Friday, June 2, 2017

Violet Grenade ~ ~ Blog Tour, Review, & Giveaway!






  • Title: Violet Grenade 
  •  Author: Victoria Scott 
  • Page Count: 300 pages
  • Publisher: Entangled: Teen 
  • Publish Date: May 16, 2017

  • SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!

Description
DOMINO: A girl with blue hair and a demon in her mind.
CAIN: A stone giant on the brink of exploding.
MADAM KARINA: A woman who demands obedience.
WILSON: The one who will destroy them all.
When Madam Karina discovers Domino in an alleyway, she offers her a position inside her home for entertainers in secluded West Texas. Left with few alternatives and an agenda of her own, Domino accepts. It isn’t long before she is fighting her way up the ranks to gain the madam’s approval. But after suffering weeks of bullying and unearthing the madam’s secrets, Domino decides to leave. It’ll be harder than she thinks, though, because the madam doesn’t like to lose inventory. But then, Madam Karina doesn’t know about the person living inside Domino’s mind. Madam Karina doesn’t know about Wilson.
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HALL WAYS REVIEW: ✪✪✪✪✪ BLOWN AWAY. Hands down, this is the best YA book I have read in some time. Such a unique premise. Victoria Scott has crafted a completely screwed-up world with completely screwed-up characters, but both work the readers in an unexpected, almost obsessive way. The flaws on these characters aren't warts -- they are festering boils; yet, Scott manipulates readers to feel not only horribly disgusted, but drawn to look more closely and ultimately, even look past the flaws. Just as main character Domino has an alter-ego, it was almost as if the reader takes one, too. I find myself rationalizing horrific behaviors. The lines between good and evil, right and wrong, justice and injustice have all been blurred. 

"The slums grew arms and legs and crawled toward their shiny homes and manicured lawns, and then swallowed them whole without remorse."

Scott's talent is not only in her fabulous writing style (and immaculate editing. BRAVO.), but in the imaginative way she conveys mood, tone, setting, and character. The dialogue is authentic and well balanced with the narrative, and the sprinkling of figurative language is powerful, resulting in images that stick. In keeping with the title of the book and with the volatile nature of the main character, Domino Ray, there are repeated allusions to bombs and their impending detonation -- all which build up to a truly explosive finish to the book.  And in alter-ego Wilson, the allusion is taken further as he is a ticking time bomb within Domino, ready to unleash his devastation. And then there is Cain. . .

"Cain. I let that name sit on my tongue like 
a peppermint. It burns with flavor."

This guy. He and his story bring out all the feels. Readers (well, this reader anyhow) will appreciate that despite the slow burning sexiness in this messed-up guy, Violet Grenade is not a romance, there's no insta-love, and the focus of the story is not all about boy meets girl. There is so much substance to the relationships between characters (ALL the characters). 

I don't think it was possible for me to read the last quarter of the book any faster, and I loved that I was dead wrong, time after time, about what was going to happen. Scott planted all kinds of red herrings and set-up mystery after mystery for readers to figure out (incorrectly, for the most part). There are a few unanswered questions at the end, but it's okay; it's almost like each reader might need a different answer so each of us can decide what we want for the characters.

Sensitive readers be warned -- this book gets pretty dark. There is substantial violence, sexual references, and harrowing scenes that could be upsetting (see "screwed-up," above). I must give snaps to Victoria Scott here, too, as she doesn't get overly or unnecessarily graphic; she trusts her readers to get it. 

Thank you, thank you to Chapter by Chapter Book Blog Tours, Entangled Teen, and the author for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give.  Violet Grenade is going to stay with me a long, long time.


AUTHOR INFO: Victoria Scott is the acclaimed author of eight books for young adults. Her novels are sold in fourteen different countries, and she loves receiving fan mail from across the world. Victoria loves high fashion, big cities, and pink cotton candy. You can find her online at VictoriaScott.com.



GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
Signed paperback of The Collector, a signed paperback of Titans, and a signed galley of Hear the Wolves.



WEEK 3 TOUR SCHEDULE:
May 29, 2017 – Mama Reads Blog – Review and Guest Post
May 29, 2017 – Bookish Revelations – Spotlight
May 29, 2017 – Writer’s Alley – Interview
May 30, 2017 – Twirling Book Princes – Spotlight
May 30, 2017 – Wonder of Words – Review
May 31, 2017 – curlyhairbibliophile – Interview
May 31, 2017 – Book Lady’s Reviews – Review
May 31, 2017 – Lovely Loveday – Guest Post
June 1, 2017 – White Sky Project – Review
June 1, 2017 – Room 22 Epic Readers – Guest Post
June 2, 2017 – Once Upon A Bookshelf – Review and Interview
June 2, 2017 – BookHounds – Guest Post
June 2, 2017 – Hall Ways Blog – Review



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