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The Violet Hour #1
The Violet Hour
The voice inside me is breaking free. I can't stop it.
Some call VisionCrest the pinnacle of religious enlightenment. Others call it a powerful cult. For seventeen years, Harlow Wintergreen has called it her life.
As the daughter of VisionCrest's patriarch, Harlow is expected to be perfect at all times. She must be considered a paragon of integrity by the other Ministry teens and a future leader in the eyes of the world.
Despite the constant scrutiny Harlow is keeping a dark and dangerous secret, even from her best friend and the boy she loves. She hears a voice in her head that seems to have a mind of its own, plaguing her with violent and bloody visions. It commands her to kill. And the urge to obey is getting harder and harder to control ....
Some call VisionCrest the pinnacle of religious enlightenment. Others call it a powerful cult. For seventeen years, Harlow Wintergreen has called it her life.
As the daughter of VisionCrest's patriarch, Harlow is expected to be perfect at all times. She must be considered a paragon of integrity by the other Ministry teens and a future leader in the eyes of the world.
Despite the constant scrutiny Harlow is keeping a dark and dangerous secret, even from her best friend and the boy she loves. She hears a voice in her head that seems to have a mind of its own, plaguing her with violent and bloody visions. It commands her to kill. And the urge to obey is getting harder and harder to control ....
312 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2014
1415 people want to read
About the author
Whitney A. Miller
2 books29 followersWhitney A. Miller lives in San Francisco with her husband and a struggling houseplant. She's summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, ridden the Trans-Siberian rails, bicycled through Vietnam, done the splits on the Great Wall of China, and evaded the boat police in Venice, but her best international adventures take place on the page!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 28, 2014
View the full review here:
http://www.iswimforoceans.org/2014/02...
Horror is the type of genre that readers often either love, or they hate. There tends to be little to no middle ground on the matter, which can be frustrating for both readers and writers of the genre, if I'm correct. Yet, when an author embraces the genre and all its complexities with an open heart and an open mind, there is a strong possibility that the novel can transcend those stereotypes and give us something more than we might have anticipated. The Violet Hour by Whitney Miller presents this case in a nutshell. With a story that's vivid in its darkness, we're welcomed into a world that's deceiving, sinister and nearly impossible to escape.
I have to admit that with little to no hype surrounding The Violet Hour at all, I was wary when I started this novel. Though the premise is entirely my cup of tea, with horror, we always run the risk of reading a novel that becomes a bit trite and cliche. I was, however, extremely pleased with the setup that Ms. Miller offered her readers. With themes and settings within a cult, we're automatically whisked into a world that's darker and more mysterious than our own. The mysteries, however, stem from the delusions created by the cult mentality which, in all their darkness, are rich and fascinating, even as we're certain of their darkness and hidden agendas.
The Violet Hour gives us a taste of many things without inundating us with just one. Instead of bottle-necking itself into the horror genre alone, we're given a mix of elements including science-fiction and light teen romance that add a depth to an already multifaceted story. Harlow was an intriguing character to follow. On the surface, she seemed a bit schizophrenic, plagued by bloody visions that nobody else could hear or see. The fact that these voices and visions are driving her to kill, too, make her a character that is both easy to love and terrifying to love. On the one hand, we pity her situation. On the other hand, however, we fear the moment her psyche folds under the pressure of holding up her public persona at all times.
The novel starts out slower than I might have hoped, as Ms. Miller offers us a full setup, which I'll admit I was thankful for in the end. However, rather than interspersing the details throughout the meat of the novel, we're given a full account and backstory that makes the beginning of the novel a bit of a slower pace. However, once The Violet Hour gets going, we're whisked into a world that's as haunting as it is tangible. The book doesn't shy away from violence and other horror elements. It embraces them and allows the blood to spill over onto the pages, terrifying and real. It's the type of book that you can't put down - both for fear of not knowing what's going to happen next...and knowing what might.
Overall, I was quite surprised by both the originality and complexity of The Violet Hour. The novel isn't without flaws, but it's entertaining in the most gruesome and powerful way, as well. Written with a great, fresh prose, it's a book that will grow on fans of the genre and, likely, beyond. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy horror, science-fiction and cult stories.
I received this book free of charge from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
http://www.iswimforoceans.org/2014/02...
Horror is the type of genre that readers often either love, or they hate. There tends to be little to no middle ground on the matter, which can be frustrating for both readers and writers of the genre, if I'm correct. Yet, when an author embraces the genre and all its complexities with an open heart and an open mind, there is a strong possibility that the novel can transcend those stereotypes and give us something more than we might have anticipated. The Violet Hour by Whitney Miller presents this case in a nutshell. With a story that's vivid in its darkness, we're welcomed into a world that's deceiving, sinister and nearly impossible to escape.
I have to admit that with little to no hype surrounding The Violet Hour at all, I was wary when I started this novel. Though the premise is entirely my cup of tea, with horror, we always run the risk of reading a novel that becomes a bit trite and cliche. I was, however, extremely pleased with the setup that Ms. Miller offered her readers. With themes and settings within a cult, we're automatically whisked into a world that's darker and more mysterious than our own. The mysteries, however, stem from the delusions created by the cult mentality which, in all their darkness, are rich and fascinating, even as we're certain of their darkness and hidden agendas.
The Violet Hour gives us a taste of many things without inundating us with just one. Instead of bottle-necking itself into the horror genre alone, we're given a mix of elements including science-fiction and light teen romance that add a depth to an already multifaceted story. Harlow was an intriguing character to follow. On the surface, she seemed a bit schizophrenic, plagued by bloody visions that nobody else could hear or see. The fact that these voices and visions are driving her to kill, too, make her a character that is both easy to love and terrifying to love. On the one hand, we pity her situation. On the other hand, however, we fear the moment her psyche folds under the pressure of holding up her public persona at all times.
The novel starts out slower than I might have hoped, as Ms. Miller offers us a full setup, which I'll admit I was thankful for in the end. However, rather than interspersing the details throughout the meat of the novel, we're given a full account and backstory that makes the beginning of the novel a bit of a slower pace. However, once The Violet Hour gets going, we're whisked into a world that's as haunting as it is tangible. The book doesn't shy away from violence and other horror elements. It embraces them and allows the blood to spill over onto the pages, terrifying and real. It's the type of book that you can't put down - both for fear of not knowing what's going to happen next...and knowing what might.
Overall, I was quite surprised by both the originality and complexity of The Violet Hour. The novel isn't without flaws, but it's entertaining in the most gruesome and powerful way, as well. Written with a great, fresh prose, it's a book that will grow on fans of the genre and, likely, beyond. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy horror, science-fiction and cult stories.
I received this book free of charge from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
March 15, 2014
I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads.
Oh, my goodness. This book is great. I love it.
I know, I know. I haven't been writing reviews for awhile, so yell at me now. Or laugh at me, if you are tired of them. In that case, you should unfollow me. Anyway, I will go on and talk about The Violet Hour as if you are still there (if you left me talking).
The Violet Hour should be named The Violent Hour. Harlow is pretty much a sociopath with a lot bad voices in her head. They tell her to kill, to torture, to bleed. It's pretty nasty and descriptive. The visions especially are not for the weak hearted. It's really troublesome that a seventeen (or eighteen) year old girl keeps on having these urges to reap, kill, torture, and whatever. It's nasty and disturbing. And I like it.
The love interest is a donkey's butt. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He has been kidnapped. But you do not betray your best friend without telling them you are going to betray them. A blow from an enemy is easier than a blow from a friend.
The villain is the best of all characters. Of all the characters, she's probably the one who was explored the most. She's the voice in Harlow's head. She is the deadliest villain of Harlow's world. She looks like Harlow. She is part of Harlow. She is Harlow's reflection. Whoa...wasn't that creepy? Yeah, that's creepy.
The Violet Hour goes by pretty fast. The plot centers around Harlow, who is this new society's leader's daughter. Wow, that's a mouthful. Anyway, the plot goes by pretty fast. The story will fly by in an hour, if you are a fast reader. The book itself is only about two hundred and fifty pages. I'm not joking.
The ending of the book is a cliffhanger. When I first read that cliffhanger, I immediately thought: OMG, that's a sexy cliffhanger. I'm not joking (seriously). I actually thought that cliffhanger was pretty hot. Of course, it only makes me want to read the next book (please let there be a next book!). But still! It's pretty hot. And of course, I'm not going to reveal anything. I'm only going to say, it's perhaps worth it to wait for the next book to come out.
Rating: Five out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
Oh, my goodness. This book is great. I love it.
I know, I know. I haven't been writing reviews for awhile, so yell at me now. Or laugh at me, if you are tired of them. In that case, you should unfollow me. Anyway, I will go on and talk about The Violet Hour as if you are still there (if you left me talking).
The Violet Hour should be named The Violent Hour. Harlow is pretty much a sociopath with a lot bad voices in her head. They tell her to kill, to torture, to bleed. It's pretty nasty and descriptive. The visions especially are not for the weak hearted. It's really troublesome that a seventeen (or eighteen) year old girl keeps on having these urges to reap, kill, torture, and whatever. It's nasty and disturbing. And I like it.
The love interest is a donkey's butt. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He has been kidnapped. But you do not betray your best friend without telling them you are going to betray them. A blow from an enemy is easier than a blow from a friend.
The villain is the best of all characters. Of all the characters, she's probably the one who was explored the most. She's the voice in Harlow's head. She is the deadliest villain of Harlow's world. She looks like Harlow. She is part of Harlow. She is Harlow's reflection. Whoa...wasn't that creepy? Yeah, that's creepy.
The Violet Hour goes by pretty fast. The plot centers around Harlow, who is this new society's leader's daughter. Wow, that's a mouthful. Anyway, the plot goes by pretty fast. The story will fly by in an hour, if you are a fast reader. The book itself is only about two hundred and fifty pages. I'm not joking.
The ending of the book is a cliffhanger. When I first read that cliffhanger, I immediately thought: OMG, that's a sexy cliffhanger. I'm not joking (seriously). I actually thought that cliffhanger was pretty hot. Of course, it only makes me want to read the next book (please let there be a next book!). But still! It's pretty hot. And of course, I'm not going to reveal anything. I'm only going to say, it's perhaps worth it to wait for the next book to come out.
Rating: Five out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
March 29, 2014
The Violet Hour is a haunting story, the kind that terrifies on multiple levels due to some graphically detailed visions and an ending that has us wanting to wrap our reality up in a bear hug and thank it for being nothing like Harlow’s world. Though Harlow’s visions are not for the faint of heart or the extraordinarily squeamish, those who fall into that category (like myself) will still find themselves riveted while being simultaneously horrified, the strength of Ms. Miller’s characters anchoring us to the story even as we strongly consider curling up into a fetal ball and rocking. This story is not all horror however, the heart of it revolving around Harlow and the relationships she has to those closest to her, and it’s these bonds that have us flipping the pages, fully engaged and emotionally invested from beginning to end...
Full review available at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...
Full review available at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...
December 13, 2013
This is a seriously creepy book that may have given me nightmares. It has it all: action, romance, eerie cult-religions that are taking over the world, and loads of otherworldly scariness. There's a high gore content too, so beware! It's a incredibly entertaining read that will keep you up all night... perhaps in more ways than one.
May 16, 2015
I am unabashedly biased, since the lovely author comes to our book club meetings. However, bias aside, this story is completely unique, including the fact that it's set in Asia. I'd be hard-pressed to think of any other YA that explores the theme of cults, let alone the far-off locales that Miller describes so prettily.
Can't wait to see what she writes next!
Can't wait to see what she writes next!
Read
February 20, 2015Fast-paced and delightfully horrific. Also a very pleasant surprise to get to travel through Asia in this one, to seldom visited YA locales. Would've loved even more setting imagery, but there was plenty of blood and popped eyeballs to make up for it.
January 26, 2015
The first thing I have to say about the book:
Oh my goodness. I was not disappointed.
I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads giveaways portion of the website and I received the book in the mail yesterday. I read it in about 5 hours, with a few breaks in between. I'm a reader of eclectic tastes and have never really read a book like this before. The important thing about this paragraph is that this review is entirely my opinion. I've tried to keep this review free of spoilers, but there might be a few.
The book opens up with main character, Harlow Wintergreen, beginning to experience a voice in her head. It's not an ordinary situation for her as she had thought the voice had gone away with the medication.Currently, she is on a trip in Japan, helping to promote VisionCrest. VisionCrest is a religion her father basically invented, or so Harlow thinks. He, the General, is a distant father. To Harlow, he seems to not really care about her at all. She breaks free from the group of other students and finds her way to a park. Now she begins to experience hallucinations to go along with the nasty voice that appears in her heads. The visions depict her killing another girl at the park. Later on, she experiences more episodes. The nasty voice shows her more sick hallucinations, killing multiple people and the sickening deaths of people at a nightclub.
We experience the story through Harlow. I think her reactions are depicted well to the various situations she goes through in the novel. When she's having one of her episodes, I feel kind of freaked and also a bit embarrassed because the author makes it seem as if people are staring at her. When Mercy (another girl in her class) is having special moments with Adam (a boy that Harlow used to be friends with), it feels as if I'm actually jealous as well. When her father (sort of) forgets her birthday, I feel sad for her and just a little bit ticked off at him. It's incredible the way the author has written the book in such a way that I actually feel the various emotions I would imagine that Harlow is feeling at these points in time.
I think that the plot is quite unique and speaks to a lot of various things about the current world. Though I would describe it as a horror, there are a lot of other genres I would place it in as well. I would also describe it as sort of a "coming of age" story for Harlow where she finally "grows up" and begins to find out the real things about herself as well as the true story of her father's religion. I would also say that it becomes a sort of dystopian reality at the end of the novel because of certain spoiler-ish things that happen during the plot. In another way, I'd also like to think of it as a psychological thriller where Harlow is legitimately worried of the voice in her head and the harm she may cause to others. I think it pulls off many of these genres well. The author has me intrigued by Harlow's life story and the potential psychological problems she has, as well as where they might have come from. The horror aspect presents well because I was indeed somewhat sickened by the things she was imagining. The religious and supernatural elements to the story were also fitting, giving us a great suspension of reality, while providing us with a good explanation of the way VisionCrest has been developed.
The speed of the story is somewhat fast paced, which works well for it. There are a lot of goings on so we're informed of the passing of time while not having to put up with mundane events. The various novels plots- there are minor sidestories to explain various things about VisionCrest and characters- are very relevant to the story's outcome. Major events are clear, like the trip to Japan, the kidnappings and her episodes. Yet, the various details about VisionCrest are a bit lost (in some cases) because they're spread out. I like the way the author hasn't taken up too much space at once to explain it for the reader because that might seem a little dull. However, at the same time, the details are a bit lost to me and I feel like I might be missing or forgetting important details in the beginning. Later on, Harlow explains several of the various VisionCrest levels as well as the way they're determined. But it did have me a little bit misunderstanding at first.
The actual scenery and world Harlow experiences on her trip through Asia is quite intense. In some places, I feel like I'm almost travelling with her and seeing the places for myself.
The characters are all well presented. The friendship between Harlow and Dora seemed quite natural. Their communications and feelings for each other were very enlightening and it was obvious that they care a great deal for each other. Harlow's relationship with Adam was a bit here and there, but I think it was presented well based on the mood and events of the novel. In many cases, it was quite natural to be angry at him and at other times it was quite natural to be curious of the story he had to tell. The way the teenagers (the characters are mostly only 17 and 18 at this point in time) are acting is quite normal. Though there are some various teen-like lingo aspects to their conversations, it was all quite understandable.
The thing that sets out most in my mind is the Wang family, including their introduction to the novel. It seemed quite interesting when introducing Wang to the novel, that the author was describing how Harlow felt about his character and the impression she caught from seeing his property. At first, I'd only thought he was going to be a background character, but I was suitably impressed with the way that situation turned out. The things about Mei Mei were just a little bit sickening (her blindfold) and, at the end, I was just a little bit curious as to what end she might have. I'm not particularly disappointed in the ending for Mei Mei, but would have liked to see a little more of her potential.
The ending is just incredible. Really incredible. The main thing I like about the book is that every other moment in the book, there's something interesting happening. Even at the ending, there's something interesting happening and the entire book has led up to an incredible end. Because of the ending (I'm not going to write it out because of spoilers), I think there could legitimately be a second book continuing these events. Though I don't know how it might work (considering the position Harlow is in), I'm certainly interested on reading it anyway!
I felt that this book was near perfect for me. I felt all sorts of emotions while reading it and genuinely felt like Harlow was somewhat relateable. I received it yesterday and it took me five hours in the early morning to read. Though there's violence, there's little sexual content (not anything more than a bit of kissing and a few suggestive comments). There is also little (if any) swearing that I can remember. Either way, I thought it was quite a right book for young adults (but not necessarily young-young adults).
I really feel that it deserves between 4.5 and 5 stars. I wouldn't say it was perfect, but it was really, really amazing!
Oh my goodness. I was not disappointed.
I won this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads giveaways portion of the website and I received the book in the mail yesterday. I read it in about 5 hours, with a few breaks in between. I'm a reader of eclectic tastes and have never really read a book like this before. The important thing about this paragraph is that this review is entirely my opinion. I've tried to keep this review free of spoilers, but there might be a few.
The book opens up with main character, Harlow Wintergreen, beginning to experience a voice in her head. It's not an ordinary situation for her as she had thought the voice had gone away with the medication.Currently, she is on a trip in Japan, helping to promote VisionCrest. VisionCrest is a religion her father basically invented, or so Harlow thinks. He, the General, is a distant father. To Harlow, he seems to not really care about her at all. She breaks free from the group of other students and finds her way to a park. Now she begins to experience hallucinations to go along with the nasty voice that appears in her heads. The visions depict her killing another girl at the park. Later on, she experiences more episodes. The nasty voice shows her more sick hallucinations, killing multiple people and the sickening deaths of people at a nightclub.
We experience the story through Harlow. I think her reactions are depicted well to the various situations she goes through in the novel. When she's having one of her episodes, I feel kind of freaked and also a bit embarrassed because the author makes it seem as if people are staring at her. When Mercy (another girl in her class) is having special moments with Adam (a boy that Harlow used to be friends with), it feels as if I'm actually jealous as well. When her father (sort of) forgets her birthday, I feel sad for her and just a little bit ticked off at him. It's incredible the way the author has written the book in such a way that I actually feel the various emotions I would imagine that Harlow is feeling at these points in time.
I think that the plot is quite unique and speaks to a lot of various things about the current world. Though I would describe it as a horror, there are a lot of other genres I would place it in as well. I would also describe it as sort of a "coming of age" story for Harlow where she finally "grows up" and begins to find out the real things about herself as well as the true story of her father's religion. I would also say that it becomes a sort of dystopian reality at the end of the novel because of certain spoiler-ish things that happen during the plot. In another way, I'd also like to think of it as a psychological thriller where Harlow is legitimately worried of the voice in her head and the harm she may cause to others. I think it pulls off many of these genres well. The author has me intrigued by Harlow's life story and the potential psychological problems she has, as well as where they might have come from. The horror aspect presents well because I was indeed somewhat sickened by the things she was imagining. The religious and supernatural elements to the story were also fitting, giving us a great suspension of reality, while providing us with a good explanation of the way VisionCrest has been developed.
The speed of the story is somewhat fast paced, which works well for it. There are a lot of goings on so we're informed of the passing of time while not having to put up with mundane events. The various novels plots- there are minor sidestories to explain various things about VisionCrest and characters- are very relevant to the story's outcome. Major events are clear, like the trip to Japan, the kidnappings and her episodes. Yet, the various details about VisionCrest are a bit lost (in some cases) because they're spread out. I like the way the author hasn't taken up too much space at once to explain it for the reader because that might seem a little dull. However, at the same time, the details are a bit lost to me and I feel like I might be missing or forgetting important details in the beginning. Later on, Harlow explains several of the various VisionCrest levels as well as the way they're determined. But it did have me a little bit misunderstanding at first.
The actual scenery and world Harlow experiences on her trip through Asia is quite intense. In some places, I feel like I'm almost travelling with her and seeing the places for myself.
The characters are all well presented. The friendship between Harlow and Dora seemed quite natural. Their communications and feelings for each other were very enlightening and it was obvious that they care a great deal for each other. Harlow's relationship with Adam was a bit here and there, but I think it was presented well based on the mood and events of the novel. In many cases, it was quite natural to be angry at him and at other times it was quite natural to be curious of the story he had to tell. The way the teenagers (the characters are mostly only 17 and 18 at this point in time) are acting is quite normal. Though there are some various teen-like lingo aspects to their conversations, it was all quite understandable.
The thing that sets out most in my mind is the Wang family, including their introduction to the novel. It seemed quite interesting when introducing Wang to the novel, that the author was describing how Harlow felt about his character and the impression she caught from seeing his property. At first, I'd only thought he was going to be a background character, but I was suitably impressed with the way that situation turned out. The things about Mei Mei were just a little bit sickening (her blindfold) and, at the end, I was just a little bit curious as to what end she might have. I'm not particularly disappointed in the ending for Mei Mei, but would have liked to see a little more of her potential.
The ending is just incredible. Really incredible. The main thing I like about the book is that every other moment in the book, there's something interesting happening. Even at the ending, there's something interesting happening and the entire book has led up to an incredible end. Because of the ending (I'm not going to write it out because of spoilers), I think there could legitimately be a second book continuing these events. Though I don't know how it might work (considering the position Harlow is in), I'm certainly interested on reading it anyway!
I felt that this book was near perfect for me. I felt all sorts of emotions while reading it and genuinely felt like Harlow was somewhat relateable. I received it yesterday and it took me five hours in the early morning to read. Though there's violence, there's little sexual content (not anything more than a bit of kissing and a few suggestive comments). There is also little (if any) swearing that I can remember. Either way, I thought it was quite a right book for young adults (but not necessarily young-young adults).
I really feel that it deserves between 4.5 and 5 stars. I wouldn't say it was perfect, but it was really, really amazing!
May 18, 2020
Really thought this book was sooo good and cool! The punk and rock references. The cult subject and the twisted spiritual part of it well mashed together. I find myself thinking time to time of how much I really enjoyed this book when I think I read it about 2years ago
April 9, 2021
2.5/5 rounded down
Like the concept, just the writing/execution makes it feel like fanfiction somehow. The romance is very meh and cringey
Like the concept, just the writing/execution makes it feel like fanfiction somehow. The romance is very meh and cringey
March 14, 2014
Harlow is the adopted daughter of VisionCrest's leader and she's expected to behave in a certain way at all times. VisionCrest is a multi-national religion that started off as a cult and still in many ways resembles one. It claims a full quarter of the world's population as its followers, including high-ranking government officials in every country in the world. Harlow's father accomplished what took most religions long centuries. And, as a future leader of VisionCrest, Harlow is at the very center of it all, all eyes on her, her life - every move, every decision - under continuous surveillance. She must be flawless and exemplary at all times.
The only problem is.. Harlow is keeping a dark secret. A secret not even her closest friend knows about. There is a voice in her head and that voice tells her to kill. Plagued by bloody, violent visions, Harlow is finding it harder and harder to resist the voice and control her own actions.
The Violet Hour is a gripping and highly entertaining novel that fans of horror genre will definitely find to their liking. As a horror fan myself, I had a really great time reading this one. Set against a fantastic Japanese backdrop, well-plotted and full of mysteries and sinister themes, it's a real crowd-pleaser. Personally, I think this novel deserves way more hype than it's been getting.
The plot line is a highly original one, so if you enjoy books that break the mold, you will definitely appreciate what The Violet Hour has to offer. It's not only a horror story mixed with an awesomely executed romance, it's also quite a thought-provoking look at the inner workings of a religious cult. The exotic setting itself adds a lot to the story, further enhancing its creepy, mysterious atmosphere.
The characters, especially Harlow, might not be ones that you'll fell in love with instantly. I myself found it hard to connect with most of them. They all have quite a lot of personal baggage to deal with. Harlow is struggling to keep her life from falling apart. She's terrified by the Voice in her head and she doesn't feel like she can trust anyone with her secrets. She's scared, confused, lonely and desperate to find answers. Most of the time, she keeps to herself, keeping others at an arms length and finding it hard to fully open up to anyone. Adam - the love interest - is equally hard to warm up to. He's mysterious, his motives are not clear, his actions don't always make sense (at least not right away), and for a very long time I couldn't tell how he really felt about Harlow, or what his true intentions were. However, the tension between these two was supreme. They had amazing chemistry and I enjoyed their interactions quite a lot.
Overall, The Violet Hour is a book that works on many different levels. As a horror/thriller it offers an exciting and mysterious plot line and gorgeously sinister atmosphere. The romance in the story is heart-pounding and sweet. There are also some more serious and thought-provoking themes in this book that will satisfy more demanding readers who like their reads intellectually stimulating and deep. It's just an all-around great book and I highly recommend giving it a go!
The only problem is.. Harlow is keeping a dark secret. A secret not even her closest friend knows about. There is a voice in her head and that voice tells her to kill. Plagued by bloody, violent visions, Harlow is finding it harder and harder to resist the voice and control her own actions.
The Violet Hour is a gripping and highly entertaining novel that fans of horror genre will definitely find to their liking. As a horror fan myself, I had a really great time reading this one. Set against a fantastic Japanese backdrop, well-plotted and full of mysteries and sinister themes, it's a real crowd-pleaser. Personally, I think this novel deserves way more hype than it's been getting.
The plot line is a highly original one, so if you enjoy books that break the mold, you will definitely appreciate what The Violet Hour has to offer. It's not only a horror story mixed with an awesomely executed romance, it's also quite a thought-provoking look at the inner workings of a religious cult. The exotic setting itself adds a lot to the story, further enhancing its creepy, mysterious atmosphere.
The characters, especially Harlow, might not be ones that you'll fell in love with instantly. I myself found it hard to connect with most of them. They all have quite a lot of personal baggage to deal with. Harlow is struggling to keep her life from falling apart. She's terrified by the Voice in her head and she doesn't feel like she can trust anyone with her secrets. She's scared, confused, lonely and desperate to find answers. Most of the time, she keeps to herself, keeping others at an arms length and finding it hard to fully open up to anyone. Adam - the love interest - is equally hard to warm up to. He's mysterious, his motives are not clear, his actions don't always make sense (at least not right away), and for a very long time I couldn't tell how he really felt about Harlow, or what his true intentions were. However, the tension between these two was supreme. They had amazing chemistry and I enjoyed their interactions quite a lot.
Overall, The Violet Hour is a book that works on many different levels. As a horror/thriller it offers an exciting and mysterious plot line and gorgeously sinister atmosphere. The romance in the story is heart-pounding and sweet. There are also some more serious and thought-provoking themes in this book that will satisfy more demanding readers who like their reads intellectually stimulating and deep. It's just an all-around great book and I highly recommend giving it a go!
June 18, 2014
Review originally posted on Bibliophilia, Please.
Do you like horror? I like horror. And let me tell you, The Violet Hour does horror well, so much so that it reminded me of why I enjoyed the genre so much in the first place. It made me cringe, squirm, and creeped me out - which is kind of the whole point, amiright?
First off, I'm going to tell you that The Violet Hour is gory. Miller pulls no punches as we follow Harlow on her Asian trip. When something is described as a trainwreck that you can't look away from, it's because you're mesmerized by the spectacle, though it makes you very uncomfortable. The Violet Hour is just that. I don't watch a lot of horror onscreen, but I guess the gore could compare to Kill Bill. But worse. Let's just say that the voice in Harlow's head likes giving her visions of how delicate the human eye is. I'll leave it at that. I'm sure you get the idea.
Did I know what was going on in The Violet Hour ? Most of the time, no, but that's typical of the genre. That adds to the creeptasticness of the unfolding events because you don't know what's coming. It wasn't until towards the end that I even knew what The Violet Hour was even supposed to truly be about!
The VisionCrest religion plays a pretty huge part in novel. No, it's not some tiny cult. The Violet Hour takes place in an alternate reality than ours, where China is a democracy, for instance. VisionCrest is the religion of like a fourth of the world population and made me think of Scientology by the way it was set up. I hope to Bob that Scientology is nowhere NEAR as scary as the shit in VisionCrest. *shudders*
I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was surprised by The Violet Hour . It's gritty, gory, and not at all what I would have expected from a YA novel. In fact, I would hesitate in giving it to younger teens because it is pretty intense. Well, no, I take that back because who doesn't remember Fear Street? Though The Violet Hour is more Christopher Pike than R.L. Stine. But I digress. If you're a fan of horror or even want to try something different, I wholeheartedly recommend that you read The Violet Hour . It's a icky gorefest, and Miller is most assuredly an author to watch.
- 3.5/5 Stars -
To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received an eARC of the book for reviewing purposes through Book Nerd Tours in exchange for an honest review. The book was likely provided to the tour by the publisher, which has in no way affected the outcome of my review. All opinions expressed are rambling, honest, and completely my own.
Do you like horror? I like horror. And let me tell you, The Violet Hour does horror well, so much so that it reminded me of why I enjoyed the genre so much in the first place. It made me cringe, squirm, and creeped me out - which is kind of the whole point, amiright?
First off, I'm going to tell you that The Violet Hour is gory. Miller pulls no punches as we follow Harlow on her Asian trip. When something is described as a trainwreck that you can't look away from, it's because you're mesmerized by the spectacle, though it makes you very uncomfortable. The Violet Hour is just that. I don't watch a lot of horror onscreen, but I guess the gore could compare to Kill Bill. But worse. Let's just say that the voice in Harlow's head likes giving her visions of how delicate the human eye is. I'll leave it at that. I'm sure you get the idea.
Did I know what was going on in The Violet Hour ? Most of the time, no, but that's typical of the genre. That adds to the creeptasticness of the unfolding events because you don't know what's coming. It wasn't until towards the end that I even knew what The Violet Hour was even supposed to truly be about!
The VisionCrest religion plays a pretty huge part in novel. No, it's not some tiny cult. The Violet Hour takes place in an alternate reality than ours, where China is a democracy, for instance. VisionCrest is the religion of like a fourth of the world population and made me think of Scientology by the way it was set up. I hope to Bob that Scientology is nowhere NEAR as scary as the shit in VisionCrest. *shudders*
I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was surprised by The Violet Hour . It's gritty, gory, and not at all what I would have expected from a YA novel. In fact, I would hesitate in giving it to younger teens because it is pretty intense. Well, no, I take that back because who doesn't remember Fear Street? Though The Violet Hour is more Christopher Pike than R.L. Stine. But I digress. If you're a fan of horror or even want to try something different, I wholeheartedly recommend that you read The Violet Hour . It's a icky gorefest, and Miller is most assuredly an author to watch.
- 3.5/5 Stars -
To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received an eARC of the book for reviewing purposes through Book Nerd Tours in exchange for an honest review. The book was likely provided to the tour by the publisher, which has in no way affected the outcome of my review. All opinions expressed are rambling, honest, and completely my own.
March 10, 2014
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Violet Hour is an incredibly creepy YA paranormal read that won me over with its dark subject matter.
The negatives:
Adam.
I had a hard time with Adam, Harlow's original best friend and first love. Even though Harlow tells us that she had been in love with him for a long time, I just didn't see that connection between them most of the time, which made it difficult for me to really root for them. Don't get me wrong, there were moments when I saw it, but most of the book was spent with Harlow being upset with Adam, and their romance was built on a past we didn't see, so I just didn't feel the pull between them like I wanted to. I found myself wanting to want them together, but never actually getting to that point. I wish I'd seen a bit more good between them before we got to the bad.
What I loved:
It's creepy!
There were plenty of times when I found myself shivering at the creepy, downright scary images in this book. Harlow's visions are really disturbing and they don't let up. In many ways, this book reads more like a horror novel than a paranormal novel - and the horror is definitely done well. Full of gory deaths and eyeless followers, this book is not something you want to read when you're home alone at night!
VisionCrest.
I found the VisionCrest religion itself to be really intriguing. The concept of this singular experience sparking a huge religion was really interesting - and I loved the fact that Harlow herself didn't really believe in a religion that, in some ways, revolved around her. But, as the book goes on, Harlow discovers that there may be more to the religion than she first believed. The question is, does that make the situation better or worse?
The mysteries.
There were quite a few mysteries in this book that kept me guessing. Who or what is the voice that speaks to Harlow? What does Harlow's father know? Why are people being kidnapped? Why has Adam returned and why does he no longer seem to want to have anything to do with Harlow? There were lots more - I loved that there were answers given throughout the book, but the final conclusions were often still a surprise!
The ending.
Wow! I have to say that I did not see the ending of this book coming and it definitely made me eager to read book #2 in the series. (After a half hour or so of panic, I found out that there is, indeed going to be a sequel!)
If you're looking for a fantastically frightening read, then you should pick this book up. I can't wait to see what happens next! I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
The Violet Hour is an incredibly creepy YA paranormal read that won me over with its dark subject matter.
The negatives:
Adam.
I had a hard time with Adam, Harlow's original best friend and first love. Even though Harlow tells us that she had been in love with him for a long time, I just didn't see that connection between them most of the time, which made it difficult for me to really root for them. Don't get me wrong, there were moments when I saw it, but most of the book was spent with Harlow being upset with Adam, and their romance was built on a past we didn't see, so I just didn't feel the pull between them like I wanted to. I found myself wanting to want them together, but never actually getting to that point. I wish I'd seen a bit more good between them before we got to the bad.
What I loved:
It's creepy!
There were plenty of times when I found myself shivering at the creepy, downright scary images in this book. Harlow's visions are really disturbing and they don't let up. In many ways, this book reads more like a horror novel than a paranormal novel - and the horror is definitely done well. Full of gory deaths and eyeless followers, this book is not something you want to read when you're home alone at night!
VisionCrest.
I found the VisionCrest religion itself to be really intriguing. The concept of this singular experience sparking a huge religion was really interesting - and I loved the fact that Harlow herself didn't really believe in a religion that, in some ways, revolved around her. But, as the book goes on, Harlow discovers that there may be more to the religion than she first believed. The question is, does that make the situation better or worse?
The mysteries.
There were quite a few mysteries in this book that kept me guessing. Who or what is the voice that speaks to Harlow? What does Harlow's father know? Why are people being kidnapped? Why has Adam returned and why does he no longer seem to want to have anything to do with Harlow? There were lots more - I loved that there were answers given throughout the book, but the final conclusions were often still a surprise!
The ending.
Wow! I have to say that I did not see the ending of this book coming and it definitely made me eager to read book #2 in the series. (After a half hour or so of panic, I found out that there is, indeed going to be a sequel!)
If you're looking for a fantastically frightening read, then you should pick this book up. I can't wait to see what happens next! I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
April 29, 2015
I really don’t know what I expected when I started this book but what I got was not it. Initially this reader found the book tedious beyond belief but the all of a sudden after the trip to the punk club in Japan the action really started and I had to keep reading. I was up until about 5am when I had to finally call it a night, or rather a morning. I then started it again at the next available opportunity.
For a teen, young adult book this does to shy away from graphic violence (that is horrifically bloody and real), psychological tension or epic creepiness. However, the characters portrayed in the story left a lot to be desired. They were very one dimensional and the pain protagonist Harlow had very few redeeming qualities and this reader did not connect with her.
Harlow’s supposed best friend was awful; all false brightness and ‘swizzlesticks’. When Harlow needed to confide in someone (and she had been warned not to) she chose to reveal her secret to Dora (having sworn her to secrecy). Dora then blabbed that same secret to her romantic interest. For sure Dora is not the sort of friend that Harlow thought she was (Mr Wang’s warning rings loud and clear.)
One of the characters I did really like was Mrs Wang, she had such an edge to her so you never really knew whether she was on your side or not.
I do not normally read books that are based in a religious cult but then I suppose originally Christianity was considered to be a cult, why else was Christ executed. The world building of VisionCrest, for me, left a lot to be desired. What were their teachings, who did they worship and what was their deeper message?
Don’t get me wrong I love a good horror book as much as the next person but this was not so much a horror book as a gore fest. Yes the heroine (for want of a better term) has visions and they are horrific they are not really real.
For a spelling bee champion there are a load of spelling and grammar mistakes that should not have made it this far! And then there was the predicable and rather naff ending. And then there was the ending which was totally naff! The ending of this book was predictable, such a let-down after that adrenaline fuelled ride. It is also not in keeping with the remainder of the story. So will this reader read the sequel – no she won’t. If one dimensional, poorly described people, worlds and religions are your thing then you may well enjoy this book.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
For a teen, young adult book this does to shy away from graphic violence (that is horrifically bloody and real), psychological tension or epic creepiness. However, the characters portrayed in the story left a lot to be desired. They were very one dimensional and the pain protagonist Harlow had very few redeeming qualities and this reader did not connect with her.
Harlow’s supposed best friend was awful; all false brightness and ‘swizzlesticks’. When Harlow needed to confide in someone (and she had been warned not to) she chose to reveal her secret to Dora (having sworn her to secrecy). Dora then blabbed that same secret to her romantic interest. For sure Dora is not the sort of friend that Harlow thought she was (Mr Wang’s warning rings loud and clear.)
One of the characters I did really like was Mrs Wang, she had such an edge to her so you never really knew whether she was on your side or not.
I do not normally read books that are based in a religious cult but then I suppose originally Christianity was considered to be a cult, why else was Christ executed. The world building of VisionCrest, for me, left a lot to be desired. What were their teachings, who did they worship and what was their deeper message?
Don’t get me wrong I love a good horror book as much as the next person but this was not so much a horror book as a gore fest. Yes the heroine (for want of a better term) has visions and they are horrific they are not really real.
For a spelling bee champion there are a load of spelling and grammar mistakes that should not have made it this far! And then there was the predicable and rather naff ending. And then there was the ending which was totally naff! The ending of this book was predictable, such a let-down after that adrenaline fuelled ride. It is also not in keeping with the remainder of the story. So will this reader read the sequel – no she won’t. If one dimensional, poorly described people, worlds and religions are your thing then you may well enjoy this book.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
August 17, 2014
Harlow Wintergreen is the daughter of VisionCrest's patriarch. VisionCrest is one of the fastest spreading and most pervasive religions in the world. Fully a quarter of the world's population adheres to the tenants of the faith. Harlow doesn't consider herself a believer, but being in the public eye forces her to maintain a semblance of solidarity. Further complicating her life, Harlow also suffers from horrific and violent visions and hears a voice encouraging the violence. She's been able to hide the visions from her friends and family, but when her father takes a group of high-ranking VisionCrest members and their families to Asia, the visions intensify. On her 17th birthday, Harlow undergoes the initiation and eventually tells her father about her visions. Her father freaks out and calls her an abomination. The next day, the group moves on to China. Without her father. They stay at a high-ranking official's compound and Harlow quickly discovers that there are factions within VisionCrest that seek to unseat her father. There's also a resistance faction that believes both groups have strayed from the true faith. Harlow isn't sure what side she's on, but she knows it has something to do with the voice and her visions. Either way, things will get worse before they get better.
The Violet Hour has a unique plot and style. The cult is based out of the United States, but the vast majority of the action takes place throughout Japan, China, Vietnam and Cambodia. It's vaguely dystopian, but the world still looks very similar to the world we are familiar with. Harlow and her BFF, Dora have a sweet, solid friendship. There's also a bit of romance involving a boy named Alex whose family was kidnapped by unknown forces (as, apparently, many other VisionCrest families have been). Alex was returned, but his family is presumed dead. Their relationship is frustrating, to say the least. Alex is involved with a girl that Harlow hates and acts alternately hot and cold with Harlow. His motivation is unclear until the end of the book. The world building in this falls a bit short. The reader discovers little about VisionCrest, with the exception of a ritual or two and discussion about the politics of its members. What they actually believe and ask of their members is unclear. Nevertheless, many readers will be willing to overlook these flaws since other aspects of the book are relatively strong.
The Violet Hour has a unique plot and style. The cult is based out of the United States, but the vast majority of the action takes place throughout Japan, China, Vietnam and Cambodia. It's vaguely dystopian, but the world still looks very similar to the world we are familiar with. Harlow and her BFF, Dora have a sweet, solid friendship. There's also a bit of romance involving a boy named Alex whose family was kidnapped by unknown forces (as, apparently, many other VisionCrest families have been). Alex was returned, but his family is presumed dead. Their relationship is frustrating, to say the least. Alex is involved with a girl that Harlow hates and acts alternately hot and cold with Harlow. His motivation is unclear until the end of the book. The world building in this falls a bit short. The reader discovers little about VisionCrest, with the exception of a ritual or two and discussion about the politics of its members. What they actually believe and ask of their members is unclear. Nevertheless, many readers will be willing to overlook these flaws since other aspects of the book are relatively strong.
March 15, 2014
'The Violet Hour' is a gripping dystopian thriller that follows Harlow Wintergreen as she continues to fight the voice inside her head. The voice that isn't hers and tells her to do terrible things, like to kill. She's kept the voice a secret her entire life - even from her father and her best friend. Her father, one of the most powerful men in the world called the "Patriarch" is the head of VisionCrest - one of the fastest growing religions (or cults) ever known. With her reputation as the Patriarch's daughter and the perfect child of VisionCrest, Harlow must work tirelessly to keep the voice contained - but now the voice is growing stronger and Harlow doesn't think she can keep it silent any longer.
This book was a really great mix of several genres, especially dystopia and thriller. The plot was very original and I haven't read anything quite like it before. I loved learning the backstory behind VisionCrest - it's history, leaders, beliefs, etc. Harlow proves to be a fantastic main character with her obvious flaws - most notably a murderous voice in her mind - but she also is a devoted friend and daughter who tries her hardest to live up to expectations and keep the voice at bay. Harlow's voice inside her mind, along with her origin story are quite intriguing and at the center of the plot and the mystery of the story. I found the rest of the characters to be well written, if not a bit predictable at times. There's the best friend who's loyal and quirky; the loner boy who is mysterious and tattooed and obviously is the love interest; and don't forget the arch-nemesis - the stuck up popular girl determined to make the heroine's life hell. Aside from these small predictabilities, the rest of the story was well written with lots of enigma and twists that kept me reading until the story was over. The author wrote with great attention to detail and a quick pace, which kept me eagerly turning pages to see what was going on and what was going to happen next. Overall, this was a unique and interesting novel that fans of several genres will enjoy getting their hands on - highly recommended!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a really great mix of several genres, especially dystopia and thriller. The plot was very original and I haven't read anything quite like it before. I loved learning the backstory behind VisionCrest - it's history, leaders, beliefs, etc. Harlow proves to be a fantastic main character with her obvious flaws - most notably a murderous voice in her mind - but she also is a devoted friend and daughter who tries her hardest to live up to expectations and keep the voice at bay. Harlow's voice inside her mind, along with her origin story are quite intriguing and at the center of the plot and the mystery of the story. I found the rest of the characters to be well written, if not a bit predictable at times. There's the best friend who's loyal and quirky; the loner boy who is mysterious and tattooed and obviously is the love interest; and don't forget the arch-nemesis - the stuck up popular girl determined to make the heroine's life hell. Aside from these small predictabilities, the rest of the story was well written with lots of enigma and twists that kept me reading until the story was over. The author wrote with great attention to detail and a quick pace, which kept me eagerly turning pages to see what was going on and what was going to happen next. Overall, this was a unique and interesting novel that fans of several genres will enjoy getting their hands on - highly recommended!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2014
It's hard to put The Violet Hour into a category. It's a survival story in a dystopian world, with some supernatural elements thrown in.
Most of the world follows VisionCrest. Some call it a religion, others, a cult. Harlow is the daughter of the leader of VisionCrest. Her face is know all over the world, and she's supposed to be preparing to take over after her father.
When The Violet Hour begins, Harlow and a group of students are touring Japan and China. Their journey is being closely followed -- they are an advertisement for VisionCrest. Most of their parents are high up in the organization.
Harlow has been keeping a secret all of her life. She hears a voice in her head and sees violent visions that depict Harlow killing other people. The visions are brutal and gruesome. They seem very real to Harlow, and she doesn't understand what they mean or why she has them. As the book progresses, she begins to understand who this voice is.
That is my first issues with The Violet Hour. I had difficult understanding all the mythology associated with the visions. I understood by the end, but I found it all a bit murky.
I had difficulty connecting with Harlow. I wish the book hadn't jumped right into the trip and one of Harlow's visions. I would have liked to see these kids in their normal environment and get to know Harlow and feel the pressure she felt because of her position. All of that came out later and just didn't have the impact that it should have.
Dora, the best friend, is very annoying. I got tired of her making jokes and using her cutsie sayings over and over. "swizzle stick" -- blaahhhhh.
I liked the ambiguity of the love interest, Adam. Is he good, or bad? What are his true motives? How does he really feel about Harlow? This aspect was well done. I also enjoyed the action, especially at the end. Miller ratchets up the tension quite well and provides an exciting (and twisted) conclusion.
As an adventure book, The Violet Hour works pretty well. I just didn't really connect with the characters or the deeper meaning of the story. It was an entertaining read, but it won't stick with me.
Most of the world follows VisionCrest. Some call it a religion, others, a cult. Harlow is the daughter of the leader of VisionCrest. Her face is know all over the world, and she's supposed to be preparing to take over after her father.
When The Violet Hour begins, Harlow and a group of students are touring Japan and China. Their journey is being closely followed -- they are an advertisement for VisionCrest. Most of their parents are high up in the organization.
Harlow has been keeping a secret all of her life. She hears a voice in her head and sees violent visions that depict Harlow killing other people. The visions are brutal and gruesome. They seem very real to Harlow, and she doesn't understand what they mean or why she has them. As the book progresses, she begins to understand who this voice is.
That is my first issues with The Violet Hour. I had difficult understanding all the mythology associated with the visions. I understood by the end, but I found it all a bit murky.
I had difficulty connecting with Harlow. I wish the book hadn't jumped right into the trip and one of Harlow's visions. I would have liked to see these kids in their normal environment and get to know Harlow and feel the pressure she felt because of her position. All of that came out later and just didn't have the impact that it should have.
Dora, the best friend, is very annoying. I got tired of her making jokes and using her cutsie sayings over and over. "swizzle stick" -- blaahhhhh.
I liked the ambiguity of the love interest, Adam. Is he good, or bad? What are his true motives? How does he really feel about Harlow? This aspect was well done. I also enjoyed the action, especially at the end. Miller ratchets up the tension quite well and provides an exciting (and twisted) conclusion.
As an adventure book, The Violet Hour works pretty well. I just didn't really connect with the characters or the deeper meaning of the story. It was an entertaining read, but it won't stick with me.
March 28, 2014
5 stars for The Violet Hour by Whitney Miller.
This book was a dark stunning creepy read. I absolutely loved it!! When I started reading this book, I had no idea what to expect. Vision-Crest is the pinnacle of religious enlightenment. It is a powerful religion and others call it a powerful cult. For seventeen years, Harlow Wintergreen has called it her life.
This book started out as one thing and took some sharp turns and ended up being something completely different. The story is about Harlow, the adopted daughter of the religious leader of VisionCrest. Bad things are happening in VisionCrest, people are disappearing from the upper ranks. As the mystery unfolds, we learn that Harlow is hearing voices and seeing visions. They are dark, violent and bloody. What is happening to her? She struggles to keep her secret, even as the voices grow more insistent. Is she crazy? Or is the voice real? What if the visions are a sign of things to come?
Harlow and other students from VisionCrest are on a trip to Asia. She is reunited with her friend Adam. He used to care about Harlow, now he is only interested in the lovely Mercy. As Machinations and tragedies unfold, things start to go from to bad to worse. Can she count on Adam?
It is extremely difficult to write a review without spoilers. I don't want to get into more of the story. What made this book so great, was that I had no idea where it would go, until it unfolded. The writing was extremely well done.
This book is difficult to put into any one genre. However, the story was so original and unique. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!
This book was a dark stunning creepy read. I absolutely loved it!! When I started reading this book, I had no idea what to expect. Vision-Crest is the pinnacle of religious enlightenment. It is a powerful religion and others call it a powerful cult. For seventeen years, Harlow Wintergreen has called it her life.
This book started out as one thing and took some sharp turns and ended up being something completely different. The story is about Harlow, the adopted daughter of the religious leader of VisionCrest. Bad things are happening in VisionCrest, people are disappearing from the upper ranks. As the mystery unfolds, we learn that Harlow is hearing voices and seeing visions. They are dark, violent and bloody. What is happening to her? She struggles to keep her secret, even as the voices grow more insistent. Is she crazy? Or is the voice real? What if the visions are a sign of things to come?
Harlow and other students from VisionCrest are on a trip to Asia. She is reunited with her friend Adam. He used to care about Harlow, now he is only interested in the lovely Mercy. As Machinations and tragedies unfold, things start to go from to bad to worse. Can she count on Adam?
It is extremely difficult to write a review without spoilers. I don't want to get into more of the story. What made this book so great, was that I had no idea where it would go, until it unfolded. The writing was extremely well done.
This book is difficult to put into any one genre. However, the story was so original and unique. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!
February 14, 2014
Original review found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
* I won an advanced readers copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.*
I have to start out by saying that this book was not what I thought it was going to be when I first started reading it. After reading the synopsis I was thinking it was about a girl with schizophrenia. A logical deduction (or so I thought) when I think of voices in your head. Boy was I wrong! Instead I soon found out that it was more of a Sci-fi, horror story with a side of cult religion and a dash of teenage romance. Was I disappointed? Not really...perhaps a little sceptical but as I turned the pages I found I needed to know what was going to happen.
This book is geared to the young adult audience and is written in a language that they can easily relate to. The characters are also easy to relate to and likeable (with the exception of gashing out eyes) and it is a quick and easy read. There is some descriptive gore but no sexual content (beyond kissing) which makes it appropriate for the younger readers of this genre.
The book really picked up steam in the last few chapters with a lot happening and ended with me screaming "WHAT". I am hoping that it is not subject to interpretation and that it indicates that there will be a sequel in the making. Although I am sometimes reluctant to pick up this kind of book I found myself liking it and wanting to know what happens next. If there is a sequel planned for the future I will probably buy it. I think younger readers will probably love this book.
* I won an advanced readers copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.*
I have to start out by saying that this book was not what I thought it was going to be when I first started reading it. After reading the synopsis I was thinking it was about a girl with schizophrenia. A logical deduction (or so I thought) when I think of voices in your head. Boy was I wrong! Instead I soon found out that it was more of a Sci-fi, horror story with a side of cult religion and a dash of teenage romance. Was I disappointed? Not really...perhaps a little sceptical but as I turned the pages I found I needed to know what was going to happen.
This book is geared to the young adult audience and is written in a language that they can easily relate to. The characters are also easy to relate to and likeable (with the exception of gashing out eyes) and it is a quick and easy read. There is some descriptive gore but no sexual content (beyond kissing) which makes it appropriate for the younger readers of this genre.
The book really picked up steam in the last few chapters with a lot happening and ended with me screaming "WHAT". I am hoping that it is not subject to interpretation and that it indicates that there will be a sequel in the making. Although I am sometimes reluctant to pick up this kind of book I found myself liking it and wanting to know what happens next. If there is a sequel planned for the future I will probably buy it. I think younger readers will probably love this book.
March 5, 2014
my thoughts
loved it
Seventeen-year-old Harlow has been adopted by the creepy genius behind VisionCrest and is watched constantly. Forced to be "on", she really has no one to relate to and when the voices in her head begin to be violent, she wonders how she can keep her secret. As VisionCrest controls more and more of the population, she would rather listen to punk rock than deal with the religion her father has created. This corporate style religion will have you thinking seriously about some others like it. After a series of kidnappings and now travel to Asia to promote the religion like cult, she begins to see and hear more gruesome things in what seems an alternate reality.
Reunited with Adam, her one childhood friend and crush, she tried to keep the voice in check. Now that Adam has returned after being kidnapped, he seems changed. As Harlow tries to fight the voice, she becomes overwhelmed with it. Of course, there is some perfect chemistry going on here. The ending just brings everything together perfectly. ARGHH -- I really want to tell all, but I don't want to ruin it for you. Filled with a bit of graphic violence and some kissing, this should be fine for younger teens. Fans of Gretchen McNeil and Brenna Yovanoff are going to adore this new one.
loved it
Seventeen-year-old Harlow has been adopted by the creepy genius behind VisionCrest and is watched constantly. Forced to be "on", she really has no one to relate to and when the voices in her head begin to be violent, she wonders how she can keep her secret. As VisionCrest controls more and more of the population, she would rather listen to punk rock than deal with the religion her father has created. This corporate style religion will have you thinking seriously about some others like it. After a series of kidnappings and now travel to Asia to promote the religion like cult, she begins to see and hear more gruesome things in what seems an alternate reality.
Reunited with Adam, her one childhood friend and crush, she tried to keep the voice in check. Now that Adam has returned after being kidnapped, he seems changed. As Harlow tries to fight the voice, she becomes overwhelmed with it. Of course, there is some perfect chemistry going on here. The ending just brings everything together perfectly. ARGHH -- I really want to tell all, but I don't want to ruin it for you. Filled with a bit of graphic violence and some kissing, this should be fine for younger teens. Fans of Gretchen McNeil and Brenna Yovanoff are going to adore this new one.
December 11, 2014
Harlow has a secret. She has horrific visions accompanied by a familiar voice chanting "death," "purity," "kill." She is the daughter of the VisionCrest (a powerful futuristic religious cult) leader, so she can't let anyone know about these strange blackouts and dark, nightmarish, all-to-realistic visions. Even her spunky best friend, Dora, can't wrangle the truth from her. And as VisionCrests hierarchy starts to crumble, the voice becomes more insistent. Harlow must face the visions and the secrets of her past if she and her friends are to survive.
Elements of this story were engaging - the visions were pretty gruesome and foreboding; the love triangle between Harlow, Mercy and Adam (although this dragged on a bit); the betrayal surrounding the ministry/cult, VisionCrest, the creepy ending...but there were a lot of elements that seemed all over the place. The story behind the voice Harlow kept hearing didn't really seem fleshed out. It's a series...so maybe that will start to make more sense, but I personally was a bit confused by Harlow's history. So much of the third part of the book felt like...will this just end already? And then the ending came and it was kind of cool and creepy. Final review was an "eh..." Grades 7 and up.
Elements of this story were engaging - the visions were pretty gruesome and foreboding; the love triangle between Harlow, Mercy and Adam (although this dragged on a bit); the betrayal surrounding the ministry/cult, VisionCrest, the creepy ending...but there were a lot of elements that seemed all over the place. The story behind the voice Harlow kept hearing didn't really seem fleshed out. It's a series...so maybe that will start to make more sense, but I personally was a bit confused by Harlow's history. So much of the third part of the book felt like...will this just end already? And then the ending came and it was kind of cool and creepy. Final review was an "eh..." Grades 7 and up.
December 12, 2014
Harlow has a secret. She has horrific visions accompanied by a familiar voice chanting "death," "purity," "kill." She is the daughter of the VisionCrest (a powerful futuristic religious cult) leader, so she can't let anyone know about these strange blackouts and dark, nightmarish, all-to-realistic visions. Even her spunky best friend, Dora, can't wrangle the truth from her. And as VisionCrests hierarchy starts to crumble, the voice becomes more insistent. Harlow must face the visions and the secrets of her past if she and her friends are to survive.
Elements of this story were engaging - the visions were pretty gruesome and foreboding; the love triangle between Harlow, Mercy and Adam (although this dragged on a bit); the betrayal surrounding the ministry/cult, VisionCrest, the creepy ending...but there were a lot of elements that seemed all over the place. The story behind the voice Harlow kept hearing didn't really seem fleshed out. It's a series...so maybe that will start to make more sense, but I personally was a bit confused by Harlow's history. So much of the third part of the book felt like...will this just end already? And then the ending came and it was kind of cool and creepy. Final review was an "eh..." Grades 7 and up.
Elements of this story were engaging - the visions were pretty gruesome and foreboding; the love triangle between Harlow, Mercy and Adam (although this dragged on a bit); the betrayal surrounding the ministry/cult, VisionCrest, the creepy ending...but there were a lot of elements that seemed all over the place. The story behind the voice Harlow kept hearing didn't really seem fleshed out. It's a series...so maybe that will start to make more sense, but I personally was a bit confused by Harlow's history. So much of the third part of the book felt like...will this just end already? And then the ending came and it was kind of cool and creepy. Final review was an "eh..." Grades 7 and up.
March 12, 2014
**I received a free copy for an honest review**
Every turn of the page literally made my skin crawl! Wow! Whitney's writing filled me with suspense and dread from the very beginning. Although it seemed that it dragged in the beginning, it still kept me curious and interested in Harlow's situation of having to be perfect, yet consumed with this "voice" and disturbing visions. With that being said, The Violet Hour pulled me into a dark and spiritual world of twisted religion that I could not put down.
As if watching a horror movie, I wanted to "look away" at the descriptions of these horrific visions that Harlow was having. In a world that this religious group had more power than any government, Harlow is plagued with these visions that made me dread turning the page. The suspenseful plot twists made me want to keep reading! Harlow's plight also takes us on a tour of Asia from Japan to China to Vietnam! Whoa! Talk about cult that went global....very scary thought! And... Whitney accomplished it in the pages of The Violet Hour!
Read the full review at:
http://moviesshowsnbooks.blogspot.com...
Every turn of the page literally made my skin crawl! Wow! Whitney's writing filled me with suspense and dread from the very beginning. Although it seemed that it dragged in the beginning, it still kept me curious and interested in Harlow's situation of having to be perfect, yet consumed with this "voice" and disturbing visions. With that being said, The Violet Hour pulled me into a dark and spiritual world of twisted religion that I could not put down.
As if watching a horror movie, I wanted to "look away" at the descriptions of these horrific visions that Harlow was having. In a world that this religious group had more power than any government, Harlow is plagued with these visions that made me dread turning the page. The suspenseful plot twists made me want to keep reading! Harlow's plight also takes us on a tour of Asia from Japan to China to Vietnam! Whoa! Talk about cult that went global....very scary thought! And... Whitney accomplished it in the pages of The Violet Hour!
Read the full review at:
http://moviesshowsnbooks.blogspot.com...
March 9, 2014
I first have to say that this book was not what I thought it was. When I started reading it, I thought this was going to be about a girl with an issue with voices in her head. But, as I continued to read, I found out I was sorely wrong! This book has a sci fi edge to it that I found refreshing. There was a little romance that I found to not be as bad as I thought. Not that romance is bad. It's just, when I think of a horror story, I don't think romance.
This book is definitely YA. Again, not that there is anything wrong with that. I have read my share of YA books. The characters are easy to like and relate to and I like that the author helped by writing the book geared toward a YA audience. I like that the horror aspect wasn't too over the top and the "romance" portion was dubbed down for the genre.
There was a whole lot happening toward the end of the book that kept me reading. This book was a quick and easy read. I am back to reading my series reads but I was glad this isn't one. But, if it does turn into one, I will read book 2. Good book.
This book is definitely YA. Again, not that there is anything wrong with that. I have read my share of YA books. The characters are easy to like and relate to and I like that the author helped by writing the book geared toward a YA audience. I like that the horror aspect wasn't too over the top and the "romance" portion was dubbed down for the genre.
There was a whole lot happening toward the end of the book that kept me reading. This book was a quick and easy read. I am back to reading my series reads but I was glad this isn't one. But, if it does turn into one, I will read book 2. Good book.
March 6, 2014
I am decidedly undecided about this book.
At first, I loved it. In the middle, I didn't care much about it. And by the end, I was simultaneously surprised and utterly let down.
The Violet Hour follows the story of Harlow, the daughter of the Patriarch of a religion called VisionCrest, as she deals with frightening visions and general tumolt in her previously charmed life. I felt little connection to Harlow, who never seemed to come into her own as a character. Her friends and love interest were flat, and in the end, I knew what was coming and was bothered by how the author took the obvious road.
I think there are many who would enjoy this book, unfortunately, I was not one of them.
At first, I loved it. In the middle, I didn't care much about it. And by the end, I was simultaneously surprised and utterly let down.
The Violet Hour follows the story of Harlow, the daughter of the Patriarch of a religion called VisionCrest, as she deals with frightening visions and general tumolt in her previously charmed life. I felt little connection to Harlow, who never seemed to come into her own as a character. Her friends and love interest were flat, and in the end, I knew what was coming and was bothered by how the author took the obvious road.
I think there are many who would enjoy this book, unfortunately, I was not one of them.
March 17, 2014
This is defiantly not the book I thought it was when I started reading it but I was defiantly not disappointed.
I thought this book was about a girl who heard voices in her head but as I started reading it there was so much more to it. There is a little romance in the book which isn’t a bad thing but usually when I read a horror book there is none.
The story line flows well and I was able to like and relate to the characters. I really liked how the horror aspect wasn’t as graphic as it can be in books but as this being a YA book that could be why it was written that way. The story line had me glued to the book the whole time. I am defiantly looking forward to reading more books from Whitney A. Miller. 4/5 Bloody Fangs
I thought this book was about a girl who heard voices in her head but as I started reading it there was so much more to it. There is a little romance in the book which isn’t a bad thing but usually when I read a horror book there is none.
The story line flows well and I was able to like and relate to the characters. I really liked how the horror aspect wasn’t as graphic as it can be in books but as this being a YA book that could be why it was written that way. The story line had me glued to the book the whole time. I am defiantly looking forward to reading more books from Whitney A. Miller. 4/5 Bloody Fangs
July 10, 2014
Not my favourite book ever read. I finished it in about a day, so it wasn't a hard read. It was interesting, there were some parts that I questioned the book-logic of it, but I let them slide. But then the ending. If I didn't see that there is a second book supposed to be out next year, I would be so angry and likely never read another book by Miller ever again. Yes, I'm like that. In fact, there's a book, I don't remember the title, by an author that I can't remember, that was great until the ending. Ruined. I've rarely been so angry by an ending. And I've apparently blocked the title and author from my brain because I hated the ending so much. Therefore, I reserve finalizing my judgement until I've read the sequel.
September 9, 2016
2.5 stars
Great setting and entertaining plot, but the storytelling felt loose, jumbled, and confusing. The characters could also use more development, there were stirrings of an unnecessary love triangle, and the dialogue was painfully stilted at times. Still, the author creates a compelling atmosphere and there were enough interesting scenes to keep me going. This debut feels like it could have been something solid with a few more drafts, so I'll leave the door open for trying another book by this author down the road.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
Great setting and entertaining plot, but the storytelling felt loose, jumbled, and confusing. The characters could also use more development, there were stirrings of an unnecessary love triangle, and the dialogue was painfully stilted at times. Still, the author creates a compelling atmosphere and there were enough interesting scenes to keep me going. This debut feels like it could have been something solid with a few more drafts, so I'll leave the door open for trying another book by this author down the road.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
November 20, 2013
I really liked this book more than I was expecting. It was hard to get into at first, but it turns into a very haunting story. It had a nice display of cult culture too, and how easy it is for a leader to corrupt the original message for his own benefit (although in this case, that was likely to the benefit of followers).
I'm a little frustrated by the end, but not because it's a bad ending; it's just unsatisfying and leaves a lot open to interpretation, which can be a good thing.
I'm a little frustrated by the end, but not because it's a bad ending; it's just unsatisfying and leaves a lot open to interpretation, which can be a good thing.
September 9, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! This is my first time reading a cult related book and I found it very fascinating. Whitney Miller did a great job of creating a very detailed image of things for me, from locations of places to the extremely creepy stuff... Mostly the creepy stuff! TVH pulled me in from the very beginning and left me wanting more. I can't wait for The Crimson Gate to come out in 2015.
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December 3, 2015Graded By: Mandy W.
Cover Story: Smoke Gets in Your Big Face
BFF Charm: Caution!
Swoonworthy Scale: 1
Talky Talk: Figuratively Speaking
Bonus Factor: Cult
Relationship Status: Memorable Fling That Wants to Come Back for More
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Smoke Gets in Your Big Face
BFF Charm: Caution!
Swoonworthy Scale: 1
Talky Talk: Figuratively Speaking
Bonus Factor: Cult
Relationship Status: Memorable Fling That Wants to Come Back for More
Read the full book report here.
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