I loved this book. I think the later half, especially, is written in such a vivid lens and with so much powerful world building that the ending alone deserved a five star rating. I really like Waverly. I always love a rebel in the ranks, but I do wish there could have been clearer explanation as to who she was (the "violet fire" episodes explained more, and her background), just so I know clearly as a reader why she acts differently than everyone else. Of course it was explained that she had grown up "free" and away from the brain washing-vampire lifestyle, but I wanted to know more about that life, and how these people she ends up with are so isolated from the people not under the rule of vampires.

But the world building alone and that PLOT TWIST OF THE CENTURY made this book deserving of four stars. I think Quick is insanely imaginative and I look forward to her books in the future.

Thanks to Net Gallery and the publisher, this honest review is provided in exchange for a free advance preview.. of the book.
A different spin on the usual vampire love story. In this dystopian tale a girl Is imprisoned as part of a herd of human blood supply units or breeding stock ( for more blood supply) for the ruling class of elite vampires. Each one’s destiny is to serve their vampire masters. I found Waverly, the main character to be brave and rebellious, with continued plans to escape. The main vampire love interest Zein, was just another a stereotypical romance hero- arrogant and infuriating and dominating. .I couldn't finish the book, and read where yet another woman falls for another abusive manipulative guy, regardless of how handsome or cute he is . Regardless of the premise, this is slavery, and not in any way romantic.

I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it and I can't wait for the next one in the series! Wavorly isn't like the other humans whose sole purpose is to offer their blood to their masters. She was raised free and speaks her mind, which makes her dangerous to the establishment. Vampires rule this dystopian world and humans are food suppliers and breeders. Zein is Wavorly's master and he seems to value her uniqueness but all Wave wants is her freedom.

When Wave finds out what her true purpose is supposed to be, she's shocked and conflicted. Her feelings for Zein are complicated and will define her decision on which path to follow. More please!

I've read similar-sounding books, so I was expecting certain things going into this book. Some were met, and others weren't.

The concept is promising, but the execution wasn't what I'd hoped. Some parts were quite engaging, and others caused me to stumble. It felt a bit uneven. The worldbuilding was solid and original. Scenes are nicely detailed and easy to visualize. There were a bit too many places that felt like info dumps. I prefer things to be worked in so they unfold organically. The romance was okay. I do like hate-to-love tropes. But, again, there was some inconsistency with how things played out. Zein wasn't as developed as other characters. Wavorly's attitude was a bit much at times, but she was okay overall.

Things were set up for a possible sequel, but I'm not sure if I'll check that out or not.

This book grabbed me right away and wouldn't let go.
The only time I was able to tear myself away from it was when my kindle battery died.
Stupid kindle.
Battery fired back up I was completely sucked (pun intended) back in again.
I am so freaking excited this is only the start of a series because I didn't get enough!
I am flabbergasted that this is her debut?!
The world building, the sideways storyline, the hawt hawt vampires...
Obsessed with it all!
Much love to NetGalley & Kelsey Quick for my ARC.

The book is set in a dystopian world that is run by a Stratocacy of vampires where humans are enslaved and bred for their blood.

Wavorly Sterling was free born and raised as a child in Avignon where she was rescued by Lord Anton Zein one of the five vampire leaders of the Stratocacy after rogue vampires killed everybody else.

She grows up with a deep hatred of vampires and a longing to escape but when she turns eighteen and officially beomes a supply unit for Lord Zein she begins to question everything she thought she believed in about vampires.

The book is very descriptive in describing the surroundings and the clothing of the characters, which I really liked it gives you a good picture in your head a good solid gothic vampire look with a definite nod to the authors love of manga!

I found all the characters interesting and well written, Wavorly is a fiesty character, just what you would expect from a redhead and Zein is mysterious but as this is the first book in a trilogy I feel you will learn more about his story and character in the next one. The twist to the end was interesting and unpredictable which leaves you wanting more. I can't wait for the next book!

A definite must read if you are a lover of fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and D&B Management for the ARC.

A Violet Fire by Kelsey Quick absolutely blew me away. I was quickly ensnared by this story and could not put this book down if I tried. I didn’t even try though. I wanted to find out what happened, flipping page after page until I had finished the book. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I loved every single minute of this book.

Plot summary

In the Vampire Stratocracy of Cain, human blood is scarce. For centuries, councils have sought to assuage the blood shortage by enslaving and breeding humans, turning them into profitable supply units for the rich and the abled.

Today, eighteen-year-old Wavorly Sterling is officially a supply unit, bound to serve her blood willingly to her master for the rest of her life. One of only few humans that was not bred in Cain, Wavorly knows freedom better than anyone, and she is determined to escape the clutches of her oppressors, even if by the hands of death.

But surprises lay beyond every certainty, and within every doubt. Where Wavorly's hatred for both vampires and her enslavement once flowed free as blood, it merely trickles as she grows to admire her reserved, yet receptive master and savior, Anton Zein.

Although warmed by comforts never felt before, danger still lurks in the castle, and a prophecy calls from beyond the walls of a lavender gate—concealing the horrific secrets lodged between handsome smirks and cinereous eyes. It will take everything within Wavorly to face her fears and her doubts; to harness the truth of her past despite what that means for her future. The only question is, will she?

Set in a richly detailed world of fantasy, A Violet Fire is a gripping journey filled with passion, betrayal, lies, and the encouragement we all need to take a stand for our freedom—no matter the cost.

World Building

Wavorly is originally from Avignon, France. While the time period in which the book is set is never made clear, the book is definitely dystopian. The human race is endangered, with people being enslaved and bred to satisfy their vampire owners’ nutritional needs. The vast majority of the humans, or “supply units,” as they are referred to, are bred within Cain. The world is incredibly thought out. I’ve read a lot of vampire books in my time, but none like this. I loved learning about how the Stratocracy of Cain functioned, and how all the pieces came together. There were some unfamiliar terms throughout the book, but the author defined all of them quickly.

Character Development

Wavorly is one of the rare few that was once free, and struggles to adjust to her new role. The other supply units do not understand why she does not adore her master, and is unsatisfied with her role in life. Wavorly doesn’t understand the other supply units either, and finds herself an outcast. The book starts with her attempting a daring escape from the school she is kept at. She resents the vampires who enslave her, and with good reason. However, her escape is foiled, with disastrous consequences. For some reason, she is once again spared from the consequences of her actions.

As she is moved from the school to the castle of her master, she learns more about him, herself, and the other girls who reside there. I don’t want to say much about this, but it’s really interesting to see how she changes through the course of the book. We learn a lot more about her background in Avignon, and her experiences in the school where she spent a decade of her life. She’s got plenty of flaws, but overall, she’s a tough, feisty, and kind character. I don’t know if I’d have as good of a heart as she does if I were in her position. While she isn’t perfect, I can’t help but love her character. She’s definitely the kind of person I’d like to have in my corner. I think that if you read this book (which you DEFINITELY SHOULD, just saying), you’ll come to the same conclusion.

Overall Impression

The book was intriguing. Vampire books have a tendency to follow similar tropes, such as using a stake to the heart to kill them. This one doesn’t follow that pattern. It forges its own path, and I really enjoyed seeing a fresh take on that. It reminds me of how the series A Court of Thorns and Roses twists the faerie tropes about their ability to lie and using iron to repel them.

Another positive was the numerous plot twists. The story was unpredictable, and kept me guessing from start to finish. The only thing I was sure of, was that Wavorly wasn’t going to die early on … simply because the story wouldn’t continue, since she was the narrator. Other than that, there were so many twists and turns that I was on the edge of my seat. I read this book until late in the night, and finished it in less than 24 hours. Yes, it was THAT GOOD. While this book hasn’t been released yet, when it does get released on 12/9/2019, I’d strongly recommend giving this book a shot. It’s so worth it. It’s the first in a series, and I’m already drooling over the second book.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Thanks to Kelsey Quick and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of this book.

As a fan of Ann Rice, Stephanie Meyer and most all things vampire, I was ready for this book. It is a bit of a unique take on the vampire story with vampires controlling society instead of hiding in the shadows or living (mostly) companionably with humans like in True Blood.

In Quick's vampire world, humans are "supply units," or blood slaves and have basically no freedoms. Our main character/heroine, Wavorly, was born on the "outside," and didn't get captured into the vamp community until she was 10 years old. She has a better understanding of freedom and that the supply unit concept is BS, which others who were born into the vamp society are subservient and "grateful to serve" at the pleasure of the vamps drinking their blood. As you might expect, Wavorly is defiant and strong and not really putting up with the current status quo. Of course, she is tapped to be one of the ruling elite's, Zein, number one blood tap, and of course he's hot and a bit mysterious and this is where things start to get oh so delicious!

Wavorly has some mysterious things happen to her when she sees a "purple light" in Zein's house and she may be more than just a "normal" human. Sets things up nicely for counting the story in "A Crimson Truth."

This is a fun read that I found hard to put down the more into the story I got. Book two should be even better as we really get into things and hopefully learn more of Zein's backstory!

Favorite Character: Wavorly Sterling.

This was a hard category to decide for this book because my feelings about characters changed as the story progressed, but Wavorly is the one constant. She is fiery (and she has the red hair to back it up), intelligent, and fiercely determined. She’s a fighter. And, as a reader, I was happy to go with her on her emotional journey through this supernatural world.

What I Like About A Violet Fire

The main character is NOT angsty. Too many YA Fantasy novels fall back on the angsty reluctant hero. Still, there isn’t a single feeling of angst among the characters in A Violet Fire, which I appreciated very much. The main characters are well developed, and I quickly followed their inner and outer journeys. The support characters were less sympathetic and less developed. Still, the story is led by the Wavorly, who is also the narrator, so it is her version of those characters I saw.

I became emotionally invested. The story is written in the first person, and the narrator is sympathetic, so it is easy for me to make that leap of walking in her shoes. And what shoes they are. She took me on a fast-paced adventure full of love and a fighter’s determination. I didn’t want to put the book down until I knew she was okay, or the book ended, whichever came first.

It has a bit of a different spin on the vampire story. There are many vampire stories out there, and I never shy away from a good one. A Violet Fire offered a different take on these creatures of the night, as they are not created by other vampires. Instead, they are born, making it an actual race that exists alongside humans rather than created from humans. They also are not immortal, though their lifespan is much longer than humans, and they are hard to kill. This difference gives the story dystopian qualities that others do not have, which is interesting to me as a reader.

What I Wish About A Violet Fire

The ending felt a bit rushed, and a lot of essential details about Wavorly and her family were thrown at me at one time. It was hard to process it all. I hope that it is made clearer in the second book, but it was a bit disconcerting in this one.

To Read or Not to Read

It is definitely a good read and what better way to fill the long cold nights than with a good read that you won’t be able to put down.

After 5 minutes of reading, my first thoughts was is Wavorly rebellious and daring or irritating and foolhardy?
Reviewing A Violet Fire (Vampires in Avignon #1) and all I can think of is what a waste of a good idea - vampires rule and humans are profitable supply units for the rich. It needs to be developed further, reviewed and edited; it easily could have lost half of the section living at Zein's house.

What this review will sound like is a list of things I didn't like. Be assured that wasn't my intention from the outset. I choose this book from Netgalley based on the synopsis and was eager to read it. So it pains me to have to say that this book disappointed and didn't live up to the blurb.

It felt like a first draft where there's the outline of scenes, character development is sketched out and the narration is to follow but that next step never came. It was never reviewed for consistency, character motivation and flow. Where is this richly detailed world I was told about?

I am almost certain that there is a good plot in A Violet Fire ( I think) but it is buried under misplaced words which pull you out of the story (The use of slang and modern terms is off-putting). The example that infuriated me the most was smirks - technically correctly used, yet inappropriate to the scene every time. Another is the inconsistencies sometimes individuals were wearing slacks and at other times it was pants.

There was too much narrative exposition by the characters. Characters said what they did rather than doing it through graceful prose. It was clunky.

Living with the same gender and in a boarding school, you would expect competition between individuals. Yet there was determined attempts to make the reader root for Wavorly as the outsider who was bullied for being different: free thinking and speaking, but the reality is Wavorly was condescending and quick to take offense even from her best friend Savvy. She had no empathy. This same behaviour was replicated when they moved to Zein's castle.

Characters behaved inexplicably especially the ones who considered themselves smart (Wavorly) and the vampires who had the all the advantages as the superior race with knowledge. There was a clear demarcation between vampire and human, so why were vampires so chatty with Wavorly on first meeting her? Why was Wavorly able to get away with breaking the rules all the time and it was shrugged off? If she was as intelligent as she kept on implying, then why didn't she question that?

Wavorly didn't question deeply enough why she was different from the others, the liberties that she was could take, without punishment. It was all about her pain and loss and weren't these humans (supply units) dumb for their sheltered life. How and why was it that she was so friendly and intimate with senior vampires? Why were senior supply units gossiping with newcomers when this is a tense, competitive environment where every girl is angling for attention from their Lord and jealous of the one who gets it. Who gives away information for free when it is the commodity used to barter and advance socially?

Wavorly was a one dimensional character who spent the whole time repetitiously drumming it into the reader's head just how awful vampires were and she was the only one who could see.. that is until she didn't.

I knew definitively that I wasn't going to get on with this book when Wavorly decided it was a good time to start an internal discourse over listening to new pertinent information that was being shared with her - for her own benefit!. Which contradicted the self promotion and image relentlessly pushed that she was smart, capable, insightful, better than humans who were born in Cain. But if she was, why didn't she evaluate the information she was told and consider there might be an agenda behind it. It got to a point where I was either rolling my eyes, laughing in disbelief or stating 'WTF'.

And there's another thing what is it with the names? The constant mention of Avignon, France and speaking French yet no French mannerisms or names. Either I missed it or it wasn't made clear where Cain was in the world and in relation to Avignon.

I can't take any of the character's names - human or vampire - seriously. What is the name Wavorly supposed to signify? Please get a naming convention and adhere to it. Please give name to terms that don't make you want to cringe. On an unrelated note, what was the purpose of supply units seemingly assigned numbers, not names to dehumanise them but yet everyone calling them by names?

My final observation to be shared, is a question that I don't know the answer to. Why name the female area seraglio, it's a name I hadn't heard before so Wikipedia was kind enough to offer the following explanation

NOUN
historical
1. the women's apartments (harem) in an Ottoman palace.
• the women inhabiting a seraglio or harem.
2. a Turkish or Ottoman palace, especially the Sultan's court and government offices at Constantinople.

It so easily could have been called harem and I wouldn't have had a further thought about it. However, when coupled with the following facts
• that Cain the vampire world is a stratocracy (another new word to me)
a form of military government in which civil and military service are difficult to distinguish, where the state and the military are traditionally or constitutionally the same entity, and that government positions are always occupied by commissioned officers and military leaders.
• The supply units are forced to veil themselves outside Zein's castle
• Wavorly lived in a cathedral and was taken from it by Zein and forced to assimilate to the rule of Cain
it all sounds...well I will leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Even though it ends on a cliff hanger and I have many unanswered questions, I have no interest in what happens next and that is a shame as this could have been a world that I was likely to have visited often.

1 star for the book itself and rounded up to 2 stars for the story idea.

My thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for an ARC of this book in exchange for a candid review

3.5 stars

Today, I was in the mood for a vampire book that would give me all the feels. I'm not ashamed to say I love watching the Twilight movies once in a while. It's been a long time since I've read a book with vampires and I remembered I had an ARC that could be exactly what I needed. Immediately, A Violet Fire drew me in and I couldn't put it down.

I wanted something a little cheesy and maybe imperfect (but not in a bad way) and I feel like this book delivered the right amount. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure yet what I think of some of the plot concerning the main female character, Wavorly. However, I am so excited to read the second book! I really need to find out what happens next, especially concerning the romance. I'm invested and I can't wait.


(Thank you for letting me read an ARC via Netgalley)

DNF almost immediately, I'm afraid. I made it past 'my knuckles are as white as an albino squirrel' and 'like wine stained cotton, I flow across the ground' but I was defeated by 'At eight years old, it was all I could do to watch without the saltiness of tears construing the last, perfect vision of her shining blue eyes, apple-blond hair, and her body, blanketed by a bloody shawl pinned at her breast.' I *think* the author meant constricted or obstructed, not construed, but I can't be sure, and I can't keep stopping to try and figure out the meaning as I go. This one's not for me.

If you love Vampires or Dystopian Fiction, you will thoroughly enjoy this new Young Adult read. It is entertaining, original, and fast paced. The characters are multi-faceted and keep you guessing. It is one of those books that stay with you after you finish it, and as it's a cliffhanger, we will fortunately get to read more about Zein and Wavorly. I look forward to seeing where this story goes in future books. 5 Fantastic Stars!

I was really hoping for more out of this. My characters were bland and the pacing was slow. Our characters make no sense and contradict each other. That's enough to drive anyone crazy. Also, the ending left me no desire to read the next book.

Vampire apocalypse is a very common theme, different things in some aspects but the rule of vampire ruling the humans is there. Since I love this kind of theme, I had to read and was a good read.
The Vampires have a system of different families which humans are created to be a supply unit. Waverly, the heroine, with a different background of the other humans, already knew what freedom was and tries to escape a lot.
Along with the story, she sees herself in a lot of pressure from her thoughts and the new way of living. All the struggle she has and the conspiracy around is very interesting and gets the reader curious.

Wavorly is an eighteen year old girl at the mercy of the vampire race where her only future is to become a blood supply unit and eventually retired to the breeding house in the Vampire Stratocracy of Cain. Though her peers would love to be the favored blood supply unit, Wavorly came from the outside world and knows what it's like not to be enslaved and brainwashed by the vampire race and she's determined to escape. Even if it means running away from the vampire that saved her.

Ever since I was a teenager, I've been obsessed with vampire novels. I appreciate the author's efforts to make Wavorly a smart and resourceful character. While I understand why the other characters act the way they do, they still seemed to lack depth and character growth. I really liked the world that was created for this novel and I am excited to see where it leads the main character.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been feeling in a very vampire mood recently and was really excited to pick this up however, sadly it just did not click with me and I DNFed 20% in. I just could not connect with the characters or the story this lead me to feeling bored while reading it. Reading this began to feel like a chore and I found myself procrastinating on reading it until it came to the point where I just couldn't bring myself to read it. I'm sure their are a lot of people out there that will love this book however, it just wasn't for me.

<b>ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</b>

<b>Actual rating 2.5 stars</b>

If I was basing this review on only the first 1/3 of the book, the rating would be much higher. I was intrigued at first by the opening action and the tension of the choosing ceremony and the twists, but after that things just became...<i>meh</i>.

<b>The Good:</b> I found the world very interesting, and the idea of a vampire-run society kind of cool, although not entirely original. I also liked the political conflict side of the story, and the fact that different vampires in different countries would have opposing views on the treatment of humans. As mentioned, the beginning action hooked me, but things slowed to boring very quickly.

<b>The Bad:</b> Like I said, the last half (and maybe even more) of <i>A Violet Fire</i> just really didn't do it for me. The actual violet fire room was interesting but also very confusing and i didn't think it was presented the best way it could have been. I also found myself not really caring about any of the characters. No one seemed developed enough to merit further thought IMO.

<b>TL;DR:</b> While there are some interesting concepts here, there are also many other "vampire society" novels that are more entertaining (<i>The Immortal Rules</i> by Julie Kagawa comes to mind) and I just found <i>A Violet Fire</i> to be lacking that <i>Je ne sais quoi</i> that keeps me reading happily.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and D&B Management for the opportunity to R&R</i>

Dark and intriguing, Kelsey Quick’s A VIOLET FIRE is a tale of passion, oppression and the power of the human will to survive against all odds, even if it means death. In a world where vampires rule, humanity is bred and enslaved as a food source, one teen, a rarity among the “herd,” knew freedom and is determined to find it again. What Wavorly did not expect was to share an emotional attraction with her master that overstepped all boundaries and clouded her vision of escape.

Steeped in rich detail, raw in its darkness, this tale is magnetic in its edgy telling, and trust me, these vampires ae the things of nightmares, nothing sparkly about them as they use and abuse their human sheep. Prepare to wonder how such complete subservience can overtake the spirit of survival in humanity and revel in the audacity of one girl who dares to make her feelings known.

Is Wavorly destined to be more than a blood slave? Is she meant to be the beginning of a new world order where freedom is everything?

Kelsey Quick has done a remarkable job of creating a world that rides on the razor’s edge of hell. Stark and foreboding, see each scene in your mind and feel what the characters feel. Find good among the evil and the strength of one human to test and go beyond the limits of her captivity.

In a world of dark fantasy, where A VIOLET FIRE may not be an original tale, its presentation is fresh and riveting. If you like your vampires to be the thing of nightmares, beautiful, yet deadly and your heroines to hold tight to an inner flame that burns for freedom, even as they question some of their own emotions, then this is a must read and Kelsey Quick should be on your list of go to authors! Hard to believe this is her debut tale!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from D&B management. My review is completely honest and voluntary.

Series: Vampires in Avignon - Book 1
Publication Date: December 9, 2019
Publisher: Kelsey Quick
Genre: Dark Fantasy / YA
Print Length: 398 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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I have tried reading this book several times. I've decided it was not for me. I am not the attendant audience for this genre. Tried reading something outside my comfort zone and just couldn't get into it. Sorry.