Books for Christian Girls: "Seeing Voices" by Olivia Smit

About this book:

“Skylar Brady has a pretty good idea of how her life is going to turn out, and getting in a car accident the summer before twelfth grade isn’t supposed to be part of the plan. Although Skylar escapes mostly unharmed, the accident has stolen more than just her hearing from her: she’s also lost the close bond she used to have with her brother.

When her parents decide to take a house-sitting job halfway across the province, it’s just one more thing that isn’t going according to plan. As the summer progresses, Skylar begins to gain confidence in herself, but as she tries to mend her relationship with her brother, she stumbles upon another hidden trauma. Suddenly, she’s keeping as many secrets as she’s struggling to uncover, and creating more problems than she could ever hope to solve.”

Series: Considered Book #1 in the “Seeing Voices” series. (Unsure if there will be more books after the sequel, review Here!)

Spiritual Content- Talks about God, Christians, & why bad things happen to good people; Most ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Cam talks about God and Skylar says she hasn’t given God much thought, is mad at Him, wonders if God hates her, & feels bitter towards Him; *Spoiler* Skylar realizes about God’s love at the end of the book *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of God; Mentions of churches & church going; Mentions of Christians; A few mentions of prayers & praying; A few mentions of Jesus music & VBS; A few mentions of thanking God even though you don’t believe in Him (also the phrase “Honest to God…” is said; A couple Scriptures are mentioned;

*Note: Ana says Cam talks about God too much (somewhat teasingly).

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crap’, an ‘oh my gosh’, two ‘freaking’s, three ‘idiot’s, five forms of ‘stupid’, five ‘suck’s, six ‘shut up’s, and seven forms of ‘screwed up’; Mentions of curses (said by Skylar and her brother; said, not written or the phrase is cut off); Some eye rolling & sarcasm; A few lies are said; Skylar’s brother talks back to their parents & is disrespectful;Recalling the accident & being hit by the car (up to semi-detailed); Nightmares & Pain (barely-above-not-detailed); Seeing someone almost drowning (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of the accident, screams, blood, & nightmares of it (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of parties, drinking, getting drunk, hangovers, smoking cigarettes, smoking weed, & getting high (both underage and those who are new adults; Skylar doesn’t care if her older brother drinks, but doesn’t want him to drive while drunk); Mentions of another car accident, drunk driving, & drunk drivers (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of someone almost drowning (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of nightmares, screams, & pain (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of throwing up & vomit; A couple mentions of murderers; A couple mentions of wondering if someone is an axe murderer & going to kill you; A couple mentions of peeing; A mention of jail; A mention of jealousy;

*Note: A mention of a celebrities.

Sexual Content- Accidental Touches, Warmth, Nearness, & an Embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Skylar doesn’t like how a guy is staring at her & how he tries to touch her (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy; Mentions of crushes, who-likes-who, dating, boyfriends, & blushes; A mention of seeing someone kiss; A mention of a chaperone;

*Note: A few mentions of periods; A few mentions of butts; A couple mentions of underwear.

-Skylar Brady, age 17

1^st person P.O.V. of Skylar

248 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

{ Add a Full Star For Girls Who Are in Public/Private School }

There was a rawness to this book that I enjoyed. It feels weird saying that, but the only way I can describe it was that the characters were vulnerable—almost to the point of where I felt like I was intruding on Skylar’s private thoughts. I don’t consider that a bad thing, but it was different. It was heavy in some aspects, but not overwhelmingly so (to me personally). There was something that just felt like it was all beautifully broken by the end. I don’t know if I’m completely satisfied at the ending, but because there’s a sequel coming in July, that’s okay.

This book was set in Canada and I think it may be the only contemporary novel I’ve read set there. I thought that was neat (also milk in bags?? I am confused but okay) and added a special charm to the story.

Let’s add a note that there’s no romance in this story. Some mentions of crushes and possibly liking a guy, but no hints more than that, which was another thing I enjoyed about this book.

While, sure, I wasn’t a fan of different parts, I really appreciate how the author didn’t give more details than what was necessary. So, yes, this book dealt with car accidents, drunk driving, drinking, smoking weed, cursing, & an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, it wasn’t over the top like I’ve seen other Christian Contemporary YA books do. This book probably wouldn’t be good for those sensitive to those topics, but it was definitely different and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

See y’all on Friday with a new review!