Screaming in the Silence

by Lydia Kelly

[Angie]

I’m still not sure why I can read books like Screaming in the Silence, but don’t take well to non-erotic books that involve sexual assault. Maybe it’s because dark erotica tends to stay in the “fantasy” realm and is meant to be shocking and not a real portrayal of the situation? I don’t know, but I’m fanscinated by these dubious consent novels. Nothing that Kaden does to Raleigh is okay, but I have to admit that he does save her from encountering something worse. That doesn’t excuse him at all, but I don’t know, these books really mess with your head.

Screaming in the Silence starts with Raleigh injured after being hit with a car. Ray wants to kill her, Marshal just does whatever his brother says, and Kaden says to keep her in the basement. In the beginning I wasn’t really sure what the motive was for taking Raleigh. They easily could have left her, just like they did with her dead companion. Sure they could ransom her, but they didn’t know she was rich until they already brought her to the house. It took me several chapters to get into the story, since I wasn’t completely sold on the idea that these three men would bother taking her home without a plan. I think this could have easily been resolved by taking her wallet first, then forming the ransom plan.

I liked Raleigh. I liked how she didn’t just give in to her situation at first. Of course she does agree to become Kaden’s “lover” but it’s a matter of survival. I can’t exactly put myself into her position, but it does seem like being compliant with the chance of getting out is preferable to being murdered. At least if Kaden is telling the truth. Something that took me by surprise was that Raleigh is deaf. I like reading about diverse characters, but in a way I felt like her disability was just a plot device. Her hearing loss is what separated her parents. It’s what keeps her distant from her (obscenely rich) father. It also allows her and Kaden to “bond” over sharing a secret. It seems like her deafness is her defining characteristic and what drives the plot, rather than just being one of her traits.

I liked Screaming in the Silence, but it wasn’t quite as emotional as I wanted. The time that Raleigh spends held at the cabin is interesting, and her struggle to understand her feeling towards Kaden was definitely the best part. However, half way through, it kind of lost me. The trial scenes dragged and I didn’t like how all of a sudden Raleigh was so in love with Kaden when just a few pages before she was confused and wanted to get away from him. The epilogue was also disappointing. I’m glad it was added, since it provides some closure, but I still didn’t believe Raleigh’s feelings.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.