Violet Eyes

Violet Eyes #1

by Nicole Luiken

It is more than her violet eyes that makes Angel Eastland different from the other kids and when she meets Michael Vallant, who also has violet eyes, Angel realizes they are both very different and both in danger. Original.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Dystopia, Fiction, Mystery

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Nicole Luiken wrote her first book at 13 and was published at 16. She writes SF and fantasy for both adults and teens. She lives with her family in Edmonton. It is impossible for her to go more than three days in a row without writing.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm rarely a fan of POV characters hiding things from the reader and, in this case, it wasn't even CLEAR things were being hidden for several chapters. So I was pretty confused once the reveals started coming.

It was okay. I probably would've loved it as a kid.

[sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Violet Eyes es un libro diferente. Diferente pero en el buen sentido. Desde el primer momento me tenía enganchada, aunque había partes en las que estaba bastante confundida.

Me ha gustado mucho la forma de escribir de Nicole Luiken, lo malo es que a veces nombraba algo, y daba por hecho que ya se sabía y en realidad nunca lo ha mencionado antes. A veces me pasa que comienzo a pensar en otras cosas, no me doy cuenta y pierdo el hilo. Creía que me ocurría eso, pero cuando volvía a releer, seguía sin tener idea de lo que estaban hablando. No sé si está hecho a consciencia o no, pero es extraño. Angel y Mike hablan de un montón de cosas que están ocurriendo (el futuro, el año 2098, sus alteraciones genéticas, todo el tema de los científicos, los aumentados, los terroristas, las inmersiones en el pasado...). A lo mejor es su propio estilo de escritura, o puede que haya sido algo totalmente incosciente, o tal vez fuera a propósito, no lo sé.

Por ejemplo, cuando empiezan a hablar de multas, cuando llaman "aumentados" a algunas personas o en el cumpleaños de Maryanne: los dos entran al cuarto de lavado y empiezan a decir cosas como que los pueden escuchar y que los pueden ver. Claro, pensé que se trataba de los invitados al cumpleaños. Pero cuando Angel dice "¿No lo entiendes? Estamos jugando directamente en sus manos. Esto es lo que han querido desde un principio", se nota que no se refieren a ellos. Pero ¿quiénes, entonces? La autora empieza a hablar de ellos como si ya te lo hubiese introducido antes. Sí, la sinopsis te dice que no están a salvo, pero yo creía que Angel no sabía nada de los científicos porque apenas habla/piensa sobre ellos. El caso es que ambos son una especie de seres humanos increíbles y son los únicos que pueden salvar a la humanindad. Fue un fracaso cuando empezaron a aparecer porque la gente no los quería, así que el proyecto se fue a pique. Pero el doctor Frank (o Frankenstein para Angel) los vendía al mejor postor.

La cosa se complica a partir de aquí: Angel cree que vive en 1987, pero en realidad no. El año actual es 2098 y hay como... reinserciones históricas. Es decir, ¿qué mejor manera de conocer el pasado que viviendo en él? No me quedó muy claro si todos los del pueblo estaban metidos en el ajo y eran concientes de que 1987 no era el año actual, aunque creo que sí.

Angel es un personaje que me ha gustado muchísimo; es fuerte, segura de sí misma, acepta que es muy competitiva y es por eso que lleva las cosas a un nivel diferente, es arriesgada y aun así no es impulsiva, es buena con sus amigos y, aunque es un poco orgullosa, es de un modo que no te hace odiarla. Y Mike también me ha gustado bastante, aunque me hubiese gustado sabes un poco más de él, de su vida personal en general, y no solo que vivía en un orfanato que se quemó y fue él quien eligió a los padres más horribles habidos y por haber. Aún así, es muy parecido a Angel, y creo que es por eso que encajan tan bien.

Me ha gustado eso de los nombre: Michael y Angel (Miguel Ángel), Leona y Vincent (Leonardo daVinci)... Es algo original. Me ha gustado mucho la relación entre Mike y Angel, especialmente la parte en la que ambos se odian, son muy adorables. La relación amorosa entre sí aparece en un parpadeo: primero se odian a muerte porque los dos soy muy, muy competitivos, después hacen un poco las paces por todo el tema de trabajar juntos en el bádminton y entonces... ¡poof! in love.

Me ha recordado muchísimo a El Show de Truman. Me encantó la película, así que Violet Eyes no iba a ser menos. Pero, como ya he dicho, es complicado meterte de lleno en la historia por todo el tema de la confusión y tal. Aún así, es un libro que merece la pena leer. Mezcla alteraciones genéticas futuristas, con inmersiones al pasado, científicos locos con ansías de poder y dinero y sus personajes son geniales.

[Melissa A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Violet Eyes, es un buen libro, con una buena historia y con buenos personajes, en si, es "bueno", pero no alcanza a ser excelente o increíble.

La historia va muy rápido y en ocasiones me sentí tan confundida que me toco parar de leer y repasar lo que ya sabia o había entendido y es algo agotador; es genial cuando la historia te enreda tanto, que no sabes que va a venir después, pero este no es el caso de Violet eyes, si, nunca me imagine de que iba y si la escritora no llevara la trama tan deprisa hubiera sido una excelente historia, pero siento que no la supo aprovechar.

A pesar de que logre captar la trama a medida que leía (muy al final, debo agregar) no fue la mejor manera de entenderlo, por lo que el libro estuvo bien, eso si, tuvo un final muy interesante y el argumento del segundo libro es mas que cautivador, por lo que Silver eyes, la continuación de este libro, estará entre mis próximos libros a leer.

Espero que esta secuela no vaya tan deprisa y explique muchas de las incógnitas que quedaron con el primer libro.

:3

[mary Ethington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I thought it was clever. It could have given more information or gone into a little more depth to help understand the characters. The author gives parts of important info throughout the whole book and gives needed passed life information. By the end you finally have a clearer picture of what is happening. I would have liked it if there would have been more info and some more of my questions answered. It didn't explain everything real well. There is a second book which I plan to read because I enjoyed this one and I am hoping it gives more light on the story.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book 8 years ago in high school and loved it. I searched used bookstores for a year till I found 2 copies one for my sister and one for me, this is one of those books that I had to own.

I love the characters, Angel is an awesome female lead character with a great male pairing character. The story is exciting, thrilling and fun. Never a dull moment in the entire book.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read/loved this when I was, like, 11 and picked it up again just because I recognized the cover when I went to the library... and yup. Still loved it. Guilty pleasure or whatever but it's so damn good in all the right ways.

[ShaddaShk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an OK book, about average. Which is just fine if you want something quick and safe to read. Two above average in strength and base level intellegence high schoolers know their being watched and that something about their surroundings isn't right. It doesn't have that much of a plot to it, although I found myself wanting to know what had happened in the past and it was a bit of a waiting game for the characters to spill. When the two main characters started kissing I was about to put the book down, sure it was going to drive off the cliff into romance la-la land with the end tacked on. Surprisingly this is not what happened.

For being stronger the story doesn't emphasis their difference too much, which is nice. Instead of spending paragraphs on why they can do this and the other "normal" people can't, the plot and storyline progressed.

How the riot got started was believeable and actually quick fun to read.

What I did find missing in the book is that while the end was nice and came to a close, the story seemed to just get going when it ended, or there was plenty of room for a sequel to come up. Still enjoyable though. The other thing I missed was "seeing"/reading more of the world outside.

Bottom line: Two starts for being something easy to read and not getting sidetracked and for giving an ending that didn't ruin the whole thing.

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

2025 review: Very confusingly written. The first half is all sports! Badminton at that 🤮Then we finally get a few more clues as to what’s going on. The violet eyed teens are genetically engineered lab babies created to be stronger and smarter than the rest of us. This takes place in the future 2098 but they live in a museum town fashioned to look like 1987. The idea sounds really intriguing. But the execution was terrible. Like I said the author spends a ton of time on sports and not enough time on the 80s nostalgia or even futuristic stuff.

Angel comes across as very impulsive. Never considering others. She was hard to like. The romance with Mike the other violet eye came out of nowhere and was very unnecessary.

Everything seems to move really slowly. There are cameras everywhere because it’s the future but Angel and Mike never seem to get caught. It made no sense. The most exciting scene was probably when they destroyed the Apple II computers but again no one rushed in to stop them.

2000s rating: 3 stars.

[Ying · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to live in Alberta since this is a local author whose book is not out of print. Action, adventure, romance, a tough heroine all apart of Luiken's world.

Takes place in a futuristic society, our protagonist, Angel is a result of a government genetic experiment. The government watches over her by placing her into a normal home in a historic town that appears to be in the late 20C. Waiting until the day she is old enough to become a military asset. Angel pretends to be a normal girl, biding time until she can escape into the real world. She thinks she is alone until a boy transfers into town. Michael also has the same strange violet eyes that she has, and a mysterious past. Can she trust him? Time is running out for them both, the government thinks they are ready to begin training.

[Ashley (Bound to Love YA) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that I read in middle school and keep coming back to every three years or so, when I've had a horrible day and need something gripping, fun, flirty, and action-packed to whisk me away. The writing may not be stellar, but the plot moves fast and there are enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Basically, the story follows Angel - all around perfect "it" girl. She's athletic, she's top of her class, she excels at everything effortlessly. That is, until Michael Vallant comes along with his unusual violet eyes that match her own - and his supreme sexiness :) - and Angel finds herself in second place for the first time in her life. Along with Michael's arrival comes a slough of questions and bizarre events that will lead Angel to unravel the dangerous truth behind who she is, who Michael is, and the small town she calls home.

[Hack · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved the tantalizing glimses into the future in this book. i also liked that while the book was written in 2001, it was set in the late 80's. the book was intriguing because of the differences between the renaissance children and the rest of the world. i also liked the concept of "living the past" in the historical recreations. i liked that the ending was satisfactory, but vague. the only part that i wasn't thrilled with is the distinctive violet eyes that the children have. this seems to me to be a little too obvious a physical characteristic. overall, i really liked this book and will be looking for the sequel.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book had a good concept, it lacked any content. I enjoyed it but it bothered me how the protagonists would know things and not tell the reader. When they finally did tell you, you were then confused thinking, "Why didn't they tell me this earlier?" They seemed to put up information out of thin air and it was very frustrating. The book was somewhat enjoyable but I would definitely not recommend it to a friend.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a weird book that I picked up at some library sale at some time, intrigued by the violet eyes on the cover because I always wanted violet eyes. The two characters have those eyes because they are special creations, gifted academically and athletically beyond their peers. But there is also the sinister aspect: where are they living? who created them? why? can they escape?

While I haven't read this in a while, I remember enjoying it for what it was.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that I received as a gift when I was in middle school. I wasn't really into science fiction, but I decided to try it one day when I got bored. And I think I finished it within a few hours and had to let all my family/friends know how amazing of a book that it was. I re-read it again years later and thought that it held up pretty well. I did notice some plot inconsistencies and the romance was a bit too insta-love for my current tastes, but I was still impressed.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another quick nostalgia read for me. I remember blowing through this book in a day the first time I read it. I loved it and I still do. I love the idea behind this book, I think it would be wonderful if something like it was developed as something not YA. I recently got my hands on the second one so I am excited to find out what happens to Angel and Mike. At this rate I doubt I will ever grow up.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a reread for me. Violet Eyes was on of my favourite Young Adult novels growing up. This book was incredibly inventive and exciting, particularly because it was released prior to the revolution of YA. I read this book numerous times growing up. Reading as an adult, isn't quite the same for me, but I still get nostalgic.

[Jaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I read in junior high/early high school. This book is set in the 70's (ish) and that threw me off when I read it at the time. Also I remember thinking it was weird how much these two kissed... and the author always said "he kissed her hard" and I was BAFFLED as to how a kiss could be hard and spent way too much time trying to figure out how exactly that worked. Hahaha.

[Bonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read. has a lot of twists and sci/fi moments but it is really good. missing a little in the plot since you aren't always told that the main characters know things. but this can easily become a favorite

[col13en · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to love these books so much in middle school. It can be a bit juvenile at times, but I still find it enjoyable to read now. It's a good sci-fi story about these genetically engineered teens who begin to learn their whole lives have been orchestrated in one big secret government experiment.

[Ro~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 a 4.
Los diálogos a veces me dejaban como ¿Ah? O.o no se si fue la traducción o el libro está escrito así, pero como que habían partes en las que faltó un poco más de desarrollo.
Pero fuera de eso me gustó bastante.

[Rachel L]

I remember reading this when I was in middle school/high school. I liked it enough for me to keep copies of this one and the sequel, but I have absolutely no memory of what it's about lol. Therefore no rating.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I read it back in high school and was never able to find it after that until my local library picked up a copy somewhere. Never did get around to the sequels but I'll be on the lookout for them now.

[SAMANTHA PADGETT · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite post apocalyptic series, am so glad she is writing more :) Love the characters and their development in addition to the plot, a really easy read but I still go back to it all the time.

[Elaine Schnabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not really all that certain why i like this book. It's almost cliche and very teenage - but the situations and scenes Luiken creates are captivating and I do love it, despite prior beliefs.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book quite a few times. It's kind of a different type of book, but it was really interesting!

[Jessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as amazing as the first hundred times I read it.
Now onto the next one, Silver Eyes.
And can I just say: It's super awesome that Angel's birthday is the same as mine. ;)

[Allizabeth Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun and enjoyable read! Had a little bit of everything: action, romance, adventure, secrets, mystery, and even a little bit of violence. Loved this series in high school.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH MY GOODNESS its a series!! grr i didn't know!
i thought this book was creative and interesting. i was too into the book to consider putting it down...
next task...
hunt down next book!

[Alanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really loved this book!,,,,, but i wanted more of it,,, it felt a bit rushed, like the author had to fit the story in a prearranged number of pages,,,

[Rebecca]

I loved this book when I first read it. It was the first science fiction I read that wasn't for school.