Scan barcode
octobot's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book truly caught me by surprise. Every time I thought I knew where it was going, it would twist and catch me off guard. Deeply enjoyed it, and is one of the few books where I feel reading the tags in advance will ruin the experience.
popthebutterfly's review
2.0
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Whispers From the Depths
Author: C.W. Briar
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Uncommon Universes Press
Pages: 292
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Joyful and blessed are Voice-bearers, for the Heavens have set them apart.
As Whisperers gifted with the Voice, Betka and her people are enslaved. Only they can control the dangerous spirits that haunt the waters, but they are forced to serve under cruel taskmasters. Betka has little hope of freedom from her service or her own bitterness.
They toil for the goodness of others.
A powerful water spirit terrorizes the castle where Betka's sister is serving. Betka is assigned to the crew sailing to face the foe, and she fears for the only family she has left. There is no mercy for the Whisperer who fails in their task.
Rage is found nowhere in them.
In the beleaguered, flooded castle, a new threat awaits—a magic more powerful and horrifying than anything they have ever seen. Loyalties will be tested, and enemies will become desperate allies.
Betka is their only hope of escape—if she can subdue the wrath that endangers them all.
Review: I had to DNF this book as well. While I felt like this book started strong with a compelling plot, the books characters went in a direction and I couldn’t connect with them any further. The book is well written, with compelling characters and the world building was pretty good, but I couldn’t connect with it unfortunately.
Verdict: Not for me, but it might be for you!
Book: Whispers From the Depths
Author: C.W. Briar
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Uncommon Universes Press
Pages: 292
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Joyful and blessed are Voice-bearers, for the Heavens have set them apart.
As Whisperers gifted with the Voice, Betka and her people are enslaved. Only they can control the dangerous spirits that haunt the waters, but they are forced to serve under cruel taskmasters. Betka has little hope of freedom from her service or her own bitterness.
They toil for the goodness of others.
A powerful water spirit terrorizes the castle where Betka's sister is serving. Betka is assigned to the crew sailing to face the foe, and she fears for the only family she has left. There is no mercy for the Whisperer who fails in their task.
Rage is found nowhere in them.
In the beleaguered, flooded castle, a new threat awaits—a magic more powerful and horrifying than anything they have ever seen. Loyalties will be tested, and enemies will become desperate allies.
Betka is their only hope of escape—if she can subdue the wrath that endangers them all.
Review: I had to DNF this book as well. While I felt like this book started strong with a compelling plot, the books characters went in a direction and I couldn’t connect with them any further. The book is well written, with compelling characters and the world building was pretty good, but I couldn’t connect with it unfortunately.
Verdict: Not for me, but it might be for you!
elderkinhv's review
3.0
I enjoyed the story, especially at the beginning, and the plot was very captivating. The world building was well done and I found myself yearning for each additional kernel of detail about the world and about the Whisperers. However, the further I got into the book, the more frustrated and, frankly, disgusted I became with Asi's character and the message she was bringing to the book. The message of "if we choose to serve, they are gifts regardless of who compels them," and so basically excusing and glorifying her own slavery, was unexpected and unwelcome while I was reading it. I loved the book until about 3/4 of the way through, when these messages started becoming more and more frequent, and then I felt like I had gotten roped into reading political views I don't agree with and was not looking for or expecting in this book because I was invested in the characters and plot. Otherwise, I did like the plot, characters, and world building. Overall, it was a decent read, but I'll be wary of reading anything from this author again.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
r_j_setser's review
5.0
“Let goodness be your defiance. One day, when the waters rise to take away the wicked, you will still be standing your ground, rooted and unmoved.” – Whispers From the Depths by C.W. Briar
I expected a thrilling ride, but I didn’t expect how much Whispers From the Depths could make you sweat.
Dark fantasy is definitely a hit or miss with me. I am addicted to suspense, though not horror, so if you can give me a story that has me white-knuckling the book and wondering who will make it out alive, but also not cross that line into flat out scary where I have to sleep with the lights on for the next month; then it is the perfect dark fantasy. Whispers From the Depths beautifully fits into that category.
It really didn’t take long for this book to hook me. With such an invigorating plot line, relatable main character, and high intensity suspense, Whispers From the Depths is not only an attention-grabber, but also an attention-captivator.
I loved the pacing of this novel. The story progresses over a couple of weeks but then, once the action starts, the remaining three quarters of the book is the happenings of one day, making the book very hard to put down. Think Jurassic Park, but the dinosaurs are an angry water spirit. Another movie that I found myself considering as a parallel (seriously, don’t laugh) is like, a very dark and bloody Moana…But I’m not going to expound on that, because, spoilers. But, the parallel is there, if only in my brain–and my brain alone…Maybe?
Side note: if the fear of drowning is a one of your top fears, probably avoid this book. I’m gonna have a hard time going near any body of water for the next few days.
The characters.
Oh my word.
I’ve heard so many writers advise on creating antagonists that have human and relatable motives for their actions, but that’s something that is far more easily talked about than actually accomplished in stories. That is not the case with Whispers From the Depths. All of these characters, with their vastly different beliefs, vastly different personalities, and incredible choices, make them so human. And Asi? Oh my goodness, she is everything we should strive to be, even though I feel like most of us fall closer to Betka.
Overall, this book took my breath away. With the suspense, with the morals and values, and with the characters, Whispers From the Depths is easily a 5-star novel that my friends will have to endure me ranting and raving about.
Content: There is very little cursing –by our language standards (I only counted a couple of “d**n”s). The characters do have a way of substitute cursing, like “spirit’s breath”, “son of a sow”, and other similar sayings. The gore is pretty intense and very detailed. So, it’s not for the queasy stomach. And lastly, the sexual content is very low, though there are crude jokes made by a few of the characters, and several instances in which the two female Whisperers are afraid of being forced to do something by the soldiers, but nothing happens.
So I recommend this books to fans of Dark Fantasy!
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
I expected a thrilling ride, but I didn’t expect how much Whispers From the Depths could make you sweat.
Dark fantasy is definitely a hit or miss with me. I am addicted to suspense, though not horror, so if you can give me a story that has me white-knuckling the book and wondering who will make it out alive, but also not cross that line into flat out scary where I have to sleep with the lights on for the next month; then it is the perfect dark fantasy. Whispers From the Depths beautifully fits into that category.
It really didn’t take long for this book to hook me. With such an invigorating plot line, relatable main character, and high intensity suspense, Whispers From the Depths is not only an attention-grabber, but also an attention-captivator.
I loved the pacing of this novel. The story progresses over a couple of weeks but then, once the action starts, the remaining three quarters of the book is the happenings of one day, making the book very hard to put down. Think Jurassic Park, but the dinosaurs are an angry water spirit. Another movie that I found myself considering as a parallel (seriously, don’t laugh) is like, a very dark and bloody Moana…But I’m not going to expound on that, because, spoilers. But, the parallel is there, if only in my brain–and my brain alone…Maybe?
Side note: if the fear of drowning is a one of your top fears, probably avoid this book. I’m gonna have a hard time going near any body of water for the next few days.
The characters.
Oh my word.
I’ve heard so many writers advise on creating antagonists that have human and relatable motives for their actions, but that’s something that is far more easily talked about than actually accomplished in stories. That is not the case with Whispers From the Depths. All of these characters, with their vastly different beliefs, vastly different personalities, and incredible choices, make them so human. And Asi? Oh my goodness, she is everything we should strive to be, even though I feel like most of us fall closer to Betka.
Overall, this book took my breath away. With the suspense, with the morals and values, and with the characters, Whispers From the Depths is easily a 5-star novel that my friends will have to endure me ranting and raving about.
Content: There is very little cursing –by our language standards (I only counted a couple of “d**n”s). The characters do have a way of substitute cursing, like “spirit’s breath”, “son of a sow”, and other similar sayings. The gore is pretty intense and very detailed. So, it’s not for the queasy stomach. And lastly, the sexual content is very low, though there are crude jokes made by a few of the characters, and several instances in which the two female Whisperers are afraid of being forced to do something by the soldiers, but nothing happens.
So I recommend this books to fans of Dark Fantasy!
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
grimoiregrove's review
5.0
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
One of my favorite reads of 2019!
A dark fantasy that left me an emotional mess. Though, to be honest it is not that hard to mark me cry when it comes to a book especially when it is a book like this. By that, I mean that it resonated deeply with me and I became lost in it. I am currently suffering from some serious book hangover effects. While I am somewhat disappointed that this will most likely be a standalone s, I feel it brought it all together quite well.
There are not many books that I could reread but this is definitely on the list of those that I would. I love fantasy but I also love when authors go into that darker realm of fantasy. That being said, this story may not be for everyone. It is not all sunshine and roses but if that appeals to you then definitely give this a read. The world and characters that Briar has brought to life are both enchanting and touching. I would love to dive into this world again and again if I could.
I always love discovering new authors and Briar is no exception. This is going to be a tough book to move past, I may have to wait a few days before I start my next read.
More...