Blog Tour: A Quiet Kind Of Thunder

A Quiet Kind Of Thunder
Written by Sara Barnard
Contemporary, Romance, Diverse Fiction
Published January 12th 2017
320 Pages
Published by Pan Macmillan Australia
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★★★★
Steffi doesn't talk, but she has so much to say.
Rhys can't hear, but he can listen.
Their love isn't a lightning strike, it's the rumbling roll of thunder.

Steffi has been a selective mute for most of her life, she's been silent for so long that she feels completely invisible. But Rhys, the new boy at school, sees her. He's deaf, and her knowledge of basic sign language means that she's assigned to look after him.

To Rhys, it doesn't matter that Steffi doesn't talk, and as they find ways to communicate, Steffi finds that she does have a voice, and that she's falling in love with the one person who makes her feel brave enough to use it.

From the bestselling author of Beautiful Broken Things comes a love story about the times when a whisper is as good as a shout.
From four years of age, Steffi had been diagnosed with Select Mutism, a precursor to an often debilitating social anxiety disorder. Now at seventeen years of age and using basic sign language when she cannot find her words, Steffi has devised an agreement with her parents. Steffi's one ambition is to attend university, studying animal welfare. The proposal, to begin verbalising to her peers for her parents to consider a further education. With her best friend now attending college, Steffi has never felt as distant and alone... Until Rhys.

Rhys is a passionate, friendly and charismatic young man who also communicates through sign language, having transferred from an aesthetic and sensory environment and enrolling to provide himself with the challenge of navigate the auditory environment of high school. Conversing with the use of sign language, begins a tentative friendship developing into a gentle relationship of tender words and lingering kisses. 

My Thoughts

Steffi was a wonderful character, a precocious girl with a gentle disposition. Since the tender age of only four years old. Steffi has suffered from selective mutism and in recent years has developed severe and paralysing anxiety, tormented by her peers. Through therapy and now medication, Steffi has been working towards her ambition of learning to speak, only comfortable when speaking with family members and her best friend, who is now enrolled at University. Steffi's anxiety was palpable, her internal monologue was fascinating although pensive, her frustration at not being able to physically speak due to her anxiety was distressing especially seeing she was offered little support from the education faculty.
I move slowly so people won't notice I'm there, because running in public is as loud as a shout. 
Her parents now divorced and remarried to their respective partners, Steffi shares how her mother would often manipulate the young girl into speaking, frustrated at her lack of progress. She was against the prospect of her daughter learning basic sign language to communicate, believing it would hinder her development and thus failing as a parent. Thank goodness for Steffi's father who was supportive and although concerned about his daughter, refused to limit Steffi's ability and encouraged her from a young age. Their lives all irrevocably changed after the tragedy they rarely speak of, but binds their family together.
Meekness is my camouflage. Silence is my forcefield.
Rhys was absolutely lovely, vivacious and inspiring. Rhys is hearing impaired and communicates with the use of sign language. Having previously attended a sensory school, he's now enrolled in public education as a challenge and precursor to becoming a games developer. Placed together through a shared understanding of sign language to communicate, Rhys and Steffi begin a wonderful friendship based on a fondness for one another, rather than their perceived limitations. It was one of the loveliest romances I've had the pleasure of reading in young adult. A gradual relationship built upon friendship and a mutual respect despite their differences.

I appreciated Steffi's friendship with her best friend, although Steffi seemed a little too judgmental when disclosing her fondness for relationships. September Samatar is passionate and impulsive, the two having been friends since their mothers having met at the Refugee Council. September brings a sense cultural diversity throughout the storyline, which also touches on the racism the young teen experiences. I did feel Steffi begun to abandon her best friend in favour of Rhys at times.

As their relationship develops, it was wonderful to see that neither character was denied the teenage experience. A Quiet Kind of Thunder also explores mental health, friendships, relationships and romantic relationships. It is remarkably sexually positive and promotes safe sex practices in which I applaud Sara Barnard for her pragmatical approach.

Sincere and endearing, A Quiet Kind Of Thunder was a beautifully written narrative that breaks down the barriers of communication. Exquisite, wonderful diverse and explores the infinite potential of the human condition.

28 comments

  1. Wow Kelly, A Quiet Kind Of Thunder sounds so gripping, but you know me and my approach towards the contemporary genre it's always so terrifyingly daunting! I think it's mainly because of the emotions they evoke y'know? The ones I try so hard and avoid because they remind me that despite my sass and cheeky tone, I'm a softhearted hot mess ha! Love your thoughts on this book nonetheless <3

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    1. Thanks Claudia. Even fictionally, contemporary young adult can evoke such powerful emotions in us, even as adults. This one is so, so lovely though and ultimately really positive.

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  2. This hasn't been on my radar but I adored Beautiful Broken Things and it was a favourite when I read it (though I don't read much YA fiction).

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    1. I must admit, I really struggled With Beautiful Broken Things but I absolutely adored this. I love Sara Barnard's style of writing. It's lovely without being lyrical but feels very sincere. I do hope you pick up a copy, would love to see what you think of it.

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  3. I love the sound of this one. I can't imagine having selective mutism. I know I had a lot of anxiety growing up, but to purposely go mute at such a young age? How upsetting! Both of these characters sound great. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. I think what surprised me most Lauren was how contrasting Steffi's parents were in terms of support. Her father and his wife were wonderful, but her mother was incredibly narcissistic and rather than support her daughter, seeing her condition as a reflection of her parental skills.

      It frustrated me to no end. It was such a beautiful read though Lauren, loved it.

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  4. AHHH can't wait to start this. After loving The Things I Didn't Say, I'm really intrigued by selective mutism so it'll be interesting to see how they differ.

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    1. I'm so slack and still haven't read that one. After A Quiet King of Thunder, I'm really looking forward to exploring more books with both hearing impaired characters and selective mutism too.

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  5. Ahh I can't wait to read this one!! I have read so few books about sign language which is a huge shame because we definitely need more of it in YA!! I wasn't a huge fan of Beautiful Broken Things but I'm hoping I love this one by this author instead.😊😊

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    1. This actually has little descriptions of sign language actually and a few lists too, so it'll be right up your ally. I wasn't a fan of Beautiful Broken Things at all, but loved this one immensely.

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  6. I adored this book! I gave it a 4.5 star rating. It was exactly what I was looking for in a book with great characters, an even better romance and most of all, A WELL RESEARCHED DIVERSE BOOK THAT TAUGHT ME SO MUCH!! So glad to hear you enjoyed it too!

    xx Anisha (Sprinkled Pages)

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    1. It was magnificent wasn't it Anisha and I'm so glad you enjoyed it too. I loved the little snippets of sign language throughout, which is something I'd love to see being taught in schools.

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  7. This one sounds like a great read with interesting characters all round. I'll definitely have to keep it in mind for when I make my way back to YA :)

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    1. It was so, so lovely. One of those quiet reads that is thoughtful and stays with you long after the final page.

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  8. This one sounds absolutely beautiful Kelly! Although It seems like I may want to jump into the pages and punch Steffi's mother.
    From the reviews I've read this comes of as a truly diverse novel done splendidly.
    YAY for these modern YA novels that might actually help to make the world a better place!

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    1. It was beautiful Sarah but her mother was just a horrible and self centered woman. She cared more about what Steffi's condition said about her parenting abilities than the anguish her own daughter was experiencing. She needed a massive kick to the pants.

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  9. This sounds wonderful.

    And you have been reviewing books with the most beautiful covers lately!

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. I've just noticed that actually, they've all been absolutely gorgeous so far this year!

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  10. This sounds amazing Kelly! Though in agreeing with the comment above, I also want to punch Steffi's mother in the face :P I know next to nothing about selective mutism, so this would definitely be an eye opening read to me. And it sounds really cute <3

    I'll have to keep my eye out for this one! I think Shannon won this from a giveaway and maybe I might be able to steal it :D

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    1. Just distract her with something shiny, that'll work long enough to pop it in your bag and run out the door. It's such a lovely read though, her mother is horrendous but Steffi and Rhys both have an incredible amount of support in their lives and their connection was gorgeous. It's also incredibly sex positive too.

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  11. i do wonder why she got that, most of the time trauma is the cause. Does sound very interesting.

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    1. I found that aspect interesting too Ailyn, I assumed the same before getting into the storyline. Such a wonderful read.

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  12. Wow, this sounds incredible. I'll admit I think this is the first time I've heard of this book, but now I definitely need to read it. Amazing review.

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    1. Thanks Marianne, it truly was. There aren't too many young adult books that tackle hearing impairments, never mind select mutism and it was so wonderfully written with such care.

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  13. A Quiet Kind of Thunder sounds very interesting! Your review really makes me want to go out and read the book. Steffi and Rhys sound intriguing and likeable.

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    1. They really are Jackie. Such a wonderful read, I'd love to see what you think of it.

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  14. Seems like there's lots of good stuff here. I've only read one book with selective mutism (the things I didn't say) but it sound like it was covered well here! Not a fan of the romance though. Lovely review Kelly!

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    1. The romance was actually quite lovely and spans over quite a few months before the characters become romantically involved. It would have been wonderful to have seen it explored as a friendship though, I was concerned their connection strayed a little into dependency. Such a brilliant read.

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