space – Read and Drink Tea

This Splintered Silence by Kayla Olson is a YA Science Fiction novel set on the Lusca Space Station. Ever since every first generation crew member was killed by a deadly virus Lindley Hamilton has had to step up and become commander like her mother. Lindley and her 5 fellow friends step up to become the people in charge and we follow Lindley’s journey as she faces challenge after challenge. After members of the surviving population start to die she must figure out why and how to stop more deaths.

I really enjoyed this book and I was quite surprised that I did. I am not usually a fan of science fiction books or books set in the future however this book had mystery and suspense throughout. As we read we find out what exactly is happening on the space station alongside Lindley and are given no extra information which allows the reader to find out what has actually happened right at the end of the book at the same time as the characters. The story line is engaging and well thought out with challenges such as lack of water that is generally only something that relates to being in space.

Lindley Hamilton is a strong female lead in this novel and we see how she changes after every new challenge appears. She is vulnerable like everyone else and we do get to see that side of her as she copes with becoming commander so young and with little inexperience. Her mother greatly influences her time as commander and we can see how she puts this into practice. Although all the first gen crew members and the survivors parents are no longer there we can see how they are helping the characters every day. She has been thrown into a very intense role and we get the chance to see inside her head and understand exactly what she is feeling and thinking.

I really liked the characterisation in this book. They are realistic and genuine. They are not all portrayed as completly capable and knowledgable and we can see the strain the deaths have put on them. As new deaths appear and challenges including low food and water supplies we see how the relationships between the characters change. This novel is strongly character based which I enjoyed as you got to see them grow. The novel often focuses more on the characters reactions (mainly Lindley as it is written from her POV) that the actual events themselves which is an intriguing read.

The structure of this novel is something I really enjoyed as well. It is written in short chapters which often makes me read more in a sitting. If I am reading and decide to stop I often say to myself ‘the next chapters only a couple pages long, I will read that and then stop’. I rarely say that once as well. It think this obviously says something about the story as I don’t want to put the book down however shows how the writer can use the structure to this advantage.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to readers of YA, Science Fiction or Mystery novels as it contains elements of all. I would also recommend this book to readers who like a strong character based book like myself. I really enjoyed this book and the style of writing and I would love to read more from this novel in the future!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have every read this book or have any Science Fiction recommendations)

Source: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com

People’s reading experiences can be completely different from one another, even if reading the same book and it can be down to the simplest of things such as where you are reading it. It can be extremely important to read a book in your own way and can affect the way you interpret the way you comprehend the book. Some people like to read in public places like cafes or coffee shops whereas others prefer to read in their own space.

Personally, I find reading much more enjoyable when I am on my own and it is fairly quite. It allows me to concentrate fully on the story and become fully involved. Therefore before I go to sleep, I always take the time to read a little in bed. Even just one page or a paragraph as it makes me feel like I have accomplished something. I have completed a task that day and it makes me feel good.

I also often read when I have a little bit of spare time, whether it is on my break at work or when I’m finished work at college. It gives me time to step away from what I was doing and relax.

Reading in a bookshop or library is also a great place as you are surrounded by other books and are in a quite space. It is interesting as you can read these books whilst being in a space with a scent that is easily recognisable and often liked.

I know of people who prefer to read in the company of others or with a little bit of background noise as it allow them to feel involved in the story. Like you are a part of what the character is doing. For example if the character is in a café and that’s where you are reading your book it can make you feel much more involved. I can read a book with noise but it usually has to be a book I absolutely love or I am totally engrossed in otherwise I can’t always focus on the book in the way I would like to.

A place where a person chooses to read is a very personal thing and I believe it affects the way someone enjoys a book. Everyone’s opinions are different and I think that it makes sense. I personally like to read in my bed or somewhere comfy and quite whereas others would prefer to read in a café or coffee shop and I think that this is a personal choice and is very important to understand.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

Tag: space

This Splintered Silence – Mini Review

Places to Read