Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson
Release: September, 2011
Pages: 304 (hardcover)
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Source: Netgalley
Summary:
"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....Read more at Goodreads.
Mini-Thoughts:  From the startling intro, it becomes obvious that Alison is different. Very different, especially in comparison to the myriad of other gals in YA lit out there. The details Alison notices about others (+ how she notices them) and her uniqueness really shines with Anderson's magnetizing writing. Despite Alison's obvious fear of herself, what she might be capable of, and her unusual condition, she was still so easy to like and enjoy. Regarding the storyline, I'm keeping quiet for the sake of the story. What I will say is that it genre-jumps quite a bit, but the constant what-comes-next quality this story has is what makes Ultraviolet incredible. 

Highlights: This story surprised me to no end, and in a great way. Character relations are realistic, and the characters themselves are so vibrant, developed. Anderson's writing is mesmerizing, especially regarding Alison's odd ability....Mysterious, creative and downright surprising, Ultraviolet is a story you will not be able to tear yourself away from. 

Lowlights: I have a personal, negative bias with genre-jumping books. It's a weird experience to read something that feels like genre, then turns into another, and then another. But I found that it didn't bother me too much in this story.

Rating: 4/5 


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11 comments:

  1. The cover is so creepy, but then the summery is just okay. ;) I love that there is character development and that it's suspenseful. I need a book like that. Great review. I think I will get a copy of this one.

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  2. I've been eyeing this book for awhile, I love how it's surprising and mysterious. Great review!

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  3. Glad to hear the characters really shine in Ultraviolet! Characters really make or break a story for me. Thanks for the review! Can't wait to read Ultraviolet. :)

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  4. Sounds good! I would like to read this since I've read RJ Anderson's two previous faery books.

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  5. LOL! I reviewed this book today, too (and one other blog I read did as well). Guess we're just on the same book page today...

    Anyway, I loved the way she described what she was seeing and hearing -- so different from how I see the world. An interesting story.
    Mary @ Book Swarm

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  6. I keep seeing great reviews for this one! I really want to try it now. Fab review :)

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  7. I've heard nearly nothing about this book and the only person who mentioned it to me, told me they really did not like it. Now, you're saying it's incredible, so I think I'll have to read it myself to see what I think. Thanks for the review!

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  8. So looking forward to reading this book :)

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  9. I just got this book for review. It sounds really good - I cannot wait to read it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it!

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  10. I really enjoyed R.J.'s first book, and I've been really looking forward to reading this one, so I'm happy to hear that it's good. Allison sounds like an interesting MC. Great review!

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