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A review by penguinna
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
3.75
Hello, I hope somebody is listening… If nobody is listening, am I making any sound at all?
Remember Aled Last from Heartstopper? This is a story about him. The narrator Frances Janvier finds out that Aled is the anonymous Creator of the popular podcast Universe City that she’s been a huge fan of for the past few years.
Initially strangers, Frances and Aled develop a strong bond that turns into a close-knit friendship. Together, they make new episodes of the podcast, which Aled dedicates to someone called February Friday until… their secret becomes public.
“Radio Silence” is a young adult novel that I wish I had the opportunity to read during my high school years. Both Frances and Aled are studying machines who get only the best grades at school, aiming to get a place at Oxbridge. However, it might not be what they actually want. But it is so difficult to admit it, when your life has always revolved around a single predetermined path.
And while Frances’ mom is the most supportive and wonderful parent someone could ever imagine, Aled’s mother, Carol, is the opposite. She is a tyrant who literally turns into ashes everything he loves in order to make him more concentrated on his studies. Years ago, Aled's twin sister, Carys, fled their home because of Carol, for whom the only things that matter are good grades and academic degrees. But what about happiness?
Even though Radio Silence was a bit predictable and childish for me, I really could not stop turning the pages. I admire Alice Oseman's ability to vividly portray every single side character, depicting their flaws and imperfections, along with background stories that reveal the depth of each person in the book. And the thing I particularly love about the Osemanverse is that in every book you meet characters from other stories: Tori and Becky, Nick and Charlie, and the others whom I have not yet had the opportunity to meet.
I believe that anyone who reads Radio Silence will relate to their own challenges of being seventeen. I really do recommend this book!
Remember Aled Last from Heartstopper? This is a story about him. The narrator Frances Janvier finds out that Aled is the anonymous Creator of the popular podcast Universe City that she’s been a huge fan of for the past few years.
Initially strangers, Frances and Aled develop a strong bond that turns into a close-knit friendship. Together, they make new episodes of the podcast, which Aled dedicates to someone called February Friday until… their secret becomes public.
“Radio Silence” is a young adult novel that I wish I had the opportunity to read during my high school years. Both Frances and Aled are studying machines who get only the best grades at school, aiming to get a place at Oxbridge. However, it might not be what they actually want. But it is so difficult to admit it, when your life has always revolved around a single predetermined path.
And while Frances’ mom is the most supportive and wonderful parent someone could ever imagine, Aled’s mother, Carol, is the opposite. She is a tyrant who literally turns into ashes everything he loves in order to make him more concentrated on his studies. Years ago, Aled's twin sister, Carys, fled their home because of Carol, for whom the only things that matter are good grades and academic degrees. But what about happiness?
Even though Radio Silence was a bit predictable and childish for me, I really could not stop turning the pages. I admire Alice Oseman's ability to vividly portray every single side character, depicting their flaws and imperfections, along with background stories that reveal the depth of each person in the book. And the thing I particularly love about the Osemanverse is that in every book you meet characters from other stories: Tori and Becky, Nick and Charlie, and the others whom I have not yet had the opportunity to meet.
I believe that anyone who reads Radio Silence will relate to their own challenges of being seventeen. I really do recommend this book!