Saturday 18 August 2012

#141 Book Review: Speechless [ARC]

Speechless [ARC]
Release Date: September 1st 2012
Author: Hannah Harrington
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads
Summary from Goodreads:
The story of a girl named Chelsea Knot who takes a voluntary oath of silence after her gossip-mongering ways yield unexpected consequences…

Saying she’s sorry isn’t enough.



Cover:
I like how the girl's mouth in the cover is sealed with tape to show that she's not willing to speak and how the title of the book  is written on the tape. Although, I somehow find the US cover more interesting because I've never actually seen a cover so...plain. But the plainness of the cover represents a whole lot of things, which is why I think I prefer it over the Australian cover.

Story:

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret...

Chelsea always shares the juiciest gossip to her best friend, Kristen. One day, in Kristen's party, Chelsea witnesses two boys kissing. She decides to share it with others and this is a terrible mistake. It brings a serious consequence to her and all those involved. Then Chelsea takes a vow of silence to keep her mouth shut and to prevent hurting anyone else. She is hated by those who used to be her friends but soon, she finds that her silence means something more and that new friends are coming her way. Can her new friends forgive her for what she's done? Can Chelsea forgive herself?


When I finished Speechless, I was speechless [no pun intended]. It took me quite a while to gather my words and thoughts to write a review for this book because it was amazing. Hannah Harrington's debut, Saving June, completely took my breath away last year. She quickly became one of my favourite contemporary authors. And she has done it again with Speechless.


'Hate is easy, but love takes courage'


There is something beautiful about the way Harrington writes. It tugged my heart, melted my heart and made me think a lot. I love contemporary stories that not only contained a beautiful story for readers to enjoy but also made them think. Speechless was one of them. Speechless carries strong themes within its story such as the power of words, bullying, homophobia and accepting the consequences of your actions. Hannah Harrington delivered it beautifully. She carried these themes across to readers successfully. I also adored the romance. It was sweet, heart-warming and in a way showed that despite how your life may seem bleak and miserable, there's that light, whether it's from your friends or your loved ones that will brighten your life.


Characters:
Besides her well-executed story, Harrington's characters are characters that represents life. It's the kind of characters that you can possibly meet in real life, whether they are good or bad. Chelsea was a character I completely relate to. I understood what she was going through and I have felt like her several times. There were times when I wished I hadn't said some of the things I said in the past. Sometimes I did not think before I speak and accidentally blurted out something that could have hurt someone else. This showed how words are powerful. A slip and your whole life can change, such as how who you thought were your friends might stab you in your back and who you thought were your enemies might end up becoming your friends. I really liked Chelsea's new friends, starting from Asha (such a lovely, kind girl!), Sam (He makes the best TUNA MELT! I BEG YOU, please make me one! and PS: I love you.), Andy and Noah (you guys are such a cute couple!). Her new friends completely touched me because even though Chelsea did something wrong, they opened up to her and made her feel better. I really adored Chelsea and Sam's growing relationship. It felt as if it was a flower bud, slowly opening until it fully bloomed. Their romance was sweet, cute and heart-melting. 


Overall:
Speechless made me speechless. Hannah Harrington is back with a beautiful novel, carrying themes of a teenager's life, bullying, accepting the consequences of your actions and more importantly, the power of words. This book taught me that words are more powerful than you think because a slip can drastically change your life. Well-executed with characters who will tug your heart, I highly recommend fans of contemporary novels to read Speechless!
5 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Speechless!
 Thank you Harlequin Teen Australia for the review copy!

22 comments:

  1. AMAZING review, Celine-chan. <333 You have such a way with words, and I just adore everything you write, I have an inkling that Speechless will make me go speechless too! I agree, Hannah is just made of awesomeness. WOAH! I never knew there were two covers??? Although this one is nice too, I love the starkness and simplicity of the other one. Lovely review, as usual Celine!! <33

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  2. Awesome review Celine!!!! Gosh, Sam and the other characters sound amazing! I love hearing of a story that reveals the power and importance of words. I love hearing about a wonderful author! And the way you described why you enjoyed this book was amazing!
    I like the implication of the tape over chelsea's mouth too. I love the blank white cover the best (not sure what country that one is for)
    Terrific, beautiful review Celine! I'm so excited to start this novel soon!!!

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  3. Yay!! *fist pump* I'm so, so thrilled you loved this one, Celine! It was definitely one of my favourite reads this year. :) Wasn't Asha such a lovely character? And I agree, Chlesea and Sam's relationship made my heart melt. :) But most of all, I loved the depth of the story, and the many layers it had. I loved the universal themes that many can relate too as well. Nicely reviewed, Celine. :)

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  4. I shall be reading this shortly, I love that you 5 forget me nots! I have skimmed this review cause I sometimes like a fresh thing going in.

    "There is something beautiful about the way Harrington writes. It tugged my heart, melted my heart and made me think a lot."

    I love a book that can do that. Makes the experience more 3D. I am reading more and more contemporary, didn't think it was my thing, but apparently it is:D

    Mich

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  5. Hate is easy, but love takes courage I loved that line <3 And I love your review! Hannah Harrington has cemented herself as one of my favourite authors - she already won me over with Saving June, but Speechless just proved she is not a one-hit wonder. I totally agree with everything you said, she explored Chelsea's journey with such heart and depth. I so adored Chelsea and Sam's budding relationship too! Fabulous review, Celine!

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  6. Yay! I'm so glad you loved this one, Celine! It's one of my favorite novels of the year and I loved not only the themes, but the well-rounded characters as well! It was such a deep and multi-layered story that I truly was rendered speechless by its simplicity and powerful qualities all at the same time! Wonderful review!(:

    ~Keertana
    Ivy Book Bindings

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  7. I love the way you review this. I have to admit that I have a weakness for beautiful writing especially in YA contemporaries. So for me, this is a must-have! I also tend to like imperfect, realistic characters. Great review!

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  8. I can't wait to dive into this, Celine! Everything about it sounds like my cup of tea. Wonderful review. :)

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  9. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Celine! I liked Saving June more than I thought I would so I'm eager to get around to this soon. I can't wait to meet Sam and Chelsea. Amazing review! :)

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  10. I love that you loved this, Celine! I have a review copy and I was very afraid of ending up disappointed because of my high expectations after Saving June. It's good to know that her characters are still equally realistic and that she remains a truly insightful author.
    Lovely review, my dear. :)

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  11. I am wanting to check this out. I am a big fan of books that take on bullying and this one has such an interesting premise. I am glad this book spoke to you and made an impact!

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  12. Fabulous review!!! I have heard great things about this one and you're review has made me so much more anxious to read it. The characters really seem super realistic and I have not read too many books on bullying so this one definitely interests me. Thanks for sharing.

    SeeitORreadit


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  13. What a lovely review. You really know your way with words and you totally got me sold to this book. I quite like this cover, since I'm not a fan of those plain covers. And 5 forget-me-flowers, wow, that means this must be really good. This will be my first experience with this writer and I can't wait ^^

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  14. I'm so glad you loved this book, Celine! <3 :) It sounds so fabulous. I haven't read Saving June, but I know tons of people loved it. This book sounds really amazing. I can't wait to read it! Your fantastic review left me speechless, Celine. ;)

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  15. Wow, what a fantastic review Celine! I am so glad that you enjoyed this one so much. I loved Saving June, so I am really looking forward to picking this one up when it's released here in the UK. Thanks for sharing!

    Steph @ SteppingOutOfThePage.co.uk

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  16. CELINECELINECELINECELINECELINECELINECELINECELINECELINECELINECELINECELINECELINE.

    YESSSS.
    I LOVED SPEECHLESS. SO MUCH. And you've captured EVERYTHING that was wonderful about it here.

    "Hate is easy, but love takes courage."

    I LOVE this line. SO MUCH.

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  17. I never read Harrington's Saving June. I heard how sad and tear-jerking it was so I just had to avoid it. :| But really, this sounds like a really good read. I think I'm going to like Chelsea and her newly found friends. I also like the other cover version much better!

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  18. Ahhh I'm dying to read this!!! I have never read any of Harrington's other books, but I keep reading so many good reviews of this one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)
    New follower, love your blog! x
    Zoe @ Bookhi

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  19. Yay, so glad you enjoyed this, Cel! I loved it too and I am sure almost all of us have said something that we later came to regret! I think teens (and adults) could learn a lot from Chelsea.

    p.s I <3 Sam, too!

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  20. AH! I can't wait to read this book. I read Saving June and it was seriously one of my favorites of 2011, so I hope I enjoy this one. Great review! (:

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  21. So glad you loved this one, Celine! The characters sound amazing. All of them :D I really need to read a book by Hannah Harrington soon xD

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  22. Gorgeous review Celine, Harrington definitely has a special way with words, like you I found it so difficult forming a coherant review after finishing this, it was just such a heartfelt read, which you have seemed to sum up perfectly in your review! <3! :)

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