Todd Hewitt is a boy who has grown up on a colonized planet where a condition called the Noise makes the thoughts of all men and animals audible to those around them. He lives in Prentisstown, a settlement with no women, when one day, he comes across a “noise hole”. After searching, he discovers it’s caused by young girl named Viola, and that he can’t hear her thoughts. With an intriguing premise, and a plot driven by some major mysteries, it’s an exciting read, though I’m not sure it quite sticks the landing.
The concept of hearing everyone’s thoughts, by default, turns social interactions on their head. I cannot imagine how humans could survive like that, and the book does a decent job of exploring the implications. Along the way, you come across several major mysteries, and you find yourself rooting for Todd and Viola as they try to navigate this mysterious world and uncover the truth. Unfortunately, some of the other characters are not nearly as interesting; the villains, in particular, seem cartoony and two-dimensional. And some of the reveals were a bit predictable.
That said, it’s an exciting tale, with a cool central concept, and it ends on a cliffhanger, so there’s no doubt I’ll be picking up the next book in the series.
