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Stolen Voices
Life in Noveskina is designed to be harmonious and conflict-free. But 15-year-old Miri, daughter of two of the city's Important Officials, faces a shameful dilemma. She has matured with no clear Talent and thus faces life among the lower classes. As Miri is confronted with the dark secrets of Noveskina, the quiet peace of this once-perfect world reveals itself as something infinitely more sinister. In a city ruled by silence, can one voice make a difference?
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Dee Davidson
10 books60 followersEllen Dee Davidson is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators who studied at the University of Santa Cruz, the University of California at Berkeley, and the Institute of Children's Literature. Her experience as a teacher adds insight and empathy to her books for young adults.
Ellen currently gives "Transformational Writing" classes to adults, a technique which uses guided visualization to access deeper levels of imagination while writing. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and currently lives in Bayside, California, with her 13-year old daughter.
Ellen currently gives "Transformational Writing" classes to adults, a technique which uses guided visualization to access deeper levels of imagination while writing. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and currently lives in Bayside, California, with her 13-year old daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 14, 2008
The Giver meets The Uglies
Miri lives in the futuristic world of Noveskina where 15 year olds reveal their "talent" to the community. After your talent is displayed, you receive a mask over your face which - you are told - is to help you become an adult, but really just controls your talent. In Noveskina, there is peace and harmony and everyone lives without struggle or strife. Some things are forbidden however, like singing or making music.
Miri's problem is this: she's the daughter of two high ranking officials, but she doesn't have a talent. The Masker (the highest official) is going to turn her into a house servant (the lowest rank) for observing the masking ceremony without permission. So Miri, with the help of Melody - the Masker's servant - escapes into the Secret Valley.
Readers who liked Lowry's The Giver or Westerfield's The Uglies will want to try this book. I'll let you decide about the ending yourself.
~Lisa S.
Miri lives in the futuristic world of Noveskina where 15 year olds reveal their "talent" to the community. After your talent is displayed, you receive a mask over your face which - you are told - is to help you become an adult, but really just controls your talent. In Noveskina, there is peace and harmony and everyone lives without struggle or strife. Some things are forbidden however, like singing or making music.
Miri's problem is this: she's the daughter of two high ranking officials, but she doesn't have a talent. The Masker (the highest official) is going to turn her into a house servant (the lowest rank) for observing the masking ceremony without permission. So Miri, with the help of Melody - the Masker's servant - escapes into the Secret Valley.
Readers who liked Lowry's The Giver or Westerfield's The Uglies will want to try this book. I'll let you decide about the ending yourself.
~Lisa S.
October 6, 2012
I really liked the idea behind this one. I thought it was a different kind of dystopia story with some of my favourite elements in it: music, love, growing up. However, there was something weird about it that I can't quite place my finger on. Maybe it was that I didn't get a "full" sense of the characters. And the ending was a little disappointing to me, only because I would have liked to see it go further into the resolution for their world and Miri's friends. Still, I enjoyed it for its feeling of hopefullness and bravery.
November 22, 2010
Creepy exploration of the meaning of community and what the individual sacrifices, knowingly or unknowingly, to be part of a community. While the story is fresh with unusual imagery it draws heavily from The Giver.
December 20, 2017
Davidson, Ellen Dee Stolen Voices 188 p. Lobster Press –
At 15, Miri is supposed to be looking forward to being Masked and Bonded to her age mates. Unfortunately, she has no Talent and feels like a failure. Unable to join her friends, she sneaks in and witnesses the ritual – and is caught by the Masker – who has other plans for Miri. With the help of a rebel servant, Miri escapes to the Secret Valley and finds her destiny. An excellent piece of science fiction from a small press out of Quebec. I hope you can get your hands on a copy.
MS, HS-ESSENTIAL
At 15, Miri is supposed to be looking forward to being Masked and Bonded to her age mates. Unfortunately, she has no Talent and feels like a failure. Unable to join her friends, she sneaks in and witnesses the ritual – and is caught by the Masker – who has other plans for Miri. With the help of a rebel servant, Miri escapes to the Secret Valley and finds her destiny. An excellent piece of science fiction from a small press out of Quebec. I hope you can get your hands on a copy.
MS, HS-ESSENTIAL
November 13, 2021
Set in a unique post apocalyptic world where finding a talent is a celebrated rite of passage. Following Miri as she struggles and journeys to discover her talent and how she fits into the world.
March 7, 2018
**Update** I reread this book after not having read it in 2 years, and I was very disappointed. It did not live up to all I remember it being. I will post a new updated review soon.
Stolen Voices by Ellen Dee Davidson was a great book!
First of all, I have to recognize that, unlike every other YA dystopia today, this book does NOT turn into a whole trilogy. In fact, it doesn’t even have a sequel! This dystopia starts and concludes in a simple, quick, 188-page book, and it’s one of the things I love about it.
Actually, I’d have to say I loved this book for all the things that make it different from dystopias today: There was no cliffhanger ending. The writing was actually pretty decent. The main character has a best friend she truly loves, rather than a boyfriend. Speaking of which, there was absolutely positively NO wild love, romance, or lovestruck couples (which I much prefer, rather than a love-centered novel). Besides that, it was a short book, not drawn out at all. The plot got to the point quickly, without any additional drama, pointless scenes, or unnecessary characters.
And it was a clean, appropriate, action-filled YA dystopia. This book was definitely unique and different from an average dystopia and it was precisely what I loved about it! * MILD SPOILER * * *
Miri is a fifteen-year-old girl living in Noveskina. In her world, a sign of being an adult is finding your soul Talent and being Masked and Bonded with your age-mates. She has been told her whole life her history of the community she lives in: Before, there were Sound Wars, a devasting war that destroyed population. So the Masker arose, to Mask others and unite everyone in One Voice. There cannot be anymore sound wars if everyone has One Voice controlled by the one Masker.
Everyone around Miri—her best friend Jalene, her brother Darin—are all at work discovering their Talent, working at it, and preparing for the Demonstration in which they will show off their Talents. They prepare for the Masking and Bonding which will come soon after that as well. But Miri is different, and she hides it—she has no Talent. No Talent means life as lower-class. No Talent means not being Bonded with her friends she’s grown up with. No Talent means, essentially, not fitting in. When her parents—two of the city’s most important officials—learn of this, they find a way to grant her an extra year to find her Talent before Masking. Devasted to not be with her friends, Miri sneaks in to watch the others’ Masking—and is horrified by the result. When the Masker discovers her watching, he tells her he has no choice but to Mask her as a house servant. What can Miri do now?
The writing was decent, as I’ve said earlier—better than your average YA by a longslide—and was very captivating. No secrets revealed, no answers given, until the last chapters, driving you to finish it and find out. Besides that, you come to love Miri and Jalene and all the others—you need to see how their story ends. I read this book in one day and found it very compelling and interesting. Miri’s relationship with her friend Jalene is portrayed perfectly, and I found her character very realistic; that her heart desire is to just return, see her friends, and be normal—again, differing from the cliché dystopian heroine whose sole desire is bring the dystopia down, no matter what the cost. There was no such emotion surging in Miri—despite the fact that in the end she does help defeat the Masker—overall she is not a defensive heroine but rather an average girl just looking to fit in.
I will say there was some cliché in this book, but there’s so much dystopia these days it’s hard to get away from it. I could have predicted Miri’s not-fitting-in and running away. And, of course, she’s the one who has the powers and can save everybody. But then again, what else does the writer do? Miri is not that connected with Jalene or Darin, and it just wouldn’t make sense for them to be the powerful one. So overall, I do think the author did a very good job.
So putting aside the areas of writing where it could have been better, I thoroughly enjoyed this dystopia that broke away from YA fads and was simply just good. Intriguing characters and action-filled plotline, full of surprises and interesting twists, I found Stolen Voices a fantastic, quick read. 5.0 stars.
Like my reviews? Follow my blog:
http://jcbuchanan.com
Stolen Voices by Ellen Dee Davidson was a great book!
First of all, I have to recognize that, unlike every other YA dystopia today, this book does NOT turn into a whole trilogy. In fact, it doesn’t even have a sequel! This dystopia starts and concludes in a simple, quick, 188-page book, and it’s one of the things I love about it.
Actually, I’d have to say I loved this book for all the things that make it different from dystopias today: There was no cliffhanger ending. The writing was actually pretty decent. The main character has a best friend she truly loves, rather than a boyfriend. Speaking of which, there was absolutely positively NO wild love, romance, or lovestruck couples (which I much prefer, rather than a love-centered novel). Besides that, it was a short book, not drawn out at all. The plot got to the point quickly, without any additional drama, pointless scenes, or unnecessary characters.
And it was a clean, appropriate, action-filled YA dystopia. This book was definitely unique and different from an average dystopia and it was precisely what I loved about it! * MILD SPOILER * * *
Miri is a fifteen-year-old girl living in Noveskina. In her world, a sign of being an adult is finding your soul Talent and being Masked and Bonded with your age-mates. She has been told her whole life her history of the community she lives in: Before, there were Sound Wars, a devasting war that destroyed population. So the Masker arose, to Mask others and unite everyone in One Voice. There cannot be anymore sound wars if everyone has One Voice controlled by the one Masker.
Everyone around Miri—her best friend Jalene, her brother Darin—are all at work discovering their Talent, working at it, and preparing for the Demonstration in which they will show off their Talents. They prepare for the Masking and Bonding which will come soon after that as well. But Miri is different, and she hides it—she has no Talent. No Talent means life as lower-class. No Talent means not being Bonded with her friends she’s grown up with. No Talent means, essentially, not fitting in. When her parents—two of the city’s most important officials—learn of this, they find a way to grant her an extra year to find her Talent before Masking. Devasted to not be with her friends, Miri sneaks in to watch the others’ Masking—and is horrified by the result. When the Masker discovers her watching, he tells her he has no choice but to Mask her as a house servant. What can Miri do now?
The writing was decent, as I’ve said earlier—better than your average YA by a longslide—and was very captivating. No secrets revealed, no answers given, until the last chapters, driving you to finish it and find out. Besides that, you come to love Miri and Jalene and all the others—you need to see how their story ends. I read this book in one day and found it very compelling and interesting. Miri’s relationship with her friend Jalene is portrayed perfectly, and I found her character very realistic; that her heart desire is to just return, see her friends, and be normal—again, differing from the cliché dystopian heroine whose sole desire is bring the dystopia down, no matter what the cost. There was no such emotion surging in Miri—despite the fact that in the end she does help defeat the Masker—overall she is not a defensive heroine but rather an average girl just looking to fit in.
I will say there was some cliché in this book, but there’s so much dystopia these days it’s hard to get away from it. I could have predicted Miri’s not-fitting-in and running away. And, of course, she’s the one who has the powers and can save everybody. But then again, what else does the writer do? Miri is not that connected with Jalene or Darin, and it just wouldn’t make sense for them to be the powerful one. So overall, I do think the author did a very good job.
So putting aside the areas of writing where it could have been better, I thoroughly enjoyed this dystopia that broke away from YA fads and was simply just good. Intriguing characters and action-filled plotline, full of surprises and interesting twists, I found Stolen Voices a fantastic, quick read. 5.0 stars.
Like my reviews? Follow my blog:
http://jcbuchanan.com
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Every 15-year-old in the walled city of Noveskina is about to take part in Demonstration Day...except Miri. Unlike Eris, with the power to fly, and her best friend, Jalene, who can tell the most incredible stories, Miri has not developed a Talent. Jalene swears that their friendship will not change on the day of their Masking, when they will officially become adults of Noveskina and bonded with the rest of their age-mates, but Miri isn't so sure. If she doesn't find her Talent, she will be doomed to a life in the lower classes, bringing shame on her family of Important Officials. In this city, where voices are regulated by the Mask you wear, she may lose all privilege to speak her mind.
As Masking Day arrives and Miri still has not found her Talent, her parents force their decision on her, but Miri is determined to keep her friendships alive. When she witnesses parts of a secret ritual, Miri finds herself on the run, expelled from the life she knew and the people she loves. Suddenly, more is on her shoulders than her place in society, while she discovers much more about her world than she was ever allowed to know.
I loved the imagery throughout this book, and was entranced with the workings of Miri's world. Throughout it all, Miri's trials are sure to resonant with most anyone who has ever struggled to live up to their promised potential. This story breathes with a rich harmony that leaves the reader captivated up until the last page.
Every 15-year-old in the walled city of Noveskina is about to take part in Demonstration Day...except Miri. Unlike Eris, with the power to fly, and her best friend, Jalene, who can tell the most incredible stories, Miri has not developed a Talent. Jalene swears that their friendship will not change on the day of their Masking, when they will officially become adults of Noveskina and bonded with the rest of their age-mates, but Miri isn't so sure. If she doesn't find her Talent, she will be doomed to a life in the lower classes, bringing shame on her family of Important Officials. In this city, where voices are regulated by the Mask you wear, she may lose all privilege to speak her mind.
As Masking Day arrives and Miri still has not found her Talent, her parents force their decision on her, but Miri is determined to keep her friendships alive. When she witnesses parts of a secret ritual, Miri finds herself on the run, expelled from the life she knew and the people she loves. Suddenly, more is on her shoulders than her place in society, while she discovers much more about her world than she was ever allowed to know.
I loved the imagery throughout this book, and was entranced with the workings of Miri's world. Throughout it all, Miri's trials are sure to resonant with most anyone who has ever struggled to live up to their promised potential. This story breathes with a rich harmony that leaves the reader captivated up until the last page.
September 4, 2011
Sometimes my 11-year-old recommends one of her books to me, and when time permits I'm glad to see what she's reading. This one's an anti-utopian vision of a future society that has been fractured by war and in which the survivors who live in a walled city are under the dominion of an authoritarian figure known as the Masker.
The Masker derives his power from skin-tight Masks that are permanently affixed to the faces of his subjects and that somehow transfer most of their energy to him, leaving them almost automatons. Everyone has been taught to welcome the ritual of Masking (among other benefits, it is supposed to save them from future wars), and those very few who reject the idea are considered renegades and must eke out difficult (but free) lives in the countryside.
Reading this brought to mind a Nietzsche quote: "A politician divides mankind into two classes: tools and enemies," which of course applies to would-be maskers in our present-day world. I doubt many kids will pick up on the parallels, but it might prepare them to recognize them later.
The writing is not exemplary (which it especially should be when kids are the audience), and there are some weaknesses in the plot. However, because I approve of the message, and find the story reasonably interesting, four stars.
The Masker derives his power from skin-tight Masks that are permanently affixed to the faces of his subjects and that somehow transfer most of their energy to him, leaving them almost automatons. Everyone has been taught to welcome the ritual of Masking (among other benefits, it is supposed to save them from future wars), and those very few who reject the idea are considered renegades and must eke out difficult (but free) lives in the countryside.
Reading this brought to mind a Nietzsche quote: "A politician divides mankind into two classes: tools and enemies," which of course applies to would-be maskers in our present-day world. I doubt many kids will pick up on the parallels, but it might prepare them to recognize them later.
The writing is not exemplary (which it especially should be when kids are the audience), and there are some weaknesses in the plot. However, because I approve of the message, and find the story reasonably interesting, four stars.
April 14, 2008
The Giver meets The Uglies
Miri lives in the futuristic world of Noveskina where 15 year olds reveal their "talent" to the community. After your talent is displayed, you receive a mask over your face which - you are told - is to help you become an adult, but really just controls your talent. In Noveskina, there is peace and harmony and everyone lives without struggle or strife. Some things are forbidden however, like singing or making music.
Miri's problem is this: she's the daughter of two high ranking officials, but she doesn't have a talent. The Masker (the highest official) is going to turn her into a house servant (the lowest rank) for observing the masking ceremony without permission. So Miri, with the help of Melody - the Masker's servant - escapes into the Secret Valley.
Readers who liked Lowry's The Giver or Westerfield's The Uglies will want to try this book. I'll let you decide about the ending yourself.
Miri lives in the futuristic world of Noveskina where 15 year olds reveal their "talent" to the community. After your talent is displayed, you receive a mask over your face which - you are told - is to help you become an adult, but really just controls your talent. In Noveskina, there is peace and harmony and everyone lives without struggle or strife. Some things are forbidden however, like singing or making music.
Miri's problem is this: she's the daughter of two high ranking officials, but she doesn't have a talent. The Masker (the highest official) is going to turn her into a house servant (the lowest rank) for observing the masking ceremony without permission. So Miri, with the help of Melody - the Masker's servant - escapes into the Secret Valley.
Readers who liked Lowry's The Giver or Westerfield's The Uglies will want to try this book. I'll let you decide about the ending yourself.
April 28, 2015
This is the perfect "hook" book for any reluctant reader. It's also the most perfect book for a new reader to dystopian literature. It's the perfect book to introduce this genre. I can't even begin to explain how perfect this book is. Strong female MC, true best friend, no love interest, stand alone book, very short (188 pages), action packed. There's even a dog for all the animal lovers.
It's great for middle school kids and beyond.
It's great for middle school kids and beyond.
December 6, 2010
Hate the cover - love the story. It was original and much more thought provoking than the usual teen books I get at the library. (Also, there was no swearing or sex, which has become a pretty big standard for what I like these days seeing as eventually my kids will be reading teen books and there's a lot of crap out there.)
December 8, 2011
Life in Noveshkina is designed to be harmonious and free of conflict...
This is one of the weirdest imagination city I have ever seen. But the plot, the characters, and the pace of the story was quite alright.
I must say I kind of like Miri - such a brave heroine! And the Masking things were kind of... uhm, queer.
This is one of the weirdest imagination city I have ever seen. But the plot, the characters, and the pace of the story was quite alright.
I must say I kind of like Miri - such a brave heroine! And the Masking things were kind of... uhm, queer.
July 1, 2008
Great but little-known dystopian YA lit. As children reach maturity, they must let go of pieces of their individuality so that the society maintains its harmonious unity. There's a bit of irony there... you'll understand it better if you read the book.
August 25, 2016
Diary entries written by children/teens during war times in various wars and places. Very interesting as to how each of these individuals reacted to the war, their circumstances, and how they lived their lives.
August 13, 2008
Very interesting.
November 28, 2008
Fun sci-fi book but I thought the ending felt forced and fanciful. And it ended too abruptly (because I wanted to keep reading).
April 23, 2009
It was a page turner, and short, but the characters were a bit flat and the world was a mishmash of post apocolypic/psychic talent/creepy science stuff. Oh well.
October 18, 2009
I really liked this book. Don't judge this one by the cover, because it's much better inside!!!
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January 25, 2011I think this book it really kool♥
November 1, 2011
The idea of the story was really good, but the language was stilted and the conclusion felt rushed. I felt some further clean-up in the writing would make this a lot better.
January 23, 2012
I loved this story. It was well written and inspiring. It gives hope to all of us who have ever felt voiceless.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews