Review by theartsybookwitch - Speak No Evil

theartsybookwitch 's review for:

Speak No Evil by Liana Gardner

4.0

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

“People put on masks to hide their nature, so you must learn how to look behind the mask for your own protection.”

Speak No Evil is a heartbreaking tale that just keeps you reading from the first page.

We meet Melody Fisher, a young teen girl we follow through therapy, learning about her life before, during and after foster care.

She’s been through such grief and loss, that no kid should ever go through.

The synopsis is vague enough to entice you to read, and looking back makes sense about what happens. But I’ll be honest, I thought it was a horror novel. And god, did I enjoy being wrong.

Speak No Evil is beautifully written and so tragically real and honest. It takes on very hard-hitting topics like the foster care system, grief, loss and SA.

My heart tore in half, I cried the entire time, for Melody.

Liana Gardner’s writing is so special and I can’t wait to read more by her.

SPOILER trigger warnings and quotes below

“ ‘Quattie used to say hot cocoa was the best cure for your life, and after all these years, I’ll have to say she was right.’ “

“ ‘You will never learn to fly–‘ … ‘– …if you let some else carry your wings.’ “

TW // SA, rape, grief, snakes, loss of parents, death, stabbing, foster care system, gaslighting

Content Warnings