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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
Speak rounds out as a strong 4-star read for me. This story follows high schooler Melinda, who goes nearly mute after being sexually assaulted at a summer party before her freshman year. As she navigates the challenges of high school and the struggles of adolescence, she also wrestles with the heavy weight of her trauma.
I appreciated this quick yet powerful read and the way it portrays Melinda’s path toward healing and reclaiming her voice. Definitely recommend.
I appreciated this quick yet powerful read and the way it portrays Melinda’s path toward healing and reclaiming her voice. Definitely recommend.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I didn't particularly like this novel, but I am fully aware that that has more to do with me than Speak itself. The story of Melinda is horrifying in how real it is - and to be honest, that is a lot of the reason why I didn't really like it.
I've read quite a lot of 'issues' novels in the past few years, and honestly Speak was just too depressing for me. It tells an incredibly important story, but I just didn't like how little hope and support there was for Melinda. Call of my view of the world 'rose-coloured', but I just like to believe that people are better - that someone, anyone could have been there for Melinda, could have helped her to become strong, instead of her being left to the wolves.
So unfortunately, I didn't like this novel all that much. I preferred [b:What Happens Next|12819342|What Happens Next|Colleen Clayton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358196621s/12819342.jpg|17968862] by Colleen Clayton, [b:If You Find Me|15793231|If You Find Me|Emily Murdoch|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369597694s/15793231.jpg|18670766] by Emily Murdoch, and even [b:Just Listen|51738|Just Listen|Sarah Dessen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358270741s/51738.jpg|1032901] by Sarah Dessen. None of these books are happy, or unrealistic (I think), but they are all a hell of a lot more hopeful than Speak. But hey, that's just my opinion. I already know that I'm a sucker for a happier story. Still, this was an interesting enough, and well-written novel, I just wished that it had painted a slightly more hopeful picture.
I've read quite a lot of 'issues' novels in the past few years, and honestly Speak was just too depressing for me. It tells an incredibly important story, but I just didn't like how little hope and support there was for Melinda. Call of my view of the world 'rose-coloured', but I just like to believe that people are better - that someone, anyone could have been there for Melinda, could have helped her to become strong, instead of her being left to the wolves.
So unfortunately, I didn't like this novel all that much. I preferred [b:What Happens Next|12819342|What Happens Next|Colleen Clayton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358196621s/12819342.jpg|17968862] by Colleen Clayton, [b:If You Find Me|15793231|If You Find Me|Emily Murdoch|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369597694s/15793231.jpg|18670766] by Emily Murdoch, and even [b:Just Listen|51738|Just Listen|Sarah Dessen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358270741s/51738.jpg|1032901] by Sarah Dessen. None of these books are happy, or unrealistic (I think), but they are all a hell of a lot more hopeful than Speak. But hey, that's just my opinion. I already know that I'm a sucker for a happier story. Still, this was an interesting enough, and well-written novel, I just wished that it had painted a slightly more hopeful picture.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Mental illness, Self harm
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
What this girl goes through is unimaginable. I get why she acts the way she does. She doesn't know how to voice her thoughts or feelings for the longest time.
ספר עצוב וכואב מאוד. הסיפור עצמו מתחלק לחלקים משעממים וחלקים לא משעממים שבהם אנחנו מגלים עוד ועוד על האופי של הדמות המרכזית. אני חושב שהנושא המרכזי בספר - תקיפות מיניות הוא נושא כואב וקשה ואנחנו חייבים לשים עליו דגש ולמנוע את המקרים הבאים. לכן הספר הזה כל כך חשוב
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes