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The Hundredth Voice
Uriel Driscoll was born into a family with an amazing gift…and a terrible curse.
While his family all have superb singing voices, they are doomed to lose their gifts at the height of their success!
Invited to the exclusive Aisling Academy, run by his own mysterious grandfather, Uriel finds the curse is the least of his horrible accidents keep befalling the students, ghosts roam the halls, and Uriel isn’t sure he can sing in the first place! And if Uriel can’t find a way to break his family’s curse, he’ll have to leave his new school, and his new friends, forever…
While his family all have superb singing voices, they are doomed to lose their gifts at the height of their success!
Invited to the exclusive Aisling Academy, run by his own mysterious grandfather, Uriel finds the curse is the least of his horrible accidents keep befalling the students, ghosts roam the halls, and Uriel isn’t sure he can sing in the first place! And if Uriel can’t find a way to break his family’s curse, he’ll have to leave his new school, and his new friends, forever…
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2023
3 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 27, 2023
*I received an ecopy of this book via Edelweiss. This has not influenced my review.*
This was delightful!
The art was wonderful. So crisp and colorful with a great style. I especially loved Uriel’s big, expressive eyes. And the way singing was portrayed through a visual medium was really cool. Colors were also used in a fun way, each main character having a color that corresponded to them. I really enjoyed the art.
And the characters were all such snazzy dressers! This is part of the fun of the art but deserves its own paragraph. I loved all the fancy, historical-esque clothes. The long flared jackets and big sleeves and tights and whatever those shoes are called.
The story was great and creative! It surprised me, and that’s all I’ll say about that in order to avoid spoilers, so that it can surprise you too. There was one thing I didn’t quite understand, and I’m not sure if it was me or the story, but it’s fine as long as you can just roll with some things.
Most of the characters were kind. The friendship and family were sweet. And there’s a cute little budding romance (though that isn’t shown too much). Between all of that, definitely some moments that made me say awwwwww.
There was queer rep since there were clearly some feelings between two boys, but also it didn’t feel like there were any rigid gender rules. I loved that.
I loved all the pretty, slightly ominous fae and ghosts and magic. The lore that was involved in the story, for lack of a better word, was so fascinating.
This is not actually important, but I liked it, so I’m mentioning it anyway… *SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
Overall, this had me captivated from start to finish. Both the story and the art were delightful!
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Ebook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes sweet MG/YA, graphic novels with crisp and colorful art, music, ominous fae and magic, and creative fantasy stories.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
This was delightful!
The art was wonderful. So crisp and colorful with a great style. I especially loved Uriel’s big, expressive eyes. And the way singing was portrayed through a visual medium was really cool. Colors were also used in a fun way, each main character having a color that corresponded to them. I really enjoyed the art.
And the characters were all such snazzy dressers! This is part of the fun of the art but deserves its own paragraph. I loved all the fancy, historical-esque clothes. The long flared jackets and big sleeves and tights and whatever those shoes are called.
The story was great and creative! It surprised me, and that’s all I’ll say about that in order to avoid spoilers, so that it can surprise you too. There was one thing I didn’t quite understand, and I’m not sure if it was me or the story, but it’s fine as long as you can just roll with some things.
Most of the characters were kind. The friendship and family were sweet. And there’s a cute little budding romance (though that isn’t shown too much). Between all of that, definitely some moments that made me say awwwwww.
There was queer rep since there were clearly some feelings between two boys, but also it didn’t feel like there were any rigid gender rules. I loved that.
I loved all the pretty, slightly ominous fae and ghosts and magic. The lore that was involved in the story, for lack of a better word, was so fascinating.
This is not actually important, but I liked it, so I’m mentioning it anyway… *SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
Overall, this had me captivated from start to finish. Both the story and the art were delightful!
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Ebook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes sweet MG/YA, graphic novels with crisp and colorful art, music, ominous fae and magic, and creative fantasy stories.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
December 2, 2023
This is a graphic novel about a teen who loves to sing. But he is afraid that his voice will be stolen.
I enjoyed this story. The illustrations were vibrant and beautiful.
I enjoyed this story. The illustrations were vibrant and beautiful.
December 26, 2024
Wasn’t my next favorite but I’d say it had a solid plot going for it, maybe a little confusing to follow at times though.
July 13, 2025
3.7 ⭐️ not world altering but a fairly cozy fantasy story with hints of MLM/achillian rep.
Whilst this isn’t a read that blew me away, I still enjoyed it massively. It’s really sweet, and a bit eerie at times, with the tiniest hint of romance (nothing overt, more a read between the lines crush.)
The story was predictable but fun nonetheless, and I did enjoy the art style but found it a bit minimalist at times. I liked the stylisation of the fantasy beings especially; the way the artist uses light/glow is fantastic.
Rep// hinted at MLM/achillian crush between two boy MCs.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// gaslighting, death, murder (nothing gruesome, fear not), stage fright/anxiety.
Whilst this isn’t a read that blew me away, I still enjoyed it massively. It’s really sweet, and a bit eerie at times, with the tiniest hint of romance (nothing overt, more a read between the lines crush.)
The story was predictable but fun nonetheless, and I did enjoy the art style but found it a bit minimalist at times. I liked the stylisation of the fantasy beings especially; the way the artist uses light/glow is fantastic.
Rep// hinted at MLM/achillian crush between two boy MCs.
TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// gaslighting, death, murder (nothing gruesome, fear not), stage fright/anxiety.
January 10, 2024
3.75 stars.
October 31, 2023
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This is a 'Faust for young readers" - cheerful, bright, colorful, friendly, but not very original, interesting, or engaging. Most of the characters are fairly one-dimensional without much in the way of personality or depth. I am reminded of simple fair - better than a Scooby Doo and kind of on par with My Little Pony or Winx.Story: Uriel loves to sing but his mother has forbidden it and his best friend lives for it. When that friend auditions for a prestigious singing academy, Uriel can't help but join in and is noticed by an academy instructor. Disobeying his mother, he runs off to the academy where strange things begin to happen: is all that his mother told him about fairies true after all?
So, this is all you would expect in a modern graphic novel of this type: inclusive, exuberant, overexaggerated, and uncomplicated. The artwork is simple and there isn't much in the way of backgrounds; thus, it can be hard to understand what is going on a lot of the time. The artwork is clean, bold lined, and with a spectrum of colors.
The plot is simplistic and a bit too pat. The trajectory is obvious, there isn't much dread or anticipation, and the fae or woefully underutilized. Mostly, this is about a kid who loves to sing but with some supernatural elements thrown in. Of course, he will be a unique snowflake - because yeah.
In all, it never captured my attention and might even have been a bit too long to tell such a simple rendition of Faust. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
July 19, 2023
Uriel Driscoll comes from a long line of singers - unfortunately, his family is cursed. Once a Driscoll reaches peak success, their voice is stolen. Uriel's mother made him swear he'd never sing, but Uriel can't help it. He wants to sing. When he's spotted at his BFF's Rosemary's audition for the prestigious Aisling Academy, Uriel is determined to pursue a singing career. So he runs away with Rosemary to Aisling Academy. But the students there are the best of the best, and though Uriel has talent, he doesn't have stage experience. With the help of the mysterious Mr. Allen, Uriel begins to come into his own as a singer...but there's something up at Aisling Academy. Is it ghosts? Fairies? It doesn't take long for the family curse to catch up to Uriel...
I LOVED this graphic novel. I loved the colors, the illustrations, the characters, everything. Singing might be a odd choice for a non-audio medium, but Like makes it work - bright swaths of color demonstrate a character's singing ability - whether they're doing well or struggling. The Hundredth Voice is so good - get yourself a copy post-haste, I says!
I LOVED this graphic novel. I loved the colors, the illustrations, the characters, everything. Singing might be a odd choice for a non-audio medium, but Like makes it work - bright swaths of color demonstrate a character's singing ability - whether they're doing well or struggling. The Hundredth Voice is so good - get yourself a copy post-haste, I says!
June 29, 2025
I saw this book on the shelf at the library, my arms already full of books to check out, already too many. I saw the cool cover, leafed through it and saw the good art and cool looking characters, read the description.
Haunted music school?????????
As an opera singer and lover of dark academia, I said SAY LESS and threw it onto my pile! I had HIGH hopes but no expectations since I'd never seen it before.
Readers, let me say that my hopes and expectations were all exceeded. I LOVED this novel. I thought the art was a little unpolished, but still did a great job telling the story. I thought the story was SO intriguing (not biased at all ;-) ) There was an interesting mystery of the curse, and clues left along the way. I really liked that this was one of those twists/reveals that was surprising and yet so well set up, like how did I not see it the whole time? I LOVE that kind of writing!
I want to write every little thing I loved about it, but there are so many reveals that I don't want to spoil anything.
Just go read it.
Haunted music school?????????
As an opera singer and lover of dark academia, I said SAY LESS and threw it onto my pile! I had HIGH hopes but no expectations since I'd never seen it before.
Readers, let me say that my hopes and expectations were all exceeded. I LOVED this novel. I thought the art was a little unpolished, but still did a great job telling the story. I thought the story was SO intriguing (not biased at all ;-) ) There was an interesting mystery of the curse, and clues left along the way. I really liked that this was one of those twists/reveals that was surprising and yet so well set up, like how did I not see it the whole time? I LOVE that kind of writing!
I want to write every little thing I loved about it, but there are so many reveals that I don't want to spoil anything.
Just go read it.
October 18, 2024
-4 stars-
This was a cute and quick graphic novel. The art was lovely and the characters were interesting. This book was about a boy named Uriel who was raised being told that him and his family were cursed. One day, a scout (?) from a well-known academy discovered about his singing talent and was invited to join said academy.
I liked this book... but there were some things that were quite off. It took me awhile to understand the plot and I wished we were given a more look into some of the side characters, like those who had their voice stolen.
Overall, this was a good book. Not the best, but it was good
This was a cute and quick graphic novel. The art was lovely and the characters were interesting. This book was about a boy named Uriel who was raised being told that him and his family were cursed. One day, a scout (?) from a well-known academy discovered about his singing talent and was invited to join said academy.
I liked this book... but there were some things that were quite off. It took me awhile to understand the plot and I wished we were given a more look into some of the side characters, like those who had their voice stolen.
Overall, this was a good book. Not the best, but it was good
August 11, 2023
When I saw the only other creator listed other than the writer / artist was a sensitivity reader, I got a little nervous but it was fine. It's a comic for probably middle school kids about a vocal school on an island off England shortly after World War I. It seems like a lightened up take on Faust for kids.
The art is very much manga standard, including the lack of backgrounds. The only thing you're missing is reading the other direction. The story has some of those same manga credentials like a sports manga, but with some faerie magic thrown in.
The art is very much manga standard, including the lack of backgrounds. The only thing you're missing is reading the other direction. The story has some of those same manga credentials like a sports manga, but with some faerie magic thrown in.
May 18, 2024
Uriel has the voice of an angel but his family is cursed to lose their voices. He goes to a mysterious boarding school to sing but is caught up in family drama.
That was sweet. Strong themes of friendship and following your dreams.
Notes:
I don't trust this grandfather or Mr Kelly! Something is up. Glad Uriel has a friend with Romy though. They should stick together.
Is his father Raphael
That painting keeps showing up suspiciously. It's probably important. I hope Raphael doesn't betray him though.
That was sweet. Strong themes of friendship and following your dreams.
Notes:
I don't trust this grandfather or Mr Kelly! Something is up. Glad Uriel has a friend with Romy though. They should stick together.
Is his father Raphael
That painting keeps showing up suspiciously. It's probably important. I hope Raphael doesn't betray him though.
July 14, 2023
ARC provided by the publisher through Edelweiss.
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. The idea is good, I just didn't think it was the strongest execution. I found the plot hard to follow at times and a bit clunky.
I liked the art when characters were further away, and I think having simpler faces added to the art style, but I wasn't a fan of the faces when they had more detail.
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. The idea is good, I just didn't think it was the strongest execution. I found the plot hard to follow at times and a bit clunky.
I liked the art when characters were further away, and I think having simpler faces added to the art style, but I wasn't a fan of the faces when they had more detail.
February 27, 2024
Gorgeous. Queer. Phantom of the Opera meets "oh no, someone made a deal with fairies." No notes. Would make a great gift to readers with interests in music, theatre, queer stories, fairies, or mysteries.
November 20, 2023
I thought this was okay. Some sweet elements (including a sort-of-out-of-nowhere lgbt crush), and an overall neat idea. I think I wanted more backstory, but it was fine.
January 7, 2024
LGBTQ+ graphic novel for youths about music and curses with a fantasy twist. Good for mystery lovers.
March 23, 2024
i love pretty faerie men with angel names
September 16, 2024
Loved the art style and the foreshadowing went HARD
December 6, 2024
The writing and art aren't that great, but I ended up liking this more than I thought I would.
August 12, 2025
The Hundredth Voice
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.14/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 6
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.14/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 6
December 23, 2025
Baited again
I should have listened to my gut feels from the art that it was going to be romance not friendship.
I should have listened to my gut feels from the art that it was going to be romance not friendship.
January 7, 2025
A magical book about family, music, singing, fae, and more!
💖 The music. The singing. The show! I just love how the illustrator brought out the voices with colours and shapes. So pretty.
💖 The fae/the magic, that was a very nice addition and I love finding about more about the magic. What happened on this island so long ago and if the fae are good or bad. On whose side are they? Given all we heard before I was worried, but my worries got less and less.
💖 The mystery behind the stolen voices! OMG, I just wanted to punch that person so much. I get that he had a bad time on that ship and shit happened, but seriously? To ask that? Go that far? Abuse people? FUCK NO. It was interesting to read though, plus see how it affected that person but also affected the one close to him that had to do the dirty works.
💖 I was SO SO blessedly happy that Romy and Uriel stay FRIENDS. HALLELUJAH. Don’t get me wrong, in some stories it worked, but I just saw friendship between these two. OK, maybe more like sister/brother given how very close they were. But nothing romantic. So I kept hoping that the story/author wasn’t going to push them together. And I was happy when nothing happened and they just stayed friends throughout the story. I loved their friendship, loved their closeness, love how they supported each other and tried to help out wherever was possible.
💖 Jasper! Or mister deredere. At first I found him a prick, but then I saw another side to him and I started liking him more and more.
💖 And if we are talking about Jasper, things got really adorable and sweet!
💖 Shippity Ship SHIPPPPPP! The ship is sailing! Even my husband got invested, haha. Mostly because I kept giving him updates on the ship whenever I could. We were both cheering when THAT moment happened.
💖 The various revelations! Not just the standard ones, but also some that had me going OMG! The author definitely keeps you on your toes. You keep finding out new things and I love it. It isn’t just a story about a boy getting the chance of his life, but so much more!
💖 The title and seeing when that makes sense! I love it when titles are explained in the story or are mentioned or are a part of the story.
💖 The last part of the story were everything comes out, things happen, bad things see the light, and things get dangerous and scary. I was just on the edge of my seat reading this one and I can tell you, you will too! Everything comes together, good and bad, and it is a fight that I was rooting for the right guys to win. There is a lot of chaos, but in the chaos there is also love, happiness, magic, and joy.
💖 The art! The art was a lot of fun and I love the characters designs and the colours that were used.
🫤 Not sure how I felt about how everyone was treating Uriel. I mean, everyone with eyeballs can see he is uncomfortable about many things, yet all the kids in the school say is that he is privileged and that he has an advantage and that it is unfair. Seriously??? You guys were all like that he didn’t fit here, now he is working hard and it is still not good. And during the time his grandfather takes him under his wing you see him just shrivel, how could you even think that he is happy and enjoying this?????
All in all, this was such a fun book and I am glad I bought it for my VacayGust. Music, magic, and more!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
💖 The music. The singing. The show! I just love how the illustrator brought out the voices with colours and shapes. So pretty.
💖 The fae/the magic, that was a very nice addition and I love finding about more about the magic. What happened on this island so long ago and if the fae are good or bad. On whose side are they? Given all we heard before I was worried, but my worries got less and less.
💖 The mystery behind the stolen voices! OMG, I just wanted to punch that person so much. I get that he had a bad time on that ship and shit happened, but seriously? To ask that? Go that far? Abuse people? FUCK NO. It was interesting to read though, plus see how it affected that person but also affected the one close to him that had to do the dirty works.
💖 I was SO SO blessedly happy that Romy and Uriel stay FRIENDS. HALLELUJAH. Don’t get me wrong, in some stories it worked, but I just saw friendship between these two. OK, maybe more like sister/brother given how very close they were. But nothing romantic. So I kept hoping that the story/author wasn’t going to push them together. And I was happy when nothing happened and they just stayed friends throughout the story. I loved their friendship, loved their closeness, love how they supported each other and tried to help out wherever was possible.
💖 Jasper! Or mister deredere. At first I found him a prick, but then I saw another side to him and I started liking him more and more.
💖 And if we are talking about Jasper, things got really adorable and sweet!
💖 Shippity Ship SHIPPPPPP! The ship is sailing! Even my husband got invested, haha. Mostly because I kept giving him updates on the ship whenever I could. We were both cheering when THAT moment happened.
💖 The various revelations! Not just the standard ones, but also some that had me going OMG! The author definitely keeps you on your toes. You keep finding out new things and I love it. It isn’t just a story about a boy getting the chance of his life, but so much more!
💖 The title and seeing when that makes sense! I love it when titles are explained in the story or are mentioned or are a part of the story.
💖 The last part of the story were everything comes out, things happen, bad things see the light, and things get dangerous and scary. I was just on the edge of my seat reading this one and I can tell you, you will too! Everything comes together, good and bad, and it is a fight that I was rooting for the right guys to win. There is a lot of chaos, but in the chaos there is also love, happiness, magic, and joy.
💖 The art! The art was a lot of fun and I love the characters designs and the colours that were used.
🫤 Not sure how I felt about how everyone was treating Uriel. I mean, everyone with eyeballs can see he is uncomfortable about many things, yet all the kids in the school say is that he is privileged and that he has an advantage and that it is unfair. Seriously??? You guys were all like that he didn’t fit here, now he is working hard and it is still not good. And during the time his grandfather takes him under his wing you see him just shrivel, how could you even think that he is happy and enjoying this?????
All in all, this was such a fun book and I am glad I bought it for my VacayGust. Music, magic, and more!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
July 22, 2024
Storytelling was a little confused, plot was messy, characters were a little underdeveloped, art was cute but the matchy-matchy was a bit much. All in all, would recommend to a kid but if they asked me to explain it all, I'd be like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews