I absolutely loved Oona Out of Order, so when I saw that Margarita Montimore had a new book coming out, I was so excited to get my hands on it! Montimore has a fantastic way of creating a magical realism element to her stories that makes you believe in magic.
In Acts of Violet, we are brought into the story of a missing person, Violet Volk. Violet was a famous illusionist with a volatile life that was lived in the spotlight. When she announces one last show after a hiatus, people flock to see her show. When her final act approaches, things appear to have gone wrong and Violet vanishes…for real.
The story is not told through Violet’s perspective at all. This story is really how Violet affected those she lived and worked with. We have the perspectives of Sasha, Violet’s older sister, and Cameron, a podcaster investigating Violet’s disappearance for the upcoming 10-year anniversary.
This story had me pulled into different directions of feelings. I loved many aspects of it, but I felt frustrated with others.
💕 I really enjoyed the characters. They were created with details that truly gave them life, and I felt invested in them.
💕 There is such an air of mystery from start to finish, and I was here for it! I needed to know what happened to Violet!
💕 I listened to the audio of this one, and it was absolutely fantastic! With a full cast of characters, and remarkable talent, this was truly a fantastic production!
🤷 The story felt unfinished. I got to the end and I felt left behind. I needed more answers, and I didn’t get them.
🤷 I kind of liked that this story was all about the impact that Violet’s actions have on others, but I would have loved at least one chapter from her perspective to help round-out the story.
So, overall, I thought this was a good story, and I enjoyed where it went. I just found myself needing more by the end. I would recommend this one for readers that enjoy magical realism, mysteries, and stories of family.
Where to Find This Book:
Amazon ~ Goodreads
LibroFM – Use code lfm137076 to get one month free!
From Margarita Montimore, the author of GMA Book Club pick and national bestseller Oona Out of Order, Acts of Violet is a dazzling and twisty new novel about a famous magician who disappears, leaving her sister to figure out what really happened.
Nearly a decade ago, iconic magician Violet Volk performed her greatest trick yet: vanishing mid-act. Though she hasn’t been seen since, her hold on the public hasn’t wavered. While Violet sought out the spotlight, her sister Sasha, ever the responsible one, took over their mother’s salon and built a quiet life for her daughter, Quinn. But Sasha can never seem to escape her sister’s orbit or her memories of their unresolved, tumultuous relationship. Then there’s Cameron Frank, determined to finally get his big break hosting a podcast devoted to all things Violet—though keeping his job hinges on an exclusive interview with Sasha, the last person who wants to talk to him.
As the ten-year anniversary approaches, the podcast picks up steam, and Cameron’s pursuit of Sasha becomes increasingly intrusive. He isn’t the only one wondering what secrets she might be keeping: Quinn, loyal to the aunt she always idolized, is doing her own investigating. Meanwhile, Sasha begins to experience an unsettling series of sleepwalking episodes and coincidences, which all lead back to Violet. Pushed to her emotional limits, Sasha must finally confront the most painful truths about her sister, and herself, even at the risk of losing everything.
Alternating between Sasha’s narration and Cameron’s podcast transcripts, interspersed with documents that offer a tantalizing peek at Violet herself, Acts of Violet is an utterly original, propulsive story of fame, deception, and forgiveness that will make you believe in magic.
Just the Facts:
Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore
Genre: Women’s Fiction / Magical Realism
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Pub Date: July 5, 2022
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
She Just Loves Books 