior, and I don't see many readers wanting to emulate a crazy character in any case.
The bottom line is, I didn't like this book because I didn't care for the characters. But I'm entirely in favor of horror and surrealness and all of those wonderful things. So I'd say if your a horror/fantasy, and you don't mind deeply flawed characters, maybe give it a try. 2 stars.
midnightbookgirl's review
3.0
Weird, quirky, bloody and violent. I read A Slice of Cherry first, which takes place in the same small town. I can say that while I loved A Slice of Cherry, Bleeding Violet wasn't as good. Probably because it was written first, and probably because part of the charm of ASoC was in the fact that I'd never read anything like it. Still Reeves is a unique voice in YA- but there is murder, monsters and mayhem on every page, so this book is not for the faint of heart.
linkdoesread's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Portero is a magical place where something supernatural happening is not uncommon. Dead bodies often lead to the creation of doors to another realm, and hidden within these doors are all sorts of creatures. Ranging from leeches with tentacles that will bleed you dry to ghosts granting you any wish, as long as you can breathe underwater enough to ask it. Yet somehow, there is nowhere in the world Hanna Jarvinen would rather be. Hanna is biracial, bicultural and bipolar, and 100% committed to making her mother, Rosalee, love her. After her father passed, Hanna wanted nothing more than to be with the mother that pushed her away, no matter the cost. To stay, Hanna will have to become more than a Transy, Transient in Portero and will have to become a permanent member of the town. In haste to do this, she unlocks a secret the town and the Mayor would instead have kept secret.
"The rain echoed in the shadowy attic space and made me feel small and fragile, like a lace glove left behind on moving day - mateless and abandoned."
This is a stand-alone novel, although there are subsequent books that take place in Portero and carry the world forward. I loved this story from watching Hanna and her mother rebuild their relationship, move away from her obsession with purple and finally come to terms with what to do when times get tough. It's a coming-of-age story that follows a lead character that you can't help but love.
Slice of Cherry is the second book from Dia Reeves to take place in Portero, Texas. Kit and Fancy Cordelle have always lived in Portero, being descendants of Cherry du Haven, a slave whose ghost on Juneteenth each year can grant your deepest wish, but not always in the way you wanted. As the daughters of the infamous 'Bonesaw Killer, Kit and Fancy would much instead be left alone, but life has other plans for them. For Kit growing up is an adventure, but for Fancy, it is something that must be stopped, even if that means hurting the one person you love more than yourself.
“But what if the monsters come?""Fancy." Kit looked away from the drama to stare at her sister, surprised. "We are the monsters.”
They must deal with the town's mistrust, growing up and growing apart. They must navigate their own murderous tendencies, falling in love and keeping secrets from their mum. From opening portals to other worlds to meeting boys, this book will have your every need covered. It's a coming-of-age novel if narrowly avoiding becoming a serial killer was on your path to adulthood.
coffeeandink's review
3.0
This may be the most cracktastic thing I've read that isn't manga. It resembles a murder ballad more than a YA paranormal romance. Brilliant, strange, horrific world-building and monsters, and humans as bad as monsters.
I feel like it got a little more typical towards the end? Or at least plot took over.
Kind of like Peter Greenaway does YA. I'm hoping [b:Slice of Cherry|7812107|Slice of Cherry (Portero, #2)|Dia Reeves|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41GZ%2BiGcsVL._SL75_.jpg|10826723] reminds me as much of Ginger Snaps as it looks like it will.
I feel like it got a little more typical towards the end? Or at least plot took over.
Kind of like Peter Greenaway does YA. I'm hoping [b:Slice of Cherry|7812107|Slice of Cherry (Portero, #2)|Dia Reeves|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41GZ%2BiGcsVL._SL75_.jpg|10826723] reminds me as much of Ginger Snaps as it looks like it will.
kindredbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not too sure what I expected especially I read that Hanna was manic depressive. For a second before even opening the novel, I thought that BLEEDING VIOLET was one of those novels about the struggles with a mental disorder and so. Boy, was I wrong.
Perhaps it's because it caught me by surprise, but I was totally sucked into this crazy town where having manic depression doesn't even really count as crazy and if anything, Hanna's psychological state only became more real. Even now, a few hours after reading it, I'm still reeling from Hanna's paranormal journey. I don't want to give away anything but I just needed to say... read it. This novel is captivating, enchanting, dark, funny... and if just let yourself be surprised and drawn in by this crazy - depending on what you count as crazy- town and its inhabitants.
Perhaps it's because it caught me by surprise, but I was totally sucked into this crazy town where having manic depression doesn't even really count as crazy and if anything, Hanna's psychological state only became more real. Even now, a few hours after reading it, I'm still reeling from Hanna's paranormal journey. I don't want to give away anything but I just needed to say... read it. This novel is captivating, enchanting, dark, funny... and if just let yourself be surprised and drawn in by this crazy - depending on what you count as crazy- town and its inhabitants.
ellengoodlett's review
5.0
Seriously one of my favorite YA books ever. Not gonna lie, it's borderline horror, but in a FANTASTIC way. The town of Portero is so creative and unique, and I am insanely jealous of Dia's world-building. The creepy things that come out of her imagination... *shiver* *in a good way*
The main character I felt was a perfect blend of vulnerable and tough. She's not always sympathetic, but I kind of love non-sympathetic narrators (so bored of the constant goody-two-shoes). And she has just enough vulnerability in her voice and her personal issues that you always feel for her, even when she has her irritating moments.
Plus I just love how she takes Portero and all its madness in stride. This book wastes no time with "omg, but this can't be real! things like this don't exist! even though the readers have known for 200 pages, you can't possibly be a vampire!" (COUGH). It cuts right to the chase - this shit is real, and it is getting weirder. You need to man up and learn how to survive.
I have been recommending this to everyone I know since I read it last year, but I'll say it again here: if you're looking for dark fantasy, horror, or just a unique YA story with a great voice, this is the book for you.
The main character I felt was a perfect blend of vulnerable and tough. She's not always sympathetic, but I kind of love non-sympathetic narrators (so bored of the constant goody-two-shoes). And she has just enough vulnerability in her voice and her personal issues that you always feel for her, even when she has her irritating moments.
Plus I just love how she takes Portero and all its madness in stride. This book wastes no time with "omg, but this can't be real! things like this don't exist! even though the readers have known for 200 pages, you can't possibly be a vampire!" (COUGH). It cuts right to the chase - this shit is real, and it is getting weirder. You need to man up and learn how to survive.
I have been recommending this to everyone I know since I read it last year, but I'll say it again here: if you're looking for dark fantasy, horror, or just a unique YA story with a great voice, this is the book for you.
chase's review
4.0
It's 31 flavors of crazy, but it's good. Great. Page-turner doesn't even begin to describe this book. I'm gonna stop trying. My point: Read it. Read it NOW.
shutupnread's review
1.0
Link: https://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/2017/05/bleeding-violet-by-dia-reeves.html
What an odd book. That pretty much sums this book right up. The premise definitely sounded a bit intriguing with Portero and its oddities; however, after a few chapters in, I was definitely more confused than intrigued. First of all, the author never really explained the whole situation at Portero – why were these monsters there in the first place? What is all of these stories about the Keys? How come the Mayor had all of these powers? And what exactly was the purpose of these Mortmaines? Not to mention but how come Hanna can see her father and what is up with those manifestations of the swans? There were just a lot of questions that were left unanswered.
I think the best part of the book is its uniqueness since Portero is certainly unique. However, the author lacked in communicating some of that uniqueness to the readers so the readers, specifically me, was confused. There were a lot of times where I didn’t understand the flow of the book. It seemed as if Hanna, the main character, was pretty much psychotic and somehow drifted from someone who wasn’t wanted to suddenly someone who everyone called a hero to then someone who somehow developed powers that weren’t there. It just felt very disorganized and discombobulated.
Talking about the characters, I really did not understand Hanna. She is probably THE weirdest character I have ever encountered in literature and that’s saying a lot because I have certainly read my share of books. I mean, putting her clearly mental issues aside specifically with her talking to her dead father and the two swans, she clearly had a ton of issues. Her method of doing things was so dramatic – for example, she basically threatened her own mother that if she didn’t want her to stay there, she would paint the walls in her blood. Which she did. She chose to die in such a dramatic way just to get attention from her own mother. I just find that completely crazy. She was definitely a character that I absolutely could not connect to. I know there are people out there who act out to get attention but committing suicide and in such a drastic manner? That’s just bonkers.
The other characters definitely weren’t as strange as Hanna – she was in her own little category but they certainly weren’t not weird. However, they were strange on a level that I could actually understand. On the other hand, the plot was also extremely disjointed. I felt that it would jump from one issue to the next in a seemingly disorganized manner. The worst thing was that the author never really explained a lot of issues. For example, Hanna found herself in a sticky situation with this door and somehow she thought of something, did it, and escaped. First of all, what exactly is that door? Secondly, how did she manage to escape? Lastly, what exactly did she do and how come everyone was so shocked? Honestly, it was just incredibly confusing.
I believe there is another book in this Portero Universe series but I doubt I would continue with it. The writing style and the flow of the storyline was too jumbled for me to fully comprehend and appreciate this book. However, maybe that is the whole purpose of this book? Who knows.
What an odd book. That pretty much sums this book right up. The premise definitely sounded a bit intriguing with Portero and its oddities; however, after a few chapters in, I was definitely more confused than intrigued. First of all, the author never really explained the whole situation at Portero – why were these monsters there in the first place? What is all of these stories about the Keys? How come the Mayor had all of these powers? And what exactly was the purpose of these Mortmaines? Not to mention but how come Hanna can see her father and what is up with those manifestations of the swans? There were just a lot of questions that were left unanswered.
I think the best part of the book is its uniqueness since Portero is certainly unique. However, the author lacked in communicating some of that uniqueness to the readers so the readers, specifically me, was confused. There were a lot of times where I didn’t understand the flow of the book. It seemed as if Hanna, the main character, was pretty much psychotic and somehow drifted from someone who wasn’t wanted to suddenly someone who everyone called a hero to then someone who somehow developed powers that weren’t there. It just felt very disorganized and discombobulated.
Talking about the characters, I really did not understand Hanna. She is probably THE weirdest character I have ever encountered in literature and that’s saying a lot because I have certainly read my share of books. I mean, putting her clearly mental issues aside specifically with her talking to her dead father and the two swans, she clearly had a ton of issues. Her method of doing things was so dramatic – for example, she basically threatened her own mother that if she didn’t want her to stay there, she would paint the walls in her blood. Which she did. She chose to die in such a dramatic way just to get attention from her own mother. I just find that completely crazy. She was definitely a character that I absolutely could not connect to. I know there are people out there who act out to get attention but committing suicide and in such a drastic manner? That’s just bonkers.
The other characters definitely weren’t as strange as Hanna – she was in her own little category but they certainly weren’t not weird. However, they were strange on a level that I could actually understand. On the other hand, the plot was also extremely disjointed. I felt that it would jump from one issue to the next in a seemingly disorganized manner. The worst thing was that the author never really explained a lot of issues. For example, Hanna found herself in a sticky situation with this door and somehow she thought of something, did it, and escaped. First of all, what exactly is that door? Secondly, how did she manage to escape? Lastly, what exactly did she do and how come everyone was so shocked? Honestly, it was just incredibly confusing.
I believe there is another book in this Portero Universe series but I doubt I would continue with it. The writing style and the flow of the storyline was too jumbled for me to fully comprehend and appreciate this book. However, maybe that is the whole purpose of this book? Who knows.
gwentara's review
3.0
This was kind of weird. Hanna is manic-depressive and comes to a town to find her mother, who doesn't want to have anything to do with her. But they make a deal: if Hanna can fit in the town, Portero, she can stay. But the town is really weird, because there are a lot of monsters, but the people there got so used to them, that they don't mind their neighbors being killed or other horrible stuff. Also I was not quite sure if all of that really happens or if part of that is only in her head, because she has hallucinations as well... So I think it was a bit hard to imagine the town, but on the other hand I wanted to find out what happend to her and if she would be able to convince her mother.