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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Soooo I basically read this in two reading sessions! Gosh, this was fun -- it's a super quick, enjoyable read, filled with quippy humour & likeable characters & magic and intrigue. I had the occasional scoff-out-loud "are you kidding me?" reaction to some cheesy moments, but to be honest, dramatic cheesiness is kinda part of the charm when you're evoking Gothic romances. Which this did evoke nicely: the sleepy town, the forbidding manor, the mysterious ancestral history, the rainswept brooding anti-hero, the thunderstorm.
I loved the Nancy Drew-esque group of intrepid young investigators; the friendships between Kami, Angela, and Holly; the Lynburn cousins, period, and their introductions; even the minor characters like Rusty (I LOVE YOU RUSTY) and Kami's family. The 'Sassy Gothic' humour definitely had me chuckling almost on every single page in the beginning -- Kami and Angela's exchanges are completely endearing and just the sort of witty, comfortable repartee that two best friends should have. And then the book takes a definite turn towards the darker & creepier the further in it goes, which I also liked.
I don't really want to say much about Kami and Jared because SPOILERS, apart from the fact that I love them. O, my heart. Their connection was fascinating, and something I can honestly say I don't think I've read before in lit.
Kami is funny without being obnoxious, has real flaws yet is just plain fun to be around -- and most of all, I really appreciated seeing a mixed-Asian girl like myself headlining a YA novel.
Now when is the next one coming out, ugh.
I loved the Nancy Drew-esque group of intrepid young investigators; the friendships between Kami, Angela, and Holly; the Lynburn cousins, period, and their introductions; even the minor characters like Rusty (I LOVE YOU RUSTY) and Kami's family. The 'Sassy Gothic' humour definitely had me chuckling almost on every single page in the beginning -- Kami and Angela's exchanges are completely endearing and just the sort of witty, comfortable repartee that two best friends should have. And then the book takes a definite turn towards the darker & creepier the further in it goes, which I also liked.
I don't really want to say much about Kami and Jared because SPOILERS, apart from the fact that I love them. O, my heart. Their connection was fascinating, and something I can honestly say I don't think I've read before in lit.
Kami is funny without being obnoxious, has real flaws yet is just plain fun to be around -- and most of all, I really appreciated seeing a mixed-Asian girl like myself headlining a YA novel.
Now when is the next one coming out, ugh.
UNSPOKEN is a Gothic novel of modern proportions. There is magic and romance and actually hilarious dialogue, and there's definitely something hiding in hulking manor on the edge of town. Brennan explores old and new Gothic tropes and makes them into something fresh and innovative. Kami Glass is a compelling and funny narrator, equally intent on saving the world and becoming a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist. UNSPOKEN is heart-wrenching and funny and wonderful, and certainly deserves a spot in the canon of Gothic literature.
For fans of Holly Black's THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN, Cassandra Clare's THE CLOCKWORK ANGEL, and Brennan's THE DEMON'S LEXICON.
For fans of Holly Black's THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN, Cassandra Clare's THE CLOCKWORK ANGEL, and Brennan's THE DEMON'S LEXICON.
I'm on the record (the record being my reviews on Goodreads) as being a big fan of Sarah Rees Brennan. Before this, I'd only ever read her demon trilogy, which was fantastic. I'm happy to report that this book is also fantastic. The setting is vivid, the mystery is creepy, the characters are compelling. My only complaint-cliffhanger!!! When does book 2 come out? I also hope that we get more from Jared's POV in the second book, because he is a mysterious guy. I get it, and it works for the story, but I still want to know what's going on with him.
Quick summary of my reactions to this book:
Kami and Jared had been able to read each other's thoughts and feelings since they were born. They each thought the other wasn't real, just an imaginary friend. But when they found out that they were real, they both freak out and get angry at each other, especially since their first face-to-face impression of each other wasn't pleasant. Now if you found out your imaginary friend was real, wouldn't it be awesome? And yet Brennan didn't go there. She explored the ways meeting someone you've always wanted to meet but didn't quite meet expectations. She explored how complicated the relationship of two people who can communicate their thoughts and feelings through telepathy can be. It resulted in awkward moments, and frustrating moments for the reader. In the end, I think it was realistic, the way paranormal YAs can be realistic. The heroine strives for truth, individuality, and avoids the codependency that such an ability could bring, and I applaud that.
And despite their reluctance to embrace each other as "soulmates", there's no denying the irredeemable bond that they formed when they were children, and in the end, Kami and Jared were ADORABLE.
The reveal of the antagonist was kind of a letdown, though, and the reviewers who said this ended in a cliffhanger weren't kidding. It makes you want to get the second book ASAP.
*4.5 stars Kick ass heroines with really good relationship development.
Kami and Jared had been able to read each other's thoughts and feelings since they were born. They each thought the other wasn't real, just an imaginary friend. But when they found out that they were real, they both freak out and get angry at each other, especially since their first face-to-face impression of each other wasn't pleasant. Now if you found out your imaginary friend was real, wouldn't it be awesome? And yet Brennan didn't go there. She explored the ways meeting someone you've always wanted to meet but didn't quite meet expectations. She explored how complicated the relationship of two people who can communicate their thoughts and feelings through telepathy can be. It resulted in awkward moments, and frustrating moments for the reader. In the end, I think it was realistic, the way paranormal YAs can be realistic. The heroine strives for truth, individuality, and avoids the codependency that such an ability could bring, and I applaud that.
And despite their reluctance to embrace each other as "soulmates", there's no denying the irredeemable bond that they formed when they were children, and in the end, Kami and Jared were ADORABLE.
The reveal of the antagonist was kind of a letdown, though, and the reviewers who said this ended in a cliffhanger weren't kidding. It makes you want to get the second book ASAP.
Spoiler
Mostly because Jared was such a jerk. I HATE JARED I HATE HIM I HATE HIM.*4.5 stars Kick ass heroines with really good relationship development.
Where do I even start with Unspoken?? I was totally in love from page 1. The premise of this book is so unique and it pulled me in right away. I was definitely creeped out during several parts, which is always fun for me! The main character Kami was just. Fantastic. There is really no other way to describe her than kick ass! She is strong, independent, completely hilarious, but still manages to be vulnerable and totally loveable. She doesn't let herself get caught up in her feelings for Jared. She knows exactly who she is and makes no apologies for it. And really, all of the female characters in this book are that way. It is so refreshing to read a YA book with strong, independent female characters who know they are and can fight for themselves.
I love Jared and Kami's friendship. The fact that they have grown up hearing each others voices in their heads and know almost everything about each other, but are still unsure around each other when they actually meet in person made this such an interesting read. One of my favorite things about Kami was that she never let her feelings for Jared change her or cloud her judgement, but she's also very open to feeling romantic things for him. I just couldn't get over how strong she was! I seriously want this girl to be real so I can be best friends with her.
There were also some pretty hysterical lines in this book that had me laughing out loud and wishing I lived in this town with these hilarious people. I can't wait for the next one to come out!
I love Jared and Kami's friendship. The fact that they have grown up hearing each others voices in their heads and know almost everything about each other, but are still unsure around each other when they actually meet in person made this such an interesting read. One of my favorite things about Kami was that she never let her feelings for Jared change her or cloud her judgement, but she's also very open to feeling romantic things for him. I just couldn't get over how strong she was! I seriously want this girl to be real so I can be best friends with her.
There were also some pretty hysterical lines in this book that had me laughing out loud and wishing I lived in this town with these hilarious people. I can't wait for the next one to come out!
This book is PHENOMENAL. It's everything Truly Devious wishes it was. It's a ten out of tennnnnnn.
There's some awkwardness to the plotting and pacing, but I didn't really care because I love Kami and the way she talks. Sarah Rees Brennan writes great dialogue and it's just a lot of fun to read.
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt & my children demanded to know just what was so funny. And this despite quite a lot of not-funny in the book...
Upon rereading, I have to say, I had forgotten just how laugh-out-loud funny this is, between the scary parts and the sad parts. When I grow up, can I be Sarah Rees Brennan?
Upon rereading, I have to say, I had forgotten just how laugh-out-loud funny this is, between the scary parts and the sad parts. When I grow up, can I be Sarah Rees Brennan?
I loved the Demon's Lexicon trilogy. This is not as good, but it's still better than a lot of fantastical YA. The cover picture is terrible & misleading. One thing that's nice about this is that it's not the obvious sort of romance. The ending was more a break before the rest of the trilogy than satisfying in itself. Also some annoying mistakes. An Irish writer should know the legal drinking age here is 18 not 17, for example.