Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Format: Paperback
Pages: 344
Published: 9th July 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Genre: YA Historical, Paranormal

Description:
Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts, especially since her mother has worked as a fraudulent medium for a decade. Violet has taken part in enough of her mother's tricks to feel more than a little jaded about anyhting supernatural. The ghosts, however, believe in Violet and she's been seeing them everywhere. One ghost in particular needs Violet to use her emerging gift to solve her murder ...and prevent the ghost's twin sister from suffering the same fate.

Review:
Haunting Violet is set in late 1800's England. It follows the story of sixteen year old Violet as she helps her mother perform fake seances. Her mother has a very successful reputation with her seances which leads them to the wealthy Lord Jasper's country estate to perform for him and his guests. However, whilst there Violet discovers she can see ghosts, even though she doesn't want to. And soon Violet and her friends are trying to solve the murder of ghost called Rowena.

I had been wanting this book ever since I first seen it online. So when I got a copy for review you can guess that I was rather thrilled. I have heard alot about Alyxandra Harvey and her work and I have only just read the first book in The Drake Chronicles and I loved it (my review) so I was pretty excited for this. However, I honestly never knew this book was a historical paranormal. I haven't read many books that are in past tense so I was a bit worried. But I didn't have to be because I thought it was fantastic.

Violet is one of those really great main characters for a book. Even though her mother doesn't treat her very well she is still so strong. I think she is probably one of the easiest characters I have ever connected with it a book. I don't if it is was because she is a strong independent girl, or if it was because even though its set in the 1800s you can imagine Violet being your friend and getting along with perfectly.  What I did love the most about Violet was her friendship with Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a very happy bubbly character and you can't help but smile when reading about her. Their friendship is pure and from time to time very funny.

Violet does of course have a couple of love interests. What book is complete with out it? There is Xavier and Colin. Xavier even though he was a gentleman I just didn't like him at all. He is shallow and just doesn't connect with Violet. Colin on the other hand is dreamy (I think its the fact he is Irish I go weak at the knees from Irishmen) Colin has lived with Violet and her mother since he was young boy so he knew Violet and when she tells him about the ghosts he helps her.

Now, I can't do this review without mention the Mother. Argh, I hated her with a passion. Tricking people into believing she was a medium. She is just a selfish woman who wants nothing more than wealth.

Haunting Violet has quite a few elements to it. It's Historical Fiction, a paranormal ghost story and a murder mystery all rolled into one. Its truely fantastic. Being set in the 1800s it creates a perfect atmosphere for a gothic novel. Set in a country estate gives a really spooky fell that I honestly has goosepimples reading parts of it. Also with it being set in the UK it was fantastic to see some of the words we use within the book. I always love that in book.

My only negative is that I found the begining rather slow. It wasn't really until Violet seen her first ghost that I was truely captivated by the story.

Alyxandra Harvey has created a brilliant gothic novel that is a little spooky. If you like your books that are different and full of supsense with one hell of a twist that you don't see coming then I urge you to pick up a copy and get reading.


Thank you Bloomsbury for providing a copy for review


Rate: 4/5
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4 comments :

  1. This is one book I wanted to read anyway but after your review, I REALLY want to read it!!

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  2. Great Review! I'm glad to hear it's more than a pretty cover! :)

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  3. I really enjoyed this but I will say I prefer the author's Drake Chronicles. Great review. :)

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  4. Ive only read book 1 in the Drake Chronicles. I did enjoy it that more but I think it was just because this once slow to start.

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