Haunting Violet

by Alyxandra Harvey

Sixteen-year-old Violet Willoughby has been part of her mother's Spiritualist scam since she was nine, but during an 1872 house party in Hampshire, England, she is horrified to learn that she can actually see ghosts, one of whom wants Violet to solve her murder.

• ISBN10: 1408816725
• ISBN13: 9781408816721
• Publish Date: 4 July 2011 (first published 21 June 2011)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
• Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: http://bloomsbury.com/

Reviews

[goodnghtmoonx]

I like this book well enough. Characterizations could have used some major improvement. There were events that happened that happened just for the sake of happening, it felt like. Some things felt like they happened too fast in too short of a time period. Also, there were plenty of things that were mentioned that could have continued on that we're never really mentioned again.

[bryannaleigh]

I like this book well enough. Characterizations could have used some major improvement. There were events that happened that happened just for the sake of happening, it felt like. Some things felt like they happened too fast in too short of a time period. Also, there were plenty of things that were mentioned that could have continued on that we're never really mentioned again.

[lizarodz]

Haunting Violet is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Harvey and I think I can now say I’m a big fan as I loved this book. It definitely falls in the “can’t put it down category”. Maybe my fascination has to do with my love of historical romance novels, and this book almost qualifies as one. I felt like I was wearing a familiar and comfortable pair of slippers. *sigh*

On with the review… Violet is a charming character. She is beautiful, pragmatic, not conceited and with a strong sense of morals and self-preservation. Violet had a difficult life and an abominable mother, I don’t know how she turned out to be such a good person with such a bad role model, but then again, she had Colin. I loved Colin. He is not only handsome, but resourceful, loyal, and he really cares for Violet and more important, he accepts her the way she is. I really enjoy Violet’s best friend, Elizabeth (lovely name, right?). She is also very loyal and open minded about the “Spiritualism” and loves a good adventure as well. I really came to hate Violet’s mother and I don’t know what it is about Lord Jasper that I quite can’t trust.

The plot was excellent and unpredictable. I certainly didn’t suspect any of it (although I have to admit I usually don’t!). It is a combination of paranormal / historical romance / mystery, it actually reminded me a little of both Amanda Quick and Julia Quinn writing style and plot building. The writing was easy to read and follow, the story line and setting was introduced nicely and the pacing was perfect. I only problem was that the ending was kind of abrupt and it left the story wide open for a sequel. What happens now with Violet and Colin? Can they have a future together? How would Violet handle her new-found ability? I can’t find any indication that Haunting Violet has a sequel, but it certainly should. Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top? I know I will start reading The Drake Chronicles soon!

About the Cover: I really like the cover, the significance of the river and the lilies is evident in the story. The girl in the cover looks “haunted”, I liked how delicate she looks and the colors as well.