Published by: Orchard Books
Publication date: June, 2011
Source: Thanks to Hachette Australia
Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.
This is not her story.
Unless you count the part where I killed her.
Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?
My Review:
Favourite Quote: "I might not be ready to pour out my feelings to the world, but I’d had enough of trying to ignore them."
Wow! Ultraviolet is an incredibly original and hypnotic read. I just loved how refreshingly different it was from the plot to the characters to even the style of writing. Everything was unique and it that made for such a standout read.
Ultraviolet is the story of Alison who is placed in a psychiatric unit after complete breakdown. She is also the main suspect in the murder case of the most popular girl at school Tori. But nobody knows what happened including Alison as there is no body. All Alison can remember is one moment she was arguing with Tori then next thing she had disintegrated into thin air. Is Alison going crazy? Or there an extraordinary answer for it all?
The plot pulls you in from the first page and you are completely hooked until the end. It is filled with some very delicious unexpected twists. I really thought I knew what was going on but I had no idea. I love that Ultraviolet was not what I expected because it ended up being so much more.
R.J. Anderson writing is alluring and vividly descriptive especially when it came to describing Alison condition of synesthesia - tasting words, how each letter has a personality and a colour and in general just seeing so much more than the rest of us. It was definitely interesting element to the story and made Alison an extraordinary character.
"Seconds shaded into minutes, and the butterflies in my stomach had turned into biting horseflies, when a candy-pink squeal of delight rippled down the corridor towards me."
Alison had an utterly convincing voice. She had to deal with some hard situations - locked in a mental facility, possibly killing someone, thinking she might be going crazy but her reactions were always believable. Now Faraday in a unforgettable character. Smart, kind and surprising. I only wish we had gotten more of him because I really enjoyed his presence in the story.
"Dark chocolate, poured over velvet: that was how his voice tasted. I wanted him to follow me around and narrate the rest of my life."
As for the romance it definitely didn't feel like the typical young adult romantic situation. It was that something special and yet it didn't take the focus away from the amazing plot.
Overall, Ultraviolet is a stunning out of the ordinary read. I definitely recommend it to people looking for something different but yet still an exceptional story. Now I just need to get my hands on more of R.J. Anderson's books.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
For more info: Visit R.J. Anderson's website or Date a Book.
For more reviews: Midnight Garden and Chachic's Book Nook.
R.J. Anderson is going to write another book in this world. It is called QUICKSILVER and will be released in 2013. So far away but I am sure it will be worth the wait!
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26 comments:
While I didn't get a copy from Hachette I did snag an e-galley from Netgalley. Should really read it some day because I've been dying to.
Glad you loved it, and nice review as always! I love those quotes you chose.
I got this from Netgalley, and now I am really excited about reading this. The premise is really original. Fantastic review, Nic!
I skimmed your review as I'm reading this at the moment and loving it ... only about 75 pages in though lol.
"stunning out of the ordinary" and 4.5 rating. I'm sure I'll keep loving it, great review Nic :)
PS my review for Abithica is up if you want to check it out, I'm sure you'd love it.
Ooh, I could really use a plot-driven (ish) book right now! And ooh, synesthesia! Remember Danny from Raw Blue! COOLNESS. And awesome to know Alison has a convincing voice, aah this book just looks better and better. and great choice of quotes as always-- fab review
Sounds like a good book! I haven't heard of this one before, it's now on my to-read list. Great review!
This sounds great, thanks for the review!
Awesome review! This sounds like a great book.
Loving the sound of this one Nic! I like that the romance is present enough to make sense that it's there, but it isn't all-consuming and there's a fabulous plot to back it up:) Can't wait to read this!
I loved this book! So glad you enjoyed it, it's been one of my favourites of the year. I can't believe the sequel is so far away, I can't wait to read it! Thanks for the review :).
Great review. I just love the cover, it just looks so creepy. I like that there's a special romance in this book and that it feels different than the other YA books. ;) I will check this book out.
I really liked this one too...I thought the ending was over to quick but everything about the story screamed "Im different...read me.."
K, totally kicking myself for not picking up this book sooner! I just didn't think I like it and your review makes me think otherwise! I may enjoy it after all.
I was just going to ask you whether this is part of a series or not but I guess now I know. I liked both of RJ Anderson's faery books so I am hoping to pick this one up soon.
Sounds fresh and original - can't wait to get my hands on it!
At first I thought this was the sequel to Unearthly because the covers look the same so I almost turned away {because I've had angel book issues}. But, then I read the synopsis and it sounds excellent! There are quite a few people who I'd like to narrate my life, this guy sounds delectable. Awesome review Nic! Sounds like one I should pick up now rather than later.
Jen
In the Closet With a Bibliophile
Okay, that quote about Faraday's voice made me shiver. My life is too boring to be narrated, but sounds like he'd at least make it interesting. LOL
I had kind of written this book off because I remember reading a negative review, but you have me reconsidering. Thanks Nic!
Wow!! This sounds pretty amazing and that last quote is amazing! I'm a voice person so I definitely get the idea of wanting someone to narrate my life.
:D
Anyway, I'll put this title in the Maybe list =)
I loved... loved... LOVED the first half of this book. The second half took me so much by surprise, I almost didn't go on. I still liked it, but it was still such a switch it almsot didn't seem to fit and yet, I still liked it. Did that make any sense? lol
Awesome! I also got this one from Netgalley because the premise sounds interesting. I'm glad it's different and original from the usual YA that's out there. I hope to read it soon.
Looooooooooooved this book!
So glad you enjoyed this! I thought it was pretty awesome as well!
I'm glad you enjoyed reading this one, Nic! I was surprised by how much I liked it as well. It had several unexpected plot points but I think they all worked well together.
I've had this one on my wish list for a while, and I really like the sound of it - it really seems like a unique story! Must get to it soon! :)
I managed to get this from NetGalley but still haven't read it. I had no idea that Alison had synesthesia and since I actually wrote a psych paper on it once, that makes this one seem even more fascinating.
Wow, sounds like I should get my hands on a copy of this! I love books that pull you in from the very beginning and command your attention throughout. Sounds like that's exactly what this one does.
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