Bleeding Violet - Niemals War Wahnsinn So Verführerisch (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I read this book when I was on the YALSA best fiction committee. I enjoyed it so much that I nominated it to be included on the list that year. Either I have very odd tastes (which I do), I didn't make a strong enough case, or the other committee members didn't know a good book when it bit them. I vote for all the above.Anyway, I really liked this book. Such a unique premise. And it takes place in Texas!Slice of Cherry has been on my bookshelf for a couple of years now; I'm going to move it closer to the top of my to-reads. I'm giving it four stars only because it isn't perfect, but read it anyway. I took a few hours after finishing thi book to put my thoughts straight (and still couldnt exactly pinpoint some stuff). My first feeling when I finished this book was :'' Well that was an awesome book, with a good ending and definitely memorable.''I think what stands out the most is how different it was from most YA books I've read so far. It was very sexual(?)although not quite explicit, and very dark and gore. Also, the main character has this manic depressive problems and I think that adds on the ''dark'' part of it.It was interesting to have the main character so flawed! I still liked her because, even if her way of thinking was confusing at some times, I enjoyed following her ''screwed up'' way of thinking. I also liked the other characters because they were slightly different from the usual ones you get in YA books, and Rosalee especially was so complex I absolutely enjoyed how complicated she was. The world building was well done too. It was super complicated, but I think it was compensated by the very strange things going on there. I actually would've liked to know even more about the Mortmaine and the Mayor. The cherry on top was how diverse the characters were! Rosalee is afro-american, Hanna is a mix (afro-american and finnsh), Wyatt is latino (from Argentino maybe?), so is Petra. I just really enjoyed how different they were and that it showed too.I think it doesnt get a five star because the first half was slow for me and I found it hard to really get into the story. It was very confusing at first and the more it made sense, the more Iliked it. I sadly think a lot of people wouldnt go through it and continue on, which is sad because I think this book was a very nice surprise.
What do You think about Bleeding Violet - Niemals War Wahnsinn So Verführerisch (2011)?
Once I got used to the writing style, I actually enjoyed this book. That being said, this book is not for everyone. The book is written in the first person perspective of a girl diagnosed with manic depression and the writing style attempts to reflect that so the narrative seems somewhat disjointed. Add coping with supernatural phenomena to said manic depression and you have quite a conglomerate of concepts.Is the narrative perfect? Probably not, I do not have manic depression and have never been close to someone who did so I am not sure how accurate the girl's thought processes are to someone who does have it. The fantasy elements are interesting, though baffling at first because you are making discoveries along with Hannah. The story arc is quite complex and has its share of twists and surprises as well, in all a decent find for those interested in fantasy. A final note on content for readers, this book is "young adult" bordering very strongly into "new adult" in terms of sexual content and addresses other sensitive topics such as suicide, familial struggles, mental stability, and religion (to a lesser extent).
—motu
Obviously this is a divisive book. It has a core of insanity the reaches far beyond the simple insanity of the protagonist. The normalcy of the character's insanity becomes grounding for the very odd world, which is never quite clear on the truth or reality of any particular event. Still, the characters have clear motivations, and the world building is remarkably solid (if solidly askew). Plotting is direct, which is probably a wise choice considering the general weirdness of the world. One of the better YA books I've read lately.
—benkapud714
This book was really cool but was slightly confusing. but really good.
—Ryuu
a little bit of craziness cant hurt. (;
—coolguy123
