Monday, May 6, 2013

Book Review: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Unspoken
Sarah Rees Brennan
YA Paranormal/Fantasy
Published: 2012

image: Goodreads
Back to book reviews! It's been awhile. This YA novel has been on my list for awhile. I saw the author at an Anderson's book event and knew I needed to read one of her books. She's so funny on an author panel, and quite funny on twitter if you want to look her up.

I noted this as a paranormal/fantasy, but Unspoken is tough to categorize. It's set in modern day in a quaint English village shrouded in mystery. An infamous family returns to town after a generation, stirring up trouble and gossip. School newspaper reporter Kami is on it, and immediately sets off to uncover the truth about this family and their rumored powers.

Beyond this premise, Kami also hears a voice in her head--she has since birth, which is not something she is afraid of, but she has grown completely accustomed to it. This voice is a part of her, which naturally means she sticks out like a freak if anyone notices her talking to herself (to the voice no one can see). I loved how well her internal voice meshed with the story, and I will leave it at that so I won't ruin it!

The writing here is charming and witty, and wonderfully shows off lively and spunky characters. So many smaller factors take this story from something that could have been generic, making it special and unique. It has a gothic aspect to it, but it's not super dark, so I could see younger teens really liking this.

7 comments:

  1. I just got a copy of this one a week or so ago and I can't wait to get reading it. I've heard nothing but good things about UNSPOKEN. :-)

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  2. I've been holding off on getting this book for a while now. Reviews have been positive, yet I've still been skeptical. I like what you said about the writing and I like spunky characters. Maybe I shouldn't put it off for much longer. :)

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    1. So many books, so many books. I know! This was available at the library so that's why I picked it up. Sometimes I have a book in mind, and then end up with 5 to check out.

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  3. Looks awesome! ^ that was weird! Haha

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  4. SRB was one of my college roommates favorites. I need to check out her work, maybe I"ll start with this one.

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah With Joy)

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  5. Thanks for the review. I didn't have this in my TBR, but I do now!

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  6. You had me at "...quaint English village shrouded in mystery..." but then you had to kick it up a notch noting the paranormal aspects and the voice in the MC's head. ::adds to Amazon Wish List:: :-)
    Some Dark Romantic

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