Silent Sounds

by Annait L.J.

AFTER HER PARENTS GO MISSING, SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Zillayah Andrews wants nothing more than to finish her last year of school. She’s almost out the door. Almost able to find the truth about Ameslan’s dirty little secret. This new world may look perfect with its fae creatures, two suns, and ecological advancements. It may be exactly what the human ancestors hoped for when they found this planet so many centuries ago. It might just be the utopia to beat all utopias… Until you speak One sentence. One word. One mistake. That's all it takes to shatter the balance between everyday life and a never-ending hunt. Zillayah knows this better than anyone. It’s the one thing her parents engrained in her head before they disappeared. Sooner than later, Zillayah falls into the custody of her eccentric aunt, Emriah Cohn, a teacher that doesn’t realize she’s on a short leash. How will they navigate the annual tests to find people of the Old Tongue? People like Zillayah? Speaking is already a death sentence for anyone caught. What will they do when Zillayah’s skills extend far beyond the imagination?

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Ebooks, Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction

425 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2022

About the author

Annait is a 24-year-old military soldier who believes American Sign Language should be a standard practice. She centers her debut novel around an alternate earth where ASL is the primary form of communication.

Annait focuses on writing Young Adult and New Adult novels. Her fear of high fantasy keeps her from going off the literary deep end. She knows nothing of tropes, but believes in character development over plot focus. She loves dystopian and post apocalyptic novels. Her debut novel, SILENT SOUNDS, is a dystopian New Adult Fantasy focusing on an aunt and a niece navigating a supposed utopian society that would rather have them dead.

Reviews

[Tya C.]

Thank you to the author for this arc. All opinions are my own.

Sadly, I DNFed this book at 59%

I wanna start my review with the things I liked about the book. Firstly, the character development. I can tell that the author really cared about her characters and developed them well. They all have distinct personalities and I can tell that there will be lots of characters growth and changes in the series! I particularly liked Elijah and Emriah. Another thing I enjoyed was the ASL representation. The world needs more ASL representation in the media and I enjoyed picturing the characters signing while imagining the scenes. I’d like to see more of that in books.

But there are a few major things I didn’t like about this book. Firstly, there was a huge lack of world building. This book takes place on another planet, but that’s barely mentioned. And we have no idea what this planet is like. How is it similar to Earth? How is it different besides the fact that humans can’t talk on this planet? And speaking of that, we didn’t learn the reason why humans couldn’t talk on this planet until 35% into the book. We’re thrown into the story with no setting of the scene. The second thing I didn’t like about this book, and the main reason why I couldn’t finish it, is the many inconsistencies within the plot. I have so many questions about this book that I know will not be answered. There have been multiple scenes where something happens that makes absolutely no sense to me. I can’t tell if it’s the characters purposefully being stupid, or if it’s just lazy writing to hurry up and get us to the next scene with no regard for the reader’s or the characters’ common sense. The characters make a lot of stupid decisions. It was also a little too slow for my liking. I think it could be shorter. But I could’ve easily gotten past that if not for the other problems I mentioned. Those things made the book very frustrating for me to read.

I do feel like one day in the future I will try another one of this author’s books because I see a lot of potential for great storytelling. I’m hoping I’ll enjoy something more in the future!🤞🏽

[Lizzie Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow, where do I even begin? Silent Sounds is a brilliant science fiction dystopia disguised as a utopia. We begin our story in the Glate with characters so fleshed out and realistic that I can't help but fall in love. However, as we learn the horrors of a silent society, we realize the true problem: Anyone who can speak is a threat, and threats are dealt with severely. The political intrigue, the society building, the character arcs, the outstanding terror, and blood pumping thriller of this book was amazing. For a debut, it was fantastic. There is something to be said about a starter book that immediately hooked me and kept me fully engaged the whole time. The characters are the shining stars in this book and I love them dearly. I do wish there were more world descriptions and building around them, but honestly the setting for the first quarter/half was in a school and the other was in a labratory so it's kinda hard to see the world from there. Overall, this book was stunning and absolutely worth the read. Do yourself a favor and dive right in. Keep in mind there are a few triggers you should be wary of if you're not comfortable with torture on page. Fantastic read, 10/10 best way to end the year. Recommend!

[Keelia Brynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️, rounded to 4 for Goodreads
Silent Sounds has an absolutely fascinating concept, a supposed “utopia” where the default language is sign language and the people who do still have the ability to speak aloud are persecuted. I am a sucker for a good dystopian novel so this grabbed my attention for one of the Stuff Your Kindle days.

So let’s get into what I enjoyed:
-All of the characters in this story felt really developed and fleshed out. It’s very clear that the author cares about her characters and making sure they are realistic with flaws. There was so much attention to detail in regards to each character’s development.
-I loved how much love and detail went into highlighting the main characters in regards to them being black. Their hairstyles, their eyes, their skin tones, etc. <3 I have a clear vision in my head of what each character looks like.
-The multiple POVs kept the story moving quickly and helped provide insight on the different situations everyone was facing.

What I did not enjoy:
-The world building in this was sometimes incredibly confusing and just seemed overall underdeveloped. I found myself asking questions like, What happened to Old Earth? Are the other occupants on this planet Aliens or Fae? Why does it seem like music also is outlawed? And towards the end of the book, wait there’s another kingdom? How many kingdoms are there? I know that this is only the first book in a series, so I’m hoping these questions are answered in the following books.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this—what a great debut!

If you like Poster Girl by Veronica Roth and the premise of A Quiet Place, this is for you!

What would you do if you lived in a world with no speech? Everyone communicates via sign language and there is no verbal communication. If you’re found to be able to understand or use the Old Tongue, you’re “extracted” in the name of order, never to be seen again. How far are you willing to go to protect the ones you love from this fate?

I thought the pacing and the story was great, and the multi-POVs definitely added to the story. The idea of verbal language being lost and then those who develop the ability to use it becoming “punished” is so interesting and clever—and such a good premise for a dystopian story. I do think that I would have enjoyed this more if the stakes felt higher—they’re definitely dire and what the characters have to lose is communicated, but I didn’t really FEEL the danger or suspense that I expected to.

I also wish we had a bit more of Emerie’s character development as her as a person—most of what we know about her for the majority of the book is just her relation to other people—in relation to her sister, her niece, her students, etc. But I was still absolutely cheering for her and felt the concern she had for all of the kids in her life—I just wanted more.

This was a really entertaining debut novel, and I’ll definitely read more by this author in the future!

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little confusing at first with the world building and the differing povs, but it all came together by the end. Overall, I did enjoy the story and am looking forward to reading more in the future. Learning ASL, or any sign language should be essential. I really need to put time into it.

-dystopian
-human experiments
-sign language
-family
-loyalties

[momoreadz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the progression of this book. Annait wrote this book so well—from the plot development to the character development… YESSSS! This story is told in 5 POVs. I’m so glad she did it like this because it helped me to understand each character better—when it came to strengths, weaknesses, flaws, insecurities, successes, all of the above. Out of all of the characters, Zillayah and Elijah were my favorite. Zillayah appeared to be rough around edges, at first, but when it came to surviving she did exactly what she had to do and I admired that so much! From the beginning I was over here like “LETS GOOOO ZILLAYAH!!” And Elijah… at first I thought he was a major butthole, but he surprised the heck out of me at the end! And I also like their moments together. I totally ship Zillayah and Elijah.

[Ashley Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. THIS BOOK!

I have to say that I am in love with this book. I am in love with every aspect of this book. Hell, I am in love with the author!!

[Fangirl moment over now…] Ahem…

I want to start off by saying that if you would love to read a book full of beautiful, strong, amazing POC and ASL representation, you should definitely give this lovely jewel a read.

Next, I want to mention how absolutely stunning, mind-blowing, gorgeous, and breathtaking the cover of Silent Sounds is. That’s one of the first things that drew me in. The cover feels like it can come to life at any time. I am intensely drawn to it.

I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by how perfect this book was to me. I deeply appreciate the level of detail going into each character, each moment, each emotion, each action. It was real for me. I was living it in my brain, that’s how real it was. Annait has such a talent for creation, writing, worldbuilding, and representation. Magical!!

I truly adored the different POV of each main character represented in this book. That’s one of my favourite writing styles, and how I write myself. It allows you to see the work from different eyes. And Annait’s world is stunning. Nature is thriving, and with it the respect due to nature. I love the back story given about how Silent Sounds literally became Silent Sounds. ASL is the prominent language in Silent Sounds, and for good reason. AND, despite the prominent language being ASL, you will have no problems following along, as it is perfectly represented and laid out.

And then out of that silent language, a beautiful voice erupts. One that people want to suppress out of fear, and one that other’s want to grow and protect because it is beautiful. Words hold meaning, and they have even more meaning in Silent Sounds.

I truly love, love, LOVE most of the characters. A few I want to bitch slap and stomp into the ground, but hey, that’s to be expected. I love the presence, strength, love, caring, and sincerity that Emriah presents. She is a teacher, and by gods above, she’ll fight beyond what she thinks she can fight to win and protect those she cares for and for those she teaches. Teachers are the guides for our future. Especially in Ameslan. Jericho is an asshole…. But I forgive him, and he kind of grew on me at the end of Silent Sounds. I can’t wait to see how much more he grows. Zillayah is a sassy firecracker that never stops fighting. Even when you think she’s down for the count, she’s coming back up swinging. She is so smart, so resourceful, so observant and unrelenting. She protects and helps those she can, to the best of her ability, and has a huge heart. Even if she hides it from most. And Elijah. He was a surprise. A good one. I’m excited to see his growth, now that he’s broken free from the burden of situational and environmental blindness. Annait knew what she was doing when she brought her characters to life. And I can only thank her for sharing them.

If you’ve never listened to Kelly Rowland’s Rose-Colored Glasses, now while you’re reading would be a good time to.

If you know, you know.

[Rolynn Nevels · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!! What a ride! “Silent Sounds” has an intriguing premise. A world where the ability to talk is a crime. It gives parallels to our own justice system and the “crimes” certain individuals are blamed for. The book followed a multi POV format allowing the reader to dive into the minds of individuals that are nothing alike. Yet, somehow their relationships managed to collide and bring forth an entertaining story. I really enjoyed Zillayah’s perspective as her character propelled the story forward.

Now onto world building. The world of “Silent Sounds” takes place on another planet, one I hope we explore more in the second installment! We were teased with glimpses of what could be so I know there has to be more in the future. Overall, the book was an entertaining and quick read! I highly recommend.

[Sidonee Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has potential....
Can definitely tell its an authors first novel.

I really enjoyed this book for it's difference a lot of fantasy books and dystopian books are very same same, this was refreshingly different.
However the writing is simple and a bit rushed I hope that the next books are a bit more complex and better developed.

A better description of why they can't speak why it's dangerous, a bit more world building would be good to see.

[Heather Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly for a first publish, this was exceptionally well done!! I did find an error, but I didn’t mind.

Loved the characters, and the concept sooo much! A Dystopian covered by the ruse of a Utopia, add to the fact that talking is forbidden 😮‍💨.

Honestly hoping this blows up and we can get a second book too cause I am interested in knowing all the ins and outs and how everything came to be the way it is! I NEED ANSWERS AND I NEED THEM SOON!!

[Nikao · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the symphony of pages, where dreams and realities entwine, lies *Silent Sounds*, a whispered enchantment that beckons both the young and the wise to venture forth into its labyrinth of secrets.

Step into the world of Zillayah Andrews, a young soul adrift in a universe where silence speaks volumes and truth hides in the shadows. With the vanishing of her parents, she becomes a lone voyager, navigating the currents of mystery and peril that threaten to engulf her.

Annait LJ, the weaver of dreams, paints a tapestry of wonder and danger, where fae creatures dance in the moonlight and ancient secrets whisper on the breeze. Through her words, we are transported to a realm where two suns cast their golden glow upon a landscape teeming with possibility.

But beneath the surface beauty lies a darkness, a sinister truth waiting to be unveiled. The power of speech is a double-edged sword, a gift and a curse in equal measure. In this world, one wrong word can shatter lives, and silence is a shield against the storm.

As Zillayah and her enigmatic aunt, Emriah Cohn, embark on their quest for truth, we are drawn into a web of intrigue and deception. Their journey is fraught with peril, their path illuminated by the flickering light of hope.

Yet, amidst the chaos, there is beauty to be found. LJ's prose is a melody that sings to the soul, weaving a spell that lingers long after the final page is turned. Her characters are vibrant and alive, each a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

*Silent Sounds* is a tale for the ages, a timeless journey that will resonate with readers young and old. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of nights, there is always a glimmer of light to guide us home.

So, dear reader, take my hand and journey with me into the heart of *Silent Sounds*. Let us lose ourselves in its pages and discover the magic that lies within.

[Bookdragon (JT) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much i immediately downloaded the next and thinking of buying them physicaly depending on how much i love the second one.

I admit the world building could be better its set on a different plant and all I know about is that there are two suns. Apparently Fae are also in this world but don't know anything about them.

However the rest I feel in love with on this plant people for the most part cant speak at all they communicate through sign language. Children are tested every year if they are found to be able to speak the old tongue they are taken away and never heard from again. If you can speak then its very dangerous you cant trust no one because people are expected to report you and can get in trouble if they do. Emriah who i loved is a teacher who tries her best to protect all the children. when her teen niece Zillayah comes to live with her bringing a secret Zillayah can speak the old tongue. Normally a child is found way before now but Zillayah's parents both missing taught her how to protect herself from being found. Can she hold on just a little longer or is all going to come crashing down.

There is a lot of unanswered questions at the end of the book which im hoping will get cleared up in the next. Why 5 stars when i mentioned it has problems simply put I didn't want to put this book down i feel so in love with characters and the plot

[slimsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- First of all the characters are so interesting and fun to read. They are some of the best parts of this story.
- They’re funny and authentic. I really do care about most of them. Except for the antagonist because they do their jobs WELL enough to have me concerned for the protagonists. BUT that’s why the story is good because I actually want to keep reading to see where they all end up!
- The world is super interesting and developed well around its concept. (The fact that speaking is a crime and the way voice is used as if it were a super power is intriguing.) I do want to learn more about this world and its kingdoms. I feel like this is a great foundation for a big adventure amoungst all the moving parts of this world.
- I am curious to see where this concept is going to go because I feel like this could take a very profound, captivating, and interesting turn considering the plot and the world. Especially since it’s dystopian.
- Also the romance subplots are so fun to read. And I am equally happy and scared for the main characters in this story because of how real these characters feel throughout the story. They’re not one dimensional but that’s why I want to keep reading because I don’t know what to expect because of how well rounded each character is.
- Anyways I gotta go ahead and purchase book 2 🫡

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot express in words how excited I was to get this book. The premise of the story is so interesting. Colonizers of a planet are unable to verbally communicate, so sign language and/or text are the primary form of communication. What really solidified my interest, is the plot of Zillayah, a teen who is able to use “the Old Tongue.” Of course this means that she’s subjected to experimentation. The story is kind of bananas, and I loved it.

I will say that there were a few points in this book that kind of didn’t vibe for me; mostly that of Elijah. Firstly, it seems like he developed a crush (really it was described as a bit more) on Zillayah out of nowhere. She’s pretty mean to him, and yet he’s like “she’s pretty” on one page and the next “she doesn’t want me as much as I want her”... sir, she does not seem into it at all, relax. Secondly, he talks about having to wear gloves and a long shirt to hide something because other interns make fun of him, but there’s no detail as to what it is that he’s hiding. Are we talking vitiligo, moles, scars… What's going on there? I wanna know.

Looking forward to reading book 2, really hoping that there’s more exploration in the culture and history of the planet.

[McKenzie Highfill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love to see more by this author. The premise was interesting, and the characters very like-able. The pacing and writing style made for a quick read. Unfortunately, it read a little more like part one of a 2 part book than the first book of a series. The sorry needed one more achievable sub-plot insta me to overcome in order for this story to stand alone. It all wrapped up a little too neatly in the end, which very little action and not enough world- building in between. Many world- building elements were no more than one line, and it became a little more frustrating and confusing rather than building the anticipation that I believe the author intended. The switching POV was also seemingly unnecessary. Zillayah was the clear main character, and Emrie’s POV starts to crumble halfway through the book with repetitive, unintelligent decisions that don’t really match her character, before she drops off entirely. Again, I’m guessing this was to set up sequel actions, but it has no pay off for this book. With all that in mind, I enjoyed this read and will definitely be giving the sequel a shot. With just a little more editing I think it had the makings of a great story.

[Elara Salazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

La historia se desarrolla en un mundo en donde la gente no puede hablar (se comunican a través de lenguaje de señas), salvo unas cuantas personas que son capaces de usar la Lengua Antigua (Old Tongue). Estas personas (generalmente niños pequeños) son secuestradas y llevadas a un laboratorio para ser estudiadas; los experimentos por los que pasan los llevan a la muerte. La idea es muy interesante, sin embargo, siento que pudo haber sido mejor desarrollada. Hay cosas que se dan por hecho y que no se exploran lo suficiente. Es una historia con multinarradores, pero no tiene sentido que haya tantos narradores. Parece que la autora quería escribir en primera persona y tocar la mente de distintos personajes "clave" solo por hacerlo. La historia muy bien pudo haber sido contada desde un narrador cero y tener más sentido. Todos los narradores hablan igual. Al final de la historia dos personajes desaparecen y no se vuelven a mencionar (parece que fueron olvidados). Los malos ratos que viven los personajes son solucionados de manera muy fácil. Hay varias cosas que aparecen de la nada. Me quedé decepcionada, siento que la historia tiene mucho potencial y no fue aprovechado.

[M.C. Jeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silent Sounds is a beautifully written dystopian novel with multiple perspectives, including that of the main antagonist. I have never read a book like this before, and I think what really made this novel stand out was the fact that the main form of communication is American Sign Language. All of the characters are multidimensional and expertly developed. I would recommend this book to all dystopian lovers, as well as someone who has never read dystopian before but wants to try it out! I also love how it flips the script of our current society. If you don't know the history of sign language or the importance of it, this novel does a great job of showing that, but in the reverse of what actually occurred. IRL, at a point in our history, ASL was discouraged and looked down upon, but in Silent Sounds, speaking is what is discouraged and looked down upon (because it is forbidden). The only thing that I didn't really enjoy (more of a personal preference) is the ending. I wish we were given more closure on the main characters Jericho and Emrie, however, I know in future novels we will be given that closure, I am just impatient, haha.

[Rachael Balke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is truly an amazing and unique concept (in the current era of remakes, this is such a breath of fresh air).

This is book one of a series and I hope my questions are answered in the subsequent books.
I'd like to know more about the actual world. A map would be very helpful. It was hard for me to visualize the layout then at the end we are told that there are different kingdoms.
I want to know why people are vilified for speaking. The only explanation this book offers is that the environment of this new planet wouldn't allow them to speak. Clearly, nothing physical happens to the speaker when they do so what was the switch that made it acceptable for the scientists to kill people with the ability to speak. (Also, killing your test subject seems to be the least effective way to study something)
Ermie seems to be the only one realizing that the children who are taken are being killed. What makes her think her niece is still alive after 6 months?

Overall this is a highly enjoyable read. I hope to get more world building out of the next book and can't wait to read more!

[DOMINIQUE Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was intrigued by this book from the details that were provided by the author so I requested an advanced copy. It’s so much more than I expected. The book jumps right into the action as a student is being whisked away for speaking “Old Tongue”. In Ameslan the world is silent. Those who speak using their voice and not sign language are taken never to be seen again.
I loved the ASL representation. It was one of the main reasons I wanted to read this. I had to learn ASL as I child to communicate with my mom and it’s something integral in my life. Can’t wait to see what happens in book 2

[Heather Huggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up on the Fantasy stuff your Kindle day. It's not something I would have normally picked up, but I truly enjoyed it. They live in a silent world where you are prosecuted if you can speak. I loved the world-building and all of the sign language used to communicate. The characters were well thought out and brought the plot to life. You will find yourself routing for Zillayah to survive. Of course, it ended on a cliffhanger so we now play the waiting game for book two Whispering Waters. Hopefully, the wait won't be too long.

P.S. If you want to try something unexpected give this one a try. It might surprise you.

[Lex]

I finished this last night, and I’m still putting my thoughts together. For the most part, I enjoyed this read particularly because it had a very interesting premise and ASL representation. I loved the relationship between Zillayah and Emriah. However, some of the world building (or less fully fleshed out aspects of it) left me a little confused or wanting more information. In addition, some interaction inconsistencies gave me pause. I also thought that the ending was a little rushed but it set up nicely for book 2 which seems like it’ll have more action (!).

[Tracy Karr · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to like this book, but when the points of view change, it just repeats information from the previous point of view. It’s repetitive and the emotions in this story aren’t written in a believable way. The characters are too simple and childish. Many times, words are used in the wrong way or a better word could’ve been used. I DNFd a quarter of the way through. The concept was intriguing, but the author’s skills could not actualize the idea. I hope LJ’s skills develop more in the future so they can achieve concepts like this one with less disappointing results.

[Athene Z. Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silent Sounds offers an intriguing premise where the ability to speak is a crime. From the opening pages, Annait L.J. draws in the reader by creating an atmosphere of unease, creating memorable characters rich with development. The tone of this dystopian world remains throughout the novel, teasing the reader bit by bit, leaving no choice but to keep turning the pages and wanting to move on to the next book in the series.

[D.J. Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! it was such a refreshing read. I haven't read a premise like it. I loved the complexities of the relationships between the characters and am itching to get into the next book. The pacing is great because there is always something happening or new information being revealed that makes you want to keep turning the page.

[Nicolle Blackley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book - really makes you think about how deaf people are treated in today's society. I loved the characters, I love the premise. I think sign language is so important to learn and it's something I really need to do. I can't wait to read the next novel!

[Rachel Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two favourite things about this book:
The worldbuilding was so realistic I found myself imagining I was there, and it was unique too.
The characters were 5/5: really distinct, with their own separate voices.
If you like a fast paced story with lots of mysteries to unravel, check it out!

[Leah the Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

silence is loud

This was a page turner and exemplified how people will turn their backs on atrocities when they don’t affect them. I was drawn in by the cover but stayed because of the world building and overall message. I loved this book and look forward to reading book 2!

[Aarons · Rating 4 out of 5]

The synopsis sounds interesting and the cover dragged me in. Beautiful cover art. I will be looking forward to purchasing this work.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creatively perceptive dystopia that if you read between the lines may not contrast too far from reality.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5