Author: Hannah Harrington
Published: August 28th, 2012
Genre: YA contemporary
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 288
POV: 1st person
Format: eARC, paperback
Source: Netgalley & Won
Rating: 4 out of 5
"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."
Has anyone ever gotten hurt because of something you said? Chelsea Knot knows what it's like to say something that sets off a chain reaction, ultimately leading to a young man being seriously injured. Chelsea Knot also knows what it's like to be one everyone else blames. So, Chelsea decides to take a vow of silence in order to learn from her mistakes, and ends up gaining more than expected. In SPEECHLESS, Harrington tackles many serious issues in a sincere fashion. As much as I struggled to relate with Chelsea in the beginning, my heart still went out to her whenever she found herself being bullied by her peers and even her supposed friends. This story, much like Lauren Oliver's BEFORE I FALL, reminds readers the power words can have over other people. But, this story isn't only about bullying. SPEECHLESS is also a story of friendship, young love, and forgiveness. With each serious moment, there's another humorous one for readers to appreciate and savor. A story filled with secrets, consequences, and second chances, SPEECHLESS makes a strong impression.
Highlights: The side characters (Asha, Sam, Andy, Dex and Lou) were fabulous. Chelsea's lack of dialogue allows the reader more time to dwell inside her thoughts and really get to know who is she and who she is becoming. I like how Chelsea owned up to her mistake and, in response, tried to find and embrace a different and better version of herself. There were some really great themes in story.
Lowlights: It was a bit challenging to like Chelsea at first, but she fortunately goes through a lot of character growth. I love how Chelsea's family was present in the story, but I hate how she wouldn't tell her parents or the school administration about what was happening to her. There's a social stigma against asking for help from adults (in the novel and in real life), and I think that is absolutely sad, because sometimes the right adult can make a difference.
Note: I have not read SAVING JUNE, but I think two characters from that book (possibly the protagonist and a young man named Jake) show up during a diner scene in SPEECHLESS.
YES, Jake is definitely in SAVING JUNE which is awesome, I like the idea of cameos.
ReplyDeleteBut onto the real reason I'm here. You know, I think I'm now inspired to read SPEECHLESS when I wasn't before. I just didn't see how I was going to connect to Chelsea, and whether or not I coould endure such a sad story. But maybe it's time I plucked this one out of my reading pile and gave it a go...
Oh, so he is? Very cool - glad I didn't guess wrong ;)
DeleteYou should check it out! SPEECHLESS is a very good story.
I agree about a bit hard to connect at first, but overall I love the characters
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a challenge to connect, but the characters were so fantastic. Glad you enjoyed them too!
DeleteGreat review! I got a bit into this book before setting it aside--I was just too busy to keep up with it. But after your review, I think I'm going to have to pick it up soon. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteYou should give it a second chance! I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable this book was.
DeleteI really love books that have a lot of character growth. To many times they make the character to likable and don't change anything about them for fear of losing readers.
ReplyDeleteHttp://www.daydreamerN.blogspot.com
It's always nice to see a character evolve! It makes the story more interesting.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I checked this book out from the library but never got to reading it before I had to return it. Now I regret that so much :( Great review. I love books that have significant character growth.
ReplyDeleteAh, I hate it when that happens! I always seem to do that with library books :(
DeleteHope you get a chance to read SPEECHLESS (and that you enjoy it)!
Oh cool, I didn't recognize the characters from Saving June-that connection makes me think of Sarah Dessen's books whose characters make cameos a lot.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book-found the writing absolutely top-notch!
I love it when authors do that. I always get warm-fuzzy feelings whenever I read Dessen's novels and see her old characters in her new books :)
DeleteGlad you enjoyed SPEECHLESS too!
I love that you point out the stigma of asking for help being regarded as a weakness, Lea. I'd love to see a strong YA novel in which a protagonist isn't afraid to look to their parent or authority figure for help and advice. It would be such a positive display of strength in a novel! Wonderful review :)
ReplyDeleteThat is something that really, really bothers me. In my own experience, I found going to my parents and (unwillingly) the school administration turned out to be an excellent decision when I was bullied in middle school. I was so mad at my parents at the time, but looking back, I'm glad that they stepped in because it stopped all of those problems. I'd also love to read a book where the protagonist is strong to ask for help, and not just suffer through it!
DeleteI really liked this book, glad you enjoyed it! I agree that Chelsea was hard to like at first, but I grew to like her as the book went on. And I loved the side characters too! Great review :).
ReplyDeleteChelsea had some great character development, thank goodness! Glad you enjoyed this one as well :)
DeleteThanks for dropping by!
Great review sweetie :D Glad you mostly loved this book. <3 Sigh. I thought it was amazing :) But yeah. I understand what you mean about not liking her at first. But she did get better :) And yess. The adult thing. Sigh. Happens all the time. But anyway. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteChelsea definitely got better and easier to like, thankfully! Such a bummer that the adult aspect happens all the time in literature / life - it'd be nice to see a variation.
DeleteGlad you loved this book!
This one looks definitely like a deep read. Issue books are usually a hit or miss with me, but I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'll definitely be bumping this up on my TBR pile for sure. Great review :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a great story about bullying, the damage a few words can do to someone else, forgiveness, and friendship. It's a really good story, you should check it out!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Krista! :)