Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy Book 1)

In the English town Sorry-in-the-Vale, Kami Glass has heard a boy's voice in her head her entire life. His name is Jared and they share everything with each other. Having silent conversations all the time does not do wonders for the social life, so Kami is largely considered strange and someone to be avoided except for to her best friend Angela, a beautiful misanthrope. Together (more reluctantly on Angela's part, they create a school paper. While setting everything up, a newcomer named Ash Lynburn offers to join the paper. He and his family are famous historically and have come back after years and years of living in America, much to the chagrin of much of Sorry-in-the-Vale's citizens. Two strange things have happened since the Lynburns have returned: animals have been brutally murdered in the woods near Kami's house and Ash's cousin Jared seems very similar to the Jared who speaks to her in her head. Kami vows to use her intrepid reporter skills to solve these two mysteries, but she has no idea how it will change her life and the very town she lives in.

Sarah Rees Brennan is one of my favorite authors due to her great writing, boisterous personality, and general hilarity. Unspoken is one of the best books I've read in a while. The characters are all fully realized and diverse. Kami is a fun and interesting character. She isn't a shrinking violet or incredibly passive like so many romantic YA novels. Intelligent and insatiably curious, Kami investigates the animal murders and tries to learn as much as she can about her connection with Jared. Jared isn't the typical bad boy. Sure, he gets in trouble and has issues, but he never treats Kami badly or does anything truly horrific. Even the love triangle here isn't terrible. I have grown to truly hate them since it seems to be a lazy authors way to make the girl desirable and interesting AND one of the male characters is completely ruined to make the choice between the two clear. Ash and Jared are very different and have their own appeal, but the book is really about Kami and Jared and how they can cope with having any sort of real relationship. The minor characters are all interesting and add their own varied personalities to the story. My favorites are Kami's best friend Angela and her self defense enthusiast brother.

I love the concept of the story with two people that can communicate and hear what they other is thinking at all times. When these two people meet, things get weird. They know just about everything about each other: their petty, horrible thoughts, secret desires, and a multitude of other things they would never want anyone else to know. They also can't sand to physically be around each other. Any other author would have the two characters instantly fall into a romantic relationship where they are soul mates that are meant to be together and everything is perfect. (I would hate the crap out of that book because it's a carbon copy of all other paranormal romances out there.) Brennan takes a completely different route and shows how many problems would realistically arise in a situation like this. No one wants a significant other that can read their every thought. We all have horrible, hurtful thoughts we don't really mean and thoughts just not meant for public consumption. This situation would be disastrous for any sort of relationship. Kami and Jared have no idea if their feelings are real since they can feel everything the other feels. They also have no capacity at all for what it's like to be truly alone and independent. This relationship is problematic at best and they don't really know what they are to each other when face to face. I love that Brennan doesn't take the easy way out and explores the problems and facets of this unique relationship.

Unspoken is an amazing novel that I had to finish. The twists and turns in the story are considerable and surprised me. Brennan's writing is just delightful and I can't get enough of her quick witted humor. The love triangle and the bond between Jared and Kami could have been really badly handled, but she subverts my expectations and makes them new and interesting.The ending ripped my heart out a little, but it was necessary. I don't know why everyone is calling it a cliff hanger. It's really not, but it does make you want to know what happens in the next book, which I will definitely be reading. Highly recommended for fantasy fans not afraid of some humor.

Unspoken is the first novel by author Sarah Rees Brennan that I've read, and I enjoyed it so much that I've added her other books to my to-read list. Ms. Brennan writes in a style similar to Cassandra Clare and Holly Black (perhaps no coincidence, since according to her blog they are friends), so fans of their work will probably enjoy this book.

A brief synopsis: Kami Glass is an English high school student in the curiously-named town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. An aspiring journalist, she persuades her best friend Angela to help her start a school newspaper. All her life, Kami has had a secret friend, a boy named Jared whose voice she hears in her head. Who is Jared and how does he connect to the mysterious Lynburn family?

The good: none of the three main female characters, Kami, Angela and Holly, are typical heroines. Kami is spunky, tireless and curious, Angela hates nearly everyone (and has some of the best lines in the book) and Holly is a beauty who rides and repairs her motorcycle. Despite two main male characters, this book isn't a love triangle à la Twilight, but a mystery involving murder, first of animals then escalating to a young woman. The dialogue is crisp and snappy, and the many literary references (I particularly enjoyed the line where Kami encourages Ash to lock his cousin in the attic, citing literary precedent).

The bad: the somewhat abrupt ending sets up book 2, meaning that readers may have to wait years before the story continues. (Can I encourage Ms. Brennan to write faster?) The plot is slow to develop, then ends at breakneck speed. The snappy dialogue is occasionally a bit too much, especially in the case of Kami's father, who is by turns hilarious and annoying. Several characters, such as Angela's brother Rusty, were partially developed then dropped; perhaps they will feature in future books.

Can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Ooo....intrigue! Also, it's set in England. Although I had a tendency to forget that as I was reading.

What I Liked: 1) I definitely liked the MC Kami. She kind of reminded me of SRB, at least for the hour or so I was listening to her. Kami is funny, curious, and not afraid to get a little dirty to get what she's after. She's exactly the kind of MC who I like to read about in YA fiction. Though there is definitely a romance lurking somewhere in there, she isn't so focused on boys that the other parts of her life are ignored. 2) Jared. Hm....okay Mr. Tall, Dark and Mysterious. Jared has had a tough life and my heard immediately went out to him for all of the problems he's had to face in his life. It's so much for a guy who is only 17, so no wonder he's a little screwed up. He fights his initial instincts to care about anyone, and has this massive walls up around himself that no one can get through. But he and Kami's shared history give us a glimpse into what he's really thinking and feeling. And while he may try not to care....I can tell he really does. *swoon* 3) Sorry-in-the-Vale. So there is this little bitty town so consumed by magic that I'm surprised it doesn't explode. I kind of started thinking of it as Storybrooke (you know, from Once Upon A Time?) where magic has almost become like currency, and one family is hoarding it. Talk about craziness. Around every corner there was something new to learn about what, from the outside, would look like a boring little town. 4) Angela and Holly. As far as secondary characters go, these two are some of the best. They had great personalities, and as different as they (and Kami) were from each other, they created a nice little threesome of girlfriends. They complimented each other nicely and brought out different sides of each other. Loved their relationships. 5) I'd be crazy not to touch on Kami and Jared's relationship a little more. They have a rough go of it once they discover they have been in each other's heads for their whole lives, each thinking the other was a figment of his or her imagination. It's emotional and sometimes painful, but definitely raw and real. I loved it.

What I Didn't Like: There was some unnecessary drama that made the book longer than it should have been. I can do without that stuff. But it's still pretty funny.

Overall Thoughts: For a gothic mystery, Unspoken was funny, quirky and even a little lighthearted in some places. Great character interactions create the foundation for the story, and a tantalizingly mysterious plot will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. For fans of gothic mystery, I highly recommend this new series from Sarah Rees Brennan for laughs, gasps, swoon-worthy boys, and great friendships!

My Rating: 4 shots

If you love sarcastic dialogue, an engaging plot that threatens to pull you in, enchanting characters with enough wit and personality to fill any book, a supernatural theme with plenty of spooky undercurrents, then you only have one option. To simply buy Unspoken, and be prepared to be utterly enthralled.

I shame myself when I say that I had Unspoken on my shelf for quite a few days before I ventured to pick it up. After coming off two consecutive YA books that threatened my sanity with their slow paced plot, I was leery of any hyped up synopsis. Fortunately, I ran out of excuses (and new books), and decided to give it a try. Within the first chapter I was doing a happy mini chicken dance, which no one in their right mind should ever physically witness, due to some of the best writing I've read this year.

Unspoken begins with our heroine Kami, a small, spunky half Japanese girl, whose sole purpose in life is to not only antagonize her best friend, Angela, into crazy adventures, but to become the best journalist in the world. And to help achieve her status of utterly amazing investigative journalist, her first step is to uncover the mystery behind the Lynburn legacy...especially since they just happen to be back in town carrying with them two very different teenage boys. Kami surprisingly finds one of those teens in her newspaper "headquarters" (a.k.a. a very dusty school office) wishing to help Kami in her quest for truth and justice. Kami is instantly smitten by this polite, charming newcomer, and tries her hardest to interrogate him about his family, but for every question Ash only gives her vague answers. But it's when she encounters the other Lynburn teen that things get very messy, very quickly. Kami knows something is not quite right about Jared. She knows this simply because something is not quite right with her either. Ever since she was a child, she has been able to communicate with an imaginary boy in her head. She could feel what he felt, when he was tired, lonely, or happy, and he was her closest ally, part of her very existence. But what's a girl to do when she's confronted with the physical form of her imaginary friend? Why, freak out of course. But unfortunately for Kami, this is nearly the least of her problems. After the Lynburns returned to their ancestral home, the very atmosphere of Kami's town seems to change. People are more closed mouth with fear lurking in their eyes, which is only enhanced by the frightening events that start occurring. Moving shadows, blood in the woods, and confusing nightmares are only a sample of what evil things are lurking about Sorry-in-the-Vale. And it's up to Kami to figure out exactly what is going on before those she holds closest to her heart are forever ripped away from her and lost.

Sarah Rees Brennan did an utterly amazing job in writing Unspoken. The characters are not only fully developed and three dimensional, but have such amazing personalities that they practically leap off the pages. Each one has a unique individuality that draws you into their world. The plot was nothing more than sheer genius with a sprinkle of enchantment. It started off with such a happy open front, and by the time I reached the ending the tone of the book changed into a serious direction that flowed so smoothly I wasn't even aware of the transition from happy-go-lucky to edge-of-the-seat-gasp-worthy-moments until the ending. Which...let me state: the ending will leave you rapidly flipping the last pages searching for an ending that makes you smile or rereading the last few pages a couple of times before coming to the conclusion that more words aren't going to magically appear. So yes. Be prepared to have a cliffhanger that isn't so wham-bam-in-your-face, but is so subtle with its climatic wording that I was gasping and slightly (okay...more than slightly) outraged for our heroine. But would I recommend Unspoken? TOTALLY! I wholeheartedly recommend any fans of slight romance, mystery, thrilling adventure, and laugh out loud moments to go out now and purchase this thrilling book! Not only will you thank me, but you will also be as spellbound as I still am by this fantastic novel!

Unspoken offers a gothic mystery filled with magic, romance and suspense. The first in Brennan's Lynburn Legacy series I was drawn into the world she created. With hints of Nancy Drew and a fairy tale feel this novel is sure to appeal to a large audience. Set in a remote English countryside in the tiny cottage town of Sorry-in-the-Vale you will find secrets, powers and mystical creatures.

In a home near the woods lives a strange, inquisitive and outspoken seventeen year old girl named Kami Glass. Ever since Kami can remember she has had an imaginary friend. This has made her a bit of a loner and worries her mother. Especially when at the age of six, she mailed a penny to an address in the States that she seemed to pull from the air. Kami is very careful to only speak to Jared in her head, but this makes her appear like a freak to outsiders. Two things have her very excited, one she got permission to run a school paper and two, the Lynburn's are returning. For years their monster of a mansion has sat empty. Kami plans to investigate and her first article surrounds the families return. The family is surrounded in legend and mystery, something Kami cannot resist. When a girl at school tells Kami about a mutilated animal, Kami decides to investigate and the tale that unfolds is suspenseful, creepy, and magical.

The characters in this novel are unique and fairly fleshed out but they seemed very young for their age and thus I did not fully connect with them. Kami reminded me of a young Nancy Drew. She has a investigative, I've got a plan, follow me attitude. The author chose to make Kami an average looking run of the mill girl and I appreciate this. Her friend Angela was a snarky hoot. Angela joined the paper because the office has a sofa where she can nap; one of her favorite pass times. Holly was cute and desperate for friends. The Lynburn cousins are complete opposites. Ash has prince charming looks, and is outgoing. Jared is the dark bad boy. While he doesn't have Ash's good looks, he is quite dashing with his scared cheek and rugged dess. Jared is troubled, unsure and lonely. Ash appears confident and purposeful. Both of the boys show an interest in Kami and sought to protect her. I adored Kami's family. Her Dad was hilarious and her brothers were cute. I love that the parents were involved it was so refreshing! The rest of the Lynburn's were creepy and mysterious adding to the legends surrounding their family.

The world-building was fascinating and I loved the authentic feel of being in a small English town. Where sidewalks are called pavements and the speech is just a wee bit different. The Lynburn home is exactly how I would picture a creepy old mansion, steeped in mystery and lore. I loved the woods, and got chills while reading parts of this novel. The mystical creatures, the dark shadows, the sacrifices; Oh my! I enjoyed the author's writing style and her talent is truly evident as she brought aspects of this tale to life for me. However, parts of this tale dragged and other parts were brushed over. Where I craved detail there wasn't enough and I felt like some major climatic scenes were skimmed over. Way too much time was spent with Kami analyzing her feelings and this slowed down the flow. The brewing love triangle was in my opinion, ridiculous, and an unnecessary angle to the plot. I did like the humor laced throughout the tale, and it helped break up tension. I love being stumped by a good mystery, especially when the author is able to create twists or give me an OMG why didn't I see that coming moment. While this tale offered twists and turns, I knew who and why way too soon. The ending picked up speed but foreshadowing made it too predictable for me. Despite issues, I did enjoy the tale and many reviewer's are raving about it.

Unspoken is geared towards young readers who love a good gothic mystery, laced in magic with a smidgeon of romance. While I didn't flip over this one, I will give book two of this series a go to see how the story develops.

I want to thank Random House for providing this copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

I really liked this book, and I mean really liked it! I was reading this whilst studying for my tax exams and it's one of those books that you can't stop thinking about. Anyway, what I do when I am studying is revise for 1.5 hours and then read for 15 minutes, then study for 1.5 hours, and so on. Well, Unpoken was so distracting that in the end I just put the tax books aside, and just kept reading!

I knew that the voice in Kami's head was too real and that it could not be an imaginary person but to think what that kind of connection might be like. Someone always in your head, knowing you so well. With social media, we pretty much know where everyone is all the time, through facebook statuses, twitter updates, text messages etc. But at the end of the day, those things are what we put down. Imagine someone knowing what you're thinking the whole time. And being able to communicate with that one person through your mind. Wow...I don't think I would be able to handle that.

I like how Kami doesn't like Jared when she meets him and that it's not one of those 'love at first sight' stories. That's what makes it so unique, that even though they have shared this connection since they were born, there is still so much they do not know about each other.

Kami's character is awesome. She's like a mini Nancy Drew, always investigating things, getting herself into trouble and the things she says are hilarious! And to think she is in one of the biggest mysteries of it all.....she knew the return of the Lynburns would change things for her, but she soon learns how much!

The second book in this series, Untold, will be released on August 29th and I cannot wait! If you haven't read Untold- Go. Now!

Zed (:

Favourite Quotes

Angela had moved from London to Sorry-in-the-Vale when Kami was twelve. The timing had been perfect because Kami's first best friend, Nicola Prendergast, had just dropped her for being too weird.

"My point is, here we have an opportunity to champion truth that doesn't involve sports," Kami persisted. "It's a step toward me becoming the greatest journalist of our time. You have to help, Angela, because Ms. Dollard has this notion that I'm a troublemaker and she's only- finally - letting me set up a school paper because I told her you were on board."
Angela rounded on Kami, her dark eyes blazing. "You did what?"

"Have I mentioned, thanks for doing this?" Kami asked.
Angela slung an arm around Kami's shoulders as they went up the stairs. "Your soul is like the souls of a thousand monkeys on crack, all smushed together," she told Kami. "But enough about you. Show me to my napping sofa."

Angela lifted the arm over her eyes a fraction. "Go away," she commanded. "I only date college guys."
"You don't know any college guys," Kami pointed out.
Angela's gaze went to Kami, and she smiled. "Which leaves me with more time for napping."

"He'd be excellent decoration for our headquarters," Kami said. "You have to admit, he's very good-looking, and I need a photographer, so can I keep him, please, oh, please?"
Angela sighed. In the cupboard, the sigh was like a gust of wind. "Kami, you know I hate guys being around all the time. They won't stop staring and bothering me and giving me sad, sad eyes like a puppy dog until I just want to kick them. Like a puppy dog."
"So you have some puppy issues," Kami observed.
The cupboard door swung suddenly open.
The new boy stood framed by the bright light of the office. "Sorry to interrupt," he said. "But I can hear everything you're saying."

Ash pushed himself off the doorframe and into the room, toward her. "You did an awesome job out there in the woods," he said. "And with the article."
Kami beamed. "Thank you."
"But I think you and Angela should leave this to the police from now on."
"What an interesting thought," Kami said. "Thank you for sharing it with me. Let me share a thought with you: Actually I can walk myself to class. And I can also handle myself, so I'll be doing what I want."

Kami felt Jared reach for her, as if he knew she was thinking about him. I'm bored, he said. What are you doing?
Talking about hot guys, Kami informed him.
Jared said, Oh my God.
You did ask.
It's a topic of absorbing interest, Jared said. I'm sure. Obviously, as a hot guy myself, I wouldn't know.
Kami laughed.
I find your scepticism very hurtful, Jared said. I'm extremely hot. Except not so much in the face.

How do you deal with it? Kami asked Jared. The laughing at nothing and occasionally stopping dead in your tracks.
I have a system where when I stop, I lean casually against something, Jared told her. It makes people think I'm a bad boy. Or possibly that I have a bad back.

Angela had offered to walk her home, which was so unheard of that it made Kami laugh.
"Just take care of yourself, you hyperactive midget," Angela had instructed, eyes narrowed like a cross cat, and sent Kami on her way with a shove.

"Oh, thank God," Jared said. "I couldn't work out how to hit you and hold on to you at the same time."
"Hit me?" Kami croaked. "I've had enough of this abusive behaviour. And we've only just met! You're making a terrible first impression."

"I remember that," Kami said. "Honestly, Jared, one thing at a time. Why are you in the well with me? This is a really bad rescue!"

She was chewing the end of her pencil over article number nineteen when Jared threw open the door, strode into the room, and announced, "We should date."
Kami bit her pencil in two.
Angela rose from her chair like the wrath of God in a red silk blouse and demanded, "Who the hell are you?"

"I heard what you said!" Kami yelped. "I guess I was hoping I'd got it wrong and you hadn't said the crazy thing you said. Since you did say the crazy thing you said, do you mind explaining it to me?"

Jared flicked her an incredulous glance. "Yes," he said slowly. "Zen jogging. I wasn't wearing that many clothes because- that's part of the process. You're meant to commune with the elements. Normally, I wouldn't have worn my jeans, but I put them on because I know the English are a modest people."

"That's what I was thinking, but why?" Kami wondered aloud. "It's not like he can stop me before I reveal all. I told the police! I put it in the paper! All has never been so revealed."

Kami Glass has an imaginary friend. What no one knows is that the voice in her head is actually real. His name is Jared, and ever since Kami can remember, he's been there. Jared knows her fears, failings, successes, and dreams. But with her already inconspicuous Japanese heritage, Kami avoids standing out at all costs. She is content to have one loyal, beautiful, and standoffish friend named Holly and a small abandoned classroom in which to write the school newspaper. Kami's latest story will cover the return of the mysterious Lynburn family, the original founders of Sorry-in-the-Vale. During her research she manages to recruit new boys (and cousins) Ash and Jared Lynburn themselves onto the newspaper staff. Bloody, unreal occurrences around the estate have been cropping up ever since they moved back, and Kami is determined to investigate despite the risks. Just as hunky Ash takes an interest in her, Kami finally meets Jared Lynburn, who is coincidentally the Jared in her head. How can she reconcile their psychic connection with reality when her life is at stake?

I didn't quite know what to expect from Sarah Rees Brennan's new series, which is part-paranormal and part-Gothic mystery. I've read all of her books and never had a miss. I didn't need to know more, or frankly, anything at all. I've been a proud SRB fangirl ever since I read The Demon's Lexicon series last year. Any fears were allayed this year when I read and enjoyed her first non-Nick/Alan book, Team Human. Alan will always hold a special place in my heart, but I liked Mel. Brennan's books do have some common elements, i.e. the insider falling in love with the outsider, absent fathers, and aloof mothers, but each of them stands on their own. Of course no book would be complete without her humor, and Unspoken is chock-full of her trademark wit and distinct characterization. Longtime SRB fans are setup to like her newest offering, and I'm not surprised that I fell into that camp.

After receiving the egalley I waited before cracking open Unspoken. When I finally did, I failed in my intentions to savor it and compulsively read it in a few days. Then the inevitable nostalgic longing for more set in. I read a perfectly fine book after it but I couldn't stop remembering Unspoken, it affected me deeper than I originally thought. Clearly I'm biased, but the constant stream of wisecracks from Kami were ever- entertaining. Headstrong and funny, Kami tempers the more serious, portentous events occurring in Sorry-in-the-Vale with her quick sarcasm. While on the outside it may seem that nothing fazes her, on the inside, and particularly in the internal dialogue with Jared, she's incredibly vulnerable - self-conscious about her appearance, her reputation as half-Asian, and being caught more than once speaking to thin air. This is where Unspoken really shines. The complicated, tender dynamics in the relationship between Kami and Jared were well-thought out and caused me to pause and reflect. It was difficult for me to imagine the implications of suddenly meeting someone who previously only existed in your head, but SRB's interpretation rings true. Their connection is just palpable and lovely. Kami and Jared struggled with looking or experiencing any physical contact with one another at first, the collision between their imaginary and real worlds was so disconcerting. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean there wasn't any swoon. I was fully invested in these two, which made the ending shocker incredibly painful. Some cliffhangers merely tease, but this sudden end was tortuous for me. While I wouldn't change anything about Unspoken, it's going to be a long wait for Unbound.

According to Kami Glass, every town in England has a story. Her town, Sorry-in-the-Vale, is no exception. The only problem is no one in town seems willing to tell that story to a daring girl reporter no matter how charming she is while asking pointed interview questions. Kami knows her town's past is tied inextricably to the Lynburns, the town's founders even if their manor house has been empty for as long as Kami can remember.

If every town has a story, so does every resident. Kami's own story has caused her a fair bit of trouble over the years and not a few friends. That's what happens when your best friend seems to be an imaginary boy you talk to in your head. Luckily, Kami can handle the odd looks from neighbors and worried comments from her parents. Kami is nothing if not intrepid and she is more than prepared to keep everything under control.

All of that changes when the Lynburns come back to Sorry-in-the-Vale. Their return brings many questions, as well as something more sinister, forcing Kami to question everything she thought she knew about her town, her friends, and even herself in Unspoken (2012) by Sarah Rees Brennan.

Unspoken is the first book in The Lynburn Legacy (which will be a trilogy).

No one writes families and friends quite like Sarah Rees Brennan. Unspoken is no exception. As Kami struggles to crack the secrets of Sorry-in-the-Vale's past she assembles an unlikely band of misfits to help her investigation. Like Kami herself these characters are well-rounded and, above all, memorable. Along with the Glass family, they create an entertaining ensemble that adds much to the narrative.

Rees Brennan brings Kami's world to life with her signature wit and charm. (If you have read the author's blog or tweets you may agree that this book truly channels her voice in the writing.) Kami is an determined and capable heroine who is ready and willing to fight her own battles even as she is surrounded by friends and family who fiercely want to help in any way they can.

Patently eerie, Unspoken gives a nod to its gothic novel roots as the plot moves forward. Although a lot happens in the final hundred pages of Unspoken, the unusual pacing is balanced out with humor, banter, strong characters and many moments of page-turning suspense. Highly recommended for anyone who likes their mysteries with equal doses of plucky girl reporters, chills, adventure, and cute boys in distress.

Possible Pairings: Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst, Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Clarity by Kim Harrington, After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin, The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff, Veronica Mars

Unspoken has the most beautiful cover I have ever seen. I love the intricate designs and color. The cover had truly drawn me in. I finished reading the book and glad that the story is as good as the cover. It is heartbreaking, magical and full of delightful secrets that will surely leave a lasting impression.

The story is set in a sleepy English town called Sorry-in-the-Vale, where the Lynburn Manor that over looks the town is situated. The Lynburns has returned and so are the bloody endeavors inside the woods. Kami, the main character lives in town, she hears a voice inside her head; that voice became her solace and support. Then she met the Lynburn boys. What if that imaginary voice becomes reality? Why does she feel connected to one of the brothers? Who are responsible for the killings? Pick up this book to find out more.

I love the world-building. The pacing is good and there's not a drop of dull moments. I like how the story unfolds by itself as you read. It was smooth and clear. Even though, the book has a gothic and paranormal theme, it is believable. I also love how the author describes Sorry-in-the-Vale. It was magical and beautiful. Her writing style is also good. You get to know the character and depict everything she wants the readers to know. It is vivid and soft just the way I like it.

I love the characters. All of them are unique like they are made to make you remember them even after reading the book. In short, they are memorable. They are not distinguishable from other YA books.
Kami is half Asian! Not all books have Asian heroine or a lead. I like how Sarah wrote a character that is diverse from any other. I connected to Kami easily though I don't understand some of her jokes LOL. I like her eccentricity and thirsts for adventure. As for the Lynburn boys, Jared has this bad boy vibe. He's sweet but there's something about his mysteriousness that made me curious to know him more. Ash is like a Greek god, his stature and features made my mouth water. Who is the voice in Kami's head? Is it Jared or Ash?

How Kami knew, who is the person she talks to in her head is my favorite scene from the book. I was flabbergasted! It made my heart skipped a beat hihi.

As for the love angle, it's great! I feel like a kid in a candy store. There were lots of scenes that made me all mushy.

The ending was....... Heartbreaking and exhilarating! I need the second book. This can't be happening.

Overall, this is fun book to read. It has all the ingredients that I want. Adventure filled, gothic and with romance that you can't miss.

I give this, 5 whales.

I absolutely loved Unspoken. From the fantastic characters to the interesting plot and the funny quips that had me laughing out loud while reading this. It's shrouded in mystery and angst and kept me intrigued throughout.

The Lynburns, the town's founders, have suddenly moved back to the big house on the hill. Kami, as editor of the school newspaper is trying to get the story on them. So when Jared Lynburn turns out to be the boy that Kami has spoken to inside her head ever since she can remember, it seems she has an inside source.

Then the attacks begin. Kami, who aspires to be an investigative journalist, wants to figure out who's behind them, but she can't go to the police because they think Jared pushed her down the well. What secret's are the town, and the Lynburn's, hiding?

I adored Kami, I think she's my favourite female protag of all time. I just really took to her. I loved her crazy personality and totally enjoyed all her mad antics. Angela was great too and her snarky, sarcastic comments gave me some good laughs.

Jared was an awesome, leather jacket wearing, motor bike riding, mysterious bad boy. I feel we never really got to see the true Jared, he had walls built inside his head and didn't let Kami or the reader in.

While there isn't an actual romance in Unspoken, the relationship that Jared and Kami shared seemed filled with tension which I really enjoyed. I'm still not actually sure if they liked each other romantically as both their emotions towards each other seemed to change at times or their actions would contradict their thoughts. They do love each other deeply though, and I like to think that it will eventually turn romantic.

Which brings us to the cliffhanger ending. Why, why, why? It was just so cruel and I deducted a half star because of it. It was just too much for me. I can't believe I have to wait now until next June to see how things turn out.

Unspoken has the most beautiful cover I have ever seen. I love the intricate designs and color. The cover had truly drawn me in. I finished reading the book and glad that the story is as good as the cover. It is heartbreaking, magical and full of delightful secrets that will surely leave a lasting impression.

The story is set in a sleepy English town called Sorry-in-the-Vale, where the Lynburn Manor that over looks the town is situated. The Lynburns has returned and so are the bloody endeavors inside the woods. Kami, the main character lives in town, she hears a voice inside her head; that voice became her solace and support. Then she met the Lynburn boys. What if that imaginary voice becomes reality? Why does she feel connected to one of the brothers? Who are responsible for the killings? Pick up this book to find out more.

I love the world-building. The pacing is good and there's not a drop of dull moments. I like how the story unfolds by itself as you read. It was smooth and clear. Even though, the book has a gothic and paranormal theme, it is believable. I also love how the author describes Sorry-in-the-Vale. It was magical and beautiful. Her writing style is also good. You get to know the character and depict everything she wants the readers to know. It is vivid and soft just the way I like it.

I love the characters. All of them are unique like they are made to make you remember them even after reading the book. In short, they are memorable. They are not distinguishable from other YA books.
Kami is half Asian! Not all books have Asian heroine or a lead. I like how Sarah wrote a character that is diverse from any other. I connected to Kami easily though I don't understand some of her jokes LOL. I like her eccentricity and thirsts for adventure. As for the Lynburn boys, Jared has this bad boy vibe. He's sweet but there's something about his mysteriousness that made me curious to know him more. Ash is like a Greek god, his stature and features made my mouth water. Who is the voice in Kami's head? Is it Jared or Ash?

How Kami knew, who is the person she talks to in her head is my favorite scene from the book. I was flabbergasted! It made my heart skipped a beat hihi.

As for the love angle, it's great! I feel like a kid in a candy store. There were lots of scenes that made me all mushy.

The ending was....... Heartbreaking and exhilarating! I need the second book. This can't be happening.

Overall, this is fun book to read. It has all the ingredients that I want. Adventure filled, gothic and with romance that you can't miss.

I give this, 5 whales.

I absolutely loved Unspoken. From the fantastic characters to the interesting plot and the funny quips that had me laughing out loud while reading this. It's shrouded in mystery and angst and kept me intrigued throughout.

The Lynburns, the town's founders, have suddenly moved back to the big house on the hill. Kami, as editor of the school newspaper is trying to get the story on them. So when Jared Lynburn turns out to be the boy that Kami has spoken to inside her head ever since she can remember, it seems she has an inside source.

Then the attacks begin. Kami, who aspires to be an investigative journalist, wants to figure out who's behind them, but she can't go to the police because they think Jared pushed her down the well. What secret's are the town, and the Lynburn's, hiding?

I adored Kami, I think she's my favourite female protag of all time. I just really took to her. I loved her crazy personality and totally enjoyed all her mad antics. Angela was great too and her snarky, sarcastic comments gave me some good laughs.

Jared was an awesome, leather jacket wearing, motor bike riding, mysterious bad boy. I feel we never really got to see the true Jared, he had walls built inside his head and didn't let Kami or the reader in.

While there isn't an actual romance in Unspoken, the relationship that Jared and Kami shared seemed filled with tension which I really enjoyed. I'm still not actually sure if they liked each other romantically as both their emotions towards each other seemed to change at times or their actions would contradict their thoughts. They do love each other deeply though, and I like to think that it will eventually turn romantic.

Which brings us to the cliffhanger ending. Why, why, why? It was just so cruel and I deducted a half star because of it. It was just too much for me. I can't believe I have to wait now until next June to see how things turn out.

Kami Glass, about sixteen years old, lives in a village in England called Sorry on the Vale. As if the name of her town weren't odd enough, Kami has heard a voice in her head for most of her life, so other people don't know what to think of her when they hear her talking to someone who isn't there.

Kami hears of odd goings-on in Sorry in the Vale, in particular, the return of the Lynburn family. As editor of the school newspaper, she wants to know more and puts herself and her friends in danger by doing so. Also, with the return of the Lynburns, she meets Jared, whom she realizes is the voice she has been hearing in her head all her life - and her first love. Complications arise when people of the village, including Kami, are in peril. Is it because Kami is snooping around too much? Is someone in the Lynburn family doing these deeds? What is happening in this sleepy town?

This novel for teens was good but not great. It is of a developing genre a friend of the author describes as "sassy Gothic" (372). The tension was there, but it seemed a little contrived at times. The characters also seem a little flat; Kami's best friend impresses me as the stock "lazy girl" wanting naps every few hours. Also, someone must have tried to change some of the word choice from British English to American English and not done it consistently; in one instance, the administrator of Kami's school is called the principal and in another instance the headmistress. (American youngsters who have read any of the Harry Potter series would probably know the British school terms, so why change them to American English?) If I didn't keep in mind that this book was for a teenage audience, I might give it closer to three stars. In spite of these flaws, however, teenage girls would probably find this a fun novel to read.

Snarky and full of heart pounding moments, I just loved Unspoken, Book One of The Lynburn Legacy. Sarah Brennan really weaves a descriptive tale of sorcery, rich environmental details and my very favorite; angst. That's hard to capture in a book and she does a great job with it. If I didn't actually have to function as a human each day I would have attempted to read this in one setting. I was itching to get back to it every time I put it down. I love the main character, Kami, she's fiercely brave and sensitive. Super smart and her snarky comments resonate with me. I loved Jared. His rugged sexiness and his bad boy appeal were spot on. Not a whole lot of romance in this one, but that back and forth pull was really great. It kept me wanting more. What a cliffhanger at the end! That's the reason I'm back on the store, to order the next installment. Happy reading and excited to start the next one!

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Kami, the protagonist - Kami is my kind of heroine. She's smart, loyal, independent, quirky, and strong, holding herself together when everything falls apart around her. When she investigates the bloody happenings of Sorry-in-the-Vale, she doesn't act like the kind of protagonist you want to shake, because he/she is doing something stupid, and you know something's going to go wrong because of that. Kami goes about her investigation in a bold but measured way. She's the lighter, more fun version of someone like... Bitterblue, who's not physically strong but whose strength you never doubt anyways. Also, she embraces her quirks, and I couldn't love her more for that.

2. (+) World Building - The magic in this novel is fun. It wasn't something I expected, and there are so many twists thrown in there when you least expect. A reason for Jared and Kami's connection, which in itself, gets explored really well, the rivers and tales of Sorry-in-the-Vale, what kind of power the Lynburns hold over everyone else, and what the limitations are to those powers, the sacrifices that are made. The Gothic elements play really well with the magical elements.

3. (+) Romance - Jared and Kami share an intense mental connection. They've spilled their secrets to each other and know how the other thinks. When they meet, they have to deal with the loss of privacy among other things. I liked the twist this gave their relationship, liked how Jared and Kami were close friends before anything else. I especially liked seeing how everything evolved for them and how they balanced each other out. And just when you think Jared and Kami might get used to each other, just when their love is evolving, Sarah Rees Brennan disavows you of that comfort. The two form quite the twisted, tortured couple but with wry humor strung along the way.

4. (+) Gothic Feel - I'm no connoisseur of Gothic novels but I love the Bronte sisters, and I love the feel of Sorry-in-the-Vale. First off, how great is that name? All the names in this book are fantastic. This town oozes creepiness with its dark history, the things that go bump in the night when the Lynburns return, the secrecy/the way everyone gets closed mouthed when it comes to the Lynburns...

5. (+) Humor - There were a few times when the humor caught me off guard because it didn't seem appropriate at the time, but it's such a nice surprise amidst the dark feel. I love that Kami, in the first 75 pages when she gets attacked (I don't consider that much of a spoiler), is still able to joke about her position. The banter between the characters makes this novel more enjoyable.

6. (+) Side Characters - All the side characters in this novel seem well developed; it's clear that they all have their own motivations, even if some of those are suspect. I love that Sarah Rees Brennan created parents who were not of the typical neglectful, absent sort, and that she created a wonderful family dynamic for Kami to lean on. I didn't Angela, Kami's best friend, at first but she grew on me as did Ash, Holly, and the twin Lynburns. Look forward to finding out more about all of them.

7. (+/-) Predictable - This is one of those books where I could see what was going to happen, but it still didn't take away my enjoyment of the book. I wanted to find out what other magic things would happen along the way, what each character would specifically, how Kami and Jared would fare. Have you read John Green's post on anticipation vs. predictability? Sarah Rees Brennan is good at the former.

8. (+) Writing - There were a few times when I paused, thrown off balance by either a change in POV or a sudden transition, but other than that, it flowed nicely and did a great job of establishing both the quirky and the dark tone.

9. (+) Pacing - There's very much a setting the stage feel in the beginning, but I never once felt bored, or like something wasn't happening. The book is split into six parts, and there's plenty to keep the momentum going until the climax and its aftermath.

10 (+) The Cover - Not much a fan of the stereotypical girl figurine, but I like that she's a silhouette, the darkness there, and the way she's just about open the gates. Very nice feel, though the pink might be a bit overdone for Kami; red would've been scarier.

This book was absolutely fantastic. Quirky humor, a great heroine, awesome supporting cast, tortured, angsty love, a dark, creepy town--what's not to like? Sarah Rees Brennan has done an amazing job, and I can't wait for the sequel!

Kami Glass, our heroine, stole the show with this unique, humorous novel. Unlike most heroines in YA literature, Kami is smart, funny, and she doesn't need a man to make her happy. Her love for journalism trumps nearly everything, and she doesn't care if she seems strange to others. In her small British town, everyone knows her for her love of a good story. She prowls around her sleepy small town hunting for her next lead with the help of her anti-social best friend and town hottie. Everything was going great after landing her very own office at school to run the new school newspaper when the Lynburn family comes back to town. The Lynburn family is both feared and revered. Kami doesn't seem to understand why, and the town is very tight lipped about the family on the hill. To add to the mystique of the town celebrities, there are all sorts of strange noises and dead animals being discovered upon their return. Could they be interrelated? To make matters even more confusing, Kami's imaginary friend that she has talked to in her head for years shows up in person, almost destroying the close friendship that they both so treasured. With murder, mystery, and humor, Unspoken is a real treasure of a novel.

Fans of YA will be cheering for this unique novel. No more simpering heroines; Kami is a breathe of fresh air. The mystery itself is interesting and kept me engaged. The only downside of this novel is the ending. Because it is a series, it does end in a bit of a cliffhanger. I was very aggravated with the ending, but I can not wait for the next installment. This novel will be enjoyed by teens and adults alike, and I can definitely see myself rereading it to savor the humorous lines.

Unspoken was a charming, delightful read. Based on the blurb and some reviews I'd read, I had a feeling I would really enjoy this book, and I definitely did! Kami is such a fun character and the story is simply enchanting.

It's hard to classify this book. I guess you could say it's a gothic mystery with some fantasy and paranormal elements. And of course, there's a touch of romance, but it's nice that it doesn't take over the plot. I thought Kami and Jared were adorable! I love the bond they have and how they can speak in each other's minds.

And like I said above, Kami is a really fun narrator. She is made of awesomenesss. I absolutely love her personality - her snarky comments made me laugh so hard. She's one of the few YA main characters who is unique, original, and well-developed. The rest of the characters were perfect as well: Jared, Kami's whole family (especially her dad!), Angela, Holly. They were each unique and I loved their roles in the story.

The plot, however, is a bit slow-moving. I thought it took a while for everything to start happening. There were a few scenes that seemed to dragged out, or some long descriptions where I got slightly bored. Still, those are pretty minor complains, and I'd say that most of the story manages to be wildly entertaining. And the setting is well-done; it was creepy and gothic and drew me into the story. I love books that are set in England.

All in all, Unspoken is a really fun read, and the amazing cast of characters is definitely what made me fall in love with this book. I think it can appeal to anyone, as it contains plenty of mystery, romance, fantasy/paranormal elements, and a delightfully gothic setting. I can't wait to read the sequel!

What a perfectly unique, delightful and wonderful read!

The setting that Sarah has written is perfect. Regardless of the bad things that are currently happening, I want to live in Sorry-in-the-Vale. I want to buy sweets in the candy shop, I want to have a quiet drink in the local pub and I want to walk down the high street lined with the yellowed Cotswold Stone buildings with the overgrown ivy. Not only do I want to live there but I want Kami Glass as my best friend. She is funny, quick witted, strong, loyal and very brave. Oh and did I mention funny? I laughed so hard I cried. I loved her interactions with her friends and with her family, her father is also hilarious! They easily joke with each other and through these interactions you can see how much they deeply love each other.

Jared. I love Jared. Ever since Kami and Jared were babies they have been able to speak to each other in their minds. They have grown up together and have grown to care for each other. They never ask too many questions about each other's 'real' lives and to be honest they both believe this is only a voice in their head and that the other is not a real person, I mean how could they be real... right?

Wrong. The Lynburns are the family that own the town. They own pretty much all of the land and the people of the village of quite scared of them. They have not lived in Sorry-in-the-Vale for many years but they have returned. The two youngest Lynburns are cousins. There is Ash who is a good student, good son, well just an all around good boy. Then there is his cousin. Gets into fights, doesn't do very well in school, rides a motorcycle, well just an all around bad boy. His name? Jared. At first Kami thinks that his name being Jared is a coincidence, it isn't. This IS Jared, HER Jared.

The interactions between these two are intense. They have to learn how to deal with each other being real and having a face and body to put with the voice in their head. As you can imagine this is difficult. Living your entire life half thinking you are crazy because there is somebody who can feel your emotions and who you have shared your entire life with only to then find out they are a real living breathing person. As they get closer they start to realize their feelings are not just about the closeness they feel toward each other but that of real love. I know a lot of people will get the 'instant love' vibe but it's not. You have to remember these two have grown up together their entire lives. They probably know each other better than their family knows them. So no instant love to be found here.

I was completely engrossed in this book. The pacing is marvellous, I was never bored and I can honestly say there were so many twists and turns that I didn't know what to expect next. I could picture easily in my mind every aspect, Sarah does an amazing job with the descriptions. I experienced every emotion and feel like I could walk into Sorry-in-the-Vale tomorrow and know my way around and already know the people who live there.

It was also very refreshing to read a story with such a strong and charismatic female lead. Kami is not arrogant or snotty. She doesn't see herself as drop dead gorgeous, she does think of herself as pretty but her looks are not something she focuses a lot on. She is no push over and she knows how to protect herself. She fights hard for her friends and will stop at nothing to find truth and justice. The side characters are also so well written that you fall in love with absolutely everybody.

And finally the ending... What can I say about the ending? A few words come to mind. What??? No!!! Stop!!!! UGH!!! Why??? The ending is a killer. I am not telling you to forgo reading this book because of the ending in fact I am telling you it is that good that you need to read it as soon as possible but it does not stop the fact that it is a dreaded cliffhanger. This is book one in the series with the next book, Untold (The Lynburn Legacy ~ Book 2), due to be published on August 29th, 2013. At the time of this review being published that is only 10 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days, 1 Hour, 49 Minutes and 10 Seconds away... Not that I am counting or anything.

Christine
Rainy Day Reads

Six Reasons Why UNSPOKEN Is Brilliant

1) It's set in a tiny English village.
2) "Defenestrate" is used, which is one of the greatest English words ever.
3) Kami has got brains and she has quirky friends with brains too.
4) The romance is not the focus of this novel.
5) There's magic, but it's a more oldfashioned kind of magic. (Although one of my friends found the magic system disturbing, I adored that Sarah Rees Brennan made her magic system more folkloric.)
6) Kami's parents - unlike the parents of many YA protagonists - are actually present throughout the book.

Some people might find Kami *too* clever in her comebacks, but I loved her. I loved that she was an intrepid journalist with a stubborn streak (because how else will you guarantee you get the story). I loved that she didn't get caught up in the Lynburn boys but in the Lynburn family as a whole. I loved that she had solid relationships with prickly Angela and Holly (who I'm not sure how to describe but I want her as a friend because she's just nice while not being simpering). It's the kind of book where perhaps it all feels like a book, where the characters are just a little too bright to be real, but it works. It's all part of this book's charm.

On the downside, I was never really invested in what happened to the characters, but that didn't stop me from rereading this book rather quickly and then preordering the sequel (because this book ends kind of cliffhangerish). UNSPOKEN is wickedly fun and unique. This isn't like your normal YA urban fantasy paranormal whatever being published today. Definitely recommended if you're looking for something different and clever.

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
5 STARS

I could not put the book down. Stayed up till after 2:00am to finsh and wanted more to the story. I hope that their is more coming because I was not satisfied with the ending too many questions are roaming through my head still.
The Lynburn Legacy #1 is giving me hope that they plan on more.
This is a clean read, lots of teen age drama, some humor, some attidude and lots of trust issues.
Kami Glass wants to start a school newspaper and tricks her best friend to be in charge of it with her. Lots of people think she is crazy because she is always talking to her pretend friend Jared Lynburn in her head. Kami and Jared have always been able to reach out and have conversations and whole background of thier pretend friends. Until one day a new boy moves into thier school with the same name Jared. Then they realize that they are real. It is a very confusing time for both of them to realize that the person that they shared so much was real. Thier bond was so much stronger.
Thier are so many whispers about the Lynburn family but noone will come out and tell Kami about them. They own a big manor and a lot of land around the town that they started. Everyone is scared that the Lynburn family is back living in town.
Ash Lynburn and his parents moved back to Sorry-in-the-Vale, England from America. Ash wants to join the school newspaper. Ash is goodlooking photographer. He seems real likeable.
Jared Lynburn and his mother move back into the manor too coming back to England. Jared's mom treats him badly and blames him for his fathers death. Jared is tough, likes to get into trouble, rides a motorcycle and has crashed it lots of times. His mom wants him to stop talking to his pretend friend Kami. Thier is a lot of secrets about his family that he does not know.
Holly Prescott rides a motorcycle and is pretty. She has had boys chase after her since she was 11 and not to many girls as friends with her. She really wants to be friends with Kami.
Angela Montgomery had moved into Sorry-in-the-Vale around age of 12 and became bestfriends with Kami. Angela is beautiful,lazy and sharp, does not like people she is always telling them to go away.
These five teens become drawn into the mystery after someone tries to kill Kami.
I liked the drama and hope to read more from Sarah in the future. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
Published September 11th 2012 by Random House Books for Young Readers 384 pages

Intrepid young journalist Kami Glass knows there are secrets in her quiet small town of Sorry-in-the Vale, she knows the Lynburns are at the heart of it, and she knows no one wants to talk. When the Lynburns return after a generation away, Kami sees her chance to get to the bottom of things. If only having the Lynburns so near didn't mean losing hold of her own secret and realizing that her imaginary friend wasn't so imaginary after all.

I'll be honest, it's been a good long while since I read a strait up YA book that really grabbed me. I've been sticking largely to adult or middle grade fiction lately, or YA that plays the crossover game as I was simply done with those aspects that much of YA had to offer. And then, I picked up Unspoken.

-Girl who never quite fit in with all the other kids. Check.
-Mysterious new boy(s) in town who are interested in her. Check.
-Love triangle of sorts. Check.
-Angst. Check.
-Series. Check.

That's right, there's this whole list of things that I hate about YA novels, and they're in Unspoken, but I didn't care. The sheer awesomeness that was this story, the wonderful characters that defied YA stereotypes, the complete grip it held me in made Unspoken just the YA book to remind me that they're not all the same.

In Unspoken, author Sarah Rees Brennan has achieved that rare balance between character and story, where all aspects are so well entwined that it becomes impossible to imagine one without the other. I was enraptured by the story, and completely invested in the characters to the point that I could not sleep while reading this book because I could not stop thinking about it. Days later, I still can't stop thinking about it.

So let's talk about the things that make Unspoken so unique and wonderful, despite that little bulleted list above.

1) No absent parent syndrome. Kami isn't just a teen, she's a daughter and a sister, and that is quite evident in the story. Her relationships with both her parents, her two younger brothers, and her deceased grandmother help us to understand who she is as a person and to appreciate the disparity between the childhoods she and Jared have had. Her family isn't just mentioned at the beginning and then never heard from again, they're there. They worry about Kami, they care for Kami. They like to know where she is and who she's with, and they really don't approve of her hanging out with "those Lynburn boys".

2) Her girlfriends don't disappear when the boys show up. Usually when we have these stories of the quirky girls that are always on the outside (in Kami's case, everyone thinks she's more than a bit nuts for those times when she's lost in her head talking to her imaginary friend, Jared), they're either devoid of friends, or what friends they had disappear from the text as soon as romantic possibilities come into play. Kami actively works against this, in fact, she makes a new friend in Holly at the prompting of Jared, and is very grateful for it in the end. I loved the female relationships in this book, not just because they were there, but because they exhibited good healthy girlfriends who were there for one another in good times and bad, didn't judge (except when they were trying to be helpful), and listened when they needed to.

3) Not only all of that, but Kami's friends Holly and Angela are the two hottest chicks in school. They're those girls who we stereotype as `those popular mean girls' because all of the boys want them, and they know it, and yet Holly and Angela are completely sweet (okay Angela's a bit grumpy, but as someone who also hates people and adores napping, I love her), genuine, and totally break that `mean girl' mold. Turns out it doesn't matter if you drive a bike, wear sparkles and heels, cutesy dresses, or scowls-as long as you're awesome, you're a winning girl in my book.

4) Unspoken features and embraces multiculturalism and looks at prejudice in unusual ways. Kami is 1/4 Japanese, and her relationship with her Japanese grandmother was very important to her. The prejudices we see in Sorry-in-the-Vale stem largely from a xenophobia of those who are considered "outsiders", which is potentially anyone whose family hasn't lived in the vale for hundreds of years. Other specific brushes with differences and prejudice appear throughout the story, and I love that they were present and excellently handled.

5) The love triangle in Unspoken isn't really laid out as one would predict. In fact, it's one I hesitate to call a love triangle at all as I'm not sure there's any genuine romance anywhere in these pages (which I love). Kami and Jared's relationship is one of the most complicated and unpredictable I have seen in YA, and I was completely fascinated by it. It's a relationship that's more intimate than romance, and that makes it too much for love:

Saying he was part of her or that they were more than friends sounded like love, but it seemed like a loss as well. All the words she knew to describe what he was to her were from love stories and love songs, but those were not words anyone truly meant. They were like Jared, in a way. If they were real, they would be terrifying.

Kami and Jared have been in one another's heads since they were born. They share everything, every feeling, every event, all of those things someone might only share with a diary-because someone that doesn't exist is the safest person of all. When Jared and Kami meet, they go through a confused barrage of emotions that seems at a glance must be wonderful, but upon further inspection is horrifying. They cannot trust their own emotions, because they don't know how much they are projecting on one another. To realize that someone knows you so completely that you are almost dependent upon one another for every breath means that you must always mean everything to one another, and that risking the rejection that could come if romantic thoughts were ever in play becomes too great.

To Jared, the link between himself and Kami was some sort of gift that he received undeserved, a gift that redeemed the rest of his life. His lack of confidence in himself and her relationship to him is to the point of manic, and Kami feels the constant weight of holding Jared together. To Kami, the link means she can never be alone, can never trust herself to reveal to Jared how she feels, and can never really even be sure if her feelings are real. It's unhealthy, but my girl Kami is level headed enough to see this even through the cloud of Jared's dependence and adoration, and I love her for her braveness.

The struggle of a relationship that is both symbiotic and parasitic makes Unspoken shine, and places an unexpected amount of emotional depth under a story that is exciting, harrowing, and fun. For everyone who loves those Gothic stories with mansions, evil, and a distinct lack of safety in sleepy small towns, Unspoken delivers.

Ink and Page's Quick & Dirty Review

Rating: 4.5

The Low Down: Sorry-in-the-Vale is a small town in England where certainly something has happened since its founding by the Lynburn family back in the 1400s...and Kami Glass is determined to find it. For the Lynburn mansion is about to see the return of the Lynburn sisters and their families who have been in America for the last seventeen years. Instead of hailing their return, though, the townspeople seem even more silent about the family and their legacy. Kami's investigative mind is ready to go into overdrive.

People already think Kami's a little odd, since she seems to frequently stare off into space and have little conversations with herself. But she's just speaking to Jared, someone who took up residence in her mind so long ago she can't ever remember him not being there. They share all of their thoughts and Kami can feel his presence, even though he is not real.

Kami cons her acerbic yet beautiful best friend, Angela, into starting a school newspaper. That's when Ash, son of one of the Lynburn sisters, shows up and asks to be the newspaper's photographer. He seems to take a liking to Kami, which is strange since Angela is there and boys are usually struck dumb in her presence. Ash is beautiful himself, with his golden hair and his eyes the "ridiculous blue of high-summer skies." Then Kami finds out about his delinquent, trouble-making cousin who has the same name as Kami's mental companion. When she meets him in person, she is happy to find that the Lynburn Jared is everything her Jared is not: rude, sneering and cold.

Kami's obsession with learning about the Lynburns is only slightly derailed when she discovers a mutilated fox in a shack in the woods behind the Glass home. Once she starts her investigation into the cause and culprit, she begins to uncover connections and secrets that have been hidden for years. Then some of them are threatened, and one killed...are they getting too close to the truth? And once she discovers why she can communicate with her Jared, her relationship with her mother is forever changed - how could she ever do that to her own child? What is does that make Kami?

Best Thang `Bout It: This book has one foot planted firmly in reality and one in the clouds. I love that you have no idea where the story is going, because the way there (sometimes on a motorcycle, sometimes walking) is deep, intricate and dripping with intrigue. It has a Gothic feel, with the huge mansion and the dark woods and the secrets; there's a definite creep factor. The secondary characters are all fully developed and and interesting in their own right.

I'm Cranky Because: The ending is a teeny-tiny bit of a let-down, but only because it's ellipsis instead of a period.

Should You?: Can you hear my thoughts? If so, then you can hear them screaming YES!

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan was published on September 11, 2012 by Random House Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Young Adult Fiction Fantasy Paranormal
Ages: 12 and up

So I finally, finally finished this book. I'm not sure what I can say about this story, I was expecting so much more. The book started off at a good pace, but for me, it started to falter right around the time Kami (our intrepid investigative journalist)encounters Jared for the first time, in the flesh, at the library. After that initial meeting when they realized who each of them was, the story seemed to sort of slow down to painful crawl. I know the story was supposed to be about finding out about the mysterious Lynburns and their return to the town, but a good chunk of the book was dedicated to Kami's and Jared's feelings toward one another. What was with Jared not wanting to touch Kami anyway?

The story really seemed to pick up speed after the pub incident with Holly, and even more so with Nicola. It was interesting learning about the connection with Kami's mother and Rosalind and how that formed the connection between Kami and Jared. I wasn't surprised to learn who the sorcerer was, nor was I surprised when Holly told Kami what happened with Angela. I was, however, shocked with Jared's behavior toward Kami after all was said and done.

All I can say is that I'm glad MY teenage years weren't quite so angsty and drama-filled!

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan is a paranormal mystery that is simply hilarious. I have laughed continually through the whole book, because the one-liners in the book are just fantastic. Kami Glass is a sarcastic journalist, who is determined to uncover the secrets of her small town. Kami has a secret of her own, that only her best friend knows Kami has an "imaginary" friend that she talks to in her head. What Kami really wants to know is the secrets of the Lynburns, the mysterious family that left town years ago before she was born, and when they Lynburns finally return, she has her chance. Kami befriends Ash Lynburn and wants to uncover the family secrets, but when Ash's cousin Jared arrives, everything changes.

Jared Lynburn is not just any guy, he happens to be the "imaginary" friend that knows all Kami's secret thoughts. The problem is that he is reckless, and now that he is real, Kami feel very insecure with someone knowing all her inner most thoughts. Kami finds out that there are animals are being tortured in the woods by her house, she decides that she need to find out who is behind it. The investigation puts Kami in terrible danger, and it is up to her and her friends to investigate what is happening in their town. Kami creates an investigation team with her best friend Angie, Holly, Ash, and Jared. Together they hope to piece together the terrible things going on in the shadows of their quiet town.

Unspoken is a book that can has you laughing like a lunatic one moment and tense and apprehensive about what could happen next. That is not an easy transition to pull off, but Sarah Rees Brennan does it flawlessly. It is hard to find a good old fashion teenage sleuth book in young adult books today, or it is at least for me. Even with a bit of a paranormal twist, Unspoken had me feel nostalgia for Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden. Unspoken has more sarcasm and comedy, but that just makes it better. Even the cover reminds me of the old covers for Nancy Drew.

I am so glad I read Unspoken, and I really cannot wait for the next installment of the Lynburn Legacy. If you are a fan of mysteries, especially the teen sleuth variety, Unspoken is a must read! I loved every second of it, and I could not tear myself away.

**Unabridged Bookshelf received an ARC of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review**

Unspoken was one of those books that, once it hit my geeky radar, it never disappeared, and I never stopped anticipating it. I'm a fan of Gothic novels, as well as romances, and Unspoken is a delightfully twisty mixture of both. Filled with Sarah Rees Brennan's trademark snappy humor, as well as a well-rounded cast of characters that I loved getting to know, I sped through this book and had to force myself to savor the pages, since I didn't want it to end!

Somewhere between laughing at the one-liners in Unspoken, and marveling at the seamlessly unfolding plot, I fell in love with most of the main characters, including Kami, Jared, Holly, and Angela. Each of the characters contributed to story, and I cannot imagine Brennan's books without any of them. From Kami's tenaciousness, to Holly's huge heart, to Angela's snark, I loved them all. They all felt realistic, and not overdone or romanticized for the sake of the story.

By far my favorite aspect of Unspoken was the plot. I wanted to sink into the gloomy, seductive atmosphere. All the hallmarks of a terrific Gothic novel were there: the sinister ancestral home, the spooky, majestic family, the hint of dark, family secrets. Add a plucky heroine to all that, who loves mysteries, and I could barely stop reading this book. The murmurings of magic and myths were cleverly done - Sarah Rees Brennan revealed just enough to have me asking questions and demanding to know more!

And no review of Unspoken would be complete, or ever do this story justice, without mentioning the romance. Finally, a YA novel without insta-love! In fact, romance isn't even a huge part of the story, which made me applaud. What insinuations were there, were done beautifully, leaving me with an aching heart. Brennan is a bold author, who gives readers what they need, which doesn't always line up with what they want.

Bottom line: get this one. You won't regret it. There's enough humor, mystery, romance, and sinister happenings to keep any reader up late at night to finish it.

Really 3.5 Stars
Background: Kami has always had an imaginary friend. His name is Jared and she talks to him and tells him all her fears, troubles, and going-ons. He answers and talks back and tells her about his life too. For a long time she has kept him a secret, because as a teen you shouldn't have an imaginary friend. Everything explodes when Kami realizes that Jared is a real person and he has moved into her town. Sorry-in-the-Vale is a strange town, full of secrets and mysteries about Jared's family. Kami is on a mission to find out those answers and report back to the community.

Review: This was a fun read, very Nancy Drew meets Twilight... the only reason Twilight is the example is because of a mysterious boy who can hear thoughts, in this case only Kami's thoughts. I really enjoyed the build up of this book, it was a mystery, and the answers unraveled slowly, always making the reader want more. Kami is eccentric, fast-paced, a reporter for the school paper and fun; her friend Angela is pessimistic, always napping, and brooding about how people annoy her, and Jared is dark, mysterious, and yet playful and emotional with Kami. It was a wonderful lineup of characters.
So... why three point five stars... the build up was great, the characters were awesome and fun to follow...really the ending is what irked me. All the mysterious pieces start to form a clear picture of what is happening, the characters develop, and then...... the characters failed me.....(sad face) I was so upset. I know that this will be a series and there is more to come, and I know that the cliff hanger is doable, but not in this fashion. I wanted to punch Jared and scream...well I did scream and if the book had been a physical copy it would have been thrown due to frustration.

I think is this a great book...very good writing and like I said, every part is captivating, except that I was left disappointed at the ending

"Noo! It couldn't just end! NO!" This incredulous exclamation, followed by a lot of hopeful scrolling, was what happened immediately after I finished 'Unspoken'. It was a great read, and I truly, TRULY wanted it to continue. The end of the novel is a fantastic cliffhanger, but I cannot wait until the next book in the series comes out. I must say this: one should think twice before moving to a place called Sorry-in-the-Vale!

'Unspoken' revolves around Kami Glass, a curiosity-driven teen with ambitions to be an investigative newspaper reporter, who has lived in Sorry-in-the-Vale her whole life but has never truly fit into the town. She's something of an oddball to the other inhabitants thanks to her Japanese ancestry and the fact that she's had an imaginary friend, a boy named Jared, her entire life. Sorry-in-the-Vale becomes a much darker and stranger place as the mysterious and intimidating Lynburn family moves back into town. Before they all left, the Lynburns were the leading family in the town, the wealthiest and the most powerful...in more ways than one. There are two younger Lynburns: polite, chivalrous Ash and shadowed, sharp Jared. Yes. That Jared. It turns out that Kami's imaginary friend isn't so ephemeral after all, and he's just as surprised to see that she exists outside his head as she is to realize he's in-the-flesh real. Once the Lynburns return, dark secrets begin to bubble up from beneath the town's surface, and murder and magic create a twisted mystery that Kami feels a deep need to uncover.

On a purely aesthetic note, the cover of this book snagged me before anything else. It's simple, elegant and intriguing, and judging by my reaction to it, it has the potential to make readers want to snatch it off the shelf. Plus, I totally love the type font they used and the colors go so well together. Awesome job, cover designer! Huzzah!

'Unspoken' is one of those books that grabbed my attention and demanded that I read it, even when I was already reading other books. I stayed up super late reading it more than once, and even though some parts of the book seriously creeped me out, I just couldn't put it down. The characters were fantastic, the storyline was captivating, and oh my gosh, magical forests of awesome! Plus, it's funny. I know, murder, death and gore don't always go along with funny, but in this instance, it works, mainly because most of the humor is in the witty dialogue. Some of it literally had me giggling and reading it outloud to my co-workers and friends, who had no idea what was going on...but it made me laugh!

As for the characters, I am seriously attached to them. Kami in particular is a great character; I think she's realistic, clever, insanely curious, a little selfish (in a good, character-flaw way!), confused and delightfully human. Jared is an awesome male lead; personally, he isn't my pick for boyfriend of the year because of his internal angst and possessiveness, but I love his attitude and his personality. Most of the other characters seem well-rounded as well, and I liked that everyone seems to have faults; gotta love the characters who aren't the epitome of perfection, they're so much more interesting that way. There were just a couple character growth choices that I didn't particularly like, but they didn't ruin the book for me, and most people will probably be fine with those choices. I liked the flow of the story and Brennan's good mix of dialogue and description. I'm very curious to know more about the magic in this book; it wasn't really explained except for the idea that it seems to be a nature-based kind of magic. I'd love to learn more about it in future books in the series. All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I will impatiently wait for the next one to be published!

I received the ARC copy of 'Unspoken' through NetGalley.com thanks to the publisher Random House Children's Books. Thank you!

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan is a unique story filled with atypical characters, witty humor, and a dark atmosphere. Sarah Rees Brennan has crafted a wholly original story that will appeal to many readers.

Kami Glass is our quirky heroine. She has a fierce determination to become a journalist in her small town, Sorry-in-the-Vale. Kami's quirks don't distract the reader but draw them into her world. She is a strong heroine who is brave, responsible, and kind, but also flawed. She talks to her imaginary friend in her head, and she knows how weird and crazy that is, but that hasn't stopped her from making friends, running the school paper, going around looking for stories in order to become a great journalist, babysitting her brother, and occasionally cooking meals for her friend's brother, Rusty, who teachers her how to defend herself. She is beautifully different than most other heroines in young adult literature and that is reason enough to read this book. However, it should also be said that Kami is the perfect blend of Veronica Mars and Lois Lane.

The story revolves around Kami and her imaginary friend, Jared. She has always been able to talk with him in her mind and never thought about letting him go. This makes for some awkward situations but Jared is too important for Kami to let go. When a new bad boy arrives in town, Kami is put off by his rough exterior only to discover that he is actually Jared. Kami and Jared's worlds are turned upside down with this discovery. Together they must solve a mystery involving both their families and the town's strange history.

The story is witty and paced perfectly. The relationships Kami builds are realistic and the reader can easily relate to her struggles with being a teen in a small town. Sarah Rees Brennan has created a unique story that will leave you guessing until the very end. And if you have ever read Brennan before, you know that the end is sometimes only the beginning. Unspoken is a definite must-read book for the fall.

4.5 stars

The moment I read this description I knew I had to read Unspoken. It sounded unique and intriguing and I loved the idea of a psychic connection gone awry. Who does that? AND, does it well? Sarah Rees Brennan...period.

I could sum this review up in seven words:

This book rocks my socks.

The End.

...but I won't...So what specifically did I love? The setting, for one thing. I've been to London (ok I was six so I don't even remember it clearly). I've seen pictures of the countryside in England, Ireland, Scotland, etc. I know of its beauty but I've never seen it firsthand. Yet, somehow, after reading Brennan's descriptions and the imagery she uses, I feel like I've visited the English countryside. I feel like I've seen the town and met it's occupants. It's gorgeous.

The writing. Within the first two pages I was hooked. I am a sucker for a good inner monologue and incredible banter and in this fantastic novel we get to hear the joint inner monologue of the main character, Kami Glass, and her not-so-imaginary friend, Jared. Top it off with Brennan's quirky banter and you are set for an utterly hilarious read. Anyone can come up with a great line but to sustain dialogue and keep me captivated through every page is talent and flat-out art. There are no wasted words in this book. Brennan has carefully crafted the plot and it's pacing to deliver each punch at just the right moment for the final knock out blow and...well we'll get to that.

The secondary characters. Every character mentioned in this book has a purpose. I loved Kami's family and the way that the other Lynburns are brought to life, especially Ash. Angela, Holly and Rusty are totally unforgettable. Brennan's ability to make these characters human is exquisite.

Now on to Kami. She is quirky, smart and impetuous. She's ridiculously brave and I absolutely adore the fact that she tromps through the woods in skirts and kitten heels. She's a super awesome girl sleuth with fashion sense. I want to be her. She's also hilarious and made me laugh more than anyone in the whole book. I also loved her honesty and depth. She is one seriously grounded individual who looks at things from all sides.

Then there is Jared who has the ability to be both endearing and swoon-worthy while at the same time disturbing and a little unhinged. He is complex and "other" compared to the other characters in the book. No one truly understands him, even Kami who is practically in his brain almost constantly. He's broken and needs Kami in sometimes very unhealthy ways. So, while I adore him and want to hug away his brokenness and kiss his boo boos, he's also extremely needy and could use a little maturity. Jared has this ability to leave you completely unsettled about him the entire story. Throughout the novel, I kept going back and forth: do I like him? do I not like him? I'll leave you to decide for yourself!

Lastly, the conclusion aka the knock out blow. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. I wasn't expecting it at all but it made perfect sense with the way Brennan set up her world. She keeps you just enough in the loop and just enough on edge that you never really know who to trust and who to hate. Unspoken is a beautifully spun mystery and an epic love story while never venturing into the trite or cheesy. I could not have asked for a better ending to complete this portion of Kami's story and I'm so excited to see where these characters go next.

Unspoken is hilarious and charming while also being dark and unsettling. Sarah Rees Brennan has created a work of genius that delights and disturbs in equal measure. Absolute must read!

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

Just a few paragraphs into UNSPOKEN and I knew I was reading something special. UNSPOKEN was the perfect confluence of humor, romance, and mystery for me. Kami's conversational playfulness and wit were instantly charming, and the complicated relationship between her and Jared was both enthralling and hilarious. I am a sucker for a bad boy, and a bad boy with a sense of humor is purely irresistible.

Brennan has taken the soul mates trope and turned it on its head as Kami and Jared struggle with the reality of absolute intimacy. I loved the intricacy of how well they knew each other colliding with "in person" insecurities, and thought Brennan did a spectacular job exploring how this type of relationship would pan out, both positive and negative. In edition to the romance end of things, the friendships and family in UNSPOKEN were distinct and hilarious. Rusty's Cato-esque approach to teaching self-defense had me cracking up.

Kami's stylized brand of humor may not be for everyone, but I found her over the top personality absolutely hilarious (and reminiscent Nicole Peeler's Jane True series or some of the Kate/Angela/Julie exchanges in the Kate Daniels books). Kami's not all bold pronouncements and daring plans, however. Brennan uses her to explore beauty, and how it impacts women's relationships with each other, in a way that I did not expect to find in a YA. Despite a natural teenage preoccupation with boys (and a ruthless willingness to use her friends' feminine wiles to further her journalistic plans), UNSPOKEN focuses as much on Kami's friends and family as on her love life. Kami's passion for journalism guarantees that romance is always a distant second on her agenda. Her confidence and consistency, even when faced with a matched set of Golden Boy and Bad Boy heartthrobs, made me laugh and cheer out loud quite a few times.

UNSPOKEN demanded my complete attention and I wolfed it down in one sitting. The ending suffers a bit from series-itis, and that is the only thing that knocked it down from 5bats to 4. I wish book one had more of a standalone story arc, though I'm certainly still excited that there's more Kami and company on the horizon. The Lynburn Legacy has me firmly on the hook, and book two will definitely be on my list of most anticipated reads in 2013. In the meantime, I have all of Brennan's back catalog to keep me company.

Sexual Content: Kissing.

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Kami has a voice inside her head and it is not a weird voice telling her what to do or anything strange, just a comforting one that knows what she is going though and most of her secrets. This voice belongs to a male, probably around her age, that has communicated with her as long as she can remember. The voice also has a name and strong personality as well as being real. Just as Kami learns to deal with the guy she never expects to meet, he shows up in her small English village, Sorry-in-the-Vale. Oh, and Kami has accepted that people thinks she is strange, so she just goes with it, doing whatever she wants, annoying anyone one who crosses her path and depends on her sarcastic wit to see her through. My kind of girl! Kami really comes to life when she decides to recruit the guy in her head and his brother to work on the school newspaper which she decided to start so she could be a reporter. No one gets in the way of this girl.

So there is much mystery to be solved that revolves around the Lynburns who have just returned and she finally meets Jared, her moody and rebel voice. As Kami snoops around the town and starts to uncover the true dangers that lurk in her quaint town, she becomes more and more involved with Jared. Kami is a girl on a mission to find out why the Lynburns have so many secrets and the true history of her village, especially now that there is a murder. Kami may be the next victim if she can't unravel the family's secret. It really took me the whole book to figure out the culprit.

It true neo gothic lit style, this book deserves a dark and stormy night since Kami will brighten your day immensely. The whole snarky tone is just perfect and seems to make fun of even the most serious points in the story. There is still more mystery to be solved in this tiny town so I hope it is not too long before I get another installment. Parents: there is some alcohol and kissing as well as some violence, but nothing too graphic. Fans of Beautiful Creatures should love this one as well.

Touted as a gothic, supernatural novel, Unspoken certainly fulfilled the elements necessary to make this a very different, ultimately satisfying read. I was at first not convinced it would be so, as the beginning was lackluster, the dialogue at times too broad and obvious, and the setup of a romantic triangle is one that's been done ad nauseum in this genre. Further, the gothic aspect seemed to be lacking - I wanted more.

However, Brennan absolutely delivers on several fronts. Foremost, the female characters. I ended up adoring Kami, who's refreshingly different from most YA heroines: ethnically (she's a half-Japanese teen in Great Britain) and behavior-wise (she's strong, plucky if a bit reckless, smart, and doesn't fall into the predictable insta-love with the mysterious bad boy who happened to have been speaking to her inside her head since she was born).

Secondly, I was pleased to see a wonderful, solid female camaraderie between Kami and two gorgeous, non-stereotypical teenage girls, Angela and Holly. No jealousy present, but a very admirable dynamic. All three are strong and distinct characters which I am very eager to know more about in the coming installments. Antisocial Angela, in particular, charmed me very much; I loved the revelations that emerged regarding her character and look forward to its development.

While the plot follows a somewhat predictable trajectory, I still admire Brennan's execution. There was genuine suspense. Most times, an author successfully teases the readers with twists throughout the narrative only to deliver a disappointing climactic reveal. In this instance, the gothic, mysterious undercurrents arrived at a truly horrifying exposition of the ancient secrets of Sorry-in-the-Vale.

The ending, just to warn you, follows a great showdown; however, it will leave you frustrated, albeit in all the right ways. You will want the second book yesterday.

I knew basically nothing about this book originally, other than a a local independent book store had listed it as a book of the month last fall. So I added it and dove in. It was unlike anything else I have read, in a very good way. I'm going to try to not spoil anything, so this will be intentionally vague.

The characters are so interesting and original. None of them are anything particularly special save for one important aspect, which turns out to be a point of contention in the novel in fact, but the way Brennan has developed them made me love them all, even the villains. Kami was so hilarious and quirky with her one liners and wacky sense of humor. Jared was appropriately prickly and vulnerable; I wanted to give him a hug but wouldn't for fear I'd get punched. I figured Angela out pretty early on, and really liked how her story was handled, like it was no big deal, which it isn't. Kami's family was wonderful, loved her dad's humor and mom's protectiveness. The rest of the Lynburns did exactly as they were meant to - creeped me out.

The best part in my opinion was the development of Kami and Jared's relationship. There was such a longing, a romance that they always knew was there but rediscovered once they became real to each other. The looks, the almost-touches, the unwavering devotion to each other - it was incredibly moving and definitely swoon-worthy. And the ending - how perfectly devastating! I can't wait to see what happens.

Thank you Sarah Rees Brennan for this delicious read!

4.5/5

This was an immensely enjoyable book. I got it from the library and was not sure what to expect from it and was pleasantly surprised. The summary sounds unusual and this book was definitely unusual. It was unlike any other ya paranormal book that I have read and I loved it.

I adored Kami. She was such a vibrant character that I couldn't help but love her. In the beginning she does some really dumb things, like go into the woods to determine the source of screams, but as you read on you realize that this is just part of her personality. She is a no nonsense, get straight to the point girly girl. She has a really good relationship with her friends which can be unusual in ya paranormal books. Instead of keeping secrets from them she mostly kept them in the loop about what was going on and this really added to the story. I also liked Jared a lot. It was interesting getting to see him from different perspectives. There were a lot of layers to him and he was a great balance for Kami. There were many moments in the book that were laugh out loud funny, especially conversations between Kami and Jared.

The plot was also interesting. I had to know what the Lynburn secret was. And even once I found out I wanted to know more. Kami's character makes you also feel that you have to get to the root of the mystery. The ending takes a slightly darker turn from the rest of the book but still fit well with the story. It also made me desperately wish that the next book was here.

I highly recommend giving this book a try. It was a lot of fun to read and was a nice change of pace. I definitely plan to check out the other books by this author.

There is nothing better than a smart, funny heroine who likes to solve mysteries and Unspoken delivers a story that has all that and much more. From the start of the story, you know that there is definitely something not right about the Lynburns, but you don't know exactly what it is. That mystery is slowly unveiled as Kami and her friends, including two members of the Lynburn family, try to figure it out. Jared and Kami's connection was such a great part of the story, but I'll stop there because I don't want to give too many spoilers. The small town with sinister secrets is not a new plot device, but this story felt very fresh and 100% addictive. As a few reviews have pointed out, Sarah Rees Brennan also puts a new spin on the Gothic novel. Instead of making the poor relation a young woman, she gives that distinction to a male character. I loved the twist on such an entrenched literary tradition because it brought something new and very appealing to a well traveled path.

This book was utterly delightful from beginning to end. Kami is laugh-out-loud funny and her wit makes the book extremely enjoyable. She is supported by a group of characters that complements the coziness and claustrophobia of small town life. Her friends are each strong personalities in their own right and it really made me feel like I was part of the gang while I was reading it. Although Kami has lived in Sorry-On-The-Vale her whole life, there are secrets at every corner and those secrets are at the core of this story. While this book was very funny, it was also very spooky in parts which rounded out its awesomeness. Fans of Sarah Rees Brennan will not be surprised at this book's brilliance and those that are new to her writing will want more. The ending was a gut-wrenching cliffhanger and I'm still a little mad at the author for it, but mostly I just want book two NOW!

Note: I originally wrote this for the Tar Valon Times newsletter at TarValon.Net.

----

I had Unspoken: Book One in the Lynburn Legacy by Sarah Rees Brennan marked on my file of release dates (yes, I have a file) from the instant I heard it existed, sometime in 2011. I've been staring at that entry ever since, every so often searching the internet in some whimsical fancy that someone will have screwed up at the publisher's and uploaded the Kindle version for sale nine months early. I'm optimistic that way.

My enthusiasm was fueled by Sarah Rees Brennan's trilogy, The Demon's Lexicon, which she completed last year. There aren't many YA series that can boast an improvement from book to book (they tend to start out strong and get sucky and implausible with each book), but I liked each one better than the last. I infected my friends with Sarah Rees Brennan frenzy. I daydreamed about the lead characters and how they'd forget their prospective romance counterparts and fall in love with me instead. I ordered the British paperbacks from the store UK and had them shipped to me overseas because I thought they portrayed the characters better than the American covers. Let's just say I was fond of her writing and leave it at that before I'm arrested for stalking a fictional character. And let's get onto the new book, which presents more stalk-worthy characters.

Unspoken is a gothic-esque mystery-ish paranormal-y Young Adult novel set in contemporary times. Kami, the main character, has an imaginary friend named Jared, whom she's talked to in her head since she knew how to talk. She shares everything with him. He shares everything with her. Kami lives in a small town that revolves around the long-absent Lynburn family. Guess who just came back to town? The Lynburns bring their children, and one is named Jared. He's had an imaginary friend his entire life. Her name is Kami.

Kami isn't your average character. She is strong, but not annoyingly so. She has a bite to her. She loves adventure. She can take care of herself. I adored her. I wouldn't mind being her. Jared was immensely satisfying as a bad boy jerk who cares way too much. I know it's a cliché, but it was one so well done that all I can think is that I want more and more and more of him.

Everything is so heavily anticipated and so well paced that I was on the edge of my--okay, not my seat, because I read this one mostly while walking through the streets of Portland, oblivious, only pausing when I had to cross the street. I read it while visiting the art museum, my eyes glued to the pages, and actually had to leave the museum because I was too engrossed by the book to bother looking at paintings. (Don't worry, I'm a member so visits are free.) The coat check lady gave me my backpack and said, "That was quick." I'd been there twenty-five minutes. "Yeah, I was only checking on one thing today." Total lie. I tried to be interested in the exhibits, truly I did, but Kami had just stepped into an elevator with Jared and neither of them knew who the other really was yet and the scene required more focus than I was able to give as I walked aimlessly through halls and glanced up at ancient Chinese artifacts, barely noticing them because the book was seducing me away from a cultured life.

I started Unspoken full of expectations and it never disappointed me. Full of Brennan's signature wit and intelligence, I was so enraptured that I didn't even cheat and look ahead. Cheating and looking ahead is what I do for 80% of the books I read. Okay, that is a lie: I cheat about 97% of the time, but I didn't want to seem too dishonorable. But I did not look ahead, and I thank everything thankable that I didn't, because the ending... I won't spoil it for you. I still flash back to that ending in my head every few days and I'm traumatized, but in a very good way. I need the next book to be here. I require it. Has she started it yet? Can I pry it out of her brain? Do we have the technology?

What?

My reaction is perfectly normal. For me.

Want a new YA paranormal romance? Read this one. It's better than a trip to the museum.

There is nothing better than a smart, funny heroine who likes to solve mysteries and Unspoken delivers a story that has all that and much more. From the start of the story, you know that there is definitely something not right about the Lynburns, but you don't know exactly what it is. That mystery is slowly unveiled as Kami and her friends, including two members of the Lynburn family, try to figure it out. Jared and Kami's connection was such a great part of the story, but I'll stop there because I don't want to give too many spoilers. The small town with sinister secrets is not a new plot device, but this story felt very fresh and 100% addictive. As a few reviews have pointed out, Sarah Rees Brennan also puts a new spin on the Gothic novel. Instead of making the poor relation a young woman, she gives that distinction to a male character. I loved the twist on such an entrenched literary tradition because it brought something new and very appealing to a well traveled path.

This book was utterly delightful from beginning to end. Kami is laugh-out-loud funny and her wit makes the book extremely enjoyable. She is supported by a group of characters that complements the coziness and claustrophobia of small town life. Her friends are each strong personalities in their own right and it really made me feel like I was part of the gang while I was reading it. Although Kami has lived in Sorry-On-The-Vale her whole life, there are secrets at every corner and those secrets are at the core of this story. While this book was very funny, it was also very spooky in parts which rounded out its awesomeness. Fans of Sarah Rees Brennan will not be surprised at this book's brilliance and those that are new to her writing will want more. The ending was a gut-wrenching cliffhanger and I'm still a little mad at the author for it, but mostly I just want book two NOW!

Note: I originally wrote this for the Tar Valon Times newsletter at TarValon.Net.

----

I had Unspoken: Book One in the Lynburn Legacy by Sarah Rees Brennan marked on my file of release dates (yes, I have a file) from the instant I heard it existed, sometime in 2011. I've been staring at that entry ever since, every so often searching the internet in some whimsical fancy that someone will have screwed up at the publisher's and uploaded the Kindle version for sale nine months early. I'm optimistic that way.

My enthusiasm was fueled by Sarah Rees Brennan's trilogy, The Demon's Lexicon, which she completed last year. There aren't many YA series that can boast an improvement from book to book (they tend to start out strong and get sucky and implausible with each book), but I liked each one better than the last. I infected my friends with Sarah Rees Brennan frenzy. I daydreamed about the lead characters and how they'd forget their prospective romance counterparts and fall in love with me instead. I ordered the British paperbacks from the store UK and had them shipped to me overseas because I thought they portrayed the characters better than the American covers. Let's just say I was fond of her writing and leave it at that before I'm arrested for stalking a fictional character. And let's get onto the new book, which presents more stalk-worthy characters.

Unspoken is a gothic-esque mystery-ish paranormal-y Young Adult novel set in contemporary times. Kami, the main character, has an imaginary friend named Jared, whom she's talked to in her head since she knew how to talk. She shares everything with him. He shares everything with her. Kami lives in a small town that revolves around the long-absent Lynburn family. Guess who just came back to town? The Lynburns bring their children, and one is named Jared. He's had an imaginary friend his entire life. Her name is Kami.

Kami isn't your average character. She is strong, but not annoyingly so. She has a bite to her. She loves adventure. She can take care of herself. I adored her. I wouldn't mind being her. Jared was immensely satisfying as a bad boy jerk who cares way too much. I know it's a cliché, but it was one so well done that all I can think is that I want more and more and more of him.

Everything is so heavily anticipated and so well paced that I was on the edge of my--okay, not my seat, because I read this one mostly while walking through the streets of Portland, oblivious, only pausing when I had to cross the street. I read it while visiting the art museum, my eyes glued to the pages, and actually had to leave the museum because I was too engrossed by the book to bother looking at paintings. (Don't worry, I'm a member so visits are free.) The coat check lady gave me my backpack and said, "That was quick." I'd been there twenty-five minutes. "Yeah, I was only checking on one thing today." Total lie. I tried to be interested in the exhibits, truly I did, but Kami had just stepped into an elevator with Jared and neither of them knew who the other really was yet and the scene required more focus than I was able to give as I walked aimlessly through halls and glanced up at ancient Chinese artifacts, barely noticing them because the book was seducing me away from a cultured life.

I started Unspoken full of expectations and it never disappointed me. Full of Brennan's signature wit and intelligence, I was so enraptured that I didn't even cheat and look ahead. Cheating and looking ahead is what I do for 80% of the books I read. Okay, that is a lie: I cheat about 97% of the time, but I didn't want to seem too dishonorable. But I did not look ahead, and I thank everything thankable that I didn't, because the ending... I won't spoil it for you. I still flash back to that ending in my head every few days and I'm traumatized, but in a very good way. I need the next book to be here. I require it. Has she started it yet? Can I pry it out of her brain? Do we have the technology?

What?

My reaction is perfectly normal. For me.

Want a new YA paranormal romance? Read this one. It's better than a trip to the museum.

My Thoughts: Wish I would have loved this one more than I did. It was just ok for me. We are introduced to Kami who has had a voice in her head most of her life. His named is Jared. Some people think she's weird, while others think its just her. As a kid, others thought it was just an imaginary friend, but Kami knows the truth.

Kami is determined to find out what has been happening in her town. She lives in the kind of town where everybody knows everybody and rumors sure do fly.

A family who has a pretty long history in Sorry-In-The-Vail moves back to town, and Kami is even more intrigued with them, because among them are two good looking boys. Their names are Jared and Ash. Hmmm Jared, huh?

I loved that Jared has become a real boy! HA! I loved their interactions and I also loved Ash. I loved that Kami is so determined, and she has a great mind.

I loved the concept of Unspoken. It was definitely imaginative, I just had a hard time connecting with the overall plot. It was ok, and I'll read the next in the series, but I just didn't love it, and when I finished, I just wasn't feeling the wow feeling I wanted too.

Overall: Yep, I can see some people loving this one, I really can. But maybe it was my reading mood, or something else, I'm not sure. I've grown in my reading habits, because I know I can't love every book I read, and there will just be some that are a hit or miss for me, and I'm ok with that.

Cover: It's alright. Don't love the cover exactly either. Oh well, can't like everything.

What I'd Give It: 3/5 Cupcakes
_________
Taken From Princess Bookie

Not many YA paranormals surprise me nowadays. I have gotten a little bit "been there done that" with it all. Unspoken was not the case. Some things truly surprised me at first but once you get into the story you kind of get to the routine and see things coming a mile away. Luckily, that only made it more exciting when you discover you were right.

The characters were hit or miss. Jared - hit. Even though he was king hot Emo. Kami- another hit. Rusty - hit everyone else had something that held me back from really liking them. Jon Glass, Kami's dad was so almost a hit but something, wasn't ...gellin. Clare Glass an utter miss. Frick and Frack Glass (not really their names but equally ridic) weren't so bad but they would need more time for me to declare a hit. On to Kami's friends. Angela who's plot was easily figured out was so close to a hit that hurt she is a miss. She became a caricature . Okay I get it she likes naps. Enough. Almost the same with Rusty we get it, he is lazy and never serious. But with his sister Angela, it's Okay I get it, she is gorgeous but a bitch who hates the world. Holly a miss. She is poor, fine. She is so damn hot she has to beat them off with sticks...oh wait no that was Angela *insert eye roll please * Ash a miss. Swarmy. He just rubbed me wrong.

Enough with that the plot. The mysteries Lynburns move back into town and everybody starts shitting bricks they are so scared. Kami who has a not so imaginary friend she chats it up with in her mind starts to investigate them. She develops a connection to both lynburn boys and adventure ensues.

Well worth the read. I'm dreading the wait until book two comes out. Because this book ends with us asking when will Jared remove his head from his ass?

I haven't read a book like Unspoken since... well, ever. Sarah Rees Brennan has created a kind of brilliance in this little book by combining wit, charm, gothic mansions, magic, and imaginary friends to create the perfect mix of "Scooby Gang." I laughed out loud so many times I lost count, and enjoyed the many references to pop culture, some new, some old, that Unspoken contained.

Kami lives in a little town called Sorry-in-the-Vale. It's "ruling" family is the Lynburns, but they have been gone for a while and Kami, a budding journalist, wants to write a story on them. Then she finds out... they are back. Kami is sweet, brave, strong, witty, and fun. I loved being inside her head and sharing that space with Jared, her "imaginary" friend - but is he?

When Jared and Ash explode onto the scene I felt a moment of disquiet - would these be yet more dark, brooding offshoots of famous male characters in a trilogy I cannot stand? Well - no worries, folks. Ash and Jared have their own brand of gothic broodiness, and it wasn't overwhelming. Instead, it fit well into the history making up the world behind this book.

I adored this story, every little thing about it. I loved the ending, which pretty much guaranteed that I'll be picking up the next book Brennan has faster than you can say "Sorry-in-the-Vale." This book is topping my list for books to give away for Christmas this year, and if you are smart, you will jump to read it as soon as possible.

I adored this book whilst reading it, and even though I was a little frustrated at the cliffhanger ending, I'll stick with the 5 stars. I've read a few books lately that ended on a gigantic cliffhanger, and while I understand the point, if not done right, it can mess with my goodwill toward an author. In this case, the book was good enough, I'll let it slide, and just muddle through (um, with about a bazillion other books...LOL) until next summer.

I think the thing that I am enjoying most about my most recent reads is that they aren't all same-y same-y. The heroine of our story is not your typical heroine**, and the situation she find herself in (in fact, that she has BEEN in all her life), is unique and interesting.

The supporting characters were all pretty well fleshed out and interesting, as well. In fact, I found myself worrying about one of them (Angela), and thinking maybe someone needed to get her to a therapist for most of the book.

I'm also a big fan of the humor, and found myself laughing out loud more than once.

So: magic, humor, strong female character, slightly creepy setting and interesting mystery: definitely recommended.

**Sometimes we get promised "not your typical heroine" and whatever it is that makes her non-typical is totally stupid and annoying, and just tacked on.

I enjoyed the book, but had a hard time believing it was set in England, specifically, a cottage community in England. The characters all read like Americans. They may as well have been living in Sunnydale with Buffy and the Scooby gang. The author uses a lot of Americanisms, not only in the sarcasm of the characters,but in the delivery. as well as references like going to college, which in England, is not the same thing as college in the U.S. There are words like "ass," which is definitely American. In England, it's "arse." I know these are little things, but they were enough to pull me out of the delightful little Cotswold village, and place me squarely in Anyplace, U.S.A.
That being said, I did enjoy the premise of the story. It was different, and I was interested enough in the outcome between the two main characters to continue reading. I will also read the second in the trilogy.

[Originally posted at [...]]

Wow. So lemme say that I had super high expectations for this book. The cover is beautiful, the synopsis sounds amazing- all this even before I knew who Sarah Rees Brennan was. And then I followed her on Twitter and Tumblr and realized how amazing she is and how awesome her writing must be. Then I read The Demon's Lexicon, and liked it, but didn't totally love it. Still did not deter my expectations of Unspoken.

And lovelies? Guess what? This book lived HIGHER than my expectations. The writing was ingenious and incredibly witty. The characters were so loveable and relateable and I really connected with them. And then the ending tore my heart to little shreds- usually an author waits until the second book to kill your soul. Nope. Not Sarah Rees Brennan. She murdered my heart with the first book, and I love her for it. I love the emotional ending, I feel like it shows exactly how connected you are to a book. And boy was I connected to Unspoken.

Kami is that girl I am in my head- cute, witty, British, and all with the greatest wardrobe known to man. She had the greatest comebacks and just always said the perfect witty things. I really, truly do want to be her. She's so awesome. Here have a quote (I promise there will be more at the end):

"Because if you drank four glasses of lemonade you would explode," Kami said, "Dad would come downstairs and ask, 'Where is my youngest born?' and I could only point to the floor, where all that remained of you would be a pool of lemonade and heap of sweetened entrails. You can have one glass of lemonade."

Isn't she funny? I just kind of loved her insanely dry sense of humor. It constantly made me laugh out loud. And she often used the word canoodle, which is like the greatest word in the English language. You cannot fathom the amount of love I have for her!!

And then there was Jared. Poor, sweet, possibly deranged Jared. He was the most amazing of the amazing, even if he was kinda crazy. He made me happy. There was this one scene where he had to provide a distraction, and Kami told him to fake a break-up, but all he had was his male cousin, so he pretended they were a couple and started yelling at him for sleeping with their personal trainer. It was great. And then Kami and Jared together were like two pieces of the world's most epic banterific puzzle:

"Is the quarry called Really Depressed Quarry?"
"Yes," Kami answered. "And I live on the Street of Certain Doom."

And then, all the other characters were freaking hilarious also, like Kami's dad. He was soooooo funny!!!

"Kami, I know all the other kids are throwing themselves down wells now, but your mother and I have a firm policy of no danger sports until you're eighteen."

And Holly and Angela were great, too. Holly was gorgeous and she knew it, and knew how to use it, and Angela hated all people in general and was obsessed with sleeping. I mean, for Angela, everywhere was a potential nap spot. She and her brother were always asleep. It was great.

And that cover? Even more gorgeous in person!!!! I am seriously considering buying myself a copy because it is so gorgeous and would look great on my bookshelf.... even though I'm kind of running out of room....

And the back of the cover is CRAZY pretty, too. It has a Jared silhouette! I love Jared! :D

So, duh, I love this book and there was not a single thing that I would change about it, because it was awesome. Obviously a 5 star book.

We already know, from the Demon's Lexicon books, that Sarah Rees Brennan can write a fantasy. Here she comes with something a little more contemporary, with some downright poetic paranormal tilting.

Kami Glass understands her destiny. She's going to be a highly successful investigative reporter, starting in her British nowheresville hometown. As long as she can keep her own secret, her imaginary telepathic American boyfriend.

This story twists every adolescent girl's wish fulfillment fantasy - well, I think most of us keep an imaginary ideal boy in our heads for lonely days - into a relationship that vacillates between intimate hope and intimate hate.

Don't let the "Gothic" label frighten you - Sure, the story has scary moments, but more often, it's hilarious. Kami is an anime-character brand of enthusiastic with a disorientingly blunt brand of wit. Several times, I was giggling so hard I couldn't read, and I had to put the book down until I stopped.

What I learned: How to write something unforgettable.

3. Quotability always helps. Examples to come, and I can't wait.

2. So does memorable imagery. An electric blue heron standing flamingo-style against the night. Fragmented glass hanging in the air, getting caught in the enemy's hair. Brennan draws Japanese legends into Western lore. I love combinations like this, and I'm not alone in it. Charles de Lint is the master of this technique, I think, with his combos of Celtic lore and Native American legend.

1. Magical realism that builds up slowly, through contemporary scenes. The first undeniably real bit of magic occurs around page 50. It builds to a crescendo across the next 190 pages. That's almost 250 pages of chipping away at rocks that look like pieces of ruby, maybe, a little, if they're not just quartz. Then we hit the vein. Bedazzlement tends to be pretty unforgettable, too.

This review is from my blog, Studies in Storytelling. To view the complete version, please visit [...]

I’ll tell you right now that Unspoken has earned a spot next to all my other “to read again” books on the shelf. When authors take on a gothic ghost story, they absolutely must use the dark and gloomy setting to their full advantage. Pick up a Barbra Michaels book and you’ll see just what I mean. This talented author has clearly mastered the art of mood and atmosphere. Through her lyrical prose, she creates a sense of poetic dread as the protagonist hunts down clues in her sleepy little English village. I felt like I was right by Kami’s side as she investigated the dark English manor filled with secrets and shady suspects. Trust me, this book is definitely worth your time if you’re a fan of gothic mysteries filled with romantic tension, quirky gal pals and magical creatures.

What the (insert expletive) was that?! Are you (insert expletive) kidding me?! If not for my fear of damaging my walls, and therein losing my security deposit, that ending would have made me throw the (insert expletive) book at the wall! I mean, there are cliffhangers, and then there is just being mean to your readers. Unspoken is the latter. Although I do have to give the author serious props on her sales techinique. She may have broken my heart, but she definitely secured herself a reader for the sequel. For shame Sarah Rees Brennan, For shame...
Okay, now that that's out of my system, on to the review.
Unspoken was a pretty great book with a plot that kept me guessing most of the way through. The characters were fantastic. I loved the witty sense of humor that most of them had. There were several parts throughout that I found myself laughing out loud.
The plot was pretty solid. Somewhat predictable, but not overly so. Sure, I was mostly right about my guesses, but there were still enough things that I didn't see coming to keep it exciting. I'm sorry, I'm not one to write a synopsis in my reviews, I think the cover pretty much sums up what you need to know going in.
I loved the relationship between Kami and Jared. It was nice how they were both there for the other when they needed it. Although, I have to say that the whole no-touching thing started to get irritating to me about halfway through. It just didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. So, Jared wants to be with Kami, but whenever she so much as brushes fingers with him, he pulls away like she's a leper. Kami supposedly loves Jared, yet she's constantly going on about how they're just friends and will never be more. Why? Again, didn't make a lot of sense. But it is nice to read a YA book where the characters don't fall instantly in love. Things like that are what make me come back for more.
It kind of annoyed me how conceited Angela and Holly were. Okay, we get it, you're hot. Was it really neccessary for them to keep repeating it throughout? And if Kami was such a hag in comparisson (my words, not the authors) why did both of the Lyburn boys have the hots for her? I get Jared, but Ash too? It would have been better had we found out that while Kami views herself as plain, the rest of the world does not.
All and all, I wouldn't say that I loved this book, but I definitely liked it a lot. If one of my friends asked me about it, I wouldn't tell them not to read it. I would only warn them to keep anything breakable far away when reading the last few pages.

Some authors can think of a completely new and original book even when you think every idea has been exhausted and reused too many times. Sarah Rees Breenan is definitely one of those authors.

I'm going to be using a different kind of "review format" instead of my usual, non-planned ramblings.

Character Rundown: I disliked Kami. Immensely. It seemed she only cared about news. Articles. Information. As if the event, the person, the creature, didn't matter at all. As if they were just meaningless things. It was seriously so annoying that it got to the point where I wanted to rip her head off. Ugh. And when some things just seemed so obvious, or at least a bit suspicious, she literally blew it all off and didn't think to ask about it. Of course, she kind of had to believe it...but read it and see what I mean. I have to admit, though, it was entertaining to see things from her point of view because of her witty and sarcastic remarks which definitely made me laugh more than they should. Other times, she just makes me laugh unintentionally. For example: "Well. Yes. Someone's trying to kill me. But you don't have to make such a big deal about it." She did grow on me half way in like all characters do, though. I guess when you spend a while in someone's head, you kind of have to end up liking them. Wow, this is actually a long paragraph.

Jared and Angela were definitely my absolute favorites in this book. Angela was just hilarious to read about and Jared was the same: hilarious. And I loved the connection he had with Kami. It was beautiful and the friend connection Jared and Kami had initially made made me like him even more.

The story: The plot was actually pretty good, although it did have some predictable twists. The magic and so-called "soulmates" had a definite twist on it, giving you an actual explanation instead of just putting it out there. The antagonists were people you could clearly identify, people who were the obvious suspects and that made you all the more frustrated (in a good way). There were a few giant turn of events that I could not predict and to say I was shocked would be an understatement.

The romance: It wasn't Bam! I'm attracted to you, but I can't. One week later: let's get together! To hell what others say. Ugh. I'm so happy this wasn't like that. Think "slow and steady" instead. Which definitely made everything way better because of all the instaromance stories going around. There was a sort of love triangle with the Lynburn cousins, Jared and Ash, and I think it's safe to say I'm Team Jared.

The ending: The ending wasn't how I hoped it would be and was incredibly disappointing, but the 50 pages before the plummet definitely made up for it.

All in all: This is actually one of my firsts gothic novels and I'm happy start off with this one! This is one novel you should definitely read. If you get through the first 50 pages, Kami's reporter attitude gradually decreases (thankfully), so after that checkpoint, there's not much to complain about!

I fell in love with this books whit and characters.

I'm not a big fan of too much drama. I mean, over the top crying drama with teenagers breaking mirrors.
This book has drama, but it's so well written and so undertoned, that it had me holding my breath at points.

The characters are what bring this story to it's peek. They're just so great and fun and I wish I could steal them and have them as my friends and family.

The plot is simple. It's a mystery, and I think it's written and played off very well. I've never read Nancy Drew or anything, but maybe I will now :P

Sarah is very lucky that she is an amazing writer, because the ending is so... well, I woudln't say it's a completely terrifying cliff-hanger, but it's still one!

The first book I read by Sarah Rees Brennan (admittedly co-written by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson) was The Bane Chronicles, and I adored it. I loved Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy just as much, and consequently determined to read books that these authors have written individually as well. So I started Unspoken. And it surpassed even my wildest expectations.
Unspoken is the story of Kami, an English girl living in a small village who decides to discover who is murdering animals and people in her town. But Kami has a secret: she can talk to a boy---a boy she's never even met---inside her head. Then she meets him, and basically, as they discover their history and try to save their town, everything goes completely crazy. Unspoken contains amazing plot twists, a good amount of romance, and lots of humor. I would consider it about 5% historical fiction, 15% romance, 25% murder mystery, 15% realistic fiction, and 40% fantasy fiction.
Unspoken is a truly incedible thing. I don't think that anyone could regret reading it.

I actually found myself prepared to give this young adult paranormal romance slash mystery five stars until it ended. I love that Brennan's characters are unabashedly smart. I also find their self-possession as pleasing as it is unrealistic for seventeen year-olds. I loved reading the book (though I could put it down; the characters' banter needs a few rest stops to feel vibrant) and find myself adoring the protagonist and her star-crossed lover-to-be. Unfortunately, Brennan hit up against one of my hugest pet peeves when she - SPOILER ALERT - apparently conceived of one long book and then sliced it up into parts to create a series, rather than resolving issues in the first installment but leaving readers hungry to hear more about the characters' next adventure.