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This book was a weird, but entertaining, young adult crazy train..

All Aboard!

Every bookish person knows that you just get to a certain point in your reading journey where the stories start to sound similar. You start looking for the twist. A spin on the ‘been there, done that.’ Anything that separates one book from the others.. and occasionally, once in a great big blue moon, you hit the jackpot and find something new.

This one was.. different.

I’m sure you could others to compare this book to. Find something it reminds you of.. but, honestly? I don’t believe that I have come across anything quite like it before.

Trigger Warning: Graphic violence. Bullying. Abuse. Assault. Attempted Rape. Torture. Strongly implied prostitution of underage girls.

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Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott

Standalone

First line: People say blondes have more fun.

A young runaway living on the streets is given the opportunity of a lifetime when a strange woman, Madam Karina, offers her a job with no questions asked. She promises a full belly, a home, love and better yet? A job.
And the offer couldn’t have come at a better time.

When trying every other avenue fails, and despite her misgivings, Domino admits defeat and accepts the ‘generous’ offer presented. Now they’re off to Texas, to Madam Karina’s Home for Burgeoning Entertainers, leaving Dizzy behind in Chicago until she can earn enough money to return and set him free..

Domino knows this woman wants something from her, they always do, but she’s desperate.
As long as they don’t find out about her past. About Wilson. About what she’s done.. She should be fine.
But nothing is ever that simple, is it?

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Four Stars!

Traumatic past? Check.
Psychologically damaged characters? Check.
Never knowing who the real monster is.. them or you? We have a winner!

This is the story of a girl who’s just trying to find her way in a world full of users and abusers.

DOMINO’S RULES
FOR LIVING ON THE STREET

Stick by people worth knowing.
Take care of yourself first.
Always wear armor.
When in doubt, run.
Roll the dice.

Dizzy, Domino’s roommate and crush, has been thrown in jail and she’s desperate to get him out.. but bail will cost hundreds of dollars that they don’t have. She tries everything she can think of but because of her past, her secrets, Domino can’t find a job that will take a seventeen year old street kid. She knows she has little choice but to call Madam Karina and hope for the best.

Domino doesn’t know what the Madam wants from her.. but she knows the woman wants something. She takes a chance, knowing she has little choice, knowing it may be the only way to save Dizzy.

DOMINO’S RULES
FOR LIVING IN A GROUP HOME

Remember why you’re there, and how to get out.
Keep your head down and your mouth shut.
Don’t be afraid to make enemies.
Make yourself useful.
Claim your space.

Texas is nothing and everything like what Domino imagined.
The large run down home houses dozens of other young women, all employed by the Madam to entertain her guests, all competing for a better position as one of Madam Karina’s flowers.

Carnations, Daisies, Tulips, Lilies, Violets.
Each flower denotes a certain status and the girls go head to head each night for the highest scores.
Please the customers, gain a coin, get more points.

You know what this place is.
If you’re not going to leave, be quiet, I reply. You don’t know anything.
Out of all the places we could end up, Domino, this is the absolute worst. I remember the things we did, even if you don’t. And we shouldn’t be here. We should be anywhere else but here.
Maybe he’s right. But I can’t leave.

Domino does her best to keep her head down but her arrival has drawn a lot of unwelcome attention.

It’s not long before she comes to understand just how dangerous her new home may be and, as the bullying from the other girls escalates.. Wilson, her ever present (and slightly psychotic) companion, pushes at the barriers between them-a warning that his patience is wearing thin. He won’t allow the abuse to continue to go unpunished for much longer.

DOMINO’S RULES
FOR DRINKING THE KOOL-AID

Strategize.
Find favor with the queen.
Get out of your comfort zone.
Become ruthless in your pursuit of victory.
Keep your eyes off the boy who could wreck you.

Liked:

Domino let’s herself be pushed around but the instant you threaten or harm someone she cares about? The claws come out and her character truly comes alive. Domino sees past a person’s scars and flaws, the outer trappings, and empathizes with the pain in those around her. I enjoyed seeing her growth throughout the book.

The more prominent characters are all intriguing in their own messed up ways. You may not be rooting for any of them but they do entertain.

The slow burning relationship between Domino and Cain was wonderfully done. They suited one another well and I love that there was no rush, no immediate, fated connection.

He is broken like me.
I am broken like him.
But together, we fill our missing pieces—glue and gentle fingers and kisses on bruises.
What destruction could we bring together?

Cain is such a beautifully broken soul. Loyal, protective, understanding.. but also tormented, disrespected, and mistreated. How he managed to retain any kind of integrity in that hellhole was beyond me.

And Wilson.. oh, man, Wilson. So-freaking-hilarious! Hands down my favorite part of this book.

Disliked:

While it was understandable (considering her past).. Domino’s tendency to keep her head down, avoiding confrontation and playing the quiet, wilting flower was kind of off putting. I wanted more spunk, more life, more fire.

It also confused me as to how Madam Karina was able to get away with so much. These are all children from broken homes, the streets, and worse.. I feel like they would be far less trusting and much more cautious with such a manipulative, two-faced, slightly unhinged woman treating them as though they’re her property.

I distrust Madam Karina every ounce as much as I yearn for her approval. It’s twisted, and I think she knows it. The thing is, Madam Karina is as messed up as we are. She both loves and detests us at once.

There were many parts of the storyline that left the reader hanging. Domino’s past felt poorly explained and unfinished. It was frustrating that so much of what happened to the characters was glossed over and rushed. I was left with A LOT of questions, no closure, and a general sense of exasperation.

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Overall.. this was a quick, sometimes dark, but amusing read.
I would recommend it and am definitely curious to see what else this author has to offer.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my review!
If you have any questions about this book (or anything else, really) please feel free to ask!

Are you familiar with this author? Have you read ‘Violet Grenade’ before?
I would love to know what you thought about it!

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