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

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

Purchase Links:

Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

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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.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instragram | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Click for weeks 1, 2, & 4 of the tour

Thirteen Therapists

Sanders, R.J. (2012). Thirteen Therapists. Featherweight Press.

Young Adult / Contemporary / Relationships 

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Book Blurb: Senior Aaron Hardaway has a new bad boy lover and he wants his mother out of his hair---super therapist Thirteen warns eyes wide open, but will Aaron listen? He's the son of one of Chicago's richest families. He'll graduate from an exclusive Chicago prep-school. He cruises in a Benz SLK300, a grad present from his father. Aaron Hardaway has it all. But a boyfriend. And a loving mother. Sylvia Karnes Hardaway, evil Queen of Chicago society, long ago thrust her son into therapy hell. Twelve shrinks later, Thirteen enters Aaron's life. Thirteen's mantra is eyes wide open. Thirteen will transform Aaron's life. So will bad boy Derrick. Aaron hooks up with Derrick, and things will never be the same. Maybe he should have kept his eyes wide open.

Watch the book trailer!

  

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HALL WAYS REVIEW: It's been four years since I read this book. . . And I still remember it. I read it straight through in one sitting because I had to know how things were going to turn out for Aaron Hardaway -- a character I came to adore.  I am not sure how posting my review slipped through the cracks (I had it framed, I had my notes) but it did. The good news is that Thirteen Therapists is as timely as ever with its characters and premise, so here goes. 

On the surface, Aaron is living the teen dream: money, the best of everything it can buy, status, and connections.  Beneath the surface, he is alone and drowning in it all, and he longs to be his authentic self. Aaron is someone that readers will immediately like and want to feel loved and kept safe; but he doesn't always make it easy. 

As readers watch the decisions Aaron makes, we understand and feel things right along with him: the passion of sexual attraction, the comfort of belonging, the anxiety of ditching common sense, the thrill of the forbidden.  Right along with those feelings, author Russell Sanders makes sure readers are ill at ease with how the story is unfolding as Aaron and willing Aaron to keep his eyes wide open, as Aaron's therapist (nicknamed Thirteen) has advised him. 

The writing is outstanding and the book is wonderfully edited. The secondary characters, particularly Aaron's mother and bad-boy boyfriend Derrick, are well-written and fully imaginable and realistic. (And evoked strong emotional reactions from me. Momma Bear, claws out.) Sanders also does a great job of building the tension for readers and plants subtle (and not so subtle) hints that there's a train wreck coming. We don't want to believe the wreck is really going to happen, but again, as is human nature, we have to watch. 

Thirteen Therapists is totally engaging. It has twists, turns, and surprises; it has heartbreak, humiliation, and humor; and it has drug use, underage drinking, and male/male sex -- pretty graphic at times -- so sensitive readers beware.  Sanders is an excellent writer, and he has written a bunch of other books since this debut (and I have two of them on my Kindle reader right now.)

Thank you to the author for sharing his book with me so many years ago (and sincerest apologies for not sharing my opinion with the world sooner) in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give.

BUY THE BOOK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Russell  J. Sanders is an actor, a musician, a teacher, and now, a writer. He loves writing for young adults, and his novels Thirteen Therapists, Special Effect, The Book of Ethan, and Colors are coming of age tales that will appeal to all. His latest book, All You Need is Love, was published March 21, 2017 by Harmony Ink Press

Russell lives in Houston, Texas, with his husband, where he spends his time writing and volunteering and spending time with friends and just living a good life.  

Connect With the Author:  

Amazon Author Page ╿ Website ╿ Twitter ╿ Facebook ╿ 

 

Bruiser

Shusterman, N. (2011). Bruiser. NY: Harper Teen.

Young Adult / Fiction / Supernatural / Audiobook

I gave this audiobook 5 out of 5 stars

Jacket Copy Blurb:

Tennyson:
Don't get me started on the Bruiser. He was voted "Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty" by the entire school. He's the kid no one knows, no one talks to, and everyone hears disturbing rumors about. So why is my sister, Brontë, dating him? One of these days she's going to take in the wrong stray dog, and it's not going to end well.

Brontë:
My brother has no right to talk about Brewster that way—no right to threaten him. There's a reason why Brewster can't have friends—why he can't care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can't be explained. I know, because they're happening to me.

Award-winning author Neal Shusterman has crafted a chilling and unforgettable novel about the power of unconditional friendship, the complex gear workings of a family, and the sacrifices we endure for the people we love.

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I am a huge fan of Neal Shusterman's Unwind series, and so when an offer popped-up to get a free download of Bruiser, I took it. As a bonus, for $1.99 I was able to add narration. The title sat in my To-Be-Read pile for four months, and then I had a road trip with my son. Unwind is one of the very few books my son has read and enjoyed, so I figured this would be a good listening choice for our trip.  My son's a teenager, and we were driving before noon, so naturally, he slept through most of the book, but for me, Bruiser made six plus hours absolutely fly by. 

The narrators do an outstanding job of voicing the four main characters, and Shusterman has each presenting from a unique point of view: Tennyson is in first person present; Brontë, is first person, past tense; Cody is stream of consciousness; and Brewster is in free verse*. I have never before read a book that did this, but it works very well, and especially with the four distinct voices narrating the audiobook, these characters really come alive. 

And the story. . . Shusterman is truly a master storyteller and as is customary in his books, Bruiser will have readers/listeners thinking deeply about life, relationships, pain (emotional and physical), and sacrifice. And what-ifs: what if you could take on someone else's pain -- would you? What if someone else could take on your pain -- would you let him? What if you could live pain free -- is that even living?

At times, the story is painful to hear/read.  Readers' hearts will ache for Brewster as the people around him are either oblivious to the damage they are doing to Brewster or worse, they know. Shusterman does an excellent job of helping readers to really feel the emotions and turmoil of the characters as the full reach of Brewster's abilities is revealed. 

I was relieved and mostly satisfied with the ending. An epilogue would have solidified things since the ending wasn't absolutely clear-cut and could be open to interpretation for those with an active imagination. The book has no sex or sexual references (a few chaste kisses only) and only a few swear words. There are adult situations with mention of parents divorcing and having affairs and adult consumption of alcohol.  There is child abuse violence, but it's not described in a graphic manner. The book is probably fine for more mature middle grade kids and older. 

About the audiobook...
This story was outstandingly narrated by a group of talented actors: Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, Luke Daniels and Laura Hamilton. Their performances  really defined each character.  My only complaint is that Brewster’s dialogue was kind of hard to hear. His voice is very low and soft, which is perfect for Brewster but hard to hear with road noise.
 

*NOTE – I listened to the whole book, but then I looked back at the eBook to re-visit and clarify what happened with the ending. It was only at that point that I realized Brewster’s parts were written in free verse. Happily, I also discovered the first fourteen chapters of Challenger Deep, Shusterman's latest novel!  **moves higher on TBR list** And speaking of Challenger Deep and Shusterman -- here's a pic I snapped of Neal and his son, Brendan, signing copies of the book at the TLA Conference this past April. Greatness!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Neal Shusterman is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of Bruiser, which was a Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) choice, a YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults pick, and on twelve state lists; The Schwa Was Here; and the Unwind dystology, among many other books. He lives in California with his four children.

Website: http://www.storyman.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nealshusterman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealShusterman