Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Speak

My first time rereading this since the first time when I was probably around Melinda’s (the protagonist) age. I remember really liking it then and it’s even more devastating now with time and experience. The claustrophobia of the mind and your own silence.

While I’d like to think society has grown a bit since Speak was first published, I’m glad it still exists and can maybe provide validation and healing to those who need it. Does anyone else remember the movie with a young Kristen Stewart? Maybe I’ll pay that a visit too.

Content Warnings

emilymbrown's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

i love YA contemporary fiction. give me a traumatized 14 y/o narrating their first year of highschool?? that was me 2 years ago. i’ll take it. i’ll read it. i’ll love it.

Content Warnings

addyson_raelynn's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book.
It was heartbreaking and beautiful.
The topics In this book are so difficult yet so important.
I loved this book so very much, but it was very heavy, and I recommend with caution!! Always check tws💕

Content Warnings

booksanna's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I read the visual novel, but still felt the need to write a review on this extraordinary book. As a teacher I felt the book was very realistic and true, it just felt like a life instead of a book. You see Melinda heal and grow herself throughout the book. I remember when she opened the window and started healing. The imagery and figurative language in this book paints a real and emotional picture of a teenager after traumatic event. I love the art teacher and loved his side of the story. This book teaches that sometimes actions speak more than words.

Content Warnings