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black_girl_reading's review
5.0
Set in an alternate universe where entire cities are powered by the suffering of the residents infected with a disease that comes from the sea, this book explores the revenge plot of a grieving mother filled with fury at the woman who orchestrates this suffering. Like any good novella, the books jumps right into the world and the action, and it engages you from start to finish. I loved the language in the book, I loved the imagery, and I loved that it was racialized. I can see why Sanders is no stranger to Hugo Awards, this book was a treat. Thank you Dancing Star Press for the gorgeous review copy of this book, I loved it.
greeniezona's review
5.0
Once again, I don't love this book because I published it, I am publishing it because I love it. From the heckler crabs and plankton lanterns to a magical system with harrowing costs to the power of a mother's rage... I was hooked from the beginning.
robinudell's review
4.0
I'm a fan of short fiction and it's rare that I wish a short story or novella was longer, but I would have loved the chance to really absorb the lore of this world. I saw the ending coming a ways off, but that didn't at all ruin my enjoyment of watching it unfold.
melisag's review
4.0
At first I had to get use to the writing. Hut I found the story enjoyable. I liked that i couldn't see the development of the story until it was revealed. Keeps the story in my opinion interesting. I get bored easily when i can already sense where the story is going.
edunbar87's review
5.0
Really enjoyed this. The twists and turns. The descriptions of the sickness were a lot for easily grossed out me but such a great little novella!
thistle_and_verse's review
3.0
The phage-based magic system and the coastal setting were the highlights for me. Sanders has some good body horror descriptions of the different strains of phage and its effects on their hosts. There's a lot of new terminology and hierarchies, and you learn by observation. It was a bit confusing, since it's a novella, and it felt like some parts of this story needed more time to develop. Suraldisha is a driven protagonist, but parts of her character arc felt cliche/ flat. There was a twist at the end that redefines the whole story, and I re-read the novella since it's so short, and I'm still not satisfied with how it was executed.
stacie_w_books's review
4.0
Suraldisha came to Mataano Qahndob with one plan in mind, kill She Who Hears All Whispers, The Matriarch. She would wield her phagefire to kill The Matriarch and if possible, end the suffering of the people within its wall. But that won’t be easy. Suraldisha isn’t the only one who can wield the phage. The Daughters throughout the city wouldn’t let her destroy the Matriarch and possibly their own power. And The Matriarch listened to the whispers within the city constantly preparing to lay siege.
She Who Hears All Whispers is novella with intricate world building and action from start to finish. Sanders starts the complex world building on the first page and it is obvious from the beginning what a dangerous position Suraldisha has placed herself in. What isn’t obvious is how powerful Suraldisha is and throughout pages, the range of that power becomes obvious as does the risky position she has placed herself in.
I enjoyed this novella. The way Sanders makes use of every phrase to really construct a concise fantasy novella, grabs your attention from the beginning and never loosens it's hold. It’s leaving me wanting to know more about this world and these characters. And this cover is absolutely gorgeous. It definitely caught my attention the very first time I saw it. I'm recommending this if you’re in the mood for a well written fantasy story all about power and the reasons why we choose to use it. I'm giving this 4 out of 5 stars.
She Who Hears All Whispers is novella with intricate world building and action from start to finish. Sanders starts the complex world building on the first page and it is obvious from the beginning what a dangerous position Suraldisha has placed herself in. What isn’t obvious is how powerful Suraldisha is and throughout pages, the range of that power becomes obvious as does the risky position she has placed herself in.
I enjoyed this novella. The way Sanders makes use of every phrase to really construct a concise fantasy novella, grabs your attention from the beginning and never loosens it's hold. It’s leaving me wanting to know more about this world and these characters. And this cover is absolutely gorgeous. It definitely caught my attention the very first time I saw it. I'm recommending this if you’re in the mood for a well written fantasy story all about power and the reasons why we choose to use it. I'm giving this 4 out of 5 stars.
cortingbooks's review
4.0
Finished up this little novella today. It took me a minute to understand the world building but once I did I was hooked. It’s basically a tale of revenge and I have to give kudos to the author, that was on phenomenal ending. I did not see it coming.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
lesserknownhero's review
5.0
Don't skip this fiery read!
I devoured this! Engaging and fierce from the first lines until the last. I wish there was more of this to read. Such a rich amount of world building in under 100 pages. Definitely give it a read.
I devoured this! Engaging and fierce from the first lines until the last. I wish there was more of this to read. Such a rich amount of world building in under 100 pages. Definitely give it a read.
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