breerashel's review
5.0
*Received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review*
I want to start this review by saying that I have never read anything from Jaci Wheeler before so I wasn't familiar with her writing. I would like to take the time to mention the Letter to Readers at the beginning of the book before I dive into what I thought of the book itself. I appreciated what Jaci wrote in this letter and how she was able to explain the various difficulties that she had in the process. I think that it takes a lot of courage to write something that means so much to you and share that with the world leaving it open for critique by readers and others. I appreciated how she was able to explain how the dialogue was going to appear so that I wouldn't be confused as I read the words. I have to say that knowing all these things made this book even more special to me. I think that people that are reading this review can see what direction I am about to take this review in.
I am so happy that I got the chance to read/review Silent Song. I think that it is rare when a book comes along with the power to change you in some way after reading it. This is what reading Silent Song has done for me. It had a big impact on me in more ways than one. I am not deaf but was able to see myself in each of the main characters. Barrett is proud of who he is but has been heartbroken and felt alone in a world where he was treated like he was less than by others. As I was reading this book, I could not help but think that he was more not less than those around him. He was able to read people and care for them in ways that others were not capable of. He had so many talents some of which I can only dream of. Presley was the character that I saw myself most in. Music was her therapy and her passion. It helped her to heal others as well as herself. She cared more about others than she did herself and never wanted to see people in pain.
These characters helped me to connect with the story but I also loved the messages that were contained within it and the lessons that I was able to learn from it. I had no idea each person had a ASL sign for their names. I've always thought that it seemed like a beautiful language but had no idea that it could be so personal and creative. I really loved how Jaci Wheeler was able to differentiate between the times when people were signing to each other and speaking the English language. It made the conversations all the more meaningful when I was able to see just how difficult it can be to communicate with others when they may sign poorly, switch back and forth between sign and English, and have to read lips. I was able to place myself in Barrett's shoes and get a glimpse of how hard it might be for someone whose world is silent. I learned so many things about the language and culture of the deaf community from this book. I realize that it is a work of fiction but it is my belief that you can learn a lot about people that are similar and different from you through books. It is part of the reason that I love books so much.
Anyway, Silent Song contained thought provoking concepts such as what it is to truly accept and love another person, loss, and finding your place in the world. I could go on and on about what I loved about this book and how much it touched me but I would rather sum up this review by telling you to go buy it and read it. It is a beautiful story and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did! (P.S. bring tissues😊)
https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2018/01/silent-song-by-jaci-wheeler.html
I want to start this review by saying that I have never read anything from Jaci Wheeler before so I wasn't familiar with her writing. I would like to take the time to mention the Letter to Readers at the beginning of the book before I dive into what I thought of the book itself. I appreciated what Jaci wrote in this letter and how she was able to explain the various difficulties that she had in the process. I think that it takes a lot of courage to write something that means so much to you and share that with the world leaving it open for critique by readers and others. I appreciated how she was able to explain how the dialogue was going to appear so that I wouldn't be confused as I read the words. I have to say that knowing all these things made this book even more special to me. I think that people that are reading this review can see what direction I am about to take this review in.
I am so happy that I got the chance to read/review Silent Song. I think that it is rare when a book comes along with the power to change you in some way after reading it. This is what reading Silent Song has done for me. It had a big impact on me in more ways than one. I am not deaf but was able to see myself in each of the main characters. Barrett is proud of who he is but has been heartbroken and felt alone in a world where he was treated like he was less than by others. As I was reading this book, I could not help but think that he was more not less than those around him. He was able to read people and care for them in ways that others were not capable of. He had so many talents some of which I can only dream of. Presley was the character that I saw myself most in. Music was her therapy and her passion. It helped her to heal others as well as herself. She cared more about others than she did herself and never wanted to see people in pain.
These characters helped me to connect with the story but I also loved the messages that were contained within it and the lessons that I was able to learn from it. I had no idea each person had a ASL sign for their names. I've always thought that it seemed like a beautiful language but had no idea that it could be so personal and creative. I really loved how Jaci Wheeler was able to differentiate between the times when people were signing to each other and speaking the English language. It made the conversations all the more meaningful when I was able to see just how difficult it can be to communicate with others when they may sign poorly, switch back and forth between sign and English, and have to read lips. I was able to place myself in Barrett's shoes and get a glimpse of how hard it might be for someone whose world is silent. I learned so many things about the language and culture of the deaf community from this book. I realize that it is a work of fiction but it is my belief that you can learn a lot about people that are similar and different from you through books. It is part of the reason that I love books so much.
Anyway, Silent Song contained thought provoking concepts such as what it is to truly accept and love another person, loss, and finding your place in the world. I could go on and on about what I loved about this book and how much it touched me but I would rather sum up this review by telling you to go buy it and read it. It is a beautiful story and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did! (P.S. bring tissues😊)
https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2018/01/silent-song-by-jaci-wheeler.html
thedutchbookreviewer's review
4.0
Review is originally from here
Barret
I’m deaf. What most people see as a disadvantage I see as an advantage. I feel my wat through life in my 1969 Ford Fairline. The vibrations and speed sustain me, the race track is where I dominate. I though racing was all I needed to survive… but I was wrong.
Presley
Music is my life. I inhale the melody and breathe in the lyrics. That was until I met someone that opened my eyes to a new culture. Who knew all it would take was silence for me to really experience music.
When Silence and Sound collide, it creates an explosion of the senses.
First of all, I want to thank the author for granting me a review copy!
The book caught my attention, because after reading the synopsis, I just knew this wasn’t your usual romance book. And that was why I really wanted to read it!
I really ‘enjoyed’ our deaf main character. The author definitely did all she could to get us, the readers, to understand the things a deaf person deals with on a regular basis.
She also uses the ASL languages to demonstrate how hard it is to switch from ASL to English, and the other way around. I never knew how hard ASL actually is, and how different it is from our ‘regular’ languages. In the end, the context of the story explains a lot. But it does make you understand the issues someone can have when they mostly use ASL as a form of communication.
Both Barret and Presley felt so real to me. They definitely gave me all the feels! And it has been a while since I got that from a book! Especially from a book that falls into the romance category.
I also loved the progress of everything, and all the events that happened in this book. The characters learned from their past, and made them into the characters they were at the end!
It wasn’t the type of contemporary to read in the summer. You know those ones? That you can only read in the summer? Well, this isn’t one! I read it during the colder season, and I feel like you can read the book throughout every season.
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the main characters! If you want tp read a not-so-usual-contemporary, then I highly recommend you this book!
I ended up giving it 4,5 out of 5 stars!
Barret
I’m deaf. What most people see as a disadvantage I see as an advantage. I feel my wat through life in my 1969 Ford Fairline. The vibrations and speed sustain me, the race track is where I dominate. I though racing was all I needed to survive… but I was wrong.
Presley
Music is my life. I inhale the melody and breathe in the lyrics. That was until I met someone that opened my eyes to a new culture. Who knew all it would take was silence for me to really experience music.
When Silence and Sound collide, it creates an explosion of the senses.
First of all, I want to thank the author for granting me a review copy!
The book caught my attention, because after reading the synopsis, I just knew this wasn’t your usual romance book. And that was why I really wanted to read it!
I really ‘enjoyed’ our deaf main character. The author definitely did all she could to get us, the readers, to understand the things a deaf person deals with on a regular basis.
She also uses the ASL languages to demonstrate how hard it is to switch from ASL to English, and the other way around. I never knew how hard ASL actually is, and how different it is from our ‘regular’ languages. In the end, the context of the story explains a lot. But it does make you understand the issues someone can have when they mostly use ASL as a form of communication.
Both Barret and Presley felt so real to me. They definitely gave me all the feels! And it has been a while since I got that from a book! Especially from a book that falls into the romance category.
I also loved the progress of everything, and all the events that happened in this book. The characters learned from their past, and made them into the characters they were at the end!
It wasn’t the type of contemporary to read in the summer. You know those ones? That you can only read in the summer? Well, this isn’t one! I read it during the colder season, and I feel like you can read the book throughout every season.
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the main characters! If you want tp read a not-so-usual-contemporary, then I highly recommend you this book!
I ended up giving it 4,5 out of 5 stars!
literarily_occupied's review
5.0
I was fortunate enough to win an advanced signed copy from the author and I am so glad I did! This was my first Jaci Wheeler book and after reading Silent Song I cannot wait to dive into another! I was apprehensive at first as to how I would like this book since the description put me in mind of one of my favorite books, Colleen Hoover's "Maybe Someday", and I was perhaps a bit worried maybe the storylines would cross and would not measure up. However I am happy to say that Silent Song stands on its own with a charming story about love and loss and taking the initiative to experience the world from a different perspective than your own. I completed this story in one day as the storyline kept me engaged and wanting more with fantastically developed characters. As far as storyline, character development and readability it gets 5 stars! I would love to see a sequel to this journey some day!
belindaclemons_123's review
5.0
Silent Song is a beautiful unique book that will make your heart sing with emotion. The love and understanding in this book will leave you with a smile. Presley is a girl who leaves a ivy league school to pursue her dream of a degree in music therapy. Barrett is a hardworking deaf boy who is doing his best to take care of his younger brother and himself. They meet each other when Presley jumps in his car after a race. Presley and Barrett's story had me feeling all kinds of emotions that left me drained they really go well together even with their differences. Jaci has a hit on her hands with this book.. and the going away gift ending lol so epic
cooterbooter's review
5.0
Absolutely blown away!
By far the most creative story I’ve read in a very long time. I love the concept behind this game and wish more people would delve into the unknown and come out with masterpieces like this one. Can’t wait to read more!
By far the most creative story I’ve read in a very long time. I love the concept behind this game and wish more people would delve into the unknown and come out with masterpieces like this one. Can’t wait to read more!
becsa's review
5.0
This is a beautiful story about overcoming tragedy and certain "barriers" to find love and acceptance.
Barrett was such a great guy and definitely grew up in a tough situation yet he did the best under the circumstances to make sure he and Codi had enough food to eat and shelter over their heads while their dad was drunk. He loved the feel of racing cars but couldn't understand the radio chatter. He had goals but his life revolved around his brother.
Presley was attracted to Barrett right from the beginning but didn't like that he was still in high school, although he was 18 and only two years younger. Yet as soon as she heard about everything that happened she was there for him, helping him and trying to support him.
I felt super bad about what happened with Presley and her parents and I was super proud of Barrett and how he stood up to them. But then I felt super bad for Barrett when it came to Musical Monday's and how Presley's friends treated him and made him feel like he really didn't belong with them.
The ending was amazing with what Presley did for Barrett and his friends with what they were able to experience!
sgarrett27's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Silent Song was the first book that I’ve read by Jaci Wheeler and I was completely blown away.
This book was completely unique to anything I’ve ever read before. I couldn’t put it down from the minute I started reading it.
Barrett and Presley’s story is truly beautiful and will have you experiencing a complete range of emotions from happiness and laughter to crying tears of sadness.
Barrett is deaf and has truly embraced his disability. He’s had to take on a full gamut of responsibilities from a very young age and has become a bit jaded because of this.
Presley is from a very wealthy family who has the world on her shoulders due to their expectations of her. She moves her studies from Yale to UOP to study her dream, music therapy. Even though Presley and Barrett have true loves of completely different things they find themselves having an immediate connection to each other.
Silent Song is written so uniquely you’ll find yourselves understanding what it’s like to be deaf in a completely new way.
I cannot rave and recommend this book enough. You definitely need to buy and read this book!
This book was completely unique to anything I’ve ever read before. I couldn’t put it down from the minute I started reading it.
Barrett and Presley’s story is truly beautiful and will have you experiencing a complete range of emotions from happiness and laughter to crying tears of sadness.
Barrett is deaf and has truly embraced his disability. He’s had to take on a full gamut of responsibilities from a very young age and has become a bit jaded because of this.
Presley is from a very wealthy family who has the world on her shoulders due to their expectations of her. She moves her studies from Yale to UOP to study her dream, music therapy. Even though Presley and Barrett have true loves of completely different things they find themselves having an immediate connection to each other.
Silent Song is written so uniquely you’ll find yourselves understanding what it’s like to be deaf in a completely new way.
I cannot rave and recommend this book enough. You definitely need to buy and read this book!
bec_sherman's review against another edition
5.0
WOW, Silent Song blew me away. I couldn't put it down! It was written in alternative points of views from Barrett, a deaf 18 year old who loves to race cars, and Presley, a college student whose life revolves around music. It was so full of emotion. Both Barrett and Presley had issues they were dealing with and they were tackled in such a realistic way.
Parts of the story were written in ASL (American sign language), which is a different way of reading than English. It didn't take me long to get the hang of and really enjoy this type of language. This was my first book by Jaci Wheeler, but I'm definitely reading more.
Parts of the story were written in ASL (American sign language), which is a different way of reading than English. It didn't take me long to get the hang of and really enjoy this type of language. This was my first book by Jaci Wheeler, but I'm definitely reading more.
circe813's review against another edition
2.0
Chaste, under-developed book about a Deaf boy and a hearing girl finding each other. Barrett’s character is a bit more developed than Payton’s, but not by much. The author did a great job with ASL grammar, though, and illustrating how important Deaf culture is (and how hearing people get it wrong so often—viewing being deaf as a deficit, rather than just a way of being). The author even briefly touched on the CI controversy, though MUCH more information is available online, for anyone who is interested in seeking it out.
EDIT: The female main character is called Presley, which goes to show you how well-developed the character is. Even an hour after reading it, I couldn’t remember her name!
EDIT: The female main character is called Presley, which goes to show you how well-developed the character is. Even an hour after reading it, I couldn’t remember her name!
emjayae149's review
4.0
If nothing else, this book gave me great insight into the life of a deaf person. There are so many things I had never even thought about and the realities are presented in both a forthright and poetic manner. And make sure to reader the author’s letter to the readers before starting the book. There is a lot of important context given.
It is hard not to sympathise, empathise, {insert an entire thesaurus of similar words] when it comes to Barrett. He may only be 18 years old but his life is filled with struggles, many of which have nothing to do with his deafness. Even during times of tragedy, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Barrett. Not only was he left to deal with the fallout of a family falling apart but he was also questioning his own value as a person. His thoughts and feelings are just gut-wrenching at times.
Presley is the 20-year-old music therapy student who first meets Barrett as they’re escaping from a streetcar race the police area about to uncover. Her knowledge of sign language offers her the opportunity to communicate and get to know Barrett. Presley’s attempts to give Barrett what he needs are not only special but relevant. She is not doing these things for the sake of it but she has a genuine desire to help. And as horrible as it may sound, her efforts are part of the reason I struggle to understand the character. Her selflessness and desire to help people is never ending; she is just too good to be true. Further, at the book’s conclusion, there’s a small part of me that does not believe that Barrett’s and Presley’s is a grand love affair. I believe they love and are attracted to each other but there is a lot of growing for them both to do.
The side characters are great. Jodi, Presley’s roommate is a real firecracker and is fun to read about. Randy, Barrett’s uncle, is a wonderfully supportive man to Barrett. I do hope Randy gets his own happy ever after.
3.5 stars
It is hard not to sympathise, empathise, {insert an entire thesaurus of similar words] when it comes to Barrett. He may only be 18 years old but his life is filled with struggles, many of which have nothing to do with his deafness. Even during times of tragedy, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Barrett. Not only was he left to deal with the fallout of a family falling apart but he was also questioning his own value as a person. His thoughts and feelings are just gut-wrenching at times.
Presley is the 20-year-old music therapy student who first meets Barrett as they’re escaping from a streetcar race the police area about to uncover. Her knowledge of sign language offers her the opportunity to communicate and get to know Barrett. Presley’s attempts to give Barrett what he needs are not only special but relevant. She is not doing these things for the sake of it but she has a genuine desire to help. And as horrible as it may sound, her efforts are part of the reason I struggle to understand the character. Her selflessness and desire to help people is never ending; she is just too good to be true. Further, at the book’s conclusion, there’s a small part of me that does not believe that Barrett’s and Presley’s is a grand love affair. I believe they love and are attracted to each other but there is a lot of growing for them both to do.
The side characters are great. Jodi, Presley’s roommate is a real firecracker and is fun to read about. Randy, Barrett’s uncle, is a wonderfully supportive man to Barrett. I do hope Randy gets his own happy ever after.
3.5 stars
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