Part of me feels that Fei didn't grow enough in parallel to how quick the plot was forced to advanced, but part of me also understands her internal conflicts. Soundless is a standalone novel, which means that things happen very quickly. The novel was written in an airy way, with a folk tale-like quality to it, which I appreciate. She uses romanized Chinese names, which can easily become confusing for readers if they don't know how to pronounce them in their head, which is something I struggle with as I try to write my own WIP (work in progress). However, I don't see this work as cultural appropriation. To me, someone who is very inspired by different cultures and loves reading fantastical reinterpretations, I don't take offense to the world in Soundless in fact, I commend Mead for stepping outside our comfort zones.
But the setting is an imaginary kingdom named Beiguo (which actually just means "Northern Kingdom" in Chinese). Mead clearly takes inspiration from Chinese culture- the names, the food, the arts, the architecture. If you're taking a look at the one-star reviews on Goodreads, you'll notice that they take issue with the way Asian culture is portrayed in the book. 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…Īnd unlocks a power that will save her people. A handsome miner with a revolutionary spirit accompanies Fei on her quest, bringing with him new risks and the possibility of romance. She sets out to uncover what’s happened to her and to fight the dangers threatening her village. Until one night, Fei is awoken by a searing noise. Fei and all the people she loves are plunged into crisis, with nothing to look forward to but darkness and starvation. When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink. 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. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is the perfect opportunity for me to celebrate books inspired by Asian culture and folklore! This book has mixed reviews online, but I can assure you that, as a Chinese-American, I was pretty satisfied with this standalone novel inspired by Chinese folk tales.įor as long as Fei can remember, no one in her village has been able to hear. I've been waiting for an excuse to bump Soundless, by Vampire Academy author Richelle Mead, up my reading list.
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