Some Quiet Place

Some Quiet Place
Author(s)
Publisher
Age Range
12+
Release Date
July 08, 2013
ISBN
0738736430
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I can’t weep. I can’t fear. I’ve grown talented at pretending.

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t feel emotions . . . she sees them. Longing, Shame, and Courage materialize around her classmates. Fury and Resentment appear in her dysfunctional home. They’ve all given up on Elizabeth because she doesn’t succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one—Fear. He’s intrigued by her, as desperate to understand the accident that changed Elizabeth’s life as she is herself.

Elizabeth and Fear both sense that the key to her past is hidden in the dream paintings she hides in the family barn. But a shadowy menace has begun to stalk her, and try as she might, Elizabeth can barely avoid the brutality of her life long enough to uncover the truth about herself. When it matters most, will she be able to rely on Fear to save her?

I can’t weep. I can’t fear. I’ve grown talented at pretending.

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t feel emotions . . . she sees them. Longing, Shame, and Courage materialize around her classmates. Fury and Resentment appear in her dysfunctional home. They’ve all given up on Elizabeth because she doesn’t succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one—Fear. He’s intrigued by her, as desperate to understand the accident that changed Elizabeth’s life as she is herself.

Elizabeth and Fear both sense that the key to her past is hidden in the dream paintings she hides in the family barn. But a shadowy menace has begun to stalk her, and try as she might, Elizabeth can barely avoid the brutality of her life long enough to uncover the truth about herself. When it matters most, will she be able to rely on Fear to save her?

Editor reviews

2 reviews
A Mesmerizing Tale
(Updated: February 25, 2014)
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4.3
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I started reading not knowing what to expect, and ended up mesmerized by a captivating tale of self-discovery, the supernatural, and romance.

This is going to be a super-short review; saving my own Emotions for the companion novel (Where Silence Gathers) coming out this summer!

I'll admit, I was skeptical about the personified Emotions, which are a big driving force in the story. However, they were very well done. Think Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" series and you'll understand what the personified Emotions and Elements are like: powerful, strange, a little scary, and very otherworldly.

My favorite thing about this book was how the tone shifted to complement Elizabeth's development. I can't say too much about this without giving away secrets, so just trust me in that just because Elizabeth doesn't feel Emotions doesn't mean you won't when you're reading it.

I would recommend this book to fans of supernatural and paranormal YA fiction, as well as to readers of contemporary/realistic fiction who are just looking for something a little different.
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2 reviews
Overall rating
 
4.2
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4.5(2)
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4.0(2)
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Emotions will NEVER be the same again!
(Updated: June 17, 2013)
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5.0
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I truly loved the fresh new idea that was Some Quite Place. It was unlike anything I have yet to read. Elizabeth Caldwell was a very interesting character. The fact that she couldn't feel emotions was not only a unique story line, but also had a much deeper meaning for me. I feel that everyone has moments in their life when they either wish they couldn't feel emotions, or literally feel numb. In this aspect, Elizabeth becomes relatable to the reader. You can also see Elizabeth trying to do the right thing for those around her, and for a girl who cannot feel, that is a pretty big deal. Elizabeth Caldwell is not your typical YA teen heroine!
I really enjoyed both love interests in this story. Fear was dark, sexy, and mysterious. Joshua was the shy, thoughtful, and loyal boy next door. Even though there were technically two love interests in this book, I wouldn't call it a "love triangle". Since Elizabeth herself coudn't feel love, it was more like two guys that were interested in her. I feel that it made the story better, not worse, to have the two guys in Elizabeths life. They both helped protect her and figure out why she couldn't feel.
The story was quick paced and exciting. Trying to piece together that is Elizabeth will keep you turning the pages long into the night. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery, and oh man, you will be surprised!
Some Quiet Place is a deeply moving, suspense filled read that will make you think about emotions in a completely different way. I really feel that this is a must-read for everyone. It tugs at the heart strings and a whole new world is revealed. Regardless of your genre preference, you will find something to connect with here.
JL
Top 500 Reviewer
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Good, but not what I wanted
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3.3
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This book was amazing for the first two-thirds. I was enraptured. The idea of a girl being unable to feel any emotions really had me curious. Then you add in this supernatural element and I was hooked. The chemistry between Elizabeth and Fear was delicious, even if she couldn't tell it was there.


I really liked the characters. The author did a great job describing them and making me feel their individual emotions. For Elizabeth, it was especially tricky to do so because she isn't supposed to feel anything. Of course, that idea is the focus behind the great mystery in Some Quiet Place.


If you like spooky reads with that mystery quality, you'll enjoy this book. I am fairly certain of that. As I read through it, I was reminded of the Riders of the Apocalypse series for some reason. Don't ask me why, but there was something I just couldn't place that kept creeping up.


What ended up frustrating me, however, was the last portion of the book. It all happened so quickly. From the moment the villain's plans are uncovered to the bittersweet ending, I was left speechless-- and not in the best of ways. I think it all transpired way too quickly. I had questions. I wanted answers. I got nothing. I'm not even thrilled with the ending. I am pleased with it, but I think Elizabeth needed to do more. That's all I'll say about that one.


While I started out thinking this was going to blow my mind, I ended up placing it in the 'enjoyable' category. It's different, which was a plus. Unfortunately, though, the lingering questions left me desiring a bit more.
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Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton
(Updated: April 08, 2013)
A compelling and original story that although I found engaging to begin with left me somewhat disappointed.

For the first four years of her life Elizabeth was a normal girl, but then the accident happened and everything changed. She could no longer feel emotions, and her family knew something was different about her. So now her mother keeps her distance, her father is an abusive alcoholic, and although her brother makes an effort he lives in denial, and acts like everything is fine.

Elizabeth doesn't have an easy life, she is faced with many hardships and challenges. Her one and only friend, Maggie has cancer and is away in hospital, Sophia her ex-best friend is always out to get her, and her family all but ignore her. The story isn't just focused on relationships, though. Elizabeth is having strange dreams, and this along with Fears curiosity about her past lead her to investigate what really happened on the day of the accident. How did she turn into the girl with no emotions?

The romance between Fear and Elizabeth was beautiful and enrapturing. They had a complicated relationship that really tugged at my heart strings. Fear was by far one of my favourite characters, complex and protective he was definitely a swoon worthy male lead.

There is a love triangle, but it's not the typical kind because it's obvious Elizabeth's heart truly lies with Fear. The third member of the triangle is Joshua, a kind-hearted boy from her high school who is just as intrigued by her as Fear. While I appreciate the fact that she wasn't torn between the two guys I kind of wish that Joshua had just been a close friend instead of a love interest. Because as Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky and Jana Oliver's Demon Trappers series have shown a guy and a girl can just be friends without any meddling romantic feelings coming in the way. The love triangle was just unnecessary.

So exactly was I disappointed with? The big revelation relating to the accident. It wasn't that it was predictable, far from in fact. I just didn't like the idea of the revelation. And if you haven't read the book that probably doesn't make much sense, but unfortunately I can't go into why without actually spoiling it, so I'll leave it at that.

Although there is potential for a sequel I'm quite happy to treat it as a standalone. And despite not being satisfied with the revelation I'd still recommend this book as it is unique and ironically brimming with emotions.

Rating: 3/5
R
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