Some Quiet Place

by Kelsey Sutton

[jnikkir]

★★★★½

Some Quiet Place is easily one of the most unique books I've read this year... possibly ever. You can tell from the synopsis that it's not something we've seen before - a girl who feels nothing, but can interact with Emotions and Elements as if they're real people? Paired with that gorgeous cover and beautiful title, there was no way I was going to pass this book by. And it paid off - because I really loved it.

Though it might seem like it would be difficult to connect to a character who doesn't feel anything - especially when that character is narrating - I found it fascinating to be in her head throughout the book. She doesn't strictly feel nothing - I think if she truly felt nothing, she would never have gotten out of bed in the mornings - but she was incredibly detached from the world and the people she interacted with, even though she pretended to be otherwise. Like I said, I found it really interesting for a character who believes she feels nothing, to still make the effort to appear normal, and to find the motivation to get up every morning. In some aspects, I think it made her an incredibly strong person, to endure what she goes through, especially her dysfunctional home life. Elizabeth might not feel emotions like other people, but boy, did I feel for her as I was reading.

The other great thing about this book were the Emotions themselves. They were all fascinating, but the one we get to see the most of - and the one I think might be the most interesting anyway - is Fear. Though he's essentially the personification (literally) of one emotion, we get so much more from him than his namesake. He's layered and charismatic... and a little bit addictive. He makes me wish that the 'sequel' wasn't going to focus on a completely different cast of characters. I'd love to see more of Fear in this world.

The plot of Some Quiet Place mostly focuses on Elizabeth trying to figure out why she is the way she is, unaffected by the Emotions around her. It was good, but I really think that this book's strength lies in its emotions (oddly enough, with an emotionless narrator). As Elizabeth gets closer and closer to the truth, she slowly starts to change. It was intriguing to watch her "emotionless" walls come down - it was subtle and really well done. The resolution in the end is maybe a little bit predictable (or at least, unsurprising once it's revealed), but it's an incredibly satisfying, heart-wrenching, climactic ending.

In conclusion...
Some Quiet Place could not be better represented by its title and cover. It's sweeping - dark, haunting, and creepy, but also really beautiful and subtle. And the conclusion is full of twists that I did not see coming. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of paranormal romance - and wants something unlike anything they've read before.
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