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A review by dilchh
This Splintered Silence by Kayla Olson
4.0
Was a bit sceptical when I first picked up the book. I was never a fan of science fiction, there was always that small thing that I could not named that made me struggle to enjoy the story. Though this book technically is science fiction, I thought of it more mystery than science fiction for how the story progresses. There was something charming, albeit sometimes frustrating, about our narrator that made so much invested in the book that I could not put it down. I mean, the mystery on what causes the death and how the six teenagers would try to overcome their obstacles also are part of the reasons why I kept on reading the book. But most definitely, it’s the narrator’s that kept me tethered and hooked.
Sure, she can be incredibly frustrating every time she goes on monologues about how she can’t handle the pressure, about which boy she should choose, and how she vehemently try to justify her incompetence to be a leader. Like, I appreciate she is acknowledging her incompetence, but suck it up. For reasons not clearly mentioned, you and your friends thought that you guys should lead the space station now that the adult in gone, so stop going on monologues about your incompetence. The fact no one has challenged your leadership means that to some extent people trust you enough, at least more than themselves. Also, do we really need unnecessary romance in the midst of unknown virus mutation? Short answer is no, but then again we have it anyway. Fortunately, though it did occupy the mind of our narrator a tad bit too much, it was never openly dealt in the story. Thankfully, the author sticks to the mystery of deaths as the centre stage as opposed to adding unnecessary problem in the form of love triangle. Can’t we just have normal friendship?
Alright, ranting aside, I do really like this book. The mystery if unknown virus was dealt magnificently, and it did not disappoint at all. Even when things seem to have gone south over and over again, one thing after another, I did not feel like the circumstances were pushing the bad luck trope hardly. It was acceptable considering where they are and what had happened previously not mentioned when the book first started.
One complain for me was that I felt after such a continuous theme of the unknown virus and how to stop it from spreading, the ending felt a bit rushed. We didn’t even get proper background and explanation as to how things started to spiral that leads to beginning of the book. But, I’ll let it past because I honestly was thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Sure, she can be incredibly frustrating every time she goes on monologues about how she can’t handle the pressure, about which boy she should choose, and how she vehemently try to justify her incompetence to be a leader. Like, I appreciate she is acknowledging her incompetence, but suck it up. For reasons not clearly mentioned, you and your friends thought that you guys should lead the space station now that the adult in gone, so stop going on monologues about your incompetence. The fact no one has challenged your leadership means that to some extent people trust you enough, at least more than themselves. Also, do we really need unnecessary romance in the midst of unknown virus mutation? Short answer is no, but then again we have it anyway. Fortunately, though it did occupy the mind of our narrator a tad bit too much, it was never openly dealt in the story. Thankfully, the author sticks to the mystery of deaths as the centre stage as opposed to adding unnecessary problem in the form of love triangle. Can’t we just have normal friendship?
Alright, ranting aside, I do really like this book. The mystery if unknown virus was dealt magnificently, and it did not disappoint at all. Even when things seem to have gone south over and over again, one thing after another, I did not feel like the circumstances were pushing the bad luck trope hardly. It was acceptable considering where they are and what had happened previously not mentioned when the book first started.
One complain for me was that I felt after such a continuous theme of the unknown virus and how to stop it from spreading, the ending felt a bit rushed. We didn’t even get proper background and explanation as to how things started to spiral that leads to beginning of the book. But, I’ll let it past because I honestly was thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.