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72nd out of 233 books
—
397 voters
The Spring Before I Met You (The Lynburn Legacy 0.25)
by
Sarah Rees Brennan (Goodreads Author)
Introduction by Holly Black:
I had the privilege of reading this story many months ago and swooning over it almost as much as I swooned over Unspoken, the first book of Sarah Rees Brennan's gorgeously crafted modern gothic trilogy. Sarah's writing is incredible in that she is able to write these witty, lush scenes that have you smiling along until suddenly, in a single sent...more
I had the privilege of reading this story many months ago and swooning over it almost as much as I swooned over Unspoken, the first book of Sarah Rees Brennan's gorgeously crafted modern gothic trilogy. Sarah's writing is incredible in that she is able to write these witty, lush scenes that have you smiling along until suddenly, in a single sent...more
ebook, 15 pages
Published
September 11th 2012
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Again, please note that I have already read "Unspoken" six months ago as an ARC, so that may have affected my review.
I liked this novella a lot more than "The Summer Before I Met You" because I felt this one was a better lead-in to "Unspoken."
In this book, you learn about Jared's rough days in school, his crazy mother and begin to meet the other Lynburns. You also get a glimpse of how much Kami's "presence" affects Jared, whereas "Summer" barely mentioned it at all.
For someone who has already re...more
I liked this novella a lot more than "The Summer Before I Met You" because I felt this one was a better lead-in to "Unspoken."
In this book, you learn about Jared's rough days in school, his crazy mother and begin to meet the other Lynburns. You also get a glimpse of how much Kami's "presence" affects Jared, whereas "Summer" barely mentioned it at all.
For someone who has already re...more
Reviews & all that jazz : That READioactive Book Blog
READioactivity on a scale of 5 - Full on five!
I am a newly converted Sarah Rees Brennan fan. I have read & loved (make that in capitals, underlined with flashing neon lights) Unspoken.
The Spring Before I Met You is a short e-story that the author released last month. Not many people know about this story which you can read for free online.
This post is a way to bring this story into spotlight and add my take on it while at it.
The tim...more
READioactivity on a scale of 5 - Full on five!
I am a newly converted Sarah Rees Brennan fan. I have read & loved (make that in capitals, underlined with flashing neon lights) Unspoken.
The Spring Before I Met You is a short e-story that the author released last month. Not many people know about this story which you can read for free online.
This post is a way to bring this story into spotlight and add my take on it while at it.
The tim...more
A most helpful insight into Jared's life and way of thinking right before he met Kami. He is the usual rugged young man, however he is way more distant and less talkative than he is around his not-so-imaginary-friend. I also feel that those few pages somewhat redeem him for being so cruel and harsh to Kami at the end of the first full novel. You keep at bay the ones you wish to protect, right?
What is quite interesting is that despite his loneliness, the rumors about his sanity and his own indiff...more
What is quite interesting is that despite his loneliness, the rumors about his sanity and his own indiff...more
This very brief novella gives us an introduction to Jared leading up to the beginning of Unspoken.
Told from the POV of the school counsellor at his previous school, who was obviously very concerned about him, we get to see a little look at his behaviour before he came to Sorry-in-the-Vale. It was actually really sad. Jared is looked upon as a loner and a disturbed boy who gets into fights and may or may not have murdered his father. But through his sessions with the counsellor, and some of the...more
Told from the POV of the school counsellor at his previous school, who was obviously very concerned about him, we get to see a little look at his behaviour before he came to Sorry-in-the-Vale. It was actually really sad. Jared is looked upon as a loner and a disturbed boy who gets into fights and may or may not have murdered his father. But through his sessions with the counsellor, and some of the...more
Okay, just to make it clear it is four stars but I did not LIKE this 20 page short story. As a matter of fact, although I own the book it has made me less likely to start reading it soon.
But that isn't because this is a badly written short story - SRB doesn't do badly written short stories that I can remember. It is because the subject and storyline is much too close to my real life for comfort and distance.
I may not be an unqualified art teacher having been finagled into becoming guidance couns...more
But that isn't because this is a badly written short story - SRB doesn't do badly written short stories that I can remember. It is because the subject and storyline is much too close to my real life for comfort and distance.
I may not be an unqualified art teacher having been finagled into becoming guidance couns...more
It was so different to see Jared through someone else's eyes. I really admire the way Brennan writes her novellas. She uses new characters who have no relation to the story otherwise and does a wonderful job in making us more familiar to our beloved characters.
Even if Jared wasn't my favorite person in Unspoken, my heart went out for him in this book. He had been so lonely and unwanted all his life that Kami was his only escape. There are so many sides to his personality in this short story alon...more
Even if Jared wasn't my favorite person in Unspoken, my heart went out for him in this book. He had been so lonely and unwanted all his life that Kami was his only escape. There are so many sides to his personality in this short story alon...more
If I had any doubts about SRB being an evil, evil author who likes to mess with our minds and trample over our hearts, they're all gone now. It's official: SRB is going to be the death of me. I didn't think I could love Jared any more than I already did after reading Unspoken, but clearly I was wrong.
The Spring Before I Met You is told from the POV of a counselor in Jared's high school in San Francisco and through her eyes, we see Jared for the lone, torn, and utterly bereft boy he is. We see h...more
The Spring Before I Met You is told from the POV of a counselor in Jared's high school in San Francisco and through her eyes, we see Jared for the lone, torn, and utterly bereft boy he is. We see h...more
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"The Spring Before I Met You" is a prequel story that focuses on one of the main characters of Sarah Rees Brennan's "Unspoken." Jared Moore, a.k.a. Jared Lyndburn, is told to be a deeply disturbed young man accused of murdering his father. But as this story's told through the eyes of his counselor Mariel Delgado, she realizes that there's more to Jared than his reputation. It gives a brief introduction into Jared's interactions with Kami, who Mariel believes to be only an imaginary friend.
I real...more
I real...more
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1 like · like · see review
The Spring Before I Met You is written in the first person and told from the point of view of Jared’s guidance counselor. I loved this short story a lot because, in Unspoken, we see Jared through Kami’s eyes and it’s quite understandable that she’s a bit bias when it comes to him and her opinion of him. So, I thought it was great, getting the chance to see him from another point of view, someone not directly connected to either him or Kami.
It was a good view on the “bad boy” even if it didn’t e...more
It was a good view on the “bad boy” even if it didn’t e...more
I was thrilled when Unspoken was released, and with it this short story featuring Jared. I went in expecting it to be from Jared’s point of view, and was honestly even more excited when I realized we were once again viewing him through an outsider, but this time it was someone who knew him and could get to him less than Kami.
The Spring Before I Met You is told through the eyes of an unqualified but persistent guidance counselled, Mariel, attempting to help students in a rough neighborhood of San...more
The Spring Before I Met You is told through the eyes of an unqualified but persistent guidance counselled, Mariel, attempting to help students in a rough neighborhood of San...more
I was really looking forward to this story, since i thought it would be told from Jared's pov (my mistake)something that i would really like to read.
He's such a complex character that i can't avoid being curious about seeing things through his eyes.
Now this story, is told from an art part-time teacher POV, called Mariel, who also plays the part of school counselor. In this short story, we get glimpses of the life, Jared had with his mother before joining the Lynburns. (view spoiler)...more
He's such a complex character that i can't avoid being curious about seeing things through his eyes.
Now this story, is told from an art part-time teacher POV, called Mariel, who also plays the part of school counselor. In this short story, we get glimpses of the life, Jared had with his mother before joining the Lynburns. (view spoiler)...more
The Spring Before I Met You was definitely the best one of the two short stories as it really delved into Jared’s character. The short story is narrated by Mariel, an art teacher who also doubles as a guidance counselor at a highschool. She is told by the school to try to help Jared with his problems. We get to see the joy Jared gets from talking about Kami and how he really is just a sad, and lonely boy. Mariel was a very generous narrator giving us detailed information about Jared and never ju...more
I'd read this way back when before Unspoken came out butmust've forgot to mark it on here, so this is one of my numerous rereads.
This novella takes place, as the title indicates, the spring before Jared and Kami meet. Its told from the POV of the guidance couselor at Jared's school in the US before the Lynburns find him and his mom and take them back to the UK.
It was so interesting getting this outside glimpse of Jared and the little bits we get to see and learn about his and Kami's relationshi...more
This novella takes place, as the title indicates, the spring before Jared and Kami meet. Its told from the POV of the guidance couselor at Jared's school in the US before the Lynburns find him and his mom and take them back to the UK.
It was so interesting getting this outside glimpse of Jared and the little bits we get to see and learn about his and Kami's relationshi...more
The things Sarah Rees Brennan can do with words is quite astonishing. Such a great addition to Unspoken.
Wonderful addition to the unspoken short stories. It was lovely to hear from Jared's perspective and get a bit more of a feel for his personality and where he's coming from a little more. It didn't set my loins ablaze as much as the first one but I still really enjoyed it. I will say that even though technically it's a prequel if you haven't read unspoken yet I think you should read that before you read this, i think it's more fun that way, but what do I know I'm not a scientist.
oh I forgot!!!....more
oh I forgot!!!....more
“I wouldn’t be alone. I never am.”
I think I liked it less than a short story about Kami, but it is still worth reading.
Okay, Jared. Freak and a bad boy who often gets into fights as others describe him. So you can imagine how lonely he is. But Jared is never alone. He has a girl's voice in his head since childhood. Kami makes his days better, and he cares about her a lot.... I can not wait for the moment when they will meet each other. Finally. :)
So now, where's my copy of the Unspoken?
One inte...more
4 likes · like · see review
HOW do I even begin to describe how much I loved this short e-story??? I can sum up my reaction in this one gif:
I loved Jared's character in Unspoken, but reading his story in The Spring Before I Met You has made me love him even more!
"There were certain kids at school who could only be described as mad, bad, and dangerous to teach, and Jared Moore was their king."
Told from the POV of Jared's American guidance counselor, this short story provides insight on Jared's life before he met Kami, befo...more
I loved Jared's character in Unspoken, but reading his story in The Spring Before I Met You has made me love him even more!
"There were certain kids at school who could only be described as mad, bad, and dangerous to teach, and Jared Moore was their king."
Told from the POV of Jared's American guidance counselor, this short story provides insight on Jared's life before he met Kami, befo...more
“It’s true,” Jared said, his voice determinedly
indifferent. “I’m totally a vampire. It’s why I’m so
chiseled. Comes with the undead territory: insatiable
thirst for blood, excellent bone structure.”
BHAHAHAHA. This is why I love Jared for his wittiness. <333
Jared Moore or Jared Lynburn -- Which do you perfer?
Personally I think Jared Lynburn, sounds perfect and right somehow.
GAH this is TOO short, but a great introductory to Jared before the whole craziness of Unspoken unfolds. It really shows h...more
indifferent. “I’m totally a vampire. It’s why I’m so
chiseled. Comes with the undead territory: insatiable
thirst for blood, excellent bone structure.”
BHAHAHAHA. This is why I love Jared for his wittiness. <333
Jared Moore or Jared Lynburn -- Which do you perfer?
Personally I think Jared Lynburn, sounds perfect and right somehow.
GAH this is TOO short, but a great introductory to Jared before the whole craziness of Unspoken unfolds. It really shows h...more
This a short story told through the perspective of Mariel a teacher who became his guidance counselor. She noticed thngs that others never paid attention too and saw that Jared had not one person who saw him for him. Even when Mariel met his mother, not once did she get the feeling that he was loved. What was strange was that she saw he would always be to himself and even smiling as if he was talking not to himself but someone who was their yet not present. When Jared told Mariel about Kami that...more
★★★★★
I love this view of Jared through the eyes of his high school guidance counselor. As I stated in my Unspoken review, Jared's character is a conflicting one with contrasting extremes -- extremely sympathetic and yet highly disturbing. This little revelation into Jared's character was pretty heartbreaking and sheds more light on what his life was like before Kami was physically in it... and also gives a glimpse into what his abysmal home life was like. Just a really good, meaty chunk of back...more
I love this view of Jared through the eyes of his high school guidance counselor. As I stated in my Unspoken review, Jared's character is a conflicting one with contrasting extremes -- extremely sympathetic and yet highly disturbing. This little revelation into Jared's character was pretty heartbreaking and sheds more light on what his life was like before Kami was physically in it... and also gives a glimpse into what his abysmal home life was like. Just a really good, meaty chunk of back...more
I can't wait for my Unspoken book to come!!!!
I pity Jared for all the wrong accusation he accept for thing that he (might) didn't do. But at least he has someone to talk to all the time. He also reads... I love boys who reads :D
Oh, I love how Jared talk about Kami in such a lovely way, he loves her. And Ash was so good looking (in my mind). But still... I don't get The Lynburns, why do they have to be such a mysterious family. Is Jared Mom a little... not right in mind?
Oh well, I love this short...more
I pity Jared for all the wrong accusation he accept for thing that he (might) didn't do. But at least he has someone to talk to all the time. He also reads... I love boys who reads :D
Oh, I love how Jared talk about Kami in such a lovely way, he loves her. And Ash was so good looking (in my mind). But still... I don't get The Lynburns, why do they have to be such a mysterious family. Is Jared Mom a little... not right in mind?
Oh well, I love this short...more
Oct 28, 2012
Nikki
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Shelves:
ebook,
free-online-novellas,
own-kindle,
2012,
young-adult,
urban-fantasy,
fiction,
short-stories,
paranormal
I'm torn regarding how to rate The Spring Before I Met You. I have yet to read Unspoken so it may have altered my enjoyment of the story. However, I did enjoy the mystery of it all (at least for a non-reader of Unspoken) and the potential of Jared's character. But I did feel as though Mariel's narration was dull and stilted at times, it rather lowered the entertainment value. Since Mariel is a counselor of Jared's in this story and not an ongoing character or narrator of the series (thankfully)...more
well well. i haven't yet read Unspoken but this short story really made me want to read it.
also, this story had an emotional depth and i really can't wait to meet Jared.
one more point- as to The Summer Before I Met You it's amazing how those two stories are contrast to one another. one gloomy, sad, maybe a bit hopeful but not completely while the other funny, full of energy and hope.
i wonder how those two arcs will collide.
SRB please, if you plan to break my heart in this trilogy rmemeber to...more
also, this story had an emotional depth and i really can't wait to meet Jared.
one more point- as to The Summer Before I Met You it's amazing how those two stories are contrast to one another. one gloomy, sad, maybe a bit hopeful but not completely while the other funny, full of energy and hope.
i wonder how those two arcs will collide.
SRB please, if you plan to break my heart in this trilogy rmemeber to...more
This short story is told from the point of view of Mariel Delgado, a "guidance counselor" at Jared's high school in San Francisco, just before Jared arrives in Sorry-in-the-Vale. It's a particularly nice little story; I really liked Mariel and think the story did a great job expanding on Jared's background. Even better, the writing is really solid and there are transitions. If you liked "Unspoken", you definitely need to read this.
4 out of 5 Stars
A short prelude before Unspoken. While there is no new information about the characters or story, it does give a little insight into Jared's life before moving to Sorry-in-the-Vale and meeting Kami. Brennan still manages pack a heart-wrenching punch in a 14 page story (and the synopsis of "The Fall of the House of Usher" is brilliant).
Not sure if I would recommend reading this before Unspoken. Gives away a bit of the mystery of Jared's character.
A short prelude before Unspoken. While there is no new information about the characters or story, it does give a little insight into Jared's life before moving to Sorry-in-the-Vale and meeting Kami. Brennan still manages pack a heart-wrenching punch in a 14 page story (and the synopsis of "The Fall of the House of Usher" is brilliant).
Not sure if I would recommend reading this before Unspoken. Gives away a bit of the mystery of Jared's character.
This story only makes the ending of Unspoken that much more heartbreaking. Jared Lyndburn is one of those special characters that are forever out of reach and oh so tantalizing to get close to. Not at all as sociopathic as another Sarah Rees Brennan hero I loved so damn much, Jared is as sweet and funny as he is dark and tormented. Reading The Spring I Met You after Unspoken was perfect, I wanted the cut to go a little deeper- sick, I am aware.
Definitely liked it more than The Summer Before I Met You (Kami's perspective) probably only because you can see the influence that Kami has in Jared's life and it's just oh so adorable. If you've read Unspoken, you are obligated to read this. It is a must. (Don't worry, it's free and available on pdf if you just google it, heh.)
I gave this novela a 3 stars rating because it's a ridiculously short short story. But it is also a great opportunity to meet Jared before he met Kami. It's incredible to see how sensitive he actually is despite his tough exterior and how much importance Kami had in his life and what a big part of his personality she represents.
I really liked this look into Jared's life before he moved back to England, told from the perspective of his guidance counselor in San Francisco. This story doesn't feel like an "extra" or "bonus" (which often disappoints), instead it's got a nice beginning, middle and end and shines more of a light on Jared and how others see him.
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Sarah Rees Brennan is Irish and currently lives in Dublin. For a short stint, she lived in New York and became involved with a wide circle of writers who encouraged and supported her, including Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. She has developed a wide audience through her popular blog, mistful.livejournal.com, where she writes movie parodies, book reviews and some stories.
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