I would not usually pick up a book of this genre. It is a young adult book that deals with mature themes and it is from the perspective of two different characters. All those factors usually deter me from a book. I also read this as an ebook on my phone which I am not a fan of (I will always prefer paper to screen). So I found this free book online and decided to download it so I could read it when I was bored and am I glad I did!
Silence is about a teen girl names Oakley, who hasn’t spoken in 10 years and nobody knows why, well at least we are led to assume that nobody knows why. Oakley only uses minor physical gestures to communicate with her family and best friend Cole. Ever since they were children, Oakley and Cole were best friends but as time goes on, they find themselves wanting more in their close relationship.
Cole knew that Oakley did not stop talking because of a fish bone that traumatized her as a kid but he couldn’t imagine what would have caused her to stop talking. As Cole and Oakley grew closer, he found himself asking more questions about Oakley’s silence but she shuts him out every time. It isn’t until he receives a disturbing phone call that he starts putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
For criticisms, I will say the book started off slow and it took me a couple tries to really get into it. That is because when a book switched perspective and it wasn’t consistent. It wasn’t back and forth between Oakley and Cole, it could have been six from Oakley’s perspective and then one from Cole’s. It just made the book start off slow.
Now for the praises. I LOVED this book! I was surprised at how much I loved it. The characters were relatable and it was the story of a girl’s first love. I laughed and I cried and with each chapter, I was put on the edge of my seat not being able to predict anything that was going to happen. The last three chapters ripped my heart out but that is because I could feel the pain and emotions the characters were feeling. Then the worst part of the book, which is also the best part, is that it ends on an emotional cliffhanger. Luckily for me, Silence was published in 2012 and since then Natasha Preston has written three more books in the series so I immediately ordered the next books.
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes cheesy love stories and is not afraid to have their heart broken a little.
Rate: 9/10
Quote of the day: “We just get on with it the best we can. We fight to be better people, more understanding, stronger. Ultimately, we’ve just got to ride it out until we’re willing to change, and we’ve got to be okay with not being perfect human beings who’re fully in control of their life…despite what their stupid heart wants.” ― Natasha Preston, Silence