fionnious's review against another edition
2.0
Megan's story is a compelling one; why does she not speak? Who are the voices in her head? What happened to her best friend Hana and why is she so scared that it'll get out?
And finally, why, when she has never displayed any signs of homosexuality before, does she find herself wanting to kiss new girl Jasmine?
From the beginning of the book, I wanted to know why she didn't speak. The fact that she was mute did interest me, but the more I read the novel, the less I became interested in it. I'm not sure I followed the story fully either, due to its several different modes of formatting; does italics mean Megan is thinking? Or are her thoughts embedded into the narrative too? Do the italics signify someone else talking in her head? I'm not too sure.
I must be honest, I was not overly enamored by this text. I'm not sure what it was, but I found the narrative slightly clumsy. I understand that in order to tell a story about a mute girl, there may need to be other characters who 'never shut up' as Jasmine puts it, but there did seem to be too much of that in Unspeakable.
Also, the build up in the story seemed a bit unnecessary in the end. I was expecting something more than what actually happened, and while I understand that people can blame themselves for things, I wanted MORE to be revealed about Hana's death.
Having said that, the ending was good. Intense, interesting and somewhat unexpected in some parts - the ending made reading the whole thing worthwhile. As far as the Megan x Jasmine relationship though, I just wish there had been more signs of it throughout the text and not just in blatant 'she is gorgeous' type ordeals. Please.
If you are solely looking for a book which deals with LGBTQ* issues, then don't read this text. Message me and I'll give you other titles for that. It seemed unrealistic, in my opinion. But again that is just my opinion.
I would be interested to know how much experience Rushton has in LGBTQ* situations. Of course, if she is a cisgender straight person, it does not mean she can't (or shouldn't) write a book about LGBTQ* issues, I just wish (as we all know) that more LGBTQ* people had a stage to tell their stories, as I have ranted about in many writing workshops in the past. But alas.
I foresee people really taking to this book in a way that I didn't. And as an interesting exploration of mental health and LGBTQ* issues, I can understand why they might. I just think other people have tackled this issue better, so with all the hype this is getting on Goodreads, I was a little disappointed.
And finally, why, when she has never displayed any signs of homosexuality before, does she find herself wanting to kiss new girl Jasmine?
From the beginning of the book, I wanted to know why she didn't speak. The fact that she was mute did interest me, but the more I read the novel, the less I became interested in it. I'm not sure I followed the story fully either, due to its several different modes of formatting; does italics mean Megan is thinking? Or are her thoughts embedded into the narrative too? Do the italics signify someone else talking in her head? I'm not too sure.
I must be honest, I was not overly enamored by this text. I'm not sure what it was, but I found the narrative slightly clumsy. I understand that in order to tell a story about a mute girl, there may need to be other characters who 'never shut up' as Jasmine puts it, but there did seem to be too much of that in Unspeakable.
Also, the build up in the story seemed a bit unnecessary in the end. I was expecting something more than what actually happened, and while I understand that people can blame themselves for things, I wanted MORE to be revealed about Hana's death.
Having said that, the ending was good. Intense, interesting and somewhat unexpected in some parts - the ending made reading the whole thing worthwhile. As far as the Megan x Jasmine relationship though, I just wish there had been more signs of it throughout the text and not just in blatant 'she is gorgeous' type ordeals. Please.
If you are solely looking for a book which deals with LGBTQ* issues, then don't read this text. Message me and I'll give you other titles for that. It seemed unrealistic, in my opinion. But again that is just my opinion.
I would be interested to know how much experience Rushton has in LGBTQ* situations. Of course, if she is a cisgender straight person, it does not mean she can't (or shouldn't) write a book about LGBTQ* issues, I just wish (as we all know) that more LGBTQ* people had a stage to tell their stories, as I have ranted about in many writing workshops in the past. But alas.
I foresee people really taking to this book in a way that I didn't. And as an interesting exploration of mental health and LGBTQ* issues, I can understand why they might. I just think other people have tackled this issue better, so with all the hype this is getting on Goodreads, I was a little disappointed.
fnnbnjmnks's review against another edition
2.0
Megan's story is a compelling one; why does she not speak? Who are the voices in her head? What happened to her best friend Hana and why is she so scared that it'll get out?
And finally, why, when she has never displayed any signs of homosexuality before, does she find herself wanting to kiss new girl Jasmine?
From the beginning of the book, I wanted to know why she didn't speak. The fact that she was mute did interest me, but the more I read the novel, the less I became interested in it. I'm not sure I followed the story fully either, due to its several different modes of formatting; does italics mean Megan is thinking? Or are her thoughts embedded into the narrative too? Do the italics signify someone else talking in her head? I'm not too sure.
I must be honest, I was not overly enamored by this text. I'm not sure what it was, but I found the narrative slightly clumsy. I understand that in order to tell a story about a mute girl, there may need to be other characters who 'never shut up' as Jasmine puts it, but there did seem to be too much of that in Unspeakable.
Also, the build up in the story seemed a bit unnecessary in the end. I was expecting something more than what actually happened, and while I understand that people can blame themselves for things, I wanted MORE to be revealed about Hana's death.
Having said that, the ending was good. Intense, interesting and somewhat unexpected in some parts - the ending made reading the whole thing worthwhile. As far as the Megan x Jasmine relationship though, I just wish there had been more signs of it throughout the text and not just in blatant 'she is gorgeous' type ordeals. Please.
If you are solely looking for a book which deals with LGBTQ* issues, then don't read this text. Message me and I'll give you other titles for that. It seemed unrealistic, in my opinion. But again that is just my opinion.
I would be interested to know how much experience Rushton has in LGBTQ* situations. Of course, if she is a cisgender straight person, it does not mean she can't (or shouldn't) write a book about LGBTQ* issues, I just wish (as we all know) that more LGBTQ* people had a stage to tell their stories, as I have ranted about in many writing workshops in the past. But alas.
I foresee people really taking to this book in a way that I didn't. And as an interesting exploration of mental health and LGBTQ* issues, I can understand why they might. I just think other people have tackled this issue better, so with all the hype this is getting on Goodreads, I was a little disappointed.
And finally, why, when she has never displayed any signs of homosexuality before, does she find herself wanting to kiss new girl Jasmine?
From the beginning of the book, I wanted to know why she didn't speak. The fact that she was mute did interest me, but the more I read the novel, the less I became interested in it. I'm not sure I followed the story fully either, due to its several different modes of formatting; does italics mean Megan is thinking? Or are her thoughts embedded into the narrative too? Do the italics signify someone else talking in her head? I'm not too sure.
I must be honest, I was not overly enamored by this text. I'm not sure what it was, but I found the narrative slightly clumsy. I understand that in order to tell a story about a mute girl, there may need to be other characters who 'never shut up' as Jasmine puts it, but there did seem to be too much of that in Unspeakable.
Also, the build up in the story seemed a bit unnecessary in the end. I was expecting something more than what actually happened, and while I understand that people can blame themselves for things, I wanted MORE to be revealed about Hana's death.
Having said that, the ending was good. Intense, interesting and somewhat unexpected in some parts - the ending made reading the whole thing worthwhile. As far as the Megan x Jasmine relationship though, I just wish there had been more signs of it throughout the text and not just in blatant 'she is gorgeous' type ordeals. Please.
If you are solely looking for a book which deals with LGBTQ* issues, then don't read this text. Message me and I'll give you other titles for that. It seemed unrealistic, in my opinion. But again that is just my opinion.
I would be interested to know how much experience Rushton has in LGBTQ* situations. Of course, if she is a cisgender straight person, it does not mean she can't (or shouldn't) write a book about LGBTQ* issues, I just wish (as we all know) that more LGBTQ* people had a stage to tell their stories, as I have ranted about in many writing workshops in the past. But alas.
I foresee people really taking to this book in a way that I didn't. And as an interesting exploration of mental health and LGBTQ* issues, I can understand why they might. I just think other people have tackled this issue better, so with all the hype this is getting on Goodreads, I was a little disappointed.
michellewalsh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. Short review. Just want to express my thoughts.
The book had a slow start, but after that it picked up. Due to something that happened (something we slowly find out page by page) our main character doesn't speak, won't make a sound. The whole not-speaking and the guilt was done so perfectly. I just felt so sad for the poor girl. No one should have had something like this happening to them, no one should carry so much guilt and worry. I had my suspicions on what happened, and also on what really happened, but the end still took me by surprise and I really enjoyed it.
The main girl was interesting. I really liked that her no-speaking was a real thing to her. Nowhere, not even when alone, did she speak or make a sound. But with the coming of a new girl, you see her loosen up, you see her lose a bit of her fear, she is slowly coming to terms with what happened. She has finally found someone she feels that she can trust. And I really loved how they grew to each other.
Jasmine was just wonderful. I loved her, and how instead of demanding our main girl to speak, she just spoke to her. Kept chattering, kept our main girl nearby.
I was so sorry for her with all that happened to her. No one deserves that.
The love between the girls, the confusion of our main character it was all written realistically and I really was intrigued and wanted to know how this would go on.
The ending was fantastic, it had a lot of twists and turns, some revelations and most importantly something that our main character has been searching for.
I would recommend this book to everyone. Looking for a realistic book? A book with LGBT themes, with themes about sorrow and death, about bullying? Then try this one out.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The book had a slow start, but after that it picked up. Due to something that happened (something we slowly find out page by page) our main character doesn't speak, won't make a sound. The whole not-speaking and the guilt was done so perfectly. I just felt so sad for the poor girl. No one should have had something like this happening to them, no one should carry so much guilt and worry. I had my suspicions on what happened, and also on what really happened, but the end still took me by surprise and I really enjoyed it.
The main girl was interesting. I really liked that her no-speaking was a real thing to her. Nowhere, not even when alone, did she speak or make a sound. But with the coming of a new girl, you see her loosen up, you see her lose a bit of her fear, she is slowly coming to terms with what happened. She has finally found someone she feels that she can trust. And I really loved how they grew to each other.
Jasmine was just wonderful. I loved her, and how instead of demanding our main girl to speak, she just spoke to her. Kept chattering, kept our main girl nearby.
I was so sorry for her with all that happened to her. No one deserves that.
The love between the girls, the confusion of our main character it was all written realistically and I really was intrigued and wanted to know how this would go on.
The ending was fantastic, it had a lot of twists and turns, some revelations and most importantly something that our main character has been searching for.
I would recommend this book to everyone. Looking for a realistic book? A book with LGBT themes, with themes about sorrow and death, about bullying? Then try this one out.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
3.0
there are many excellent elements to the book -- the romance between Megan and Jasmine is very sweet, and Megan's selective mutism is well-handled -- but for me it was spoiled by an overly dramatic ending that the previous narrative could not sustain.
rorygilmores's review against another edition
3.0
3½ stars!!
first book of pride month!! sapphic best friends to lovers absolutely incredible showstopping amazing !!! the ending was kind of weird though like for a book that is about that fact that the main character hasn't spoken in a year they gloss over it so fast when she does start speaking again??@? but oh well justice for the school counsellor and his yogurt breath
first book of pride month!! sapphic best friends to lovers absolutely incredible showstopping amazing !!! the ending was kind of weird though like for a book that is about that fact that the main character hasn't spoken in a year they gloss over it so fast when she does start speaking again??@? but oh well justice for the school counsellor and his yogurt breath
magentamind's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
alexiasophii's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not gonna say that I stayed up until 5AM reading this book cover to cover but... I did. I did stay up.
I was having trouble sleeping and I had this book on my kindle for a while now and decided to finally give it a try and boy, was I in for a ride! This book is really well written from the POV of the main character, Megan. She's a sweet girl but she can't speak, mostly due to trauma. I like the characterization of the therapy process and I'm very happy they included that in. Her relationship with Jasmine is very cute but the.
The book is a nice and fast read, very simple but very cute and with a very nice depiction of f/f relationship in teen years. Loved the supporting mother btw! :)
I was having trouble sleeping and I had this book on my kindle for a while now and decided to finally give it a try and boy, was I in for a ride! This book is really well written from the POV of the main character, Megan. She's a sweet girl but she can't speak, mostly due to trauma. I like the characterization of the therapy process and I'm very happy they included that in. Her relationship with Jasmine is very cute but the
Spoiler
moment when she says that she killed Hana and Jasmine just freaks out, without even listening, is too hurting. I mean, she's dating this girl and she knows her and she hears her say that she thinks she killed someone, knowing full well that she spent months not speaking due to trauma, and she doesn't listen? She doesn't try to reason with it? And just leaves? That makes no sense to me, but I understand why the author did it, since it was necessary for that finale momentThe book is a nice and fast read, very simple but very cute and with a very nice depiction of f/f relationship in teen years. Loved the supporting mother btw! :)