Silenced Reviews
"There are too few books out there about this subject matter. This book makes it easy for the young teenager to read that they are not alone. They're not the only ones out there fighting this affliction. Highly recommended." - M. Fabian
"This is only based on the first segment, but I can tell from style and substance that this will be an important book. I cannot begin to speculate about where it will go, but within about 3,000 words, the author has made me care about this young woman." - Ronald Fischman
"I was excited to read this book as it was given to me for an honest review, and I could tell by reading about the book that I have not read anything else like it before. I was not disappointed after I got into the book. Amber's journey starts out with a move to a new home, learning that a truth she has known all her life turns out to be a lie, she starts cutting herself for release. Everything that she feels as a reader I could feel, the descriptions of the scenes in the book were amazingly well written.
As I took the journey through Amber's eyes, I wanted to know more about her, about her life in general and more about the lie she's lived with all her life. Finding out the truth at a time when she did, caused Amber to spiral down into the darkness, depression sets in and she starts cutting for release. At this point I wanted to reach into the story and help her as I would with anyone whom I know in real life. She becomes friends with a few from her new school and things start to look up for Amber, her friend Casey is like a new sister to her. She also meets Landon and hits it off pretty well, he turns out to be her rock, something she can look forward too and this helps her to keep from cutting so much.
The author ends on a note that has me curious, wondering what is to come and wanting to know more. I can't help it author's all have a tendency to do this to readers, some more than others. As I finished Silenced (Silenced Series) all I kept thinking about is what's next, I want to read on. And that my dear readers is what every reader wants in a book, any book they read. <3 You Raebeth, be sure to let me know when I can expect your next book." - Julie Hendrix
"I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. This is a deep look into Amber's life. Amber is a troubled teen who finds out the man she calls dad is actually her step father. After finding this out the family moves into a new town for her senior year. Amber meets Casey who quickly becomes her only friend. Casey is also troubled and can easily relate to Amber. Amber's life turns around after meeting Landon and quickly falls in love with him. This story is full of shocking events but gives you a great view into the life of a cutter. I can't wait to read the next book, the cliff hanger at the end still has me shocked!" -Lauren Alumbaugh
"Silenced follows the story of Amber Brown. For her life seems to be going down a downward spiral. She had to leave her town and move and on top of that she finds out that the person she called her father isn't really her biological father. Overcome with depression and looking for a way out Amber does something that gives her an escape from all the pain and darkness. Silenced is a story that shows how depression affects a person and that it CAN be overcome. I found that I could connect with the story. Being a teenager is tougher than it was before. The pressure to do well, to score good grades, to have a good social life - is daunting. And going through all that while going through depression is harder. It doesn't just go away and the fact that the author captured that in the book was amazing. The topic which the book is focused around is one of those close to my heart and it's not something we should take lightly It gives an insight into the mind of a cutter... I think people need to read this book and get a perspective on what actually happens and how depression could ruin someone if it gets too far." - TJ
"How can I even begin to review this book. It was amazing....I couldn't even put it down!! I was given this book by the author for an honest review. I really liked the way Raebeth writes. She is able to portray a vivid picture with her words and that is a plus for me when reading. I felt like I was with Amber, while she was at her low points, sitting in her bathroom cutting herself. I was really happy for Amber when things were going well for her, but I was waiting for something to go wrong. I was totally thinking it wasn't going to happen, and the story would just end happy, but fall flat of the actual message of the story. However, Raebeth pulled it all together at the end and blew me away. Her writing flowed and it was very addicting. I loved all her twists and turns and the way different situations come into play.
I really loved the main character, Amber. She was a strong lead and she was a really down to earth, real person. Her life problems were real things and it wasn't overpowering, which is great because it was believable. I also loved Landon. I really need a man like that in my life. He makes my heart melt. Ladies, trust me, you will be in love. Romance isn't dead!! He was a wonderful compliment to Amber and he always made me smile. As for Casey, I wasn't a huge fan of hers because she reminded me of a friend I use to have and that brings back bad memories. She wasn't the nicest person and as things progress, I disliked her more and more. However, she was a great character for the storyline and she makes the progression make perfect sense.
Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 for a real and emotional storyline, great main characters with perfect side characters, and an awesome cliff hanging ending. Raebeth, you rock and I can't wait for book 2!!" -Leah B
"Silenced touches on so many real issues and feelings for teenagers.Bullying,feeling inadequate,out of place,unloved,not worthy or any other form of depression.Feeling as though the only release they can get is from pain or the release of pain through a shiny sharp edge. Amber has felt all of the above feelings and goes to her best friend( her razor) for satisfaction and the high of feeling better.But after many close calls she finds she needs to not only be more careful but not rely on her cutting so much.
To prevent any spoilers I am only going to say that RaeBeth McGee has NAILED it in Silenced. I would definitely recommend this to any teen who has experienced this or knows someone who is." - Melissa Williams Brown
"I have to say this book was a real eye opener to me. Amber's story is one that happens too much in the lives of young adults today. Cutting and self harm is so often overlooked because the signs are more subtle. The escalation of this often ends in suicide.
Amber has a life full of secrets created by a very narcissistic mother. Cutting became the escape from the lack of love she felt from her family. Until Landon came along, she never felt worthy of anyone's love or attention. It broke my heart to read how she felt so alone and empty. To see her struggle to free herself from the addiction to self harm brought me to tears. I was also saddened by the fact that the mom never seemed to accept any responsibility for her actions.
For a debut novel to have this amount of depth and emotion is phenomenal. The characters are well developed and are both likeable and relate able. You feel as if they are someone you have known for a long time. The plot is deep, but flows well. It remained engaging throughout the entire novel. I was very attached to this story.
I am curious to see where this goes in book two. It isn't your everyday they lived happily ever after story. It deals with people with real problems and some that just don't live happily ever after. I love that about this book.
I would have to recommend this one for readers 14+ because of some sex references as well as the deep content. While it may be fiction and somewhat raw and controversial, this is a must read for parents, teens, and others out there. Great job!!" - Michelle McQueen
"This is only based on the first segment, but I can tell from style and substance that this will be an important book. I cannot begin to speculate about where it will go, but within about 3,000 words, the author has made me care about this young woman." - Ronald Fischman
"I was excited to read this book as it was given to me for an honest review, and I could tell by reading about the book that I have not read anything else like it before. I was not disappointed after I got into the book. Amber's journey starts out with a move to a new home, learning that a truth she has known all her life turns out to be a lie, she starts cutting herself for release. Everything that she feels as a reader I could feel, the descriptions of the scenes in the book were amazingly well written.
As I took the journey through Amber's eyes, I wanted to know more about her, about her life in general and more about the lie she's lived with all her life. Finding out the truth at a time when she did, caused Amber to spiral down into the darkness, depression sets in and she starts cutting for release. At this point I wanted to reach into the story and help her as I would with anyone whom I know in real life. She becomes friends with a few from her new school and things start to look up for Amber, her friend Casey is like a new sister to her. She also meets Landon and hits it off pretty well, he turns out to be her rock, something she can look forward too and this helps her to keep from cutting so much.
The author ends on a note that has me curious, wondering what is to come and wanting to know more. I can't help it author's all have a tendency to do this to readers, some more than others. As I finished Silenced (Silenced Series) all I kept thinking about is what's next, I want to read on. And that my dear readers is what every reader wants in a book, any book they read. <3 You Raebeth, be sure to let me know when I can expect your next book." - Julie Hendrix
"I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. This is a deep look into Amber's life. Amber is a troubled teen who finds out the man she calls dad is actually her step father. After finding this out the family moves into a new town for her senior year. Amber meets Casey who quickly becomes her only friend. Casey is also troubled and can easily relate to Amber. Amber's life turns around after meeting Landon and quickly falls in love with him. This story is full of shocking events but gives you a great view into the life of a cutter. I can't wait to read the next book, the cliff hanger at the end still has me shocked!" -Lauren Alumbaugh
"Silenced follows the story of Amber Brown. For her life seems to be going down a downward spiral. She had to leave her town and move and on top of that she finds out that the person she called her father isn't really her biological father. Overcome with depression and looking for a way out Amber does something that gives her an escape from all the pain and darkness. Silenced is a story that shows how depression affects a person and that it CAN be overcome. I found that I could connect with the story. Being a teenager is tougher than it was before. The pressure to do well, to score good grades, to have a good social life - is daunting. And going through all that while going through depression is harder. It doesn't just go away and the fact that the author captured that in the book was amazing. The topic which the book is focused around is one of those close to my heart and it's not something we should take lightly It gives an insight into the mind of a cutter... I think people need to read this book and get a perspective on what actually happens and how depression could ruin someone if it gets too far." - TJ
"How can I even begin to review this book. It was amazing....I couldn't even put it down!! I was given this book by the author for an honest review. I really liked the way Raebeth writes. She is able to portray a vivid picture with her words and that is a plus for me when reading. I felt like I was with Amber, while she was at her low points, sitting in her bathroom cutting herself. I was really happy for Amber when things were going well for her, but I was waiting for something to go wrong. I was totally thinking it wasn't going to happen, and the story would just end happy, but fall flat of the actual message of the story. However, Raebeth pulled it all together at the end and blew me away. Her writing flowed and it was very addicting. I loved all her twists and turns and the way different situations come into play.
I really loved the main character, Amber. She was a strong lead and she was a really down to earth, real person. Her life problems were real things and it wasn't overpowering, which is great because it was believable. I also loved Landon. I really need a man like that in my life. He makes my heart melt. Ladies, trust me, you will be in love. Romance isn't dead!! He was a wonderful compliment to Amber and he always made me smile. As for Casey, I wasn't a huge fan of hers because she reminded me of a friend I use to have and that brings back bad memories. She wasn't the nicest person and as things progress, I disliked her more and more. However, she was a great character for the storyline and she makes the progression make perfect sense.
Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 for a real and emotional storyline, great main characters with perfect side characters, and an awesome cliff hanging ending. Raebeth, you rock and I can't wait for book 2!!" -Leah B
"Silenced touches on so many real issues and feelings for teenagers.Bullying,feeling inadequate,out of place,unloved,not worthy or any other form of depression.Feeling as though the only release they can get is from pain or the release of pain through a shiny sharp edge. Amber has felt all of the above feelings and goes to her best friend( her razor) for satisfaction and the high of feeling better.But after many close calls she finds she needs to not only be more careful but not rely on her cutting so much.
To prevent any spoilers I am only going to say that RaeBeth McGee has NAILED it in Silenced. I would definitely recommend this to any teen who has experienced this or knows someone who is." - Melissa Williams Brown
"I have to say this book was a real eye opener to me. Amber's story is one that happens too much in the lives of young adults today. Cutting and self harm is so often overlooked because the signs are more subtle. The escalation of this often ends in suicide.
Amber has a life full of secrets created by a very narcissistic mother. Cutting became the escape from the lack of love she felt from her family. Until Landon came along, she never felt worthy of anyone's love or attention. It broke my heart to read how she felt so alone and empty. To see her struggle to free herself from the addiction to self harm brought me to tears. I was also saddened by the fact that the mom never seemed to accept any responsibility for her actions.
For a debut novel to have this amount of depth and emotion is phenomenal. The characters are well developed and are both likeable and relate able. You feel as if they are someone you have known for a long time. The plot is deep, but flows well. It remained engaging throughout the entire novel. I was very attached to this story.
I am curious to see where this goes in book two. It isn't your everyday they lived happily ever after story. It deals with people with real problems and some that just don't live happily ever after. I love that about this book.
I would have to recommend this one for readers 14+ because of some sex references as well as the deep content. While it may be fiction and somewhat raw and controversial, this is a must read for parents, teens, and others out there. Great job!!" - Michelle McQueen