Wednesday 4 September 2013

Review & Giveaway: All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

All the Truth That's In Me
All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Publication date: September 26th 2013
My rating:  4.5 stars 





Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.



My Thoughts:
All the Truth That’s In Me was a stunning, sharply focused story that ticked all the boxes for me! It was filled with feelings of longing, pain, sadness, anger, hope and joy!  At the heart of it are an achy romance, and a clever mystery that surprised me when all was revealed!

Judith is one of two girls who went missing two years ago.  She came back but the other girl did not.  When she walks back to her home there is no warm welcome.  Her father died during her absence, and her mother blames her for this!  Judith’s younger brother doesn’t treat her much better.  Judith was maimed making her speech hard to understand.  What’s worse though is her mother’s reaction.  She’s shocked and horrified by Judith’s attempts at speaking and she forbids her to talk.  Her treatment and reaction to Judith made my heart hurt!

“You’ve come back maimed. I leave it to God to judge what brought this upon you.”*

Before Judith was abducted she was hopelessly in love with her childhood friend, Lucas.  Nothing changed her feelings for him. But without speaking and with no explanation of her disappearance, Judith fades into the background, and everyone either regards her as the town freak or ignores her entirely.  Lucas falls into the latter category.  My heart broke for Judith as life goes on with her as a spectator.  But everything changes when the town is threatened, and she knows exactly what must be done.

There are several mysteries unfolding in this tale.  The identity of Judith’s abductor is revealed early on, but you’re not sure why she was taken, and you’re not sure what happened during her captivity.  These mysteries and more are slowly and masterfully revealed throughout the story. 

All the Truth That’s In Me is told in second person narrative, with Judith basically addressing this story to Lucas.  It felt like I was reading her letters to him with dialogue and scenes included. I read so much that a change in storytelling is welcome and refreshing, and I loved it!  

I admired and rooted for Judith, and was in awe that all she went through didn’t break her spirit.  I was heartened when she started to come out of her shell and take control of her life!  Because of the second narrative, interactions with the secondary character like her brother, Maria or Goody are somewhat sparse, but that in no way lessens their impact or appeal.  

The romance between Judith and Lucas is one of longing and sadness on her part, at first.  As the story continued my heart filled with joy over changes in situation, and as things were revealed. 

“It was always you, Ladybird,” you say softly. “Don’t you know?”*

Julie Berry’s writing was powerful, concise and almost lyrical.  Her captivating story is a definite recommend!

*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy. 









I loved this story so much I wanted to share my ARC with one lucky reader!  The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  Just fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.  Good luck, and thanks for visiting The Readers Den!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

40 comments:

Ari (Reading After Midnight) said...

Beautiful review!
This book sounded amazing from the description, but now I can't wait to read it. I am in need for an emotional story that can make my heart ache but also fill me just a bit with joy :D

Sarah Elizabeth said...

I really want to read this one ☺

Christina Fiorelli said...

Christina K. in the rafflecopter

This book sounds so good - love how there's a mystery and an unconventional narrator :))

Thank you:)

Unknown said...

Great review! Really want to read this book now. Thanks for the giveaway =)

Tanja - Tanychy said...

Oh my I must read this now. I have seen that you're reading it on Goodreads but after reading your review I really want it. It sounds like a really emotional read and these are my favorites :)
Amazing review and thanks for the giveaway Rachel :)

Samantha Stewart said...

Brilliant review!
I've been curious about this book for a while, but after reading your review I'm definitely going to be getting my hands on a copy. I want to know what happened to Judith and why she was taken. Why her town is in danger again, and what they have to do to stop it. I also really want to see Judith's relationship with Lucas develop because it sounds like it's going to be amazing.
Thanks for the giveaway! :)

Mel@Thedailyprophecy said...

This sounds like such a powerful story. I don't read many contemporaries, but this is one I think I'd really enjoy :) Great review!

Mel@thedailyprophecy.

Carina Olsen said...

Aw, love your review. <3 So glad you loved this book. I would really, really like to read. Tried to request via Netgalley and Edelweiss, yet no respond :\ so I would love love love to win an ARC of it :D Thank you for the perfect giveaway :) And ahh. So glad you loved the romance. <3 It sounds sweet :)

Melanie said...

Fantastic review, Rachel! It's great to know that you enjoyed this one as much as I did. Her writing is simply gorgeous.

Lovely review, hon! <33

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

Ooh, you've fully intrigued me! The cover and the blurb had me started but your review definitely topped it. I want to know all about Judith and what happened to her and why!

Kristia said...

It sounds amazing, and reading your review I can see that it is! I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for the international giveaway :)

Siiri said...

I had only seen the cover (everywhere), but never really got myself to bother about the synopsis so it was really cool to see what you said about this one. I think the premise sounds AWESOME! I like how it took a completely different course with the writing and it pulled on your heart-strings quite a bit. I hope that what I gathered from your thoughts is that Lucas and Judith develop their feelings as the novel progresses. Heh, hopeless romantic as I am:) So happy you liked this one!

erin said...

thanks for the review! This is the first I've come across this book and I'm definitely interested now :) Thanks for sharing!

Sara @ Forever 17 Books said...

Gah, that quote! Love it! So happy to hear you enjoyed this one. I've been really wanting to read it. And thank you for the giveaway!

Shane @ItchingforBooks said...

Great review. Been meaning to read this one :)

Lauren @ Love is not a triangle said...

I didn't read all your review, b/c I just read this book and am working on my own. BUT I read enough to see that you enjoyed this one as much as I did! The second person narrative worked so well for me, and I was completely grabbed by this one! So happy to see other positive reviews.

Wendy Darling said...

Oooo, I see your stars and I'm SO happy! I loved this too. You know the drill, I'll be by to visit your GoodReads review at a later date, hah. xoxo

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

The cover is so eye catching but wow! THe story is incredible. I can't imagine what she went through getting kidnapped and then coming home to that! I definitely must check this out now!

BookOwl93 said...

I love that cover! So intense! And it only makes me want to read it even more despite never hearing about this book before. Thanks for sharing you're ARC! :D

Keertana said...

Woah! I haven't heard too much about this and sort of dismissed it from the cover, but it looks amazing! I love the sound of the story and the romance in this sounds like something I'd enjoy as well. Fantastic review, Rachel!

Goth Angel said...

Many thanks for the giveaway - I have mixed feelings about this book as I suspect it'll make me cry a lot, but at the same time I really, really want to read it, so hope Rafflecopter will be on my side :P

Unknown said...

This does sound like a great story, Rachel. Achy romance and a good mystery, sounds perfect.
I'm glad you enjoyed All the Truth Thats in Me so much.

Mary Preston said...

WOW!! This story sounds amazing. Fresh.

Jen (Books and Other Happy Ever Afters) said...

I want this book now!! It sounds very fabulous and a bit creepy, but totally uplifting. Judith has such a hard life! I'm excited to read and find out about the mystery surrounding her abduction. I'm glad you were able to understand Judith so much, and Berry's writing style seems spot on! I can't wait to read this one; brilliant review, Rachel!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear you loved this, Rachel. I'm looking forward to reading this one now that I know you enjoyed it.
It sounds like the MC goes through hell and what a terrible mother her mom is! I already don't like her at all.
The writing style sounds like it's intense although I'm not sure how I'm going to like the 2nd person POV. It sounds a bit strange, but I'm willing to give it a try.
Lovely review, Rachel and thank you for the giveaway! :)

Unknown said...

Thank you for this giveaway x

Unknown said...

i love the little bit of this book its soooo intriguing and full of mystery, just exactly what u need to escape life for a little while.

Unknown said...

Great giveaway. And the review of this book sounds great.

Anonymous said...

This is the third review I've read today for this book and both have been positive. The synopsis sounds intriguing and i'm interested in readng this partly because it;s told in second person and I normally don't read book with that sort of narration. I'm interested in reading about Judith's character growth and will probably read it just for that. Great Review:)
Lily @ Lilysbookblog

Rachel said...

Dun dun dun! Wonderful review Rachel!!! This story sounds special! I love new narrative styles and books with many mysteries.

Hazel @ Stay Bookish said...

I've heard so much about this book and I'm so dying to read it! Awesome review! Thank you for the giveaway!

Christine said...

Love the sound of this book! Romantic and mysterious--awesome combination!
Thanks for the giveaway :D

Unknown said...

This seems promising. I'm really loving some of the books that are coming out this year..thanks for pointing this one out:)
Thanks for the giveaway too!

Meghan said...

I always wonder if there is a point in time or an event in an author's life that gives them the inspiration to write a particular book and I wonder about it in this case as well??

Book Bunny said...

Ooh, the book sounds really interesting :) Thank you for hosting the giveaway!

Unknown said...

HOLY COW HOLY COW HOLY COW! THE ROMANCE AND THE PREMISE AND AHHHHHH! This sounds epic! Fab review, Rachel and thanks for the giveaway :)

Unknown said...

thank you so much for this giveaway!!!

Ann said...

I really enjoyed your review! Thanks for the giveaway!

Jaime Lester said...

I have heard about this one for a while now, but I wasn't sure if I would like it. After reading some reviews, including yours, I think I may actually enjoy it very much. Thank you for the giveaway!

YA Anonymous said...

I was so pleasantly surprised by this. I didn't know what do expect but I kind of loved it. Lyrical is a great description of this book. Great review, Rach!!

PS. I'm SO bummed her LA event was cancelled, or rather turned into a private event.

-Maggie

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