Friday 26 October 2012

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy, #1)Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Add to: Goodreads
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review
Publisher: Random House
Format: Hardcover, 370 pages
Release Date: September 11, 2012

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

Sarah Rees Brennan was always a favourite author of mine from her Demon's Lexicon series, but now? After this book? I'll read anything she ever writes... period. It was that good.

Kami Glass was a wonderful protagonist. She was so loud and determined, never hesitant to go after what she wanted. Her character leaped off the pages at me and I really felt like we were friends! Jared was amazing as well. I don't normally go for the brooding, gloomy type but something about Jared's character clicked with me. Seeing him from Kami's mind as the 'imaginary friend' gave him another layer and a depth that just resonated with me.

The writing itself is magnificent. The humour is spot-on and it wasn't uncommon to see me laughing my head off (in public places) at it. I wouldn't hesitate to hang out with any of these characters or visit Sorry-in-the-Vale. Such an atmospheric setting!

And then... the plot. Seriously, this book did no wrong in my opinion and the storyline is definitely included in that! There's a balance in the tones of the novel that make it fun, spooky, hilarious and exciting all at once.

So, here's the deal. I love a lot of books. Perhaps I'm just easy to please and uncritical but whatever the case, the fact remains. The books that I honestly and truly adore, the books that I can feel in my soul and reduce me to ripping up paper to calm my emotions* are a bit more rare. Unspoken is one of those books.

Cover Comments: I love this. I really wish that there were more illustrated book covers because it just... works.

* true story. this ending... it buuuuuurns!

5 Golden Crowns!

12 comments:

  1. Ooooh, Sonia! I've heard a lot of postive things about this one, but *still* don't have my own copy. THIS SITUATION MUST BE CORRECTED.
    I love it when books get me laughing out loud, and as for the ripping up paper thing - that is such a testament to how involved SRB got you in the plot and the characters, both of which sound fantastic, btw. I NEEEEED to meet this Kami and Jared.
    I completely agree with you on the cover - it gives such a good Gothic-but-not-like-over-the-top-Gothic vibe. And I like how Kami's hair is a bit untidy-looking. I identify. :-D

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    1. YES. IMMEDIATELY!

      The paper thing... I know. It's not unusual to see me so into a book but that extreme is a bit more rare, haha :) My teacher was pretty impressed at SRB's skills ;)

      LOOOOL about Kami's hair... BEST POINT EVER.

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  2. For some reason, the premise just doesn't grab my attention but after After this book? I'll read anything she ever writes... period. It was that good?, I might just take a leap of faith and trust you because oh my, you make everything about this book - the plot, the characters, the writing - sound EPIC. Normally I trust my own judgement as I know what I like and what I don't but I have been surprised a few times before so maybe this will be one of those times. I hope!

    Seriously amazing review!

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    1. BECCA! I hope you DO decide to give this one a chance because... wow. I just love it to bits <3 Whenever I'm recommending this to someone in person, I do this creepy kind of worship-y voice. Be grateful you can't see that over the web ;)

      Thank you! <3

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  3. I had such a fun time with this book too! Laughing my head of was pretty much the reaction every other page. I'm really glad you enjoyed this as much as I did, Sonia. :) Wonderful review!

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad you loved this one too, Sam! I always find SRB hilarious :)

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  4. EEEEEEEEE! UNSPOKEN! While I've read mixed reviews on this book, I'm so glad to hear you loved it Sonia! I've only read Brennan's collaboration with Justin Larbalestier in Team Human so I can't wait to read Unspoken ;)

    Awesome review, Sonia ♥ Those 5 Golden Crowns have just made my day!

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  5. I keep reading fantastic reviews of this book and yours is another! I have a copy, I just need to make time for it, you've made me think I'm really letting myself down by not reading this right now!

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  6. I've just added this to my to-reads list- I have no idea why I hadn't before, for some reason I thought it was quite what it was not and stayed away, but it's got such a beautiful cover and has a tonne of fantastic reviews, including this one, that I MUST read it ASAP.
    I'm thrilled you enjoyed it so much, the protagonist sounds inspirational and I'm sure I'm going to adore it!

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  7. I'm so excited for this one!! I'm waiting to get it from the library, and I can't wait to check it out, especially after reading reviews like this one. So glad you loved it!

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  8. Oh, GOSH, this book was so good. It made me sick. With laughter, with suspense, and with hatred. BECAUSE YES SHE TOTALLY ENDED IT THE WAY SHE DID. Sarah, I mean. And I hate her for it. Because now I keep revolving back to the scene like on a loop and it's TORTUROUS.

    But, yes, the cover is grand work indeed.

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  9. Sooonia. THIS good? Truly? And... UGH. I've been hearing such amazing things, but somehow seeing you so excited about it is pushing me OMG OMG OMG NEED IT NOW NOW NOW SWITCH (you do this a lot) and... hehehe! The idea of you ripping up paper because of your EMOTIONS. I love ♥

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