I really enjoy speculative dystopian fiction and in The Quiet, we are introduced to Hannah, an academic who is determined to protect her son in a world where children are snatched by the government for their musical abilities.

Isaac cannot talk, but he can mimic the sound of the soundfield that has caused the planet to over heat to the extent that life now carries on at night and daytime is for sleeping. Hannah knows that she can't protect Isaac forever and as the government close in, she turns to a rebel group for help and that's when the action really hots up!

Emotion and the strength of a mother's love combine with science fiction to make this a gripping and enjoyable thriller of a read.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Barnaby Martin and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Motherly love, language and music, and the constant need for answers. All key themes throughout this novel that I found super easy to read, I was slipping through the chapters without even realising.

We're in the future on Earth and climate change means people live during the night to avoid the searing heat of the daytime. On top of this the Earth has been covered by the Soundfield, which makes noises that nobody can interpret. Our main character is a former scientist but she is now trying to keep her son safe from the government.

None of that is a spoiler, but you also don't get any solid answers about what on earth is going on in this book until the 50% mark. Luckily this book was so easy to read otherwise I would've given up in frustration before that point. But the ~170 pages flew by and I was curious to see what I'd learn.

There is sign language representation in this book, and from my very limited knowledge when the signs are described they seem to be accurate to BSL which I'm so glad Martin took the time to add this detail. I also enjoyed the discussions on musicality and genetics that played into the sci-fi aspect of this novel. I'm trying not to spoil things here!

The constant need of humanity to have answers to everything, and the lengths they'll go to get those answers, is a plot point in the novel. But Martin also explores this in how he has chosen to end the story. We don't get a conclusion. Not one that was satisfying or explains anything. Don't get me wrong, we get a few answers, but I want to know more about the Soundfield! I want to know about the scientific research and what happens to the characters and to the planet! Unfortunately, we don't get that in this book.

I do really hope that there is a sequel in the future, even if there is still a lot left unexplained there is so much that Martin could work with in the world-building he has set up and I'd definitely want to read it! If you can handle an ambiguous ending, I recommend this one.

Thanks to the folks over at BookBreak for sending me a physical copy for review, as well as NetGalley for an eARC.

I liked the premise of this dystopian thriller. In the near future, climate change forces people to sleep during the day and work at night whilst living on rations and in decrepit conditions. The narrative pace is slow in places though I liked the character of Hannah and her bond with Isaac.

Excellent science fiction

Thank you, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of Barnaby Martin’s, The Quiet.

The Quiet is an interesting read, good voice, with an excellently executed double timeline. The plot is intriguing. From one day to the next, a Soundfield emitting a constant hum, appeared above Earth. Solar intensity and UV levels increased to (near) lethal, and humans had to turn night into day and day into night. There is quite a bit of science (musical and scientific jargon) in this science fiction novel, which I like.
I would have welcomed more worldbuilding; this near-future version of our planet is alien enough to warrant it. And more background. How did governments slip into the autocratic, militarised state they are in, for example.

Barnaby Martin’s, The Quiet, is a good science fiction novel, around the theme, how far will a parent go to protect their child. Still, I can’t escape the feeling it could have been much more than that, if Isaac’s connection with the Soundfield had been expanded and given more prominence. If there's to be a sequel, with Isaac as the main character, I will definitely want to read that.

The sense of threat that permeates this book makes for tense reading. The ever-present hum of The Soundfield and the vivid portrayal of the heat forcing humanity to live a nocturnal life forms a petrifying vision of a dystopian world in the not-too-distant future. I found the concept both fascinating and petrifying. Add into the mix the potential of some children to be able to communicate with The Soundfield and an autocratic, militarized government intent of rounding up these children, and you have a thrilling story which encompasses fear, love and betrayal.

I particularly enjoyed the science woven into the book and found Hannah a very sympathetic main character. The dual timeline is skillfully executed and adds to the tension.

A great read. I would love there to be a sequel.

This was such a great concept but the slow burn, confusing characters and repetition made it a boring read which I struggled to read. It took me so long to read this book when it would only normally take me a day or two to read a book.

I love dystopian thrillers and after reading the blurb for The Quiet, I was excited to request and read it.

When the Soundfield mysteriously arrived, the peace of the world went with it. The sun now burns during the day, the UV rays strong enough to kill and the field hums morning and night with its own song. Hannah and 6 years old Isaac hold a secret, and one they must do anything to protect.

I think some of my lack of engagement with this book has to do with the disconnect between the blurb and what I was reading, particularly in the initial half of the book. The tagline on Goodreads mentioned a silenced world, which isn’t true as the world is more or less the same, in fact with more noise due to the hum of the sound-field. The other thing which confused me was the part about having to keep her child safe - I was expecting Isaac to be hidden away somewhere, so the first chapters where she takes him out to work and through checkpoint barriers and on public transport was odd. I was also annoyed that the book was implying that music and singing seemed to be banned but Isaac listens to music on his CD player and she herself has sheet music openly out, which made little sense. I then got confused as to why, when singing was so bad, her son would just sing in the open, with seemingly no care for the consequences. The second half of the book tries to explain this with flashbacks and much needed exposition, but it seemed a little too late by this point.

It's certainly a unique premise, and you can tell that author Barnaby Martin is a composer with a love for music, however a lot of the science and exposition of the story felt very dense to get through and did not grab me as a reader. There was far too much of a ‘tell not show’ technique which left me disengaged with it. The ending reveal was far too obvious, and I just didn’t feel like the plot was going anywhere - the ending chapter really muddied the waters and confused me with what had just happened. I’m unsure if it was trying to set up for a sequel but it felt like far too little had actually happened in the book itself to warrant setting up the next instalment.

Overall, The Quiet sadly did not hit the right notes for me – with a confusing story which did not match the marketing and an ending that made little sense. Thank you to NetGalley & Pan Macmillan for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now that I've had some time to think about this, I realize the science aspects were cool, but not enough was done about it. The rest of the fractured narrative is easy to piece together, but I do wish we had more done, given that there was a lengthy technical explanation of a theory as to how this issue could be tackled.

Full review to come

In a future where humans must live at night to avoid the unbearable heat of the day and deadly UV rays, a barrier of unknown origin has appeared in the sky rendering all satellites useless and preventing the human race from leaving earth. Named the Soundfield, this barrier constantly emits audible frequencies that scientists are desperate to find a meaning to, by any means possible. When scientific research finds a link between the Soundfield and children gifted with specific abilities, Hannah must do everything in her power to protect and hide her gifted son Isaac. But Isaac’s abilities are becoming stronger and more noticeable, the government is coming and Hannah knows better than anybody, the children are not safe in their care.

The Quiet is a dystopian, science fiction thriller that had me hooked from the very first chapter. It combines a gripping story of a mothers love for for her child with unique, complex and fascinating scientific explanations and a dystopian story which I believe rivals that of popular dystopian fiction such as The Hunger Games and Divergent. I have nothing but praise for this novel and I absolutely cannot wait for the second book. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of Barnaby Martin’s work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Content Warnings: Blood, Cancer, Child Death, Chronic Illness, Death, Death of Parent, Grief, Gun Violence, Injury/Injury Detail, Murder, Terminal Illness, Violence.

To be honest it was not my cup of tea. That said I did find the main character interesting and the relationships between her and her mother. I usually like dystopian but maybe it was too other worldly for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Twenty years ago, the Soundfield hum came, and the world changed with it. A deadly heat came where people must move at night and in the day, people have to wear UV clothes to protect themselves. When the Soundfield came, Hannan was scientist researching the Soundfield. But now she is a devoted mother who has a son called Isaac who she tries to keep safe.
Before I read the quiet by Barnaby Martin, I didn’t really know what to expect and honestly, I did enjoy it more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed the first part on the story, and I thought this is just up my street. But than it turned into a more of a sci fi drama and I started quoted scientific terms and I started losing interest and the ending was quite disappointing. 3 stars from me.

Ein fesselnder Thriller, der mit ruhiger Spannung und unvorhersehbaren Wendungen überzeugt!

"The Quiet" von Barnaby Martin hat mich mit seiner düsteren Atmosphäre und den langsamen, aber intensiven Spannungsbögen sofort in den Bann gezogen. Der Thriller entfaltet sich mit einer zurückhaltenden, aber dennoch packenden Erzählweise, die den Leser von Anfang an fesselt und nicht mehr loslässt. Die Geschichte dreht sich um eine geheimnisvolle und beunruhigende Situation, bei der das Mysterium langsam enthüllt wird – und das auf eine Art und Weise, die einen immer tiefer in die Geschichte hineinzieht.

Was mir besonders an diesem Buch gefallen hat, ist der ruhige, beinahe meditative Schreibstil, der mit einer stetigen, fast schleichenden Bedrohung kombiniert wird. Es ist keine actionreiche Erzählung, sondern eine Geschichte, die mit subtiler Spannung und ständigen Fragen den Leser auf Trab hält. Barnaby Martin versteht es, eine Atmosphäre zu erschaffen, in der sich die Bedrohung immer mehr verdichtet, ohne dass man sich dessen zunächst bewusst ist.

Die Charaktere sind vielschichtig und komplex, was dazu führt, dass man immer wieder über ihre Beweggründe und wahren Absichten nachdenkt. Besonders die Protagonistin ist faszinierend, da ihre Reise im Buch sowohl psychologisch als auch emotional tiefgründig ist. Die psychologische Dimension der Geschichte ist hervorragend ausgearbeitet und macht den Thriller noch packender.

Das Ende war absolut unerwartet und hat mich mit einem Schock zurückgelassen. Es fügt sich perfekt in die Gesamtgeschichte ein und rundet das Leseerlebnis auf eindrucksvolle Weise ab.

Fazit:
"The Quiet" ist ein Thriller, der ruhig beginnt, aber mit einer konstanten, unterschwelligen Spannung bis zum Ende packt. Barnaby Martin hat es geschafft, eine Geschichte zu schreiben, die tief unter die Oberfläche geht und den Leser mit überraschenden Wendungen und einer düsteren Atmosphäre fesselt. Wer Thriller mit einer langsamen, aber stetig wachsenden Spannung liebt, wird dieses Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen können.

This book is so scary because it seems like a near possible future for us all. I loved this and had a hard time putting it down. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Barnaby Martin’s The Quiet presents a vivid and unsettling vision of a near-future world transformed by the enigmatic “Soundfield” and the catastrophic effects of climate change. The novel explores a society forced into nocturnal living, where the sun’s UV radiation is lethal and an omnipresent hum permeates the air, defying explanation. This atmospheric setting, rich in detail and foreboding, provides the perfect backdrop for a story that blends speculative fiction with deeply human themes.

At the heart of the narrative is Hannah, a scientist whose work intertwines with her determination to protect her son Isaac. Isaac, a boy with unique abilities linked to the Soundfield, becomes a focal point of the story’s tension. The maternal love that drives Hannah’s decisions is both her strength and her Achilles’ heel, propelling her into morally complex situations. Isaac, while not the central voice, offers an intriguing and poignant perspective as a child grappling with both his extraordinary gifts and the dangers they attract.

Martin’s prose is evocative and immersive, with the Soundfield’s hum acting as a metaphor for the persistent tension that shapes the characters’ lives. The science underpinning the story is detailed and plausible, offering enough explanation to ground the narrative while leaving room for mystery. The interplay between the dystopian backdrop and the personal stakes ensures that the story remains compelling, even as it occasionally delves into familiar tropes.

While The Quiet excels in world-building and character development, its pacing can be uneven. The first half establishes the setting and stakes with deliberate care, but the story's central revelations and twists come late, leaving little room for resolution. The conclusion feels abrupt, making it clear that this is the opening act of a larger tale. Readers may find themselves both frustrated by the lack of closure and eager for the sequel.

This novel offers a thoughtful examination of resilience, sacrifice, and the ethical dilemmas that arise in a world on the brink of collapse. Fans of speculative fiction will appreciate its originality, and those drawn to character-driven stories will find Hannah’s journey both relatable and heart-wrenching. While The Quiet leaves many questions unanswered, it succeeds in creating a world and narrative that linger long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Barnaby Martin’s The Quiet is a thought-provoking story set in a world transformed by the mysterious “Soundfield,” an enigmatic force that has left humanity living in darkness, forced to avoid the scorching, radiation-filled daylight. While the exact relationship between the Soundfield and the deadly heat is not entirely clear, the novel weaves these elements together to create a tense and atmospheric backdrop.

The narrative centers on Hannah, a brilliant but disillusioned scientist who now dedicates herself to protecting Isaac, a young boy with a rare gift. Isaac and other children like him possess abilities that the government—and perhaps others—seek to control. However, the full extent of these abilities is left tantalizingly unexplored, likely setting the stage for future installments.

The plot follows familiar territory: a researcher makes a groundbreaking discovery only to have it seized by shadowy government forces with unclear but potentially sinister intentions. Despite this trope, The Quiet feels fresh, thanks to its unique premise and the richly imagined world. The omnipresent hum of the Soundfield, the scarcity of resources, and the nocturnal existence of humanity are vividly described, immersing the reader in a world that feels both alien and unsettlingly familiar.

While I found the story engaging, it didn’t quite reach the gripping heights promised by the blurb. Instead, it feels like the opening act of a larger tale. The narrative lays solid groundwork for what seems to be a promising series, though it left me wishing for more immediate answers and a deeper exploration of its intriguing concepts.

Hannah and Isaac are compelling characters, and their journey is one I’m eager to follow in the sequel. The Quiet may not have been as enthralling as I’d hoped, but it is undoubtedly an original and imaginative start to a series with significant potential that I'm looking forward to reading.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy in return for an honest review.

The Quiet is set in the near future when climate change has made the world so hot that many people have become refugees and those who can stay living in their own country have to sleep by day and work at night as UV radiation from the sun means exposure to sunlight without protective clothing means contracting cancer. The world is also enveloped by a mysterious cloud of sound which gives off a constant hum. This is the Soundfield which mysteriously appeared from nowhere in 2028 and now has top scientists scrambling to unravel its enigma.

Hannah is one such scientist and she appears to be close to a solution, However, there are forces opposing her and willing to kidnap Isaac her son who is somehow part of the answer to the mystery.

Although the writing is vivid and the readable style is pacey once it picks up, I felt that this novel promised more than it actually delivered. The central character of Hannah is well-drawn and sympathetic and the dystopian vision of a world devastated by climate change and riven with social and political unrest is detailed and convincing. However, the same ideas have been better developed in other books (eg, The Children of Men).

The plot begins well but takes a while to get going and then meanders unsatisfactorily towards a conclusion with a twist that doesn't quite make sense of what came before. The scientific aspects of the story are interesting and detailed but I felt there could have been more fleshing out of the secondary characters as well as a more satisfying conclusion.

This was an interesting book to read, as it made me think about the way our world was going and whether we could, ultimately, descend to this level.
I thought the characters were well developed and the story, believeable, within its own genre.

Barnaby Martin's The Quiet was an interesting read. The first section of the book was fantastic, but then it started to jump around and coupled that I'm not a fan the sci-fi genre it lost it's way for me.

,For those who appreciate science fiction it maybe a different story because the characters are clearly defined and it is easy to become enveloped by them.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this one

Barnaby Martin's »The Quiet« takes readers on a riveting journey through love, sacrifice, and the boundaries a mother will push to protect her child in a drastically altered world.

The narrative centers on Hannah, a devoted mother whose son Isaac is not only her pride and joy but also a target due to his exceptional abilities. The story's opening line—"You have no idea what I’ve had to do to keep him safe…"— encapsulates Hannah's internal struggle as she walks a tightrope between nurturing Isaac's talents and shielding him from the perils that lurk outside their carefully constructed bubble.

The setting of »The Quiet« is a dystopian world transformed by the enigmatic Soundfield, forcing humankind to adapt to nocturnal life. In this desolate landscape where daylight brings unbearable heat and scarcity, the atmosphere is laden with tension and uncertainty. Martin skillfully crafts this backdrop, employing vivid imagery that immerses readers in a landscape characterized by both beauty and danger. The omnipresent hum of the Soundfield serves as a metaphor for the underlying anxiety that permeates Hannah's existence, a constant reminder of the chaos beyond her control.

Hannah's character is richly developed, embodying strength and vulnerability in equal measure. Her love for Isaac fuels her actions but also leads her into morally ambiguous territory as she employs deception to protect him. This inner conflict raises poignant questions about motherhood, ethics, and survival in a harsh world. Isaac, despite his youth, grapples with his own identity under the pressure of his mother’s fears and the weight of his gifts.

Martin's writing style is engaging and evocative, melding lyrical prose with sharp dialogue that breathes life into his characters. The emotional depth he conveys allows readers to empathize with Hannah's predicament while also pondering the ramifications of her choices. The novel balances suspense with introspection, creating a narrative that is both thrilling and contemplative.

While the pacing occasionally slows in favor of character exploration, this deliberate choice ultimately enriches the story by providing a deeper understanding of Hannah’s psyche and the gravity of her decisions. Martin’s ability to intertwine personal stakes with broader societal issues transforms »The Quiet« into more than just a tale of survival—it becomes a testament to human resilience.

»The Quiet« prompts readers to consider what they would do in the name of love—a question that lingers long after the final page is turned. Through Hannah and Isaac's journey, Martin invites us to confront the complexities of our own humanity, leaving a lasting impact beyond the confines of the story.

Extremely tense, wonderfully efficient prose. I found this fascinating, terrifying and thought-provoking. Such a sure hand, and I loved that the science wasn't dumbed down or over-explained.