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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual violence, Murder
dark
As AC/DC once sang, “YEAH YOU, SHOOK ME ALLLLLL, NIIIIIIGHT, LONG!” Which quite frankly, this book did. It shook me. All night long. 24 hours. I devoured this book in 24 hours.
Alright my fellow bookworms… I read this at the brilliant (yet HIGHLY AGGRESSIVE) request of my bookworm cousin, Myranda. The gal knows what I like (horrifying matter, which this book has PLENTY OF) and what I don’t like (sex, romance, love, which again, this book has PLENTY OF) *eyeroll*
I did my Myranda a solid and went into this book blindly. In the opening note to readers, K. Webster asks that you read the book with an open mind and in effort of trying to be less of a harsh asshole/ book snob, I did just that *insert angel emoji here*
This book has ALL OF THE TRIGGER WARNINGS, which is fine by me, the more raw, sick, twisted, and emotionally distraught the better!
You cannot really talk about the book without spoiling the surprise, which BREAKING NEWS: I correctly predicted the plot twist when I reached 50% of the book! If ya know me, ya know I am severely lacking in the imagination required for making plot predictions, so this was a huge win for me.
In closing, I will say I appreciated the creativeness, intricacy, and truly unique story that is Whispers and The Roars. It went from a one star, to a two star, to a (reluctant) three stars for me. Will I be reading any of the 40 other books that the author has published? It’s gonna be a no for me, dawg. Will I ever trust Myranda for a book recommendation again? I think not.
I do realize this review has been an erratic tangle of words. But my brain hurts. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. Have a lovely day.
Alright my fellow bookworms… I read this at the brilliant (yet HIGHLY AGGRESSIVE) request of my bookworm cousin, Myranda. The gal knows what I like (horrifying matter, which this book has PLENTY OF) and what I don’t like (sex, romance, love, which again, this book has PLENTY OF) *eyeroll*
I did my Myranda a solid and went into this book blindly. In the opening note to readers, K. Webster asks that you read the book with an open mind and in effort of trying to be less of a harsh asshole/ book snob, I did just that *insert angel emoji here*
This book has ALL OF THE TRIGGER WARNINGS, which is fine by me, the more raw, sick, twisted, and emotionally distraught the better!
You cannot really talk about the book without spoiling the surprise, which BREAKING NEWS: I correctly predicted the plot twist when I reached 50% of the book! If ya know me, ya know I am severely lacking in the imagination required for making plot predictions, so this was a huge win for me.
In closing, I will say I appreciated the creativeness, intricacy, and truly unique story that is Whispers and The Roars. It went from a one star, to a two star, to a (reluctant) three stars for me. Will I be reading any of the 40 other books that the author has published? It’s gonna be a no for me, dawg. Will I ever trust Myranda for a book recommendation again? I think not.
I do realize this review has been an erratic tangle of words. But my brain hurts. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. Have a lovely day.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went back to the first several pages after completing the book, but I couldn't identify the exact moment I figured out the twist. Still, I absolutely knew what was going on by page 10. Based on other reviews, that doesn't seem common and I wonder what that reading experience would feel like. Regardless, to be respectful to K. Webster and potential readers, I'll not be spoiling the book here.
Considering the major reveal wasn't a surprise for me, my main issue with the book is how the story is told. The entire execution revolves around concealing a major revelation for two-thirds of the novel and it is NOT an easy thing for an author to conceal. As such, I felt like character and relationship development suffered. I didn't feel like the characters were very genuine, probably because it would reveal too much. I also think the reader loses so much content crucial to bonding with this couple for the same reason. If we knew more intimate details of their story, the twist would disintegrate.
I would love to read this story from beginning to end with no effort made to hit me with a huge twist. I want to find out about Kady exactly when Yeo finds out about Kady. I want to fall in love with him while he falls in love with her, in spite of all that is wrong with her. I want to watch his family try to tear them apart while he begs them to give her a chance. And I would buy an entire trilogy in order to read that story if that is what it would take. Believe me, it is shocking enough to write a romance novel with a character so tragically flawed. That flaw doesn't have to be hidden from us in order to make an impact.
And while I am not personally offended, I really don't like twists based solely upon someone's mental and/or physical health and readers with similar experiences to the character, might not appreciate the gimmick.
I just wasn't satisfied taking so much emotion at face value because the author doesn't let me experience the moments in which that emotion was born.
All of that said, the book was deeply emotional for me in other regards. I think I was triggered for the first time in my life. Again, that had a lot to do with me knowing too early what was going on. I think readers who do a second read-through might feel what I felt the first time. It's hard to read the earlier parts of the book when you know exactly what we're dealing with. I was immediately in a depressed state, almost devastated for the main character. Likewise, the end is traumatic. I don't have first-hand experience of the things in this book, but I felt very deeply for the loss at the end. It should be happy, but I felt so sad for Kady, Yeo, and Bones.
Again, no personal experience with the subject matter, but considering content I've seen on YouTube from people suffering from the same thing as Kady, it seems like K. Webster wrote the character, and all her complexities, with a fair amount of accuracy. I would be interested to know if a medical professional would agree.
Most importantly, please don't enter into this book lightly. Strong warnings for SA involving a minor, domestic abuse, depression, and self-harm.
Considering the major reveal wasn't a surprise for me, my main issue with the book is how the story is told. The entire execution revolves around concealing a major revelation for two-thirds of the novel and it is NOT an easy thing for an author to conceal. As such, I felt like character and relationship development suffered. I didn't feel like the characters were very genuine, probably because it would reveal too much. I also think the reader loses so much content crucial to bonding with this couple for the same reason. If we knew more intimate details of their story, the twist would disintegrate.
I would love to read this story from beginning to end with no effort made to hit me with a huge twist. I want to find out about Kady exactly when Yeo finds out about Kady. I want to fall in love with him while he falls in love with her, in spite of all that is wrong with her. I want to watch his family try to tear them apart while he begs them to give her a chance. And I would buy an entire trilogy in order to read that story if that is what it would take. Believe me, it is shocking enough to write a romance novel with a character so tragically flawed. That flaw doesn't have to be hidden from us in order to make an impact.
I just wasn't satisfied taking so much emotion at face value because the author doesn't let me experience the moments in which that emotion was born.
All of that said, the book was deeply emotional for me in other regards. I think I was triggered for the first time in my life. Again, that had a lot to do with me knowing too early what was going on. I think readers who do a second read-through might feel what I felt the first time. It's hard to read the earlier parts of the book when you know exactly what we're dealing with. I was immediately in a depressed state, almost devastated for the main character. Likewise, the end is traumatic. I don't have first-hand experience of the things in this book, but I felt very deeply for the loss at the end. It should be happy, but I felt so sad for Kady, Yeo, and Bones.
Again, no personal experience with the subject matter, but considering content I've seen on YouTube from people suffering from the same thing as Kady, it seems like K. Webster wrote the character, and all her complexities, with a fair amount of accuracy. I would be interested to know if a medical professional would agree.
Most importantly, please don't enter into this book lightly. Strong warnings for SA involving a minor, domestic abuse, depression, and self-harm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Self harm
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was not expecting this plot twist at all. I was very shocked but it was really interesting.
I did what I was supposed to and went in blind, read the trigger warnings, had my hopes up that this book would be seriously intense. Despite everything that happens, somehow it is a huge letdown. The characters are just odd (twist made sense, wasn't much of a big surprise). Honestly, I would rather a trigger warning for the insanely unhealthy obsession the main characters have for each other. I get that this is fiction, but based on other reviews who are in love with Yeo, I feel it needs to be said this is NOT a normal or healthy relationship. Deep, deep codependency on both parts. I would have rather her learned to live on her own and not have her entire existence made valid by some man. So much hype and I was disappointed.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual violence