Til’ death do us part…Always…Our vows played through my mind on auto-play while I contemplated the plausibility of the impossible. It was too much to take in, my devastating losses were many, and my new reality was getting harder and harder to accept. The thing is, grief and desperation are a lethal combination, and that combination forced me to do the unthinkable.I got away with it too.Until … it too.
Until I didn’t…
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“This day is bleak with death. The only color I register comes from the dozens of red roses surrounding his graveside—the crimson petals pop out against the grey world like David’s blood dripping down the wall—his blood that permanently stains my hands.”
Sweet Vindication is poignant and powerful. It put me in places I don’t think I’d ever been. Not just in the mind of the abused, but also in the realm of the confused. I found myself in the face of helplessness and at the same time, I wasn’t sure whether to read a few pages at a time and savor the beautiful writing and the enchanting story or forge ahead and quench my desire to finish what I could not begin to predict. Here are more words that sing.
“Overnight the world turned white. I’ve always loved the silence of snowfall, the hush of the land as nature hunkers down for winter. Mounds of snow dropped, covering my dreary world with a frosty blanket. Large fluffy flakes float to the ground.”
Ravenna Young has outdone herself and written an intoxicating, genre-defying piece that kept me guessing until the very last word. Young puts you squarely in the mind of Rayna, the abuse, the insanity, the sensuality, the whole nine. Ray-Ray is a victim in every sense of the word. Her husband, David has committed egregious, no, heinous acts. Or has he? And best friend, Jack finds himself in the middle of it all. All you can do is hope for a satisfying end, but as I read on, I kept asking myself, “What would that look like?” Sweet Vindication gets my highest recommendation, but to close out this review, I’ll let Young’s words speak for themselves.
“The last of the sun paints the sky purple, and I can already see the full moon rising over the trees. It’s a massive ball of light, bright like the sun against the blackening sky. I’ve taken a mental picture, I want to remember the last night with my husband as something beautiful. I want it to override and hopefully erase the trauma from before his death. I want to forget all of it and say goodbye to the man I loved with my whole heart and soul, the man who almost destroyed me.”
Audible book review.
Abuse, pain, tragic loss, guilt and new love are the best words to describe this heart wrenching storyline in this book.
How Sydnee held it together in her narration is beyond me, kudos.
This was my first Ravenna Young’s book. Wow! This story wasn’t what I was expecting at all. The story is original, emotional, captivating, and breathtaking, with a paranormal twist. I loved it! Sydnee Fullmer did an amazing job with the narration. I highly recommend it.
Holy cow, this book is good! So much pain and the struggle to survive and move on is heartbreaking. This is a must listen for anyone. I don’t even have the words to explain except to say get this book!
Beautiful and tragic and a very emotional audioboo
Words are never enough to describe the pain I experienced listening to this audio. It was heartfelt; heartwrenching tragedy that I wouldn’t wish to anyone. The author did an amazing job writing the story, relaying the pain and suffering and the emotional state of her character. I give my kudos to the narrator as well. She brought life to the character/s all through out her narration. I love this story. It was tragic as it was beautiful. Great listen!
It’s often a mystery, to the ones who have never suffered the lives of an abused individual, why anyone would stay in a situation that threatens violence at any moment. At the beginning of the story we learn that Rayna had two miscarriages. As her husband beats her into a third, it becomes clear that he caused the other two as well.
What doesn’t compute at first is that David’s pattern of unwarranted rage did not begin until many years into their relationship. According to Rayna, he had always been loving. Regardless, grief stricken over the loss of another child, she can take no more and takes drastic measures to finally rid herself of the man she loved but no longer recognized.
Ravenna Young writes Rayna’s pain, conflict and heartache beautifully. Her decisions are not black and white. They are wrought with guilt and desperation, and we experience every emotion and fear along with her.
Truths and mysteries unravel slowly like a ball of yarn; those revelations both offering an odd sense of relief and understanding—and also sorrow.
I was offered a copy of the audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend the book. The writing was good and the characters, interesting. The narrator gave an adequate performance, though I wouldn’t put her in my ‘must listen to’ list of narrators. As for Ravenna Young, I look forward to reading more of her work.
Effie Kammenou – Author of The Gift Saga Trilogy
Great Story & Audible Listen Heartfelt & Haunting!
Sweet Vindication
Sweet and Dark
By: Ravenna Young
Narrated by: Sydnee Fullmer
Ravenna Young is a master of words, she packed a lot of story into this novella and I loved every word. Her “Sweet Jasmine” drew me right into the story and I was captivated to the end. The storylines she created are interesting and original as well as imaginative and realistic. The characters she created are complex and well developed. I could easily relate to Rayna and everything she was going through. I rooted for her and every step she took. How she loved her husband and stuck with him despite all he did. Some may say she was weak and a coward but others may say she was strong and brave. In the end her strength and bravery came out. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the drama, heart wrenching emotions, the supernatural aspects, the twists, the truth behind it all and I just loved the ending (and Jack too). Thank you Raveena Young for this great story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, Sydnee Fullmer is a terrific narrator and voice performer. She brings these characters to life, gives them their own voices and personality as well has heart and emotion. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen