Hunter Miller has a secret.He can read and manipulate the auras that surround everyone.Having used his talent to dethrone the reigning school bully, thirteen-year old Hunter finds himself thrust into a new quest after hearing screams in the aura of a teacher. Unable to resist this powerful siren song, he investigates—despite warnings from his family and friends. It nearly costs him everything.… costs him everything.
When he discovers the truth, Hunter seeks help stopping his formidable adversary. As the situation escalates, the adolescent hero realizes that despite the risks, he must fight this battle alone.
In this second installment of The Master of Perceptions series, can Hunter use his extraordinary powers to rescue an innocent woman without losing himself in the process?
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Brown has honed in on YA writing, and has hit his stride with his second book in the series. Brown ensures that his style, prose, and pace are appropriate for young readers, as well as keeping a key message that can resonate through multiple generations of readers. The story is really pushed by the “everyone, no matter what, can make the world a better place and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles” idea that we see in lots of YA stories, especially coming of age/extraordinary youth stories.
This story has a unique twist that really works well with the current social climate, Hunter (our main character here) is a new teen that struggles with living on the spectrum. Hunter is clearly a passionate character that wants to change things for the better, and he dishes out his agenda with a side helping of inspiration.
Hunter struggles with being a young teen in ways that we can’t always identify with, but we can understand, and the story is written from Hunter’s perspective. This adds a unique voice to the story as we get to see our protagonist work his way through is relatively new powers.
This is a great book to check out!
“Oh, Hunter, you’re impossibly easy to read. You’re an open book. Of course you’d figure out who put the sign on your back, clever you, and then naturally you’d seek justice. It’s all over your face. Can’t just let sleeping dogs lie. Gotta save the world, even if it doesn’t need or want saving.”
Hunter Miller has a secret…and in this, the second Master of Perception book, he’s learning even more about it. He has the ability to read and manipulate auras. And in trying to understand how he’s able to do that, he’s begun to hear them. Energy does make sounds, and the sounds he’s hearing tell him the person is being hurt; badly. So, what does he do? He scrambles to find something/someone to help. The question is, can he help them in time?
I was overjoyed that Darin C. Brown’s second book was as inventive and interesting as the first was. As an elder, some of the basic information about alternative healing was a bit redundant but for a YA who may not know about it, it’s important foundational information. My problem was that I have to pace myself or I will read this series at too fast a speed and miss the nuances Brown presents; not only in Hunter’s understanding, but in his maturity as he grows up. Not every superhero wears a cape. Who knows? Maybe the kid next door might change your world. I cannot praise or recommend this series highly enough. 5/5
The Sound of Suffering (The Master of Perceptions # 2), by Darin C. Brown (author of The Sight of Demons (The Master of Perceptions # 1), published by Doc Squared Publishing, 1st edition, 2019. 326 pages (printed edition) Genre: Fiction / Superheroes / Coming of age.
Hunter Miller, a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with autism, has managed to dismantle the gang of bullies in his school and defeat the ringleader, thanks to his peculiar ability to detect and manipulate the aura of living beings. Now, as he tries to understand and develop his exceptional abilities with the help of his only confidant, he discovers that a close adult is experiencing terrible suffering that puts her life at risk. Hunter will decide to launch a risky plan to save her and continue to punish the abusers.
The language that C. Brown has chosen to tell this new Hunter adventure is direct, simple and innocent; perfect to personify a child whose life has been held back for years by mental gaps and whose history is just starting to take shape. The adventure, built around a boy with well-placed values who begins to discover life while trying not to succumb to the seizures that isolate him from the world, is exciting, fast and quite credible. The narrative is totally coherent with the circumstances that surround Hunter and it is very easy to empathize with him and be interested in his journey.
Reading this story has been a pleasure. The rhythm is very good and the characters are very real. Although at some point in history the descriptions of the auras may seem exhaustive, I think they help to perfectly exemplify how a person trying to make sense of something that only he lives and no one else can explain can feel. I really liked that Hunter has his values strong and that at the same time he faces his child problems as a real child who does not have the tools of an adult to put his world to rights.
Darin Brown offers a fascinating look into one young mans experience living with autism. Part of his perception is the ability to see peoples’ auras. Once he learns to not fear this phenomenon he actually learns to control it. In this second book in the series we journey with Hunter as he discovers more about his past and uses his special ability to help those around him.
I loved the idea that a person with autism may actually have a sixth sense that others don’t have. I’ve hesrd theories about this before but I loved it played out in Hunter, who is just such a likable character. The author seems to know his characters so well it almost feels like this draws heavily from the authors own life experiences. I enjoyed this book but I think the young adult set will be particularly enthused by this story and the characters. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Hunter is a great protagonist and would make an excellent lead character in a transition to the bog screen. The Sound of Suffering is pretty cinematic the way it’s written so I would imagine this will be snapped up by some studio or other.
I hadn’t heard of author Brown before but after reading the blurb decided to take a shot with this book. It turned out to be one of those rare finds that afterwards you couldn’t imagine having missed out on. There’s an interesting plot, exciting progression, compelling characters, all in all a lucky find for me.
Can Hunter use his immense powers of reading and manipulating the auras to save this innocent woman and still avoid losing himself? Brown’s book is very engaging, and despite the supernatural elements, he structures characters that are relatable and realistic. The concept of aura manipulation is quite fascinating with the story told at a good pace without leaving any plot holes. By writing in the first-person view, Brown allows you to immerse yourself in the thought process of the main protagonist in a way that you almost feel like you know him.
The thing I did not like about the book was the writing style due to the use of many karate terms and medical terminologies. Other than the initial explanations of karate as Hunter is being taught karate by his grandpa, the story could have been better developed with common terms once it began rolling, as these words can take you out of the story. The story did, however, me a new perspective on the challenges that autistic people may be undergoing.
‘The Sound of Suffering’ is a follow up to Darin Brown’s ‘Gifted’ and I must say he has really developed an inspiring hero with a difference with his teenage protagonist, Hunter. The young hero started his life struggling with his autism, feeling trapped in a world he could not control, but what emerged from the fog were some extraordinary powers. Hunter can control the auras that surround people, and through this remarkable ability, he has made his world and the world for those around him a better place. But, he is about to face a challenge, when he hears the aura of a teacher suffering terribly – she is being abused by her husband and Hunter may be the only person that can help her. However, this man is a cop and he is not going down without a fight.
I love reading Hunter’s adventures as he navigates a world that is relatively new to him, whilst also following the strong desire he has to help others. A great read and I really hope we see a lot more of Hunter in the future. 5 stars!
This book starts off right where the first book left in which the lead character, the “gifted” Hunter Miller and his group of friends have landed their bullies in hot water where the leader is stripped naked while in a daze and left out in the open for the whole school (staff and students) to witness. This second book mirrors the elements of the first one in which Hunter is trying to classify the hues, auras, and smells he sees on other humans he comes in contact with by using a box of crayons and his own common sense. Since this book is narrated by Hunter himself, his thoughts sometimes are creepy maybe because he is autistic. I find them disturbing at some points, especially when the smells he gets from random people are described as dirty underwear or sweat and stuff. I think this book, even though it features a youngster, is primarily a work of adult fiction. Because the author does not give him the “typical speech” of young kids, and the major plot of this book involves a teacher whose police husband is abusive and visits brothels. That’s how I have come to conclude that this book is not for juvenile and children readers but for mature readers overall.
I thought this book was interesting because of Hunter and his special gift. This is the first time I have come across a book that features someone who can experience the smells and colors and auras of those he comes in contact with. This is also the first book I’ve read where the main character relies on the wisdom of his grandfather who lives out of state and is having issues with his parents. This is also the first book in a long time for me where the main character gets his karate lessons and where a friend of his is mischievous and in comparison with those boy characters of movies such as Home Alone and National Lampoon, it’s hilarious to think about!
I would recommend this book to teenage to mature readers because they would understand the situations that go on in this book. I also would recommend this book to be read by those who have some kind of mental disability because they will relate to Hunter. All in all, I believe you will enjoy this book very much if you are looking for a book that is unique and that has a character with autism. Have a great evening!
New Hampshire author Dr. Darin C. Brown earned a bachelor degree in engineering physics, a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Cornell, and a PhD in biophysics from the University of Illinois. He has been an ER doctor, but now devotes his time to writing, acting, and directing theater as well as to an active and honored sports life.
Darin made his debut with Book 1 of The Master of Perceptions series – THE SIGHT OF DEMONS – which suggested the depth of character development and the unique line of story we now find with even more polish in Book 2 – THE SOUND OF SUFFERING.
The primary character of this series is an autistic child, Hunter Miller, who sees demons that no one else can see. In the moving Prologue to the series Darin described the visions – ‘The gigantic blue demon swims around me, engulfing my entire body with its long tentacles. Other demons of varying colors sparkle beyond, but the horrifying blue apparition occupies all my attention. I open my eyes, hoping the sights of the everyday world will make it go away, but it still slithers around me, unwilling to loosen its grip. In a panic, I jump back into the nothingness, certain I’m fortunate to escape with my life… I keep my eyes closed, but it doesn’t help. They’re here. I still see the sparkling colors. My empty hands feel textures. I smell odors and taste flavors even though my mouth is empty. I can’t stop any of it. If I open my eyes, the sensations superimpose themselves on the sights all around me. The demons. They’re out to get me. But I never let them; as soon as they get close enough, I retreat inside myself, where they can’t follow. Safety awaits me in the emptiness, and I go there whenever the fear grips me. I visit this world— the one outside myself— infrequently, because the demons are always there, ready to pounce. They bombard me with their myriad of unwanted sensations. Falling off into my own private universe happens automatically.’
So how does the author encourage his patient with ‘cen’ (a local variant of spirit possession) to cope? The polished eloquence of this second installment skillfully brings the reader into a closer understanding of Hunter’s demons and how he interacts with them. In the offered brief description we gain insight – ‘Hunter Miller has a secret. He can read and manipulate the auras that surround everyone. Having used his talent to dethrone the reigning school bully, thirteen-year old Hunter finds himself thrust into a new quest after hearing screams in the aura of a teacher. Unable to resist this powerful siren song, he investigates—despite warnings from his family and friends. It nearly costs him everything. Upon discovering the truth, Hunter seeks assistance in his mission to defeat his formidable adversary. As the situation escalates, the adolescent hero ultimately realizes that despite the risks, he must fight this battle alone.
While some would discard this ‘gift’ as part of a mental disarrangement, Darin makes the demons represent the challenges facing an autistic child and how Hunter grapples with what he perceives as real he gradually learns to accept them as particular abilities. The manner in which this occurs is not only a credible story but also a flag to readers to reconsider the mind of autistic children – or even a study of how childhood trauma affects the mental development of many children today. Exceptionally well written, this book establishes Dr. Darin Brown as a master craftsman litterateur. Highly Recommended.
Can Hunter defeat this new adversary?
The Sound of Suffering by Darin C. Brown is a different type of book than I usually read, however, it is okay. Hunter is a teenager learning how to control his power of aura manipulation in a world where he can’t talk to anyone about but his grandpa.
What I liked
• Our protagonist, Hunter has autism and is a karate expert.
• The book is in the first-person point of view which helps us, know what Hunter is thinking and the auras he sees.
• Hunter had friends that helped him.
What I didn’t like
I didn’t like the author’s writing style. He uses a lot of medical terminologies and karate terms. I mean sometimes it was nice to know especially when Hunter started karate or when his grandfather explained things. However, Dr. Brown could have used common terms once the story was rolling. As these words kept taking me out of the story so I could look them up.
Three Stars
The Sound of Suffering by Darin C. Brown is the second book in a new series, and sadly not a book for me. I loved the idea of this series. I enjoyed it though since it kept me entertained. I’m recommending this book to those who love books where the underdog becomes a hero.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by,
Baroness Book Trove.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from YA Bound Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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The Sound of Suffering, by Dr. Darin Brown, builds off the unusual and mysterious abilities that some autistic people have. This is the second book featuring Hunter Miller, this time he is gaining more control of his demons. The first ten years of his life were lost in a world he could not comprehend. Risen from a fog, Hunter has years to make up learning what most people already know; how to ride a bike, staying focused, and anything that has to do with human relationships. He can read the aura people give off by their emotions, deeds, and intent. Add to this is someone he knows who is being physically abused by her husband, a cop. Mastering a take-down like a chess game was the only way he could visualize her rescue.
I loved how The Sound of Suffering combines the unknown of autism with special abilities. Dr. Darin Brown is an excellent writer, giving his characters a realistic feel as they face unusual family issues with normal teenage ambition. He weaves the unknown question about Hunter’s real father within the pages, staging an additional book in the life of this young man. I love watching Hunter learn about himself and those around him, but most importantly, his newfound abilities to help other.