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All the Truth That's in Me

Julie Berry (Goodreads Author)

3.91 · Rating details · 14,195 ratings · 2,730 reviews

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family.

Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can rememb ...more

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Hardcover, 274 pages

Published September 26th 2013 by Viking Books for Young Readers (first published August 31st 2013)

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· 14,195 ratings · 2,730 reviews

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Aug 10, 2013 Julie rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

As always, tacky though it may seem to rate and review my own book, how can I not? I love this book with, well, all the love that's in me. ;) I hope you enjoy it too. I love reading your thoughts on Goodreads.
...more

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Aug 24, 2013 Wendy Darling rated it really liked it

Shelves: penguin, 2013-publication, mystery-traditional, september, read-2013, 2013-favorites, young-adult, historical-fiction, mature-ya

4.5 stars There are about 100 reasons why this book wouldn't normally work for me. The story is related in fragments, often consisting of no more than half a page. The timeline is fluid, shifting between past and present. It's told in flipping SECOND PERSON NARRATIVE. But it works, it works beautifully.

Full review is on the blog: http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2013... ...more

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Aug 30, 2013 Christine Wallflower & Dark Romance Junkie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, abuse, kidnap-or-abduction, thriller-suspense, historical, crime-mystery, favourites

Darrel once read to Mother the tale of a girl in France who heard angel voices telling her to save her people from the English. She dressed as a man and spoke with fire and eloquence. She raised an army and defeated the invaders, all for the love of her motherland. For her courage and her passion, she later burned to death, called a witch and heretic. Do I love you less than she loved soil?
I have no words to save you.

I'll be honest, when I read the blurb for this book, I did not imagine it as I ...more

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Feb 22, 2020 Susan's Reviews rated it it was amazing

This was a heart-pounding, fast paced, incredible read! I want to give this novel a 10+ stars rating! Historical fiction lovers will love this one, but this story about abduction (with an odd twist!), captivity and victim shaming could so easily be transposed to today's time period: not much has really changed.

Judith Finch is a young Puritan girl who has become the town pariah. One night, she vanished from Roswell Station, only to return two years later, missing most of her tongue. She is quest ...more

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Jun 05, 2013 Giselle rated it liked it

Shelves: signed, arc, own

A strange, yet somehow compelling book, All The Truth That's in Me gives a reading experience like no other. I can't say I've read anything quite like this before. The best way to describe it is different!

The way this book is written is as if, especially during the first part, we're seeing a story unfold through bursts of randomized life flashes. There's an editor's note at the beginning of my copy that describes it as "a pinhole narrative - you start out looking through a tiny hole that allows A strange, yet somehow compelling book, All The Truth That's in Me gives a reading experience like no other. I can't say I've read anything quite like this before. The best way to describe it is different!

The way this book is written is as if, especially during the first part, we're seeing a story unfold through bursts of randomized life flashes. There's an editor's note at the beginning of my copy that describes it as "a pinhole narrative - you start out looking through a tiny hole that allows you to see only a fraction of Judith's world, and as the story goes on, the pinhole widens" It's the the perfect way to describe the storytelling style. As you can guess, it's not the kind of story where you fall into place right away, it takes time to situate yourself and make sense of anything you're reading. But, it also compels you to move forward despite the disorientation it causes. The 2nd person narrative makes this novel even more unique. Judith is telling her story directly to Lucas - the boy she loves. As if in letter form. As if YOU were Lucas. Even though it threw me off my game once or twice where I had to stop and think for a second who she was referring to, I did find it was a brilliant choice for the type of novel this was.

All in all, and it's a strange opinion, but I feel like I enjoyed the book, yet I did not. When I wasn't reading I would find myself constantly thinking about it, but when I was reading, I felt restless, needing to make an effort to focus on the passages I was reading. I found the plot was very slow to progress even after the story got clear enough for me to grasp it in its entirety. Additionally, I was not aware this book was a historical fiction before I picked it up and read it - the blurb being too vague to make out much of anything (funnily, this ambiguity is what made me want to read it in the first place). This genre happens to be one I very rarely read and one of my least favorites. Thus I attribute some of my boredom to that alone. On that note, the setting is never entirely established either, particularly in a historical sense. It makes it difficult to understand what kind of societal mindset we are dealing with. Nevertheless, due to the unique quality of the story and writing, I would still call this an exceptional read despite my ennui. Hence my all-over-the-place feelings (and review) toward the complete package!

What compelled me to keep reading, even re-read pages I dozed through, was the mystery as well as Judith's determination in taking her life back after this trauma. Some parts are disturbing, some empowering. Through it all she stays much stronger than I would have in her shoes; not only does she have to live with what's happened, her loss of voice is viewed with repugnance by others. It's nothing but a tiny village with nowhere else to go. Though tiny, it's a village surrounded by a mystery that had me NEEDING to find out the conclusion of. Finally, the fourth part of this book is superb, and it immediately made me want to give this 4 stars upon finishing; except I can't ignore my earlier boredom. I do want everyone to read this, however, if only to experience it. The originality alone might make you a fan among many!

--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

...more

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Dec 04, 2019 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it liked it

Shelves: historical, young-adult, library-book

I read this for a group challenge and it’s not what I expected at all 🤔

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

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Sep 08, 2013 Keertana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013-favorites, arc-galley-and-first-reads, beautiful-prose, books-that-linger, swoooon, wishlist, kick-ass-heroines

In life, there are always those books you just know you're going to read, no matter what; maybe it's written by your favorite author or it came highly recommended by a trusted reviewer or maybe the cover is just too pretty to resist. And then there are the books you read because you're curious; because a certain review sparked your interest or the author said something remarkable in an interview or the cover flashed by your vision and you couldn't stop thinking about it. For me,All the Truth Th ...more

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Aug 30, 2013 ♥Rachel♥ rated it it was amazing

4.5 Stars

All the Truth That’s In Me was a stunning, sharply focused story that ticked all the boxes for me! It was filled with feelings of longing, pain, sadness, anger, hope and joy! At the heart of it is an achy romance, and a clever mystery that surprised me when all was revealed!

Judith is one of two girls who went missing two years ago. She came back but the other girl did not. When she walks back to her home there is no warm welcome. Her father died during her absence, and her mother blame ...more

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Jul 19, 2013 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: youngadult, historical-fiction, whitneyawards

Okay, wow.

I mean . . . wow.

Just . . . just read it, okay? I'm not going to tell you anything. I don't want to ruin anything. I just want you to read this book. Do you like historical fiction? Read this book. Do you like mysteries? Read this book. Do you like romance? Read this book. Do you like The Witch of Blackbird Pond? Read this book. Do you like reading books that are really, really, really good and will keep you up all night reading because you have to know how it ends because you care abo ...more

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Dec 20, 2013 Molly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-that-linger, crime-thriller-mystery-noir, young-adult, favorites, dark, drama, historical-fiction, mystery, realistic-fiction

Rating, 5 angsty stars

description

Emotional, passionate, heart-wrenching, lyric , melodious .... it pulled all the right strings.

description

Judith Finch has been abducted when she was just fourteen, following the disappearance of another village girl.

“I saw life choked out, squeezed out of my young friend. Saw the lights in her eyes extinguished by a pair of hands, hands so filthy they soiled the triangle lace of her dress collar.
Whose hands they were, I couldn’t see.
I watched her lose her breath forever while

...more

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Jun 24, 2013 Kat Kennedy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-romance-romance, to-ya-or-not-to-ya, kat-s-book-reviews

I did not request this book, I didn’t even know it existed until a publicist in Australia sent it to me. “Read this or I will punch your ovaries in their still-beating hearts until they cry and explode.” Okay, maybe she didn’t use those exact words, but I like to imagine she was secretly thinking it.

I’m kind of glad she did mind-threaten me though because this book was fabulous with a capitol FAB!

party!

All the Truth That’s in Me follows the events of a small pilgrim-like town. Judith is the town paria ...more

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Jul 01, 2013 Melanie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-favourites, romance, arc, books-i-own, young-adult, omg-the-cover-people, writing-envy, mystery, not-bad-at-all, historical-fiction

See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

4.5 stars

Thank you HarperCollins Australia for sending me this copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.

I run away, fleeing down the street, so my tears can fall in privacy.

I remember, when I was younger, I would imagine what it would be like to be completely mute. The idea didn't seem awfully outrageous. Back then, I was quiet, shy. Anathematized talking. However now, the thought horrifies me. Not only would not having a tongue would mean no ice-cream, but also because I am a crazy chatter-box. If I was mutilated, the world be a reticent, monotonous place.

All The Truth That's In Me, to be labelled as different, would be one of the world's greatest understatements. Which probably also contributes to why I loved it so dearly. The narrative point is from Judith, written to her childhood best friend, Lucas- meaning that it was basically told in 2nd person. I have only read one other book in 2nd person which is The Truth About You and Me which left disastrous effects as it made all the supporting characters without persona and well, character. Even though All The Truth That's In Me does not capture the full charisma of every single character, it was far better than The Truth About You and Me. All The Truth That's In Me has a contrast of sub-genres mixed together as one; mystery, thriller, romance and historical.

Two friends- girls disappeared that year, only one came back. With half a tongue. Without the ability to talk, Judith comes back. All the people that cared about her don't seem to anymore. As stakes rise, the need for truth is more urgent, but if only Judith could speak... Judith's voice has to be one of the strongest I've ever come across. It's rattling and alarming, and so raw. Julie Berry's writing makes it easy to empathise for Judith and her situation. In some ways, it reminded me of 17 & Gone, as the writing and atmosphere was so tangible and skin-crawling.

The supporting characters ranged quite contrastingly. I found it hard to connect with Lucas, as Judith is referring to him as 'you'. Nonetheless, his character became more defined as the story developed, and in the end, I can say I adored him. Judith's mother is one to despise. Her hostility to her own child astounded me and made me furious. But also created an interesting movement which played nicely with the plot and highlighted Judith's character. Other characters like Judith's brother and Maria felt extremely authentic- not a single person is wasted here.

Pacing of All The Truth That's In Me was a minor problem. I found it thoroughly entrapping but I despite the small size, the pace dragged a tad. I suspect some readers may find this a major issue unlike me. Or, it could be the lack of plot- though I highly doubt it, the plot was delightfully intricate and page-turn-worthy.

Creepy, poetic-like and pure genius, All The Truth That's In Me is something superiorly unique and worth reading. The 2nd person narrative and pace threw me off a bit yet other than that, I loved this. And for some extra entertainment, try tawhking wike you havf no thongue. ...more

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Jun 08, 2013 Kelly rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2013

If you don't have a voice, can anyone hear you? Or do you not have a voice because no one WANTS to hear you?

That's the question at the heart of Berry's swift-paced mystery novel, set in a somewhat Puritanical/cult-like society that's recognizable as historical but never spelled out as to where or when. When Judith returns to her home after two years of being missing, she comes back without a tongue. It's a literal tongue removal, as well as a metaphorical one. She can't speak, and no one wants If you don't have a voice, can anyone hear you? Or do you not have a voice because no one WANTS to hear you?

That's the question at the heart of Berry's swift-paced mystery novel, set in a somewhat Puritanical/cult-like society that's recognizable as historical but never spelled out as to where or when. When Judith returns to her home after two years of being missing, she comes back without a tongue. It's a literal tongue removal, as well as a metaphorical one. She can't speak, and no one wants to hear her anyway. Because in her world, whatever happened couldn't have been good. She must no longer be pure. And because she is a female, because she is young and unmarried and she's been gone for some period of time, she must have been engaged in salacious activities. Her mother degrades her, and her entire society shuns her. She's useless to them except in the form of sexual enjoyment -- at a price. (view spoiler)

Except (view spoiler)

At heart, this is a love letter Judith writes to the boy she's been head-over-heels for since she was young, Lucas. It's a story about what she did for him, and how much she loves him and wants nothing more than to be with him. It's a story about why she is not allowed to be with him.

It's a story about what happened to Lucas's father. Before. During. And after.

I found the romantic storyline to be the least interesting, actually, and that's why the first half of the book dragged for me. In many ways it felt derivative -- a girl who was missing comes back. Some of the snatches of her memory look like they're hinting at Stockholm Syndrome. But when the story shifts, when it becomes about JUDITH FINDING HER VOICE, rather than finding her love, it becomes much more interesting.

But it also becomes a little frustrating. This Puritanical setting felt almost too easy. It was almost too easy for her to be voiceless in a society like that, especially as her entire story could so easily be today's world. And while I don't like to review with an eye about why certain choices were or weren't made about big story elements like setting, to me, it felt like a safety net to the bigger, more critical ideas in the novel itself. Add to that the fact there was a little bit of writing indulgence here stylistically -- the before, during, and now, the numbered stanzas, the short and clipped passages, the fact there are multiple "parts" within the parts of the book -- I felt the real pow of the book was diminished a bit. It's not gone. But it's not quite as powerful as it could have been.

The editor describes this as a "pinhole narrative," wherein you learn the story bit by bit. It's a nice way to describe it. I also think it's pretty much how a mystery novel works. And this is a mystery -- who killed Lottie? Why and how was Judith caught up in this?

Why was it no one wanted to ask Judith what she knew? Why was it she didn't get the chance to say her piece before she was automatically condemned? There is a lot of juicy stuff here about the ways we do and do not respect teen girls. I just wish the over styling and somewhat confusing setting didn't weigh down the real knockout threads here.

Think of this as Speak (no voice) meets The Scarlet Letter (the shunned girl) meets If You Find Me (the girl comes back from being secluded in the woods) meets The Chosen One (girl seeks education in a world that doesn't want her to, plus the cultish setting) meets Stolen (if Stolen didn't weave the Stockholm Syndrome in it).

It doesn't surprise me the publisher's billing this as one of their award books. It's going to merit some discussion. It'll be interesting to see what happens and I'm definitely curious what people might pull from the setting and style. ...more

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Jul 11, 2013 Nomes rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, tissue-box-books, quietly-awesome, i-own, books-that-linger, faves-of-2013, i-had-no-idea-i-would-love-this-so

I didn't really know what to expect from Julie Berry's debut. the blurb is a little bit elusive (in fact, I got the impression 'aliens?' -- close encounters, etc, haha). I may not even have picked this one up if the lovely publicist hadn't sent me a copy. Which would have been nearly criminal as this book soared to the top of my favourite reads this year.

It's written in 2nd person POV -- which has a mildly intoxicating, lilting vibe to it. The prose is gorgeous. At first, everything felt a litt I didn't really know what to expect from Julie Berry's debut. the blurb is a little bit elusive (in fact, I got the impression 'aliens?' -- close encounters, etc, haha). I may not even have picked this one up if the lovely publicist hadn't sent me a copy. Which would have been nearly criminal as this book soared to the top of my favourite reads this year.

It's written in 2nd person POV -- which has a mildly intoxicating, lilting vibe to it. The prose is gorgeous. At first, everything felt a little off kilter. I liken it a fraction to the experience of reading Jellicoe Rd: 'what's going on here?' tangled up with 'oh! I am really liking this beautiful prose and intriguing opening'. I was captured from the beginning and as the story wove around me I became deeper invested and more impressed. Until I pretty much just fell in love with everything about this book.

It was the first book in a long time that gave me those delicious physical pangs in the gut ~ pangs of anxiety and hope and ache and just the right amount of swoon. There's heartache and sorrow and mystery and so many unexpected events. The characters felt so real and brave and lonely and they squirrelled their way deep in my heart.

The story itself is not about aliens. or anything supernatural and freaky. It is set in an unspecified era that feels primitive-ish colonial America ~ small town/settlement vibe.

It shifts between past and present, both timelines equally engaging.

Judith is amazing. The love story is genuine. The swoons are not cheaply won -- and when they come they are all the more powerful for it :)

Everything is unpredictable. Things are genuinely freaky in parts - dark and yet somehow there's always hope. Sorrowful yet a promise of something good waiting somewhere on the horizon.

I really truly cannot commend this book enough. It is definitely one to be experienced first hand -- and then shared with friends. I can't wait to revisit it already. Julie Berry is an amazing new talent that I think every YA lover should be checking out.

Forgive me if my review is a chaotic rambling of thoughts. And definitely find yourself a copy of this book to try -- even if you're dubious like I was. And when you do -- may you love it just as much as I do x Nomes

I gave this 5 stars! I have only given SIX books 5 stars this year (out of 99 books read...)

This is the Aussie cover:

Coming from Harper Collins October 1. ...more

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Feb 01, 2014 Eilonwy rated it really liked it

Shelves: character-driven, deeply-thoughtful, fast-paced, really-good-voice, heartbreaking, heartwarming, beautifully-written, just-brilliant, love-story, new-direction-for-this-author

Four and a half stars.

Judith disappeared from her home for two years, held captive by a hermit. Then she was allowed to return ... with half her tongue cut out. She is shunned by the townsfolk, and even her mother won't let her speak. She can only think, addressing her thoughts to Lucas, the boy she has loved since she was a baby. But one day the town is attacked. Judith is forced to literally revisit her past, setting off a chain of events which leads to secrets revealed -- and a voice rega

Four and a half stars.

Judith disappeared from her home for two years, held captive by a hermit. Then she was allowed to return ... with half her tongue cut out. She is shunned by the townsfolk, and even her mother won't let her speak. She can only think, addressing her thoughts to Lucas, the boy she has loved since she was a baby. But one day the town is attacked. Judith is forced to literally revisit her past, setting off a chain of events which leads to secrets revealed -- and a voice regained.

I was very curious about this book, as Julie Berry's previous two books were more middle-grade-level high fantasies. This is a huge departure from those, from what I can tell -- much more mature and much darker.

This story carries huge echoes of the Elizabeth Smart abduction in 2002-2003, and I doubt it's coincidence that Julie Berry is also a Mormon. However, the story has been transported from the modern world to Puritan times, with their rigid focus on propriety and feminine "purity."

The first third of this book is absolutely amazing. Judith describes her current life, the time she spent with her abductor, and her witnessing of the murder of a friend in a swirling stream-of-consciousness mix that is eerily beautiful and utterly gripping. I was completely absorbed into this portion of the story -- it's evocative, emotional, and vivid.

The rest of the book then becomes more linear and more of a love story, so that opening punch is lost a bit -- but it remains deeply felt and intense as Judith shows the abrasiveness of her daily life as people feel free to talk in front of her as if she is stupid as well as mute, and their assumptions about her sexual status and perceived availability to men. The abrasiveness is softened by the kindness shown towards Judith by another young woman who wishes to be friends, by Judith's brother, and by Lucas.

I don't want to say too much else for fear of spoilers.

This is a highly unusual, powerful, and heartfelt novel that shows the worst -- and the best -- of human nature. Very strongly recommended. ...more

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Jul 29, 2013 Diane S ☔ rated it really liked it

Strange, original, compelling and intense, I found this book, said to YA, very addicting. Second person narrative, shortish comments and thoughts and yet wonderful. The book does actually name a time period, but it has the tone of The Scarlet Letter, also women called Goody and the stocks for punishment, so this novel is set in the very judgmental Puritan times.

Judith is a wonderful character, a strong young woman with an unquenchable spirit. While reading this I often thought I knew what was g ...more

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Jan 14, 2019 Marguerite rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobooks, 2019-favorites, need-on-my-shelf

I’m so shocked. At almost the halfway point I was so sure I was going to DNF it. The writing style was so different and hard to get used to. The timeline was odd. But something happened man. I pushed through and got used to the writing style and started to really love the book. I want to immediately reread it since I’m used to the writing style. The main character was so beautiful and captivating. I just wanted to sit her down with some tea and ask what happened to her. I know it’s strange to gi ...more

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Oct 17, 2014 Paige Bookdragon rated it really liked it

Shelves: almost-a-fave, horror, suspense, young-adult, mystery, got-a-copy, depressing-books, favorites, friendship, inspiring

If you were mine I'd comfort you. If you were mine you'd need no comfort!
-Judith

Edited review to come. ...more

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Nov 20, 2019 Mindy (Naughty Book Snitch) rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical, young-adult, mystery-thriller, kidnapping, audio, library, read-2019

Buy the book or borrow it from the library.

Meh... the last 15% of the book is the ONLY good part. I might write more later and I might not.
description

...more

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Jun 30, 2013 Christine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sparks-inner-feminist, ugly-crying, loved, i-feel-the-creeps

Quick Preview :
No one knows what happened to Judith and Lottie when they disappeared 4 years ago. Two years afterwards, Judith comes back mutilated and lacking the ability to speak. The people she once knew shun her. Even her own mother won't call her by her real name. She finds herself longing after Lucas, her childhood friend, who have always been the one to understand her. When Roswell Station is attacked, things take a turn, and the truth begins to unravel. Judith struggles with the decis Quick Preview :
No one knows what happened to Judith and Lottie when they disappeared 4 years ago. Two years afterwards, Judith comes back mutilated and lacking the ability to speak. The people she once knew shun her. Even her own mother won't call her by her real name. She finds herself longing after Lucas, her childhood friend, who have always been the one to understand her. When Roswell Station is attacked, things take a turn, and the truth begins to unravel. Judith struggles with the decision whether to stay silent or to find her once lost voice.

Thoughts :
I was a little hesitant to read All the Truth That's in Me at first because it seemed very intense. Having already read Flawed and Uses for Boys, both with dark atmospheres, I wasn't sure if I was ready to plunge into another serious book. I then decided I should just read it, and I'm so glad I did.

Let me just say that the cover is perfect.
I knew beforehand that this was the type of book that keeps you guessing until the end. At first, I thought that might be somewhat frustrating for me, but it never appeared as a problem when I was reading. The format of the book is written almost like a letter, or as if Judith is telling her friend of an old memory. It was different and written magnificently. This story takes place a while back, in a small town where everyone knew each other and went to church. (Sort of like the setting in Beautiful Creatures)

During the story, I found myself feeling for Judith, and the tears never stopped coming. Honestly, I felt like I was crying for her and for every bad thing that came along. I don't think I had felt so bad for a character in my entire life. The other characters were well developed. They all played a role in this book, and I didn't feel like there were any unnecessary characters. While reading, I completely despised her mom. She was terrible and insensitive. I don't want to give away too much, but man, she was bad. Judith seemed so alone, so I was grateful for the friendships she made. This was one of those books that have the potential to be life changing.

Throughout the book, people treat Judith so cruelly for crimes she never committed, and I couldn't help but hope that Judith gets her happy ending. I won't spoil anything, but I hope you pick up this whirlwind of a book when it comes out on September 26. Seriously, read this book. You want to, trust me. It's amazing.

By the way, I'm so honored to be able to read this book before its release date. **I won a copy at I Read to Relax's BEA event giveaway.
Thanks to Kendra Levin, and Viking Children's Books for providing ARCs.* My having a copy did not influence the contents of this review.
...more

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Aug 14, 2013 Sarah Elizabeth rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-with-abbie, as, read-2013

(Source: I own a copy of this book.)
Judith was abducted 2 years ago, and has now returned home with her tongue cut out.
She lives in a small village community, in a non-modern time, and is made to feel pretty worthless.
She fancies a boy called Lucas, but it seems clear to everyone but her, that he will never marry her.
Why was Judith abducted? Why was she returned? What did she suffer during her 2 years of captivity? And what truths is she unable to tell?

This was a really strange book, and not at (Source: I own a copy of this book.)
Judith was abducted 2 years ago, and has now returned home with her tongue cut out.
She lives in a small village community, in a non-modern time, and is made to feel pretty worthless.
She fancies a boy called Lucas, but it seems clear to everyone but her, that he will never marry her.
Why was Judith abducted? Why was she returned? What did she suffer during her 2 years of captivity? And what truths is she unable to tell?

This was a really strange book, and not at all what I was expecting.

Judith was an okay character, but living in her head felt a bit messy! As the story went on I began to realise why she was voluntarily mute, but I kinda wished she’d speak up and stand up for herself a bit, and I hated how women were treated as lesser than the men in Judith’s society.

This book was not what I was expecting at all. I was expecting a mystery/ suspense story, and instead I got this strange historical fiction/mystery story. I thought that this would be a mystery about Judith’s disappearance, but instead it seemed to be more about her life after she returned, and the way that people behaved towards her.

The writing was also odd. In places I appreciated in, and in others I didn’t. At times it was almost like poetry, whilst at others the odd, choppy, stilted sentences were just irritating. It definitely took time for me to get into this book, and I did eventually begin to catch on to the way the author had written the book, but unfortunately for me, by the time I had begun to appreciate the book, the storyline just went downhill, and I was bored.

The ending was actually okay, although I was pleased that the book was shorter than I thought. I was pleased that there was a happy ending, but I can’t say that I really enjoyed getting there.
This book was just nothing like what I was expecting, and I think a lot of people will find this difficult to appreciate. I had no idea that this book didn’t have a contemporary setting, and I think a lot of people will feel exactly the same way.
Overall; a strange historical fiction story, with a very different writing style.
4.5 out of 10.
...more

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Nov 05, 2013 Gisbelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, all-time-favorite, stand-alone, young-adult-contemporary, highly-recommended, historical-fiction, romance, tearjerkers, beautiful-cover

I don't normally read historical fiction, but if there are more books as good as this one, I'm sure going to read more of this genre.

This book is hauntingly beautiful, and I love everything about it, even the parts that wrecked my heart.

The story was so captivating that I couldn't think of anything else, but this book - how Judith's life was going be, who had done that to her and why. Just several pages in, I wept like a baby. My heart ached for her and what she had to go through. Being shunned ...more

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Sep 16, 2014 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

On two uncertain feet she stood
And feared her long unpracticed throat,
If tested, might, instead of speech,
Keep the mourning lowing she had known.
So hushed, and secretly she part lips,
And trembling,spoke in her lost voice

Lyrical and enchanting.
Two words that come to mind when I think of this novel.
Beautiful and engaging.
There are more but I'll stick with those.

I am blown away by the intricate plot
and intriguing characters.

This took me by surprise.
Original and unpredictable.

So lucky to have f ...more

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Sep 11, 2013 Elena rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, historical, reviewed, young-adult, sromance, disability

4.5 stars.

This book wasn't what I expected, I think because the cover screams contemporary at me (SO MUCH EYELINER). This isn't contemporary. It's a lovely and dark and heartbreaking and triumphant historical novel about a girl named Judith who is back in her suspicious small town after a prolonged absence during which time who-knows-what happened to her--Judith can't say, since she no longer has a tongue. Judith's mother and brother don't treat her terribly well, and she continues to carry a to ...more

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May 01, 2013 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: around-the-world-arc-tours, june-2013

Okay first off I am going to say that this book was a weird read for me and for this I gave it a five.I mean the world was set up where it was kinda strict and the people who lived in this town were prudes and they had set ways of doing things and for that I am not going to lie I was like WTF am I reading????????? But then I continued on and the book really started to pick up and held me captive until the very last page where it left me with more questions than answers. So I know I will be readi ...more

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Jul 11, 2013 Brigid ✩ rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, young-adult, realistic-fiction, romance, crime-and-mystery

3.5 Stars

Hmm, this was an interesting one. It really wasn't what I was expecting, so that was cool. The style of it was unique and engaging––although the super-short chapters and use of second person were sometimes a bit irritating, I thought they still worked most of the time. I found the characters a little lacking and the end felt rushed to me (and maybe not very realistic, either). But over all I thought it was a memorable and intriguing book, and different from anything I've read in a while ...more

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Aug 11, 2014 Ariel rated it liked it · review of another edition

A solid story, likeable characters, and a good theme. It was good. It wasn't, however, outstanding, or particularly original. That's the thing about a 3-star read. For me it means that I did like it, that maybe I didn't even have that many problems with it, but that overall, when everything is taken into account, I don't have much to say.

I actually read the majority of this in one sitting - it's interesting, for sure, but it didn't inspire me to run out ant talk about it. Honestly I'm dragging t ...more

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Jan 25, 2017 Katherine rated it it was ok

Shelves: instalove-express, baa-baa-black-sheep, young-adult, mystery-thriller, romance, wtf, historical-fiction, love-triangle, dnf, everyone-loves-but-me

”I don’t believe in miracles, but if the need is great, a girl might make her own miracle.

Even if that means enlisting the devil’s help.”

I hate it when this happens.

I hate it when I don’t like a book that everyone else seems to love. Does anyone else feel that way? It makes me want to personally apologize to it and get into a big spiel about how it’s me and not them. Especially when you scroll through three pages of reviews and come to the slow realization that your rating will probably be t ”I don’t believe in miracles, but if the need is great, a girl might make her own miracle.

Even if that means enlisting the devil’s help.”

I hate it when this happens.

I hate it when I don’t like a book that everyone else seems to love. Does anyone else feel that way? It makes me want to personally apologize to it and get into a big spiel about how it’s me and not them. Especially when you scroll through three pages of reviews and come to the slow realization that your rating will probably be the lowest of the bunch.

The premise sounded so interesting, and was quite possibly the only good thing about this book. A girl and her friend disappear in the woods and only one of them comes back but unable to speak because her captor cut her tongue out. A social pariah among her town, she pours out her unspoken thoughts and feelings to her childhood friend and unrequited love, Lucas.

”No one calls me by my name.
Young children do not know it.
I remind myself each day at sunrise, lest one day I forget.
Judith is my name.”

This book couldn’t decide what time period it wanted to be in. This probably doesn’t bug a lot of people, and normally it doesn’t bug me. But there were so many different elements of different time periods that I was completely confused as to when (and more specifically where), this book was set. The prologue gives off the vibe that it’s set in pre-colonial America. The hints of homestead life make it sound like we’re in the 1800s (possibly 1840s-1860s, if I had to take an educated guess). Towards the middle there’s a war going on, making it seem like it’s taking place in the 1700s. A 200 year timespan in which I could make an educated guess on when this takes place doesn’t make it very clear, does it? For a history buff such as myself, mishmashing time periods doesn’t sit well with me when they aren’t explicitly stated.

Secondly, the book perpetrates to be one thing, but I got a totally different vibe. I was expecting this to be more of a psychological mystery as to who (or what), took Judith and her friend into the woods. Maybe I was also expecting a tale of vigilante vengeance as Judith seeks justice for her best friend and herself. But that never happened. What I did get was a lot of teenage bemoaning how Lucas doesn’t love her, which you’ll hear about over...

”You are the sun in my world, and how can I endure to watch you set into another woman’s arms?”

And over...

”All the other little broken hearts- and there are bound to be many- will burn on the altar to your youthful beauty and love. It’s thin comfort to think I’m not alone in my woe.”

And over again....

”We came here by ship, you and I.
I remember my mother telling tales of the trip when I was young. Now she never speaks of it at all.
She said I spent the whole trip wide-eyed, watching you.”

It got to the point where it became rather ridiculous. Which leads me to the third and final problem.

This book is told in second person POV. Since Judith can’t speak, she’s telling the story, in her head, to Lucas, her childhood friend and crush. It’s like an old-timey version of Lucy and Schroeder from the Peanuts comic strips. Second person POV is extremely tough to pull off in terms of writing, and few books can pull it off well. In some cases, it works. Unfortunately, in this case, it comes off more stalkerish than something groundbreaking or adding something new to the story. What should be a sweet, unrequited love story comes off as a teenage girl completely obsessed, from sneaking out of her own house to watch him leave his house;

”I watched your cabin as long as I could before I had to hurry back, lest Mother notice me missing.”

to waxing fairly poetic, thinly veiled threats against his intended;

”Will she? Will her soft hands spin your wool, and bind your wheat into sheaves, and pluck the grubs off your potatoes? Will her china face turn bronze beside you as you labor in your fields?”

; and, finally, going full on Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights on the poor kid by offering to commit suicide and haunt him for the rest of his days.

”I would leave this errand, follow the horses, and fly to your side. If you’d let me, I’d kiss away your fear, and let you rest yourself upon me, and I, I would die beside you and count myself lucky.”

So romantic, I know.

In short, this book has the barest inklings of being a beautiful masterpiece but ends up being a convoluted mess. Warring time periods, failed usage of second person POV, a misleading premise, and a character who is more interested in getting her crush to notice and love her instead of finding justice for herself and her dead best friend make this a disappointing read. ...more

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Sep 15, 2014 Liz Janet rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Do not be disconcerted over the rating I gave this book, because I do believe everyone should read it, however, sadly, this book was missing some elements that would have made it more worthwhile for myself. Basically this is a book combining a bunch of things that should have never worked but did anyways.

Look at where the title comes from :

“To tell the truth will make me loathsome in your eyes.
Even more than I already am.
I pledge to give you all the truth that’s in me.
And you want me to tell y ...more

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“I don't believe in miracles, but if the need is great, a girl might make her own miracle.” — 86 likes

“There is a curious comfort in letting go. After the agony, letting go brings numbness, and after the numbness, clarity. As if I can see the world for the first time, and my place in it, independent of you, a whole vista of what may be. Even if it is not grand or inspiring, it is real and solid, unlike the fantasy I've built around you. I will do this.
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