Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Haunting Violet
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher: Viking
ISBN-13: 978-0-8027-9839-8
Release Date: June 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: YA Fiction
Publisher’s Age/Grade Recommendation: 12 and up
OUAR’s Age/Grade Recommendation: 13 and up
Year/Setting: 1872 England - London and Lord Jasper's country estate
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate
Alyxandra's Website/Blog: alyxandraharvey.com
Parlor tricks and rigged séances. She was nothing more than a pawn in her mother’s machinations of preying upon London’s peerage and well-to-do citizens.
Violet and Colin – a boy whom her mother ‘rescued’ from the streets – are expected and forced to aid her mother in duping grief-stricken people into thinking their loved ones are attempting to make contact.
Her mother had such a reputation that an invitation to a house party at Lord Jasper’s country estate was issued to them. Violet really doesn’t like taking part in her mother’s…occupation. She feels dreadful about her part in her mother’s schemes. There’s really no choice left to her, though.
For someone who doesn’t believe in ghosts Violet quickly learns that she has the unwanted ability to see and ‘interact’ with them. One ghost in particular has become quite persistent.
Violet has learned that Rowena died a year earlier near Lord Jasper’s estate. Apparently Rowena expects Violet to uncover her murder so she can be at peace.
Easier said than done as Rowena isn’t being of much help. And let’s not forget this is all new to Violet. She doesn’t quite believe what’s happening or what to do or how to control it.
One thing for sure, her mother must never know of her new-found ability.
With the help of her good, and only, friend Elizabeth, Violet attempts to dig at the truth whether she wants to or not. It’s the right thing to do.
When a scandal arises during the house party, she, her mother, and Colin return to London. Frustration engulfs Violet as she left Lord Jasper’s with many more questions than answers. She’s come to want to help Rowena. She needs to help her.
If she’ll be able to help is another matter altogether.
Violet’s plight engages the reader’s sympathy and pulls on the heartstrings right from the beginning. Her feeling of helplessness as well as her determination to resolve this mystery and embrace her new-found ‘gift’ is at once sad and admirable. Violet’s budding awareness of love and potential romance is sweet.
I must give a nod to Tabitha, Rowena’s twin. She is definitely a mean girl, but there is actually more to her than what she presents.
This is a tale that is quite haunting, prolific, and absolutely absorbing. Ms. Harvey creates quite the visual and emotional read.
From my understanding there is no sequel or series intended. However, should there be more tales of Violet and her ‘gifts’ in the future I would shout hoorah!
Happy reading,
Connie
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