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Dark Whisperings Saga #1
Dark Whisperings
There isn’t just one world. There’s two.
Monsters roam about their lands, but they are not free. They are caged; they are prisoners. Their one escape is that of a Dreamer, an individual with a gift to dream into The Realm, the monsters’ home. If a Dreamer fails to kill them, they escape to the Waking World, our world. There, they are free. There, they can wreak havoc. There, they reign.
Fiske, a Dreamer and known thief, has his world turned upside down when he happens across a blind boy with no home to call his own. Their paths quickly become intertwined, but the friendships and pleasantries must face the dark forces that surround their world.
Safreise, born with the gift to heal, has made many mistakes. Her worst, letting a psychotic Dreamer get too close and take over her tribe. They live in fear of his malicious deeds and bloodthirsty beast. But she’s ready to fix her mistake, even if that means allying herself with a Dreamer and his blind friend.
Austa, the daughter of a chief, is thrust into heirship when her blind brother is disowned by her parents. Ever fiber of her being longs to search for her brother when he goes missing, but her new position threatens to pull her away. Family or duty.
Sometimes the best decision is the hardest one to make.
Monsters roam about their lands, but they are not free. They are caged; they are prisoners. Their one escape is that of a Dreamer, an individual with a gift to dream into The Realm, the monsters’ home. If a Dreamer fails to kill them, they escape to the Waking World, our world. There, they are free. There, they can wreak havoc. There, they reign.
Fiske, a Dreamer and known thief, has his world turned upside down when he happens across a blind boy with no home to call his own. Their paths quickly become intertwined, but the friendships and pleasantries must face the dark forces that surround their world.
Safreise, born with the gift to heal, has made many mistakes. Her worst, letting a psychotic Dreamer get too close and take over her tribe. They live in fear of his malicious deeds and bloodthirsty beast. But she’s ready to fix her mistake, even if that means allying herself with a Dreamer and his blind friend.
Austa, the daughter of a chief, is thrust into heirship when her blind brother is disowned by her parents. Ever fiber of her being longs to search for her brother when he goes missing, but her new position threatens to pull her away. Family or duty.
Sometimes the best decision is the hardest one to make.
517 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2023
6 people are currently reading
7382 people want to read
About the author
Maria Dembouski
4 books82 followersHi!!
I'm the author of "The Dark Whisperings Saga" which includes:
1. DARK WHISPERINGS
2. DARK PATH
3. DARK WAR
A few things about me: I would probably die without mustard, I eat enough bread to be labeled the 'Pillsbury dough boy' (but I'm a girl), my favorite animal is the desert rain frog and I don't think I need to explain myself on that one, sunsets are one of the best things in the world and I WILL be taking pictures, and I've wanted to fall into a fairytale for a long time, but let's be real, nobody wants to suffer the character development the mc goes through in fantasy tales *nervous giggle*
If you like stories with adventure, action, found family, witty banter, and a *dash* of romance . . . I'm your huckleberry :)
I'm the author of "The Dark Whisperings Saga" which includes:
1. DARK WHISPERINGS
2. DARK PATH
3. DARK WAR
A few things about me: I would probably die without mustard, I eat enough bread to be labeled the 'Pillsbury dough boy' (but I'm a girl), my favorite animal is the desert rain frog and I don't think I need to explain myself on that one, sunsets are one of the best things in the world and I WILL be taking pictures, and I've wanted to fall into a fairytale for a long time, but let's be real, nobody wants to suffer the character development the mc goes through in fantasy tales *nervous giggle*
If you like stories with adventure, action, found family, witty banter, and a *dash* of romance . . . I'm your huckleberry :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 23, 2023
Dark whisperings is a powerful YA fantasy novel that follows the world of monsters and dreamers. The story navigates through the monsters being confined in The Realm and brought by the dreamer to The Waking World where they can destroy and wreck all havoc. We follow a dreamer and thief named Fiske who meets a blind boy and their lives intermingle. Then we meet a healer whose one mistake led to chaos in her tribe. To rectify this, she joined the team of a dreamer and his blind friend. The daughter of the chief, Austa looks for her blind brother when she is pushed into the role heir.
Things are about to take a rather different and malicious turn. The monsters are waiting there ready to unleash chaos and troubles.
I absolutely loved this book. The way the author magnificently carries out such a vividly explored and described plot is tremendously satisfying and commendable. The characters are well-written, have depth in their personalities and the world building is nothing short of an intriguing and ingenious work of impressive writing. The fresh intake of a never ever seen or read plot is absolutely refreshing and it really captivated me from the beginning. I haven't delved into some specific sections of the book as it could majorly deploy spoilers. All I can say, this book is a testament to the fortification of a new young adult fantasy that will keep you glued to its pages.
I would highly recommend this to all YA fantasy novel reader. It's extraordinary and unputdownable for sure.
Things are about to take a rather different and malicious turn. The monsters are waiting there ready to unleash chaos and troubles.
I absolutely loved this book. The way the author magnificently carries out such a vividly explored and described plot is tremendously satisfying and commendable. The characters are well-written, have depth in their personalities and the world building is nothing short of an intriguing and ingenious work of impressive writing. The fresh intake of a never ever seen or read plot is absolutely refreshing and it really captivated me from the beginning. I haven't delved into some specific sections of the book as it could majorly deploy spoilers. All I can say, this book is a testament to the fortification of a new young adult fantasy that will keep you glued to its pages.
I would highly recommend this to all YA fantasy novel reader. It's extraordinary and unputdownable for sure.
October 12, 2023
The world that author Maria Dembouski writes us into has many of your typical elements of a good YA/coming-of-age fantasy novel. The characters fit nicely into the mold with a few irregularities. Our main characters consist of a healer and a pair of dreamers. We are familiar with healers, and Dembouski sticks close to form here, but what are dreamers? That's where the fun comes in. Dreamers dream into another world where monsters exist; sometimes, those monsters follow them back out of the dream world and into our MC's world. I loved this idea, but then, on top of that, she adds some interesting character flaws. One character cannot taste anything, and another is blind. Of course, if that's not enough, she throws even more twists into the characters and story. I found Dembouski's writing to flow effortlessly across the page. Here's a new author worth watching to see what she will come up with next. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to all the fantasy readers out there.
October 3, 2023
Wowza! I happened across the author’s Instagram page and fell in love with one of the quotes she posted, so naturally, I immediately bought the book😂It was so good!! The story was great, the characters were so diverse and interesting, and I absolutely LOVED the chapter headers!! She had a quote for every chapter with a cool symbol that represented each character pov. I will say my fav pov was Austa. She’s such a bad@ss!! So glad I took a chance on this indie author and I can’t wait for book two to come out!!
March 31, 2025
Creepy monsters? Sign me up.
Narrative Voice: 3rd person omniscient
Cussing/profanity: 3/5*
Drug/alcohol use: 2/5**
Kissing: 1/5
Sex/nudity: 0/5
Violence/gore: 3/5
I read this book because I wanted a dark fantasy that wasn’t a romance, and I saw the premise and was hooked. I wanted the spooky, grisly monsters and the heroes who fought them. A story that wasn’t afraid to get gritty.
Overall, pretty good book, especially a debut! Great monsters that were gross and creepy. Just what I wanted! The concept was engaging with well-crafted mechanics. I loved the backstories; the characters were well rounded with both flaws and strengths. I wasn’t a fan of Fiske at first, but he got better as time went on. I really liked Grey. The villains also were proper baddies. The banter and humor were fun, bordering on sarcastic. And YAY for a no-spice subplot romance! Very interested to see where the characters will go, and I do plan on reading the sequel.
A disclaimer: I listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Dallin Bradford, was phenomenal, so I think that elevated my enjoyment more than reading the book would been. I was not aware there would be profanity, and I’m not a fan of it in fantasy. The plot felt aimless at times. The goals weren’t clear and I remember thinking, “When is it going to pick up? When is the real plot gonna come in?” (perhaps I’m just used to Save the Cat! structured stories haha) I wished more focus was on the otherworlders/dreamers as the main plot rather than it being a thing they have to deal with as they travel around. There were some hints of deeper details and lore that I would have LOVED to explore more, especially towards the end, but they were kind of throwaway lines. Maybe in the sequel? Overall, the plot could have been tighter, and if it wasn’t for the entertaining narrator, I might have dnf’d somewhere.
3/5 stars would recommend to less picky readers
*30 hell, 23 shit, 17 damn, 14 bloody, 4 ass, 3 piss, 3 bullshit, 3 horseshit, 2 crap, 2 asshole
**a main character is an alcoholic
Narrative Voice: 3rd person omniscient
Cussing/profanity: 3/5*
Drug/alcohol use: 2/5**
Kissing: 1/5
Sex/nudity: 0/5
Violence/gore: 3/5
I read this book because I wanted a dark fantasy that wasn’t a romance, and I saw the premise and was hooked. I wanted the spooky, grisly monsters and the heroes who fought them. A story that wasn’t afraid to get gritty.
Overall, pretty good book, especially a debut! Great monsters that were gross and creepy. Just what I wanted! The concept was engaging with well-crafted mechanics. I loved the backstories; the characters were well rounded with both flaws and strengths. I wasn’t a fan of Fiske at first, but he got better as time went on. I really liked Grey. The villains also were proper baddies. The banter and humor were fun, bordering on sarcastic. And YAY for a no-spice subplot romance! Very interested to see where the characters will go, and I do plan on reading the sequel.
A disclaimer: I listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Dallin Bradford, was phenomenal, so I think that elevated my enjoyment more than reading the book would been. I was not aware there would be profanity, and I’m not a fan of it in fantasy. The plot felt aimless at times. The goals weren’t clear and I remember thinking, “When is it going to pick up? When is the real plot gonna come in?” (perhaps I’m just used to Save the Cat! structured stories haha) I wished more focus was on the otherworlders/dreamers as the main plot rather than it being a thing they have to deal with as they travel around. There were some hints of deeper details and lore that I would have LOVED to explore more, especially towards the end, but they were kind of throwaway lines. Maybe in the sequel? Overall, the plot could have been tighter, and if it wasn’t for the entertaining narrator, I might have dnf’d somewhere.
3/5 stars would recommend to less picky readers
*30 hell, 23 shit, 17 damn, 14 bloody, 4 ass, 3 piss, 3 bullshit, 3 horseshit, 2 crap, 2 asshole
**a main character is an alcoholic
July 18, 2025
This was such a fun read! I like that it's a "darker" fantasy but maintained humor, banter, friendship, and an innocent romance while also having a creepy Dreamer realm and monster slaying.
Grogin is such a great villain. He's so despicable and disgusting as Safreise's former love interest, but there's a charm to him I can't place the source of, making him someone you love to hate and hate to love at the same time. He's honestly my favorite character. I'd love to know what his missing sense is, and how he got his degenerative condition. So much of him left unsaid, I want more of him, HAHA.
The POVs (Grey, Fiske, Safreise, and Austa) were all strong and interesting and lent a different angle to the story. Austa's role and the occasional monster POV scattered throughout aren't initially clear yet on what role they'll play, but I'm sure they'll become important in sequels. The side characters were also interesting and have their own mysteries and motivations.
Overall, the plot moved at a snappy pace with a great arc--there was a lot of banter and quiet moments that felt well-placed and helped the story ebb and flow well. I thought it was so interesting that Grey wound up having a negative story arc! I'm really looking forward to seeing where his character will go in the sequel.
There's a lot of passion and joy put into this book, and I'm so excited for the sequels!
Grogin is such a great villain. He's so despicable and disgusting as Safreise's former love interest, but there's a charm to him I can't place the source of, making him someone you love to hate and hate to love at the same time. He's honestly my favorite character. I'd love to know what his missing sense is, and how he got his degenerative condition. So much of him left unsaid, I want more of him, HAHA.
The POVs (Grey, Fiske, Safreise, and Austa) were all strong and interesting and lent a different angle to the story. Austa's role and the occasional monster POV scattered throughout aren't initially clear yet on what role they'll play, but I'm sure they'll become important in sequels. The side characters were also interesting and have their own mysteries and motivations.
Overall, the plot moved at a snappy pace with a great arc--there was a lot of banter and quiet moments that felt well-placed and helped the story ebb and flow well. I thought it was so interesting that Grey wound up having a negative story arc! I'm really looking forward to seeing where his character will go in the sequel.
There's a lot of passion and joy put into this book, and I'm so excited for the sequels!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2024
Too many hanging plot threads
The story had a promising beginning and I wanted to like it. However, too many unnecessary characters were introduced and too many plot threads were left unresolved. Granted, this seems to be common when authors have plans for a series to follow, but they were too scattered and seemingly inconsequential to the larger narrative. Even if this is a YA book, it needed to be tighter.
The story had a promising beginning and I wanted to like it. However, too many unnecessary characters were introduced and too many plot threads were left unresolved. Granted, this seems to be common when authors have plans for a series to follow, but they were too scattered and seemingly inconsequential to the larger narrative. Even if this is a YA book, it needed to be tighter.
October 3, 2023
Such a good young adult book! Loved it!
October 3, 2023
Wonderful storytelling. A new author to keep an eye on! I will definitely read the second book and am looking forward to it!
October 4, 2023
This was a super comfortable, well-written read! I really hope the author continues with the series and will 100% buy the next book in this installment of young adult reads (:
February 1, 2024
I won this book in a giveaway. The world building & overall concept was quite interesting and creative. I enjoyed the characters and their dynamics. Couldn't help but fall for Fiske haha. There were times where the dialogue, sentences, or the transitioning of emotions didn't flow as well. But overall enjoyable. I liked some of the character development that happened. I commend the author for writing such an interesting book for her age. I wouldn't be able to write anything close to what she's done in my current old age of 30 lol.
This story has potential & I'm definitely curious to know what happens next.
This story has potential & I'm definitely curious to know what happens next.
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July 5, 2024This book had me from the beginning. I loved how Fiske always had a no questions asked mentality. The characters and monsters created were great and the banter between Fiske and Grey was a good balance in an unlikely pair of friends that forged their way thru.
I understood the purpose of the plot and story line except for Greys sister. It kind of left you wondering what her purpose was towards the end. I guess to show that Grey really found a family outside of actual family.
Was still a good read, couldnt put it down!
I understood the purpose of the plot and story line except for Greys sister. It kind of left you wondering what her purpose was towards the end. I guess to show that Grey really found a family outside of actual family.
Was still a good read, couldnt put it down!
October 3, 2023
I just got goodreads when I saw a video for this book and immediately bought it because of the cover!! Look at that art!!🤩The story was fantastic and flowed really well not to mention the great characters! (I can’t help but have a little crush on Django) but I need more of him!!!!!! I really hope the author does a novella with him because I would love to read more about his life!! Two thumbs way up 👍👍 What a start to my goodreads journey!!
January 21, 2024
"Dark Whisperings" is a spellbinding fantasy thriller that weaves a tale of magic, mystery, and danger. The standout feature of this book is its compelling characters. The diverse cast with rich backgrounds and intricate personalities adds depth to the story, making them relatable and engaging.
The world-building is vivid and immersive, bringing fantastical realms to life with descriptive prose. Following as I can't wait for a sequel!
The world-building is vivid and immersive, bringing fantastical realms to life with descriptive prose. Following as I can't wait for a sequel!
February 24, 2024
Fiske is literally my new book boyfriend hahahaha!! I love everything about him!😁The other characters are also very entertaining and I enjoyed the dialogue between them! The author crafts a really interesting fantasy world along with another realm full of monsters. I really don’t have anything negative to say! It sucked me in, held my attention, and I can’t wait for book 2 . . . literally. MARIA DEMBOUSKI I NEED BOOK 2 OUT NOW!!
October 4, 2023
Love this book. The author takes us on a journey through many lands and many cultures. Many personalities and many disabilities that come together in a wonderful intriguing tale unique to anything out there right now. I truly hope there will be sequels and more and more monsters! Definitely a five star read.
November 1, 2023
This is a classic Hero's Journey story filled with richly-developed and likable characters, fast pacing, inventive plot twists, clever and/or funny bits, and a book I couldn't put down. I also found myself thinking or wondering about something long after I'd finished, so this book stays with you. I look very forward to the next book in the series, and recommend this book and author without reservation: she's definitely a writer to watch and follow!
December 7, 2023
What a wild ride! Dark Whisperings was a book I stumbled upon on the Barnes & Noble website and the cover art really got my attention. About three pages in I knew I would be up late that night. It was such an enjoyable read. I got bits of all my favorite tropes and loved the plot. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommend.
January 14, 2024
I loved this book! It had me hooked, drawn in, and reading late into the night from day one! I couldn’t put it down!! I loved the characters and their individuality! I loved how they had their own personal struggles within while they had external struggles going on at the same time. The last chapter completely shocked me and I am waiting, probably impatiently, for the next one! I loved it!!
May 4, 2025
I do not normally read fantasy. So, this was a bit of a stretch for me. I found it very intriguing. The plot was engaging. I was unable to put the book down.
The characters were likeable and believable.
The plot towards the end was very difficult to follow, there were too many twists and turns.
The characters were likeable and believable.
The plot towards the end was very difficult to follow, there were too many twists and turns.
October 7, 2023
Good read... no GREAT read! Ready for the next book in the series. The character dialogue was engaging and I was excited to see the development of relationships. Check it out and I bet you'll be feeling the same way.
January 7, 2024
I thank good reads for this book . However, it isn’t really the genre that I gravitate towards . I have found it very difficult to continue reading, stay engaged enough to want to read chapter after chapter . I am uncertain how long it will take me to finish.
February 24, 2024
I actually really enjoyed this book from an indie author. The characters were all interesting and diverse. The story was entertaining. The monsters were insanely cool!! I loved it and will be in line for book 2!!
February 24, 2024
SUCKED ME IN, HELD MY ATTENTION, ATTRACTIVE NEW BOOK BOYFRIEND (FISKE✨), MONSTERS, CULTURES AND DIVERSITY, FOUND FAMILY, ADVENTURE! Need I say more? All the members for a great fantasy novel and boy was it great!!
May 4, 2025
This was an excellent book. I could hardly wait to finish it to find out what was going to happen. I was quickly drawn into the story. The characters were very well done.
I do not like Safreise. She was an evil character. Too easily swayed into so many relationships.
I do not like Safreise. She was an evil character. Too easily swayed into so many relationships.
October 6, 2023
Cool new author
October 6, 2023
loved it!
October 7, 2023
Read this book y'all... like seriously. LOOOOOVVVEEDDDD ITTTTTT!!!
October 7, 2023
New favorite! Recommending it to everyone!
October 25, 2023
good read
October 31, 2023
Wonderfully written. Loved the story and the character development.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews