What do you think?
Rate this book
Speaker of Words
The world is broken…
Inspector Maddox Dawes of Kyper Central has one more month until retirement. One more month, that is, until a group of rebellious dissidents to the Republic start painting a mysterious message across the screens:
Nehrun tai hanen
No one knows what it means, and the computers have been hacked by the rebels, erasing any trace of their doings. Dawes must work with the only language expert in the Republic to determine just what these rebels are saying and why.
The answers lie shrouded behind layers of politics, an influx of the drug Dreamscape, and the leader of the rebels, Ske’toa, who always seems two-steps ahead.
The world is broken. But how do you go about fixing the world if the words to express its wrongs don’t exist?
Inspector Maddox Dawes of Kyper Central has one more month until retirement. One more month, that is, until a group of rebellious dissidents to the Republic start painting a mysterious message across the screens:
Nehrun tai hanen
No one knows what it means, and the computers have been hacked by the rebels, erasing any trace of their doings. Dawes must work with the only language expert in the Republic to determine just what these rebels are saying and why.
The answers lie shrouded behind layers of politics, an influx of the drug Dreamscape, and the leader of the rebels, Ske’toa, who always seems two-steps ahead.
The world is broken. But how do you go about fixing the world if the words to express its wrongs don’t exist?
224 pages, Hardcover
Published October 17, 2019
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
E.G. Stone
25 books89 followersEvelyn Grimald “E.G.” Stone is an independent author, editor, and linguist who has been writing, creating and causing vast amounts of trouble since a young age. When not writing, she is off musing about the workings of languages—both real and created—or reading and sewing. E.G. reads voraciously, much to the confusion of her two dogs and two cats. Weird, nerdy, perhaps a little crazy, she is having a grand old time writing, reading, editing, musing on language, and, naturally, continuing her endeavours in causing trouble.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 9, 2019
E.G. Stone's dystopian mystery examined the 'beauty of language, lost' and the ramifications of that loss in a futuristic world, perhaps not so distant. At first this novel, appears to be an easy read, to breeze through the pages, but as the reader progresses through the chapters, you become aware of a layering affect upon your mind. The 'speaker of words' begins to impact your own thoughts, and the chapter quotes will take you deeper if you allow it. I liken it, to my creative drawings/paintings with water soluble graphite. You start with the lightest pencil that becomes permanent with the addition of water, then you begin layering with deeper shades of grey, ending up with ink black in parts. The created image appears only after the journey of the layers, and sometimes it is quite a surprise.
My 2 favourite chapter quotes from E.G. Stone's book is,
"But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought." Orwell, 1984
"To change your language, you must, change your life." Derek Walcott
My 2 favourite chapter quotes from E.G. Stone's book is,
"But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought." Orwell, 1984
"To change your language, you must, change your life." Derek Walcott
October 23, 2022
excellent read, well written though provoking and entertaining
This is an entertaining and enjoyable read, it requires attention, and thought and is worth your attention. I lost a nights sleep to it. I would like to see a sequel or a prequel as I enjoyed the world building and the plot and the characters.
This is my first E. G. Stone book. It won’t be the last.
This is an entertaining and enjoyable read, it requires attention, and thought and is worth your attention. I lost a nights sleep to it. I would like to see a sequel or a prequel as I enjoyed the world building and the plot and the characters.
This is my first E. G. Stone book. It won’t be the last.
July 18, 2021
4.5 stars!! Loved the premise, loved the characters, loved the execution of the plot—so twisty and yet thought-provoking at the same time!! I was getting MAJOR “Season 1 of The Expanse” vibes throughout, combined with all of the BIG sci-fi/dystopian famous works, like Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World!!
The only thing that I felt left wanting was the ending… but as someone who ROUTINELY wants to avoid the “Happy ever after” trope, I can appreciate a good thoughtful ending as opposed to a big emotional finish…
I did say it was reminiscent of Fahrenheit 451, right? Yeah, so if you know how that one ends, you can appreciate this.
Meanwhile, FEAST YOUR EYES on all of the MARVELOUS story that comes BEFORE said ending—E. G. Stone is DEFINITELY an Author To Watch!!
The only thing that I felt left wanting was the ending… but as someone who ROUTINELY wants to avoid the “Happy ever after” trope, I can appreciate a good thoughtful ending as opposed to a big emotional finish…
I did say it was reminiscent of Fahrenheit 451, right? Yeah, so if you know how that one ends, you can appreciate this.
Meanwhile, FEAST YOUR EYES on all of the MARVELOUS story that comes BEFORE said ending—E. G. Stone is DEFINITELY an Author To Watch!!
July 17, 2021
Speaker of words is a brilliant SciFi/utopian/dystopian detective novel which really digs into the relationship between language and thought. Much like how NewSpeak in 1984 tried to eliminate certain concepts from the populace by striking words from the language, this book examines what happens when you reintroduce them. It’s a fast but brilliant read, which gave me iRobot/minority report (future cop) vibes for sure, with interesting questions about humanity.
Congratulations to the author for crafting such a gripping SciFi !
Congratulations to the author for crafting such a gripping SciFi !
March 7, 2020
What Blade Runner should have been
This is a straight forward story; old school noir detective, futuristic setting. While she doesn’t reinvent the wheel, HOW she does what she does is the beauty. A story about
crime and fate and choice and betrayal all wrapped up in a mystery about the power of
language. Read it then read it again and kick yourself for all the clues you missed!
This is a straight forward story; old school noir detective, futuristic setting. While she doesn’t reinvent the wheel, HOW she does what she does is the beauty. A story about
crime and fate and choice and betrayal all wrapped up in a mystery about the power of
language. Read it then read it again and kick yourself for all the clues you missed!
January 7, 2020
Interesting read
The premise of the book grabbed me from the moment I first read the blurb. A misterious message, an inspector, and a Republic that needs fixing, how could I resist?
If you enjoy books with morally gray characters, this is for you. I found myself rooting for some characters, even though I can't say I agreed with any of them.
The premise of the book grabbed me from the moment I first read the blurb. A misterious message, an inspector, and a Republic that needs fixing, how could I resist?
If you enjoy books with morally gray characters, this is for you. I found myself rooting for some characters, even though I can't say I agreed with any of them.
February 24, 2021
This is a great book for fans of cyberpunk and dystopian fiction. The wonderful characters draw you in and keep you transfixed. I particularly love the ideas around language. An interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews