Unpoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
- Method of Obtaining: I received my copy via the publisher from NetGalley.
- Published by: Random House Books for Young Readers
- Release Date: 9/11/2012
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?
- Beautiful cover, lots of great buzz, and … okay, it looked just amazing.
I haven’t read a book like Unspoken since… well, ever. Sarah Rees Brennan has created a kind of brilliance in this little book by combining wit, charm, gothic mansions, magic, and imaginary friends to create the perfect mix of “Scooby Gang.” I laughed out loud so many times I lost count, and enjoyed the many references to pop culture, some new, some old, that Unspoken contained.
Kami lives in a little town called Sorry-in-the-Vale. It’s “ruling” family is the Lynburns, but they have been gone for a while and Kami, a budding journalist, wants to write a story on them. Then she finds out… they are back. Kami is sweet, brave, strong, witty, and fun. I loved being inside her head and sharing that space with Jared, her “imaginary” friend – but is he?
When Jared and Ash explode onto the scene I felt a moment of disquiet – would these be yet more dark, brooding offshoots of famous male characters in a trilogy I cannot stand? Well – no worries, folks. Ash and Jared have their own brand of gothic broodiness, and it wasn’t overwhelming. Instead, it fit well into the history making up the world behind this book.
I adored this story, every little thing about it. I loved the ending, which pretty much guaranteed that I’ll be picking up the next book Brennan has faster than you can say “Sorry-in-the-Vale.” This book is topping my list for books to give away for Christmas this year, and if you are smart, you will jump to read it as soon as possible.
Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!
Oh my gosh. ALL YOUR LOVE for Unspoken is really convincing, like I feel like I need to buy it because I like laughing and brilliant characterization and pop culture references and gothic books especially during the fall season!
April I think this book is like.. tailor-made for you, seriously! I was laughing out loud so many times, and even felt as if (in one particular section of the book) it was YOU speaking (I totally inserted your voice from your videos).
Glad to see you loved this book; I don’t think Brennan and I quite click as I’ve repeatedly felt disconnected from the direction her plots take. I am really looking forward to seeing the second book’s cover though even I won’t be picking it up.
I struggled a bit, I’ll admit, about 1/3rd of the way in because I thought I knew where she was going, but then I just let the book take over again. I was totally charmed by the cast and the puns and the fun.
I about died at the ending knowing that I have to wait for the next in the series!!! Loved this book. Similar to Twilight (which I did not like) but not as hokey and predictable. Took me by surprise. Will definitely recommend it