Soundless by Richelle Mead
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AsDreamsAreMade
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- Joined: 07 Feb 2016, 12:13
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Soundless by Richelle Mead
I almost didn’t read this because of all the mixed reviews it’s been getting, but I decided to take a chance and go for it.
Fei and the rest of her village have always been deaf for as long as they can remember. They’re situated on the top of a mountain where they mine precious metals and rely on the “line keeper” to send up food and supplies in exchange for whatever they mine. However, some of the villagers are now losing their site–a scary epidemic that can spell ruin for the entire village. One morning, instead of finding she can’t see, Fei wakes with the strangest sensation and discovers that she is no longer deaf. Along with her childhood friend, Li Wei, they strike out to climb down the mountain and find help for their village. What Fei discovers will forever change her destiny.
Ok. So overall I’m glad I read it. I did enjoy it. Was it amazing? Eh. Was it horrible? No. I think I was just expecting a bit more from this book and was a bit disappointed when it didn’t deliver.
Fei was a likeable enough character. She’s willing to sacrifice a lot for her sister and those she cares about. Her developing relationship with Li Wei was interesting. He challenged her to become a better person and think about the circumstances they’re forced to endure. The rest of the minor characters were just that–minor. They’re really not very developed; neither was Fei or Li Wei for that matter.
I think the main issue I had with this story was the plot was very rushed. Everything happened very quickly (it’s only 272 pages–I read it in a couple of hours). I would have liked to have seen some further development of certain points. The other village that they stumble across for instance. Or their culture. I feel that the resolving climax comes a little out of nowhere. I don’t want to get too into it because of spoilers, but I would have liked to have seen a bit more history behind it.
The ending gets resolved, but at the same time I’m left with a few questions. As of right now, I haven’t heard of plans for a sequel, but it’s there if Richelle Mead wants to do it. I hope she does because I feel she has the opportunity to flesh out some of the more interesting plot points with the King, the pixiu, and the other town villagers. Should you skip this one? No. I did enjoy it, but it was just “ok” for me. If you feel like something a little different, a fast read, and some fantasy thrown in, go for it.
Fei and the rest of her village have always been deaf for as long as they can remember. They’re situated on the top of a mountain where they mine precious metals and rely on the “line keeper” to send up food and supplies in exchange for whatever they mine. However, some of the villagers are now losing their site–a scary epidemic that can spell ruin for the entire village. One morning, instead of finding she can’t see, Fei wakes with the strangest sensation and discovers that she is no longer deaf. Along with her childhood friend, Li Wei, they strike out to climb down the mountain and find help for their village. What Fei discovers will forever change her destiny.
Ok. So overall I’m glad I read it. I did enjoy it. Was it amazing? Eh. Was it horrible? No. I think I was just expecting a bit more from this book and was a bit disappointed when it didn’t deliver.
Fei was a likeable enough character. She’s willing to sacrifice a lot for her sister and those she cares about. Her developing relationship with Li Wei was interesting. He challenged her to become a better person and think about the circumstances they’re forced to endure. The rest of the minor characters were just that–minor. They’re really not very developed; neither was Fei or Li Wei for that matter.
I think the main issue I had with this story was the plot was very rushed. Everything happened very quickly (it’s only 272 pages–I read it in a couple of hours). I would have liked to have seen some further development of certain points. The other village that they stumble across for instance. Or their culture. I feel that the resolving climax comes a little out of nowhere. I don’t want to get too into it because of spoilers, but I would have liked to have seen a bit more history behind it.
The ending gets resolved, but at the same time I’m left with a few questions. As of right now, I haven’t heard of plans for a sequel, but it’s there if Richelle Mead wants to do it. I hope she does because I feel she has the opportunity to flesh out some of the more interesting plot points with the King, the pixiu, and the other town villagers. Should you skip this one? No. I did enjoy it, but it was just “ok” for me. If you feel like something a little different, a fast read, and some fantasy thrown in, go for it.
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betterreadthandead
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 07 Feb 2016, 23:17
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- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-betterreadthandead.html
I totally agree with your review. The ending was very rushed and I was left with so many questions. I felt like she "jumped the shark" a little bit with the fantasy bits. Overall I did really enjoy the writing and the characters,they were interesting and likable. Maybe she'll continue this as a series and other questions will be answered.
