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The Violence

A Novel

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The Violence

Written by: Delilah S. Dawson
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
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About this listen

 How far would you go to be free? Three generations of women forge a new path through an America torn by a mysterious wave of violence in this “chilling [and] dizzyingly effective” (The New York Times Book Review) novel of revenge, liberation, and triumph.

“A compulsively readable fusion of domestic thriller and modern horror.”—Kameron Hurley, author of The Light Brigade

“A novel that defines this era.”—Stephen Graham Jones, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians

FINALIST FOR THE ITW THRILLER AWARD • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times

They call it The Violence: a strange epidemic that causes the infected to experience sudden bursts of animalistic rage, with no provocation and no memory of their crimes. While it tears the nation apart, one woman sees something unlikely in the chaos—an opportunity.

Chelsea Martin has been a prisoner in her own home for too long. Her controlling husband has manipulated her for years, cutting her off from all support. Her narcissistic mother is no help, and her teen daughter is realizing she might be falling into the same trap when her once adoring boyfriend shows a dark side.

But when the Violence erupts, Chelsea creates a plan to liberate herself and her daughters once and for all.

What follows is a shocking and thrilling journey as three generations of women navigate a world in which they are finally empowered to fight back. Somewhere along the journey from her magazine-ready Tampa home to the professional wrestling ring, Chelsea becomes her own liberator, an avatar of revenge and hope, and a new heroine for a new world. Dystopian Psychological Science Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Thriller
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Loved how this book started out. The story was exciting and I liked the new twist on the pandemic. The domestic abuse was tough to read but seemed to have a lot of truth in it. They lost me when the fighting ring came into play. Just felt a bit cheesy and clumsy. I also wasn’t a huge fan of this narrator and her speaking style.

Started great but got a bit cheesy

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I wasn't a huge fan of the performance at first, but then I was hours into it and recognizing different characters based on the way the narrator was speaking and fully entranced.

The story itself was wonderful. Really difficult to read a lot of the time (I recommend checking out the content warnings especially if domestic abuse is a trigger) but so worth it. I always admire a writer who is able to put a character I despise on the page and then give them so much personal growth that I find myself hoping everything works out in their favor. The way generational trauma was portrayed, with each generation raising the next a bit better than their own parents while still being an abusive situation for a child to grow up in really hit home. But despite all that this story still ends up being hopeful and I am so glad I picked it up.

Fantastic

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A real page turner for the first book. Then it started to go downhill into absurdity. A very poorly executed ending. I honestly thought this book was going to be a sweet sweet tale of revenge. It was revenge, but it stank.

Part one was great

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I loved this book SO much!!! the story was fantastic. it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Very realistic events, and reactions from the characters. I really felt like they were real people. I honestly can't say enough. I have recommended this book to everyone I know!

one of the best books I've ever read!

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Not your typical dystopian story. Well worth the listen and one I'll definitely listen to again.

Loved It!

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