This audiobook was fantastic!! There were so many elements and sounds and voices that truly brought this book to life! It let like the podcast segments were from a real podcast and I liked the little sounds to signal a new chapter. I also really loved the magic elements and all the interesting facts. This book was so unique and interesting and I really loved it. Some of the talk of levitating and other dimensions kind of went over my head, but besides that I loved every part!

When world famous magician Violet Volk disappears midact, her sister Sasha is left to take care of things. The bonds of sisterhood and similarities and differences that define sisters are explored. Definitely listen to this in audiobook format, as much of the storytelling is through a fictional podcast. It's a unique format and fun to listen to.

Very different than what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised. Beautiful writing style and very intresting book. I recommend if you want something out of your comfort zone.

This audiobook was one of the best I've ever listened to - it was atmospheric, full-cast, wonderfully produced, and so immersive. I was utterly captivated for the most part and the story was easy to sink into and follow along with --- I couldn't listen fast enough to find out what actually happened to Violet. At some point, I felt I was losing a bit of interest in the book or things weren't quite happening quickly or clearly enough for me, but I still enjoyed the experience immensely and wouldn't dissuade others from reading the book, just that ultimately, I found Oona Out of Order by this author to be significantly more rewarding as a reader.

It's also a bit hard to pinpoint this genre! Fiction? A smidge of magical realism? Mystery? I think it has broad appeal but it didn't quite hit the mark in any of the genres.

this book is truly MAGICAL!!

Violet Volk wasn't your average magician, she was a superstar! but her greatest act was the last one she performed, when she disappeared during a live show, never to be seen again. set in the 90s and early 2000s, this story follows multiple characters and timelines surrounding Violet to discover what actually happened to her. was this part of an illusion for her to leave the spotlight? was there foul play? was it another illusion gone wrong? or does she possess actual magic?

this book touches on grief, sisterhood, limelight, family, rivalry, and so much more. the author did a fabulous job infusing multiple genres and creating an utterly unique story that will leave you wanting more. if you are able to, i HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook.

I was so excited to read ACTS OF VIOLET after reading author Margarita Montimore’s previous novel, Oona Out Of Order and having it become a favorite book of 2020 for me.

While I didn’t have the physical copy, I listened to the audiobook and loved that it featured a diverse cast of narrators that really brought the story to life, including Brittany Pressley, Amy McFadden, Dan Bittner, Fred Berman, Hillary Huber, Johnny Heller, Katharine Chin, Ramon de Ocampo, Suzanne Toren, and Alejandro Ruiz.

The audiobook was completely immersive and took the reader on quite the journey, making it a great escape read once again.

*many thanks to Flatiron/Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

The audiobook of this was FANTASTIC! The podcast episodes, full of theme music, live recordings, etc. added so much to the story. I was hooked immediately trying to find out what happened to Violet. A very original story that is now making it on my list of must listen audiobooks!

I didn't really like the first book I read by this author, but I wanted to give her another shot especially after reading the synopsis of this book. Also I like the cover - the colours and it's giving intrigue.

I like that the story is told in different points of view including podcast episodes. I didn't mind that we unravel the story not in chronological order I think it added to the mystery of what was going on, and it felt like I was watching a documentary of what happened.

I was really interested in what happened and it felt like I was reading a nonfiction account at times. I was invested in the outcome, but I found that the ending was completely underwhelming. I'm not a fan of the paranormal element I wish there would have been a real explanation of what happened instead so for that reason I had to knock a few stars off.

Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore #jaylammreads #audiobooks
“When you really don't want to believe something, you'll create a new logic to circumvent the truth; sometimes necessity isn't the mother of invention so much as denial.”

After reading Montimore's last book: Oona Out of Order, I was very interested to read more of her writing. She really has such unique ideas. Acts of Violet is another fun and unique storyline that had me guessing till the end. 

This audiobook was phenomenal. The story is told through podcasts, letters, and the POV of Sasha, Violet's sister. This is narrated by a full cast and wow this book really comes to life. 
I was completely immersed in this mystery of a missing magician. I love magic and found this plot line so interesting. We really get to know the characters, especially Sasha. She is dealing with the anniversary of her sister's disappearance, her soon to be empty nest, and public scrutiny that comes with being a sibling of a celebrity. 

It was interesting to learn so much about a character like Violet, as it was all told through others' eyes. We really didn't know her. 

Although I didn't love the ending and wanted more from that story- I still really enjoyed this book. I will definitely continue to read more of Montimore's books. She is a special and unique talent.

This audiobook is like no other. This was such an immersive experience. I loved the mixed media uses and multiple narrators and it made for a very easy listen.

The story however was very lackluster and about halfway through I just needed and wanted more. I honestly just wanted it to be over so I could move on.

Overall this was a big disappointment after Oona Out of Order.

I did a hybrid combo listen-read, and found the format more engaging with the audio production, which was really well done. The consensus in my early readers book club was that the book was trying to do too many things and didn’t have a clear focus; some folks found the sister Sasha quite whiny, although I did not. We were all a bit confused by the ending; all really enjoyed the multimedia format (prose mixed with articles, emails, letters and podcasting transcripts). I really appreciated the discussions of mental health and metaphysics alongside the mention of my favorite Midwestern wonder, ye olde great corn castle 🏰 solid 3.5/5 from me averaging my 3 for book with 4 for audiobook.

Oona out of order is one of my favorites of the past few years so I jumped for joy over Acts of Violet. Violet, let me tell you, she is quite the character and will leave you guessing until the very end. More importantly however, than Violets larger-than-life persona, is the relationship she shares with her family. This is such an interesting story and one I highly recommend!

Do you have a sister? I have two. Have you seen sisters fight? Do you like Magic? If so then you’re in for a treat! This whole thing is magical and mysteriously done. A podcast will dive into the mystery surrounding a disappearance while a sister tells us about her relationship with her.
I can only say that you have to listen to this on audiobook. There are many narrators in this one and they were all excellent. I can’t even imagine reading it now. The audio version was really good.
Thanks Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.

While I initially found the full cast narration interesting, after about 2 hours it started to annoy me. I thought the different formats made it feel chaotic and didn't like the voices. I thought the story itself was slow and while I wanted to know what happened to Violet, I felt bored by the midway part. The ending was completely unsatisfactory

Very modern form of story telling, and perfectly suited for the audiobook format. Well produced.

Story wise- Perfect for fans of mystery or fantasy podcasts.

ARC from publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

Acts of Violet is one of those stories that begs to be told on audio. The multiple-narrator cast with a podcast-like style for the corresponding chapters is the perfect way to experience the magic that is Violet Volk.. The narration style is like listening to an actual version of a disappearance, and I loved everything about it. The plot is oh so compelling, with interesting, complex characters. I honestly can't recommend this one enough.

Ok, I have not loved a book this much in a long time! I thought it was so creative, well plotted, engaging, original and outright fun! It was such a deeply fleshed out story. I adored the fact that it was more than just a story, it felt like an experience! I was able to both listen and read this novel. I loved listening! It was so superbly done! The voices, sound effects…it was pure perfection! I HIGHLY recommend this book and know you will love it too! I will not soon forget this book! What a fabulous and magical story!!!

This ensemble cast narration was absolutely phenomenal and had me fully invested in Violet’s story. Bravo!

I had high hopes for this book after enjoying Oona Out of Order and am happy to report that this one was just as fun to read, although the stories are very different. Acts of Violet focuses on the family of a magician/pop culture icon who disappeared during one of her acts. Ten years later, her fans are convinced she's still alive, and her family is struggling to cope with their loss. All of their emotions are brought to the surface when a pesky reporter contacts them regarding his popular podcast on Violet's disappearance.
I highly recommend the audiobook route on this one. Reading the story in print would be a very different experience as the story makes the most of the audiobook format by interspersing chapters of narration with episodes from the podcast.

Black smoke coming out of my boiled brain cells: can you smell it? No, only people I meet who stare at me while I secretly read the last chapter of the book can feel it! (I always mix pleasure with business and reading is one of the greatest pleasures for me) I'm kinda dizzy, blindsided, confused after this book marathon (I couldn't stop reading and I'm out of breath and gray matter right now). But it's so obvious that after reading the second volume of Oona Out of Order! She loves pushing buttons, exploring the invisible, taking us on sci-fi tours, and forcing us to use parts of our brains we've never used before! This book is not just a missing wizard mystery or not about magic! It's not just about parallel universes, out of body experience, liminal vortices! It's about brotherhood, love, resentment, rivalry, regret, family, personal growth, second chances! It is one of the best mashups of different genres. It starts with family drama, mystery and speculative sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction (true history of magicians) thrown into the equation. The writing style was fascinating. Instead of Sasha's POV, we follow Violet V's backstories and characterization via Cameron Frank's podcasts, letters written for Violet by Sasha and her husband Gabriel, articles, website that points out that Violet is a big scam , the emails between Cameron, the studio rep urging him to persuade Sasha to do an interview, and Cameron's other correspondences with a mystery guy giving vital, top secret information about Viola's disappearance and emails from Quinn (Violet's niece): She digs deeper to find out what her parents, Sasha and Gabriel, are hiding from her eccentric aunt! Let's take a look at this brilliant and unconventional story: Sasha inherited her mother's hair salon, stayed in the same town, lived in the same house, kept the same phone number, hoping to reconnect with her sister: the famous Violet Volk, who died ten years ago. years in the middle of the theater in a trace. There are theories that she fled from dangerous people or was involved in illegal activities. Some people still think she planned it all to be immortal. But her sister Sasha has been keeping secrets from her for years and refuses to talk about her sister, despite the fact that Cameron Frank — the famous podcaster who produced ten special episodes marking the anniversary of his sister's disappearance — persists in The interviewer.Sasha's daughter Quinn, about to leave home for college, becomes suspicious of her mother's actions. She is sure that her mother does not tell her everything about her family. As we read more, we learn so many new things about the quirky Violet Volk - it's an attention grabber. She knows how to impress people. She is a diva. People think she is pure magic. She is merciless, straightforward, provocative, fleeting! She is not ashamed of who she is. But that begs the bigger question: Who are the real purples? Has she reinvented herself? Is she an illusion? Is she a big liar, a cheater? Or is she a person trying too hard to find her place in the earth? I loved the opposite sisters' love-hate relationship!! I loved the engaging, mysterious and engaging storytelling! Although my head aches, the book absolutely deserves five sci-fi superstars with magical disappearances from me!