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A review by fionayule
The Book of Whispers by Kimberley Starr
4.0
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my free preview copy in return for an honest review.
Luca lives in Tuscany during the middle ages at the time of the Crusades. Before his father goes of on a Crusade he gives him a secret enchanted book he keep hidden in a cellar. After reading the book Luca discovers he can see demons. Everywhere.
He also dreams about the future. After dreaming of his father’s death Luca joins the crusade, and against his father’s wishes, takes the Book of Whispers with him.
What follows is a bloody journey from Italy to Jerusalem on the crusades. This is marketed as a Young Adult book, but some of it concerned me about its appropriateness for very Young Adults. It’s no worse than vampire slaughters but some of the accounts make hard reading.
That saying it’s a remarkable tale. Luca falls in love with Suzan who through her language skills can read the Book of Demons. Suzan can already see demons although she doesn’t realise it. Suzan's back story is more interesting than Luca's and she is a feisty female lead.
As a historical fantasy Kimberlay has done her research. This book could equally have been a stand-alone historical novel without the inclusion of the Demons. The storyline is strong and the characters likeable. The description of life on the crusade is gritty realistic, and informative. It really threads together for a truly enjoyable read.
Though in my view it’s not for children or very Young Adults as it does get gruesome.
Luca lives in Tuscany during the middle ages at the time of the Crusades. Before his father goes of on a Crusade he gives him a secret enchanted book he keep hidden in a cellar. After reading the book Luca discovers he can see demons. Everywhere.
He also dreams about the future. After dreaming of his father’s death Luca joins the crusade, and against his father’s wishes, takes the Book of Whispers with him.
What follows is a bloody journey from Italy to Jerusalem on the crusades. This is marketed as a Young Adult book, but some of it concerned me about its appropriateness for very Young Adults. It’s no worse than vampire slaughters but some of the accounts make hard reading.
That saying it’s a remarkable tale. Luca falls in love with Suzan who through her language skills can read the Book of Demons. Suzan can already see demons although she doesn’t realise it. Suzan's back story is more interesting than Luca's and she is a feisty female lead.
As a historical fantasy Kimberlay has done her research. This book could equally have been a stand-alone historical novel without the inclusion of the Demons. The storyline is strong and the characters likeable. The description of life on the crusade is gritty realistic, and informative. It really threads together for a truly enjoyable read.
Though in my view it’s not for children or very Young Adults as it does get gruesome.