Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Paris in an artistic genius. His paintings sell for millions of dollars and everyone wants a piece of him, although not often with the best of intentions. Even though he is an adult, his sister, Julia, is his legal guardian, manager, and pimp. His life is not his own and he is trapped within a drugged prison of Julia’s making as he paints to fill her bank account. She blames Paris for everything, including being born. But Paris cannot put a name to their secrets as Julia has manipulated him so that he has no voice and no one will believe him. Paris sees the world in colors and when the madness threatens to swallow him, he paints the secrets that no one can see. Until Roy.
A chance meeting puts Roy in Paris’ sights. Roy who wears suits that are too small and has no money in his wallet because he has a past based on circumstances. Paris thinks Roy will just be another one nighter like all the rest. But Roy can see Paris, thinks Paris is beautiful, and wants to help him, care for him, love him. Roy can see through the many colors to the truth in what Paris paints. The truth of a horrific family secret and a boy with soft lips that gave Paris his first kiss. The boy whose name Paris cannot remember.
Complementary Colors is a book that many times I have said I am going to read it next. I read a lot of darker books, it seemed like a good fit, and still it stayed on my TBR list. This was the perfect opportunity to get to it.
This is not an easy book. There is an encompassing love story, but there are a lot of darker themes that are intertwined all of the way through that are just as prominent. Paris is an incredibly well drawn character. Each page and each scene uncovers one more layer and takes us one step further into his broken mind. There are glimpses sprinkled throughout the story that will then finally illuminate the nightmare that is Paris’ life.
Paris talks like an artist and, more importantly to his character, sees as an artist. His studio and his paint are the only places he can escape to. Threats and fear keep the past locked inside of him and to keep the demons that invade his memory quiet, he describes the world in a rush of colors and hides his secrets within the brush strokes of his canvas.
There are many characters that are not likable and are not supposed to be likable. Julia controls everything about Paris and he complies because it’s easier than Julia’s threats, which are really twisted promises. Mental illness becomes the central force of the book and it is presented as Julia suffering from one form of mental illness (which is never given a diagnosis in the book) and Paris, who because of severe psychological trauma at a young age was left with a fragmented mind that was constantly trying to cope and adjust.
Paris is a special character that is created loving by Wilder with words and colors. There are some scenes that are a swirl of color and others that are intense and intricate like the precise ticking of a clock. Besides his painting, Paris’ only other escape is sex and he lives for that brief moment where he can soar and feel nothing. Roy was just supposed to fill that role of another warm body, but Roy won’t give up on Paris.
Tears bled out of my eyes. “My confession.” Cold. I was so cold. “Because I couldn’t tell anyone.”
“But you did tell.”
“Later. When it didn’t matter anymore.”
“And you still tell. In every painting you create, you tell the world what happened.”
“No one hears me.”
“I hear you.”
“No one cares.”
“I do.”
“No one believes.”
“I believe you. Every word.”
It’s possible to get lost in Paris’ world of colors and Wilder’s descriptive prose of a broken mind, but I had to pull back from a review perspective for a moment. As for Roy, he falls for Paris immediately and I would have liked to have been given more on his motivation to being so dedicated to Paris so quickly. There is also one area of Roy’s past that needed further explanation for it to fully fit together for me. Also, when Paris is finally being treated by a new doctor, the doctor pushes real hard real fast, which leaves Paris open to injury. After everything Paris has been through and this supposedly finally being the best place for him, I had questions about the treatment that was presented.
Complementary Colors is a book that is most definitely worth a read. But be prepared for darker themes coming from characters with fragmented minds. Wilder takes us with Paris down his own self described rabbit hole to find a man like Roy who is not willing to walk away.
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for TBR Pile Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win this week’s fabulous prize of a loaded iPad Mini sponsored by Dreamspinner Press, as well as our amazing grand prize sponsored by Riptide Publishing. You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on TBR Pile week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
Great review, Michelle! It sounds intense. Books dealing with mental conditions are always difficult for me: I suffer a lot with the characters and sometimes their anguish is just too much for me. That’s why I have to be in a really appropriate mood to read one of them (like watching war movies… Only if I am in a certain mood). That’s why although Complementary Colours sounds great, it’s not going to move up in my TBR list. I guess I’m not in the mood for it.
Thank you for an excellent review
It is an intense and well written book and it is certainly possible to suffer along with Paris. You would definitely want to be in that frame of mind going in. It seems I can often get into that frame of mind. Thanks for your comment.
Great review! I read Complementary Colors a year ago and enjoyed it. If memory serves correctly, you hit on a lot of the same things I felt/thought after finishing it.
Thanks Jen!
I just discovered Adrienne Wilder this year. I know I’m slow! So far her books tend to be thought provoking and very good. I’ll have to add this one to my list. Thanks for the great review.
This book is only a little over a year old so you’re not that behind on this one! If you know you already like Wilder’s work certainly give it a chance.
I’m always intrigued by books about artists, though I wonder how it addresses that whole “artist’s predisposition toward madness” conundrum. It’s definitely a risky trope, but it sounds like it’s handled with consideration.
The book uses painting as a coping mechanism and also clearly addresses the cause of the trauma. I will say there are areas that could be open to personal interpretation.
It sounds like a great read. I hope Paris wins permanent freedom from his sister’s prison.
Well I just can’t give away the ending (I’m sure you don’t want me to) and it all takes you up to almost the very last page.
Sometimes I just like something darker & more angsty that will tug at my heartstrings. IMO CC is the best Wilder book I’ve read. Thanks for your take on it!
Thanks, Lisa. I’m usually all about the dark and the angst.
This one sounds like something I’d have to psych myself up to read. Another great review, Michelle. Thanks for bringing this one to my attention.
Thank you as well.
I put this on my wish list back when it was new, but it got lost in crowd and I haven’t thought about it since then.
Definitely not a comfort read but maybe when I’m really in the mood for angst I’ll give it a try.
I seem to always choose the books with lots of angst.
Yes, you are my dark one!
Wow, this sounds very intense. I’ve always been a bit afraid of darker books, so I’ll probably have to keep this on the back burner. Thanks for the review.
Well, you can join me if you ever decide to come over to the dark side. For me this was mid level angst and darkness but I read a lot of it.
I hadn’t heard of this one before, so it was great to read your review. I love books about artists (whatever type of art it is), so that definitely makes it a draw for me. I have nothing against darker themes in books, but I know a lot of people just want fun or low angst. I just happen to be up for a good cry or heartache before people reach some type of happiness.
The art is a central theme throughout the book and goes a long way to how Paris sees the world.
The combination of a Paris setting and darker themes makes this book one I want to read. Thanks for the review.
Thanks, Rod. Just so you are clear the main character’s name is Paris. The book is set in the U.S.
I’ve heard of this and actually have it on my wishlist. I find I have to be in a darker mood to read darker themed stories so the next time I’m feeling it I’ll give this a read. Thank you for sharing your reading experience with us.
I have a high tolerance for darker themes but this book does set a mood. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for your review! I’ve read another book by this author but not this one. I’ll keep it in mind for when I’m in the mood for something darker.
I often have a rough time handling darker themes, and I’m, at the moment, trying to stay away from stories where physical and mental illness is a big part of it unless it’s from an author I know and have on my auto-buy list, and even then I weigh pros and cons whether it’s worth upsetting my own mental health for, so this is a definite no go for me.
I like the darker themes but try to give a clear view in the review of what to expect so you can make an informed choice. Thanks, Sara.
Wow. This book definitely sounds… intense. I normally am not looking for something quite this dark, I’d say, but it sounds good enough that I’ll definitely consider it.
For me, this book was just that, more intense, than dark, but as I’m sure you know it’s all about perspective. Thanks for commenting.
Great review Michelle. This book sure sounds intriguing!
Hey Veronica-thanks!
Wonderful review! I have to admit that this is one of my favorite authors…such a talented storyteller and the characters in each book are so unique and memorable. It’s always interesting to me, especially with my favorites, to see what stands out and resonates with others.
I agree with you on comparing notes on books. Thank you for your kind words especially after having read the book.
This sounds amazing! I find reading books with darker themes to be very cathartic, and considering my life right now, Complementary Colors might be a good choice.
I can completely understand your comment about relating more to the darker themes. Thanks for your comment.
What a lovely review. I picked this one up when it was on sale, but have not yet read it. Like you, this one has always gone on my “read it next,” list but I never do. The darker theme was a bit intimidating, but your review inspires me to give it a chance. Great review!!
Thank you so much. Enjoy it when you get to it.
I have this in my list to read but it keeps getting pushed down. I think subconsciously I’m waiting to be in the mood for a dark/intense read. Maybe I’ll give it a go on my trip. I’ll have more time without interruptions to get into an intense read. Thanks for the thoughtful review
Great review. I had been thinking about reading this one. I think the reason I haven’t yet is because it’s so dark.
Thanks for the review. I have been eyeing this one for awhile, and will have to bump it up on my list.
I am a huge angst lover so I’m glad to see a darker book getting reviewed. Books with artist MCs have a special place in my heart since I studied art history. I find artists fascinating so this will totally need to be read!
There is also a newer release, Trasmundo:Escape by Varian Krylov, that combines a lot of what you mentioned that you liked. It is a completely different style of writing and type of story than Complementary Colors.