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The Sound Of Silence
Kate is a hard of hearing homeless woman fighting for her own survival.
All she wants is safety and a place to call home. Instead, she is suddenly able to see visions of the future.
She dreams of disasters and is unable to prevent the events alone.
Will anyone help her? Who gave her the curious ability and who are the tall, sinister men that follow her so closely?
Society does not see her, no one will listen.
Kate is determined to be heard...
All she wants is safety and a place to call home. Instead, she is suddenly able to see visions of the future.
She dreams of disasters and is unable to prevent the events alone.
Will anyone help her? Who gave her the curious ability and who are the tall, sinister men that follow her so closely?
Society does not see her, no one will listen.
Kate is determined to be heard...
- GenresScience Fiction
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2022
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 5, 2025
This was a really well developed novella. Because of its brevity, I wanted some more about Kate's, and even Tom's, past and to let some of the events here simmer a bit, but none of that did any damage to the story. I thought Kate was very relatable and likeable, and Huntington made you feel like you were there with her through all of these traumatic events. It also spoke volumes to see the real world reactions to people as she acted out and was treated as a homeless individual. And as things unfolded, the explanations were nothing groundbreaking, but it all worked here. The dark beings (Not spoiling anything) added a level of creepiness and uneasiness throughout, and I thought that it was a great decision to keep their interactions with Kate minimal, as to maximize the impact. The ending was left somewhat open, but it was a very unique path that Huntington took here, which I enjoyed a lot. Overall, I had a good time here and recommend for anyone in the mood an interesting twist on a plot akin to movies like 2012, Day After Tomorrow, etc.
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March 26, 2022Please note: I no longer rate on goodreads.
Okay, I very rarely read anything with elements of sci-fi, it's just not my genre, but I've read several books by Sarah Huntingdon in the past and have always enjoyed them. Another thing that persuaded me was the fact that this kindhearted soul was donating the proceeds to charity.
This was a pacy, quick read and thoroughly entertaining in a quirky way. (I like quirky.)
There's something infinitely readable about Sarah's work. Her characters are always likable and relatable.
A Men in Black vibe in this one, and that ending! I mean, give the girl a break why don't you?
Okay, I very rarely read anything with elements of sci-fi, it's just not my genre, but I've read several books by Sarah Huntingdon in the past and have always enjoyed them. Another thing that persuaded me was the fact that this kindhearted soul was donating the proceeds to charity.
This was a pacy, quick read and thoroughly entertaining in a quirky way. (I like quirky.)
There's something infinitely readable about Sarah's work. Her characters are always likable and relatable.
A Men in Black vibe in this one, and that ending! I mean, give the girl a break why don't you?
September 1, 2022
The protagonist of this was really interesting and I liked the writing of her but overall it wasn’t the best plot wise
May 24, 2022
Huntington steers into the speculative realm of the weird with The Sound of Silence, and it's territory in which the author excels. Mixed in with the elements of horror and science-fiction is poignant social commentary about the plight of the homeless on the streets of London where shelters are so few and so brimming that poor souls are turned away at the door.
Kate, our protagonist, is on the street in the cold when the lights of a UFO find her. What follows is a tale of brilliance and sorrow, in which Kate is gifted the ability to see events before they occur. Huntington shows how masterfully she can handle a premise here because Kate, homeless and suffering from a disability, is ignored, rendering her attempts at warning futile, turning a gift to torture. She knows, she warns, she's ignored, and she watches in horror.
Kate, our protagonist, is on the street in the cold when the lights of a UFO find her. What follows is a tale of brilliance and sorrow, in which Kate is gifted the ability to see events before they occur. Huntington shows how masterfully she can handle a premise here because Kate, homeless and suffering from a disability, is ignored, rendering her attempts at warning futile, turning a gift to torture. She knows, she warns, she's ignored, and she watches in horror.
June 10, 2022
This is another novella I've been looking forward to reading, so I decided to read it today. 😁
After Kate's life takes a bad and unexpected turn, she ends up alone on the streets of London. All she wants is somewhere to live safely, and to eat when she's hungry. But the world has other plans and when she starts having terrible dreams full of disaster, everything spirals out of control...
Wow! What an amazing and emotional story this turned out to be. I mean, I expected to enjoy the tale because Sarah Jane Huntington has a unique way of pulling me into her writing, but I didn't expect to be so moved.
Kate is such a wonderful character and her ongoing struggle to survive broke my heart. Not to mention how kind and pure she is even though her existence is so harsh. And when she starts to figure out what's going on with those freaky tall men she keeps seeing, I couldn't get over her tenacity to continue doing what's right.
The social commentary about how society treats the homeless was also perfectly portrayed. They are so often ignored and treated as if they're not even human. 😥
But that's not all because this novella has an amazing twist! This was a terrific example of horror mixed with Sci-Fi, in a very X-Files kinda way. The tension, the creepiness throughout, and Kate just made this such a joy to read.
Oh, plus that title rocks.
Loved this!
After Kate's life takes a bad and unexpected turn, she ends up alone on the streets of London. All she wants is somewhere to live safely, and to eat when she's hungry. But the world has other plans and when she starts having terrible dreams full of disaster, everything spirals out of control...
Wow! What an amazing and emotional story this turned out to be. I mean, I expected to enjoy the tale because Sarah Jane Huntington has a unique way of pulling me into her writing, but I didn't expect to be so moved.
Kate is such a wonderful character and her ongoing struggle to survive broke my heart. Not to mention how kind and pure she is even though her existence is so harsh. And when she starts to figure out what's going on with those freaky tall men she keeps seeing, I couldn't get over her tenacity to continue doing what's right.
The social commentary about how society treats the homeless was also perfectly portrayed. They are so often ignored and treated as if they're not even human. 😥
But that's not all because this novella has an amazing twist! This was a terrific example of horror mixed with Sci-Fi, in a very X-Files kinda way. The tension, the creepiness throughout, and Kate just made this such a joy to read.
Oh, plus that title rocks.
Loved this!
May 27, 2022
Consistently Good Author
This is the third book I have read from Huntington and it's clear she is consistently able to produce top quality page turners. The author uses her own experience of hearing loss to create an interesting character who you root for from the first page. Kate is also homeless and the social stigma Huntington tackles with both issues are both fascinating and heart-breaking. The perils of living on a financial knife-edge is something many of us feel keenly and Huntington takes this to an uncomfortable yet intriguing place. The MC still has hope against great adversity and the quest to still see the best in the human race is poignant and moving. The book reads like The X-Files and The Twilight Zone having a duel with lasers and I couldn't put it down. Huntington is a master of blending Science fiction with horror and this is another example of her prowess.
This is the third book I have read from Huntington and it's clear she is consistently able to produce top quality page turners. The author uses her own experience of hearing loss to create an interesting character who you root for from the first page. Kate is also homeless and the social stigma Huntington tackles with both issues are both fascinating and heart-breaking. The perils of living on a financial knife-edge is something many of us feel keenly and Huntington takes this to an uncomfortable yet intriguing place. The MC still has hope against great adversity and the quest to still see the best in the human race is poignant and moving. The book reads like The X-Files and The Twilight Zone having a duel with lasers and I couldn't put it down. Huntington is a master of blending Science fiction with horror and this is another example of her prowess.
November 19, 2023
No messing around in this fine story from Sarah Huntington. Hugely enjoyable.
More people need to read her work.
And for her to donate all profits to charities... It's such a rarity these days.
A wonderful voice. A wonderful soul. It truly shines through in her work.
Five stars for so many reasons.
More people need to read her work.
And for her to donate all profits to charities... It's such a rarity these days.
A wonderful voice. A wonderful soul. It truly shines through in her work.
Five stars for so many reasons.
March 24, 2022
Every time Sarah Jane Huntington releases a book I hurry up and finish what I’m reading so that when it arrives I’m fully prepared for it. This was no exception. The Sound of Silence reads like a mashup of John Paul Lyons “A Girl Who Dreamed a War” and Stephen King’s “The Institute.” There is some commentary in here that I think we all need to pay a lot more attention to. Absolutely disgusting how the homeless are treated on this planet and Sarah Jane wrote that perspective incredibly well. There is a passage within the first 10 pages that had me in tears thinking about the weight life has on people without a home. The immense pain of a solution being so much harder than people say. The fact no one listens to these people. This was a book based on a character set outside of society who has to try to save that very same society. Raw and unfiltered emotion throughout. K thx.
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August 31, 2022Despair leaches from the pages of this story. Brutal and unforgiving, it puts its main character through the wringer without end. Kate, homeless, penniless and losing her hearing is given the ability to see the future. But what will she do with it - or will it do with her?
One major takeaway from this story is the reminder to see the homeless as human, that they exist and are not invisible and should be treated with compassion. Yes, I've had experience of those who've pretended for gain but this book was a timely reminder to not allow that to colour my outlook and to remember the individual, not the stereotype.
A truly thought-provoking tale.
One major takeaway from this story is the reminder to see the homeless as human, that they exist and are not invisible and should be treated with compassion. Yes, I've had experience of those who've pretended for gain but this book was a timely reminder to not allow that to colour my outlook and to remember the individual, not the stereotype.
A truly thought-provoking tale.
May 12, 2022
I have a personal stake in this book as I designed the cover. The author is my good friend and I found the book to be powerful and beautifully written.
April 4, 2022
This is a thrilling fast paced book that will leave readers spinning!
Huntington crafts a dynamic social horror staring a hard-of-hearing homeless woman who sees visions of the future. Readers instantly sympathize with the protagonist as someone who desperately wants to be heard in a world that barely registers her existence. It's a lovely and haunting tale of one woman's desire to do good in a world that treats her poorly.
Huntington crafts a dynamic social horror staring a hard-of-hearing homeless woman who sees visions of the future. Readers instantly sympathize with the protagonist as someone who desperately wants to be heard in a world that barely registers her existence. It's a lovely and haunting tale of one woman's desire to do good in a world that treats her poorly.
March 15, 2022
The whackadoodle siren sounds again. When the ARC of this landed in my inbox I dived in. I loved the character Kate and I kept willing her not to do the things she was doing but she did. This was exciting and a real page burner. I suggested an alternative ending because I was appalled but did the author listen? NO!!!!! SHE DID NOT!! Lol. Sad ending but if you think about it, it might not be?? Whole other level this book is.
The ARC did not affect my review. This is a mindfuck of a story
The ARC did not affect my review. This is a mindfuck of a story
April 1, 2022
Another winner from SJH.
I’ll read anything she publishes. Yep, I’m a fan.
This novella deserves to be turned into a Netflix series. Awesome stuff.
I’ll read anything she publishes. Yep, I’m a fan.
This novella deserves to be turned into a Netflix series. Awesome stuff.
March 22, 2022
Dude why is there two versions of this book? I left my review on the other
March 20, 2022
This really sucked me in and i enjoyed it but i didn't like the end like why would you do that? cruel if you ask me
May 24, 2022
Huntington steers into the speculative realm of the weird with The Sound of Silence, and it's territory in which the author excels. Mixed in with the elements of horror and science-fiction is poignant social commentary about the plight of the homeless on the streets of London where shelters are so few and so brimming that poor souls are turned away at the door.
Kate, our protagonist, is on the street in the cold when the lights of a UFO find her. What follows is a tale of brilliance and sorrow, in which Kate is gifted the ability to see events before they occur. Huntington shows how masterfully she can handle a premise here because Kate, homeless and suffering from a disability, is ignored, rendering her attempts at warning futile, turning a gift to torture. She knows, she warns, she's ignored, and she watches in horror.
Kate, our protagonist, is on the street in the cold when the lights of a UFO find her. What follows is a tale of brilliance and sorrow, in which Kate is gifted the ability to see events before they occur. Huntington shows how masterfully she can handle a premise here because Kate, homeless and suffering from a disability, is ignored, rendering her attempts at warning futile, turning a gift to torture. She knows, she warns, she's ignored, and she watches in horror.
October 5, 2023
'The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls'
The deeply affecting horrors of THE SOUND OF SILENCE come from the realities of the world we live in just as much as from the fantastical intrusions into that existence that drive the plot.
These are unsettling horrors, and they raise disturbing questions. But what makes this story shine is the protagonist: Kate is written with such heart that I found it impossible not to feel deep compassion for her as she is caught in layer upon layer of nightmare. The author - Sarah Jane Huntington - yet again displays her wonderful talent for writing characters you truly care for, and for bringing them to vivid life, making this (despite the grimness) a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable read.
Note: proceeds from this title go to The British Red Cross and Shelter UK. I think Kate would approve.
The deeply affecting horrors of THE SOUND OF SILENCE come from the realities of the world we live in just as much as from the fantastical intrusions into that existence that drive the plot.
These are unsettling horrors, and they raise disturbing questions. But what makes this story shine is the protagonist: Kate is written with such heart that I found it impossible not to feel deep compassion for her as she is caught in layer upon layer of nightmare. The author - Sarah Jane Huntington - yet again displays her wonderful talent for writing characters you truly care for, and for bringing them to vivid life, making this (despite the grimness) a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable read.
Note: proceeds from this title go to The British Red Cross and Shelter UK. I think Kate would approve.
July 17, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. Not only great science fiction, but a heart wrenching story of a woman with hearing difficulties who finds herself homeless in a world that won’t hear her no matter how hard she tries. It was part sci-fi, part commentary on how easily the homeless are over looked by many everywhere.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews