Author: R.J. Anderson
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: June 02, 2011
Buy: The Book Depository
“I’d killed Tori Beaugrand. Torn her into a billion pieces, disintegrated her, with nothing but the power of my mind.”
It’s been quite some time since I’ve been so genuinely shocked by a book before.
Ultraviolet is, for the most part, a brilliantly written story from the unique perspective of a girl sectioned in a mental institute for teens. It is also, near the end, something completely different - though no less brilliant. Come the last part of the story and R.J. Anderson doesn’t hesitate to distort the rules and deliver the very definition of a plot twist. As well as catching me wholly off-guard, the ending was utterly stunning, even if at first a little unbelievable. It is incredible how formulaic some books can be, yet with Ultraviolet, there is no familiar structure to the story. This, I believe, is what made this such a unique read.
Alison, the main character, is a patient at Pine Hills. She has synesthesia, making her narration quite unlike any other. As well as being able to taste lies, she can hear the music of the stars, feel the personalities of certain letters and numbers, and visualise colours that aren’t on the visible spectrum. With this, we are told a story through vivid imagery and elaborate sentences, but all of it completely accessible for the reader. I have read about synesthesia only a small handful of times before and it has always fascinated me. Anderson does a superb job addressing this condition, making it an almost educational journey at times, and never uninteresting.
It’s easy to sympathise with Alison, to like her and fully support her despite the implications of what occurred with Tori. Watching her open up to Dr Faraday and learn more about the very part of her that she tried to hide from the rest of the world was surprisingly touching. Faraday himself was a surprising character. I have to say, I wasn’t at all sure of him at first, but it didn’t take long at all for me to warm to him as easily as Alison had.
The rest of the cast include a set of perfectly crafted characters, from Dr Minta to Kirk and Sanjay and Micheline. While not all of these characters are particularly likable all of the time, each one, even when limited to only a few scenes, is wonderfully distinguishable. Even Tori, who lingered in Alison’s thoughts as a source of irritation and guilt, held my full attention.
The only part of this book that I wasn’t too keen on was the slight romance. Apart from that aspect, Ultraviolet impressed me in ways that make me oh-so-excited for the next book, Quicksilver. If this novel is anything to go by, I’m certain R.J. Anderson will meet my high expectations.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Rating: 4.5 stars
Oh this sounds interesting! I've seen this book, but never heard of it. This sounds like something different, but good different!
ReplyDeleteI'll check it out!
Great review, as always :)
This book sounds amazing. I have seen this book across the stores, but I never seem to pick it up. The cover is brilliant... Though I can't judge it by that, lol. Awesome Review, Sam. =)
ReplyDeleteOhh, this is such a special book. I've read it as a digital arc more than a year ago, and i still haven't forgotten a single thing about it. The writing really stole my heart. I have no idea where Anderson will take things in Quicksilver, but I'm very anxious to find out.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, Sam.
Sounds really interesting. I think maybe you meant that the main character having synesthesia made the narration quite UNlike any other, though.
ReplyDeleteWell now I'm dying to know about this ending Sam! I love being caught off guard, it's always fun to think I know where things are headed only to be proven epically wrong. Too bad about the romance, but aside from that, the rest of the story, Alison and that ending in particular, sound amazing. Definitely going to be giving this one a try!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds spectacular! I love the cover, the shock value, the twist at the end, and this beautiful review! Must add this one to the TBR right away! Wonderful review, Sam!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading this book last year, thinking it was ridiculous. The plot twist was a bit too out of this world to really satisfy my tastes. Maybe I'm too picky. The whole synesthesia thing was a little dragged on, I thought. It takes more than half of the book for someone to reveal this to her because no one else has diagnosed her yet, which makes no sense when synesthesia is a pretty well known disorder.
ReplyDeleteUltraviolet just wasn't my type of read. Still, I'm glad that you enjoyed it because it was a fantastically written book.
Angie @YA Novelties
I keep meaning to read this, it looks amazing! That quote at the beginning just blew my mind o_O
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I'm glad you enjoyed this! I will look out for this, it sounds so unique.
Now I'm very curious with the ending. Haha! This one indeed sound unique and intriguing. I would love to see how Alison narrates the story. Glad to see you enjoyed this one. Lovely review, Sam.
ReplyDeleteWow this book sounds really interesting! Something about the cover really attracts me attention, I'll have to give this book a chance. Great review!
ReplyDeleteWOW....what an intense book. I really like the sound of this book and am looking forward to reading this. Thank you for introducing a new book to me! Awesome review Sam! :D
ReplyDelete~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair
This sounds intenseeee! even though the romance might have been a bit off, im definitely gonna check this book out! Great review Sam!
ReplyDelete- Farah
I reviewed this one for an upcoming guest post and although I wasn't as taken with it as you, I still liked it. This quote sums up why: "It is incredible how formulaic some books can be, yet with Ultraviolet, there is no familiar structure to the story" :) I'm curious to see what will happen in Quicksilver too.
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds amazing! I've seen it a lot on GoodReads, but somehow never felt compelled to add it to my wishlist until now, Sam! It's a very unique and intriguing concept and I'm very curious to see how this situation plays out. Stunning review, Sam! I hope the sequel is just as good - if not better! :)
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this one? My inner psychologist is screaming to check this out. I am not familar with synethesia. I can only imagine the sensory detail in this one! Brlliant review, Sam!
ReplyDeleteWell, I knew you were enjoying this when you wanted the second novel before you'd even ended the first, but this just cements the idea that I need to have this on my wishlist - it now is!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of her narration and the synaethesia. I believe that will create quite the effect. Mental health is always a touchy issue, but this sounds like it really works and I wil definitely have to pick this book up some time soon.
Great review, Sam! :)
I saw this one at the library when I went last time, but didn't pick it up. I will definitely have to grab it the next time I do go! I love books that are super unpredictable. It takes a lot for a book to shock me, but I do love when it happens! And the fact that the main character has synethesia is really intriguing, I've never read about that before.
ReplyDeleteFabulous review! I will definitely be checking out this book! =)
This certainly sounds mysterious and really thrilling! I would definitely want to give it a read.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really interesting, glad you enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is great.
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
After a certain point, books often fail to surprise you or make a lasting impression because you've already read something similar or the sheer number of books you've read has made a plot predictable. So I'm glad this one was able to throw you :)
ReplyDeleteOh you have me so intrigues poppet..and now I must have this with its twisted plots. Awesome review :)
ReplyDeleteLoved your review! Especially the part where you commented on how her narrating style was different because of her synesthesia. This has been on my wishlist for months. This review makes me want it even more! :)Xx
ReplyDeleteOh I enjoyed this book too!!! Awesome review :D
ReplyDeleteMegan @ Bookworm in Love
I was a little worried about the romance as well. But i loved it! And i can't wait for Quicksilver either!
ReplyDeleteI've never paid much attention to this book but your review makes me totally interested in reading this. Sounds very different. Lovely review as usual, Sam. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful review! I have not heard too much about this one but it sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSeeitORreadit
You finally got around to reading it! Hehe, bet you weren't expecting that. ;D I loved reading through Alison's perspective with her synesthesia and tetrachromacy (I still remember that word ;)). I know what you mean about the romance, though surprisingly it didn't bother me as much as it usually would. Lovely review, Sam, so glad you loved this one after such a long wait! :)
ReplyDeleteWow this sounds like such a fascinating read! I haven't heard of synesthesia before now, but I'm interested in seeing how the author decided to portray it in this book. I am beyond intrigued to read Ultraviolet!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! ^__^
I've actually been eyeing this one for awhile now, but I never really KNEW if I should pick it up. Well, now I know that I will be! This book sounds SO unique and unlike any other book. I'm looking forward to seeing what the romance will be like, even if you didn't like it much. Great review, Sam!
ReplyDeleteI've been kinda wanting to read this but felt reluctant. Reading your review helps me see how much you enjoyed it. Maybe I could give this a try too. Thank you, Sam!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on how unique this book is! Even though I never got round to finishing it, I will...someday :) I've never read any books on synaesthesia before this book but it's definitely the sort of condition that I'd really like to read about more in the future :) Great review Sam! Glad you loved it so much :D
ReplyDeleteWow! Great review, I love books that catch you off guard right at the end..it makes it all worth it! :)
ReplyDeleteErr by the way * face-palm* I have no idea what synaesthesia is.. -.- xx
Wonderful review Sam, I'm glad you loved this! I got this out of the library before but didn't get round to reading it, so I guess I'll be going back in to get it, lol! Distorting the rules, unique read? Sounds awesome! I will definitely be picking this up in the near future! :)
ReplyDeleteTaste lies? Feel personalities of letters? Woah. Alison herself sounds so easy to get along with, and like. And any book that got a 4.5 rating from you, and shocked you? Must be an AMAZING read.(':
ReplyDeleteAs usual, your review has made me want to devour this book at once. :P I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sam.(: <3
I am SO fascinated by this... it sounds like it offers something so DIFFERENT to what's clogging shelves right now. Different is GOOD. The whole synesthesia aspect alone captivates me, I'm so glad to hear the narration is pulled of superbly. There's also a weird attraction I have to any book set in asylum haha. Incredible review, Sam! <3
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so fantastic! I don't even know what SYNESTHESIA means but it sure sounds intriguing. What a fabulous review, Sam. I didn't even know about this book before but now it's on my wishlist. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review Sam but I doubt I'll ever pick this one up. It just doesn't sound for me you know? But I'm glad you liked it. =)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything like this before. I didn't even know about Synesthesia, but it sounds very fascinating! Perfectly casted characters and shocking, I like it! Wonderful review ^^
ReplyDeleteAnother great review Sam. Glad you enjoyed this one so much, I never actually heard of this one before, but I'll be sure to check it out now.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that you loved this one so much, Sam! It's always interesting to see the different reactions to come out of it, the twist kind of blindsides some readers. I loved it, though, and I'm glad you did, too!
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
Great review! I came across the sequel on another site a while back, but this is the first time I've seen a review of the first one. It sounds so great! Synethesia is such an interesting condition, and what a clever way to create an entirely unique narrative style! Very cool.
ReplyDeleteC.J.
Sarcasm&Lemons
Oh, my, this book sounds stunning! I'm glad you liked it even though the romance wasn't perfect. It's always interesting to read a bout about Synesthesia :D
ReplyDeleteGreat review, like always, Sam! :D
0h wow! 4.5 stars is a high rating Sam! I'm glad you loved it so much. The title sure is interesting, and the synopsis sounds emotional but in the best way possible! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteShreya@CCReviews
I haven't heard much about this but it really does sound unique, I don't think I've ever read a book about synaesthesia but now I'd really like to and the fact that you had very little issues with this book makes it appeal even more! Great review, hun!
ReplyDeleteWell now, I had no idea this book was like that. I'm really interested in the fact that she's in a mental institution. I'm thinking I'm going to get this book, and hopefully read it this decade :D
ReplyDeleteI still need to read this book too. I'm so far behind on most books. So many books, so little time. T_T Yarg!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. :) Thanks for reminding me about this book, I know the sequel is coming out soon or is already out. So I really need to catch up soon.
I've Ultraviolet in my to-read list and seeing how you described the character of Alison really clicked with me. Synaesthesia? I so want to know more about the book and the unique narration.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Sam!
Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile