Review of Soundless by Richelle Mead

Soundless by Richelle Mead


To be published
on Nov 10, 2015
by Razorbill

Source: ARC giveaway at BEA

Plot Summary for Soundless by Richelle Mead

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. 

Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. 

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation. But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Review of Soundless by Richelle Mead

Overall, I enjoyed reading Soundless. I'm a huge Richelle Mead fan and after reading so many of her books set in the VA world, it was fun to see her write something set in a completely different place and time, not to mention a standalone. 

Other pluses for me were Fei's character, her relationship with her sister, and the challenge that Mead set herself in writing a book featuring characters who can't hear and therefore don't speak, only sign. At first, the italicized signed-dialogue was a little odd, but I quickly got used to it. And I really love this cover (way more than the VA ones...)

I also loved the whole set-up of the book. It's hard to explain, but it felt a little like a folk story or a fable: a group of people beset with a mysterious, unexplained affliction, an unseen enemy, and the unlikely hero(one) who will save them all. 

Soundless isn't that short (272 pages) but I still kept feeling like I was reading something that wasn't a novel, like a story or a novella. 

As a rather reluctant fantasy reader, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I could have used even more fantasy/paranormal elements, even if that added a few more pages to the story. I think fantasy books need that 350+ page length to get in all the world building that readers expect.

But all in all, I ecommend this if you're up for something short and self-contained!

Comments

  1. I'm looking forward to reading Soundless even though I've read quite a few negative reviews.

    I wasn't a fan of the VA series so I'm happy it's so different and that it's a stand alone.

    We shall see....

    Karen @For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm looking forward to reading this one and I'm glad you liked this one overall, Jenn.
    I like the sound of the story but the fantasy elements seems like it leaves a lot to be desired. Still it's Richelle, so I'll hope I'll love it.
    Lovely review!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great review! I was able to read a sample of four chapters on NetGalley and I really liked it. I will be buying it this month so I can read the rest. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad to hear you enjoyed this one! I love Richelle Mead and can't wait to read this one. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Characters that don't speak only sign?! That's sounds interesting! I would love to read this just for the different view to put a voice to the sign :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What, no speech?! Well, now I REALLY want to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I read one of the VA books and wasn't a fan, so I'm excited to give Richelle Mead another try! Oh and I've been dying for more folklore type stories since reading A Thousand Nights. Thanks for sharing Jen!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mkay. Not that enthused to read this one. I don't know why...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yay, love seeing the good reviews coming in. I love Mead as well, and actually just took a reviewing break and tore through re-reading VA series. Loved it again

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ooh, I'm glad you liked it! I've seen such a lot of negative reviews and that makes me saaaad because it look so good! I particularly love the idea of having a world where no one can here. I SO want to see how she writes that. :D And that cover. IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have read and enjoyed Richelle Mead's VA series in the past however,I have seen far too many negative reviews (RE: misrepresentation of culture, I believe?) to even think of picking it up. Such a pity since both cover and synopsis are almost irresistible.

    Glad you enjoyed it though, Jen! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. i am thinking of starting this one next been waiting for it for a while, unfortunately it be the first one from her for me o.o

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you will share your thoughts on this post!