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tinysierra's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
“What I've learned this year is that home has nothing to do with geography. It's about people. The people who love and accept you-who don't treat you like an inconvenience.”
The Loudest Silence is fluffy, fun and cute. It’s like High School Musical but with explicit queer and disabled rep.
I loved the focus on friendships. The friend group is really cute. I would’ve enjoyed even more moments of Hayden and Casey hanging out together. I also loved seeing all the platonic physical affection between the characters.
There is a romance but it is a tiny subplot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
jess_polishedcomma's review
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Cursing
libraryofdreaming's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
This was a really sweet & moving story about acceptance, disability justice, & friendship!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
aromanticreadsromance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I cannot say enough good things about this book and its author!!! We NEED more platonic love stories (because platonic soulmates ARE a thing)!! Casey and Hayden's friendship was so beautiful. Both started closed off but slowly opened themselves up to each other.
This book has OwnVoices Deaf-Hard of Hearing representation (through Casey) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder representation (through Hayden). Casey is Polish-American and bisexual, and Hayden is Cuban-Italian American and aroace. I could relate SO much to both their storylines! Sydney Langford really captured not only what it's like to be a teenager but also what it's like to be a (newly) disabled teenager. I'm not Deaf-Hard of Hearing like Casey, but I was born with a vision impairment that didn't get diagnosed until I was a teen. So let me tell you the medical ableism against children and teenagers is alive and well. I had multiple doctors who didn't believe me and told my parents (while I was in the room, no less!) I was making it up for attention (which... if I wanted attention, there were far more effective ways to get it). It broke my heart to hear Casey (and I'm sure the author as well) go through a similar experience. Here's a radical idea... why don't we just... believe kids?
I also loved the discussion of grief related to Casey's sudden hearing loss. Grief doesn't just happen after a loved one dies, and I think we need to talk about non-death related grief more.
There's also a splash of romance in this (obviously not between the MCs, but between Casey and someone else...) that I really enjoyed, but it was not the main focus (nowhere near it).
Sydney Langford's sophomore release can't come soon enough (but unfortunately the world needs to wait until 2026) (srsly sydney if u need alpha beta and/or arc readers hmu ily) !!!
This book has OwnVoices Deaf-Hard of Hearing representation (through Casey) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder representation (through Hayden). Casey is Polish-American and bisexual, and Hayden is Cuban-Italian American and aroace. I could relate SO much to both their storylines! Sydney Langford really captured not only what it's like to be a teenager but also what it's like to be a (newly) disabled teenager. I'm not Deaf-Hard of Hearing like Casey, but I was born with a vision impairment that didn't get diagnosed until I was a teen. So let me tell you the medical ableism against children and teenagers is alive and well. I had multiple doctors who didn't believe me and told my parents (while I was in the room, no less!) I was making it up for attention (which... if I wanted attention, there were far more effective ways to get it). It broke my heart to hear Casey (and I'm sure the author as well) go through a similar experience. Here's a radical idea... why don't we just... believe kids?
I also loved the discussion of grief related to Casey's sudden hearing loss. Grief doesn't just happen after a loved one dies, and I think we need to talk about non-death related grief more.
There's also a splash of romance in this (obviously not between the MCs, but between Casey and someone else...) that I really enjoyed, but it was not the main focus (nowhere near it).
Sydney Langford's sophomore release can't come soon enough (but unfortunately the world needs to wait until 2026) (srsly sydney if u need alpha beta and/or arc readers hmu ily) !!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing
readingelli's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
elliott_the_clementine's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
Toothache-sweet!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Acephobia/Arophobia
the_queer_bibliophile's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
I received this ARC in a trade. All thoughts are my own. I absolutely adored reading this book! The characters were funny and relatable from the very beginning. And the humor and Millennial/Gen Z references where icing on the cake. This is literally a Platonic High School Musical, and I LOVE THAT.
The representation throughout this book is amazing in my opinion. Not only do we get disability representation with a Deaf/HOH MC, we get LGBTQ+ representation with the main two characters being bisexual and aroace, AND mental health representation as well, with one of the MCs experiencing anxiety attacks and a possible anxiety disorder. The representation of an anxiety attack was very realistic, but also keep in mind anxiety attacks look different for everyone.
All in all, I highly recommend this book to those looking for a feel-good, coming-of-age story of two queers and their found family.
The representation throughout this book is amazing in my opinion. Not only do we get disability representation with a Deaf/HOH MC, we get LGBTQ+ representation with the main two characters being bisexual and aroace, AND mental health representation as well, with one of the MCs experiencing anxiety attacks and a possible anxiety disorder. The representation of an anxiety attack was very realistic, but also keep in mind anxiety attacks look different for everyone.
All in all, I highly recommend this book to those looking for a feel-good, coming-of-age story of two queers and their found family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Grief
ashylibrarian's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Sydney Langford hit it out of the park with their debut novel, The Loudest Silence!
This is a YA realistic fiction with duel POV for readers who love robust and diverse casts of characters, messy friendships, platonic love, and High School Musical.
16-year-old Casey has dreamed of becoming a professional singer. The universe had other plans for her, though - sudden, permanent, and profound hearing loss. Casey and her family are set to move across the country, and now she not only has to navigate starting at a new high school but she is also faced with learning to navigate the world as a Deaf-Hard of Hearing person.
Hayden, the new soccer team captain, is expected to follow in the footsteps of the three-generation fútbol legends in his family, including his older brother. Hayden is hiding a big secret, though. He wants to quit soccer to pursue his dreams of performing on Broadway. What is stopping him from sharing this with others? His Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Both Casey and Hayden are determined to hide who they truly are, even from those closest to them. After their paths cross at school, however, they begin to bond over a shared love for music and, though maybe reluctantly at first (at least for Casey), learn how to support and encourage each other.
The Loudest Silence is a new and unique YA contemporary story that brings together themes of grief, friendship, found family, and self-discovery. I absolutely adored this novel! From cover to cover, it carries readers through an emotional roller coaster of messy teens trying to find themselves in the world.
The cast of characters is just delightful, too! Readers get to see so many of them open up throughout the book, and the friendships that formed into found family truly warmed my heart.
While I am reading this book from an adult reader's lens, I know it will be one that many teen readers will see themselves in with its diverse cast of characters, strong conversations about difficult topics, and big dreams.
This is a YA realistic fiction with duel POV for readers who love robust and diverse casts of characters, messy friendships, platonic love, and High School Musical.
16-year-old Casey has dreamed of becoming a professional singer. The universe had other plans for her, though - sudden, permanent, and profound hearing loss. Casey and her family are set to move across the country, and now she not only has to navigate starting at a new high school but she is also faced with learning to navigate the world as a Deaf-Hard of Hearing person.
Hayden, the new soccer team captain, is expected to follow in the footsteps of the three-generation fútbol legends in his family, including his older brother. Hayden is hiding a big secret, though. He wants to quit soccer to pursue his dreams of performing on Broadway. What is stopping him from sharing this with others? His Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Both Casey and Hayden are determined to hide who they truly are, even from those closest to them. After their paths cross at school, however, they begin to bond over a shared love for music and, though maybe reluctantly at first (at least for Casey), learn how to support and encourage each other.
The Loudest Silence is a new and unique YA contemporary story that brings together themes of grief, friendship, found family, and self-discovery. I absolutely adored this novel! From cover to cover, it carries readers through an emotional roller coaster of messy teens trying to find themselves in the world.
The cast of characters is just delightful, too! Readers get to see so many of them open up throughout the book, and the friendships that formed into found family truly warmed my heart.
While I am reading this book from an adult reader's lens, I know it will be one that many teen readers will see themselves in with its diverse cast of characters, strong conversations about difficult topics, and big dreams.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism and Grief
sydneylangford's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I’m incredibly biased seeing as TLS is my book but… this is the book of my heart. A story I wrote after losing my hearing and having my anxiety disorder skyrocket. A story about resilience, music, friendship, and finding light in the dark. A story that *I* needed at a young age and I hope others (whether they’re going through similar situations or not) will find comfort in. I’m so excited to share TLS with the world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Ableism