The Lust Garden

Amazing

Just finished the book last night. I read it in 4 hours. I could not put it down. You fall in love with Gianna just like everyone else does. Even the killer I had sympathy for. I was drawn into this world and did not want to leave it. Every page was like a new emotion. I was happy, sad, mad, scared, turned on and shocked. Can't wait to read it again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow!!

Vivid dialogue. Twisted storyline. I couldn't put it down...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

"The Lust Garden is Billy Jolie's debut novel, but you woul

"The Lust Garden is Billy Jolie's debut novel, but you would never believe it with his writing. I found it to be a well written story with fascinating/believable characters, twists, turns, sex drugs and the glitz of the famous.

This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.

Fantastically engrossing!

The Lust Garden is the debut novel from author Billy Jolie, and it does not read at all like a first work. It was fiercely engaging, with a fantastic story and fabulous characters. Although set amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and New York, it is definately not a lighthearted, fluffy, "celeb" tale. It is dark, gritty, and graphic, at it's heart a story of dysfunction of all kinds. Drugs, sex, family issues,... you name it. So many times, the grittiness and graphicness of a story can be overdone, overpowering the characters and the thrust of the plot. This was very much not the case. It was never gratuitous, always perfectly in keeping with the story line and the characters. It has a wondrfully constructed plot, the rawness of some of the scenes really adding to the suspense that was built throughout the story, There were a ton of unexpected twists and turns that kept me completely on the edge and guessing. This book has all of the necessary elements for a really great thriller.

In my opinion, the characters really drove the story, Jolie's ability to construct perfectly three-dimensional characters is amazing. They were all completely over the top, living a lifestyle that most of us can barely imagine living for ourselves. But the author was able to make them come to life, giving them a depth and personality that made them completely believable. They each had their own secrets, their own issues, their own stories, Those individual stories wound in and around each other throughout the story and added to the suspense and anticipation of the book.

I generally don't comment much on cover art, as I am a big believer in judging a work by the story and not the cover. But sometimes you come across a cover that is just stunning or that just strikes you. The cover of The Lust Garden did both. I love the fact that it is simple and beautiful in every way,... with just that smear of blood across her face. I just find that to be visually exciting. I love that it fits the story perfectly.

I admit I was excited to read this, especially when I realized that the author spent much of his youth near my hometown. There is a bit of northern NY in the book, an integral part that drew much of the mystery together. I highly recommend you purchase this book and read it! A FAB-U-LOUS read!

Captivating from cover to cover!

Looking at the cover, you want to know, "Who is Gianna Savlani?" It is a attention drawing photo, where you can't help but pick up the book. The storyline takes you through rollercoaster emotions, including the compassion that you feel for the serial killer. Each character has a story and as a reader you want to know them, you may even want to be them. The author takes you on twists and turns thoughout the book and it is a book that is extremely hard to put down. It is a MUST read!

Amazing

I really loved this book!! I got sucked into the world of the characters, it was hard for me to put this down.

Amazing Young Novel!

Billy Jolie has proven that you don't have to be Stephanie Meyer to write a novel exciting enough for a younger generation. "The Lust Garden" isn't only a good read for celebrity wannabe club-goers, but also for those who'd rather watch the drama from a distance. Mr. Jolie does an amazing job of pulling the reader in. It's been a week since I've finished the book and I can still hear club music whenever I think about several of the books' scenes.

At first, I hated the main character, Gianna. She appeared to be the typical, spoiled, conceited Hollywood diva. I quickly realized that she's not as one-dimensional as I originally thought. Like everyone else, I fell in love with her.

"The Lust Garden" covers topics from club life, back stabbing, drugs, and sex to love, loss, personal demons and personal growth. The unexpected ending is the frosting on the cake. It seems as if the author was wise enough to leave room for a sequel or two. A whole series of Lust Garden books would be great!

Amazing Novel, a "MUST READ" for 2010!!!

This is actually an edited version of a personal e-mail I sent to the Author himself right after finishing "The Lust Garden";

"I am so thankful for your book, really a fantastic read. I am definitely not an avid reader. By the time I got your book I was in the middle of another one but put it down once reading the synopsis! I literately just finished it a minute ago and felt the desire to write you. I am still crying, just tears for so many feelings, for the characters as well. Each one of them for different reasons and most of all tears of joy for you! I can not even imagine how much response you have gotten and are still recieving. I want you to know, for what it's worth, I think you are an amazing author!! Really. So descriptive and the imagery you displayed, I truly loved. I could visualize almost everything you wrote and described with such ease! Which I know for myself makes reading that much more fun and interesting! I typically would not choose to read a thriller genre, I am too much of a scaredy cat! Lol. Even though we don't know each other that well, I just am so very happy for you! This must be something so massive for you in your life, I'm thankful to be a small fly on the wall to the begining of your literary career! If you so choose, I mean if this is your debut novel... My goodness, what could be in store next. I don't know much about this, but I felt like you really have your own unique way of writting. Well, once again, just finished your captivating debut novel and enjoyed it thoroughly! I truly wish you the best of luck and success in all your adventures to come!!"

And that is my sincere reaction to this great novel! Get it, read it and you won't regret it!!

Captivating! Most exciting book I've READ in a long time!

This is an exciting, truly captivating book. The characters each have their own unique role and you learn to either love or hate them all. The characters leap off the pages and you have sympathy for even the killer. The plot thickens and keeps you interested until the very LAST PAGE! A definite page turner!!! A MUST READ!

Absolutely Plays with your Psyche

It goes without saying, that the title and cover of this book are a bit tantilizing and teased my curiousity. I was definitely intrigued by the blood smeared across the face of a dream. To read "the Lust Garden" is an even greater delight...in more ways than one. The characters are all deeply cut to the core and their lives, as well as the people around them absorb the intensity of their wounds. I was captivated by the beauty and lifestyle of the main character - young starlet, Gianna. She's everything anyone, would want to be or be around but she craved so much more. The people that make it close to her either hate her or they love her. Every chapter uncovers how lonely she is and how not-so-beautiful the glitz of hollywood. -- Her boyfriend is not bright but sexy & quite full of himself; her personal assistant/bestie is not living his life but living hers; other men have trouble meeting her level; her mother is ridiculous & an alcoholic; Gianna has insecure starlets & a journalist searching for ways to destroy her "surface perfect life" and a serial killer who craves her like no one could ever imagine. This girl's life is a whirlwind and I could not stop watching the scenes in my head. Nor could I stop cringing from the insanity that plagued the serial killer. The way that the author, Billy Jolie, describes each character and their situations, places you in a kaleidoscope; unable to stop watching or wondering what would happen next or how the status would unfold. I became so familiar with the entire cast. I felt so much sadness for almost every character (including the psycho killer) and desired a greater outcome for them all. However, in the end, the tragedy hits -- I received the what, why and the how; knowing that it was a possiblity all the while. Yet, I couldn't help thinking about what if it went a different way and that maybe it just will...but then this isn't your happy ending type of story. Put on your big girl panties and be ready to be left in pure shock and looking for answers because this "the Lust Garden" is going to play with your psyche. You may even need some oxygen on standby. I definitely see another book coming and I can't wait. If I were you, I'd be clicking the "buy" button now and adding Mr. Jolie to your list of authors.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.