Review: Soundless by Richelle Mead

In a village without sound…

For as long as Fei can remember, no one in her village has been able to hear. Rocky terrain and frequent avalanches make it impossible to leave the village, so Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. 

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink. Many go hungry. Fei and all the people she loves are plunged into crisis, with nothing to look forward to but darkness and starvation.

One girl hears a call to action…

Until one night, Fei is awoken by a searing noise. Sound becomes her weapon.

She sets out to uncover what’s happened to her and to fight the dangers threatening her village. A handsome miner with a revolutionary spirit accompanies Fei on her quest, bringing with him new risks and the possibility of romance. They embark on a majestic journey from the peak of their jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth will change their lives forever…

And unlocks a power that will save her people.

LIKED:

• I didn't read this book, I listened to it, and the audio book reader was on point. I've always had an issue keeping up with names, particularly when books are set it other countries so I thought the book would be easier to follow if it was read to me, and I was right. 
•  The book had a slow build, and while I get the feeling reading it might have been an issue for me, listening to that slow build was great.
• I must say, I was unprepared for the... fantastical ending. It was nice. 
• With out any spoilers, I enjoyed reading about what was discovered "in the towns". That's all I can say. 

NOT SO MUCH:

• Although I liked the "fantastical" ending, I thought the discovery was a bit rushed. Even though the book was a good size, I would have been fine with an additional two or three chapters for a better and less forced explanation. 

IN CONCLUSION:
This is the type of book I would suggest to someone who is just beginning to discover Fantasy novels. What might feel boring and slightly unfulfilling to some, moves at just the right pace for others. As someone who is a bigger fan of Urban Fantasy than "Hardcore Fantasy", I was a fan of Soundless.