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SILENT ECHO BY ELISA FREILICH

30/8/2015

78 Comments

 
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Haunted by silence, a mute teenage girl is mysteriously given back her voice ... and it is divine.

Rendered mute at birth, Portia Griffin has been silent for 16 years. Music is her constant companion, along with Felix, her deaf best friend who couldn't care less whether or not she can speak. If only he were as nonchalant about her newfound interest in the musically gifted Max Hunter.

But Portia's silence is about to be broken with the abrupt discovery of her voice, unparalleled in its purity and the power it affords to control those around her. Able to persuade, seduce and destroy using only her voice, Portia embarks on a search for answers about who she really is, and what she is destined to do.

Inspired by Homer's Odyssey, Silent Echo: A Siren's Tale is an epic story filled with fantasy, romance and original music.


First things first, I have a love for Greek Mythology. I absolutely loved how Elisa Freilich managed to weave Homer’s Odyssey with modern technology so effortlessly that I was compelled right from the start! The front and back cover of this novel is absolutely gorgeous and stayed true to the story. It makes a wonderful edition to the bookshelf.

Portia Griffin is a sixteen-year-old girl rendered mute at birth. Without her voice she turns to music as her constant companion and her handicapped deaf friend Felix: who couldn’t care less whether she could speak or not. Everything soon drastically changes when she starts to develop a painful tightening sensation in the back of her throat, an ache in her back and uncontrollable mood swings that result in her mysteriously finding her long lost voice. Why can she all of a sudden sing with her alluring voice when her whole life she has never been able to utter a single syllable? But this is no ordinary voice; this is the voice of a Siren. With her dangerous newfound ability to control those around her, she soon finds out that there are others who will stop at nothing to turn her gift into evildoings… Portia must decide whether she wishes to use her powers for the better or worse, and must overcome the evil that is forcing its way in.

I enjoyed watching Portia evolve as she learns about her origin and the history of the original Siren’s tale. It was extremely interesting to see the main protagonist at times act as an antagonist as she battles the evil spirits of the Siren Goddesses.

This novel was an easy and compelling read as it took you from start to finish. Though the beginning may seem to start off slow, all the little details proved to have been of value as the story progressed. I also loved the symbolic of the birds, and the comparison of their singing to that of a Siren’s. I couldn’t help but be amazed by the alluring song lyrics, as I am not a much of a fan when it comes to lyrical poetry as I usually skim right over it.

Silent Echo was an enjoyable debut with a unique premise. I cannot wait for Griffin’s Call to be released along with Taking Flight. I was extremely fortunate to have received a complete full on signed Silent Echo package from the amazing author herself. She is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet!
***I received a personalised signed copy of this book in return***
***for an honest and unbiased review***

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Elisa Freilich has enjoyed a love affair with language from her earliest days. Raised in rural Monsey, New York, Elisa spent her days reading whatever crossed her path and developing a keen appreciation for the ever-present music in her home – from classical to rock. French lessons and creative writing workshops complemented her adolescence, which was also greatly enhanced by a summer spent abroad at Cambridge University. From the time she could read and write, Elisa could often be found composing poems, song lyrics and satirical newspapers.

After her college years at Boston University, Elisa continued her creative pursuits, working as a junior VP of Marketing at a corporate graphic design agency and, later, as an interior decorator. Eventually, Elisa left the workforce to raise her family, in her now hometown of Englewood, NJ.

When Elisa is not writing, her creative outlets still abound. She is fierce with a set of knitting needles, a hot glue gun and any ingredients that can somehow be fashioned into a sinful and highly caloric babka.


Silent Echo by Elisa Freilich:
BOOK 1: Silent Echo
BOOK 2: Griffins Call
BOOK 3: Taking Flight
78 Comments
Chanda
30/3/2015 02:20:30 pm

Another mythology book to check out

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Jessica
30/3/2015 03:08:04 pm

when was this released?

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Abooktopia link
12/4/2015 02:27:22 pm

It was released September 10th, 2013

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Jessica
17/4/2015 04:52:40 pm

Thanks, I'll have to check it out

Ana
29/4/2015 11:27:26 am

You should, it's quite good.

_jenniferrch4n (Instagram)
30/3/2015 04:08:38 pm

I saw the recommendation on good reads sounds interesting can I borrow your copy?

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Abooktopia link
17/4/2015 04:53:13 pm

Of course! I'll lend it to you tomorrow.

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Lauren (Goodreads)
30/3/2015 04:23:04 pm

Ooh I've heard some really good things about this book! Thanks for the recommendation! :D

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Abooktopia link
30/3/2015 04:23:48 pm

I hope you get the chance to read the novel sometime this year!

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Caitlin (Goodreads)
30/3/2015 04:24:19 pm

OMG! Okay first, thank you for the recommendation! Haha and second, I heard this was so so good! But idk why I keep holding back on it :/ I'm so weird. What do you like about the book?

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Abooktopia link
30/3/2015 04:24:43 pm

Your welcome! As you've read from my review I quite enjoyed the simplicity of the novel and found it easy to follow along. This novel is quite musical as it contains lyrical poetry that I quite enjoyed for once! (Usually I just skim right over it when it comes to fanfiction) I also loved learning about the greek mythology on Sirens which I hadn't known about prior to the novel.

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Caitlin (Goodreads)
31/3/2015 05:52:40 am

Argh I so need to read it now! That's gonna be one of my summer book :) thanks so much!

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Asha Berkery
30/3/2015 04:39:55 pm

I loved this novel and the musical lingo 🎶

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Teagan Hall
4/5/2015 03:53:05 am

I haven't read a musical book yet. Guess this will have to be the first.

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Zoe
31/3/2015 04:57:03 am

Sounds good

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Itxamara (Goodreads)
31/3/2015 05:53:25 am

This book sounds super interesting! I'll definitely check it out

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Victoria
31/3/2015 07:09:51 am

Nice review. Seems like something I should check out

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Abooktopia link
10/5/2015 04:44:57 pm

I hope you do check it out sometime!

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Lisa Crow
31/3/2015 09:10:11 am

I've heard so many good things about this novel. I'm excited about starting it

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Sophie Orton
31/3/2015 12:20:39 pm

Same here. I've requested it from my school library

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Angelina Lee
31/3/2015 03:34:16 pm

How many novels are there in the series?

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Abooktopia link
5/4/2015 02:54:52 pm

Three

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Angelina Lee
4/5/2015 03:53:34 am

Thanks

Leah Lechess
1/4/2015 02:27:58 pm

Congratulations on your first request book review 🎉🎉🎉🎉

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Abooktopia link
6/4/2015 03:31:47 pm

Thank you so much!

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Leah Lechess
20/4/2015 04:00:07 am

Your more than welcome hun

Emily Brown
23/4/2015 02:06:07 am

Congratulations as well

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Abooktopia link
4/5/2015 03:54:09 am

Thank you!

Valerie Winehouse
2/4/2015 07:36:39 am

That's pretty cool that your blog is starting to get the attention of book authors!!

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Abooktopia link
20/4/2015 04:01:15 am

I know! I'm super proud of how far I've come so far in just a couple of months! Thank you for the support.

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Laura (Giveaway Form)
2/4/2015 03:58:32 pm

What a wonderful blog, set out so nicely and the best thing is it's all about books! Wow I love it!

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amber robertson (Giveaway Form)
3/4/2015 02:41:57 am

I love this blog so many great reviews

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Alexis V (Giveaway Form)
3/4/2015 03:45:54 am

Your blog is so cool! I will definitely make sure I tell people about it! I love your reviews and your such a nice person!

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Abooktopia link
20/4/2015 04:03:33 am

Awww you just melted me heart. That was so sweet of you to say! Big virtual hugs to you.

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Emma Smith
4/4/2015 03:26:30 pm

Congrats on getting an authors attention! That's amazing!! I hope you get many more in the future. This novel looks great as well. Love the cover.

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Abookttopia link
12/4/2015 02:26:09 pm

Thank you! I've gotten another 2 which I'm excited about reading and reviewing for authors!

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Emma Smith
14/4/2015 07:26:14 am

I hope you get many more in the future

Cordelia
5/4/2015 02:53:59 pm

Sounds like a pretty good book.

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Kelly S
6/4/2015 03:33:11 pm

It's amazing what she sent you. Keep up the great work

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Abooktopia link
10/5/2015 04:46:27 pm

I definitely will! Thanks for the support.

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Kenya Rossanass
8/4/2015 05:08:36 am

I found that before you read this book you should have a lower expectation to enjoy this novel fully. I read it with a really high expectation so I didn't like it as much as I could have.

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Sandra Cassiograce
20/4/2015 03:11:54 pm

Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully I'll enjoy it.

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Kenya Rossanass
10/5/2015 04:47:02 pm

I hope you do, where I did not

Sophie Orton
9/4/2015 04:55:57 pm

Nice review. I'll have to check it out

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Abril (Giveaway Form)
10/4/2015 10:03:03 am

The best book's blog ever ∞. I love it with all my heart. ♥♡

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Abooktopia link
20/4/2015 04:05:25 am

Thank you so, so much!! I'm extremely happy that you love so much! ♡♡

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BooksofWords&Wonder
11/4/2015 03:17:10 am

The cover is gorgeous. I'm glad it stays true to the story

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Elise Lewis
11/4/2015 02:00:17 pm

ooh... Ill have to check this out sometime

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Nicole Safak
12/4/2015 02:28:12 pm

Excited about reading this. I requested a copy from the library. Hopefully it'll live up to my expectations

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DarkHunter101
14/4/2015 01:24:14 pm

Sounds great!

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Ana
17/4/2015 04:51:34 pm

Yas! This best was so so good. I loved the poems/songs

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Ladymidnight101
4/5/2015 04:00:07 am

Same here! Who do you hope she ends up with?

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Ladymidnight101
19/4/2015 11:52:36 am

This is my bae. Seriously so in love with this book! 😍😍😍

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Elisa Tuck
20/4/2015 04:07:02 am

I read this book thanks to your review and I just wanted to say I enjoyed so much more than I expected! I also wanted to say thanks for supplying the link to her Esty shop (in your merchandise section) so I can go purchase myself a signed copy!

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Abooktopia link
23/4/2015 02:05:20 am

Your welcome! I'm so glad you really enjoyed it. The signed copies are stunning especially since they are personalised copies as well.

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Kira Gatlin
22/4/2015 03:53:32 am

I've heard so many great things about this book. I still need to purchase a copy myself.

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Carolyn Hembe
24/4/2015 07:48:16 am

I've seen to many media information for this book. I'm going to read it due to popularity since so many people have claimed that they loved this novel.

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Nolly Kerkswartech
26/4/2015 04:46:37 am

Love the cute bio you've added as well. Are they only for author requested reviews?

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Lilian Archletch
27/4/2015 01:55:57 pm

Can I still read this book even if I skim over the songs and poetry because I hate them? Well... strongly dislike them.

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Abooktopia link
4/5/2015 04:05:43 am

Yes you can. Though at the beginning I'd give the songs a chance, but if you still find them incredible annoying, just skim through them. No harm done, though they do give you a slight better understanding of what is going on.

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Sonya
28/4/2015 02:43:39 pm

I personally also loved this. the cover is just stunning

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Elena Zawilski
29/4/2015 11:28:39 am

Did anyone else not like this as much as they could have? I personally would have only rated it a three star, though I'd still be very much willing to check out the next books in the series

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Delilah
1/5/2015 03:33:39 pm

I'll give this ago though I'm not sure how I feel about it just yet. We seem to have really similar tastes so I'll probably like it.

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Abooktopia link
4/5/2015 04:07:32 am

I hope you enjoy it. It's always great to find another fangirl who has similar tastes to yourself.

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Jacky
2/5/2015 03:29:28 am

Ooooohhhh what a pretty cover. *Needs a copy on my shelf*

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BooksareLife
2/5/2015 03:11:27 pm

This book was amazing. It bought me out of my reading slump

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Maddie
3/5/2015 03:47:17 am

I do adore covers with pretty eyes just like Shatter Me

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shut.up.im.trying.to.read (Instagram)
3/5/2015 03:12:10 pm

This book is amazingggg

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Abooktopia link
3/5/2015 03:12:46 pm

It is!! And Elisa is so sweet!

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shut.up.im.trying.to.read (Instagram)
3/5/2015 03:13:13 pm

Yes she is! Quite the crafter as well

Katy Benson
5/5/2015 06:04:44 am

I keep seeing this novel all over instagram. Guess I might as well hop into the band wagon and follow along.

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Vicky
9/5/2015 04:37:52 am

Sounds like a really good novel.

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Skyler Fairchild
10/5/2015 04:07:14 am

Bought a nook so I can begin reading it today. Thanks for the review! I cannot wait to head on into this novel

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Carol
10/5/2015 04:47:41 pm

So many positive things about one novel! The cover is stunning!!

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Delilah
11/5/2015 11:07:56 am

This novel sounds unique. Will have to give it a shot.

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Aarthi
24/10/2015 05:48:39 am

When is Griffin's call releasing? I can't wait to read it!!!

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Abooktopia link
24/10/2015 02:07:54 pm

Now that is a very good question but unfortunately I do not have the answer to that. Elisa has let out any information to when it is expected to be published, but I do know she is in the middle of editing it so hopefully it'll come out sometime next year!

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Aarthi
24/10/2015 03:11:10 pm

Oh,....Thank you... Love your channel on YouTube btw!!!




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