Title: Speechless
Author: Hannah Harrington
Publication date: August 28th, 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Challenges: Contemporary, A-Z, SARC
Source: NetGalley
Format: Digital ARC
Pages: 288
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.
Seeing Speechless on NetGalley made me so happy. After reading Hannah Harrington's debut novel, Saving June, I became a major fan. The cover immediately told me that there was something special about this book. Speechless has a message to all the readers out there, and a very strong message. Hannah Harrington talked about a very important topic, and it's talking. Not just normal talking, bad talking. Gossip, making fun, embarrassment, all of that stuff. The main protagonist, Chelsea, is a person who can keep no secret. She's such a blabbermouth, and will always tell people any information she gets. Just a person who genuinely loves gossip. Chelsea being in the popular crowd, and Kristen's puppet, everyone loves her. That is until she spills some other major gossip she got, and serious stuff happens. Chelsea doesn't realize how her words hurt many people around her. injuries and the police being involved, Chelsea had to go and tell the truth.
People blamed her. Kristen hates her now. Chelsea isn't popular anymore, and all of that just because she hadn't kept her mouth shut. Later on, she finds an article from National Geographic, talking about the Vow of silence. Bam, she gets the idea, and decides to do it. Chelsea literally becomes silent. She doesn't talk with her parents, with her teachers, even when she's all by herself. Even though Chelsea annoyed me at first, and seemed like one of those girls who only cared about popularity, I really liked how determined she seem. She put her mind to something, and didn't stop no matter how much she got in trouble for it. Speaking of trouble, she got detention from one of her teachers for not participating in class and refusing to speak, and that's where she meets Asha. Asha is an amazing character. I actually found her to perfect to be alive. She was always super duper nice, and gave Chelsea a chance. Chelsea meets Asha, Asha is friends with Sam, Sam is friends with Adam, so they all become friends. I really liked the flow of how all the characters meet, and how they just don't click as soon as they meet. It did take time, and each character had their own reason for it. Sam is an adorable character. He's one of those guys who you don't and do notice at school. He's kind of in the middle, like any normal kid at school. Not popular, and not at the bottom of the status. He was so normal, which I really liked. Not your "bad boy" or "popular boy" or any of those categories. I definitely enjoyed all the characters here.
If i had to compare Speechless to Saving June, i'd still say I liked Saving June more, but this was a good book as well. I have to say, even though everything was fun and awesome, there was just something about it that ticked me off. Something felt off about it, and I was annoyed at something for some reason. Maybe it's just me, but at some points maybe I felt like Chelsea was overdoing it, or the school was making a bigger deal, but that's just my opinion. Overall, I do recommend it to young adult readers, and I cannot wait to read more from Hannah Harrington!
I love this and Saving June. I was kind of upset with Chelsea at the beginning but high school is difficult and I can understand the need to fit in. She took it too far but she worked to become better and make it right. When it was down to doing the right thing she told right away and I was proud of that. Sam and Asha were so sweet. I love a nice normal guy love interest in books like Sam. Great book and I can't wait to read more from Hannah Harrington too!
ReplyDeleteI have both Speechless and Saving June and can't wait to get started. I'll have to start with Speechless as I also got my review copy off of Netgalley. Lovely review Farah, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review, Farah! I'm glad you enjoyed this even though there was something that stopped you from loving it. I can't work out if I preferred saving June more... probably. Though I did enjoy them both a lot. :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone keeps comparing Saving June and Speechless! I absolutely loved Speechless so I definitely cannot wait to read Saving June. Harrington's characters seems to be very special and well-rounded. I like that! Great review, Farah! :D
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really good. I haven't read Saving June, so I am not familiar with her writing, but so far it seems that this book is getting really great reviews. The characters seem great. Thanks for the fab review!!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this one Farah! I haven't read Saving June but I hear such great things about it and I've been wanting to read something by Hannah Harrington:) I love the sound of Chelsea even if she does overdo things a bit, and I can't wait to "meet" Sam!
ReplyDeleteI actually felt the same way about Saving June. The writing was great and I loved the story but there was something that ticked me off. I'd love to read this book, though. It sounds like another great read and I love the fact that it has such an important message. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm super excited to read this! I've heard amazing things about it. I love the sound of Sam as he's normal. It's a rest from the bad boys or playboys.
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling of off-ness you feel in a book that has potential- feeling that with the book I'm currently reading..
ReplyDeleteBut I really loved the synopsis of this book, so I might actually pick it up! Great review!
This is the first review of Speechless that I've read, and you did a really great job! I think it may do well at my library branch. :-)
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