Review by Booklist Review
Thomas Walsh has to be resilient--following his father's death, he must care for his gravely ill mother and keep their lives afloat. When the well-paid opportunity to be a sign-language interpreter for an heiress, selective-mute Vivienne Farrow, arises, Thomas is quick to take it, unaware of the maze of secrets and danger lying just beneath the role. Vivienne is bound by strict rules from her parents, ever since the sinister curse that led to her silence took root--her voice is fatal to anyone who hears it. As Thomas delves deeper into Vivienne's world, and Vivienne seeks freedom from her curse, the duo's tragic pasts and complicated present intertwine in unexpected and eerie ways. With a complicated and magnetic romance at the heart of the story, Andrew masterfully crafts an eerie, immersive world where Vivienne's search for freedom and identity collides with Thomas' loyalty to her and drive to uncover what's deeply hidden. Hauntingly atmospheric and a delightful blend of mystery, romance, and the supernatural.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
To teenage Thomas Walsh--who is used to working odd jobs to pay the medical bills for his Deaf mother's deteriorating health--becoming a watchful interpreter and covert spy for exorbitantly wealthy, "mute" teen Vivienne Farrow is unusual. Hired by her father for his signing skills, Thomas feels that this should be an easy paycheck. But Vivienne is cunning and, resentful of her father's determination to keep watch over her, aims to get Thomas fired. Unbeknownst to Thomas, Vivienne is dealing with lasting trauma from a childhood incident that manifests as a monstrous reflection and a voice that can kill. As she desperately seeks a solution--a surgical exorcism that could end her--Thomas follows close behind, and the bond that develops between them has the potential to save more lives than their own. Evocative prose by Andrew (Your Blood, My Bones) expertly renders spine-tingling horrors, while Vivienne's stubbornness and determination--as depicted via her and Thomas's alternating narration--prove her a winning heroine. The inclusion of characters from The Whispering Dark as major players may act as a roadblock for readers unfamiliar with Andrew's previous works. The protagonists cue as white. Ages 13--up. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up--Vivienne is selectively mute and hasn't spoken since she went missing at age four. What happened to her is unclear, but the result is a poisonous voice that kills any who hears it. Enter Thomas, a down-on-his-luck teen, whose experience with ASL earns him the gig as Vivienne's escort/jailer. While Vivienne is desperate to exorcise the demon who is plaguing her, the annoyingly caring Thomas keeps getting in the way. What begins as a reluctant pairing turns into a harrowing partnership to save Vivienne before it's too late. Andrew expands on the supernatural world first seen in her The Whispering Dark with a shuddering tale of hauntings replete with nods to Greek mythology. Set on the East Coast, this small-town horror story uses all the right hooks to immediately grab readers. Vivienne's sinister dreams and visions will leave readers thoroughly creeped out, but they will be intrigued by the concept of the demons one can carry, feed, and nurture unknowingly. Vivienne and Thomas's dynamic is a playful one, often falling back on sarcastic, enjoyable banter. Though some mysteries remain at the end, the heartrending climax and hard-won victory will satisfy the audience. Both Vivienne and Thomas are cued white. An author's note precedes the novel. VERDICT Fans of occult titles like Erica Waters's Ghost Wood Song and Erin A. Craig's House of Salt and Sorrows will enjoy this romantic horror.--Emily Walker
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An 18-year-old boy in Massachusetts takes a job that has unexpected consequences. When Thomas Walsh, desperate to support his ill mother and younger sister, is offered a high-paying job by the Farrow family, he accepts without much hesitation--despite the enigmatic patriarch Philip Farrow's unsettling insistence on strict confidentiality. Thomas's job is to serve as sign language interpreter for Philip's stepdaughter, Vivienne, while living in their home and reporting back to Philip about her activities and contacts. Vivienne, who has selective mutism, is haunted by past trauma and a dark secret: She was possessed at the age of 4 after getting lost in a gorge. The power "bloomed" when she turned 12, and now the sound of her voice kills anyone who hears it. Determined to undergo a risky exorcism with help from connections to a secret society known as the House, she's furious at having Thomas shadowing her every move. Initially clashing in a fierce battle of wills, Thomas and Vivienne develop an unexpected connection even as they begin to understand one another. Meanwhile, the consequences of Vivienne's plans loom ever closer. With each new revelation, a mounting sense of dread builds, hidden truths come to light, and external forces close in. Readers will find themselves immersed in a haunting narrative filled with unsettling descriptions and dark revelations as Vivienne and Thomas' journey spirals toward an ominous climax. The main characters are cued white. A gripping horror story that escalates in intensity.(Horror. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
