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hmorgz11's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? Yes
4.5
maireadh's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
These characters are so thoroughly created it is impossible not to root for them.
ambi_jo's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
laurasbookjourney's review
4.0
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest opinion. Thank you to Jion Sheibani and Hot Key Books for giving me the opportunity to read The Silver Chain before its release.
The Silver Chain is a book that is so completely different to the other books I have read so far this year that I was genuinely worried that I would not be able to appreciate it in a way I would have when I studied at Uni.
I am so glad that I was wrong, the Silver Chain is such an important and evocative look into mental illness and the stigma that is often attached to it. Azadeh is a budding Violinist who is working hard to balance all the elements of life as a teenager; changing friendships, grades and expectations. When her mother’s mental health begins to worsen Azadeh’s life begins to spiral out of control; torn between hiding the illness from everyone she knows while continuing her life everything begins to come undone.
What really made this story great however was the formatting and creativity shown within the presentation of the piece. I felt swept along by the story and the literal flowing of the words on the page was extremely aesthetically pleasing.
The Silver Chain is a book that is so completely different to the other books I have read so far this year that I was genuinely worried that I would not be able to appreciate it in a way I would have when I studied at Uni.
I am so glad that I was wrong, the Silver Chain is such an important and evocative look into mental illness and the stigma that is often attached to it. Azadeh is a budding Violinist who is working hard to balance all the elements of life as a teenager; changing friendships, grades and expectations. When her mother’s mental health begins to worsen Azadeh’s life begins to spiral out of control; torn between hiding the illness from everyone she knows while continuing her life everything begins to come undone.
What really made this story great however was the formatting and creativity shown within the presentation of the piece. I felt swept along by the story and the literal flowing of the words on the page was extremely aesthetically pleasing.
poppyjessica's review
4.0
I fell in love with several novels in verse last year and so was excited to read 'The Silver Chain' by Jion Sheibani, particularly with music being at this story's core. Azadeh is at the beginning of her A-level studies. A talented violinist, her instrument is an extension of her self, an escape from the everyday teenage troubles of homework, squabbling with friends and falling for a boy. Under the surface, disquiet is bubbling in Azadeh's home life; we see her father's paid work drying up as her mother's mental health spirals. Azadeh uses music as an outlet to pump her emotions, her story expressed in beautiful poetic form.
Sheibani has done a wonderful job with this story, expressing it in such a clever structure. The poetry varies form throughout, rhyming, free verse, acrostic, the words forming shapes, each structure selected to suit the particular mood and narrative moment. This is accompanied by jaw dropping illustrations, music at the essence of every word and image. Reading this was a multi-sensory experience, portraying important messages about mental health, cultural identity, and the power of art. A fantastic read - 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sheibani has done a wonderful job with this story, expressing it in such a clever structure. The poetry varies form throughout, rhyming, free verse, acrostic, the words forming shapes, each structure selected to suit the particular mood and narrative moment. This is accompanied by jaw dropping illustrations, music at the essence of every word and image. Reading this was a multi-sensory experience, portraying important messages about mental health, cultural identity, and the power of art. A fantastic read - 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
shreya_l's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide
bexbooksandstuff's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this novel written in verse. Poetry does not tend to be my reading of choice and I don't profess to know a lot about it. This book however was extremely clever and emotion evoking while being told in lots of different poetic ways. Some verses rhymed, some were written in repeating structures, others written in shapes across the page. It was very unusual to find the story told in this manner.
Azadeh was a teenager with a lot of angst and worries, she used her music throughout the story to cope with the many trials she and her family faced. Being a poorer family and having a scholarship to a rich private school, her dad's work fizzling out, her mum suffering from mental health issues as well as her own cultural identity issues. This book did not shy away from hard hitting topics, it was not all doom and gloom though, as well as the emotional pieces there were some lighter themes which helped break it up.
The illustrations throughout were beautiful and added such a strong element to the story, entwining the music throughout the poetry.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing an ARC copy of this book to review.
Azadeh was a teenager with a lot of angst and worries, she used her music throughout the story to cope with the many trials she and her family faced. Being a poorer family and having a scholarship to a rich private school, her dad's work fizzling out, her mum suffering from mental health issues as well as her own cultural identity issues. This book did not shy away from hard hitting topics, it was not all doom and gloom though, as well as the emotional pieces there were some lighter themes which helped break it up.
The illustrations throughout were beautiful and added such a strong element to the story, entwining the music throughout the poetry.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing an ARC copy of this book to review.
p_jyoti_s's review
5.0
An absolutely INCREDIBLE book written in verse. Loved every minute of it. Poignant.
rackle's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0