Author: R.J. AndersonIf I was asked to only review the first two hundred pages of Ultraviolet, then this would be a much more positive review.
Release Date: June 2, 2011
Pages: 330 (egalley)
Publisher: Orchard
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review through Netgalley
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?
But THOSE LAST HUNDRED PAGES. UGH.
Sorry. Anyways:
Ultraviolet grabbed from the first page. The whole "am I crazy orrrr..." plot-line kept me on the edge of my seat. Even when I failed to connect to any of the characters, I kept reading because I still had to know what happened next and because I found Alison's "illness" fascinating.
Another thing that I loved about it was that it was so original. Reading about the way Alison sees things is an experience in itself, one that I was really enjoying.
And throughout the book, we have a mystery that obviously has something to do with something supernatural. The mystery builds throughout the book, and when the answers we were looking for are finally revealed, I was left feeling so...
Upset. I mean, seriously? WTF just happened?
I don't want to give you any spoilers, but basically, I thought the big conclusion was--I know this sounds mean but it's how I feel--stupid. And unoriginal. I can't even properly review it because I was just sort of skimming through the last hundred pages, only reading the dialogue.
But it's not like I completely hated this book. It started strong, and just ended poorly. Alison's abilities were new and fascinating, and I was interested by the whole mental-hospital-thing. If you're looking for something different and don't mind weird endings, maybe try it?
Plot: Different. Until the end...
Characters: Eh...
Writing: Good.
Writing: Good.
Ending: NO.
Kind Friendly? There was swearing, sexual harassment, and mentally disturbed teens.
Should I read it? Check out more reviews of it on Goodreads and see for yourself if you think you'd like it. I seem to be one of the few that had major issues with it.
Should I read it? Check out more reviews of it on Goodreads and see for yourself if you think you'd like it. I seem to be one of the few that had major issues with it.
Overall:
I know, right! I absolutely loved this book until it switched genres at the end. I've actually watched a documentary on people with the same condition as Alison, and the writing explaining her experiences was wonderfully descriptive. A warning that things would turn all sci-fi would have been nice.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the honesty. So many bloggers seem to be afraid to say they didn't like a book, or certain aspects of a book that I feel I can't trust their reviews. They're all so glowing.
ReplyDeleteYou're comments about the ending actually have piqued my curiosity!
Very refreshing review.
You're not - I wasn't that impressed either - especially with the ending. Oh well. I gave it a low review as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for honest reviews - a lot of people only ever write variations of 'this book was amazing'... etc :)
Amy @ Turn the Page
You're not - I wasn't that impressed either - especially with the ending. Oh well. I gave it a low review as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for honest reviews - a lot of people only ever write variations of 'this book was amazing'... etc :)
Amy @ Turn the Page