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Lakeview #2
Whisper
It's Halle Henry’s first year at Lakeview Academy . . .
On a snowy January night, just days after a fire that nearly destroyed the school’s library, Elsie Stewart, daughter of the headmaster and founder of Lakeview Academy, dies slipping beneath the ice of frozen Clearwater Lake. Unable to right the wrongs she committed before her tragic death, Elsie’s spirit walks the halls of her father’s school, waiting for someone who can.
One hundred years later, while joining her sister’s friend Leigh to help clean out the school’s administration building before the big remodel, Halle stumbles upon Elsie’s hidden journal.
Obsessed with what she finds, Halle searches the school for clues that may lead to solving a century-old mystery. The only problem is that Halle also talks Calum Stewart, Leigh’s worst nightmare, into helping them.
Once Leigh and Calum are forced work together, sparks fly and no one around them, alive or dead, is left unaffected.
On a snowy January night, just days after a fire that nearly destroyed the school’s library, Elsie Stewart, daughter of the headmaster and founder of Lakeview Academy, dies slipping beneath the ice of frozen Clearwater Lake. Unable to right the wrongs she committed before her tragic death, Elsie’s spirit walks the halls of her father’s school, waiting for someone who can.
One hundred years later, while joining her sister’s friend Leigh to help clean out the school’s administration building before the big remodel, Halle stumbles upon Elsie’s hidden journal.
Obsessed with what she finds, Halle searches the school for clues that may lead to solving a century-old mystery. The only problem is that Halle also talks Calum Stewart, Leigh’s worst nightmare, into helping them.
Once Leigh and Calum are forced work together, sparks fly and no one around them, alive or dead, is left unaffected.
242 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2014
2 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Stacey R. Campbell
14 books131 followersStacey R. Campbell lives in the Washington State with her husband and three daughters. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and a dyslexic writer that believes there is no such thing as a bad reader. She is the author of the young adult novels Hush and Whisper and the highly acclaimed middle grade swashbuckling pirate book ARRGH!
When not at her desk writing she can be found hiking, sailing, or skiing. She enjoys chocolate in any shape or size, too many cups of coffee and laughing (often too loudly as her daughters say) with her friends and family.
Stacey is available for classroom visits and loves working with writers and readers of any age; especially those with learning disabilities like her own.
Learn more about Stacey R. Campbell and her up coming releases by visiting her website at www.staceyrcampbell.com.
When not at her desk writing she can be found hiking, sailing, or skiing. She enjoys chocolate in any shape or size, too many cups of coffee and laughing (often too loudly as her daughters say) with her friends and family.
Stacey is available for classroom visits and loves working with writers and readers of any age; especially those with learning disabilities like her own.
Learn more about Stacey R. Campbell and her up coming releases by visiting her website at www.staceyrcampbell.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 3, 2015
I received a free ebook copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Whisper is book 2 in the Lakeview series.
The book follows Halle Henry (Blakely's younger sister), Leigh, Calum and their friends. It sort of reminded me of the Scooby Doo gang, which I loved to watch as a kid. I loved the mystery, romance and the paranormal activity. I actually got some goosebumps from reading about Elsies ghost and when they were playing with the Ouija Board.
Overall, a lovely read. Thank you again to Stacey Campbell for providing me with a copy.
Whisper is book 2 in the Lakeview series.
The book follows Halle Henry (Blakely's younger sister), Leigh, Calum and their friends. It sort of reminded me of the Scooby Doo gang, which I loved to watch as a kid. I loved the mystery, romance and the paranormal activity. I actually got some goosebumps from reading about Elsies ghost and when they were playing with the Ouija Board.
Overall, a lovely read. Thank you again to Stacey Campbell for providing me with a copy.
December 29, 2013
Whisper has none of the small shortfallings Hush did and Stacey R. Campbell finally seems strong and confident in her voice.
I was disappointed when I started reading this model as I thought we would once again be following along on the adventures of Blakely and Max. Instead Whisper focuses on Leigh, Calum and Halle (Blakely's little sister). With help from their Scooby gang they try to since the centuries old mystery of Elsie's ghost.
The focus on friendship and carrying that underlines these books is great. Once again I was hooked by Stacey R Campbell's Lakeview academy and students. I only put down the book because I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer!
A great story with mystery, suspense and a touch of romance. I would recommend it to tweens and teens. The romance is kept pretty wholesome so I would not good back a recommendation to most any age group who can handle the reading level and content.
There is underage drinking that takes place in this book but it is mainly focused on if you are going to drink be responsible.
I was disappointed when I started reading this model as I thought we would once again be following along on the adventures of Blakely and Max. Instead Whisper focuses on Leigh, Calum and Halle (Blakely's little sister). With help from their Scooby gang they try to since the centuries old mystery of Elsie's ghost.
The focus on friendship and carrying that underlines these books is great. Once again I was hooked by Stacey R Campbell's Lakeview academy and students. I only put down the book because I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer!
A great story with mystery, suspense and a touch of romance. I would recommend it to tweens and teens. The romance is kept pretty wholesome so I would not good back a recommendation to most any age group who can handle the reading level and content.
There is underage drinking that takes place in this book but it is mainly focused on if you are going to drink be responsible.
April 10, 2014
I had just finished the first book to this the other day, and couldn't wait to start on this one. This time we get to follow Halle, Blakely's younger sister as she starts at Lakeview Academy.
This book surprised me. The last one was about a lost princess, and uncovering where she came from, this one follows the story of a girl named Elsie that use to live at the academy when it first started. She died when she was young and has haunted the halls of Lakeview since. When Halle finds Elsie's journal things get a little strange.
While the group of students is clearing out a building for remodel Halle finds the journal, but when she starts seeing things and feeling things it gets a little weird. I have to admit this book was a little creepy. AND, I loved it!!! I love scary. I don't think it was super scary, but it has it's creepy moments. It was fantastic.
Halle begins to read Elsie's journal and comes to find out what really happened all those years ago when a fire engulfed the Library. Halle begins to see things, and feel things that make her think Elsie is trying to tell her something. This leads Halle, and her friends Leigh, Christi, David, Calum (and eventually Griffen) on a quest to find what Elsie so desperately wants them to find.
There are a few times in this book that I got goose bumps, and a little scared because I usually read late at night with the lights off. It was so much fun to read though! It kept me on my toes. Then on top of the mystery, there is a love story to boot. This love story is hilarious and frustrating all at the same time. Leigh and Calum act as though they hate each other, and their banter back and forth is actually quite comical. They are so snarky with each other, which of course just reaffirms the fact that they have conflicting feelings towards each other. It is fun to see how things work out.
I don't want to say anything to ruin the book, but I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. It was exciting, creepy, funny, and nail biting for me at times. It's a great series.
Now, again on a personal note. This is the same author I wrote about earlier that has Dyslexia. While I am reading this story all I can think to myself is how amazed I am at her ability to write such a great book. My son has Dyslexia, and I know for a fact how hard it is for this little man of mine to write his thoughts down on paper, and even harder for him to read them out loud. Yet, I read this book, and it is written so well. I am so thankful for authors, actors, anyone out there that shares their struggle with Dyslexia. I love to be able to show my son that anything is possible. I can honestly say I will read anything this author comes out with, just for that reason. BUT, on top of it she is an amazing author, so why wouldn't I want to read her fabulous books :).
If you like mystery, chills, and love, this is a great book to pick up!
content: there is mild swearing and the "f" word is used a few times, but not excessively!
Source: I got this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review. I was not compensated in anyway for this review, and these are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
This book surprised me. The last one was about a lost princess, and uncovering where she came from, this one follows the story of a girl named Elsie that use to live at the academy when it first started. She died when she was young and has haunted the halls of Lakeview since. When Halle finds Elsie's journal things get a little strange.
While the group of students is clearing out a building for remodel Halle finds the journal, but when she starts seeing things and feeling things it gets a little weird. I have to admit this book was a little creepy. AND, I loved it!!! I love scary. I don't think it was super scary, but it has it's creepy moments. It was fantastic.
Halle begins to read Elsie's journal and comes to find out what really happened all those years ago when a fire engulfed the Library. Halle begins to see things, and feel things that make her think Elsie is trying to tell her something. This leads Halle, and her friends Leigh, Christi, David, Calum (and eventually Griffen) on a quest to find what Elsie so desperately wants them to find.
There are a few times in this book that I got goose bumps, and a little scared because I usually read late at night with the lights off. It was so much fun to read though! It kept me on my toes. Then on top of the mystery, there is a love story to boot. This love story is hilarious and frustrating all at the same time. Leigh and Calum act as though they hate each other, and their banter back and forth is actually quite comical. They are so snarky with each other, which of course just reaffirms the fact that they have conflicting feelings towards each other. It is fun to see how things work out.
I don't want to say anything to ruin the book, but I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. It was exciting, creepy, funny, and nail biting for me at times. It's a great series.
Now, again on a personal note. This is the same author I wrote about earlier that has Dyslexia. While I am reading this story all I can think to myself is how amazed I am at her ability to write such a great book. My son has Dyslexia, and I know for a fact how hard it is for this little man of mine to write his thoughts down on paper, and even harder for him to read them out loud. Yet, I read this book, and it is written so well. I am so thankful for authors, actors, anyone out there that shares their struggle with Dyslexia. I love to be able to show my son that anything is possible. I can honestly say I will read anything this author comes out with, just for that reason. BUT, on top of it she is an amazing author, so why wouldn't I want to read her fabulous books :).
If you like mystery, chills, and love, this is a great book to pick up!
content: there is mild swearing and the "f" word is used a few times, but not excessively!
Source: I got this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review. I was not compensated in anyway for this review, and these are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
January 16, 2014
I received an ARC of this book from Gemelli Press LLC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Whisper by Stacey R. Campbell is the second installment in the Lakeview series. Whisper follows Halle, Leigh, Calum, and a few other minor characters as they try to discover one of Lakeview's biggest mysteries with some paranormal help from Elsie. Elsie is the daughter of the school's founder who drowned years ago. Because I don't want to spoil the book too much, I'm going to leave the summary there.
Even though I had already known that Blakely and Max (the MCs of the first book) wouldn't have starring roles in this book, I was a bit disappointed that they didn't have at least a bigger role. However, life goes on and that wasn't that big a problem!
I absolutely loved the historical aspect of the book. I went to a boarding school as well and we had our own bits of history that included ghosts, so it was interesting to see that portrayed in the book. Once again, the author helps me to remember my days in boarding school with fondness.
The characters are a little flat in my opinion, but they are fairly easy to relate to. I wish that Halle had more room to develop, but she continues to be just Blakely's little sister, in my eyes. I did, however, enjoy Leigh's character quite a bit. She was hard to like, at first, but Campbell does a good job at portraying her as a 'normal' teenager. I think I seen bits of my high school self in Leigh, which made it hard for me to like her at first. I also enjoyed the fact that both Lee and Halle had to deal with more antagonistic female characters as compared to Hush. Sometimes people just do not get along, especially in a boarding school setting, so it was interesting to see that written.
The relationship between Leigh and Calum has got to have been my favorite part of the entire book! I found myself rooting for them from the beginning, and getting angry at them when they chose to fight with each other rather than play nice.
Overall, this was a fantastic book. I would definitely recommend it to my friends and I'm already planning on buying a copy for my sister. It was beautifully written and the plot holds the readers attention well.
Whisper by Stacey R. Campbell is the second installment in the Lakeview series. Whisper follows Halle, Leigh, Calum, and a few other minor characters as they try to discover one of Lakeview's biggest mysteries with some paranormal help from Elsie. Elsie is the daughter of the school's founder who drowned years ago. Because I don't want to spoil the book too much, I'm going to leave the summary there.
Even though I had already known that Blakely and Max (the MCs of the first book) wouldn't have starring roles in this book, I was a bit disappointed that they didn't have at least a bigger role. However, life goes on and that wasn't that big a problem!
I absolutely loved the historical aspect of the book. I went to a boarding school as well and we had our own bits of history that included ghosts, so it was interesting to see that portrayed in the book. Once again, the author helps me to remember my days in boarding school with fondness.
The characters are a little flat in my opinion, but they are fairly easy to relate to. I wish that Halle had more room to develop, but she continues to be just Blakely's little sister, in my eyes. I did, however, enjoy Leigh's character quite a bit. She was hard to like, at first, but Campbell does a good job at portraying her as a 'normal' teenager. I think I seen bits of my high school self in Leigh, which made it hard for me to like her at first. I also enjoyed the fact that both Lee and Halle had to deal with more antagonistic female characters as compared to Hush. Sometimes people just do not get along, especially in a boarding school setting, so it was interesting to see that written.
The relationship between Leigh and Calum has got to have been my favorite part of the entire book! I found myself rooting for them from the beginning, and getting angry at them when they chose to fight with each other rather than play nice.
Overall, this was a fantastic book. I would definitely recommend it to my friends and I'm already planning on buying a copy for my sister. It was beautifully written and the plot holds the readers attention well.
January 6, 2014
**I received an ARC of this book from Gemelli Press LLC in exchange for my honest review**
Let me first mention that I was a bit disappointed when I learned that this wasn't a continuation of Blakely and Max's story but, after the first few pages that disappointment melted away completely as I was swept into Halle, Blakely's little sister, Leigh's and Calum's story.
It's Halle's first year at Lakeview and Leigh, Blakely's friend, promised to keep an eye on her. Halle is excited about the ghost stories that surround Lakeview, one in particular being the death of Elsie Stewart the daughter of the school founder. While cleaning out an old attic Halle discovers Elsie's journal which tells of a fire in the library, from which she escaped taking with her the items her father treasures most and hiding them somewhere on campus. Halle and her friends are excited and determined to find the treasure. All the while tension builds between Leigh and her nemesis Calum. As the story flows on they will either have each other's heads, or hearts.
WOW! what an improvement from her first book, Stacey R. Campbell really kicked it up a notched! This story ran more smoothly than Hush, the scenes did not change abruptly and leave you empty and wanting for more. Once I started reading, I was captured and couldn't escape its thrall until I finished.
The mystery surrounding this story was thrilling, never once predictable, I couldn't figure it out at all! The clues provided led you along with the characters but never ahead so you got to enjoy the adventure with them.
Unlike the characters from the previous book, the characters in Whisper actually had flaws! This made them more relatable and frankly, loveable. each had their own personality which endeared themselves to me. I also enjoyed the fact that Leigh and Calum's relationship wasn't instantaneous and unbelievable. They have a history and a spark that wont let them forget their attraction to one another, no matter how much it annoys them.
I would definitely recommend this book. It's a good read for teens but I would urge people of all ages to give it a shot, you may be glad you did.
Let me first mention that I was a bit disappointed when I learned that this wasn't a continuation of Blakely and Max's story but, after the first few pages that disappointment melted away completely as I was swept into Halle, Blakely's little sister, Leigh's and Calum's story.
It's Halle's first year at Lakeview and Leigh, Blakely's friend, promised to keep an eye on her. Halle is excited about the ghost stories that surround Lakeview, one in particular being the death of Elsie Stewart the daughter of the school founder. While cleaning out an old attic Halle discovers Elsie's journal which tells of a fire in the library, from which she escaped taking with her the items her father treasures most and hiding them somewhere on campus. Halle and her friends are excited and determined to find the treasure. All the while tension builds between Leigh and her nemesis Calum. As the story flows on they will either have each other's heads, or hearts.
WOW! what an improvement from her first book, Stacey R. Campbell really kicked it up a notched! This story ran more smoothly than Hush, the scenes did not change abruptly and leave you empty and wanting for more. Once I started reading, I was captured and couldn't escape its thrall until I finished.
The mystery surrounding this story was thrilling, never once predictable, I couldn't figure it out at all! The clues provided led you along with the characters but never ahead so you got to enjoy the adventure with them.
Unlike the characters from the previous book, the characters in Whisper actually had flaws! This made them more relatable and frankly, loveable. each had their own personality which endeared themselves to me. I also enjoyed the fact that Leigh and Calum's relationship wasn't instantaneous and unbelievable. They have a history and a spark that wont let them forget their attraction to one another, no matter how much it annoys them.
I would definitely recommend this book. It's a good read for teens but I would urge people of all ages to give it a shot, you may be glad you did.
February 22, 2014
(I received a free copy of this book from Gemelli Press LLC, through NetGalley, in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
This is another book that makes me think of books I used to read as a child - this time ones that were set in schools, like Enid Blyton's books. (It's been a long time since I've read those books, so I'm not sure if the titles I remember are the right ones).
Although the target age range for this book is probably quite a bit younger than me, I still found myself entertained by this book. Parts of the storyline were a little bit simple, but on the whole, I did enjoy it.
At first, I did get confused between the different characters. That confusion didn't last for very long, though, and I quickly found myself engaged by the characters. They were interesting and well-rounded and I felt they came across as real people.
I did think there was quite a lot going on in the story - a mix of genres. It wasn't enough for me to get confused, but there were some areas I would have liked to see further explored. I would also have liked to see more of Elsie.
I thought it was good how the different characters had different reactions to what was going on. Leigh and Halle definitely seemed to believe in Elsie more than Christi and David, for instance.
I did like Griffin, but I did find a couple of the things he said to be a bit stereotypical. It was good to see the hints of something developing between him and Jackson. I would have liked to see more of them together.
The romance between Leigh and Calum developed really well, in spite of their shared history and the slight cliche of them disliking each other to begin with.
The ending of this book was really good and the writing, on the whole, made it easy for me to picture the events happening in my mind - though I did notice a few minor errors.
I would definitely be interested in reading more books by this author in the near future. When I get the chance, I'll check out the first book in this series.
(This review may contain spoilers).
This is another book that makes me think of books I used to read as a child - this time ones that were set in schools, like Enid Blyton's books. (It's been a long time since I've read those books, so I'm not sure if the titles I remember are the right ones).
Although the target age range for this book is probably quite a bit younger than me, I still found myself entertained by this book. Parts of the storyline were a little bit simple, but on the whole, I did enjoy it.
At first, I did get confused between the different characters. That confusion didn't last for very long, though, and I quickly found myself engaged by the characters. They were interesting and well-rounded and I felt they came across as real people.
I did think there was quite a lot going on in the story - a mix of genres. It wasn't enough for me to get confused, but there were some areas I would have liked to see further explored. I would also have liked to see more of Elsie.
I thought it was good how the different characters had different reactions to what was going on. Leigh and Halle definitely seemed to believe in Elsie more than Christi and David, for instance.
I did like Griffin, but I did find a couple of the things he said to be a bit stereotypical. It was good to see the hints of something developing between him and Jackson. I would have liked to see more of them together.
The romance between Leigh and Calum developed really well, in spite of their shared history and the slight cliche of them disliking each other to begin with.
The ending of this book was really good and the writing, on the whole, made it easy for me to picture the events happening in my mind - though I did notice a few minor errors.
I would definitely be interested in reading more books by this author in the near future. When I get the chance, I'll check out the first book in this series.
March 18, 2014
Why I Picked this book up:
I requested this from NetGalley after reading Book 1. I was hooked!
Initial Reaction:
I know I’m going to love this just as much as the first one!
When I was hooked:
I fell into this one right away having just finished book 1! Already knowing the back story, I was hooked right away. This book also starts with a flashback from the past. I immediately wanted to know how this would tie-in to the story.
What other books would I compare this book to:
Nancy Drew meets Gossip Girl? Unlike the first one, this one is a bit darker with more of a ghost story/mystery
Final Thoughts:
I really love the premise behind this series. I mentioned in my first review how much I loved the whole prep school thing. I also loved how while the setting was the same and the characters were similar, it was a whole different story. Some sequels just sound like their predecessor except for a few character changes. This book is not like that. I loved the mystery of this book. It reminded me of the Nancy Drew books I read when I was younger.
The novel wouldn’t be complete without the love story and this one is HOT!! Just like Hush, Whisper has a great love story although this one take a bit longer to develop. Basically Calum and Leigh hate each other. There is a lot of playful banter between the two and certainly a love/hate relationship. The reader never knows what to expect out of each encounter.
Overall, this was a great read. It is a quick but interesting read that really drew me in. I will definitely be on the lookout for book 3!
I requested this from NetGalley after reading Book 1. I was hooked!
Initial Reaction:
I know I’m going to love this just as much as the first one!
When I was hooked:
I fell into this one right away having just finished book 1! Already knowing the back story, I was hooked right away. This book also starts with a flashback from the past. I immediately wanted to know how this would tie-in to the story.
What other books would I compare this book to:
Nancy Drew meets Gossip Girl? Unlike the first one, this one is a bit darker with more of a ghost story/mystery
Final Thoughts:
I really love the premise behind this series. I mentioned in my first review how much I loved the whole prep school thing. I also loved how while the setting was the same and the characters were similar, it was a whole different story. Some sequels just sound like their predecessor except for a few character changes. This book is not like that. I loved the mystery of this book. It reminded me of the Nancy Drew books I read when I was younger.
The novel wouldn’t be complete without the love story and this one is HOT!! Just like Hush, Whisper has a great love story although this one take a bit longer to develop. Basically Calum and Leigh hate each other. There is a lot of playful banter between the two and certainly a love/hate relationship. The reader never knows what to expect out of each encounter.
Overall, this was a great read. It is a quick but interesting read that really drew me in. I will definitely be on the lookout for book 3!
February 16, 2014
Whisper is a fantastic story of intrigue, mystery, suppressed love and friendship, all in the glorious setting of a boarding school. Talk about an enticing read.
If you know how to time travel, do tell me how. But after you go back in to the past and ask me in advance what I predict I will think about Whisper. I will probably tell you that you that I I think it will be just as good as Hush and ask you how to time travel. Then when you return to the present, I will tell you that I think Whisper is actually better than Hush and that I am really looking forward to the release of the third book.
These Lakeview Novels are cute reads that are not shallow, like a few "cuter" reads that I've come across, but instead are very addictive. Using your fabulous time machine, do go back to earlier on in the day and ask me to estimate the amount of time it will take me to read Whisper. Odds are, I would have said two days. But no, it didn't even take me one.
I love the characters in these books. They're nice and work as glue for the story. I'd love to meet them in real life. I liked how this book showed us a little more of Halle and Blakely's friend's story. All fantastic characters, I might add.
I'm loving this series and can't wait to continue it!
4/5 comets - Meteor shower. A great show.
If you know how to time travel, do tell me how. But after you go back in to the past and ask me in advance what I predict I will think about Whisper. I will probably tell you that you that I I think it will be just as good as Hush and ask you how to time travel. Then when you return to the present, I will tell you that I think Whisper is actually better than Hush and that I am really looking forward to the release of the third book.
These Lakeview Novels are cute reads that are not shallow, like a few "cuter" reads that I've come across, but instead are very addictive. Using your fabulous time machine, do go back to earlier on in the day and ask me to estimate the amount of time it will take me to read Whisper. Odds are, I would have said two days. But no, it didn't even take me one.
I love the characters in these books. They're nice and work as glue for the story. I'd love to meet them in real life. I liked how this book showed us a little more of Halle and Blakely's friend's story. All fantastic characters, I might add.
I'm loving this series and can't wait to continue it!
4/5 comets - Meteor shower. A great show.
January 14, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, which is somewhat surprising to me as I tend to avoid young adult books that deal with romance, wherever possible. I think what set this one apart, was the confidence the author writes with. She asks you to suspend belief a little for the paranormal aspects of the story, and you happily comply based upon your desire to see the story work out for the good of the characters. I certainly did not spend any time picking apart the possibility of one portion or another of this story being likely or not. I enjoyed the characters and the setting far too much for that.
Interestingly enough, it was the main character that I tended to favour the least in this story, and the secondary characters that made me love it. I liked the interactions, the tension and the brewing romance as well. I appreciated that the romance was well paced and more complex than one finds in this category as a general rule.
By the halfway point of this story, I was already wondering what the next book would be about and hoping for more writing of a similar variety. If you have not read anything by this author yet, I would recommend that you give her books a chance. I like it.
This review is based on a digital ARC from Netgalley and provided by the publisher.
Interestingly enough, it was the main character that I tended to favour the least in this story, and the secondary characters that made me love it. I liked the interactions, the tension and the brewing romance as well. I appreciated that the romance was well paced and more complex than one finds in this category as a general rule.
By the halfway point of this story, I was already wondering what the next book would be about and hoping for more writing of a similar variety. If you have not read anything by this author yet, I would recommend that you give her books a chance. I like it.
This review is based on a digital ARC from Netgalley and provided by the publisher.
March 10, 2014
The cover: Cool! It has a simple design and I like how the image of the diary is the only image because the main focus of this book is about the diary.
It was interesting to have this book be focused on Halle and her first year at the school but I was also annoyed by how Halle was scared of a lot of things (read this book and you will understand). Leigh (friends with Halle) is Halle big sister (in the school each 8th grader is assigned a big sister or big brother (who is in the 12th grade to watch over them and help them get acquainted with the school). Leigh was a great character and I liked her more than Halle. Leigh could be stubborn when she wanted to be and I knew what would happen with her and Calum in the end.
It is as awesome as the first book was. However, I felt that some of the events that happened in the plot were never fully developed and I thought that there would have been more action in the plot (I would read that Leigh or Halle were at a dance or went skiing and the next chapter the characters would be doing something else).
It was interesting to have this book be focused on Halle and her first year at the school but I was also annoyed by how Halle was scared of a lot of things (read this book and you will understand). Leigh (friends with Halle) is Halle big sister (in the school each 8th grader is assigned a big sister or big brother (who is in the 12th grade to watch over them and help them get acquainted with the school). Leigh was a great character and I liked her more than Halle. Leigh could be stubborn when she wanted to be and I knew what would happen with her and Calum in the end.
It is as awesome as the first book was. However, I felt that some of the events that happened in the plot were never fully developed and I thought that there would have been more action in the plot (I would read that Leigh or Halle were at a dance or went skiing and the next chapter the characters would be doing something else).
January 6, 2014
Another great ARC I have received from NetGalley. This second installment of The Lakeview series is different from the first novel. The theme has changed from contemporary romance to paranormal romance. Leigh and Calum's bitter sweet romance evolves on Elsie's mystery. Elsie is Calum's ancestor, and she has died in 1914 by drowning in a frozen lake. She has a secret that needs to be unraveled. Her spirit lingers in Lakeview Academy. Her haunting becomes more prominent when Halle (Blakely's sister) finds her journal. Everyone who reads her journal is haunted. Only one way to stop it...to fulfill the ghost's unfinished business. This is when the quest of Halle, Leigh, Calum, and the rest of their friends starts. I find the supporting characters quite all right but not as strong as the first ones. Although, I really like Griffin. I wish he has more part in the story instead of David and Christi. I have enjoyed reading it (like the first) and anxiously anticipating the third installment, Scream. Another great read for a book lover like me. ; )
February 11, 2014
Amazing book, I highly recommend it to anyone! Reaches a wide variety of audiences while keeping up with the euphoric intrigue of all of Stacey Campbell's novels. Unlike many book surrounding YA fiction, Whisper manages to provide an active perception of teenage life while not dipping into the pornographic vulgarity that seems to envelope the genre. Not only this, but the main character, Leigh, is a breathe of fresh air. Witty, energetic, and yes, a little clumsy; she seems to bring out the best in teenagers everywhere with her strong will and charm. Well done again to Stacey Campbell, I will definately be looking forward to reading more Lakeview Academy novels! For all other authors in with YA fiction, you may want to watch out; there is a new star author on the scene!
December 29, 2013
Loved this book as much as the first one. I can't believe I have to wait a year for the next one. I'm completely addicted.
February 13, 2014
I did not even realize this was part of a series, it can be read as a standalone novel and I quite liked it.
March 26, 2014
This was better than the first one.
February 22, 2015
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
It had been a few months since I read the first book in this series, Hush, but I remembered enough about it to be surprised to find out this book features completely different characters. The set-up that happened in the first book by creating the whole new country Tamura felt very weird in retrospect as it's completely ignored in Whisper. Truth be told, they mention a holiday to Tamura and just how splendidly it all is, but that makes it hardly a part of the story.
Far more interesting of course is following the somewhere-in-Canada boarding school, where Blakely's younger sister Halle is now a student. Immediately we get immersed in this old ghost story that's supposed to be very well known around the students and gets a lot of attention each year (except it wasn't mentioned once in the complete first book). When cleaning out an attic for a school renovation, a mysterious diary is found that once belonged to the supposed school ghost. It comes with the ghost attached. How handy.
What follows is the kind of story you've read before (I think) starring, a very slow reading of the diary (seriously, if it's that important why not read it in one night? It's not that long!) and an overly easy search around the school grounds for lost treasure. (And I thought the first book was unrealistic).
This all said, it was an easy read and I didn't hate it. It was just very easy (with a plot similar to something I came up with myself when I was like 14 but discarded later on) and not really realistic. There's also this annoying romance thing that I found to be completely unnecessary. Shame.
Whisper is the second book in the Lakeview series, you can also read my review for the first book Hush.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
It had been a few months since I read the first book in this series, Hush, but I remembered enough about it to be surprised to find out this book features completely different characters. The set-up that happened in the first book by creating the whole new country Tamura felt very weird in retrospect as it's completely ignored in Whisper. Truth be told, they mention a holiday to Tamura and just how splendidly it all is, but that makes it hardly a part of the story.
Far more interesting of course is following the somewhere-in-Canada boarding school, where Blakely's younger sister Halle is now a student. Immediately we get immersed in this old ghost story that's supposed to be very well known around the students and gets a lot of attention each year (except it wasn't mentioned once in the complete first book). When cleaning out an attic for a school renovation, a mysterious diary is found that once belonged to the supposed school ghost. It comes with the ghost attached. How handy.
What follows is the kind of story you've read before (I think) starring, a very slow reading of the diary (seriously, if it's that important why not read it in one night? It's not that long!) and an overly easy search around the school grounds for lost treasure. (And I thought the first book was unrealistic).
This all said, it was an easy read and I didn't hate it. It was just very easy (with a plot similar to something I came up with myself when I was like 14 but discarded later on) and not really realistic. There's also this annoying romance thing that I found to be completely unnecessary. Shame.
Whisper is the second book in the Lakeview series, you can also read my review for the first book Hush.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
June 8, 2015
Full review & INTERNATIONAL PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY of Whisper on my Blog here !
Well hello to this beautiful novel, reminds me of Nancy Drew's books except fore darker.
This book is a lovely mix of Young Adult, mystery, and paranormal. It's a refreshing novel, that reminds me of a haunting love story. Stacey is a gifted writer, I'm amazed that even though she has Dyslexia, she can pull herself through this book. Its well-written, and so though provoking. The author makes me think, anything is possible if you try hard enough! Her novel portrays a different story and a different side of the students at Campbell, it can be read as a standalone too.
Boarding Schools are some of my favorite settings to read in books. Aaaah .. the setting, and the secrets they hide.
The true star of this novel is clearly Elise, but she's been dead for over hundred years. It's a ghost story as well, it fascinated me. The character Halle discovers Elise's journal, and things get really creepy afterwards. The love story between the two main characters was sweet, it's a love-hate relationship. It's a fun read to read at night, spooks you up a bit. Since it's almost Halloween, try it out :)
I loved the second book so much more than the first one! I knew I would like it, after I had read the first novel. It's quite an impressive series, I cannot wait to read the third installment in this series, Scream. I'm sure the author will nail the final piece of the triology, as she has done with her past books. If you like mystery with a bit of romance, this book is lovely.
I would give it a 5 out of 5 stars.
Well hello to this beautiful novel, reminds me of Nancy Drew's books except fore darker.
This book is a lovely mix of Young Adult, mystery, and paranormal. It's a refreshing novel, that reminds me of a haunting love story. Stacey is a gifted writer, I'm amazed that even though she has Dyslexia, she can pull herself through this book. Its well-written, and so though provoking. The author makes me think, anything is possible if you try hard enough! Her novel portrays a different story and a different side of the students at Campbell, it can be read as a standalone too.
Boarding Schools are some of my favorite settings to read in books. Aaaah .. the setting, and the secrets they hide.
The true star of this novel is clearly Elise, but she's been dead for over hundred years. It's a ghost story as well, it fascinated me. The character Halle discovers Elise's journal, and things get really creepy afterwards. The love story between the two main characters was sweet, it's a love-hate relationship. It's a fun read to read at night, spooks you up a bit. Since it's almost Halloween, try it out :)
I loved the second book so much more than the first one! I knew I would like it, after I had read the first novel. It's quite an impressive series, I cannot wait to read the third installment in this series, Scream. I'm sure the author will nail the final piece of the triology, as she has done with her past books. If you like mystery with a bit of romance, this book is lovely.
I would give it a 5 out of 5 stars.
February 21, 2020
Full Review on The Candid Cover
I cannot tell a lie! I am a sucker for good old fashioned mysteries. Whisper, the third book in the incredibly mysterious Lakeview series, by Stacey R. Campbell is filled with friendship, suspense and secret passages. Set in a boarding school, this book has the recipe for excitement!
In Whisper, a grade 8 student, Halle, becomes friends with some grade 12 students. Together, they search for a lost artifact. I’ve noticed that most YA book friendships consist of two people that are the same age. It is a nice twist to read about a strong bond between older and younger teens.
This book is such a well written YA mystery novel! It is filled with suspense and eerie spirits. As well, the ghost of the daughter of the school’s headmaster (quite a tongue twister, I know!) communicates with the characters, which makes the book even more creepy and mysterious. The mystery genre isn’t very big in young adult literature, so this book is such a welcome to read!
Another intriguing aspect of Whisper is its setting, Lakeview Academy. There are secret passages and dark corridors that Stacey R. Campbell has described so elaborately, that the reader will be transported into this eery setting with ease. A perfect backdrop for strange happenings!
If you are seeking out a good mystery, then I encourage you to pick up the Lakeview series. It isa fun, fast-paced, sleuth filled read!
I cannot tell a lie! I am a sucker for good old fashioned mysteries. Whisper, the third book in the incredibly mysterious Lakeview series, by Stacey R. Campbell is filled with friendship, suspense and secret passages. Set in a boarding school, this book has the recipe for excitement!
In Whisper, a grade 8 student, Halle, becomes friends with some grade 12 students. Together, they search for a lost artifact. I’ve noticed that most YA book friendships consist of two people that are the same age. It is a nice twist to read about a strong bond between older and younger teens.
This book is such a well written YA mystery novel! It is filled with suspense and eerie spirits. As well, the ghost of the daughter of the school’s headmaster (quite a tongue twister, I know!) communicates with the characters, which makes the book even more creepy and mysterious. The mystery genre isn’t very big in young adult literature, so this book is such a welcome to read!
Another intriguing aspect of Whisper is its setting, Lakeview Academy. There are secret passages and dark corridors that Stacey R. Campbell has described so elaborately, that the reader will be transported into this eery setting with ease. A perfect backdrop for strange happenings!
If you are seeking out a good mystery, then I encourage you to pick up the Lakeview series. It isa fun, fast-paced, sleuth filled read!
July 4, 2015
After rating Hush only 2.5 stars, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book. But then I got it from Netgalley, so naturally I had to review it. I must say, after reading this, that it's definitely better than Hush. Although I still didn't love this book, it had a definite improvement.
Compared to the first book, Whisper sounded better. The tone and flow of the words felt more natural, although it still seemed a bit childish for me. Despite most of the characters being seniors, I still think that this is better suited for MG rather than YA. I can't tell which book is better or more interesting story-wise, but I liked this one a bit better than the first. Again, Stacey Campbell succeeded in using the third person point of view, in my opinion.
What I really loved about this book is how everyone seemed to take care of Halle while not being condescending, given that she's only in 8th grade while the rest are already seniors. It was also nice to see Blakely, Max and North reappear in this book.
Compared to the first book, Whisper sounded better. The tone and flow of the words felt more natural, although it still seemed a bit childish for me. Despite most of the characters being seniors, I still think that this is better suited for MG rather than YA. I can't tell which book is better or more interesting story-wise, but I liked this one a bit better than the first. Again, Stacey Campbell succeeded in using the third person point of view, in my opinion.
What I really loved about this book is how everyone seemed to take care of Halle while not being condescending, given that she's only in 8th grade while the rest are already seniors. It was also nice to see Blakely, Max and North reappear in this book.
July 29, 2016
This book follows Hush, but could quite easily be read as a stand alone novel.
Hush was a story about Blakely, Whisper is her younger sister Halle's story, along with many of her friends from the upper year at school. Again, this story is set at the same boarding school and has a blossoming romance, but unlike the first, this has a 100 year old mystery to solve. Again, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book by Stacey R Campbell, a lovely easy read that I will recommend to my daughter in a few years time. Whilst the romance this time was for Leigh, I can easily see book three, set three or four years into the future where Halle gets to be romantically involved.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
Hush was a story about Blakely, Whisper is her younger sister Halle's story, along with many of her friends from the upper year at school. Again, this story is set at the same boarding school and has a blossoming romance, but unlike the first, this has a 100 year old mystery to solve. Again, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book by Stacey R Campbell, a lovely easy read that I will recommend to my daughter in a few years time. Whilst the romance this time was for Leigh, I can easily see book three, set three or four years into the future where Halle gets to be romantically involved.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
March 15, 2014
Romance, mystery, and a bit of the supernatural. Whisper is a light enjoyable beach read written for my daughters Blakely, Leigh & Halle.
Fun for the middle schooler on up.
The 2 of 4 novels. All but the last, taking place on the the Lakeview campus. Each a complete story linked together through setting and family with different character leads.
For questions or interviews please contact me at www.staceyrcampbell.com.
Fun for the middle schooler on up.
The 2 of 4 novels. All but the last, taking place on the the Lakeview campus. Each a complete story linked together through setting and family with different character leads.
For questions or interviews please contact me at www.staceyrcampbell.com.
Want to read
January 2, 2014I loved Hush and am looking forward to seeing what Stacey has in store for us with the second book.
August 9, 2015
This is the second installment in the Lakeview series. The first book followed Blakely Henry during her senior year at Lakeview, and now the series continues as her younger sister Halle starts her 8th grade year at Lakeview. Halle has a few older friends from Blakely’s Lakeview days, and she joins up with them to make it through her first year…and enlists their help to discover the treasure that Elsie Stewart’s ghost has written about in her journal that continues to haunt Halle’s every moment. Even though Leigh is Halle’s “big,” Halle enlists Leigh’s ex into the Elsie mix, creating havoc among them.
It’s hard to pick a favorite character because as a collective, Halle and Leigh’s friends make up a great group of characters. Leigh was my absolute favorite character, but I also loved Halle’s enthusiasm and wondrous childlike qualities.
First, there is some language used in this book. It’s not overly much and I’d say it is there more to enhance the writing and authenticate the character’s conversations and interactions with one another. It helps give a true depiction of the high disregard Leigh and Calum have for one another.
Halle’s first year on campus and she already has a network of friends, thanks to her older sister Blakely also attending Lakeview. Halle has done nothing but study a book about local ghosts, with the school founder’s daughter, Elsie, being the #1 ghost around. Each year the older Lakeview students take the newbies on a haunted tour of the campus, promoting the handful of ghosts that supposedly haunt Lakeview.
The school is in the process of being updated and renovated, and a group of students are selected to help clean out the old admin building. In the process, Halle discovers an old journal. It seems like something she’d hand over to the teachers until she discovers it belongs to Elsie Stewart. Halle lets the group in on her secret, but it is kept solely a secret.
As Halle reads Elsie’s journal throughout the semester, she becomes haunted by it, and even Elsie herself. Leigh takes the journal for a while, and experiences a glimmer of Elsie. Calum takes the journal but doesn’t get the ghostly connection. It is not until the group goes exploring across campus, searching for an item from Elsie’s journal, that Calum feels Elsie. They must set right what Elsie could not before her tragic death.
Throughout the novel, Leigh and Calum butt heads like nobody’s business. The viewpoint changes from character to character, mainly focusing on Leigh and Calum, and Calum’s inner thoughts reveal he very much about why his views on relationships are the way that they are. True, this doesn’t excuse his jerky behavior, but it gives insight and depth to his character.
Leigh and Griffin’s relationship is also a big part of the book. Their relationship is one that is beautiful and I want one like it. :)
Leigh is also Halle’s go-to. Whenever the journal and Elsie become too much, Leigh is her safe haven. Their relationship shows Leigh in another light away from Calum (even though he is often involved in the Elsie stuff).
What I found most interesting about this installment is that the secondary characters. At least, the boys. David, Griffin and Duncan all are great guys. They push Calum to be a better version of himself, and usually that is hard to do with teenage boys. Usually it is the exact opposite, so I feel their characters are rounded out a little bit more so than in the secondary characters in the first book.
If you enjoy mysteries, ghosts, or just a good read, I recommend this book. You don’t have to read the first in the series; this one can be read as a standalone.
It’s hard to pick a favorite character because as a collective, Halle and Leigh’s friends make up a great group of characters. Leigh was my absolute favorite character, but I also loved Halle’s enthusiasm and wondrous childlike qualities.
First, there is some language used in this book. It’s not overly much and I’d say it is there more to enhance the writing and authenticate the character’s conversations and interactions with one another. It helps give a true depiction of the high disregard Leigh and Calum have for one another.
Halle’s first year on campus and she already has a network of friends, thanks to her older sister Blakely also attending Lakeview. Halle has done nothing but study a book about local ghosts, with the school founder’s daughter, Elsie, being the #1 ghost around. Each year the older Lakeview students take the newbies on a haunted tour of the campus, promoting the handful of ghosts that supposedly haunt Lakeview.
The school is in the process of being updated and renovated, and a group of students are selected to help clean out the old admin building. In the process, Halle discovers an old journal. It seems like something she’d hand over to the teachers until she discovers it belongs to Elsie Stewart. Halle lets the group in on her secret, but it is kept solely a secret.
As Halle reads Elsie’s journal throughout the semester, she becomes haunted by it, and even Elsie herself. Leigh takes the journal for a while, and experiences a glimmer of Elsie. Calum takes the journal but doesn’t get the ghostly connection. It is not until the group goes exploring across campus, searching for an item from Elsie’s journal, that Calum feels Elsie. They must set right what Elsie could not before her tragic death.
Throughout the novel, Leigh and Calum butt heads like nobody’s business. The viewpoint changes from character to character, mainly focusing on Leigh and Calum, and Calum’s inner thoughts reveal he very much about why his views on relationships are the way that they are. True, this doesn’t excuse his jerky behavior, but it gives insight and depth to his character.
Leigh and Griffin’s relationship is also a big part of the book. Their relationship is one that is beautiful and I want one like it. :)
Leigh is also Halle’s go-to. Whenever the journal and Elsie become too much, Leigh is her safe haven. Their relationship shows Leigh in another light away from Calum (even though he is often involved in the Elsie stuff).
What I found most interesting about this installment is that the secondary characters. At least, the boys. David, Griffin and Duncan all are great guys. They push Calum to be a better version of himself, and usually that is hard to do with teenage boys. Usually it is the exact opposite, so I feel their characters are rounded out a little bit more so than in the secondary characters in the first book.
If you enjoy mysteries, ghosts, or just a good read, I recommend this book. You don’t have to read the first in the series; this one can be read as a standalone.
August 11, 2015
Throughout this past year I’ve pushed myself to revisit some familiar genres and themes that I’d burned myself out on in years past. One of those genres was the younger side of the young adult which focuses on subjects and themes appropriate for middle schoolers and tweens. This genre was my main focus for the summer since I volunteer at our two local school libraries and like I’ve mentioned before, this is always the hardest age range to find books that kids want to read. After getting off to a bit of a slow start I’ve been pleasantly rewarded with some rather great series this past month. One such series is The Lakeview Series by Stacy R. Campbell and I must say that I absolutely fell in love with these books! Each one is filled with mystery, suspense and romance surrounding a century’s old school called Lakeview Academy.
For me, what really makes this series stand apart from the rest is that each story is linked together but with different characters taking the lead roles in several installments. I think this works really well for teen readers since they can be known to lose patience and interest rather quickly, especially with reading! This style of storytelling keeps each book fresh and new while also giving you the sense of returning to the familiar. Books 1 and 2.5 are told through Blakely’s point of view with books 2 and 3 being told through her younger sister, Halle’s point of view. The style of story is also different from book to book which really fascinated me and kept me on my toes! Book one centers around Blakely discovering she’s a long lost princess and book two centers around Halle and has much darker themes with a ghost/mystery type story. Then with book 2.5, which is really a great little novella, we return to Blakely’s world and she goes on a quest to find her biological dad and finally, book 3 returns us to Halle’s final year in high school which centers on a murder mystery and false accusations.
When I was growing up my absolute most favorite books were the Nancy Drew series, those were the best and I could just sit and read them over and over again and never get tired of them. There’s something about The Lakeview Series that very much reminds me of the Nancy Drew books, its apparent in all four of the books but especially in Whisper, book 2, which I’m sure has something to do with why it was my favorite book in the series :) These are fantastic books that I would absolutely recommend to YA/Tween readers and their parents and if your a school librarian please, please pick up this series for your bookshelves!
Thank you so much to author, Stacey R. Campbell and to CBB Book Promotions for inviting me to participate in The Lakeview Series Blog Tour and for providing me with a complimentary copy of these books in exchange for my honest review!
For me, what really makes this series stand apart from the rest is that each story is linked together but with different characters taking the lead roles in several installments. I think this works really well for teen readers since they can be known to lose patience and interest rather quickly, especially with reading! This style of storytelling keeps each book fresh and new while also giving you the sense of returning to the familiar. Books 1 and 2.5 are told through Blakely’s point of view with books 2 and 3 being told through her younger sister, Halle’s point of view. The style of story is also different from book to book which really fascinated me and kept me on my toes! Book one centers around Blakely discovering she’s a long lost princess and book two centers around Halle and has much darker themes with a ghost/mystery type story. Then with book 2.5, which is really a great little novella, we return to Blakely’s world and she goes on a quest to find her biological dad and finally, book 3 returns us to Halle’s final year in high school which centers on a murder mystery and false accusations.
When I was growing up my absolute most favorite books were the Nancy Drew series, those were the best and I could just sit and read them over and over again and never get tired of them. There’s something about The Lakeview Series that very much reminds me of the Nancy Drew books, its apparent in all four of the books but especially in Whisper, book 2, which I’m sure has something to do with why it was my favorite book in the series :) These are fantastic books that I would absolutely recommend to YA/Tween readers and their parents and if your a school librarian please, please pick up this series for your bookshelves!
Thank you so much to author, Stacey R. Campbell and to CBB Book Promotions for inviting me to participate in The Lakeview Series Blog Tour and for providing me with a complimentary copy of these books in exchange for my honest review!
August 20, 2015
Reviews of whole series listed here: https://fangirlsreaditfirst.wordpress...
My review of Whisper:
Whisper, the 2nd book in the Lakeview series; deals with one of Blakely’s friends, Leigh, as the main character and her sister Halle as a minor character also living at Lakeview. Some spooky things have been happening at Lakeview academy. Halle is convinced the ghost of long dead Elsie, daughter of founder and headmaster of Lakeview, is haunting her. Halle turns to Leigh and friends for help. Calum offers his help too. As a descendant of Elsie, Calum has an interest in the haunting. He also has interest in annoying Leigh at every chance possible; never imagining that their mutual dislike for one another could turn into more.
Leigh was a forgettable character from book one. She was supposed to be one of Blakely’s friends but I didn’t remember her at all. In the beginning I had hoped it would have been one of the friends that had been featured more, but using an unknown character worked well since I got to know her apart from Blakely’s story. Leigh was a strong and slightly opinionated character and possessed the kind of beauty that she didn’t know she had. The back and forth verbal barbs she exchanged with Calum became a huge, but very fun, focus of this book.
Calum was the fun, interesting, mysterious, bad boy character. Something happened to make Leigh and Calum hate each other but the book kept the reader guessing on what that might have been. This love story was very much the hate turned to love kind, which made it all the more enjoyable and passionate. As a reader I really wanted these two characters to care for each other.
Halle is supposed to be 13 years old in this book but at times felt more mature than Blakely was at 18. I think this was the author feeling more confident and getting better at her writing. Halle continued to be a likeable and enjoyable character even if she was very much the dramatic teenanger at times. But since she was being haunted, the dramatics were justified.
This book also was a very fast read with not many slow passages in this one. I really liked how this book felt more like a gothic mystery book than a romance. The ghostly presence was at times spooky and had me jumping out of my chair while reading it.
My rating: 4 /5 stars.
My review of Whisper:
Whisper, the 2nd book in the Lakeview series; deals with one of Blakely’s friends, Leigh, as the main character and her sister Halle as a minor character also living at Lakeview. Some spooky things have been happening at Lakeview academy. Halle is convinced the ghost of long dead Elsie, daughter of founder and headmaster of Lakeview, is haunting her. Halle turns to Leigh and friends for help. Calum offers his help too. As a descendant of Elsie, Calum has an interest in the haunting. He also has interest in annoying Leigh at every chance possible; never imagining that their mutual dislike for one another could turn into more.
Leigh was a forgettable character from book one. She was supposed to be one of Blakely’s friends but I didn’t remember her at all. In the beginning I had hoped it would have been one of the friends that had been featured more, but using an unknown character worked well since I got to know her apart from Blakely’s story. Leigh was a strong and slightly opinionated character and possessed the kind of beauty that she didn’t know she had. The back and forth verbal barbs she exchanged with Calum became a huge, but very fun, focus of this book.
Calum was the fun, interesting, mysterious, bad boy character. Something happened to make Leigh and Calum hate each other but the book kept the reader guessing on what that might have been. This love story was very much the hate turned to love kind, which made it all the more enjoyable and passionate. As a reader I really wanted these two characters to care for each other.
Halle is supposed to be 13 years old in this book but at times felt more mature than Blakely was at 18. I think this was the author feeling more confident and getting better at her writing. Halle continued to be a likeable and enjoyable character even if she was very much the dramatic teenanger at times. But since she was being haunted, the dramatics were justified.
This book also was a very fast read with not many slow passages in this one. I really liked how this book felt more like a gothic mystery book than a romance. The ghostly presence was at times spooky and had me jumping out of my chair while reading it.
My rating: 4 /5 stars.
April 24, 2015
A copy of this book was given by the author in exchange for an honest review:
Review originally posted at: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-r...
I have previously done a review of ‘Hush’, the first book in the Lakeview Series by Stacey R. Campbell. The book was good, well written, and interesting. ‘Whisper’ is not much different, except it has a more supernatural twist to the tale.
While the synopsis says it follows Halle Henry, sister of Blakely (from ‘Hush’) in her first year at Lakeview, I felt the book followed Leigh more. Leigh was a friend of Blakely and “big sister” to Halle while she was at school without her family. You see far more into what is happening with Leigh than Halle, but Halle does have some shining moment.
The supernatural twist on this story gave a new outlook to Lakeview that I didn’t get to see in ‘Hush’. It made the school more creepy and adventurous as the group of students spend their year balancing love, schoolwork, sports, and the search for a missing crest guided by the help of a little ghostly friend. I loved the love story entertwined inside and growing up you see the characters go through over the course of one school year.
As per usual, Campbell created characters who were lovable and fun to read about. If I was to attend a boarding school, Lakeview is exactly the type of school I would love to attend. Campbell writes in a way that is friendly to young adults and also to older adults, appealing to a wider variety than the standard young adult reader. Even the supernatural aspects were written in a way that was believable and not cheesy, as some are these days.
Another good read by Campbell. I’m definitely looking to reading my early copy of ‘Scream’ and letting you all know what to expect when it releases in July! Four out of five stars.
Review originally posted at: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-r...
I have previously done a review of ‘Hush’, the first book in the Lakeview Series by Stacey R. Campbell. The book was good, well written, and interesting. ‘Whisper’ is not much different, except it has a more supernatural twist to the tale.
While the synopsis says it follows Halle Henry, sister of Blakely (from ‘Hush’) in her first year at Lakeview, I felt the book followed Leigh more. Leigh was a friend of Blakely and “big sister” to Halle while she was at school without her family. You see far more into what is happening with Leigh than Halle, but Halle does have some shining moment.
The supernatural twist on this story gave a new outlook to Lakeview that I didn’t get to see in ‘Hush’. It made the school more creepy and adventurous as the group of students spend their year balancing love, schoolwork, sports, and the search for a missing crest guided by the help of a little ghostly friend. I loved the love story entertwined inside and growing up you see the characters go through over the course of one school year.
As per usual, Campbell created characters who were lovable and fun to read about. If I was to attend a boarding school, Lakeview is exactly the type of school I would love to attend. Campbell writes in a way that is friendly to young adults and also to older adults, appealing to a wider variety than the standard young adult reader. Even the supernatural aspects were written in a way that was believable and not cheesy, as some are these days.
Another good read by Campbell. I’m definitely looking to reading my early copy of ‘Scream’ and letting you all know what to expect when it releases in July! Four out of five stars.
November 26, 2014
A boarding school haunted by the ghost of the founders daughter, Elsie Stewart. Who died with a terrible secret, now one hundred years later, it's time for the secret to be revealed. Halle finds her journal while helping clean out the attic of the administration building. This reveals that there is a treasure hidden somewhere on campus. She enlists the help of her big sisters friend Leigh, Leigh's roommate and her boyfriend, and Elsie's distant retaliative Callum. Callum and Leigh have a past, but that doesn't stop sparks flying every time they're near each other. Will they be able to find the treasure before the end of school? And will Leigh and Callum manage not to kill each other? All this and more await you within the pages of this book.
This book has everything, mystery, intrigue, romance, and suspense. The point of view switches between Halle, Leigh, and Callum. The main perspective however is Leigh's as you read more from her than from anywhere else.
I really loved the setting of Lakeview Academy. It's described as a vast campus, with several dorms, several sports fields, it seems amazing. I always wished I could go to a boarding school, but since that never happened I just live vicariously through books like this.
Whisper is the second book in the Lakeview series, but this book is perfectly capable of standing on its own. There is a few references to the previous book, but nothing that will make you completely lost and confused if you don't read the first book.
If you have a chance to read this book I highly recommend it, for myself I'm going to have to obtain the first book.
I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.
This book has everything, mystery, intrigue, romance, and suspense. The point of view switches between Halle, Leigh, and Callum. The main perspective however is Leigh's as you read more from her than from anywhere else.
I really loved the setting of Lakeview Academy. It's described as a vast campus, with several dorms, several sports fields, it seems amazing. I always wished I could go to a boarding school, but since that never happened I just live vicariously through books like this.
Whisper is the second book in the Lakeview series, but this book is perfectly capable of standing on its own. There is a few references to the previous book, but nothing that will make you completely lost and confused if you don't read the first book.
If you have a chance to read this book I highly recommend it, for myself I'm going to have to obtain the first book.
I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.
August 10, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Gemelli Press LLC and Netgalley.)
17-year-old Halle is desperate to start school at Lakeview, the same school that her sister went to, but doesn’t expect to become involved in a mystery spanning nearly 100 years.
What is a ghost called Elise trying to tell Halle? And will they ever find the missing treasures?
This book was really not what I expected, and I wish it had focused more on the mystery than the romance.
Halle was an okay character, but she did come across as a real fruit-loop at times. If you think you can see ghosts, if you think a ghost wants you to do something, I would suggest you confide in a psychiatrist, not announce it in the school cafeteria, because no matter who your sister is, people are going to think you’re crazy.
The storyline in this was focused too much on the romance side of things for me. I was a lot more interested in the mystery aspect rather than the romance, but all we seemed to get was gossiping, discussions about going to a dance, and who fancied who, which really did not interest me at all.
I think this book might be better for younger teens, maybe 12-year-old’s would appreciate it, but for me there was just too much stuff in there that didn’t move the story along, and that really started to bother me.
The ending was okay, but it seemed to take a hell of a long time for the kids to get there. Considering the major hints they were given, it sure took them a hell of a long time to work it out.
Overall; okay story, but there was too much stuff in there that didn’t move the story along,
6 out of 10.
17-year-old Halle is desperate to start school at Lakeview, the same school that her sister went to, but doesn’t expect to become involved in a mystery spanning nearly 100 years.
What is a ghost called Elise trying to tell Halle? And will they ever find the missing treasures?
This book was really not what I expected, and I wish it had focused more on the mystery than the romance.
Halle was an okay character, but she did come across as a real fruit-loop at times. If you think you can see ghosts, if you think a ghost wants you to do something, I would suggest you confide in a psychiatrist, not announce it in the school cafeteria, because no matter who your sister is, people are going to think you’re crazy.
The storyline in this was focused too much on the romance side of things for me. I was a lot more interested in the mystery aspect rather than the romance, but all we seemed to get was gossiping, discussions about going to a dance, and who fancied who, which really did not interest me at all.
I think this book might be better for younger teens, maybe 12-year-old’s would appreciate it, but for me there was just too much stuff in there that didn’t move the story along, and that really started to bother me.
The ending was okay, but it seemed to take a hell of a long time for the kids to get there. Considering the major hints they were given, it sure took them a hell of a long time to work it out.
Overall; okay story, but there was too much stuff in there that didn’t move the story along,
6 out of 10.
June 17, 2014
Whereas Hush, the first Lakeview story, was a brilliant modern day fairytale, Whisper is a faultless paranormal romance. Stacey R Campbell's writing is linear but always asks the reader to stretch their imagination and believe in the impossible, not only mystically but also romantically.
The story's central character is Halle, the younger sister of the princess found at Lakeview in Hush. Halle is beginning her time as a "lifer" at the Academy, with the guidance of Leigh, who is in her final year. It is Halle who has the first paranormal experiences, just before she discovers the hidden journal of Elsie Stewart, the famous Lakeview ghost. In this journal Halle, Leigh and their friends find the secret of the Academy's treasure and begin an adventure to find it and bring peace to Elsie's spirit.
Whilst searching for the treasure unites the group, Stacey R Campbell explores Leigh's character and in particular Whisper's omniscient narrator, but it is the when and how both Leigh and Calum will come to a mutual realisation, which keeps us entertained. Although Calum has clearly made mistakes I loved the fact they they are both pivotal in Halle's life and appear genuine.
Though this is not a complicated plot, I was captivated by Lakeview's beautiful setting, as described by the author, and the tangibility of Halle and her group of friends. This is a perfect young adult series and I am very excited for the final book in the trilogy.
The story's central character is Halle, the younger sister of the princess found at Lakeview in Hush. Halle is beginning her time as a "lifer" at the Academy, with the guidance of Leigh, who is in her final year. It is Halle who has the first paranormal experiences, just before she discovers the hidden journal of Elsie Stewart, the famous Lakeview ghost. In this journal Halle, Leigh and their friends find the secret of the Academy's treasure and begin an adventure to find it and bring peace to Elsie's spirit.
Whilst searching for the treasure unites the group, Stacey R Campbell explores Leigh's character and in particular Whisper's omniscient narrator, but it is the when and how both Leigh and Calum will come to a mutual realisation, which keeps us entertained. Although Calum has clearly made mistakes I loved the fact they they are both pivotal in Halle's life and appear genuine.
Though this is not a complicated plot, I was captivated by Lakeview's beautiful setting, as described by the author, and the tangibility of Halle and her group of friends. This is a perfect young adult series and I am very excited for the final book in the trilogy.
May 4, 2014
*I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That has no impact on my opinion of this book*
I loved “Hush”, book 1 in this series, and fell in love with Blakely and Max. Though “Whisper” focuses on Blakely’s younger sister, Halle, I think this book is just as good, if not better, then the first.
Halle spends a lot of time with her older sister’s close friend, Leigh, as well as Calum and Griffin. One day while a group of students were cleaning out a building that was set for remodel, Halle finds an old journal that seems to have been hidden just for her to find. After reading the journal that belonged to Elsie, the daughter of the man that founded Lakeview Academy, Halle starts having weird dreams and swears she sees Elsie at night.
Elsie died when she was a young girl by drowning in the lake at the school, and she has items that need to be found and returned to the Stewart family so that she can be at peace. Calum happens to be a descendent, and relative of Elsie, so he is enthusiastic in helping Halle, along with Leigh and a few other friends unravel the mysteries the journal holds.
Without revealing any spoilers to ruin this book for another reader, I cannot go into much detail. But believe me when I say that you will not be disappointed in reading “Whisper”. There are some creepy parts, as well as learning about forgiveness for two characters, with some slight romance
I loved “Hush”, book 1 in this series, and fell in love with Blakely and Max. Though “Whisper” focuses on Blakely’s younger sister, Halle, I think this book is just as good, if not better, then the first.
Halle spends a lot of time with her older sister’s close friend, Leigh, as well as Calum and Griffin. One day while a group of students were cleaning out a building that was set for remodel, Halle finds an old journal that seems to have been hidden just for her to find. After reading the journal that belonged to Elsie, the daughter of the man that founded Lakeview Academy, Halle starts having weird dreams and swears she sees Elsie at night.
Elsie died when she was a young girl by drowning in the lake at the school, and she has items that need to be found and returned to the Stewart family so that she can be at peace. Calum happens to be a descendent, and relative of Elsie, so he is enthusiastic in helping Halle, along with Leigh and a few other friends unravel the mysteries the journal holds.
Without revealing any spoilers to ruin this book for another reader, I cannot go into much detail. But believe me when I say that you will not be disappointed in reading “Whisper”. There are some creepy parts, as well as learning about forgiveness for two characters, with some slight romance
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