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The Sound of Everything
Betrayal, rejection, Kadie has known it all. She's tough and prepared for everything. Everything except love.
'A stunning new voice. I was immediately sucked in by the quality of her writing.' Patrice Lawrence
'A stunning new voice. I was immediately sucked in by the quality of her writing.' Patrice Lawrence
- GenresFiction
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2021
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69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 19, 2021
*Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me a copy for review!*
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book, but I can honestly say it’s like no other YA novel I’ve read before. It had such a unique protagonist, storyline and viewpoint that you don’t often see portrayed or talked about in modern media and I think that’s a really important thing to acknowledge. It was fast paced and well written, and I couldn’t at all predict what was going to happen next. It heavily used social media as a plot point which I often find poorly done or unrealistic in books, but here it was actually portrayed pretty accurately and the music aspect of it especially I liked. While I applaud the novel for these things, I was just confused by the way most of it was executed.
Our protagonist has a lot of issues and trauma which is apparent as you read the book, pretty much from the very beginning. Because of circumstance and our (very) vague understanding of what she’s been through, it feels understandable. I just feel like from then on, the opportunity to properly explore and develop our character through trying to understand them is completely missed. She clearly needs a lot of help or intervention and it’s just never given. None of her psychological issues are ever addressed and they’re not even named. I just found it difficult as I couldn’t really understand the authors intentions behind this, to make mental health and behaviour the driver of the story but never actually go deeper than surface level. I think this book could’ve been so much more with the inclusion of that.
I felt like nothing really happened in this book either, there aren’t distinct plot points I can recall or significant moments that propelled the narrative. It was very repetitive plot wise, it felt like the same scenes was happening over and over again every few chapters. And I know this might make it sound like it’s more of a character driven story, but with that would come character development. In here there was none of that, it honestly felt like we started and stopped in the same place which left me confused as to what the point of the book even was? That sounds harsh but don’t misunderstand, I liked the book, it just had so much more potential to explore the issues raised. Throughout, we learn nothing much about the life of Kadie or her past which makes it hard to connect with her. I was left with so many questions as nothing felt resolved. It could’ve gone way deeper into the childcare system and complex mental health needs.
I still think this was a solid effort from a debut author and I’d be intrigued to see what Henry puts out next, because she seems to have some amazing ideas and stories that need to be heard – I think I just got confused with this direction of this one at times.
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book, but I can honestly say it’s like no other YA novel I’ve read before. It had such a unique protagonist, storyline and viewpoint that you don’t often see portrayed or talked about in modern media and I think that’s a really important thing to acknowledge. It was fast paced and well written, and I couldn’t at all predict what was going to happen next. It heavily used social media as a plot point which I often find poorly done or unrealistic in books, but here it was actually portrayed pretty accurately and the music aspect of it especially I liked. While I applaud the novel for these things, I was just confused by the way most of it was executed.
Our protagonist has a lot of issues and trauma which is apparent as you read the book, pretty much from the very beginning. Because of circumstance and our (very) vague understanding of what she’s been through, it feels understandable. I just feel like from then on, the opportunity to properly explore and develop our character through trying to understand them is completely missed. She clearly needs a lot of help or intervention and it’s just never given. None of her psychological issues are ever addressed and they’re not even named. I just found it difficult as I couldn’t really understand the authors intentions behind this, to make mental health and behaviour the driver of the story but never actually go deeper than surface level. I think this book could’ve been so much more with the inclusion of that.
I felt like nothing really happened in this book either, there aren’t distinct plot points I can recall or significant moments that propelled the narrative. It was very repetitive plot wise, it felt like the same scenes was happening over and over again every few chapters. And I know this might make it sound like it’s more of a character driven story, but with that would come character development. In here there was none of that, it honestly felt like we started and stopped in the same place which left me confused as to what the point of the book even was? That sounds harsh but don’t misunderstand, I liked the book, it just had so much more potential to explore the issues raised. Throughout, we learn nothing much about the life of Kadie or her past which makes it hard to connect with her. I was left with so many questions as nothing felt resolved. It could’ve gone way deeper into the childcare system and complex mental health needs.
I still think this was a solid effort from a debut author and I’d be intrigued to see what Henry puts out next, because she seems to have some amazing ideas and stories that need to be heard – I think I just got confused with this direction of this one at times.
July 23, 2021
Thankyou to ED public relations for sending me a copy of this book!
This book has plenty of triggers, so if you are easily triggered please look up the warnings!
In the beginning of this book I had no clue where the book was going, but by the end I definitely enjoyed it!
Kadie was an interesting character, who I didn’t necessarily love at the start but she definitely grew on me!
Overall this story talks about some important topics (I won’t name most as they could be spoilers) mainly foster care, which is definitely a topic I personally didn’t know much about before starting the book, but left me wanting to further investigate.
This book has plenty of triggers, so if you are easily triggered please look up the warnings!
In the beginning of this book I had no clue where the book was going, but by the end I definitely enjoyed it!
Kadie was an interesting character, who I didn’t necessarily love at the start but she definitely grew on me!
Overall this story talks about some important topics (I won’t name most as they could be spoilers) mainly foster care, which is definitely a topic I personally didn’t know much about before starting the book, but left me wanting to further investigate.
July 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, set in the uk with lots of relevant slang 😂 I found it fun to read.
There were lots of important messages throughout about being deemed ‘normal’, friendships, mental health etc and I feel I’ve learnt a lot.
My only criticism is that at some points it felt a bit repetitive but in the same way that also adds to the book and Kadies story with what she’s going through.
Definitely recommend giving it a read when it comes out July 22nd!
There were lots of important messages throughout about being deemed ‘normal’, friendships, mental health etc and I feel I’ve learnt a lot.
My only criticism is that at some points it felt a bit repetitive but in the same way that also adds to the book and Kadies story with what she’s going through.
Definitely recommend giving it a read when it comes out July 22nd!
October 12, 2021
4.5 stars
This book was wild from start to finish as it follows Kadie, a teenager in foster care!
It reminded me of AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY because it is written by a Black British woman and it tackles Mental Health issues!
Kadie has A LOT of issues which is understandable but the more I read the more I was like she must have ADHD and could also be Autistic because she gets overwhelmed easily hence she lashes out etc and she gets burnt out easily because of masking and listening to music helps but not always and sensory issues there was basically a lot of stuff suggesting she has ADHD and could be Autistic but I was disappointed that no one not even her school counsellor suggested she gets assessed! In the end they said she should do CBT and anger management but I think she just needs coping skills because being an ND in a Neurotypical world is exhausting! No wonder she felt so left out and different and couldn’t get anything right eg memories of her mum telling her to sit still and be quiet poor child
Me reading the book; oh no baby what is you doing??? 😩😬 yikes upon yikes
The slang is a lot but if you grew up in London you will most likely understand it and it definitely made the characters more authentic.
The book discusses mental health, living in foster care as well as bullying both cyber bullying and at school but it doesn’t really get to the root of the cause or issues etc
I would have liked more of a resolution between Kadie and Shadavia especially about her friendship group.
I liked Dayaan but I did not like how the author suggested that the ‘friend zone’ exists when it does not! You do not owe a guy anything and he shouldn’t wait expecting something to happen smh!
Was sad about what happened to him but I’m glad he was nice to Kadie and wanted to work with her and they became good friends..tbh he was probably her own true friend!
The book is a lot to take in because Kadie just spirals out of control but overall it’s a great debut and I look forward to reading more from the author as well as recommending the book to students!
We definitely need more Black British authors writing YA so glad this book exists and continues to explore issues like foster care and mental health!
This book was wild from start to finish as it follows Kadie, a teenager in foster care!
It reminded me of AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY because it is written by a Black British woman and it tackles Mental Health issues!
Kadie has A LOT of issues which is understandable but the more I read the more I was like she must have ADHD and could also be Autistic because she gets overwhelmed easily hence she lashes out etc and she gets burnt out easily because of masking and listening to music helps but not always and sensory issues there was basically a lot of stuff suggesting she has ADHD and could be Autistic but I was disappointed that no one not even her school counsellor suggested she gets assessed! In the end they said she should do CBT and anger management but I think she just needs coping skills because being an ND in a Neurotypical world is exhausting! No wonder she felt so left out and different and couldn’t get anything right eg memories of her mum telling her to sit still and be quiet poor child
Me reading the book; oh no baby what is you doing??? 😩😬 yikes upon yikes
The slang is a lot but if you grew up in London you will most likely understand it and it definitely made the characters more authentic.
The book discusses mental health, living in foster care as well as bullying both cyber bullying and at school but it doesn’t really get to the root of the cause or issues etc
I would have liked more of a resolution between Kadie and Shadavia especially about her friendship group.
I liked Dayaan but I did not like how the author suggested that the ‘friend zone’ exists when it does not! You do not owe a guy anything and he shouldn’t wait expecting something to happen smh!
Was sad about what happened to him but I’m glad he was nice to Kadie and wanted to work with her and they became good friends..tbh he was probably her own true friend!
The book is a lot to take in because Kadie just spirals out of control but overall it’s a great debut and I look forward to reading more from the author as well as recommending the book to students!
We definitely need more Black British authors writing YA so glad this book exists and continues to explore issues like foster care and mental health!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
Firstly, a huge thank you to ED pr for sending me a copy of this book.
This is a fast paced YA book that looks at a range of complex topics including self harm (trigger warning),fostering, friendships and mental health.
The author uses a lot of slang language (UK based) I had to look up a couple of the words meanings but over all I felt like the slang was needed to make the characters truly believable.
Even from the blurb I wasn't sure what direction this story would head in and I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I loved it - so much so that I read it in under 3 hours.
Our protagonist - Kadie - wasn't always the most likeable of characters. She hasn't had the easiest of lives, in and out of foster homes. It's clear from her actions and reactions that she needs and deserves care and attention, however she doesn't always make this easy for others to help.
I'd say at times in the tale that there were moments that felt a little repetitive but when I thought about it more, that's probably exactly how Kadie felt, like life was stuck in a negative viscous cycle.
My feelings were that Kadie could perhaps need more than just someone to listen to her, her sensitivity to noise and her coping mechanisms, could she perhaps be autistic?
It was refreshing to read a story where the teenager issues weren't so petty, their flaws were justifiable.
Realistic and emotional.
The Sound of Everything is not your typical coming of age story. It is a novel that needs to be heard.
This is a fast paced YA book that looks at a range of complex topics including self harm (trigger warning),fostering, friendships and mental health.
The author uses a lot of slang language (UK based) I had to look up a couple of the words meanings but over all I felt like the slang was needed to make the characters truly believable.
Even from the blurb I wasn't sure what direction this story would head in and I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I loved it - so much so that I read it in under 3 hours.
Our protagonist - Kadie - wasn't always the most likeable of characters. She hasn't had the easiest of lives, in and out of foster homes. It's clear from her actions and reactions that she needs and deserves care and attention, however she doesn't always make this easy for others to help.
I'd say at times in the tale that there were moments that felt a little repetitive but when I thought about it more, that's probably exactly how Kadie felt, like life was stuck in a negative viscous cycle.
My feelings were that Kadie could perhaps need more than just someone to listen to her, her sensitivity to noise and her coping mechanisms, could she perhaps be autistic?
It was refreshing to read a story where the teenager issues weren't so petty, their flaws were justifiable.
Realistic and emotional.
The Sound of Everything is not your typical coming of age story. It is a novel that needs to be heard.
January 12, 2022
The most realistic account of modern-day teenage life I've ever read and I don't say that lightly.
This searing, gritty, contemporary not only has real emotional depth but will have you on the edge of your seats. Henry is the definition of a wordsmith and a YA voice to watch. I implore every young person to grab a copy and read it now! Speaking as a bookseller and care leaver — I ADORED it on every level.
This searing, gritty, contemporary not only has real emotional depth but will have you on the edge of your seats. Henry is the definition of a wordsmith and a YA voice to watch. I implore every young person to grab a copy and read it now! Speaking as a bookseller and care leaver — I ADORED it on every level.
March 21, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
September 14, 2023
Excellent storyline
July 18, 2024
Mc was going through it 😭
The diss track sent me
The diss track sent me
August 13, 2024
I absolutely adored this novel. It is so true to the heart and you can tell that Rebecca works with young people to be able to write like this. Teenagers are going to find the language in his book so relatable and I think it is fabulous that Rebecca has written it in this way. This book will help to support those teenagers who may be in care and living with foster families but also educate others about what their lives might be like to relieve any prejudices which can sometimes occur.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews