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alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting read. I think I learned a lot about South Korean history while reading. I haven't read a YA mystery up to this point and I did enjoy it. I also rarely enjoy historical fictions and I really loved this book. I look forward to whatever this author puts out next.
mainereading's review against another edition
4.0
"I have a mouth but mustn't speak; Ears but I mustn't hear; Eyes but I mustn't see."
I listened to the audiobook whilst reading and it really added to the experience! I had a lot of fun reading this, which really says something, considering I usually don't read a ton of historical fiction books. I loved the mystery, and the characters were really great too. I do think one of the biggest plot twists in the book was a little predictable, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It's definitely worth reading!
I listened to the audiobook whilst reading and it really added to the experience! I had a lot of fun reading this, which really says something, considering I usually don't read a ton of historical fiction books. I loved the mystery, and the characters were really great too. I do think one of the biggest plot twists in the book was a little predictable, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It's definitely worth reading!
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings: murder, death, blood, gore, sexism, religious persecution, torture, and some body horror.
Wow...just another book I should not have left sitting on my shelf, unread, for so long.
As a big fan of historical kdramas [though I don't watch them often since they will emotionally eviscerate you and leave you an empty shell...flashbacks to watching my first historical kdrama, Ja Myung Go, years ago 😭] I was excited to dive into this story as I heard that June Hur wrote really amazing historical Korean stories...and this one did not disappoint.
We get to follow a young woman who's a police indentured servant for the remainder of her life...someone who is deeply curious in a time when women, especially servants, aren't supposed to be quite so curious.
If you've read The Apothecary Diaries manga...it's giving a little Maomao but darker...
Honestly just a really great freaking read and I look forward to reading more of June Hur's historical Korean stories!
Wow...just another book I should not have left sitting on my shelf, unread, for so long.
As a big fan of historical kdramas [though I don't watch them often since they will emotionally eviscerate you and leave you an empty shell...flashbacks to watching my first historical kdrama, Ja Myung Go, years ago 😭] I was excited to dive into this story as I heard that June Hur wrote really amazing historical Korean stories...and this one did not disappoint.
We get to follow a young woman who's a police indentured servant for the remainder of her life...someone who is deeply curious in a time when women, especially servants, aren't supposed to be quite so curious.
If you've read The Apothecary Diaries manga...it's giving a little Maomao but darker...
Honestly just a really great freaking read and I look forward to reading more of June Hur's historical Korean stories!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, Blood, Body horror, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Torture
Minor: Suicide
ellelenton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ashkee's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosazns's review against another edition
3.5
got bored sa first 50% ng book then sa last 50% lang naging interesting
amethystarchild's review against another edition
5.0
The Silence of Bones by June Hur is a mystery story set in 1800’s era Korea. Finally a Sageuk YA book! Our heroine is Seol a “damo”, a female servant indentured to the police bureau of the capital. Her job is to do the chores around the bureau, interview female suspects, and be the eyes, ears, and hands of the investigation. Seol has great respect for her superior, Inspector Han, and when she saves his life by shooting a tiger she forms a bond of friendship with him that is soon tested. A young woman is found murdered and the inspector’s alibi that night is questionable. The government faction in power has outlawed Christianity and multiple Catholics have been murdered, it turns out the murdered young woman was secretly one of them! Inspector Han has a personal hatred for Catholics, is he perhaps the killer? Always-curious-Seol begins to investigate but her search for the truth uncovers even more than she bargained for.
I always find exploring 1800’s era Korea interesting and interacting with some actual history like the persecution of the Catholics and actual figures from that movement was intriguing. I was pleased with the grittiness of the novel, and it never veered off into being too gratuitous, at least for my sensibilities. The investigation practices of the time were not humane and the novel didn’t shy away from the darker side of the time period. Seol was an excellent protagonist, it was a good call on the author’s part to make her very curious and clever so the reader could learn about her world in a natural way. I had a similar journey as Seol in regards to Inspector Han, I admired him, then I was mad at him, and then I was a little fearful of him. In the end, I found him a very mysterious and complicated character that I was glad I’d met. All the other supporting characters were interesting, housemaid Woorim was so sweet, and Lady Kang was cool. I read the book all in one day. I couldn’t put it down, haha. I hope June Hur will release more of her historical YA soon.
I always find exploring 1800’s era Korea interesting and interacting with some actual history like the persecution of the Catholics and actual figures from that movement was intriguing. I was pleased with the grittiness of the novel, and it never veered off into being too gratuitous, at least for my sensibilities. The investigation practices of the time were not humane and the novel didn’t shy away from the darker side of the time period. Seol was an excellent protagonist, it was a good call on the author’s part to make her very curious and clever so the reader could learn about her world in a natural way. I had a similar journey as Seol in regards to Inspector Han, I admired him, then I was mad at him, and then I was a little fearful of him. In the end, I found him a very mysterious and complicated character that I was glad I’d met. All the other supporting characters were interesting, housemaid Woorim was so sweet, and Lady Kang was cool. I read the book all in one day. I couldn’t put it down, haha. I hope June Hur will release more of her historical YA soon.
agabe's review against another edition
2.5
Didn’t like it as much as the red palace, but it was fine. Had a harder time getting into it
staticmemories's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
girlbeneathsea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0