Novel: Complementary Colors
Author: Adrienne Wilder
Genres: Drama, Romance
Released: 2014
Part of Book Series: Standalone
Summary: My sister Julia manipulated my life into a prison to keep me silent about our dirty family secret. Her greed made me a slave and circumstance left me with no way to escape.
Trapped, the only way I could silence the nightmares driving me to insanity was to wrap them in color, hold them with shadow, and stitch them to negative space with line.
But no matter how bright the pigments, no one could see my confession.
Except for Roy Callahan.
I thought he was just another nameless one-night stand in a long line of many.
But I was wrong. Roy could see past the façade of my life and through the veil color over the canvas. He could see what the world couldn’t.
And with him I’d find the courage to tell the truth about the boy.
The boy who kissed me.
The boy who loved me.
The boy whose name I couldn’t remember.
Post’s Author Opinion:
Note: This is a personal opinion, it does not reflect YaoiOtaku’s official position towards the novel.
For the longest time I avoided reading this because of all the reviews saying how this is a really sad and disturbing read and what a fool was I. I instantly loved it—hardly a surprise considering this is an Adrienne Wilder novel.
While I do agree the plot of Complementary Colors is quite dark, there’s always a streak of colour too, and Adrienne Wilder did an amazing job at showing that. I love the way she manages to pull me into each and every story, how she seemingly effortlessly paints a vivid picture of the plot and the characters. All that is valid here too, on this journey along with Paris.
And speaking of Paris, he is such a vibrant character. I liked how observant he is and I definitely liked seeing everything through his eyes. I felt bad for him too and at some point while reading, I started hoping and imagining all kinds of scenarios on how someone could break him free. Of course none of my hopes were accurate, not even close, but that is why I like Adrienne Wilder so much. Among some other things.
Then there is Roy. Roy is much more quiet, he seems to be thinking a lot, he’s calmer and calculated and he is exactly what Paris needs. He is also, underneath a good layer of toughness, adorable. I’ve had just as much fun as Paris observing his reactions to Paris’ teasing.
Like I already said, the plot is pretty dark, there is (warning!!) use of drugs, non-consensual sex, mental disabilities, and talk of suicide, so I wouldn’t be quick to recommend this novel, but if you are okay with reading all of that, you are in for a gripping story. It is actually more exciting than some of the supposedly thrilling mystery books I read.
What’s your opinion on Complementary Colors novel? Please let us know in the comments below.
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