Vivid

The Color Theory, Book 1

By: Ashley Bustamante

Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

DANGER LURKS BEHIND EVERY COLOR.

Ava Locke dives into the mysteries of forbidden Yellow magic and discovers a dark path filled with secrets and injustice.

When Ava Locke was five years old, she began a journey to join the Benefactors—the leaders of the magical continent of Magus. Twelve years later, she unwittingly started down the road to betray them.

On Magus, where colors fuel magical abilities, yellow is banned in an effort to protect people from its mind-controlling capabilities. When a rogue Yellow magic-user named Elm escapes imprisonment Ava becomes innocently fascinated with his story. Once this mysterious Elm shows up at her school, Ava pushes her interest to the next level by helping him evade the Benefactors. Ava grows increasingly conflicted as her intrigue leads her down a dark road of secrets about her world. As she learns more about Yellow magic’s potential to control its victims, Ava now must question whether her rash decisions are all her own or if someone else is pulling the strings.

©2022 Ashley Bustamante (P)2022 Oasis Audio

Critic reviews

“I was swept away in the magical world of Vivid. This rich fantasy is bursting with romance, mystery, and characters both dark and delightful. Strikingly original, Vivid is a story that you'll remember long after you close the book.”—Jessica Arnold, author of The Looking Glass and The Lingering Grace

“Ashley Bustamante’s Vivid is as rich and colorful as its title suggests. The land of Magus blooms to life from page one, drawing you into an addictive world of irresistible—and forbidden—magic. I simply couldn’t put it down. Readers will swoon over this fantastical debut.”—Sara Ella, award-winning author of the Unblemished trilogy and Coral

“Vivid is exactly the magical read I was looking for! It's an exquisite story with unforgettable characters, and I cannot wait for more in this series!”—S.D. Grimm, author of Children of the Blood Moon series and A Dragon By Any Other Name

Excellent!!

Loved this book. Actually took me a few to get into it but man was it worth it! Great storytelling, great narrator, great twists and surprises! Heading straight for book 2!!

The Narration is as Colorful as the Story

Vivid carries elements of intrigue, mystery, and whimsy. The world building is fantastic, in both the sense of the genre and in the author's execution. This results in a desire to listen to the whole book in one sitting. One of the more unique takes on an earth-like fantasy world that I've heard in some time, and a well-designed magic system.

As for the performance, Stacey Glemboski does an excellent job of attaching real emotion to the characters she narrates. The sound reflects what's written in the book. As audiobooks go, this is a great one to listen to.

While the book is written primarily for a young adult audience, I would consider it appropriate for children (probably age 10+) and older adult audiences, too.

stunning story

I loved this so much! Best book I've read in ages!!!!! Elm is the sweetest🥰

A Vivid tale!

Every color has a new meaning.

From color based powers, to conspiracy, to a criminal who has untold power and a winning smile this book is very comparable to keeper of the Lost Cities and I would recommend for any fans. The book starts in highschool of magic with a character who as nervous as she is powerful. As we follow Ava we meet many other fun interesting and conflicted characters in addition to the mysterious criminal Elm who seems to be more then he seems. It also covers a world split by magic and which color you wield as well as dark secrets and intrigue.
A must read for all fans of Keepers of the Lost Cities.

Great read!

What a beautiful, fun, and intriguing story. If you liked Fawkes, and anything involving color as power, read this book. Well written. Great book!

Unique World

Vivid includes a colorful cast in this character-driven narrative with a unique magic system centered on primary colors. There’s a mysterious air in regard to figuring out who can and cannot be trusted that fans of “who done it” stories/political corruption tales will enjoy. There is a secondary romance thread with a shadow of a love triangle but the romance is not the story focus. Looking forward to book 2 which I suspect will be more plot/action oriented!

Absolutely charming.

I would HIGHLY recommend this book for fans of The Giver (world building), Harry Potter (the magic system), and Howl's Moving Castle (the charming scoundrel)

Best new read of 2022

This is the best YA novel I’ve read in a long time. Definitely a new favourite! The world felt fresh and vivid (pun intended), the magic system was creative and the dystopian-esque situation felt very very fitting and applicable our current times, without feeling the least bit heavy handed or preachy. And the characters! I really identified with this main character and liked her waaay more than I usually do with female YA leads. And Elm. Eeeeeeeelm!!!! I just love him. Best male YA love interest that I’ve come across since Howl from Howl’s Moving a Castle (film version, not the book).

The pacing was just right and it had the right balance of highs and lows without getting too deeply dark and depressing. Just the type of YA fantasy I like!

Can’t wait for book 2!!!

A MUST READ!!

I just loved this book! The story was interesting, and the narrator made the story seem almost real! ❤️❤️

I ADORE THIS STORY

This book was so good and Elm is the absolute sweetest🥰. I adored this story and I loved the magic and the relationship between Ava and Elm it was so sweet.