Book Review: "Unspoken" by Sarah Rees Brennan

Seventeen year old Kami Glass has always had this little quirk that nobody understands.  When she was younger, people just wrote off her imaginary friend that she talked to...  but that imaginary friend, named Jared, never went away.  She just got better at hiding their silent conversations (though people still thought her a little strange).  Everything changes for Kami when the mysterious Lynburn family moves back into their mansion above the town.  She is naturally curious, especially as investigative reporter, editor and founder of the school's newspaper, and tries to learn more about the secrets of this family, as well as the town.  Things become more strange, and more dangerous....  and the unimaginable becomes true when Kami is introduced to a Jared Lynburn.  The same boy she talks to in her head is real, and things get complicated.

Kami is a good, strong character.  She's brave, she is thoughtful and she is funny.  She doesn't drool over the cute boys (I really dislike female characters who do that), and keeps her head in tense situations.  I like that.  Jared is an interesting character - I liked him, even though he pretty much embodies contrast on every level.  He is confusing, but intriguing and I wanted to learn more about what makes him tick.  Given this, for most of this book I was not so much confused about the mental connection between Kami and Jared, but more about their reaction to finding each other, um, real.  Then a ton of secrets are uncovered about the town and its inhabitants that made me even more confused.  Thankfully, once some of the truths behind the secrets were revealed, things started clicking and I enjoyed the story a bit more.  The pace started to pick up, and I really got into it.  The ending sequence is fast and intense, and leaves the reader with a major twist that leads right into the next book in the series....  which I think will be published later this year.  The end result is that I liked this book, and even though I'm not madly in love - I will likely read on in the series.  I am definitely curious as to where this story is heading!

*****
Unspoken
by Sarah Rees Brennan
Random House, 2012
370 pages
Series:  The Lynburn Legacy Book One
Source:  Library
*****
Links for purchase:


Shop Your Indie Bookstore!
Amazon
The Book Depository
-----