Judgement (Red Violet)
Jeffrey Zuczek
Independently Published (2024)
ISBN: 979-8224709274
Reviewed by Sandra Cruz for Reader Views (06/2024)
Violet fancies herself a lone wolf and has the tattoo to prove it. As an eighteen-year-old free spirit, she thinks she has it all figured out until she wakes up one day in an abandoned trailer park with no memories of her life before. Something is off about the place and as she meets other people, she learns that they often hear voices from beyond. Referred to as Whispers, these voices differ depending on that person’s life and background. Others simply vanish without a trace. Two of the people she meets, Jason, a potential love interest, and Isaac, a biblical cult leader-type who is out to gain followers, keep her on her toes from day one.
When food and water start to become scarce, the community is faced with a hard decision. They have two options: stay and possibly starve to death, or venture into the forest and face deadly creatures and mystical forces. They make the difficult choice to leave and Violet, as their new leader, leads them into the unknown, hoping they will find answers and eventually find a safe place to finally call home.
The setting in “Judgement,” book 1 of the Red Violet series by Jeffrey Zuczek, is cryptic and unlike anything the characters have ever experienced, leading some to believe that they may be in Limbo or Purgatory. They don’t have shadows and there is no wind. Even though there is a stream, it’s dead, with no algae, frogs, or fish to eat. Those who don’t disappear experience Temptations from their former life. The only source of hope is the eighteen-foot wall surrounding the trailer park. It has symbols similar to hieroglyphics and they, along with the posted signs they see along their journey, become a guide in an otherwise despairing situation.
I was drawn to this novel because of the premise of being stranded in an unknown location facing creatures and mysterious situations. The first sentence draws the reader in immediately:
I couldn’t move.
I felt Violet’s frustrations about being in a strange place without any memories of who she is and by the second chapter, when everyone is in full survivalist mode and Isaac is introduced, I was hooked. He quickly becomes the antagonist we all love to hate because he is constantly provoking and questioning Violet instead of helping.
This gripping dystopian thriller explores the themes of survival, isolation, courage, and redemption. It combines mystery and romance and is highly dialogue-driven. The narration is from the first person point of view through Violet’s eyes and is, at its core, an insight into her transformation from angry loner to leader. I like the concept of having a suggested mixtape of songs so you can set the mood before each chapter: The Doors’ Riders on the Storm for Chapter 9 – The Storm. It creates an interactive experience while the descriptive language completes the immersive feeling:
The sun’s rays were long this morning. They practically illuminated the entire landscape in an orange-yellowish hue.
Overall, Jeffrey Zuczek’s “Judgement (Red Violet)” plunges readers into an unknown world where the characters’ ethics are constantly tested. The compelling narrative along with the author’s vivid descriptions and stark imagery paints a picture of a society that is filled with tension and unpredictability. This is a well-paced page-turner that will have readers questioning their own realities. It is recommended for fans of suspense thrillers and dystopian storytelling similar to the early seasons of TV’s Lost, and who appreciate thought-provoking narratives. Since it’s Book One of the Red Violet series, expect more to come that will hopefully provide further answers to some unanswered questions, including Naomi’s true nature.
They were large. Massive. Furry. Ghoulish. Their arms must have extended out at least thirty or forty yards as they chased us down. Their sole intent was to scoop us up and eat us.
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