Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson

Is she crazy, or just a killer? From the moment Alison wakes up in a sterile hospital room she struggles to figure out the truth. The line between reality and Alison s memories seem to become more blurred the more she learns about the events that led her to be suspected of killing a classmate. Alison knows that it all somehow connects to her strange abilities, like tasting words and seeing sounds. Along with all this stress, she has to deal with living amongst other unstable teens in a mental health center. Things only get more complicated when a scientist involves Alison in research and helps her unlock some of the secrets of her abilities.

From the first word, Alison s story entices you with its mysterious twists and turns. I loved how this book seemed to combine science fiction and some coming-of-age drama with just a bit of romance. The author had a wonderful way of making you feel as though you were there with Alison in the mental health center, wondering what the truth is. You re right there with Alison as she tries to decipher her memories. This book could have easily been corny and portrayed Alison s abilities like a cheap sci-fi movie, but the words portray Alison s emotion perfectly. You can believe what Alison feels and experiences. Ultraviolet is very suspenseful, I stayed up way too late reading, wanting to know what the next twist would be. The author masterfully creates a great science fiction novel that reads like a murder mystery. The ending ties up all the loose ends, but is still very shocking. My only complaint is that the way the book ends is a bit disconnected from the beginning. However, the conclusion is still satisfying. I think readers of almost any genre will enjoy this book, because it has a little bit of everything. So pick this book up, unless you plan on needing a lot of sleep.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Crescent City, CA USA