Thursday 28 February 2013

Book Review - Speechless

Title: Speechless
Author: Hannah Harrington
Publisher: Mira Ink
Release Date: 1 Feb 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1848451926

Synopsis
 Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can’t keep a secret

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she’s ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there’s strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she’s done. If only she can forgive herself.


My Review
I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I saw quite a lot about this book online and thought it sounded interesting, I was a bit hesitant at first as I had read 'Saving June' by the same author and really didn't like it, but when this one came up I thought I might as well give it a go, the blurb sounded interesting and everything I had heard about it was positive so I requested it.
I started this book when I go home from work, i had half an hour until I had to go out to my sport club, I got about 20% through and actually didn't want to put it down. When I got home I quickly checked this blog and replied to a few emails and then decided I would read a bit more, it was only about 11 so thought I had a good hour. 
Well, lets just say I finally went to bed at 12.45 am but I had finished the book. I knew I should put the book down and get to bed but I couldn't do it. I told myself one more page, just this chapter, a couple more lines, but everytime I would extend that and read a bit more until I got so close to the end I couldn't possibly stop.
Chelsea is 'best friends' with Kristen the most popular girl in school, they share everything. Chelsea is known for having a big mouth and spreading secrets around and ultimately that is her downfall, whilst at a party she blurts out someones secret and it changes everything. Someone nearly gets killed and two others get arrested. Everyone blames her for everything going wrong, she's convinced that her big mouth is the cause of all of her problems so she takes a vow of silence. If she doesn't speak, she can't hurt anyone. 
Life sucks when you can't share your side of the story, I did sponsored silences at school and always struggled, I had something I wanted to input, correct, change, it's frustrating. And I wasn't particularly popular and I certainly didn't have people insulting me and trying to attack me. Chelsea takes so much and just refuses to fight back, that actually takes great control and courage. I actually felt scared for her.
But sometimes unexpected things happen, she ends up making friends, and maybe falling for the sweetest boy in the world.
I really didn't know what to expect from this but I really enjoyed the story, I felt a strong connection to Chelsea, you get into her mind a lot as she has a lot of time to think whilst she isn't talking. I also found it quite interesting as to what she chose to write down. She says that she can trust what she writes as she has to think before she puts it down, whereas talking is ininstantaneous and can come out wrong, and I thought that was a great point to make. A lot of people, in fact 99% of the population don't think before they speak and this book has made me think more about how my words could affect other people.
It is well written and flows smoothly, it is definitely one that will have you turning pages to see what comes next. The plot twists and turns and bulds up fabulously to the end. It's a sweet story with a strong message. There is a real mix of characters that will make the whole world more real, you will hate some and love the others, and the more you get to know them the more they pop off the page.
Well done Hannah Harrington, this book is awesome.   

My Rating
         

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