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!!!

Holy-moly, this book was fuckin-tastic. We got a great story with great characters, excitement and a beautiful book cover. I know it’s judgemental, but this cover is over-the-top perfect.

I will be honest. I don’t want to spoil the book to anyone, you absolutely have to read this one. So, we have our main character, Domino and her friend, Dizzy. They live in an abandoned house in a shitty part of town and struggling. They live day-to-day, but one tme Dizzy is taken is custody. Domino wants to bail him, but she doesn’t have any money. Then comes this lady to help her, takes her to a special, secluded house where she harbors other young girls. She says it’s a house for borguoning artists. But all is not as it seems…

Domino has her own demons too. One specifically named Wilson, who lives in her head and does very, very bad things sometimes. I kinda liked him. He is protective. A bastard, but protective bastard. Domino fears what is he capable of. But everyone has their own secrets and we know that secrets won’t be buried forever…

This book is dark, fast paced and a definite page-turner. If you are looking for some mysterious, action-filled dark Yound-Adult story, than this one is for you.

A dark and gritty novel that reminded me of Sucker Punch. The prose almost felt dreamlike as the reader follows Domino’s journey through this cult-like society that she has been sucked into.

As Domino progresses through this dark and terrifying place she must find a way to escape while also ensuring the safety of those she has come to care for. The plot was at times overwhelming and almost confusing.

Domino is a complex character with a dark-side. A dark-side she does not want to let loose. Side characters such as Cain and Poppet are intriguing and complex characters in themselves. This is a dark story that melds many different puzzle pieces together for quite the explosive ending.

5 reasons to read Violet Grenade

    It’s not at all what you would expect.
    There are twists and turns around every corner.
    There is a big message of bullying. I hated how Domino and Poppet were treated.
    It also brings to light some of the darkness people carry within themselves.
    The dynamics of the house are interesting and strange.

This was a good read.  There are some pretty intense scenes so it can be shocking at times.

Explosive. Unique. Addictive.

Sometimes you pick up a book and you're not really sure what you're getting yourself into. With Violet Grenade, you may think you know what you're getting into but nothing will prepare you for the ride you're in for.

He's my person. Not that I need one.

Domino has been through A LOT of shit. Victoria Scott did not shy away from her rough past and how that leads her to Cain, Madam Karina, and Wilson. And just when you think she's had enough, Victoria pushes her further. And further. And further. Grenade doesn't even begin to describe it. This book is one of the darkest romances (and possibly darkest book) I've read. With a satisfying ending, fans of Lost Girls will enjoy this book.

Note: I received an ARC copy of this via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way influences my opinion. 

I had really high hopes for this book. I absolutely LOVE the cover and the blurb was really interesting. However, this book fell short for me to the point that I actually DNFed it. I think this book just wasn't my kind of thing - and you guys should definitely still pick up this book if it is on your TBR because you might still like it! 

I found the book, what I read of it, relatively slow. I never really got into the story and the little hints of mystery behind Wilson and her parents etc. was not really enough for me to continue reading. I struggled to pick the book back up after putting it down and I often put it down in order to do something else. I wasn't particularly compelled by the plot, despite it being a relatively unique concept for a YA book (I don't want to give too much away). 

I also struggled to empathise with the characters. I am not sure what it was, but I didn't feel that bond as a reader to these characters, which meant that I didn't really care whether Dizzy stayed where he was or what happened to Domino. I didn't want to know because I wasn't invested. I often found it difficult to tell the voices apart because the characters were similar and it kind of confused me when I eventually picked the book back up because I couldn't remember where I was or what the characters themselves were doing.

I also feel like the house itself held too much mystery. I didn't feel like, after the way Domino is portrayed, that she would actually take the offer that she was given - which meant that, for me, the story didn't flow because I didn't feel like it made sense. I didn't feel like the characters would do the things they were doing because the were portrayed to be something different. 

All in all, this book just wasn't my kind of thing. I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn’t I gave this 1/5 stars.

I've been a big fan of Scott's other books, but I was not prepared for how much this was going to knock me on my behind in the best of ways. When you think about the amount of issues that are covered in this book in a way that is cohesive and connected and not overwhelming at all, it's astonishing. Expected were the threads of human trafficking, homelessness, the gritty trouble runaway youths can find themselves in, but we don't stop there do we? There are threads of mental illness, PTSD from Domino's past, there is the bullying of people like Madame Karina and Mr. Hodge, the girls that view Domino as competition. This book touches on the way holding secrets and blame can rot you from the inside out until you finally trust SOMEONE to carry that darkness with you and not run away. It's about the fact that it only takes one or two healthy/real/positive relationships to give you the strength to dig deep, it's about forgiveness and healing like a frog in a pot; not aware of what's happening till you're already halfway to cooked. The characters are so beautifully detailed and grown, from Cain with his different colored but equally shaped scars, to Poppet with her glasses and her sweetness, to Angie and her dogs, I fell in love with every character in this book for at least a moment or two. And Wilson, my god his presence added this phenomenal out of body sensation to the narrative, and the way the storyline climaxes and you're so terrified of him and yet fascinated all at once. Every inch of me was wrapped up in every sentence on every page. Five stars, eighteen thumbs up, I am going to be a whirlwind of reaction and emotions even after this book is available on store shelves.

I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I picked this up, but I love the cover and after reading the blurb, I knew I had to read this one! While weirder than most of the books I have read lately, I loved the characters, and enjoyed the plot in this one! This is my first book time reading one of Victoria Scott's books, but I enjoy her style, and would be happy to read more! I loved how every-time I thought I knew where things were headed, I was surprised by another twist! This one kept me guessing, and I had to know more! I couldn't put it down, and loved every minute! Sadly the ending wasn't as intense as I had hoped, and I guessed how it would play out, but I still enjoyed it. Had the ending been more of a surprise, and left me shocked, I would have definitely given this a 5 star rating!

C’mon, as if I wouldn’t read this book. First of all, the cover = ♥. Second of all, the blurb completely won me over. I will say that the original blurb made it sound more sordid and dark than the current one does. Honestly, I’m not sure if this one would’ve pulled me on board the way the first one did. Nonetheless, I’m so glad I did read Violet Grenade, because it‘s really good!

I am unapologetically drawn to female characters who have violent tendencies, so I was prepared to love Domino. Oh, I like her, alright. She’s a runaway just trying to survive life in Chicago. When shit goes down, she finds herself accepting an offer from Madam Karina to make money at her home for girls. Sounds seedy, right? It isn’t what you think. Or, is it? Maybe, just maybe, it’s worse. Domino is a fighter and soon begins to claw her way to the top, but the closer she gets, it becomes clear there’s a lot off about the people and the place.

Violet Grenade takes us on a crazy ride that’s a tad on the darker side, which I love. As the story progresses, Domino’s secrets and past unravels, and … well, it’s not pretty. This brings me to Wilson. I freaking love Wilson! I’d get giddy when he would show up, because it meant things were about to go down. Oh, and is it ever fun.

I love how I couldn’t fully trust anyone and had to keep my guard up. However, despite all the cruelness and shadiness, there’s a wonderful story of friendship and loyalty that surprised me.

This book really impressed me with the standout characters, twisted plot, and touch of oddness that kept me glued to each page. It’s a quick read and a total page turner! Read it!

Side note to Domino: Having “a little more meat on your bones” doesn’t have anything to do with being a “real woman”. You’re fine the way you are.

Violet Grenade was not what I was expecting. At all. It has several interesting ideas, but none of them worked very well together. When we meet Domino, she's living on the streets with a boy named Dizzy. She wears heavy makeup, several piercings, and colorful wigs. Then Dizzy is arrested and Domino has no money for bail. Coincidentally, she meets Madam Karina who offers her a job at her home for girls. It sounds too good to be true, but what other choice does Domino have?

The one thing that I loved about Violet Grenade was the idea of Madam Karina's home for girls. I think it's pretty obvious what she has the girls do for money, and it becomes apparent to Domino fairly quickly as well. The girls "perform" each night for paying customers, and as the girls move up the ranks, the more the customers pay, and the more liberties they're allowed. It's really sick since they're all teenagers, most under 18, but Madam Karina has her reasons, but not very good ones.

That's where Violet Grenade partially lost me. Madam Karina's motivations make zero sense. I think the author was trying to do too much to make her a villain, but also sympathetic, and also straight up twisted. I just had to roll my eyes when she was telling Domino why she opened the house. Then the actual housing system also didn't make sense. Like I said, the girls have ranks (lowest is Carnation, highest is Violet), and that determines their pay rate as well as their chores. Well, as Domino is working her way up the ranks, she tells us that Tulips (Rank 3) polish silverware and fold linens. When she was a Carnation, she scrubbed floors and toilets. My question is, if the girls aren't allowed to visit the areas of the house not reserved for their rank, who was cleaning the higher rank girls' bathrooms?

Where Violet Grenade utterly failed for me was with Wilson. I believe Domino is suppose to have Dissosiative Identity Disorder, since Wilson comes out when she's threatened and essentially protects her. Wilson also had originally appeared when Domino was forced to do awful things for her mother. That could have been really interesting and emotional, if I had believed it. But the way Wilson is presented is just....uncomfortable. It didn't read like someone who was actually mentally ill. He felt more there for shock value, and honestly didn't add much. I would have believed Domino simply snapping more than her disappearing and being replaced by Wilson.

Violet Grenade simply didn't work for me. Yes, I was intrigued by this brothel in the middle of nowhere, because people are twisted. But Violet's mental health was poorly written and I couldn't take it seriously. Madam Karina also wasn't believable at all, and that scene toward the end when she meets Wilson was ridiculous.

Well this was an odd one! It's been a while since I finished this book, but for some reason I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it. Violet Grenade was very similar to its title - it felt like an explosion of a story that was sort of thrown out there and left for us, the readers, to pick up the pieces.

Every concept in this story appealed to me, but I'd say the execution was maybe at a B+ on the grading scale. This felt like it wasn't quite ready for reading, like it had been quickly pulled together. Part of me really did like this book, but part of me also found it lacking... something. It was entertaining, but it just felt somewhat haphazard and almost rushed.

Domino was an odd character. I never really felt connected to her, despite this story being told in her first person narration. There was just some sort of disconnect that made it feel like I was watching this all from a great distance. I just felt that her character was inconsistent. In a way, that seems to fit with the notion of her being rather unpredictable, but it just didn't work for me. For instance, Domino repeatedly stated that she hated to be touched, but every time she made that statement she was being touched by someone (a hug, a hand on the arm, etc.) she was thinking 'oh, this is actually okay,' which just didn't fit. I understood a lot of where her mental instabilities came from, but I feel that that entire aspect just wasn't developed as well as it could have been.

Then there's this 'Wilson' figure, and I just don't know what to say about him. I really started to like him more in the middle/latter half of the novel, but I juts didn't really get it, which I know is the point. He is supposed to be this enigmatic, 'other' presence in Domino's mind, but... what? I don't know. The ending confused me, I'll just leave it at that.

There is also a lot of girl hate and competition between many of the female characters, and I just became very frustrated by it. I understood the competition between to a point, but some of the extreme events that took place between the girls just didn't seem quite justifiable enough based on what I had read.

I also felt like Scott tried really hard to portray schizophrenia/mental illness/PTSD, and although I think that she portrayed it fairly well, I don't think it completely worked out how it was meant to. While these elements were present, they were never really addressed, so I'm not sure what I am supposed to feel after finishing Domino's journey.

The last thing I want to mention about this book is about the ending. I won't give away any specific details, but I just want to say that I was somewhat disappointed and felt that it was a bit too predictable. Nonetheless, this was a strong story overall and I am giving it three-and-a-half-stars!

Whoa! Even after reading the synopsis there was no way I could expect what I read. This is dark and twisted and strange and disturbing. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. You can't help but feel for these characters and have such strong emotions as you read the story. There is humor but it is a dark humor that I only think some will enjoy. It's a contemporary but reads very much like an urban fantasy to me. If you want something heart wrenching and a really dark read Violet Grenade is perfect for you.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and Entangled Teen in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to get this book on my Kindle because, all over Twitter and Instagram, I saw that this was a much anticipated release from Victoria Scott. I requested it via e-mail and on NetGalley, so I was hoping I’d get some kind of response.
Imagine my excitement when I got it from NetGalley! 

So, we meet Domino automatically in the beginning. She is a homeless teenager along with her friend Dizzy. They sneak into clubs, swipe things illegally, etc. She doesn’t really know what she’d do without him, so you can imagine how she feels when Dizzy gets arrested (instead of her) for tagging on the wall in an alley.
Domino knows she needs to get his bail money so they can run away again. So, when she gets an offer from Madam Karina to live in a group home for “entertainers”, Domino takes her up on the offer. She reassures herself (and Wilson, her inner...psycho, let’s say) that she is doing this for Dizzy.
When Domino enters the house filled with girls of different personalities and physical appearances, she knows that she is in for something a lot different. Their are different ranks, depending on how well you perform. There’s even a man named Cain, who Domino can’t help but be intrigued with. 
Well, let’s start with the girls in the house. The names and physical descriptions are kind of out of this world. All but one, being Poppet, are incredibly bitchy and manipulative. I was eager for Wilson to just come out and rip the girls to shreds. I couldn’t stand them! 
The entertainment reminded me of Sucker Punch. If you don’t know the film, it’s about a girl who is sent to a mental hospital. In her mind, the hospital is really this brothel, but not intense like what you see in Game of Thrones where it’s naked women everywhere having sex. The girls entertain men by dancing, singing, etc. The film is set in the 50′s or 60′s, I believe. However, the action in the girl’s mind is more modern than that. This is the feel I got from this book. Everything done was modern, but the mood felt like it was meant to be set in the 50′s or 60′s. I actually liked that aspect.
Domino is definitely a character you don’t want to mess with. She is a troubled girl at first with haunting secrets. Once you get to know her, she has ambitions to run away from those secrets and to not let them define her. However, that’s pretty hard for her to do. It’s hard for her to let people in, including Cain.
Cain is pretty much the same as her. He has secrets, he doesn’t really talk. However, there is a pull between him and Domino and when they are together, their walls come down. It’s nice to see Domino being able to trust someone, especially when it’s someone of the opposite sex and someone as big as Cain. (The dude is described as a big man. Like...a mountain.)
I liked the relationship between Poppet and Domino. Poppet was there for Domino from the beginning and agreed to stay next to her when Domino made plans to break out from the house. Most of the time, writers don’t allow girls like Domino to have a girl best friend. There is only the boy, the one outlet of comfort. But, I liked that Victoria made Poppet a strong ally that wouldn’t betray Domino.
Madam Karina is a piece of work. She is very creepy and she is the kind of person that is stuck in her own mind and is very afraid of being alone. She has a thing with Mr. Hodge while he has a thing on the side. She knows, but she continues to believe that nobody will leave her even though she is afraid they will. It’s all very messy and creepy, but it’s what makes her character. Really, there is no saving her. 
A few things that bothered me:

- Dizzy isn’t mentioned much anymore after Domino is living in the house for a week or so. I kind of wanted a bit more with him, maybe like a confrontation or closure between him and Domino. I mean, they were by each other’s sides for two years. That’s a lot to go through.
- The action was very little. I’m not saying that there wasn’t a lot. It just seemed to go by pretty fast.
- Closure, in general, didn’t seem to be there. I think the book my be set up for more, but I wasn’t entirely sure. There are some characters that were kind of left there in the wind and you’re not sure what happened or what will happen. I guess what I’m trying to say is I wanted a little bit more information or maybe something to tell me that there will be a second book, which I don’t think there will be.
All in all though, I really enjoyed this book. Despite the little mishaps above, it was what I expected it to be. This is the second book I’ve read of Victoria Scott’s and I’m proud to give it a fabulous rating and review.

WOW! This book was something else! Seriously amazing! Loved the characters, ALL of them, including Wilson. Totally fell in love with Cain with his secrets and all. Domino was super awesome and even Poppet who was totally a very nice character I ended up loving. I loved how the author created this world were a town is kind of controlled by the Madam and how she has the cops in her pocket and doing her bidding.
The story was incredible, the mean girls at the house, how all was managed by the Madam and her lover and all the things that happened including Madam Karina manipulating all the girls and specially Domino.
Domino was a very strong character and paired with Cain they were one of the best couples I have read about in a while.
This is definitely a book I will recommend to everyone.

Domino Ray is in hiding on the streets of Detroit.  The only person she has let close to her in over a year is petty thief Dizzy.  Together the two form a tiny family but when Dizzy gets arrest Domino will do anything to get him out of jail which includes joining Madam Karina's Home for Burgeoning Performers.  However, once Domino is ensconced in the house she soon realizes that not everything is what it appears.  Domino needs to decide who to trust and  who to avoid just to survive.

Oh, how this book was disappointing.  I was a HUGE fan of Scott's "Dante Walker" series.  I thought the entire series had a humorously sarcastic but wonderfully realistic narrative voice that was delightfully refreshing however I have yet to find the same delight any of her other novels and "The Violet Grenade" is no different.  The story felt flat and at no point did it hook me in the way "Dante Walker" did.  The problem may be with the main character.  Domino Ray isn't particularly interesting and her inability or unwillingness to see what's going around her is as frustrating as it is annoying.  From her first interaction with Madame Karina I just wanted to shake her and say "Seriously, you can't figure out what's going on here?".  Plus, there is a back story for our heroine that feels entirely unnecessary and beyond convoluted.  Domino has a dangerous voice in her head...okay, that's fine but that all feels like it should be part of an entirely different book not just folded into Domino's story.   However, I can't blame poor Domino for all the issues in this book.  The story moves along at barely a tortoise pace which may be because Scott tried to include just a little too much story. The only bright points are Cain, a boy that works for Madame Karina who has honest feelings for Domino, and Poppet, a friend and ally of Domino but didn't bring enough to the table to save the book for me.  I am sure that there are many readers who are going to love the story of a girl who has gotten herself in over her head and is desperately trying to find her freedom while dealing with her mental issue however I am very much not that reader.

Victoria Scott, author of books such as Fire & Flood, and Salt & Stone, returns with Violet Grenade, a story that is dark, gritty, & engaging. It is a story that is stunning brilliant in the way the author interweaves her story between Domino Ray, and Wilson, a character who will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.  17-year old Domino Ray lives on the streets. She desperately wants wants a home of her own, and a safe place where she won't have to worry about where she gets her next meal. 

But, there is more to Domino than meets the eye test. Domino, you see, has a dark secret that lurks just under the skin waiting to pop out at any moment. After her closest friend is caught by the police, Domino realizes that she has to find a way to make money quickly to spring him from jail. Riding on a white horse she comes in the form of Madame Karina. Karina, it seems, has a place called "Home for Burgeoning Entertainers." Domino's acceptance of Karina's offer takes her from Detroit to Pox, Texas.

Upon arrival in Texas, Domino finds herself in a secluded farmhouse where a brothel of girls are billed for anything, and everything & must entertain in order to make any money to pay off their debts. Each girl can work their way up the rank which includes Carnation, Daisy, Tulip, before going to the dark side where anything is possible, including sexual services. This level is where Domino & readers will find the Lily's and the Violets, as well as the girl of the house, Lola. The higher you go in rank, the more of a profit you make. Each rank is filled with cutting, backstabbing, and manipulative girls who have no desire to make friends.

The most intriguing parts about Karina's home, are Poppet, and Cain, as well as the dangerous secrets which lie not only with Karina, but with other characters as well. Poppet is the most adorable character in the book. Poppet quickly becomes Domino's only friend in the house. She may not be the most talented, but her desire to help Domino, concreted her way into my heart. Cain and Domino play off each other extremely well. Domino and Cain each have deep, dark secrets that bring them close together in finding a way to change their fates. 

As Domino explores the house system, and how to rise up through the ranks, she also has to deal with Karina who may be charming one minute, but the devil in a black dress the next. There is also Angie who has some interesting scenes in the book which bring Domino's situation to the seriousness it really is. But, along for the ride is Wilson. What can I say about Wilson that isn't spoiler-y? Hmm. He's a protector of sorts. He loves violence. He could be an alter-ego of Domino in some fashion. He has protected her from some of the worst things that a human being can be subjected to, and kept Domino safe. He makes this book fun, dark, and twisted. Just the way I like it. 
 
Violet Grenade will make you question how many young girls have been taken off the street by those like Madame Karina who makes them feel as though they will be safe. Later, they discover that they are caught in an inescapable situation. If you try to run, well, let's not spoil what happens. I do often wonder how many girls disappeared while trying to escape from those like Madam Karina, Eric, and Hodges. How many have tried to escape brutal pimps, or sexual slavers, or traffickers and not been seen or hear from again?

4.5 stars

Umm..wow. This book hooked right from the beginning. It was fascinating, attention grabbing, and horrifying (not in a scary way but what was happening to people). 

The characters were written great. Domino (cool name by the way) was loyal to the people who matter. It was admirable what she did to help her friend Dizzy, though that didn’t work out how she hoped. Then when it came to Poppet. I liked how she used wigs of all different colors and piercing to hide her identity until she didn’t need it anymore. I hated why she had to, that was a horrible thing to be made to do. Cain was mysterious, scary dangerous, and a boy who been through stuff that he shouldn’t. But then he was tender and understanding. 

Can’t forget about WIlson! Wilson was a force to reckon with. OMG, the part where Domino lets Wilson to come out and play was wild, scary, and amazing. It was sad why he showed up and stuck around though but in the end their relationship ended how it should have. 

I really liked how the story was told and I liked the way it ended. I would have liked more on the aftermath of what went down but I thought it was good nonetheless.

Violet Grenade is probably one of the best books that are coming out this year. It's a contemporary psychological YA thriller with an original idea behind it, compelling characters (most important of them all is Domino who is a kickass heroine, she was easy to connect to), an awesome story, and great writing on top of all. I had a hard time putting it down, I was too intrigued and needed to see what happened next!