Monday, July 16, 2012

Review: Unspoken

Book: Unspoken
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Series: The Lynburn Legacy #1
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Publisher: Random House Books
Pages: 370
Source: publisher
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5
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?


(summary taken from Goodreads)
MY THOUGHTS:  

There's "bizarre" and "different," and then there's this book... which is probably the best of both! I loooooooooooooooooooooved it so much! 

Unspoken is one of those books that make you slap your forehead and wonder why you hadn't read it earlier. I couldn't stop grinning, yet at the same time, I couldn't breathe when it got intense. It kind of has the feel to it of Beautiful Creatures small town, fantastic cast, feared magical family, and rich gothic mystery except I liked this much, much more! 

Kami and Jared make up a totally unorthodox pair that I seriously LOVE! They've never met before (they used to believe that the other was imaginary), but they've been able to talk into each other's minds since birth. People look at them strangely for stopping randomly to laugh at inner conversations, but Kami and Jared don't care. They've been best friends since forever, and they're like two halves of the same whole.  

And when they do finally meet, it's so realistic! They don't know what to be at first (Friends? Girlfriend/boyfriend? Enemies?), but I promise your heart will go for a wild ride. 

It's not just the romance that's so different from what I'm used to, but the characters themselves. Kami (witty teenage journalist extraordinaire) is strange and she knows it. But there's no angsty outcast drama here! She still has wonderful friends and a wonderful family despite her strangeness. And Jared... Jared is a leather-jacket-wearing bad boy who'd move heaven and Earth for Kami. My heart broke for him, ached for him, shone for him.

The wit is off the charts! Kami has such a smart mouth and the kind of reckless brain all reporters are born with; the banter had me cracking up constantly. Sarah Rees Brennan is a mastermind at creating a dynamic story filled with wonderfully unique characters, NONE of that hair-pulling cliche drama, and ALL of the intenseness of a great mystery.  

Brilliantly witty and fantastically strange, Unspoken is an amazing novel that brings everything we've been looking for in YA without even knowing it! With a hilarious cast, smile-inducing dialogue, and a mystery that turns pages on its own, this book is sure to be a stunner! :)  

BUY or BORROW?: This book was buy-worthy the moment Kami cracked her first joke! I want to own this for all of its hilarious one-liners and originality, and you should too! ;)

-Mimi

43 comments:

  1. Ooh an unorthodox pair? INTERESTING. I love best friends! I really like that this book is so witty because one thing I don't have is wit, haha. I've heard such good things about this book and this review just adds more! :D

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  2. Witty, brilliant, unorthodox, and original... just like you, Mimi!! <3333 I love that it's so easy to tell when you love a book because your reviews always get THAT much more amazing for them! It rocks my socks that Kami KNOWS she's strange and still has friends, because there's nothing that bothers me more than all strange girls being outcasted. Go Kami for showing the world that amazingly different heroines like me can still be loved! (x

    (This kinda makes me wish my childhood imaginary friends were real and epic like Jared LOL)

    Stunning review as per usual, Mimiii!!!! I just pre-ordered this one and I'm ecstatic to soak up in the awesome strangeness with you! (; <33333

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  3. OooOO! That sounds so great! I love it when an author manages to surprise you os much and ... sometimes different and bizarre can be really awesome! But, it's difficult to pull off, so I am happy to see it worked out to sgreat here!

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  4. "Sarah Rees Brennan is a mastermind at creating a dynamic story filled with wonderfully unique characters, NONE of that hair-pulling cliche drama, and ALL of the intenseness of a great mystery." That deserves to be quotes. Fist pump for no cliche drama!

    Awesome review Mimi =)

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  5. I've seen this one around ... love that it's original.

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  6. This book sounds crazy...in a good way with its premise of the characters being able to talk to each other. I wasn't a big fan of Brennan's Demon trilogy but I loved Team Human and am excited to see this new world.

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  7. Ohhhh I was a little unsure of this one but you did a great job convincing me!!! I love the idea that Kami and Jared have both heard each other for all their lives! What an interesting way to build a friendship/romance. Curious to see how it works out when they finally meet! That would be one strange meeting. I love snarky so I think I will love Kami and her witty conversations. Curious to learn what is different about Kami and why they were able to hear each others thoughts all their lives. Would be weird to stop and have a laugh with the voice inside your head! LOL Great review!

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  8. Hi Mimi!!! I'm BAAAACK!! I missed you so much!! What an amazingly contagious and fantabulous review, Mimi-doll!! I missed your enthusiasm and way with words, girl!! It sure is good to be back!! *grins like a lunatic* :') This book seems awesome. I've been eyeing it for quite some time now!! It was really high on my TBR list before, but after reading your glowing review, Mimi sweetie, it's just gone even higher! Thank you!! Unspoken seems so cool and strange and different, just the type of book I'm looking for. And Kami seems just like my type of heroine!! Unique and strange and different and totally sarcastic. I can already tell I'm going to love her. <333 It's really awesome that she has friends even though she's strange and different. I think more books should have characters like her!! Aaaah Jared sounds like such a book hottie!! OMG!! NEED more of him!! ;)

    Amazing review, Mimi-doll!! I'm so happy I'm back and can return to commenting and chatting about books with you!! <333 I love you, Mimi!!

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    1. OH!!!! Forgot to ask!! How did your exams go???? XD

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  9. This book sounds crazy! I LOVE IT! =))

    Great review, Mimi :D

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  10. I wasn't going to read this book even though I'm a fan of the author's previous work, but it does sound like a lot of fun so lovely review!

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  11. Aww, this book sounds totally amazing, Mimi! I'm very excited because you like it very much! I like The Demon Lexicon, so this is a must-buy for me! Your glowing review convinces me even more to grab it as soon as it comes out! (September! Y U so far away??)

    Totally fabulous review like always, Mimi! :)

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  12. I was very curious by this book mainly when I saw the cover but with all the books I asket I choose to wait and see the reviews. Well now I'm curious. thanks for the great review!

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  13. Mimi, I love you but you need to stop adding to my wishlist - it's seriously putting a strain on my purse. Just kidding! I'd happily read anything you enjoyed <3

    This book sounds so crazily bizarre and I'm LOVING the sound of it <3 The characters seem so fun and quirky and I adore how Kami and Jared don't know what relationship to be in when they meet - how strangely a-dorable <3 And the fact that the 'wit is off the charts' has me instantly interested. I enjoy books with witty narration and stand-out characters, and Unspoken just looks too good to pass up :)

    Fab review, Mimi <3

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  14. Between different and bizarre, that sounds exactly like something for me ^^ I really like the sound of this book. Strange characters are fascinating (and I think I can relate to them just a bit :p I think everybody feels like an outsider sometimes) I also adore books who can make me laugh, so thanks for sharing. Now I'm really excited for this one ^^ Awesome review dear!

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  15. This sounds so good because of how different it seems! I love unorthodox books and characters. I LOVE witty characters and dialogue too so I'm pretty sure to like this one! I also have to read Beautiful Creatures I just got that book last month! It's so HUGE though it intimidates me lol. Great review, Mimi!!

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  16. This sounds AMAZING Mimi!!!! You have me feeling like I need this book NOW! The wit and the characters sound awesome but the whole story idea just sounds brilliant! I cant WAIT to read it!

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  17. Witty, strange....I am very intrigued now. It sounds like such an amazing, incredible book. *adds to TBR list*

    Fabulous review :)

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  18. Fantastic review, as usual Mimi! <3 Haha, look at all those "o"s in loooooooooved!!! My first time seeing this one, so thanks for an awesome and positive first impression! This sounds incredibly intriguing <3

    Vivian @ Vivaciously, Vivian

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  19. Eeeeeep! You've made me ten times more excited for this! A beautiful review, Mims! :)

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  20. GREAT GREAT GREAT reivew!! :D Seriously, stunning cover, different MC from the hordes of MC's available, fun romance, gothic mystery (my favorite!)?? I mean, what's not to love and eat up like yummy chocolate?! and EPIC COOKIES!!! Hahahaha excuse my inside joking ;)

    Anywho, Mimi, I'll definitely be reading this one VERY VERY SOON. :D

    Love you darling reviewing friend of mine!

    Sierra @ Yearning to Read

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  21. I remember being so excited on this one when I fist saw this in Netgalley. Unfortunately I wasn't approved of my request. And soon my enthusiasm died. LOL! BUT your review just brought it back again! Oh my god! Kami and Jared sounds like a fun and great characters. I can't wait to see how those two will meet! Seriously, I'm so giddy right now! Less than 2 months and this will be out. Fantastic review, Mimi! :D

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  22. I've been excited about this since seeing 982734093845723498 good reviews about it! Omg, I would buy this just for that gorgeous cover, I love the red and the silhouettes and ASDFGHJKKL. Super pretty.

    Kami and Jared sound so CUTE! I need to swoon over Jared ASAP. :P And Kami sounds like somebody I'd love to be friends with.

    "Brilliantly witty and fantastically strange"? GIVE ME THIS NOW! ONce again a beautiful review.(: Thank you, Mimi!

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  23. This book sounds very unique, especially the relationship between Kami and Jared. I have never read a book with main characters who can talk to each other in their heads but have never met. It sounds like it is very interesting when they actually meet. I'll have to add this book to my TBR list. Great review, Mimi!

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  24. O_O They've never met, but they could communicate telephatically? That is just SO COOL! I want to meet them asap. I've heard so many amazing things about this book, but like you, something was keeping me away this entire time. I love that Kami is so witty, strange but well-loved and well-accepted by her friends and family.
    Thank you for this push, Mimi dear, I really needed it. <3

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  25. First off, I love the cover! It just screams MYSTERIOUS! Second, I would read this one just because of the blurb. How cool is it that the MC has an imaginary friend that's not afraid of!

    And I love that he's a real boy and his existence is shrouded in mystery. Add to all that that the book is humorous and witty and you have me sold. This one I'm pinning so I can't forget it. Thanks for the great review!

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  26. I really DO want to own this book. I think it sounds fabulous and I'm pretty sure I would fall in love with Kami. Witty characters are always a favorite of mine. I just want to be like them! Great review. I'm glad you loved this one. :)

    -lauren

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  27. Oh my gawd this sounds right up my alley! I love witty characters, mysteriousness and the fact that you compared it to Beautiful Creatures just made me want it even more! Fantastic review!

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  28. Yay for witty books! I'm loving the sound of this one Mimi, and any book that makes you use that many o's in the word "love" is one I need to try out for myself! How cool would it be to communicate telepathically with your best friend? Complete win! I saw this one on NetGalley but for some reason I thought it was a MG novel so I sort of skipped over. Wrong move clearly. Must fix! Awesome review as always:)

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  29. Great review! I haven't heard of this one before but the romance and characters both sound so unique! Thanks for the awesome review Mimi! Kami sounds like a character I would just love and the setting of the novel sounds fabulous! Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. I will definitely be the look out for more information about it! It's a good thing the release is coming up!

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  30. Thanks for sharing a great review; I'll definitely look into this one :)! I just found your blog and will definitely be following it from now on! I recently added some summer reading lists to my new blog if you want to take a look: http://heartisinthewriteplace.blogspot.com/
    Thanks again!

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  31. Brilliant. Witty. Different? I need to start reading this one! I got it in the mail a couple of weeks back but I didn't think it was anything special! Great review, Mimi!

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  32. I loved BC, so I think I'd really enjoy this one too! Jared sounds absolutely dreamy. I'd want to read this one just to see how they react when they finally realize the other really does exist. Plus, I'm a sucker for good banter. I'm so happy you reviewed this one Mimi because otherwise I would have over looked it. The cover is kind of deceiving. I didn't really think of it for me.

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  33. Mimi!!! Such a fabulous review. I'm so glad I got back in time for it! I've been super curious about this one for such a long time now, so to hear such positive things about it, is just awesome. I love the sound of the characters and aah. I'm definitely happy to have received a copy, because I need to pick it up ASAP! :)

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  34. LOVING this review, Mimi! I have this one sitting on my desk and I cannot WAIT to start it. It's one of the very few books I was DESPERATE to have an ARC of. I love the sound of the characters, and their unique bond, and Kammi's humor!

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  35. Bizarre and different?! I'm so there! Plus, I love a great mystery. I have this one but have been putting off reading it because they didn't have the kindle version on Netgalley so I have to read it on my computer. After reading your lovely review, I can't wait, Mimi! <3

    P.S. If you hadn't noticed I've been a little behind with my comments. I was out of town so now I'm trying to catch up! :)

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  36. This sounds like a really good book, Mimi ! :) I'm really glad that you loved it. It's so cool that the characters have been able to talk to themselves through their minds. The romance seems cute and realistic since they are both good friends and there's nothing instant about it.
    I can't wait to meet these lovely characters, Mimi !
    Great review, hon ! <3

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  37. Oh. Wow. How have I not heard of this book before?! I so NEED to read this, like now, it sounds great! Excellent review Mimi!

    Thanks for sharing - have a great day! <3

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  38. Glad you loved it cause I did too!! I am seriously fan girling over this book it was that good! My review of it is going up closer to the publishing date =D

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  39. Kami is going on my list of fave protags...that girl was FUN-NY! :D I loved the witty banter in the novel and that it wasn't all stuffy and full of itself. Brennan is awesome at making her novels fun and interesting and just plain different. I still haven't written my review for this one because I can't put my love for this book into words. But you did a pretty good job! :D Haven't read Beautiful Creatures yet, but a friend let me borrow it. I made her read Unspoken, but she didn't mention the similarities. I'll have to harrass her about that. :P

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  40. This sounds cute and funny, and I'd never heard of it before!! Definitely sounds like my type of read though! Great review as usual Mimi! This one is being added to the TBR for sure!

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  41. This sounds like my kind of book! I really, really, really want this book now! Oh, if I don't stop reading your reviews I'm going to end up with no money because your reviews really make me want to read the book! :)

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It's really nice to meet you!