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wakkomomo's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Reminded me too much of the R. Kelly story. It did not feel original to me.
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Muted explores the darker side of the music industry. Denver has always dreamed of a music career, and she’s willing to do almost anything to get it. So when she and her best friends catch the eye of a big-time R&B singer, she’s overjoyed. So overjoyed that she ignores the red flags that almost immediately start to appear. This story is disturbing, and it gets more so as the book goes on. By the time I got to the end, I had to go back and reread the part of the blurb that mentions this was inspired by true events because it’s honestly horrifying that anything like this could ever happen in real life. The book ends up being something between a standard contemporary and a thriller, but I guess the music industry has its own brand of horrors. It’s obvious that the author knows a thing or two about this, and especially what it’s like to be a teenage girl in that world!
Muted explores the darker side of the music industry. Denver has always dreamed of a music career, and she’s willing to do almost anything to get it. So when she and her best friends catch the eye of a big-time R&B singer, she’s overjoyed. So overjoyed that she ignores the red flags that almost immediately start to appear. This story is disturbing, and it gets more so as the book goes on. By the time I got to the end, I had to go back and reread the part of the blurb that mentions this was inspired by true events because it’s honestly horrifying that anything like this could ever happen in real life. The book ends up being something between a standard contemporary and a thriller, but I guess the music industry has its own brand of horrors. It’s obvious that the author knows a thing or two about this, and especially what it’s like to be a teenage girl in that world!
tinynavajo's review
3.0
*TW: rape, gaslighting, manipulation, eating disorder, death*
Oh. My. God...this is probably one of the hardest books I've read this year. Hard because of the subject matter, hard because this shit still happens in our day and age, hard because there will always be predators out there willing to take advantage of those who just want their shot. Hard, because there are girls like Denver and Dali who are muted and gagged, their voices lost in the chaos of the world.
For Denver, it's nearly a dream come true to be recognized by a superstar musician and to be told he can make her dreams come true. But those dreams come at a price the eventually she will not, can no longer pay.
Oh. My. God...this is probably one of the hardest books I've read this year. Hard because of the subject matter, hard because this shit still happens in our day and age, hard because there will always be predators out there willing to take advantage of those who just want their shot. Hard, because there are girls like Denver and Dali who are muted and gagged, their voices lost in the chaos of the world.
For Denver, it's nearly a dream come true to be recognized by a superstar musician and to be told he can make her dreams come true. But those dreams come at a price the eventually she will not, can no longer pay.
bluebug24's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
alongreader's review
4.0
Muted is loosely free poetry, which makes it quite a quick read. The subject matter, however, will make you want to linger. From outside, it's easy to see how Denver is getting caught up in things out of her control. It's also very easy to see how she doesn't see it, how skilled and careful Merc is.
This is chillingly plausible, and it happened so easily. It's terrifying to think that this could be happening to people right now. If nothing else, I hope this book opens a few eyes. Maybe it'll make one would-be star think twice about a too good to be true opportunity.
This is a brilliant read that should be read by everyone. I'd love to see it in schools and book clubs.
This is chillingly plausible, and it happened so easily. It's terrifying to think that this could be happening to people right now. If nothing else, I hope this book opens a few eyes. Maybe it'll make one would-be star think twice about a too good to be true opportunity.
This is a brilliant read that should be read by everyone. I'd love to see it in schools and book clubs.
smalltownbookmom's review
3.0
3.5 - A bold new voice shines through in this YA novel in verse about the dark side of the music industry and the horrible things powerful men can get away with. Denver and her best friend Dali are two young BIPOC girls trying to make it big as singer/songwriters but when a Rapper/Record producer mogul offers them his help, the cost of fame ends up being way more than they bargained for. A great audio production narrated by the author with four original songs. I found this a little slow to start but the end is powerful and heartbreaking. Definitely worth the read or listen.
TW: sexual abuse/assault
TW: sexual abuse/assault
waywordxwitch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0