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Violet Shadows
"Melanie Rose delivers, once again...and writes prose as if playing classical music."
Katherine Owen, Author of Seeing Julia, Not To Us, and When I See You
She entered Nazi-occupied France in the summer of 1943, seeking only a worthy death in the service of a noble cause. She did not expect that her quest for death would, in the end, teach her how to live.
"Violet Shadows" was chosen as the winner of the Novella category for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Katherine Owen, Author of Seeing Julia, Not To Us, and When I See You
She entered Nazi-occupied France in the summer of 1943, seeking only a worthy death in the service of a noble cause. She did not expect that her quest for death would, in the end, teach her how to live.
"Violet Shadows" was chosen as the winner of the Novella category for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2012
2 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Rose Huff
6 books31 followersOne day in her childhood, Melanie Rose Huff told herself a story about the apple she was eating. It was a planet, inhabited by one tiny man-like creature who kept having to move house as his various residences were devoured by a giant alien. It was a tragedy, of course, ending in the planet's destruction, but the author has been telling herself stories ever since.
Melanie is the award-winning author of "Ashford" (BRAG Medallion, 2012) "Violet Shadows" (Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Novella Category Winner, 2013) "By Water and Blood" (Writers' Digest Self-Published Book Awards Honorable Mention, 2015) "A Phantasmagoria" and "An Amazing Alphabetic Anthology." She lives in Chewelah, Washington.
Melanie is the award-winning author of "Ashford" (BRAG Medallion, 2012) "Violet Shadows" (Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Novella Category Winner, 2013) "By Water and Blood" (Writers' Digest Self-Published Book Awards Honorable Mention, 2015) "A Phantasmagoria" and "An Amazing Alphabetic Anthology." She lives in Chewelah, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 25, 2013
A great read that takes place in war torn France. A look at the French Resistance and the ravages of war and how how it is possible to heal
January 6, 2013
Grieving the death of her brother, Violet changes her name and joins the resistance in Nazi-occupied France. Her objective: death for a noble cause. Then she meets Phillipe and discovers life is worth living.
This is a beautifully written novella. The characters are brilliantly developed and complex. The relationship between Violet and Phillipe develops realistically and enjoyably.
My complements to Melanie Rose for a captivating tale that pulls you in and keeps you engaged until the very end. It is a quick read but very worthwhile.
This is a beautifully written novella. The characters are brilliantly developed and complex. The relationship between Violet and Phillipe develops realistically and enjoyably.
My complements to Melanie Rose for a captivating tale that pulls you in and keeps you engaged until the very end. It is a quick read but very worthwhile.
December 30, 2024
This is a beautifully written novella, set in France in 1943. The story revolves around Violet, an SOE agent working with the French Resistance. "Built for espionage. That was what they had called her, back in London. She was a bit of nothing, a wisp of brown hair, a shy smile, and beneath it all a will of iron." I loved everything about this one and look forward to reading more from this author.
November 23, 2012
Without her brother, Violet feels lost. Tristan gave his life as a Royal Air Force pilot in the war, and Violet now feels she must give just as much to not only avenge her brother, but follow his example of strength and bravery. Joining the French Resistance and donning the name Marie could give her what she wants...until she meets Philippe, one of the French gendarme - her enemy.
Violet Shadows is a novella featuring the struggle of Violet Creeley to find her place in the now lonely world and serve a purpose. She has all but given up on having a real life. Her goal is to lose herself in a worthy effort and sacrifice as her brother did. The beauty of this story is that Violet's search for death leads her to experience life in a way she never expected. Her journey is brief, but memorable.
Violet is a complex character. Her motivations for joining the resistance stem from the death of her brother, but also from being a very lost young woman who no longer seems to have a purpose in life. She basically borrows her brother's passion and purpose in the best way she can, and attempts to live the life he lost. This complex and deep motivation was a theme with all the characters. Even Jean, the roguish resistance fighter no one really trusts, has deeper motivations than you might think. Philippe, the French gendarme Violet befriends, is on the other side of the war effort, but his motivations are profound as well. The characters in this book make the story. The setting is France during the second world war, but the real focus is the lives of these people. Readers will care what happens to each one and want to follow their journey.
The relationship between Violet and Philippe is also another drawing point. When they first meet, Violet is frightened and resistant. Philippe is the enemy, after all. But it quickly becomes apparent that Philippe wants a friend, not another person to arrest. Their friendship builds slowly. You won't get pages of steamy encounters. What you will get is a realistic portrayal of two people in very difficult circumstances becoming friends in the middle of a less than ideal situation. Both are faced with tough choices and heartbreak. Their story is one worth following to the end.
This was a story I enjoyed quite a bit, for its history and characters. My only real complaint was that parts of the story could have been developed further. This was a novella, but I was left wondering at the end why the author didn't expand such a deep story. I found myself wanting to experience more with Violet and Phillipe, as well as Father Michel and the other Resistance fighters. There were opportunities to delve into the characters and story deeper that weren't taken. I enjoyed the book as it was, but I do think there were missed opportunities to expound on this story.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. It's a quick read, but a worthwhile one. The characters will suck readers into their story.
Who would I recommend this book to? This is a book that is a little harder to place. It has appeal to WW2-era and historical readers, but it doesn't go into as much detail about the circumstances of the time as other historical novels I've reviewed. The relationship is very well done, but is not as intense as those looking for a "romance" story might expect. This book is for those who are looking for a character driven, thought provoking read. It's one that will stay with you for a while.
Violet Shadows is a novella featuring the struggle of Violet Creeley to find her place in the now lonely world and serve a purpose. She has all but given up on having a real life. Her goal is to lose herself in a worthy effort and sacrifice as her brother did. The beauty of this story is that Violet's search for death leads her to experience life in a way she never expected. Her journey is brief, but memorable.
Violet is a complex character. Her motivations for joining the resistance stem from the death of her brother, but also from being a very lost young woman who no longer seems to have a purpose in life. She basically borrows her brother's passion and purpose in the best way she can, and attempts to live the life he lost. This complex and deep motivation was a theme with all the characters. Even Jean, the roguish resistance fighter no one really trusts, has deeper motivations than you might think. Philippe, the French gendarme Violet befriends, is on the other side of the war effort, but his motivations are profound as well. The characters in this book make the story. The setting is France during the second world war, but the real focus is the lives of these people. Readers will care what happens to each one and want to follow their journey.
The relationship between Violet and Philippe is also another drawing point. When they first meet, Violet is frightened and resistant. Philippe is the enemy, after all. But it quickly becomes apparent that Philippe wants a friend, not another person to arrest. Their friendship builds slowly. You won't get pages of steamy encounters. What you will get is a realistic portrayal of two people in very difficult circumstances becoming friends in the middle of a less than ideal situation. Both are faced with tough choices and heartbreak. Their story is one worth following to the end.
This was a story I enjoyed quite a bit, for its history and characters. My only real complaint was that parts of the story could have been developed further. This was a novella, but I was left wondering at the end why the author didn't expand such a deep story. I found myself wanting to experience more with Violet and Phillipe, as well as Father Michel and the other Resistance fighters. There were opportunities to delve into the characters and story deeper that weren't taken. I enjoyed the book as it was, but I do think there were missed opportunities to expound on this story.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. It's a quick read, but a worthwhile one. The characters will suck readers into their story.
Who would I recommend this book to? This is a book that is a little harder to place. It has appeal to WW2-era and historical readers, but it doesn't go into as much detail about the circumstances of the time as other historical novels I've reviewed. The relationship is very well done, but is not as intense as those looking for a "romance" story might expect. This book is for those who are looking for a character driven, thought provoking read. It's one that will stay with you for a while.
October 3, 2012
I really liked this book! The author transported me back to France during the occupation. It is the story of a resistance worker and how she slowly comes to find herself again after the loss of her brother.
It has a touching love story and it is beautifully written.
A very quick read at only 142 pages.
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads and am so glad I got a chance to read it. I think I am going to go and find out her first book Ashford (the first book in this story).
It has a touching love story and it is beautifully written.
A very quick read at only 142 pages.
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads and am so glad I got a chance to read it. I think I am going to go and find out her first book Ashford (the first book in this story).
September 17, 2012
great pacing, excellent characters. author has a real flair for bringing the scenery to life.
February 26, 2015
http://raesrumblings.blogspot.com/201... is where my review is locate.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews