Unspoken: The Lynburn Legacy, Book One

By: Sarah Rees Brennan
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publishing Date: September 2012
ISBN: 978-0-375-87041-5
Reviewed By: Amy Lignor
Review Date: September 25, 2012

Not since ‘Potter’ has a book this good come on the market! This is one of those series that is fresh and new that speaks to readers on all levels, and then makes them seriously angry because…they want Book II right now!

Our leading lady, Kami Glass, loves the guy who lives in her head. Ever since she was eight she’s spoken with Jared, an imaginary friend who makes life more interesting. And, gosh knows, she needs interesting.

Kami lives in Sorry-in-the-Vales, England. She’s a teenage reporter who wants her dream of being the best journalist in the world to come true. But when you live in this town, you have to really scrape for a story considering how boring it is. For a town built in the 1400’s - all they seem to have is sheep and no secrets. Soon, however, the ritzy family who built this town and were once the ‘lord and masters’ of all they surveyed, return. They are the Lynburn’s, and after seventeen years away the Lynburn daughter’s have returned with their families and Kami wants to get an interview. She knows there’s something up with these guys and she’s going to find out what their secrets really are.

Angela - who is a truly hysterical character - is Kami’s best friend. She signs on when the school year begins to help Kami with her newspaper. The school gives them a wee little office to work in and Angela basically joins the team so she can nap on the couch that’s provided. As Kami begins running around like ‘1,000 monkeys on crack,’ to get things going, a Lynburn walks in with a camera around his neck and asks for a job - this is Ash - and he is absolutely stunning.

Although Kami has stars in her eyes for this guy, a cousin of his soon arrives at school who is a way darker version with more than one secret hanging over his head. The cousin’s name is Jared, and he is…the voice inside Kami’s head.

Yup - the imaginary friend is absolutely real. So how does that happen? Readers will be blown away by the plot this author has come up with. Chills from the past, ancient legends come to life, Jared and Ash and a family that has secrets that could ruin the town and create lots of dead bodies - everything is in this one!

Quill Says: Bravo to the author! And hurry up with Book Two!