Silencers is a dystopian YA novel by Jenna Greene that will thrust readers into a futuristic world where having a mental illness can lead to death. This thrilling novel will introduce readers to a young girl looking to escape poverty only to find that she has put herself and her entire family directly in harm’s way.
The cover of Silencers draws reader’s eye with a scene at sunset with the beautiful colors gracing the skyline. As your eye travels lower you’ll notice a treeline behind a building that looks old and run down from a distance. A worn dirt road winds in the direction of this building, and standing on the road is a young girl. Who is this young girl? Is she one of the trainees? Is this the main character, Scona?
Prepare to dive into this book and discover the answers for yourself.
Silencers begins with Scona at her school. There has been a rumor of Silencers in the area and she’s eager to see if she can spot them for herself. One would question why Scona is so eager to see the Silencers. Their job is to silence those who have “the madness.” Wouldn’t it stand to reason that if you are seeing a Silencer it’s more than likely not for a good reason? Scona is young, but she appears to be highly immature based on her behavior so early in the story.
The big question that is going to arise as you delve deeper into Silencers is…” What is “the madness?” Is it a virus that spreads from person to person? Is it something that “comes out of nowhere and steals your mind”? What is it exactly and why is it viewed as such a threat?
Based on the way this story is written youth are rarely afflicted by “the madness” but it does happen from time to time. Mostly it happens in adults, especially older ones. Curious, right? These elements of Silencers will absolutely encourage readers to keep digging deeper into the story and discover the truth of it all.
As Silencers progresses the story continues to follow Scona. You get to learn more about her little by little. You learn about her family – she lives at home with her mother and her older brother. Where is the father? Is he in the picture? The father is in the picture, but at this point in the story, he’s away on business.
Life as we know it is dynamically different in Silencers. Scona’s father travels on foot from town to town trying to sell various items that he finds. He’s gone for months at a time, but he always leaves at a certain time of the year and then returns months later. An interesting twist by author Greene wouldn’t you say?
Life is hard for Scona and her family in Silencers. Her brother has finished school, however, he has yet to be able to obtain a job. You can’t help but question why. Scona does the same in one particular encounter with another character when the woman makes the “off-handed” comment that Scona’s brother didn’t have the “proper temperament” to work as a butcher’s assistant.
Doesn’t have the “proper temperament”…to cut meat? What?! What does that mean? What kind of temperament do you need to cut meat and hand it to the customer? We know it’s a “customer service” industry, but it’s a bizarre comment made even more bizarre by the fact that the woman refuses to answer the question. We can easily understand Scona’s frustration and even resentment toward the woman at that moment.
Of course, it’s Scona’s resentment, frustration, and ultimately her obstinance that leads her down a most dangerous path in this story. Scona wants more for her family. She wants better for her family. She sees an opportunity with the Silencers and so decides that that is the best course of action for her.
The reaction to her decision from her family is one that will raise eyebrows with readers. It’s obvious that they know the dangers that lie in joining up with the Silencers. The question then becomes…why doesn’t Scona know of these same dangers?
The way that Silencers is written Scona is sheltered because she’s viewed as “a child.” She’s fourteen years old. Author Greene gives the impression that others of Scona’s age have some impression or knowledge of the Silencers and thereby have a healthy fear and respect for them. Why is Scona written so sheltered? Even if her family kept her in the dark, surely she would have heard things at school, right?
As Silencers progresses we watch as Scona is warned against joining the Academy. Yes, they get a stipend, but at what cost? What will be the consequences? One consequence that is felt almost immediately is the fracturing of Scona’s family. It’s heartbreaking to see the familial relationships being strained and damaged, but what’s done is done. She was warned, but she refused to listen and moved forward with her choices regardless.
Author Greene shows Scona as she goes through the Academy and begins to understand some of the things that she was warned about. The Academy is no joke. The students there are determined to prove themselves and show that they have what it takes to be a Silencer.
Readers who are wondering – “Is there bullying in this book?” The answer is yes. Is it constant and graphic? No, it is not. You will be given some scenes, but the ones doing the “bullying” won’t see it as that. It will be depicted as “toughening up the newbie.”
Scona is the main character of this story, and thereby the “driving force” of it all. Her choices and decisions will open the door for readers to discover the truth behind the Silencers organization. The Silencers may have started out with one agenda/goal, but it has morphed over time. Now, it is something more dangerous and sinister. Thanks to Scona’s actions and constant questions she has put a target on her family’s backs.
Scona is both an interesting character and a trying one at the same time. You’ll understand her desire to understand, but at the same time, you’ll think she should have listened to the warnings. Scona’s failure to take accountability for her actions and choices is a vexing point of this story.
One character that stands out in this novel is Dia. She’s a former Silencer. You’ll get some of her backstory in this book, and it is fascinating. We take a shine towards Dia is more than just that she’s “older and wiser.” Dia is no-nonsense and tells you like it is. Dia is willing to stand up for a cause, but she knows when to be still and when to act as well. Scona could learn a lot from her.
The way that Silencers reads this book is just the beginning. There is a sense, as this book draws to a close that there is much unfinished and that author Greene has more to tell. We surely hope so, because while there is some resolution to a couple of situations, much is left open-ended. So, there is definitely the sense that Silencers is just the beginning of a series, and we’re eager to see where things go from here.
Readers who enjoy dystopian novels will surely want to dive into this book. Imagine living in a world where mental illness and a medical disability are enough to have you labeled as “dangerous” and need to be “silenced.” It’s mind-blowing, but it definitely makes for an engaging story.
Pros:
- Engaging storyline
- Well written
- Interesting characters
- Realistic dynamics between the characters
Cons:
- Main character’s obstinate behavior leans her to being unlikeable.
- Needs more backstory on the Silencers and the “madness”
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