Radio Silence

by Alice Oseman
Radio Silence cover
Good Books rating 4.83
Young Adult (YA)
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 10006
  • Added: 2026-01-05
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9780007559251
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2016-02-25
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

'Radio Silence' is the second novel by the acclaimed author Alice Oseman, known for her YA Book Prize-winning 'Loveless' and the popular graphic novel series 'Heartstopper'. This novel delves into the lives of two unlikely friends, Frances and Aled, as they navigate the challenges of school, family, and self-discovery. The story is a poignant exploration of the pressures of growing up and the importance of finding one's true voice. Set against the backdrop of a popular podcast, the novel also touches on themes of fandom, creativity, and the impact of online communities. With its relatable characters and engaging narrative, 'Radio Silence' is a must-read for fans of contemporary young adult fiction.

Reviews
Books With Ben · Ben · 2020-01-13
touching 5.00

The book is described as touching and memorable, with themes that linger in the reader's mind. It is praised for its emotional depth and character development.

Ben found 'Radio Silence' to be an incredibly touching and memorable book. The emotional depth and character development are particularly noteworthy, making it a book that stays with the reader long after finishing. The themes of friendship and self-identity are explored in a way that resonates deeply. Ben highlights the book's ability to evoke strong emotions and its memorable characters, making it a standout read that is likely to be revisited multiple times.

Quick quotes

    It's an incredibly touching yet memorable book that probably won't leave you until you've thought about it way too much and read it too many times to count.

    The emotional depth and character development are particularly noteworthy.

    The themes of friendship and self-identity are explored in a way that resonates deeply.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2018-01-19
masterful 5.00

The book is described as masterful, with a core of hope and resilience. It is praised for its exploration of dark themes and its unrelenting steel.

Kara Babcock describes 'Radio Silence' as masterful, highlighting its ability to delve into dark places while maintaining a core of hope and resilience. The book's exploration of emotional abuse and family issues is particularly noteworthy, as it balances these heavy themes with moments of warmth and heart. Kara praises the unrelenting steel of the characters and the book's ability to evoke strong emotions, making it a powerful and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Radio Silence is masterful. It goes to some dark places, but even in those dark moments, there is a core of hope and an unrelenting steel to Oseman.

    The book's exploration of emotional abuse and family issues is particularly noteworthy, as it balances these heavy themes with moments of warmth and heart.

    The unrelenting steel of the characters and the book's ability to evoke strong emotions make it a powerful and memorable read.

The Guardian · 2016-04-12
adored 4.50

The book is praised for its realistic writing and diverse, three-dimensional characters. It is recommended for its unique portrayal of relatable themes and genuine friendships.

The reviewer adored 'Radio Silence' for its uniquely realistic writing and the diverse, three-dimensional cast. The themes are universally relatable, and the portrayal of a purely platonic friendship is genuinely touching. They recommend it to everyone, highlighting its authentic dialogue and the depth of its characters. The book's ability to capture real-life experiences and emotions makes it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    Overall, I adored Radio Silence for its uniquely realistic writing and three-dimensional diverse cast.

    I'd recommend it to everybody, but in particular to those who enjoy contemporary YA with a focus on friendship and self-discovery.

    The dialogue is organic instead of forced, the themes are universally relatable, and the purely platonic friendship is very genuine.

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