a dark novel about broken people and facing their demons.

Domino, a young adult who lives in the streets, found herself needing money to bail her friend, Dizzy, out of jail. Madam Karina offered her a job as an entertainer for Madam Karina's Home for Burgeoning Entertainers. However, Domino discovered certain things that makes her doubt Madam Karina and the whole existence of Madam Karina's Home for Burgeoning Entertainers. Something felt off...

Violet Grenade pushed me to keep reading because I was curious. I was hella curious as to what's going on; at what's up with Madam Karina's Home; at how will Domino get out of this mess she got herself into. Then there's Wilson -- the person who resides in Domino's mind. He's Domino's 'dark' side -- the one who carries all dark things she did in the past.

In my opinion, Violet Grenade is an even paced novel. It doesn't feel slow but it's also not fast or suspenseful. It spanned for a two, three, or four weeks, I think and the first half of the novel focused on Domino's rise inside Madam Karina's Home as well as the establishment of Wilson's character -- his mind, his part in Domino's mind. It was, at times, boring but at the same time highly intriguing because these things made me interested to know where the story will go, what will happen when Domino gets Top Girl (aka the highest rank on Madam Karina's Home).

Domino is a young adult with a past -- a dark, dark, dark past she'd rather forget. Her past was slowly revealed and it was unbelievable (okay, believable if you're reading a YA psychological thriller) and I felt sorry for what happened to Domino -- for what her mother made her do.

The second half of the novel where Domino finds things out and tries to escape Madam Karina's Home. It was the thrilling and graphic side of the novel. It involves so much escaping, running, violence, and hurting people. This is the part of the novel (part 4 particularly) where Wilson fully takes over Domino -- we see him in action, his violence, and how he shuts down all emotions. He acts with a particular goal in mind.

OVERALL, Violet Grenade is a contemporary thriller that involves a main character with a dark past and hidden personality. It's a intriguing novel about broken people and facing their demons.
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review schedule: 05-24-17

Okay, here's the deal: This book is seriously messed up! It kind of reminds me of a train wreck you can't look away from---not because it's bad, by any means, but because the characters and the situation are so incredibly, intensely broken and dark.

What Fed My Addiction:

Surreal contemporary?
The book is interesting because I was never quite sure what I was reading. I assumed from the beginning that it was sort of a dark fantasy/paranormal story, but after a while I determined there weren't really any fantastical or paranormal elements, with the possible exception of Wilson---who I couldn't quite figure out. Yet, the book didn't read like a contemporary exactly either. The story involves human trafficking, but the "houses" with their systems of pay and the way you would reach the next house---it all felt incredibly surreal, like a contemporary on crack or something. And I couldn't tell if the characters were all just crazy or if there was something mildly supernatural going on. (view spoiler) I have to say that I was intrigued enough that it all worked in a crazy sort of way.

Dark, dark, dark.
If you like your characters dark and a bit unhinged, this is the sort of book for you. I figured out pretty early on what was haunting Domino, but the details didn't unfold until very late in the book and I was definitely kept guessing. And things just got more and more intense as the book went on. They maybe even went a little too dark for me at the end---but I'll confess that I was riveted, and I wasn't about to put this book down!

Poppet.
Poppet is Domino's best friend at Madame Karina's house, and she's a spot of sunshine in an otherwise bleak book. Her friendship with Domino is first built on mutual need, but it soon transforms into something deeper. I pretty much loved everything about Poppet.

The romance.
Cain is a dangerously mysterious guy with an obvious past---someone who Domino can relate to. He's the strong but silent type (at first I thought maybe he didn't speak at all), and you definitely want him in your corner. Cain and Domino balanced each other in their craziness and they understood each other in ways no one else could, making for an irresistible romance..

What Left Me Hungry for More:

Small feeling of "What the heck did I just read?"
Honestly, this book is so messed up that you can't help but be a bit repulsed while also being drawn to it. It also takes kind of a long time to get warmed up---with lots of hints about the darkness but nothing really full-blown messed up until toward the end. Which I guess is good because I don't think I could have handled it if the whole book had been as intense as the end, but it also made me spend some time wallowing in the weirdness. Still, the sense of mystery was high and I was not in any way bored---I was too busy trying to figure out what I was reading!

I actually think I summed this book up best when I called it a contemporary on crack. It's incredibly dark and more than a little strange. If you were a fan of Nevernight and you want to give something a bit less fantasy a try, I think you'd really like this one. I waffled a bit on my rating for this book, but I finally settled on 4/5 stars.

As most of you probably already know, I ADORE Victoria Scott! I’ve read (almost) everything she’s written, and I’ve loved them all!! So when I first heard about Violet Grenade, I immediately added it to my give-me-this-immediately-i-need-it-nowwwww list. Just recently I saw a video of Victoria discussing Violet Grenade, and how it was unlike anything else she’s ever read. She said it was dark and twisted… and that’s EXACTLY what it was!! This book was nothing at all like her other books… but I loved it just as much! In fact, this just may be my favorite one of her books to date!

Domino is living in an abandoned house with her friend. Homeless and without a job. When her friend is arrested and held on bail, Domino is desperate to get the money to free him. She runs into Madam Karina in an alleyway. Madam Karina offers her a place to live where she also has the ability to earn some income. Madam Karina acts quite interested in Domino, claims to see real promise in her, and eventually Domino decides to go with her. What other choice does she have, really.

Upon Domino’s arrival to her new “home”, she quickly realizes that this isn’t as promising as it seems. This is a house of girls who are told to entertain men who pay to spend time with them every evening. They are instructed to entertain these men however they want to: singing, dancing, talking… you name it, these girls do it. Whatever talents they have, that’s what they use. And whoever entertains the most men (and receives the most coins at the end of the night) receives the most income. They also move up in the ranks, where they receive a greater percentage of the proceeds and gain status among the other girls. Basically it all comes down to being a house filled with young girls all trying to one-up each other.

I have to say, this book is dark. Like, really, really dark. Probably the darkest YA book I’ve ever read. I read a lot of adult books that are dark like this, but I’ve never come across a YA one before that pushes the limits so much. I have to say, I really LOVED it! Though at times it did get a bit graphic for my taste, it was never over-the-top and bordered that YA line just perfectly. There’s also a mental illness element that creates a certain feel for the story. You see, Domino suffered a tragic past, and because of this she has a “protector”, you could call him, in her head that shields her from her horrible thoughts and memories. Wilson is his name, and Wilson doesn’t let her remember what she went through, and he also protects her and takes over her mind and body when Domino is extremely upset or in a scary situation.

Another thing worth mentioning… the ending! It was amazing!! I was dying to see how this story was going to turn out, and knowing Victoria’s writing, I knew it would be good… but not THAT good! It was intense, dark and dirty and even jaw-dropping. There were a few things left open, which normally bothers me… but this time, it was perfect. We are left to imagine certain things, and I really like that. (It also leaves this open for a second book, or perhaps a novella? Victoria? Please?) For those of you wondering, there was a bit of a romance as well, though it really took a backseat to the rest of the story. It was there, it was slow-burning, and it was hopeful… but it didn’t take over the story.

Though these girls were, needless to say, mean, malicious, and out to torture each other, Domino was able to find one friend among the group of evil dragons, namely Poppet. I adored the friendship that these two formed. Both in a horrible situation, being humiliated, harassed and tortured on a regular basis, these two stuck together through it all.

I feel like I could go on for days talking about this book. As you can tell, I really, truly enjoyed it. Despite my dislike for darker books normally, this one immediately took my attention and never let go. I was enthralled, to say the least, and I couldn’t stop reading. I think it’s safe to say that this is my favorite Victoria Scott book at this point, and it just goes to prove that this talented woman can write almost ANYTHING and have it be an incredible story.

Did Not Finish
Just never got invested in the story

Rating: 5/5 Penguins

Quick Reasons: darkly atmospheric; life-ruiner; heavy handed, mature topics; this read was a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode; intricate, complex characters; Domino and Cain are SO adorable, I can't even; the snark is on point

HUGE thanks to Victoria Scott, Entangled Teen, Chapter by Chapter Book Tours, and Netgalley for sending me a free digital galley of this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.


---Next to me on a rusted towel hook, my pink wig waves hello. She's ready to go, she tells me. She can't wait to be worn like the crown she is.

I tell her to hold her damn horses because I'm washing my hair in a sink.---


Okay, penguins. I have FULLY INTENDED to pick up a Victoria Scott book for, like...several years now. There are several I've had my eye on. I have one on my kindle just waiting for me to look its way. So WHY, OH WHY, did it take me so long?! I just... I honestly don't have an answer. But I'll start with this: I am so, so glad that I decided to start with THIS book. Because this book?! is a gem, and I'm not sure Victoria Scott's other books would have touched me quite so deeply as this one. I will warn you, though: there are some very heavy, mature subjects broached in this read. This is a very darkly atmospheric, bone-chilling read, so if you're all about the butterflies and unicorns and rainbows...this book might not be the best fit for you.

That being said, this penguin? absolutely ADORED the journey. It's been a while since I last picked up a book that promised darkness and angst and hushed secrets in forbidden rooms...and that's exactly what I found waiting here. Victoria Scott twisted and tore every page with emotion, and I am so blown away with how much her words wrung me out and left me bleeding. There is a loud, vibrant talent seeping through every sentence: the power to ensnare and enthrall readers. The ability to mute the real world and push the imagination to the forefront. Victoria Scott took me on a roller coaster, whirlwind journey...and I fell in love from page one.


---"Most of the girls here are rotten inside. It's not their fault. It's just they let their past turn them. But you took a different approach. You built a wall on the outside to keep the inside intact."---


These characters are complex and intricate. The balance of snark with sensitively handled, heavily mature subject matter was beautiful and well-done. While there are a few characters that fall to the very bottom of the "redeemable" pile in my mind, I feel as if Victoria Scott did a gorgeous job in rounding each personality fully and showing them in several altering lights--to allow readers a more completed picture of them, as individuals and as a whole. And penguins, did they leap to life for me; not only was I ensnared by the gorgeous writing, the dark atmosphere, the fast-paced and thought-provoking plot... I was also swept up by the characters. And not just one or two of them-- ALL of them.

I am just so, SO happy the first Victoria Scott novel I picked up was THIS one. Victoria Scott wrote a darkly mysterious, intriguingly painful read--and she wove the heavy subject matter so beautifully and sensitively into the journey. I definitely recommend to lovers of shady characters, questionable motivations, and atmospheric reads. I officially cannot WAIT to pick up my next Victoria Scott novel; if the writing is as gorgeous as in this book, I'm in for a real treat. This read's a ticking time bomb waiting to explode; why don't you open the cover and start the countdown, penguins? You know you want to.

Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott is one of those books that as soon as I turned the last page I had to pause for a moment and revisit everything I just read. There was so much about this book that I found interesting…and disturbing but Scott did a wonderful job developing both the characters and the story.

Domino is the primary character and it is immediately apparent that she hasn’t had it easy. When she is first introduced, she is living in an abandoned house in Detroit with someone she considers her person, Dizzy. When Dizzy is arrested, Domino makes a decision that changes everything for her. In her desperation to pay his fine, when Domino meets Madam Karina and is offered a way to make money, she decides to do it. As soon as she got into Madam Karina’s car, I knew things weren’t going to be easy and it was clear Domino has some concerns but she was willing to consider almost anything if it meant she could get Dizzy out of jail and she was convinced that he would do the same for her so her mind was made up.

Weirdly Domino didn’t ask any questions before agreeing to go with Madam Karina and she ends up in Texas at a place called Madam Karina’s Home for Burgeoning Entertainers…let’s just say, the term entertainers is an interesting descriptor. Madam Karina is crazy – that’s about all I can say. She is desperate to keep the people in her life close to her no matter what. She immediately sees something in Domino that makes her both protective and dangerous to Domino. What Madam Karina doesn’t know is that Domino has her own protector who goes by the name of Wilson.

There isn’t a lot I can say about Wilson as I don’t want to give anything away but as you read the story, you will understand the role Wilson plays and how important he is to Domino.

The relationships that Domino builds while she is in the house are key to her story. First, there is Poppet – her roommate and eventually her partner in moving up the ranks. Poppet welcomed Domino with open arms and I liked that about her. She definitely came off as a bit young and naïve but when needed, she was willing to jump right into the fray and do what she needed to in order to help her friend.

The other person is Cain. He is big and tough but didn’t speak around the girls unless really pushed. The only time he seemed to connect with anyone was when he and Domino were alone with each other. I thought the way their friendship/relationship developed was interesting. They both have secrets and they both think that when the other finds out about them, they will run away. The interesting thing here is that neither thinks what they did was their fault and they don’t hold their actions against each other.

As the story progresses, we find out what is really going on at the house (there really wasn’t a lot of question around this) and just how much control Madam Karina had over these girls. We also found out what really happens when someone tries to leave Madam Karina.

The characters are really what make this story so interesting. Every one of them is flawed and in their own way and no doubt, dangerous. This is definitely a dark story and I thought Scott did a great job of tying it all together. By slowly revealing the main character’s backgrounds, I couldn’t help feeling bad about their situations and then rooting for them to survive and get away. I love Scott’s other books and this one is definitely right up there so if you are looking for a story that will keep you on edge until the very end, definitely consider this one.

Domino is a runaway who has just lost her closest friend to the police as he was caught stealing. She vows to get the money so he can get out of jail. Domino is offered a position in Madam Karina's establishment in West Texas. Domino leaves Detroit to work for her. Wilson warns her about what she will be doing but Domino ignores him. Who is Wilson? As Domino works her way up through the different levels of positions, she takes her best friend Poppet with her. The longer she works for Madam Karina, she realizes that she must escape with her two friends Poppet and Cain. Cain works for Madam Karina. Angie has escaped working for Madam Karina but brings in supplies for the store where Madam Karina lets her employees buy stuff for their job or for themselves. Is Angie really free? Domino does escape with Poppet and Cain and of course Wilson. Will they stay free or get caught?

The author has written an exciting story that is like riding a rollercoaster ride that at times you the rider will find twists and turns you didn't expect. It is a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next. There is more to the novel than one would expect as it involves bullying and revenge besides manipulation. It's a story that felt authentic as I read it and thought about it. It is a dark nove but it has its light moments. It is a good book to read regardless of age.

I received an arc copy of Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott to give an honest review. This is a book about a homeless girl longing to find herself and find companionship/friendship/acceptance among others all while fighting a lot of inner demons. This is not a fluffy contemporary read and touches on a lot of hard topics, violence, and inner conflict. It can get dark at times and even has some sexual assault scenes in case that's a trigger for anyone. At times it was definitely a page turner. Certain sections of the book I flew through needing to know what happens next. I have heard conflicting views on whether or not this book is a mental illness story or not but I think that it definitely is. It's no secret and is even said in the synopsis that our main character Domino has an "inner voice" that speaks to her. I went back and forth deciding whether this inner voice was a hallucination or a split personality. I think I have my answer although I don't want to go into great detail because of potential spoilers but I'd definitely say this book touches on mental illness quite a bit. I didn't find myself overly connected to any of the characters but that didn't take away the appeal of them as characters if that makes sense. I feel like each character was unique and well written. Some likeable, some not so much. I definitely think the main characters were all likeable in their own way. I really enjoyed the way this book ended and even though the author could have went further into the story, I don't feel it was necessary and was very satisfied with how it all wrapped up. In all I gave this book a 4/5. I really enjoyed it and thought it was definitely well-written and intriguing throughout.

Domino has been living on the streets of Detroit for a year and needs to earn money to bail her friend out of jail. She is offered an opportunity to entertain in a girls’ home in Texas and decides this is her only option. She quickly learns that she can earn more money by earning a high rank and works hard to overcome the obstacles the other girls place in her path. There are many secrets hidden within the home and Domino must decide if she is willing to share her own secrets with those around her. Will Domino be able to escape Madam Karina and the dangers in this small town?

Violet Grenade is a stand-alone story that slowly gives readers information about the characters while also teasing them with the possible paths the story may go. Scott weaved together an interesting storyline with an unforgettable ending and the tension continues to build as the pages almost turn themselves. Violet Grenade should be added to everyone’s TBR list; it will be worth it!

Domino Ray has done terrible things. Not that she remembers all of them thanks to Wilson, the voice in her head who takes over when things get bad.
Domino meets Madam Karina who gives her the chance to work at Madam Karina's Home for Burgeoning Entertainers. Domino accepts the offer, planning to earn some quick cash, but things at Madam Karina's are more complicated than they seem.
As Domino works her way through the ranks, she grows close to Cain, the quiet young man that lives in the basement.
Is there more to Madam Karina than meets the eye?
Will Domino be able to escape?
But most important of all, can Domino keep Wilson under control?

Violet Grenade was an interesting read.
Domino was likeable and I felt sorry for her - she'd had a really rough childhood and had been made to do terrible things.
I liked Cain, Angie and Poppet as characters and would have liked to find out more about them. I also would have liked more details about Madam Karina's sister who also ran a home for girls.
The romance was sweet and didn't happen too quickly.
The plot was enjoyable but nothing happened that shocked me.
The writing style was easy to follow and held my attention, but it didn't grip me.

Overall this was an enjoyable, unique, solid read.

***3.5 Stars***

Domino has been living on the streets for the last few years, barely scraping by and depending on her friend Dizzy. When Dizzy gets arrested, Domino is desperate for a way to make money to get him out of jail. When Domino is approached by an older woman who offers her a chance to come live with her and make money as one of her girls, Domino accepts the offer, without really knowing what she is getting herself into. Domino is whisked away, taken to life with the woman who is known as "Madame" and Domino is one of her "flowers". Domino is in over her head, but nobody knows about Wilson...

Yeah, so I am super confused about my own emotions in regards to this book. I was originally lured in by the gorgeous cover and the fact I have read the Collector by Victoria Scott and loved it, so I knew I had to read this too. What I most certainly can say is that I have not read a book like this before, it was completely original, and I could not really anticipate what would happen next.​ I am not really sure I enjoyed the read because it was much darker than I anticipated (be it the subject matter or the bullying and mental abuse), but it was interesting and the characters were so incredibly complicated and developed, which I appreciate in my stories. This is very much so a character driven book, with the people and their relationship dynamics being the main focus.

Domino is complicated, and that is putting it mildly. I don't want to have any spoilers, so I apologize for the vagueness. It was really interesting to me to watch her in every situation, how she was aware someone was manipulating her, yet she would give in anyway. But other times, she had a core made of steel. She was engaging to me, I wanted inside her head to see what makes her tick, while Domino herself refuses to look at her own mind. Can I just say her back story is one of a kind? There was a romance in the story, but that was not the point of the book- to be honest, she has a more intimate encounter with a patron of the house than her love interest. The world the book was set in felt like it was it's own make-believe world with fairytale aspects and a complicated set of rules that would never work in real life, instead of a modern city. If there had not been occasional mentions of items, I would never have placed this as the real world.

This is a standalone book so no cliffhanger, everything wraps up nicely, well as "nice" as a dark twist book can. This book was such a different read from anything else as well as from what I expected. I am glad I got the opportunity to experience it and I look forward to more from Victoria Scott.

I received this title in return for my honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

Wow, what a crazy ride this was. If you like dark books with complex characters and insane endings, you have come to the right place. This was kind of a messed up version of Annie...and I loved every minute of it.

I loved Domino from the beginning. She is broken, alone, and can't help but cling to anyone who will give her love and attention. Aren't we all that person at times? Unfortunately, this makes her more vulnerable than is safe and she ends up in the house of a woman who calls herself Madam Karina.

Madam Karina is also broken, alone, and clings to anyone who will give her love and attention. But since she is the one in power, she also has the ability to punish those who distance themselves from her. She was one of those characters you love to hate.

And then there is Wilson. He is the devil on each of our shoulders, begging you to give up your self-control-- to rule by passion. And in Wilson's case, it's usually the violent kind. He is what made this book so mind-boggling awesome. He is the darkness in all of us, and he shows up uninvited at the worst of times.

Victoria Scott wove a dark tale that kept me wanting more. She created characters that we could root for, and yet never want to meet. (Though, to be honest, you'll despise 90% of the characters...but I wouldn't want it any other way) The pacing was perfect, and the ending was totally insane--and I mean that in the best way possible. I am giving Violet Grenade 5 out of 5 stars and a place in my Top Hits.

The Cover: What a twisted cover! A riot of violets, the only color on the cover, grow from a grenade. Holy contrast, soft and pretty covering hard and violet. Really does speak for our protagonist, Domino.

The Plot: Violet Grenade has a very unique storyline, I believe. It walks the line in some very sensitive subjects. This could happen anywhere, which brings the reader in even more. The author invokes the whole gambit of emotions in the reader, from sadness and anger to love and joy. I felt like our story was almost timeless, just a girl trying to live her life, who just keeps getting the raw deal.

The Characters: All of our characters were well written and relatable. Even our villains pull some level of sympathy from you. Of course, Domino and Cain were my favorite. I found it kind of hard to get a read on Domino for the first chapter or so. But I think that's the persona that she had adopted, the tough, untouchable exterior, that hides the vulnerable girl inside. I love that all of the main characters had whole personalities, with flaws and broken backgrounds.

Is it Worth Reading? : Definitely!! It was an amazing story, with joyful parts and parts that make your cringe or cry, sometimes both at the same time. I highly recommend Violet Grenade and give it 5 out of 5 grenades!

Domino is an extremely strong but broken girl. Her story starts off as being homeless squatting in an abandoned house with another homeless guy named Dizzy. Dizzy and Domino go out one night for some fun, but Dizzy is arrested and Domino makes a run for it. Domino finds out that she doesn't quite have the funds to get Dizzy out of jail, she is determined to do anything to get him out. As an odd twist of timing Domino meets Madame Karina, who offers Domino a roof over her eat, a bed to sleep in, food to eat and all for a job. Domino agrees to help, but she jumps in blind. Once arriving at Madame Karina's Home for Burgeoning Girls, she finds out that there is more to the offer than she ever expected.

There are ranks for the girls, the higher the rank the more money they get to keep and the more privileges there are available to the girls. After her first night of "entertaining" Domino finds out exactly how cut throat this environment is and she is determined to do anything to work her way up the ranks in the shortest amount of time. Domino figures out what makes Madame Karina tick and uses that to her advantage throughout the entire book.

There are a number of flashbacks from Domino to understand how she ended up in the situation she did with Wilson. Wilson does have his shining moment near the end of the book, and oh boy does he go all out and scare the living crap out of you. I learned to never get on Wilson's bad side.

By the end of the book the title makes a lot of sense, and I did smile when it got to that point. When the grenade does go off it makes quite the impact.

There are a few side characters that kept my interest during the book. Cain, Poppet and Wilson, like Domino they are all broken in their own ways. This made them all the more relate able and likable.


I don't know if there will be a second book or not, I do hope there will be. I'd like to see more of where Domino, Wilson, Cain and Poppet will go and do.

Violet Grenade is definitely a psychological tale. There is the constant wonder in your head as you read it about just what caused Domino to have this very violent person living inside of her. The one that she doesn't want to let out no matter what, because his answer to all things is violence, not caring who gets hurt, or rather enjoying when others get hurt. Domino's life has been a hard one, and it is with that past that she is able to do her best to find her way through the new world she finds in Madam Karina's Home for girls, or entertainers as she calls them. These girls are all pretty much in cliques already, and you have to wonder just how long some of them have been there, and if they'll ever get the chance to move along the ranks to become a Violet like the top girl.

I liked the friend Poppet that Domino made at the house, and how realistic their friendship seemed to be. I loved the crazy lady who was part of this new world when she brought things in for the girls in the house to shop for. This isn't my favorite book by Scott, but it was definitely a story that can stand up among similar Teen types of stories. However, I'd have liked a little more look into who/why the voice/person inside of Domino's head was who he was. Also, possibly a little more back story to the Sheriff and some of the other characters in the town. As well as what exactly happened to one of the groups of girls in the story, that I won't name here as to not spoil the story.

I absolutely loved Violet Grenade. It is such a wild ride of a story that you can not put it down.

As I was reading I decided that there are three things that make it so you can’t put the book down. One you really want to know about Domino and Wilson’s past and what happened to make her the way she is. Two, what in the name of all things purple is up with that house! Three, Cain and his backstory which bleeds into other backstories. I really loved this plot and I think Victoria is great at writing these dark riveting stories (as you know if you read Four Houses). I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know, I just had to know! It’s also very fast paced, there is no lull where you are waiting for the next thing to happen. Something is always happening!

I loved Domino. I have a fondness for dark characters as an MC because it’s not as common. Even though Domino has this dark part of her, she also has kindness. She wants to be cared about and care about people but has gotten herself hurt. She has this protective mode that is not only about Wilson and in a way it keeps her sane. I realize yes there is Wilson. I really really liked her character and the way she finds that she really does have her own power to take care of herself. I also liked Wilson too. At first I was a little weary like, oh this is strange, but I think you start to understand them both better as you read.

Cain, Poppet and Angie are all great characters. I loved the friendship that develops between Domino and Poppet. They become great support for each other. I also really like the relationship that develops between Domino and Cain. I liked it because the story doesn’t need it. If nothing ever developed it would be fine because everything else about this plot is so absorbing. I always enjoy reading a romance that enhances a story but isn’t the story.

Madam Karina and her minions of nut cases. Wow..wow. I mean you are kind of leary of her from the beginning because I feel like anyone that runs a home for girls with “talents” is suspicious. The more you dive in though the more and more interesting it becomes. That’s all I have to say about it.

I liked so many things about this story and so many plot things that I really don’t want to reveal. I liked discovering them myself so I hope everyone gets that opportunity. Anything can happen that’s all I’m going to say.

Violet Grenade is unexpected. It’s dark and twisted, sinister and honest and raw. There’s so much going on in here, so much pain and torment, so much that is unfair.

THINGS I LIKED:

Domino believes she’s a monster. She has a past that will make your skin crawl and you’ll feel more than a little sick to your stomach when the truth comes out. There’s just enough to keep you on edge. Throughout the book, there are hints, little flashes of information that are gripping, blunt, and brutal. The need to know becomes a compulsion. I HAD TO KNOW. The scars on her arms, why Wilson manifested, the foreboding and constant allusions to an ugly and unforgivable past. Victoria Scott is an expert at building anticipation. It gets under your skin.

A different portrayal of trafficking and extortion. Many times we think of trafficking as young girls or boys being abducted and forced into servitude/usually sexual in nature. What doesn’t get talked about enough is how people of specific walks of life are targeted and manipulated, they’re sold on an idea of a better life and before they know it, they can’t escape. Domino, like many of the other flowers, was homeless. She was vulnerable and a target. It’s not hard to persuade someone who rarely has a roof over their head or food to eat to go with someone at the prospect of safety, making money, a home, or even love. Madam Karina is the worst kind of villain because she’s real. She’s walking the streets right now. Her, and others like her, are predators. While Madam Karina has her own demons that make her the psychologically messed up person she is, she’s smart, she’s vindictive, and calculated. She makes these decisions, she knows what she’s doing, and that is inexcusable.

The romance. Domino and Cain are beautifully broken but complete each other. They both had monstrous demons like guilt and fear that eat away at their souls, but inside, they’re good people who want nothing more than to be loved. Their romance is a slow-building realization. It’s imperfect and complicated. It’s right for them.

THINGS I DISLIKED:

The pacing. This book felt a good hundred pages longer than it actually was because of how slow it read. It took time to really get into. The introduction to Domino and her life on the streets was intriguing, but kind of dull. The only things that save this section are the potential love interest with Dizzy and the hints at her past, that this horrible life is so much better than the one she escaped from. Then the shift happens. After Domino enters Madam Karina’s household, despite all of Domino’s plans, ambitions, and woes, it drags. Not much is going on. Each shift to the next flower level felt pretty much the same despite different dynamics and different girls.

The lack of back story. Here’s the thing: the back story is there, sure. You get bare bones glimpses of what Domino’s life was like as a child and sure, it’s understandable because Wilson has blocked those memories from her so that she can live her life without constantly being haunted by the guilt and gore. That’s fine. When things are revealed about the seriously twisted and disgusting actions that Domino was coerced into doing, I mean, wow. MESSED UP. However, why her mother went off the handle, what her relationship was like with her mother that made the manipulation work so well, any moments with her father…it’s missing. There’s like this gaping black hole of stuff that the reader can fill in or guess about but it’s not enough to 100% embrace the emotions Domino felt towards her mother or even the anger. She blames herself, but what about her mother? What happened? There are so many unanswered questions.

THINGS I’M TORN OVER:

How dissociative identity disorder was presented. Domino’s other identity-Wilson-is the result of PTSD and a coping mechanism for all of the horrific (truly, messed up scary stuff) she was forced to participate in as a child. Wilson is a protector, he’s loving and defensive, and flips out, goes off the handle and is way prone to violence. Domino is scared of him. She tries to keep him under lock and key because when he comes out, bad things happen and sometimes he takes total control. At the same time, Wilson is a friend. He’s been there for her, he never leaves like everyone else has in her life, and at the end, there’s a bittersweet moment that really makes you feel torn about Wilson. Ultimately for me, despite the insane and sadistic choices he makes, he’s a sort of savior for Domino that helps her realize that she is enough, that she can get through anything on her own. I wasn’t necessarily happy with this relationship between the two, but I didn’t hate it either. Wilson grows on you. And when he takes over, well, it’s definitely memorable and a little sickening.

This is a hard review, I started this book not knowing what to expect and was pulled into a story that would be the textbook definition of addicting. Domino is a young girl (another thing that should have made this story less than appealing) who is homeless, has a horrible past and feels there is nobody in this world that can be counted on, This allows her to be pulled into a plot that is tinged a bit with horror and some nice mystery.

I can't say too much about this without giving things away but I can say it was not anything I expected, but I could not put it down. There is pretty much a lot of things you do not expect but the only reason I did not give it 5 Stars is that I am a confirmed "revenge junkie" and as good as it was it fell a bit short of the 5 Star revenge ending I wanted, seems the author slightly was less blood thirsty than me .

4 Stars and Highly Recommended reading

Thank you to Entangled Teen and Victoria Scott for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for review! All opinions are my own.

I remember reading the synopsis for this book months ago and being instantly drawn to it. When the cover was released, I knew I had to read this book. Violet Grenade is a slow burning and deliciously dark read that sneaks up on you and takes you by complete and utter surprise.

Plot:
Domino lives in an abandoned house with her friend Dizzy. In order to escape her past, she covers up with wigs and makeup, trying to hide the real person underneath. When Dizzy is caught by the police, Domino tries to come up with bail money to get him out of jail, but finds that the price is higher than she thought. That's when Madam Karina steps in and changes Domino's life, sweeping her away to Texas and to Madam Karina's Home for Burgeoning Entertainers. Now Domino has the chance to earn the bail money and save herself and Dizzy from living on the streets. But nothing is what it seems, and the girls at Madam Karina's don't take kindly to newcomers. After weeks of bullying and discovering secret after secret, Domino decides it's time to leave. It's harder than she thinks, however, because Madam Karina doesn't like losing her inventory. But Madam Karina doesn't know Domino's deepest secret. She doesn't know about Wilson.

This book was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I loved every second of it. Domino was such a fascinating character to follow and the more I read about her and the more I learned about her past, the more intrigued I was, and the more I loved Domino. Violet Grenade was unlike anything I've ever read before. It was dark and twisted, so much more than I could have imagined. There were parts of the story where I found myself wide-eyed and furiously turning the pages for more because I just couldn't get enough of the story that was unfolding. There were so many twists and turns that just warped the plot into something that I didn't expect, but it was so incredibly beautiful at the same time. I never found myself bored or like things were moving too slow or too fast at any point while reading. Everything, from beginning to end, flowed so smoothly and read like a dream.

Violet Grenade begins at the bottom of a ski lift, with you standing there buzzing from excitement but still fairly calm, nervous about what you'll find at the top of the hill...and the bottom. While you read about Domino making her way to Texas and working with Madam Karina, finding out secrets and getting bullied along the way, you're climbing the hill at a moderate pace, still building anticipation for what lies ahead. You would think that reaching the top of the snowy hill is the finale, the end, the big reveal and the closing of the story. No, friends, the top of this hill is where it all begins to unravel, the rising action if you will. Where you realize just what Domino is, what she's experienced, what she's done. As you take a breath and push yourself over that edge, finally gliding towards the bottom, that's where it all explodes. You're going down the mountain, faster and faster, feeling out of control but not wanting to stop because you feel the wind blowing through your hair and like you're really, truly alive for the first time. This is where things begin to spiral into the craziest final 10% of a book you'll ever read. It's destructive and insane but still mesmerizing all at once and you can't look away from it until it's over. The bottom of the hill has been reached, the book is over, and you're left breathless. That is what it's like to read this book.

Characters:
Domino was absolutely fascinating to read about. She was so complex but at the same time, so easy to follow. I really enjoyed how the author approached explaining Domnio's past to the reader. You don't get it all dumped on you all at once. Instead, it's given in small flashbacks and comments that she makes throughout the book, slowly building up to the truth. Domino is strong, fierce, protective, destructive, and beautiful all at the same time. She's the kind of character that you didn't know you wanted to read about until you're reading about her. She's damaged, but never lets that hold her back from what she wants. I was so blown away by how different Domino was from any other YA character I've read about recently and I could read about her over and over again. Domino is a character that you can relate to, but also fear, and I've never loved feeling so confused like that about a character before.

Wilson. Wilson. Wilson. I can't say much, but I will say he's fantastic. That's all you really need to know about him.

Cain was a great character for Domino to interact with. He's almost like the male equivalent of her, so the dynamic between the two is so much fun to follow. They both have their demons that they're trying to run from, and they're both so strong in their own way. I like to think that the two of them going out in public would be rather difficult, as Cain would likely have to spend a large majority of his time holding Domino back after she tries to fight someone for one reason or another. They just have such good chemistry and I liked that she had someone to go to or talk to when things got to be too much for her.

The rest of the characters, such as Madam Karina and the girls, were all so well written. I loved the unsettling vibe that Madam Karina gave off every time she was on the page. You could really tell that there was more to her and to the house than she would admit and I enjoyed slowly finding that out as I read through the book. The girls, while absolutely mean and vicious, were also very unique and I could definitely tell a difference between them. Every character, even the ones that were more side characters, were given their own voices and identities, making them easily distinguishable from all of the others. The cast of characters was large, but you really find yourself focusing on Domino as you read. With such a fiery personality, it's hard not to!

Writing:
Explosive. Vicious. Wicked. Victoria Scott has a way of manipulating words and weaving them into something you want to get lost in, no matter how dark it may be. This is the first book I've ever read by this author but I am sold for any future books she writes. It was so easy to dive into Domino's world and I found myself caring for this girl almost immediately because of how well she was written. This is a contemporary book but I honestly felt like it read like a fantasy because of how ethereal the writing was. I've never encountered a contemporary book like this before but it was one that I could read multiple times and get something new out of it with every read. It reads like a calm stream that eventually runs into a violently flowing river that ends in a waterfall that is definitely taller than you thought it was. Every word was beautifully written and it made the reading experience so much more magical than I ever thought reading a contemporary book could be. Victoria Scott's writing is an absolute treat and I am so excited to read everything she puts out in the future!

Violet Grenade is one of those books that you hear everyone talking about and feel like you should probably pick up "just to see what the hype is all about." But when you finally read it, you understand why everyone talks about it. It's dark, gritty, twisty, and unlike any book you will ever read, no matter what genre it is.

My Thoughts:

Violet Grenade was an odd, but enchanting little tale. This page turner was full of mystery, intrigue, and thrills. I held on to every word, and sat right alongside Domino Ray, as this roller coaster ride took me on a perilous, yet exciting adventure. I had high expectations for Violet Grenade, because Victoria Scott is one of my favorite young adult/new adult authors! I loved her Dante Walker Series, as well as her Fire & Flood Series, and standalone title, Titans. Each of these works were so different, but no less enthralling. Ms. Scott knows how to captivate an audience, and leave them begging for more!

In Violet Grenade, we meet a very interesting character in Domino Ray. My love for psychology made Domino a character that I loved getting to know. I enjoyed analyzing and dissecting Domino's personality. There were so many layers to her character, and the deeper Ms. Scott delved, the more intrigued I got. Curiosity was one of the driving forces behind me turning the pages so rapidly. I had to figure out and solve the puzzle of who exactly Domino was, as well as what led her to become the way she was.

Seventeen year old Domino Ray starts off the story as a homeless teen in Detroit, squatting in an abandoned house with her best friend Dizzy. However, shortly after the story begins, Violet meets Madam Karina, who gives her hope for a better life. The Madam whisks Violet away to west Texas to live in, "Madam Karina's Home for Burgeoning Entertainers." Once she arrives, the story really begins to take off.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding what happens in the madame's home. There are different levels for each group of girls. The lowest group of girls are the Carnations, then we have the Daisies, Tulips, Lilies, and the highest and most revered group, the Violets. The higher level group you're in, the more money you make, the more respect you are given, and less gruelsome chores. Each group of girls have different tasks, and Domino is determined to become a Violet. She wants to save enough money to one day make a home for herself.

As the new girl and a favorite of Madame Karina's, Domino quickly becomes targeted by the other girls. She is viewed as competition, as every girl in the house is competing with one another in their cohort. Domino is continually bullied, threatened, harassed, and terrorized by the majority of girls in the home. However, she makes good friends with Poppet, a sweet, caring, and insecure girl who is often made fun of, and Cain, one of the few guys that works for Madam Karina.

Together, Domino and Cain made a great team. They both had a vulnerability to them, yet also a quiet and resilient strength. There was a lot of mystery surrounding Cain in the story. Yet we lean about him slowly, as Violet and him grow closer and connect on a deeper level. There was also a sweet little romance that developed between Domino and Cain, even though that was not the central focus of the story. I loved Cain. He was one of my favorite characters. Cain was very protective of Domino, and the friendship, love, and loyalty that they shared was a beautiful thing to witness.

Violet Grenade is a must read! It will make you think, come up with a variety of theories regarding Madame Karina's home, as well as the background stories behind Violet, Cain, and Madame Karina herself. This book was a real page turner, and a one-sitting kind of read!


My Rating:

I give Violet Grenade, by Victoria Scott, 5 Spellbinding, Mesmerizing, Alluring, Mysterious, Thrilling, and Romantic Stars! This story is a five star favorite, and a must-read!!!