Soundless was released last week, and I finally made time to devour it! And I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed it!
Title: Soundless
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
From the #1 internationally #1 bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.
In a village without sound . . .
For as long as Fei can remember, no one in her village has been able to hear. Rocky terrain and frequent avalanches make it impossible to leave the village, so 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. Many go hungry. Fei's and all the people she loves are plunged into crisis, with nothing to look forward to but darkness and starvation.
One girl hears a call to action . . .
Until one night, Fei is awoken by a searing noise. Sound becomes her weapon.
She sets out to uncover what's happened to her and to fight the dangers threatening her village. A handsome miner with a revolutionary spirit accompanies Fei on her quest, bringing with him new risks and the possibility of romance. They embark on a majestic journey from the peak of their jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth will change their lives forever . . .
And unlocks a power that will save her people.
In a village without sound . . .
For as long as Fei can remember, no one in her village has been able to hear. Rocky terrain and frequent avalanches make it impossible to leave the village, so 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. Many go hungry. Fei's and all the people she loves are plunged into crisis, with nothing to look forward to but darkness and starvation.
One girl hears a call to action . . .
Until one night, Fei is awoken by a searing noise. Sound becomes her weapon.
She sets out to uncover what's happened to her and to fight the dangers threatening her village. A handsome miner with a revolutionary spirit accompanies Fei on her quest, bringing with him new risks and the possibility of romance. They embark on a majestic journey from the peak of their jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth will change their lives forever . . .
And unlocks a power that will save her people.
I have been a fan of Richelle Mead’s work since I read and loved her Vampire Academy series, so when I saw this new, young adult fantasy, I knew I had to get it. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I would go because the villagers are all deaf, but the way they communicated and how well Richelle wrote the book, really worked well in this story. Add in a well constructed world and fleshed out characters and you have a beautiful read that I was reluctant to put down.
Fei is a key person in her village, being a talented apprentice and artist. She paints her predictions onto canvases which are records of what’s to come. When her hearing suddenly returns, her life becomes chaotic, and with her childhood friend Li Wei, they decide to make the treacherous journey down the mountain to see why their food supplies are being cut. They discover a whole new world, with bright colours, cheerful people and they face a whole new set of dangers, completely opposite to what they have in their own village.
I really enjoyed the way Richelle Mead built this world. I saw what Fei and her people went through each day and how much they relied on the line to deliver food and the simple things we take for granted. They haven’t interacted directly with the outside world in generations, so it was really courageous that Fei and Li Wei decided to do so.
I liked the slow building romance between Fei and Li Wei too. They had a deeper connection that changed over the years, but I liked the way Fei reflected back on those memories. They were able to build on this connection on their current journey, and trusted one another again.
This story was beautifully created and I loved the way Richelle told the story. I felt like I was right there with Fei, facing the dangers, trying to understand what is happening outside her village, and trying to communicate with people who use their voices and don’t understand sign language. The loyalty that they had for their village and family, as well as their determination to get answers, urged them on to discover the truth. But the way the village pulls together when things were looking grim made my heart ache. This was a fabulous beginning to the series, and I look forward to more stories from this world!
Complimentary copy provided by Penguin Australia in exchange for an honest review.
This was a sweet moment between Li Wei and Fei!
In a moment, he has closed the distance between us. An intensity burns in his eyes like I’ve never seen before. Yes, Fei. Love. I loved you the moment you looked up at me so defiantly from the ruins of that broken shed. I loved you all the years we spent growing up together. I loved you when you told me you were leaving to join the artists. Throughout it all, my heart has only ever had one person’s name on it—yours. And you can talk all you want about rank and how we can’t be together, but I know you love me too.
Paperback Page 176
Hosted by YA Bound
Richelle Mead is the author of the international bestselling Vampire Academy series, its spin-off series, Bloodlines, and the Age of X series. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, travelling, trying interesting cocktails and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pyjamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington.
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