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cat_literary_world's review
3.0
I’ve received a free copy of this book, curtsy of @booktasters_, in exchange for a honest review, so I start by thanking the opportunity.
“The guardian of whispers” is a middle grade fiction book following twin brothers Jon and Frank, who will discover they have some special talents.
The book has a clear Harry Potter vibe, both in the school setting and some of the events portrait, which I will not disclaim to avoid spoilers. The book is an easy and engaging reading experience, particularly for the younger audience, and, if you already are a Harry Potter fan, chances of enjoying this book increase. However, some aspects could have been better achieved, which might be a reflex of this being a first book, so I will be gentle in this review. There’s also the chance that these issues are better explored in the second volume, as this book is part of a series.
Frank and Jon start this story at the age of 9, and, although they feel 9 in the beginning, some parts closer to the end they feel older. It makes sense that they grow in the storyline, but they feel much wiser than they should, which I didn’t feel to be very realistic. Another thing that bothered me was the gift system not being explained. It came out of the blue and I kept waiting for it to be explained to our MC’s, as they didn’t knew anything about this world (their mother never talked about it). This might be a reflex of me reading adult fantasy, where the setting is much more detailed than in children fantasy, which makes sense given the target audience. I get it that children are more focused on action rather than world building, so we couldn’t have a lot of description with zero story as we would lose the target audience, but this felt too little description, which, then again, can be better explored in the second volume.
Overall, and despite the two main downsides of the book, it’s an easy read and I think the children out there discovering books now will feel this to be a magic experience
“The guardian of whispers” is a middle grade fiction book following twin brothers Jon and Frank, who will discover they have some special talents.
The book has a clear Harry Potter vibe, both in the school setting and some of the events portrait, which I will not disclaim to avoid spoilers. The book is an easy and engaging reading experience, particularly for the younger audience, and, if you already are a Harry Potter fan, chances of enjoying this book increase. However, some aspects could have been better achieved, which might be a reflex of this being a first book, so I will be gentle in this review. There’s also the chance that these issues are better explored in the second volume, as this book is part of a series.
Frank and Jon start this story at the age of 9, and, although they feel 9 in the beginning, some parts closer to the end they feel older. It makes sense that they grow in the storyline, but they feel much wiser than they should, which I didn’t feel to be very realistic. Another thing that bothered me was the gift system not being explained. It came out of the blue and I kept waiting for it to be explained to our MC’s, as they didn’t knew anything about this world (their mother never talked about it). This might be a reflex of me reading adult fantasy, where the setting is much more detailed than in children fantasy, which makes sense given the target audience. I get it that children are more focused on action rather than world building, so we couldn’t have a lot of description with zero story as we would lose the target audience, but this felt too little description, which, then again, can be better explored in the second volume.
Overall, and despite the two main downsides of the book, it’s an easy read and I think the children out there discovering books now will feel this to be a magic experience
duckygal's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in the Reeds of West Hills series. This falls into the 9-12 year old fantasy category but as an adult I still found reading this book an enjoyable experience.
The story focuses on twins Jon and Frank, and the magical gifts they are learning to control at their magical school. The writing was age appropriate and easy to follow, setting up the series nicely. The plot was fun and entertaining, keeping me engaged throughout with wit mystery and adventure.
I certainly enjoyed reading this, and will move straight onto the second in the series!
displacedcactus's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I'm definitely not the audience for this book -- I didn't really enjoy reading about ten-year-old boys when I was a ten-year-old girl, and it turns out I'm still not into it at a 41 year old woman ;) But it's not a bad book, and I would happily suggest it for any Middle Grade readers out there, whether you're a kid or an adult who finds MG books cozy and fun. It's especially a good read for fans of the "magical school" sub-genre or the X-Men. The kids in this book have abilities that are more in line with superpowers than magic, but they're also divided into different "houses" like in certain popular magical schools.
The second book is coming out really soon, so now is a great time to jump in on this series if it sounds like your jam.
The second book is coming out really soon, so now is a great time to jump in on this series if it sounds like your jam.
Content Warnings
This has age-appropriate peril and violence. The kids get up to some mild mischief and rule-breaking, but nothing that I feel like would be a bad example for young readers, definitely more mild than the stuff I grew up with (looking at YOU, Home Alone movies).
reviews_musings's review
4.0
This middle grade fantasy book is like Avengers ,Twilight or any other super hero book/movie where every child finds out that he/she has a super natural power. They find out the power, they struggle to gain control over it. They have to go to a gifted school or a school of magic where they have to be trained to control their power. There they face challenges and it is upto them to face the hurdles and emerge victorious with their evolving powers.
I love these type of books. This book is centred around twins Frank and Jon, who figure out they have fascinating abilities, one can read minds and other can see future. But the gifts are never gifts, one has to pay the price. They are to attend a new school, and Jon gets into trouble. Will Frank and his new friends help Jon from the trouble and getting expelled?
I enjoyed it thoroughly, it was an easy read and I hope to read many more of this series.
I love these type of books. This book is centred around twins Frank and Jon, who figure out they have fascinating abilities, one can read minds and other can see future. But the gifts are never gifts, one has to pay the price. They are to attend a new school, and Jon gets into trouble. Will Frank and his new friends help Jon from the trouble and getting expelled?
I enjoyed it thoroughly, it was an easy read and I hope to read many more of this series.
stephanieridiculous's review against another edition
3.75
What a fun romp!
-I loved the twins and their sibling dynamic
-Interesting magic system with obviously way more going on than we get to see at play here which makes me curious
-A fun classification of powers that I hope we explore more in future books
-Quick and easy read, keeps at a steady pace
-There were a handful of sentences I had to read a few times to make sense of, and at least one actual typo; some more editing would have helped, but it's not too noticeable
-Interesting magic system with obviously way more going on than we get to see at play here which makes me curious
-A fun classification of powers that I hope we explore more in future books
-Quick and easy read, keeps at a steady pace
-There were a handful of sentences I had to read a few times to make sense of, and at least one actual typo; some more editing would have helped, but it's not too noticeable
When is book two out tho??? 👀
yerot's review against another edition
adventurous
4.0
This book is about a set of twins who begin to discover they have some special powers. When their powers are too much, they are sent away to a special school to help them learn to control them, (much like Harry Potter).
Also like HP, they get into some trouble along the way. Jons rare gift leaves him as primary suspect for the theft of the Guardian of Whispers and he needs the help of his brother to clear his name. Good thing his brother can hear voices.
This was a fun read and I really enjoyed it. It is well put together and the foundation is set for future books in the series. I am excited to see what comes next.
Also like HP, they get into some trouble along the way. Jons rare gift leaves him as primary suspect for the theft of the Guardian of Whispers and he needs the help of his brother to clear his name. Good thing his brother can hear voices.
This was a fun read and I really enjoyed it. It is well put together and the foundation is set for future books in the series. I am excited to see what comes next.
shannlynn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What a fun read! My 11-year-old daughter and I read this one together, and we both really enjoyed it! I think the story flows flawlessly and draws you into what the twins, Frank and Jon, are going through. I really enjoyed the imagery created around the Perceptually Gifted West Hills School as well. I feel like I would have read this even without my daughter, so we can’t wait for The Reeds of West Hills series to continue!
tarajohnson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Guardian of Whispers is Book One in The Reeds of West Hills Series. This author was new to me, and I picked up a copy of the book, not realizing that it is a kid’s fantasy book aimed at children between the ages of nine to twelve years of age. It was actually the cover and title that intrigued me and compelled me to obtain a copy and I am so glad that I did. Now that I have read and enjoyed it, I feel that it can be enjoyed by both young and old alike.
The story focuses on twin boys who discover around the age of ten-years-old that have powers that as special as they are, also come with side effects. Jonathan has the power of prophecy which gives him horrendous nightmares. Franklin has the power of telepathy which causes him to hear constant whispering in his head. The children must learn to hone and control their special powers which requires them being sent away to a special school that is located thousands of miles from home. At West Hills School for the Perceptually Gifted they try to adjust to being away from their family while making new friends and honing their powers. When a powerful artifact is stolen from the school the fingers are pointed at Jon and it is up to the twins and their new friends to prove their innocence.
I loved this book and was captivated from the first few pages. The author’s writing style is engaging, and this book is fun, imaginative, and entertaining. The storyline was compelling, the characters were unique, quirky, and lovable, and the setting was vividly written which immerses you into the story. The special powers that the characters had were fascinating and I found myself wishing that I had some of those abilities. This book had action, mystery, drama, suspense, and of course magical powers. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
faithfulgirl4's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
A little bit of a Harry Potter feel to it has the reader diving into the story of Jon and Frank Reed. They are twins with some pretty cool special abilities. When they are sent away to school to refine these abilities, they come across some interesting people who are like them in some ways. The school has regular academic coursework, along with classes for each special gift.
Jon is a bit of an enigma as they've not seen his gift in many years. Could that gift become his downfall, his curse? He gets to have exposure to the Guardian of Whispers but then it does missing and everyone automatically blames him. Can Frank help him out in any way? Frank hears voices so maybe Jon can get a message to him before it's too late.
This is a super fun middle school fantasy book. I look forward to reading about the next adventures of the Reed brothers!
Jon is a bit of an enigma as they've not seen his gift in many years. Could that gift become his downfall, his curse? He gets to have exposure to the Guardian of Whispers but then it does missing and everyone automatically blames him. Can Frank help him out in any way? Frank hears voices so maybe Jon can get a message to him before it's too late.
This is a super fun middle school fantasy book. I look forward to reading about the next adventures of the Reed brothers!
bookworm1909's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved the story line even as an adult, and much in the lines of Percy Jackson, Wings of Fire, Harry Potter; yet less dark so suitable for audiences of all ages. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters, Frank and Jon, and the connection they have being twins.
The role of minor characters is also important in this book, which I think sends a positive message that not everyone needs to be a lead character/person to make an impact in the world. The mystery aspect of this book was intriguing, and even as an adult I didn't guess the culprit until he was revealed. I enjoyed learning about the different classes the 10 year olds attend, and the author does a great job "showing" instead of boringly giving a syllabus. Overall, I recommend this read!
The role of minor characters is also important in this book, which I think sends a positive message that not everyone needs to be a lead character/person to make an impact in the world. The mystery aspect of this book was intriguing, and even as an adult I didn't guess the culprit until he was revealed. I enjoyed learning about the different classes the 10 year olds attend, and the author does a great job "showing" instead of boringly giving a syllabus. Overall, I recommend this read!