Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Title: Speechless
Author: Hannah Harrington
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: August 28th, 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Pages: 288
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Netgalley
Age Group: Young Adult

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret 

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she's ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there's strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she's done. If only she can forgive herself

Harrington does it again! A powerful novel with so much meaning and a young girl finding herself, slowly but surely. 

After Chelsea outs a classmate about being gay, he is nearly killed. Realizing what her actions had done, she takes a vow of silence. Now, she has to face her own inner guilt and as well as the harassment from classmates. But, Chelsea is stronger than what people realize and with the help of new friends she is ready to tackle the consequences of her actions. 

This novel, is by far, the most powerful one I have read this year. I wanted to insult Chelsea into little ribbons. I mean, she just seemed so naive about things. I almost couldn't believe how surprised she would be about the way people would react to news. Sure, gays are becoming a little more accepting in this world, but that doesn't mean everyone understands or acceptance the difference. But, I guess that's the whole point for Chelsea. It shows the flaw in her character and what she has to do to remedy that. 

My initial anger towards her dissipated quickly though. I know what it's like to be bullied, but to be bullied for doing the right thing is worse. It showed how self-involved Chelsea's supposed friends were truly, and it gave her an insight on herself, on who she use to be. 

The growing that she did wasn't quick but it was noticeable. I loved Harrington's character development. She takes time to weed out the problem before going in for the fixing, and I think that's what always makes her novel great. By the end the main character, and to some extent the reader, has learned something valuable to take with them. 

I, for one, could not do a vow of silence for so long. Just imagine, not saying anything for extended period. Harrington said she took this inspiration from the National Day of Silence, which many high school's host in order for students not to say anything for a full day the same way that gay and lesbian's keep quiet about who they are. I always did it back in high school for my friends and myself, and sometimes I just always believed that was as much as I could do. Yet, Chelsea has shown me that silence can play a part, but speaking out is just as important. 

She sacrificed a lot to do the right thing and that, in my eyes, makes her one of the most decent character's I have read. Just as one of the character's said, "Hate is easy. Love takes courage." 

This, like I said before, was one of the best books I have read this year. It's heartwarming, refreshing, and one book should be placed on everyone's TBR pile. Beautifully written, does not even begin to describe this work. It was pure amazing.