All the Truth That's In Me

by Julie Berry

Speak meets  The Scarlet Letter in this literary masterpiece, the recipient of five starred reviews and nominated for the 2014 Edgar Award

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 remember--even if he doesn't know it--her childhood friend, Lucas.   But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever.

Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal

 A 2014 Edgar Award nominee for YA

A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten title

A Junior Library Guild Selection

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2013 and 2014 "Battle of the Books" contender

A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book for 2013

A Horn Book Fanfare 2013 title

 A 2014 TAYSHAS Top Ten Pick

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Thriller

272 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2013

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Wendy Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

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...

[Christine Wallflower & Dark Romance Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 read it. To say the blurb and cover are misleading would be an understatement!

This is the story of Judith Finch, who disappeared one day, never to be scene until one day she came back. Mute. The reason is shrouded in secrecy.

Instead of being welcomed with open arms by her family and community she is ostracized. The fact that she has survived does not matter, the question on everyone's lips: whether or not she is still pure. Because she is mute she cannot give them an answer, and by default she becomes lower than the lowest of creatures.

She watches silently on the sidelines as everyone she grew up with lives a full life. No one will speak to her, no one even acknowledges her.

Who will help me? Why does everyone presume that I, as damaged merchandise, forfeit any claim to happiness? That I expect nothing, have no ambitions or longings of my own? When was it agreed that my lot would be to gladly serve as prop and a crutch for others who are whole.



Now don't get me wrong, Judith never complains, she is the most selfless and caring person I have ever read. Her unconditional love for her mother and brother is amazing! But she never sees herself as worthy, rightly so, because no one ever gives her reason to. She is no longer a person, because of her inability to speak.



What did I expect?

A modern day novel about a girl who was kidnapped and then later found broken but she would persevere, finding love and healing.

What did I get?
An historical novel. (The century, year is unclear)

A story written in lyrical prose. In fact it was so lyrical I thought I was reading poetry.

A darkly depressing novel.

Final Thoughts

Despite being mislead, I can't give this book less than 5 stars.
Why?
Because this book moved me, it made me feel deeply. I actually texted Skank (Soraya Naomi) and asked if it is possible to feel angst while reading such lyrical prose? Off course she replied, yes!

This is definitely a darker read, with some thriller aspects. Now I'd like to add that this is not a religious book, but because of the time period and kind of community that Judith is from, religion does play a huge part in this story. Unfortunately it does not play in favour of Judith's existence.

Note: 1. Yes this is a love story, although the "romance" is secondary.
2. My casting, this is the closest to the Judith I see in my head

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 questioned by the town's elders: who abducted her? where was she held? was she still "pure" and unmolested?



With her extremely limited writing skills, Judith assures the elders that her "purity" or maidenhood is still intact but responds "I do not know" to the rest of the inquisition. Despite her reassurances of her continued "purity" the townspeople treat her like a fallen woman. In fact, Judith's mother is the worst offender, proclaiming bitterly that Judith is now cursed and that she was the cause her father's early death - brought on by grief and stress over her disappearance. At one point Judith comments wryly that she is being punished for sins she never chose to commit.

The first few chapters are downright riveting. Two years after her return, the town comes under attack from raiders from a rival settlement, who ruthlessly intend to slaughter the current settlers and take over Roswell Station's fertile farmlands.

Judith has to decide between doing nothing or returning to her captor (no spoilers here as to why!) and ask for help for her town. The entire battle scene had me glued to the edge of my seat. That was some superior writing!


Throughout this story, Judith remained strong and grounded, despite the loss of her social status and the destruction of her relationship with her childhood friend and secret crush, Lucas Whiting.



Lucas had made it clear to Judith from a very young age that he was interested in her, however he backed away from her when he saw what had been done to her. I was so proud of Judith when she finally accepted that their young love had not ( and really could not have) survived everything that had happened during those two horrible years of her captivity. She and Lucas were no longer those sweet, innocent teens, untouched by the brutal realities of life.



But, ultimately, Lucas can't deny his feelings for Judith, and he redeems himself in the reader's eyes by his subsequent actions. I applauded this author's attempts to portray a more true to life hero, with real flaws and all the typical hormonal behavior of the very young male. Despite his shortcomings, I had a soft spot for Lucas - they were both so young and hemmed in by their social and religious beliefs. What do we know of true and lasting love at that age? But Lucas's rekindled love for Judith was certainly put to the test - and this time he did not forsake her!



My thanks to Chelsea Shepherd, another Goodreads reviewer, who provided an excellent and detailed historical analysis of the time period and setting of this novel, (which was left deliberately vague by the first person narrator, Judith Finch.) The writing is superb - downright beautiful in some places. The action is outstanding, and the storytelling was mind-blowing. I plan to read this one again - and soon! Highly, highly recommended!!!

PostScript: I just finished listening to the audiobook of All the Truth That's in Me. It was an excellent production, and I felt transported back into Judith and Lucas's world once again! You have to read this book or listen to the audio version. Julie Berry is pure magic!

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Giselle · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Keertana · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 That's In Me falls into the latter category. Needless to say, this novel took me by surprise, but in all the best ways. While I began this novel with trepidation - after all, it is full of Things That Shouldn't Work - I closed it with the awed expression of a reader whose expectations have been blown sky high.

Things That Shouldn't Work (But Did!)

1. Second Person Narration
Only three years ago, a friend and I wrote a short story together. It was an intense, psychological piece about two friends - one German and one Jewish - whose friendship was ripped apart by WWII. Nothing unique, except for the fact that it was written in second person. (A decision our teacher didn't condone at all, so we were forced to revert to third person, though I believe our second person version is still lying around somewhere in the depths of my e-mail folder.)

Quite simply put, second person narration doesn't work for a lot of people, both readers and writers. It's tricky, it's frustrating, and at times unnecessarily complicated. Thus, to see Berry execute it with such ease, poise, and sheer talent is nothing short of brilliant. All the Truth That's In Me works as a letter, of sorts, from Judith to her childhood lover, Lucas. Judith, at fourteen, was kept captive in the woods, but is sent back, years later, with her tongue cut off. Unable to talk and thought to be cursed by her small Puritan town - including her own mother - Judith learns to live in silence. Her second person narration works seamlessly with her story line, conveying the horror of her cruel past, the isolation of her present, and the bleakness of her future. Moreover, it is strangely intimate, allowing us to see Judith in both her strongest and weakest lights. Ever since she was a young girl, Judith has been in love with Lucas, and with her directly speaking to him, so much of her nature seeps through these pages - her loyalty, fierce love, and even obsessiveness. It's a truly wise decision that enables us, the reader, to understand Judith on a much deeper level, practically crawling into her thoughts.

2. Puritans
I feel as if it's an unspoken rule that only Nathaniel Hawthorne can pull off the Puritans. (And, let me make it very clear, I love The Scarlett Letter like I love The Great Gatsby, so believe me when I say I'd kill to have written that book.) While the precise setting of All the Truth That's In Me is not given, it is clear that the novel takes place in a historical era, one where pilgrims have only recently escaped religious persecution, are required to attend church every Sunday,  and live by rigid moral laws. If that doesn't practically spell "Puritan" then I don't know what does.

While I really enjoyed this setting while reading the novel, I thought - extensively - about how the story would have been different in modern-day society. Why does an author make the decision to anchor a novel in a certain time period after all, especially when the events in this book - kidnapping, estrangement, societal mistreatment - could have happened today too? I think the beauty of this novel lies in the answer to that question. From the surface, the cruel punishments Judith bears upon her return - the blame for her father's death, a stigma as a whore, complete estrangement by former friends - can be attributed to the rigidity of the morals the Puritans lived by. After all, in a society with much looser morals, mightn't have Judith's homecoming have been a different experience? Maybe, but maybe not. What this Puritan setting does so well is emphasize the inherent evils visible in humans, and that faint line drawn between black and white becomes all the more hard to see set against this time period. Berry paints depicts this morality question beautifully, creating complicated relationships that can claim no simple label. I love that Judith shares so many different types of relationships - with her mother, with her brother, with her friends - but they all contain aspects of this time period and are deliciously ambiguous when it comes to the question of morality. Moreover, I love my historical fiction, so details of Judith's struggle in this century only made her story more authentic.

3. Childhood Romance
I know I struggle with love stories - namely, their believability - but childhood romances practically never work for me. I find that authors seem to take it for granted that the duration of time these characters have known each other should equate love. It doesn't, but thankfully Berry doesn't fall into that trap. Very carefully, she builds a contrast between Judith's love for Lucas as a child, and then as an adult. I particularly love how true to age Berry remains, showing us the naivety of a girl's dreams and then the truth of a woman's reality. Now, after her ordeal, Judith returns to see Lucas gearing up to marry the town belle and, as such, her love changes. It remains, constant and true, no matter what, but it also slowly acknowledges that Lucas is not the paragon of perfection that she's built him up to be. One of my favorite aspects of this novel is that Judith's growth and maturity is so closely tied with the romance; that the most important lesson she learns is to fall in love with the truth - of her past, of her deformity, and of love. Just the fact that Judith is able to eventually come to love Lucas despite - and maybe for - his flaws makes their love story all the more realistic and durable. It isn't an easy journey, but it is certainly a rewarding one.

4. Maiming & Disabilities 
I recently read this incredibly detailed post about diversity - or the lack of it - in YA. And while All the Truth That's In Me doesn't necessarily involve non-white characters, it does feature a protagonist who is maimed. Judith's speechlessness is derived from her own physical barriers, unlike most heroines, which makes this novel fall into 2.9% of novels in 2013 with disabled characters. Normally, this fact would probably remain rather unremarkable. After all, many novels feature secondary character with disabilities and, either way, Judith's inability to speak is an enormous plot device. And yet, Berry truly give this issue so much more depth. Not only does Judith work at regaining her ability to speak fluently, but she feels - constantly - the unfairness of her circumstances. 

"Will I help him make something of his life? Who will help me? Why does everyone presume that I, as damaged merchandise, forfeit any claim to happiness? That I expect nothing, have no ambitions or longings of my own? When was it agreed that my lot would be to gladly serve as a prop and a crutch for others who are whole?" (Berry, 53%)*

Instead of her disability making her the center of attention, Judith is pushed into the very corners of thought, her silence taken for granted as acquiescence. Essentially, her speechlessness makes her come across as a woman with no thoughts or opinions of her own. I love that Berry touched upon these ideals, only because they weren't ever ones I would have considered and this is precisely why I read: to be introduced to new ways of thinking.

5. A "Pinhole" Plot
I've heard this novel being described as a "pinhole" one, or one in which the entirety of the story is revealed as the book wears on. Well, let me tell you now, these "pinhole" methods never work for me. Never. I have no patience for authors who tantalizingly dangle answers just out of my grasp, so color me surprised to find myself flipping through the pages of this novel gleefully - "pinhole" storytelling and all. What Berry does, that most authors don't, however, is reveal pieces of information in a timely fashion. It is evident, from early in the story, who Judith's kidnapper is. And yet, the full details of her ordeal are never revealed until the end. Instead, small flashbacks litter the narration, working beautifully to weave mystery and thrill into this otherwise seemingly romantic tale. While I remain a fan of the slow, languid prose used in this novel, not to mention the character-driven plot focus, I am sure that not all readers will agree. And yet, I felt as if these purposeful decisions only worked to strengthen the plot, making us care for these characters and drown in seas of emotion. I know that by the end of this book, I was gripping the edge of my chair, unsure whether or not to laugh or cry or scream. And I love that build-up of tension, that slow unraveling of mystery, and the eventual - realistic - conclusion of a well-told tale.

All the Truth That's In Me truly hit all the right notes, at least in my book. Not only did it take a myriad of challenging qualities (see above) and make them work, but it also took the essentials I look for in a good story - characters with depth, thriller plot lines, and emotional undertones - and excelled in those areas as well. While I've never read any of Berry's past novels, you can be sure that I will - eagerly - be checking out her future YA works. After I own this beautiful hardcover on my shelves, that is.

You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 blames her for this! Judith’s younger brother doesn’t treat her much better. Judith was maimed making her speech hard to understand. What’s worse though is her mother’s reaction. She’s shocked and horrified by Judith’s attempts at speaking and she forbids her to talk. Her treatment and reaction to Judith made my heart hurt!

“You’ve come back maimed. I leave it to God to judge what brought this upon you.”*

Before Judith was abducted she was hopelessly in love with her childhood friend, Lucas. Nothing changed her feelings for him. But without speaking and with no explanation of her disappearance, Judith fades into the background, and everyone either regards her as the town freak or ignores her entirely. Lucas falls into the latter category. My heart broke for Judith as life goes on with her as a spectator. But everything changes when the town is threatened, and she knows exactly what must be done.

There are several mysteries unfolding in this tale. The identity of Judith’s abductor is revealed early on, but you’re not sure why she was taken, and you’re not sure what happened during her captivity. These mysteries and more are slowly and masterfully revealed throughout the story.

All the Truth That’s In Me is told in second person narrative, with Judith basically addressing this story to Lucas. It felt like I was reading her letters to him with dialogue and scenes included. I read so much that a change in storytelling is welcome and refreshing, and I loved it!

I admired and rooted for Judith, and was in awe that all she went through didn’t break her spirit. I was heartened when she started to come out of her shell and take control of her life! Because of the second narrative, interactions with the secondary character like her brother, Maria or Goody are somewhat sparse, but that in no way lessens their impact or appeal.

The romance between Judith and Lucas is one of longing and sadness on her part, at first. As the story continued my heart filled with joy over changes in situation, and as things were revealed.

“It was always you, Ladybird,” you say softly. “Don’t you know?”*

Julie Berry’s writing was powerful, concise and almost lyrical. Her captivating story is a definite recommend!

Come visit The Readers Den for a chance to win my ARC copy of All the Truth That's In Me.

A copy was provided by Viking Juvenile in exchange for an honest review.

*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 about the characters so much?

JUST READ THE DARN BOOK.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating, 5 angsty stars



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



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 I sat in the willow tree holding mine, lest he find me, too, and his hands press into my soft neck like dirty boots into new-fallen snow."

When she finally returns home mutilated and unable to speak, four years had passed. Her loving father died during her absence and her mother's heart has hardened towards her.

“The warmth I remember in her eyes is gone, replaced with iron. Father is long since dead, and the daughter she remembers is dead to her. She buries the name with the memory.
No one calls me by my name.
Younger children do not know it.
I remind myself each day at sunrise, lest one day I forget. Judith is my name.”

She's deemed impure now. She's shunned or at best ignored by the community. What spares her the faith that awaits adulterous or loose women is the fact that despite her inability to speak, when confronted by the Village Council she is adamant that her captor didn't touched her in "that way". She's returned home ... but life is still a struggle despite her regained freedom. She doesn't remember much of the years in captivity ... and that much that she remembers, she tries desperately to suppress. Some secrets could hurt more than her.

“Jip’s whole body wags to see me, and when Mother isn’t watching, I break off a corner of a brick of cheese and slip it to him. He licks my hand lovingly with his long, pink tongue.
I’m jealous of a dog.
He has a warm tongue, and he lives with you.”



This book was so beautifully written. Considering my likes and dislikes this one could have been a disaster if written differently. I usually snort at love at fist sight, especially that love-from-the-cradle scenario. Judith acts almost stalker-ish towards Lucas Whiting, her one true love. I usually cringe at such conduct. Yet somehow .... this time I didn't mind at all.



There were a few roll-eye moments where I thought ..."Come on girl, stop pining after him, he's to marry another girl. Wake up and move on!", but then ...
Through the story we see Judith grow stronger, change, learn, try to open herself to other people (she too distanced herself from others). Judith dreamed the impossible dream of being loved by her childhood love ... and I was surprisingly and ungrudgingly on board.



One of the best YA books I've read last year ... and it was a very good year, even for YA.

[Kat Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!



All the Truth That’s in Me follows the events of a small pilgrim-like town. Judith is the town pariah. She and her best friend disappeared two years ago. Judith returned home after an extended period of disappearance, her best friend did not. The town wants to know what happened to Judith, but she can’t tell them. Her tongue was cut out and she’s mute. The boy she was in love with, who seemed to care for her in return, is out of her reach.

Do you ever feel like the world is once again descending into an Atwood dystopia where women are judged on purity, looks and moralities that are valuable to men? Did you ever wonder what that would be like to live in? Thankfully, you don’t need to, because Judith lives in it. She loses any and all status in her town when she returns “spoiled” and suspicion lingers of her morality, derived from a situation where she was held prisoner at the hands of a madman.

But that rejection by her own family and society is also kind of freeing for Judith. She’s semi-invisible, untouchable, and also kind of free to be human – to be herself. She’s cut-loose to be this free-spirited, sexual being who longs for all the things she can’t have and, in a way, experience a better version of herself. Her situation allows her to see past the pitfalls and trappings of her grossly imperfect society, so that she can fight for her own value and worth.

The romance with Lucas is charming, lovely and heart-wrenching all at the same time. This novel manages to pack an emotional punch as well as remaining consistently noteworthy in its plotting, pacing and writing. I’ll be looking forward to future novels by Berry.

Also, just…







This review, and others like it, also appear on my blog, Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.

This ARC was provided to me by the publisher for reviewing purposes. This did not entice me to be any less annoyingly opinionated than I would otherwise be.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sara Cantador · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
No sabía que esperar de este libro y ha sido toda una sorpresa. La narración increíble, hace que la novela sea mucho más intensa, y además está narrado en segunda persona, lo que hace que sea muy llamativo. Aún así, la historia está perfectamente construida y aunque al principio pueda resultar confusa (se mezclan continuamente fragmentos del pasado y del presente), se va desarrollando con soltura, a la vez que mantiene el misterio y la intriga hasta el final.
Definitivamente, ha sido una lectura más que buena y lo mejor de todo: sorprendente.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

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. When Judith chooses to return to school, to try to get an education with her brother, her teacher makes advances upon her, suggesting the only way he'll be able to help her really learn is if she pays a price.

Except Judith wasn't raped. She wasn't impure. Sure, it almost happened. But it didn't. Who would believe her anyway, even if she could speak? In some ways, her silence was a gift. Even if it was a gift she didn't get to choose for herself. Even if it WAS a gift she got to choose herself.

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.

[Nomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Eilonwy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Tatiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

SO overwrought! And of course, the maidenhead is intact. The Raging Quiet is much better.

[Asena Özoral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hala okumayan var mı? Ayıp ayıp

[Aslı · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basit ama güzeldi ayrıca kusa bölümleri sayesinde okuması kolaydı.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 going on, but I was only partly right, there were still surprises to be found. An interesting story, told about a very hypocritical time, a time that did not favor women or for that matter anyone that was different. Judith is different but not because of her own actions but because of what she has suffered.

There was a bit of melodrama to the ending, but due to the target audience of this book it was very fitting. All is answered and all is explained. Sometimes having a voice is a very important asset and I loved how this author used hers in writing this novel.

[Seda · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚”Okula dönmek istiyorum Judy. Bu benim tek şansım. Gitmeme yardım edecek misin?”
Dört bir taraftan esen rüzgârda savrulan kar taneleri misali düşüncelerim de döne döne yerlere saçılıyor. Onun hayatını kurabilmesine yardım edecek miyim? Bana kim yardım edecek? Neden herkes defolu bir mal diye gördükleri benim mutluluğumu benden çalmaya cüret ediyor? Neden benim hiçbir beklentim olmadığını, kendime ait emellerim ya da özlemlerim olmadığını varsayıyorlar? Hem ne zaman karar verildi hayatta benim payıma düşenin sağlam kimselere destek ve koltuk çıkmak olacağına?
Darrel’ın iki saniye olsun bana ve isteklerime kafa yorduğuna inanırsam, köyün dediği gibi aptalın tekiyim demektir.

📚Evleneceksin demek.
Mezardan çıkmışçasına onun yanından hayata, doğan yeni güne döneli iki yıl geçti, buna sevinirim sanıyordum. Oysa gece ve soğuk, karanlık ve ölüler şimdi bana daha yakın.
Karanlığımı bir tek seni düşünmek gideriyor. Benim dünyamın güneşisin, seni başka kadının kollarında görmeye nasıl dayanabilirim?

Kitaba tamamen beklentisiz başlamıştım ama hem konusuyla hem ilerleyişiyle beni çok şaşırttı. Kitap, Judith’in kaçırılmasından ve dili kesilerek evine gönderilmesinden sonraki olayları anlatan, tam olarak zaman belirtilmesede, tahminen 16.-17. yüzyılda küçük bir köyde geçen bir historicaldı aslında. En ilgi çekici yanlarından birisi ise, Judith’in yaşadıklarını sevdiği çocuk Lucas’a anlatmasıydı. Sanki ona yazdığı uzun bir mektup gibiydi.

İlk 50 sayfasını okurken çok zorlandım çünkü yazarın tarzı çok farklıydı, alışana kadar devrelerimi yaktı. Başta zorlayıcı, rahatsız ediciydi ama alıştıktan sonra ilgi çekici hale geldi. Zaman ve anlatım kuralı yoktu, bir bölümde kaçırılmanın öncesi anlatılırken bir sonraki bölüm kaçırılma sonrasıydı. Bölümler zaten 3-4 paragraftan oluşuyordu. Birisi, okumadan önce, yazarın dilinin bu şekilde olduğunu anlatsaydı, muhtemelen asla şans vermeyeceğim bir kitap olurdu. Ama konusuna ve yazarın diline okuduktan sonra bayıldım.

Judith’in yaşadığı dönem, kadının değersiz görüldüğü, erkeklerin sözlerinin kadını dar ağacına götürebileceği bir dönemdi. En ufak bir dokunmaya ya da uygun olmayan bir durumda birlikte görünmelerine bile fuhuş yapıyor gözüyle bakılıyordu.

Kaçırılmış, dili kesilmiş, 2 yıl esir tutulmuş, 18 yaşında bir kıza, köyüne döndüğünde gizli saklı da olsa fahişe damgası vurdular. Ve namuslu geçinen köyün bir grup beyefendisi?! kıza her muameleyi yapmayı kendilerinde hak gördü. Judith, yaşadıklarından dolayı, mağdur değil suçlu ilan edildi. Toplum vicdanında yargılandı, infaz edildi. Köy halkının çoğu, özellikle pislik annesi, döndükten sonra görmezlikten gelmeyi tercih etti.

Bana göre, annesi eski dönemler için bile olsa fazla merhametsiz, fazla katıydı. Babasının yokluğunda hayatta kalmak için çok zorlanmıştı ama bu 2 yıl sonra dönen kızına sevgi göstermesini engellememeliydi. Sevgi göstermeyi bırak, en büyük ön yargılı davranışı annesinden gördü. Sürekli kusurlu?! kızını birilerine yamamaya çalıştı, konuşmaya çalışmasını yasakladı.

Judith’i sevmemek mümkün değil çünkü hem kırılgan, naif hem de her şeye rağmen aklına koyduğunu yapan bir kızdı. Lucas’a olan aşkı, yaşadıkları ve hissettikleri hüzünlüydü ve çok zordu. Tek istediği çocukluk aşkıyla birlikte olmak ve normal bir birey gibi hayatına devam edebilmek, elinden alınan gençliğini geri almaktı.

Annesinin göstermediği ilgi ve şefkati Maria’dan gördü ve ufakcık bir ilgilenmeyle, arkadaşlıkla neler başarabileceğini keşfetti. Bulunduğu duruma rağmen, konuşmaya çalışması ve okuma-yazma öğrenme çabası büyüleyiciydi. Sanki esas okuma-yazma öğrendiğinde özgürleşecekmiş gibi hissettirdi. Bir köy dolusu kötülüğün, ön yargının içinde, üç iyi insanın olması Judith’e yetti.

Yazarın diline alışması biraz zor olsa da farklı konusu ve tarzı açısından tavsiye edeceğim bir kitap oldu. Birbirinin benzeri kitaplar arasında bana ilaç gibi geldi.

📚Seni seyrettiğimi görünce duraklamıştın, el sallıyordun. Korkmuş gibi bir halin vardı. Ben de el salladım.
İki senede tam bir erkek olmuştun. Kendime baktım beni de kadın yaptıklarını hatırladım. İki senedir düşüncelerimde hep sen vardın, şimdi de tam karşımda duruyordun işte, farklı ama aynı. Dört kişiydik, çocuk olarak biz, iki yabancı olarak biz, sen ve ben.

📚Eğer seni daha fazla sevmeyi beceremeyeceğimi düşündüysem, seni yeterince anlamamışım demektir.

📚Eğer benim olsaydın seni avuturdum; eğer benim olsaydın avunmaya ihtiyacın olmazdı! Bilmeden onun âşığını eve getiren o cesur yürekli sendin.

📚”İsmi Ayaalet koyd-um. Sa-a verey-im ist-ers-en,” diyorum.
Tekrar arkana yaslanıyorsun. “Hayalet. Nereden buldun bu ismi?”
“At deyi- ayaalet gibbi ya.”
Gözlerin durmadan konuşmaya davet ediyor beni.
“Bazan ak-ımı oku-yo sa-ıyom.”
Kısa bir kahkaha patlatıyorsun. “Bir de benim zihnimden geçenleri okusa, sıkıntıdan patlar.”
Köyün ilk evlerinden geçiyoruz. Bir daha konuştuğunda irkiliyorum.
“Demek bir at senin düşüncelerini okuyabiliyor. Ne görüyor merak ediyorum.”
Düşünmeden soruyorum. “Ediyoo-n?”
“Eminim bu köyde mevcut olanlardan daha iyi düşüncelerin vardır.”
“Aan-em Ayaaleti istemiyo.”
“Hayalet’i benim evdeki ahıra bağlayabilirsin,” diye öneriyorsun.
“Sa-a verey-im ist-ers-en,” diyorum tekrar.
“Olmaz, o senin. Ama ona yatacak yer verebilirim. Sen de dilediğin zaman görmeye gelirsin.”
Söylediklerini daha kavrayamadan kafamı sallayıp önerini kabul ediyorum.
“Ama eğer Hayalet’e senin aklından geçenleri okurken ne gördüğünü sorarsam,” diyorsun, “sakın bozulma.”

📚Öyle yakın duruyorsun ki atımı tımar ederken birbirimize değiyoruz neredeyse.
Kaskatı durup kenara çekilmeni bekliyorum.
Ne oluyor?
Duruyorsun, fırçayı yere atıp bana yaslanıyorsun. Çeneni boneme dayayarak parmaklarınla kollarımı sarıyorsun.
Kafam allak bullak, paniğe kapılıyorum. Dokunulmak istemiyorum.
“Yo”, diyorum.
Hemen geri çekilip başını başka tarafa çeviriyorsun. Derken gitmeye yelteniyorsun. Kapıya vardın bile.
“N-iye?” diyorum.
Olduğun yerde kalıyorsun. “Ne niye?”
Nefes almaya, ağlamamaya çalışıyorum. Az önce olanları pek anlayabilmiş değilim, ancak nedenini öğrenmem gerek. Bir zamanlar senin dokunuşun için her şeyi feda etmeye hazırdım. Her şeye, herhangi bir şeye dokunmak isteyen erkeklerin oyuncağı olmayacağım. Kimse beni kolay lokma olarak görmeyecek.
“N-iye ben?” Soluk alıyorum. “Bu n-iye?”
İçeride Hayalet’in nefesinden başka çıt çıkmıyor.
“Hep sen vardın Uğurböceği,” diyorsun tatlı tatlı. “Bilmiyor musun?”

📚”Beni affet Judith.” Sözlerini işitmiyorum da hissediyorum adeta. “Budalalık ettim.”
Yüzümü ellerinin arasına alıp gözlerime bakmak için usulca çeviriyorsun. Bakışlarında tereddüt arıyorum ama yok.
Alnını alnıma yaslıyorsun. Sonra başıma bir öpücük konduruyorsun.
“Bana bir şans daha ver,” diyen sözlerin geliyor kulaklarıma. “İzin ver sesini duyayım Uğurböceği. Daima.”

[Melanchallina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Текст книги на русском языке предоставлен издательством АСТ, редакцией Mainstream.

Я получила эту книгу совершенно случайно, и честно говоря, изначально ее не планировала читать. Но если есть возможность, то почему бы и нет?

Это очень необычная книга. Нетипичная и ярко выделяется на фоне тех книг, что я обычно читаю. Для начала, время, когда в книге разворачиваются события в книге – НЕ современность. Об этом не говорится ни разу прямо, но это отчетливо понятно по событиям, атмосфере и мелочах. Место действия – маленькое поселение, городок, в котором живет главная героиня Джудит. Джудит – изгой. Два года назад она и ее лучшая подруга без вести пропали. Лотти вскоре нашли мертвой, а Джу��ит вернулась лишь спустя два года – искалеченная, молчаливая. Весь город хочет знать, что произошло с Джудит, но она не может рассказать. Мальчик которого она любила, больше вне ее досягаемости. Девушка становится изгоем, от нее все отвернулись, даже родная мать. Но в какой то мере, все это дарит героине свободу. Невидимость. Незаметность. Никто не обратит свое внимание на призрака. Ее положение позволяет видеть все в ясном и четком свете, тогда как остальные живут в тумане и обмане. Но даже не смотря на свое положение, особзнавая свою «испорченность», Джудит не может отказаться от милого мальчика в которого была влюблена столько, сколько себя помнит. Ради Лукаса она готова на все. Стать еще большим изгоем, пожертвовать остатками своей свободы. Или…. Рассказать правду.

Очаровательная и мучительная книга одновременно. Страшная и прекрасная. Автору очень удалось передать атмосферность и глубину мира того времени. Книга яркая и мрачная одновременно. Полная контрастов – если быть точнее, очень эмоциональная. К одному из плюсов отнесу стиль автора. Обычно, книги от первого лица пишутся одинаково, например, говоря про героя девушки в других книгах говорят «он подошел ко мне; он посмотрел на меня», здесь же героиня мысленно всегда обращается к герою напрямую, книга похожа на повествование в дневнике. «Ты посмотрел на меня», «Ты сказал мне» - все в таком плане. Очень нетипично. И еще одно достоинство – объем, книга очень маленькая, при свободном времени два-три часа и все прочитано.

С удовольствием подожду и оценю другие работы автора.

Моя оценка: 8/10

[гейлінка (тгк: книжкова буря) · Rating 4 out of 5]

перша прочитана книга в цьому році, яку я прочитала за день 👀
взагалі не планувала її брати найближчим часом, але челендж від Рорка та РМ вніс свої корективи 🤌🏻

дуже щемка та важка історія
в нас тут німа дівчина, яка повертається додому після двох років зникнення
поступово стає зрозуміло хто її поневолив, але основна інтрига - хто вбив її подругу та чи був це викрадач дівчини - розкривається буквально на останніх 20 сторінках і це такий бум 💥
прям запало мені в душу

і я до останнього чогось думала, що кінцівка тут буде трагічна, бо авторка так нормально для цього все підготувала, алеее 🥹

+ в нас тут ненадійна оповідачка і спочатку я трохи звикала до стилю авторки, але це не завадило мені сповна насолодитись історією

дуже, дуже хороша книга

8,5/10

[Marguerite · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 give a book 5 stars when you hated the beginning but I’m doing it. No one can stop me.

[Paige Bookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

Edited review to come.

[Mindy (Book Snitch) · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

”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.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

(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.

[Gisbelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 and discriminated against even when she herself was a victim was just so cruel beyond words could describe.

This is one of the books that I will find time to reread. Because once is not enough.

(Some) Favorite Quotes

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

"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 my self lucky."

"If you were mine I'd comfort you; if you were mine you'd need no comfort."