Book Review: Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore 4.5/5

From the author of national bestseller ‘Oona Out of Order’ comes an incredible story of family, magic, and forgiveness.

First: I would like the thank Goodreads Giveaways and Flatiron Books for the chance to read ‘Acts of Violet’ in exchange for an honest review.. this in no way affects my thoughts or opinions.

As a first time reader of Margarita Montimore’s work, I am seriously impressed..
This book has made a such fan out of me and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Between these pages is one of the most complex and elaborately woven puzzles I’ve had the pleasure of getting lost in in quite a while.
I highly encourage anyone who finds meaning in life’s mysteries..
Anyone who’s ever believed that there’s more to this world than just what we see.
Read this book.

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Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore

Publication date: July 5, 2022
Pages: 325
Genre: Sibling fiction, Contemporary fiction, Magical Realism
Standalone

In 2008, one of the greatest magician’s of her time makes an explosive return to the stage, only to vanish.
Despite a massive search by local police and the FBI not a trace of her could be found.

Most theorize that she was taken, never to be seen again.
Others suggest she concocted the entire thing herself, running from the trouble snapping at her heels, and will one day make a dramatic return to the stage.

Left behind is her sister, Sasha, who insists that she has no knowledge of what happened to Violet.
She does, however, believe her sibling left voluntarily.

Nearly ten years later, the anniversary of Violet’s disappearance has thousands of fans, true believers, converging on the town where their favorite magician was last seen.

Many look to Sasha for information, any information, on the woman who’s magic and charisma changed their lives.
But she wants nothing to do with it. No interviews. No statements to the press or fans. Sasha, to all appearances, doesn’t seem concerned at all with finding Violet.

Led through a twisty maze of letters, podcast episodes, emails, and Sasha’s struggle living with the constant reminder of a sister she couldn’t understand. We’re taken on a captivating journey through the real and the fantastical as this brilliantly designed puzzle leaves you wondering whether anything is quite what it appears.. or if the author’s had you fooled all along.

Four and a Half Stars!

Characters: Intriguing. Unexpected. Sympathetic.
Pace: Short chapters keep the pace moving, for the most part, rather quickly.
Storyline: Compelling. Intricate. Impressive.
Writing: Intelligent. Skillful. Absorbing.
Cover: 5/5

The book opens during a podcast interview with some of the people who knew or were part of Violet’s life. Her ex-husband, a fan, a hater.. The general consensus seems to be that Violet was the kind of person you love deeply or hate passionately. Everything was an extreme with her.
Talented, a hack. A diva, a liar. A visionary.. but misunderstood.
One thing for sure is that Violet Volk was unforgettable and the greatest female magician of her time.
Her gift for illusions and tricks defied reason and stretched the bounds of believability.

After leaving her magician’s hat behind and taking up motivational speaking for a time, Violet Volk excites fans with a surprise return to the stage, only to vanish without a trace.. And sitting in the audience is Sasha, her sister, who is among those who believe Violet’s disappearance it likely of her own design.

Ten years later and questions still surround that night.
Did Violet plan the entire thing? Or was there a darker element behind her disappearance?

Violet is one of those people who had a hard time making friends, something Sasha seemed to do effortlessly. She spend her life knowing she was never as pretty as Sasha, never as friendly, and she didn’t excel academically like her younger sister. So she used her talent for magic to get noticed, to stand out, and she did it with such skill that even adults were amazed.

She was a sympathetic character to me, even when she wasn’t. I felt sorry for the girl she was.. and the woman she chose not to be.
Whereas Sasha was a great character but not as interesting to me, although, I could understand the internal struggle with her feelings towards Violet.
There are so many intriguing characters in this book.. but I think I liked Sally Fosberg, Sasha’s favorite client and a divorced, self professed “polyamorous pan-sexual” the most. She had such a fun and entertaining personality.

And as much as I enjoyed the strange back and forth between formats and time frames.. I would have liked more of Sasha and Violet, more of their story, and maybe a little less of the revolving door of opinions, theories, and criticisms from the peanut gallery.

I really don’t want to say too much and possibly spoil something for you. There’s a lot that went into this book and a lot of information to absorb, and while I doubt a couple of slip-ups will ruin this remarkable reading experience, I feel feel like so much of this book should be left to discover as you go.

It’s funny how much I ended up enjoying myself because in the beginning I wasn’t sure what to do with How the story was being told, however, I can say with complete honesty that by the time I adjusted and reached the end.. I was a goner.

Were there a few things I found issue with? Oh, absolutely. But none that lessened my interest in the book or my respect for this author who very obviously put an insane amount of time into this book,

*slow clap* Bravo, Mrs. Montimore, Bravo.
I haven’t read anything else by this author but I can guarantee I’ll be changing that in the future.
This book is a beautiful, complicated, absolutely spellbinding work of art.. with an ending that will touch even the coldest heart.
Do I detect teary eyes? I do.

Being a sister myself, this story speaks to the little girl who both loved, and wanted to strangle, the sibling I’ve spent a lifetime trying to understand. To the hurt and longing. The frustration and laughter. Hostility and loyalty.
This is a book filled with life, loss, love, and ultimately.. forgiveness.

I find myself once again in awe of an author’s ability, and grateful, because of what it must have taken for her to share it with us.
How lucky are we that these amazing people, you, give us such a gift.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my review, I hope you enjoyed it!

What do you think?
Would you read this book?