Voices is a work of magical realism and drama for young adult readers by Angela Bier. When Elena Tannin moves to the small town of Belvedere for her junior year, she's used to navigating new schools and expectations. What she’s not ready for is the voice in her head that sounds eerily like Kat, her sharp-tongued new classmate. Soon, Elena learns the truth: she possesses the Talent, a psychic gift passed through generations of women. But her mother, Meghan, has kept this secret buried, fearful of the shadow schizophrenia casts across their family tree. Told through the alternating perspectives of Elena, Meghan, and Kat, Voices is a nuanced and emotionally rich exploration of womanhood, mental health, and identity. With a touch of magical realism, the novel blends the surreal and the deeply personal, creating a coming-of-age story where truth is elusive and connection is everything.

Author Angela Bier takes a few familiar tropes of psychic talents and gifted teens and transforms them into something fresh and original with generational secrets, female friendship, and the supernatural in this stunningly original YA novel. I was constantly amazed by the realistic feel of the piece, from the accessible and colloquial language that’s ideal for the YA readership through to the blend of psychological realism and magic that makes Elena’s gift natural and integral to her being. There are also deeper layers of meaning that readers of all ages are sure to relate to as Bier boldly explores mental health and inherited trauma with compassion, creativity, and clarity. The story never just becomes a series of issues to be discussed because it keeps its focus on the plot and the characters we’re invested in. Overall, Voices is a highly recommended read for those seeking YA drama that’s thoughtful, tender, and powerfully human, with just a little bit of magic on top.

Voices by Angela Bier is a fascinating meld of contemporary teen fiction and the supernatural, following Elena Tannin, a bright high school junior navigating her first year in a small town after a family move. The book captures Elena’s everyday struggles with anxiety, burgeoning friendships, and a mysterious new ability: hearing and possibly communicating with the inner voices of others, particularly her friend Kayla and her enigmatic new classmate, Kat. As Elena’s internal world becomes increasingly entangled with real-world dangers and her mental health fears, she confronts the unsettling possibility that the voices are not mere hallucinations but a connection to her family’s hidden past and a secret supernatural lineage.

In Voices, Elena’s internal battle with her emerging supernatural talent and the external pressures of adolescence is expertly accomplished. Friendships, romantic interests, and family secrets are resonant and well-developed themes. The rural Wisconsin setting is unique and different from Elena’s previous urban life, and Angela Bier offers a beautiful portrait of an adolescent dealing with change. The characters—Elena, Kayla, Kat, and the adults—are richly drawn, and most of them have secrets and are genuinely flawed. This brilliantly highlights the theme of reality vs appearance. Elena’s cautious optimism and intelligence are her armor, while Kat’s icy exterior and hidden pain augment the narrative. The supernatural element, rooted in ancestral magic and family history, heightens the stakes, blending the mundane with the mystical. This tale of identity and coming to terms with one’s unique gift and past is a nuanced, well-plotted, and delightful read for fans of YA fiction.