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lindsaymck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Bree’s connection to and desire to understand and love Archer is contagious and I credit that to powerful storytelling. The truths behind both Archer and Bree’s traumas are sprinkled throughout the book, but in a way that makes SO much sense. It is as if the reader is being told these painful stories as we gain the trust of the people sharing them. We learn of Bree’s experiences sooner because she is further along on her path to healing and she is able to support Archer in gradually revealing what happened to him and how it forever changed his life.
Archer experiencing new things for the first time (and Bree’s perspective about how honored and hungry she is for those “firsts”) is really original and incomparable to any other relationship I’ve read about. The way we see these “firsts” and the other pivotal moments of their relationship through both POVs is what I wish every author would do!
Two parts in particular will stay with me long after I close this book. The first:
“Bad things don’t happen to people because they deserve for them to happen. It just doesn’t work that way. It’s just… life. And no matter who we are, we have to take the hand we’re dealt, crappy though it may be, and try our very best to move forward anyway, to love anyway, to have hope anyway… to have faith that there’s a purpose to the journey we’re on. And try to believe that maybe more light shines out of those who have the most cracks.”
The second is when Bree shares with Archer how her mom’s embroidery helped give her perspective when life becomes chaotic.
“Sometimes I think of those little pieces of fabric whenever life feels messy and difficult to understand. I try to close my eyes and believe that even though I can’t see the other side right then, and the side I’m looking at is ugly and muddled, there’s a masterpiece that’s being woven out of all the knots and loose strings. I try to believe that something beautiful can result from something ugly, and that there will come a time when I’ll get to see what that is.”
This book is special and one that I know I will think about. The use of sign language and the author showing the difference between speech and sign by italicizing the signing was something I really appreciated and enjoyed. The ending was a TRIP, but no spoilers!
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism and Rape
amberkaylynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Archer’s Voice” is a powerful, beautiful love story about trust, acceptance, and complex communication. I really liked how Mia Sheridan handled Archer’s ability to communicate without his voice. It struck a very strong note in me, as I work with many nonverbal individuals and know firsthand how much you don’t know until you learn to communicate using their language.
Because communication is not exclusively vocal. We all know body language makes up a good part of it, but words can also be shown in many different ways. Voice isn’t reserved just for sound that comes out of your mouth, that is spoken. Sometimes voice is sign language (featured in this book) or through a communication device or through writing on paper, reading lips, etc. Whichever it may be, that is your voice. And our sweet, incredibly misunderstood Archer’s voice shouldn’t have been so different from everyone in Pelion, Maine. If only they’d taken the time to listen with more than their ears and preconceived prejudices.
Until Bree shows up, and everything changes for Archer. I fell headfirst into Archer and Bree’s tender, tentative love—how much they trusted each other and believed in one another, despite each of their own past trauma and current obstacles. It was first love and it never read so real to me. When love is right, it’s bigger than anything. (Note: LOTS AND LOTS OF SPICE in case you were wondering!)
I already wish I could read this again for the first time. LOVE is, in fact, the reason.
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
Minor: Gore and Vomit
maya_ahmed's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Blood, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
katleenfraser03's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Drug use, Gore, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, and Alcohol