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: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual assault, Ableism, Injury/injury detail, Physical abuse, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Alcohol, Grief, Alcoholism, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug use, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gore and Vomit
rachaelm13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Spoiler
that archer is blood related and has rights to the townThe dandelions on the cover I thought was going to be a reoccurring theme but they were mentioned twice in the first couple chapters then never again.
The main character was literally assaulted (forcibly kissed) by two separate guys and both times she literally brushed it off and justified their actions?? Maybe that was supposed to be because of her previous trauma but I don’t think so. Kinda said that just taking unwanted kisses is okay and its because “oh the poor guy had/did _blank_ so its not his fault”
I also felt like this book the whole time was just trying to make Archer as “normal” as possibly. As in, painting him not disabled and that look there’s something wrong with him but he’s ‘normal’. I got a weird ableism vibe. ESPECIALLY with the whole solo roadtrip thing.
Spoiler
He was good enough before. I know he initiated the trip but it still sent the message the author didn’t think he was good enough how he was for Bree. He could’ve grown and gotten more comfortable in society with Bree and in Pelion. Also without completely cutting her off for 3 months and expecting that to be okay and her to willingly take him back after that. All just to prove to the reader ge was normal. Even at the beginning it was, “oh he’s not deaf he’s normal” “he was shot thats why he can’t talk, he wasn’t BORN broken” like yikes tell me you’re ableist without telling me. Its giving *inspiration porn*Also Bree constantly worried how Archer is going to communicate with people and being sad/taking pity on him when he goes in public alone like he’s not a grown ass man who can communicate and has done so by himself thus far. How did he communicate with you before he knew you signed? Body language, gestures, writing things down. Just because he doesn’t speak doesn’t mean he’s incapable. Be mad at society for not being inclusive and knowing sign and being readily willing to communicate with people in anything other than orally. Again its the ableism for me. “Oh poor man he can’t talk his life must suck!¡!” No actually society just isn’t built for anyone but neurotypical, non-disabled people.
Another weird ableist thing about the the epilogue(s) Bree kept mentioning her “loud boys” like what? It was like highlighting the fact that they were “normal” and archer’s genetics didnt “mess them up”. Like it was brought up an oddly large number of times. Th only epilogue that I cared for was the extended version that shower archer’s point of view of the haircutting scene. I wish we would’ve got more of his chapters in the book.
Also would’ve loved to see the sexual learning a bit more. Like this whole trope is girl meets sheltered boy. But all we got was “he masters things so he mastered sex too” like I wanted scenes where he’s actually learning her. I don’t know. Thats just a small qualm but it would’ve been cool.
I think I’m going to have to give this book a 2
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Ableism, Child abuse, Alcohol, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Injury/injury detail, and Sexual content
hapalyn'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
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Drug use, Drug abuse, Injury/injury detail, Car accident, Child abuse, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
ruthhmariee'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Infidelity, and Injury/injury detail
day_dreaming_vampire's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Spoiler
Some parts were a little frustrating (the part where he couldn't live without her but then left for 3 months with no contact?)The epilogue annoyed me with the "got married and had babies" but overall it was a nice story and I did smile a lot. I loved Archer and wish we'd had more from his POV.
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Pregnancy, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Medical trauma, Grief, Gun violence, Car accident, and Abandonment
juliette_95's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Death, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Alcoholism
Minor: Pregnancy and Rape
readingwithtrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Gun violence
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Rape, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
ecravens's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Rape, Car accident, Death of parent, Addiction, Blood, Sexual content, and Vomit
sennaje's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
meghancraft'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? No
5.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Pregnancy, Rape, Violence, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Car accident, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Drug abuse