Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this thrilling arc!

The Violent Season by Sara Walters is a quick read, fast-paced and has an absolutely shocking twist at the end! I enjoyed every second of this thrill ride even if I was constantly trying to connect the dots attempting to see the whole picture.

Wyatt is a 17 yo girl that really became more and more of a confusing Main Character to me. She would have these very natural young adult moments and somehow it would turn around into her seeming completely strange, just unnatural. . She spends most of her time with a boy named Cash and their relationship is confusing and just straight up unhealthy. She finds herself involved with Porter, a popular boy that Cash hates, and this really elevates many problems.

The town itself is strange as well. Wolf Ridge is small and secluded. However, there are many random unexplainable deaths in the month of November. Wyatt refers to this as a sickness, somewhat personifies the town as a place that creates violence during this month. Her mother was also murdered a year ago in November making Wyatt quite obsessive with her ideas.

There is so much I loved about this book! It kept me on my toes and I really could not ever figure out what was really going on. It's a wild ride and I definitely recommend it.

A few trigger warnings for mental health, sexual assault, violence and grief.

I need another book to lift me out of the pit The Violent Season pushed me into.Dark,depressing,sad.Unfortunately, I really disliked this book.Too much darkness,not near enough hope or joy to be found in these pages.The only semi likable character was Porter and I felt like we barely got to know him.Disappointed in the story and whenever I found myself feeling a semblance of joy in a moment in the book,it turned back to the dark side. I don't read books to feel depressed,I have the news for that.

I research, to the best of my ability, all new to me books to make sure they do not include any subjects that are upsetting or triggering for me so when I found this book, I did that research. After reading many reviews and the description I felt safe in requesting this book. It is advertised (and reviewed at the time of my request) as a thriller/horror that may contain supernatural elements. That is right up my ally. However, that is not the case, and this book is steeped in, the and the foundation of the story lies in an uncomfortable and triggering topic for me.

First, I must say this author has talent. The writing is emotional and atmospheric. She does a brilliant job of creating a story that engages the reader and slowly opens difficult and disturbing topics. The narrator is untrustworthy and that really helps build the tension and the difficult subject matter in a realistic way. The toxic relationships, the murders, the crimes, the gaslighting and the rest of the darkness is done is a very visceral way. I also enjoyed the way the story developed, the secrets, the characters and ultimately the way I the author deals with difficult topics and mental health. There are some issues I had as far as the “meat” of the story: the interesting hook for the November sickness is never fully addressed and almost completely forgotten about in the later parts of the story and this reads more like a teenage love triangle with abuse as the basis.

That said, I couldn’t get past the fact that this is not a thriller/horror story with supernatural elements. It is a story of the horrors of abuse, trauma, violence, and the dark and dangerous side of mental health not being addressed and taken care of. Now, that is not a bad thing AT ALL. It is just not what I choose to read, and I avoid it for very important and specific reasons, MY OWN mental health.

If these topics are ones that you can handle, then I highly recommend this story. As I have said the author has talent and this book is really well written. If you have triggers like I do, I suggest you skip this as it is a very toxic story. I don't seem to be the right audience for this story so I would recommend one read other reviews before making your decision.

Triggers: violence, abuse, gaslighting, rape, sexual assault, self-harm, suicide

On one hand, this story reeks of trauma, has quite a bit of redundancy, and exhibits a fair amount of fetishizing of abuse/violence. On the other hand, I almost want to applaud the author for being brave enough to paint a brutal if realistic portrayal of the darkest crevices of the teenage mind and -- should we act on some of our angsty-ist, angriest moments -- its consequences, both to others and to ourselves. Overall, though, the protag's lack of consequences for her actions, the sappy wish fulfillment of teenage hormones, and the constant repeat of the protag's vision of herself (which is not at all how she actually behaves) makes this book a tad too toxic. The hook of the story ultimately amounts to nothing more than internalized drama and manifestations of grief and trauma, and nothing at all about any November Sickness.

"The Violent Season" by Sara Walters is a horror novel about abuse, the kind of abuse that digs in to your heart, that makes you beholden and isolated to a single person. Wyatt Green is in limbo, blaming her cursed small town for an annual wave of murders, suicides and deaths that happen like clockwork every November. Last year, the violence claimed her mother. What horrors await her this November, her senior year of high school?

Upon completing this novel, I read the author's (Sara Walters) biography. She works with abuse survivors as an advocate, and truthfully, with the care and detail in "The Violent Season", I could tell she knows her stuff. One of the ways that "The Violent Season" differs from other books on abuse is that it deals with both sides of the abuse - the violence, emotional cruelty, and the threats, but also the good times. The kindness, the special inside jokes. The times that make you stay.

"The Violent Season" has horror-like elements, but I'm not sure I'd classify it as a horror. There are ghosts that creep about Wyatt's home. There's that dread that lingers through every page as you feel it build to something inevitable and frightening. But the actual on-screen violence is almost entirely relegated to Wyatt's failing relationship with her abuser, and while that is certainly *horrifying*, it is also the reality of so many women and men out there.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't what I expected: I thought I'd get some supernatural horror and instead I received a thoughtful examination of the insidious ways that abuse diminishes you. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a darker (and smarter) than average YA. Mind your Trigger Warnings with this one.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an ARC!

This book starts off with a bam, right into the madness that is this town. I loved the whole background and wondering if something weird is going on. The buildup was very tense and I read most of the book in a day. The main character isn't very likable and is very needy but it fits with the story. It felt as though the ending reveal came quickly and it wasn't tied up very well. It was very sudden and then life goes on, without repercussions (for some) It was a dark book but I was expecting that. It had great lead up to the end but for me the ending fell a little flat. All in all a fun read.

*3.5 stars rounded up*

The writing in <i>The Violent Season</i> was beautiful and emotional, but sadly I found myself quite bored a lot of the time. The characters were well-developed but not much actually <i>happens</i>. The selling point for me was the ‘November Sickness’ which kind of petered out into nothing, although I guess artistically it worked for the story. If you’re craving angst then pick it up but don’t expect major twists or fast action.

This book left me speechless.

It had me on my toes the whole time and I read it all in one sitting.

The writing was super strong and poetic, and I really felt like I was unraveling with Wyatt as she worked her way through her discoveries and life as it hit her. I felt what she felt, and I saw how raw her pain and fear was. The writing was descriptive and alluring at times, but at others shocked you with the sheer violence and open hatred. It was diverse and strong and honestly stunning.

The characters were strong and honestly so well Written it was insane. You couldn't tell if you loved or hated a character because of how quickly they changed in Wyatt's mind, and nobody was safe from judgment and rumors. Cash and Porter were so well written as the protagonist's main 'focus' in the sense, but Quinn, even as a side character had her own development and behavior that was unique to her. Wyatt was so raw. She was an incredible character who's emotions changed so quickly, and she reacted to trauma and shock so painfully that I mourned with her constantly, but the way she kept unlocking little bits of herself, it was amazing to read.

The plot was insane. At first you go into it expecting a chilling horror, and then it twists your mind into accepting the deep analysis on humanity the way it should be seen. What seems like a sturdy plot at face value became stronger when you dived further, and every other aspect of the book supported it perfectly.

The ending genuinely shocked me in the best way, and my only complaint was how some things went unanswered when I really wanted answers.

Overall this book is incredible and I suggest it to anyone who enjoys horrors, mysteries and other things of the like.

My biggest warning is stay away from this book if SA, Murder, gaslighting and manipulation and Strong language could potentially trigger you.

2.5 stars
I was enjoying this at first but it was just a slow decline for me. the idea of the town being haunted/cursed is so interesting and I really liked hearing about the history of the town, but so much of this is actually focused on a romance which I did not care about at all. what is revealed at the end was what I had predicted at the beginning. the curse/sickness is honestly never addressed at the end and we are never given any type of explanation for why all these things happen in this town.

also minor spoiler but I do not think what someone did to the main character was given enough attention at all.

An interesting premise for a novel that will have you hooked and sitting on the edge of your seat as you flip through the pages of this thrilling addictive novel. Full of twists and turns, shocking revelations and chills, this one is sure to keep you interested until you've turned the last page.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read an arc version of this book!

I thought this debut from Sarah Walters was fantastic. This was a quick read for me, I just needed to know
what was going to happen. I was even more surprised by the ending; what I thought was going to happen was wrong!

In the small town of Wolf Ridge, Vermont every November "the Sickness" has plagued the residents. There
are mysterious deaths and violence at the hands of it's residents. Wyatt and Cash have both lost their mothers
in November, with Wyatt's moms murder last year being unsolved.

Wyatt and Cash have a very toxic friendship/relationship that has been built on grief, drugs, and alcohol. When
Wyatt was paired with Porter for a school project, her friendship with Cash starts to unravel as she sees "the sickness" in him. We watch as she starts remember what has actually been happening to her the past few years and eventually remembers what happen to her mother.

I would definitely recommend this to 14+ readers. It was dark YA fiction, I thought she did a great job of bringing
in a wide range of topics: Drug use, depression, sexual violence. I think it was a great read, but is was a heavier
book for me.

- pacing didn't match up because the first half was too slow for the second half to move to fast
- liked the concept

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for my eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"The Violet Season" by Sara Walters will be published on October 5th, 2021.

"The Violet Season" follows Wyatt, a teenager living in the seemingly cursed town of Wolf Ridge. What is this curse you may ask? Every November, without fail, there seems to be a violent sickness that infects the town's inhabitants and drives them to murder, suicide, etc. The previous November, Wyatt's mother was brutally killed and unfortunately for Wyatt, she was the one to find the body. Since that day, Wyatt has believed that her small town is cursed with an insatiable hunger for violence and blood. She must also reckon with what exactly her relationship with her friend, Cash, is.

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault and sexual abuse.

I had a difficult time getting "comfortable" with this one and by that I mean that it took a bit of time for the writing to keep me engaged. By the time I got to Chapter 8, I was reading more and more because I needed to know what happened to Wyatt's mom and whether or not Wolf Ridge was cursed. Honestly, I thought that the town would be filled with werewolves or wolf shifters but the novel did not go down a fantasy road. I think that Walters did a really good job of illustrating how traumatized and hurt Wyatt was after her mother's murder and how she deals with her insecurity with her relationship with Cash.

Walters also did a brilliant job with the characterization of Cash. He manipulates, gaslights, and emotionally abuses Wyatt which as someone who was in a very toxic and unhealthy relationship, I think that Walters got the situation down accurately. I also loved how often Wyatt is later told by others just how important SHE is and how it's okay for her to be selfish and to take care of herself.

I cried quite a bit in the latter half of this and honestly, while I saw the reveal, it still hurt when it was revealed.

I definitely recommend this one. It'll be a great October spooky read.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a honest review!

THE VIOLENT SEASON is about seventeen year old Wyatt who lives in a very small town in Vermont filled with mysterious deaths that occur in the month of November. Wyatt and the town believe there is a "sickness" making people do things they wouldn't normally do: murder, suicide, and assault. Wyatt's mother and a friend from school both were caught in the crosshairs of this "sickness" last year. The friend committed suicide and Wyatt's mother Lydia was stabbed to death in their home. Convinced there is more to the story and not seeing any help from the police, Wyatt takes it upon herself to find out why the town is ignoring this "sickness" and what really happened with her mother.

Sara Walters crafts a story filled with grief, suffering, scenes of assault and mental health. I flew through the chapters very quickly and seriously wanting to give Wyatt the biggest hug ever. The mental state Wyatt is in through-out this book is intense and grips a tight hold on you and never lets you go until the final page. Wyatt really needed the "breath of fresh air" and support from a guy in class, Porter, who helps her realize that she is enough and to not listen to the manipulation of her closest friend Cash. Cash is like a drug to Wyatt, quite literally. His influence on her decisions are not always her own and he forces himself on her physically, emotionally, and mentally, creating a terrible habit she didn't realize she needed to break until she met Porter. Porter first starts off as a "rich kid" stereotype she is paired up with in their English class for a project. While doing the project and learning who Porter is, he helps her by being a support system and learning more about what has been happening around town with the murders in November.

Inbetween chapters we are given news articles, including her mother's, on the deaths and strange occurrences. Wyatt speaks with a journalist, not realizing that the journalist was not being as helpful as she thought.

I absolutely love this book and definitely plan on purchasing this book later on. I believe Walters did a great job with the realistic emotions of grief and acceptance and Wyatt's journey will stick with me for a long while.

5 stars

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Violent Season by Sara Walters is an amazing blend of YA mystery, horror, and thriller with an ending that you will never see coming. When reading this, I was getting Veronica Mars and Netflix's Fear Street vibes The story revolves around Wyatt Green, a teen girl whose mother was murdered. Who does she blame? She believes that there's a sickness affecting Wolf Ridge, the town where she lives, that causes people to be violent. Interspersed between her chapters are newspaper articles describing the murders, suicides, and violence that have occurred in Wolf Ridge for years. Is this supernatural sickness real? Or is there something else to blame for the violence in Wolf Ridge?

Here is an atmospheric excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 1:

"When Cash told me he wanted to kill Porter Dawes, we were standing on the peak of Lawson’s Bluff, our sleeves pulled down over our hands. It was the first day of November, and winter already had Vermont in its fists. Below us, Wolf Ridge spread out like an open wound, a gash sliced through the mountains. We went up there to smoke the weed we had left from the weekend and to be away from town. Wolf Ridge had a way of closing in on us. The mountains crowded us. Finding higher ground was the only way we felt less suffocated.
I slid my lighter into my back pocket and crushed the last nub of the joint we’d been sharing. Cash stared at his feet, inching the tips of his shoes closer to the edge of the bluff.
“I mean it,” Cash said. “I’ll do it.”"

Overall, The Violent Season is the perfect creepy Halloween read. I could not put this book down. I had to keep reading to find out the truth behind Wyatt's mother's murder. I ended up finishing this book in a day, and the ending is so worth it! Without spoiling anything, let me just say that I did not see it coming at all. It was extremely satisfying to learn the truth behind the violence behind Wolf Ridge. This book straddles the line between realism and the supernatural very well. Is existential horror worse when you don't know if there's a monster or when you know that monsters aren't real? If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA thrillers, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in October!

I really liked the unique concept for this book as well as the way the town was portrayed. Every character felt unique yet they were all similar because of the shadow that the violent season cast over them.

I couldn't put this book down- I needed to know WTF was going on in this town. How could this small town have so many unexplained deaths, was it a serial killer, a curse... something easily explained. It kept me guessing the entire book.

This was such a nice surprise! I had no idea what to expect going into this one, but it was so beautifully written and emotional, and I couldn’t put it down! I will say some parts are predictable, but that didn’t take away from the story for me. I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

Me reading The Violent Season: Y'all are toxic.
Also me: *keeps reading*

Wyatt is convinced there's something in the water in her small Northern town. Each November terrible things happen in Wolf Ridge. People die. Horribly. Murder. Suicide. It all seems too much for such a small town. The one that's eating her up the most? The unsolved murder of her mother last November. While Wyatt is certain that there's something off about the town, her best friend/sometimes lover, Cash, shrugs it off as just "people are terrible". Tensions start to build as Cash is dead-set on leaving Wolf Ridge with no desire to take Wyatt with him, so she distances herself from him. Further complications arise as she starts to work on a school project with Cash's arch-nemesis.

First of all thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. This book was a quick and compelling read full of a bunch of train wrecks. Sadly, I can relate to Wyatt a lot because I think many people have been that girl. There's just one wrong guy we can't seem to pull away from. This book had compelling characters and a unique story that I liked a lot. Recommended.

This book was AMAZING! I read this all in one sitting. I just could not put it down. Starting this book, I thought it was just about this evil little town but it's SOOO much more than that. This book touches on some deep topics and it's really easy to sympathize with the characters. I cried, I swooned, this book tapped into all of my emotions. The whole unreliable narrator thing going on was a nice touch. I love a book that can keep me on my toes and The Violent Season did not disappoint. I was theorizing and constantly trying to guess who the culprit was. You think you know what happened but you don't know the whole story. This book wrapped up so nicely with a bit of ambiguity. Great job, Sara. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this.