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The Luminaries #3
The Whispering Night
Listening time: 12 hours 32 minutes.
The forest is more dangerous than ever in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.
Winnie Wednesday’s future is looking bright. Hemlock Falls is no longer hunting the werewolf, she and Erica Thursday are tentative friends, and Winnie finally knows exactly where she stands with Jay Friday.
With everything finally on track, Winnie is looking forward to the Nightmare Masquerade, a week-long celebration of all things Luminary. But as Luminaries from across the world flock to the small town, uninvited guests also arrive. Winnie is confronted by a masked Diana and charged with an impossible task—one that threatens everything and everyone Winnie loves.
As Winnie fights to stop new enemies before time runs out, old mysteries won't stop intruding. Her missing father is somehow entangled with her search for hidden witches, and as Winnie digs deeper into the long-standing war between the Luminaries and the Dianas, she discovers rifts within her own family she never could have imagined.
What does loyalty mean when family and enemies look the same?
The forest is more dangerous than ever in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.
Winnie Wednesday’s future is looking bright. Hemlock Falls is no longer hunting the werewolf, she and Erica Thursday are tentative friends, and Winnie finally knows exactly where she stands with Jay Friday.
With everything finally on track, Winnie is looking forward to the Nightmare Masquerade, a week-long celebration of all things Luminary. But as Luminaries from across the world flock to the small town, uninvited guests also arrive. Winnie is confronted by a masked Diana and charged with an impossible task—one that threatens everything and everyone Winnie loves.
As Winnie fights to stop new enemies before time runs out, old mysteries won't stop intruding. Her missing father is somehow entangled with her search for hidden witches, and as Winnie digs deeper into the long-standing war between the Luminaries and the Dianas, she discovers rifts within her own family she never could have imagined.
What does loyalty mean when family and enemies look the same?
Audiobook
First published November 19, 2024
215 people are currently reading
6141 people want to read
About the author
Susan Dennard
25 books9,399 followersSusan Dennard is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series (now in development for TV from the Jim Henson Company), and the Something Strange and Deadly series, in addition to various other fiction published online.
Before becoming an author, she got to travel the world with her M.Sc. in marine biology. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found rolling the dice as a Dungeon Master or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.
You can learn more about Susan on her website, blog, newsletter, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Before becoming an author, she got to travel the world with her M.Sc. in marine biology. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found rolling the dice as a Dungeon Master or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.
You can learn more about Susan on her website, blog, newsletter, Twitter, or Pinterest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 688 reviews
December 19, 2024
I want Winnie’s glasses because honestly, they are the toughest object I have ever beheld in fantasy.
Overall, a satisfying conclusion. This was longer than the first two but with greater stakes and implications where the Woods and all the creatures play a huge role in the final showdown.
I have always enjoyed how Winnie is portrayed as smart - she isn’t the heroine because she is stronger or an extreme fighter - no, it is because she is a nerd and determined to know everything she can about the world she wanted to be a part of.
This felt slower paced at the start with more politics and personal/relationship development with Winnie and the Hunters.
I really enjoyed getting to know the more mundane activities and actions of Winnie’s new position. She also suffers from PTSD and no one judges her for this but offers support and understanding.
Thankfully, I don’t think Winnie clicked her teeth once and there was less pushing her glasses up her nose.
Again, the narrator brought this story and Winnie’s persona to life excellently.
This is like Spiderwick for Young Adults.
Bookstagram
Overall, a satisfying conclusion. This was longer than the first two but with greater stakes and implications where the Woods and all the creatures play a huge role in the final showdown.
I have always enjoyed how Winnie is portrayed as smart - she isn’t the heroine because she is stronger or an extreme fighter - no, it is because she is a nerd and determined to know everything she can about the world she wanted to be a part of.
This felt slower paced at the start with more politics and personal/relationship development with Winnie and the Hunters.
I really enjoyed getting to know the more mundane activities and actions of Winnie’s new position. She also suffers from PTSD and no one judges her for this but offers support and understanding.
Thankfully, I don’t think Winnie clicked her teeth once and there was less pushing her glasses up her nose.
Again, the narrator brought this story and Winnie’s persona to life excellently.
This is like Spiderwick for Young Adults.
Bookstagram
January 13, 2025
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via Black Crow PR and the publishers Daphne Press.
The Whispering Night is the third and final book in the Luminaries and was an action-packed and well wrapped up finale to the trilogy. I loved how everything pieced together so seamlessly and how things both we and Winnie thought we knew were explained and revealed. Some of these reveals were what I thought, but many I wasn't right about at all. The dangers in this finale are more dangerous than ever before, and poor Winnie has so much to deal with in so many different ways. As new threats reveal themselves and Winnie gains more allies than she could hope for, I was entranced and read the whole book (over 400 pages) in one day and night (yes, I stayed up until 5am reading as I couldn't pull away). The ending was beautifully tied up and also hints at a possibility for a spin-off? which I'm hoping is right as I'd be so excited to read more from this world!
The artwork included again is amazingly detailed, and I'd love prints of every single nightmare included in this series! The ending related to this art made me laugh out loud, too (if you know you know). I also enjoyed the added media elements (interview, texts) in this edition, too.
This is a humorous and exilierating series that any fans of The Hunger Games and similar hunting/trials book will love just as much as I have.
The Whispering Night is the third and final book in the Luminaries and was an action-packed and well wrapped up finale to the trilogy. I loved how everything pieced together so seamlessly and how things both we and Winnie thought we knew were explained and revealed. Some of these reveals were what I thought, but many I wasn't right about at all. The dangers in this finale are more dangerous than ever before, and poor Winnie has so much to deal with in so many different ways. As new threats reveal themselves and Winnie gains more allies than she could hope for, I was entranced and read the whole book (over 400 pages) in one day and night (yes, I stayed up until 5am reading as I couldn't pull away). The ending was beautifully tied up and also hints at a possibility for a spin-off? which I'm hoping is right as I'd be so excited to read more from this world!
The artwork included again is amazingly detailed, and I'd love prints of every single nightmare included in this series! The ending related to this art made me laugh out loud, too (if you know you know). I also enjoyed the added media elements (interview, texts) in this edition, too.
This is a humorous and exilierating series that any fans of The Hunger Games and similar hunting/trials book will love just as much as I have.
December 4, 2024
One of my favorite fantasy reads of 2024, The Whispering Night provides readers with nonstop, brilliantly original excitement from start to finish. In this 3rd installment, Winnie and Erica truly renew their friendship as they partner to solve the mystery of how Erica's sister died and why Winnie's father was involved and ultimately blamed. Adding up the clues as they are discovered, often in the middle of chase scenes and battles with bizarre creatures, is pure joy to read. This truly is one of the most satisfying conclusions to the trilogy format that I've read in a long time, but I'm sad to have reached the end of this fascinating world where nightmares rise in the mist of forests and the witchy world of Dianas attempts to foil Luminaries. I have to hope that perhaps some day Dennard will partner with a visual artist to complete The Nightmare Compendium, referred to so often in this series. I would buy that reference/art book in a heartbeat, and frankly this world/society is so utterly rich, the possibilities for future spinoffs seem endless. As much of the action takes place around a week long Luminary celebration, readers learn that there are actually many societies of Luminaries in this world, so perhaps a future series about a different group? Or why not a series about the other side which focuses on the Dianas? Dear Ms. Dennard, I'm just not ready to say goodbye!!!
November 16, 2024
The Whispering Night
by Susan Dennard
The Luminaries #3
YA Fantasy Urban
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Nov 19, 2024
Tor Publishing Group
Ages: 14+
Winnie is back in the Luminaries, she is close with her friends and even closer with Jay, plus it seems as if everyone believes the werewolf is gone, but the Whisperer is still roaming the forest and only a few people believe her.
But now there's the week long celebration called the Nightmare Masquerade where Luminaries from around the globe will be visiting, including the uninvited Dianas, and one confronts Winnie, threatening her to do worse things to those she loves than the spell she cast upon Winnie, which stops her from telling others.
Winnie sorts through the clues, including those her father left because she knew the Diana's threat was more of a promise, and then there was still the Whisper in the forest.
The third and final book of the series was great. I don't want to give out any major spoilers, but it did come to a nice conclusion, and while there needed to be more re-capping of the first two books and a few of the characters and monsters needed a little more love, it still moved along at a great pace and didn't ramble on too much. I did like how Winnie's habit of reciting facts about the monsters was used.
Not a lot of violence, gore, or adult content, so it's suitable for readers fourteen and older.
3 Stars
by Susan Dennard
The Luminaries #3
YA Fantasy Urban
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Nov 19, 2024
Tor Publishing Group
Ages: 14+
Winnie is back in the Luminaries, she is close with her friends and even closer with Jay, plus it seems as if everyone believes the werewolf is gone, but the Whisperer is still roaming the forest and only a few people believe her.
But now there's the week long celebration called the Nightmare Masquerade where Luminaries from around the globe will be visiting, including the uninvited Dianas, and one confronts Winnie, threatening her to do worse things to those she loves than the spell she cast upon Winnie, which stops her from telling others.
Winnie sorts through the clues, including those her father left because she knew the Diana's threat was more of a promise, and then there was still the Whisper in the forest.
The third and final book of the series was great. I don't want to give out any major spoilers, but it did come to a nice conclusion, and while there needed to be more re-capping of the first two books and a few of the characters and monsters needed a little more love, it still moved along at a great pace and didn't ramble on too much. I did like how Winnie's habit of reciting facts about the monsters was used.
Not a lot of violence, gore, or adult content, so it's suitable for readers fourteen and older.
3 Stars
October 16, 2024
This was a really great ending to the story! We learn a lot of new information, see character growth, and find out the answers to questions from book 1. Where is Winnie's father? What was he really involved in? What's going on with Jay? While there is still a romance, it felt like there was a lot more going on in this book than in book 2. The Whispering Night is action packed and has lots of danger, atmosphere, and twists. A very solid conclusion to the trilogy! The audio narration is good and keeps the energy up for the plot. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
December 21, 2024
While I really enjoyed the first two books in The Luminaries trilogy, I just wasn't captured by The Whispering Night the way I was with the rest of the series. Even though the plot twists and character arcs accelerated, I still feel like this book lost momentum. I think it's because I enjoyed the simplicity of the early plot of this series, when it was more about monsters and less about Dianas. I'd definitely still recommend this series to people, I just enjoyed the first book the most.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 29, 2024
Truly an unmatched ending to this story. To see Winnie's growth through the series, I am so proud of her. This final chapter brought everything I wanted of the Luminaries even more easter eggs from the Twitter-adventure, the perfect Winnie-ness of her thoughts, WTF triangle having to work together, so much UGH! Jay moments, and awkward but loving family interactions. The action is almost doubled (maybe even tripled) in this one as the stakes get even higher. And the ending is so good I was squealing, cannot wait to gush with everyone!
November 25, 2024
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. I received early copies of each book in this series. I really loved the first book. The second book was kind of meh. I mentioned this in my review for book 2 but I swear this was originally supposed to be a duology and I stand by my opinion that it should have been.
I almost didn’t finish book three.
It was boring. Felt like the plot was slow. Winnie was so annoying she’s always on the being of figuring something out and we get a monologue about it and then she loses it. All the time. Also we don’t get a lot of answers in this book like why Jenna was doing the spell. We learn she made some deal but we don’t know why or how or when. And the reasoning for why it had to be her to set the spell still isn’t believable.
Also the wrap up with her dad was annoying. This book could have been condensed along with book two for a full fledged duology for sure.
I do like Erica’s redemption arc although her deal with the bad Diana was never fully explained either.
Spoilers follow
Her dad was a crow and in his crow form which I called in like book one. They are able to return him to his human self. No clue if Winnie and her mom’s no talking spells were ever undone. Also her grandmother Harriet apparently protected the locket and Winnie all along and is somehow tied to the bad Diana.
The spell needed to be completed by a nightmare/human (Jay) Erica and Winnie. A Diana and a luminary to restore balance to the forest. At its heart I guess the spell isn’t evil but for some reason the bad Diana still believes it is so confused about that. Also the nightmares that helped Winnie in the end were the spirits of the dead loved ones? I don’t remember that being explained. Like how? Why! Why do they choose certain forms?
How did the bad Diana even get in apparently it wasn’t the Tuesdays in cahoots. One of the turned Diana’s say that there was a practicing powerful Diana here that wasn’t Winnie’s dad so who is it? The doctor? Erica’s mom?
So many more questions. And such a boring book. Seems like this series is continuing in some way and I don’t know that I’ll be reading it.
I almost didn’t finish book three.
It was boring. Felt like the plot was slow. Winnie was so annoying she’s always on the being of figuring something out and we get a monologue about it and then she loses it. All the time. Also we don’t get a lot of answers in this book like why Jenna was doing the spell. We learn she made some deal but we don’t know why or how or when. And the reasoning for why it had to be her to set the spell still isn’t believable.
Also the wrap up with her dad was annoying. This book could have been condensed along with book two for a full fledged duology for sure.
I do like Erica’s redemption arc although her deal with the bad Diana was never fully explained either.
Spoilers follow
Her dad was a crow and in his crow form which I called in like book one. They are able to return him to his human self. No clue if Winnie and her mom’s no talking spells were ever undone. Also her grandmother Harriet apparently protected the locket and Winnie all along and is somehow tied to the bad Diana.
The spell needed to be completed by a nightmare/human (Jay) Erica and Winnie. A Diana and a luminary to restore balance to the forest. At its heart I guess the spell isn’t evil but for some reason the bad Diana still believes it is so confused about that. Also the nightmares that helped Winnie in the end were the spirits of the dead loved ones? I don’t remember that being explained. Like how? Why! Why do they choose certain forms?
How did the bad Diana even get in apparently it wasn’t the Tuesdays in cahoots. One of the turned Diana’s say that there was a practicing powerful Diana here that wasn’t Winnie’s dad so who is it? The doctor? Erica’s mom?
So many more questions. And such a boring book. Seems like this series is continuing in some way and I don’t know that I’ll be reading it.
October 16, 2024
"The Whispering Night" by Susan Dennard, the third book in The Luminaries series, is narrated by Caitlin Davies. I thoroughly enjoyed this final installment; it provided a perfect conclusion to an entertaining series. Caitlin Davies excels at bringing the characters to life, and the musical introduction was a delightful touch that matched the book's atmosphere perfectly.
Winnie and her companions return to Hemlock Falls forest, their werewolf hunting days behind them, and her relationship with Jay Friday is now clear.
As the Nightmare Masquerade approaches, unexpected guests arrive, and Winnie faces a daunting challenge from a masked Diana, endangering everyone she holds dear.
In the midst of battling new foes, Winnie discovers her missing father's involvement in her quest to find the concealed witches. This revelation uncovers an age-old conflict between the Luminaries and the Dianas, exposing a division within her own family.
I found this series to be an enjoyable young adult fantasy horror, incorporating romance in a manner suitable for younger readers.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Winnie and her companions return to Hemlock Falls forest, their werewolf hunting days behind them, and her relationship with Jay Friday is now clear.
As the Nightmare Masquerade approaches, unexpected guests arrive, and Winnie faces a daunting challenge from a masked Diana, endangering everyone she holds dear.
In the midst of battling new foes, Winnie discovers her missing father's involvement in her quest to find the concealed witches. This revelation uncovers an age-old conflict between the Luminaries and the Dianas, exposing a division within her own family.
I found this series to be an enjoyable young adult fantasy horror, incorporating romance in a manner suitable for younger readers.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 6, 2024
✨4 stars✨
This was a solid conclusion. I found it really easy to follow which meant I flew through this.
I really enjoyed how the answers from throughout the trilogy were finally revealed which led to a satisfying ending. As a result, I would recommend this book to anyone that has read the first two and are looking forward to seeing how everything wraps up!
I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This was a solid conclusion. I found it really easy to follow which meant I flew through this.
I really enjoyed how the answers from throughout the trilogy were finally revealed which led to a satisfying ending. As a result, I would recommend this book to anyone that has read the first two and are looking forward to seeing how everything wraps up!
I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
December 19, 2024
Sadly, this book dragged for the first 70% for me. I really loved the ending, and I loved the creatures and the way the forest was so well personified.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Tor Teen Book.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Tor Teen Book.
April 29, 2024
edit, 4/29/2024: this is just to say, luminaries edition
I have read
the whispering night
that was in
my inbox
and which
you were probably
excited
to read
believe me
it was delightful
so satisfying
and so [redacted]
:)
I have read
the whispering night
that was in
my inbox
and which
you were probably
excited
to read
believe me
it was delightful
so satisfying
and so [redacted]
:)
November 11, 2025
My reviews of the other 2 books were 5* but sadly this one didn't hit QUITE that level but it was still a solid 4!
This was a satisfying conclusion to the series and I did have fun with it but my biggest gripe with this one was the pacing! It felt so off, like it was a really slow start and took ages to get going, i had to stop for a while before i continued, but then when i picked it back up it was like full throttle rushed.
Overall though I still really loved the world and the overarching plot coming to an end in this book! I'd certainly read more from this world!! Highly recommend for a fun quick to read trilogy for those who love dark, eerie monster books with lotssss of mystery!
This was a satisfying conclusion to the series and I did have fun with it but my biggest gripe with this one was the pacing! It felt so off, like it was a really slow start and took ages to get going, i had to stop for a while before i continued, but then when i picked it back up it was like full throttle rushed.
Overall though I still really loved the world and the overarching plot coming to an end in this book! I'd certainly read more from this world!! Highly recommend for a fun quick to read trilogy for those who love dark, eerie monster books with lotssss of mystery!
January 22, 2025
I have both too much to say about this infuriating book and also nothing at all.
This book felt like an acid trip. I finish this series more confused and frustrated than when I started it and it all was, increasingly a colossal waste of time.
Winnie Wednesday has got to be the most unlikable character I have ever read and she somehow gets WORSE every book.
Winnie, the most awkward, unpleasant person in Hemlock Falls is chosen to be basically prom queen, and also hilariously “the face of the city” because apparently a bunch of foreign dignitaries are visiting for their festival. This book felt easily the most juvenile of the entire series (which is really saying something) and then tried to make up for it by randomly throwing in out of context vocabulary words. (bathypelagic, anyone?)
Jays entire purpose in this book is to make out with Winnie (a pursuit that apparently can make his voice scratchy?)
There are Dianas EVERYWHERE, in hiding, in her friend group, teaching at the school in multiple faculty positions. But what do Dianas DO?! We never find out. Except arrow spells. Burning hot arrows of light. And turning into crows- which is so redundant that it becomes confusing. Do they guard the forest? Protect the nightmares? Kill Luminaries? Why do they exist? Why are they mortal enemies of the Luminaries?
We will never know.
Are the nightmares bad? Are they the spirits of dead ancestors? What happens if they unleash the spirit of the forest?
We will never know.
The good news is Winnie definitely gets to go to prom with all her friends and Jays band plays before they make out on the dance floor. Also her glasses break and she can’t get new ones so she has contacts now- because contacts are cheaper and more easily accessible than glasses naturally 😂
This book felt like an acid trip. I finish this series more confused and frustrated than when I started it and it all was, increasingly a colossal waste of time.
Winnie Wednesday has got to be the most unlikable character I have ever read and she somehow gets WORSE every book.
Winnie, the most awkward, unpleasant person in Hemlock Falls is chosen to be basically prom queen, and also hilariously “the face of the city” because apparently a bunch of foreign dignitaries are visiting for their festival. This book felt easily the most juvenile of the entire series (which is really saying something) and then tried to make up for it by randomly throwing in out of context vocabulary words. (bathypelagic, anyone?)
Jays entire purpose in this book is to make out with Winnie (a pursuit that apparently can make his voice scratchy?)
There are Dianas EVERYWHERE, in hiding, in her friend group, teaching at the school in multiple faculty positions. But what do Dianas DO?! We never find out. Except arrow spells. Burning hot arrows of light. And turning into crows- which is so redundant that it becomes confusing. Do they guard the forest? Protect the nightmares? Kill Luminaries? Why do they exist? Why are they mortal enemies of the Luminaries?
We will never know.
Are the nightmares bad? Are they the spirits of dead ancestors? What happens if they unleash the spirit of the forest?
We will never know.
The good news is Winnie definitely gets to go to prom with all her friends and Jays band plays before they make out on the dance floor. Also her glasses break and she can’t get new ones so she has contacts now- because contacts are cheaper and more easily accessible than glasses naturally 😂
May 16, 2025
Oh my god that sucked. If you cut out all the repetition of phrases, songs, and bad metaphors then this book would have been half the length. It got to the point where I was just skipping anything written in italics. Here is a non exhaustive list of all the things the author thought were so cool or clever that we needed to hear about them 10000000 times:
• Bilateral symmetry
• The shitty song Jay wrote about Winnie
• The poem about hope
• The pinwheel joke
• Venn diagrams/flower petals
• Harmonic overtones
• Bathypelagic zones
• Trusting the Pure Heart
• Definitions of nightmares
• Definitions of Diana ranks or spells
And what do you mean the main villain was just ? How is that satisfying?
The actual ending made no sense, which the book even admitted!
Also Winnie spends the whole book
If these books had been written less stupidly they would have made a decent mystery/monster fighting YA series, nothing groundbreaking but something fun and tropey. As it is I will probably never read a Susan Dennard book again.
• Bilateral symmetry
• The shitty song Jay wrote about Winnie
• The poem about hope
• The pinwheel joke
• Venn diagrams/flower petals
• Harmonic overtones
• Bathypelagic zones
• Trusting the Pure Heart
• Definitions of nightmares
• Definitions of Diana ranks or spells
And what do you mean the main villain was just ? How is that satisfying?
The actual ending made no sense, which the book even admitted!
Also Winnie spends the whole book
If these books had been written less stupidly they would have made a decent mystery/monster fighting YA series, nothing groundbreaking but something fun and tropey. As it is I will probably never read a Susan Dennard book again.
August 21, 2024
Well, what an ending, but most of all, what growth we see from Winnie in this part of the story.
At times, she felt younger than she was supposed to be and her inner monologue reflected it. In this one, Winnie is sure of herself, confident, fearless, and a loyal Wednesday bear. I loved reading her figure things out, fight when needed, and listen all the time.
Plot wise, there are a lot a lot a lot of moving parts. It keeps the pacing quick, but did feel like there were things mentioned that either weren't resolved or perhaps they were thrown out to misdirect. Regardless, I was captivated until the very end.
Overall, this has been a fun story and it's been pretty awesome to see how it evolved from the social media game to this fleshed out story. I will say the nods to the "teams" as well as the shout out to SSaD had me grinning every time I read one.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
At times, she felt younger than she was supposed to be and her inner monologue reflected it. In this one, Winnie is sure of herself, confident, fearless, and a loyal Wednesday bear. I loved reading her figure things out, fight when needed, and listen all the time.
Plot wise, there are a lot a lot a lot of moving parts. It keeps the pacing quick, but did feel like there were things mentioned that either weren't resolved or perhaps they were thrown out to misdirect. Regardless, I was captivated until the very end.
Overall, this has been a fun story and it's been pretty awesome to see how it evolved from the social media game to this fleshed out story. I will say the nods to the "teams" as well as the shout out to SSaD had me grinning every time I read one.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
October 30, 2024
I received a review copy of this on Netgalley.
My opinions are my own!
I loved the first two books in this series and couldn't wait for the third and final one. I even have two special editions on the way so I'm incredibly grateful for this review copy.
So I had really high expectations for this... It was a very good ending to this trilogy . Lots of great points, I'll mention below. But I will say, I did prefer the first two books to this one. This had a very fast pace...sometimes too fast and I felt a little lost, especially at a certain lake scene . Id almost describe it as chaotic and left me with some confused/unanswered questions. Also the author put in too much interesting ideas and characters so she set herself an impossible task to throughly explore all them to leave me satisfied.
I still love this world, the weekday clans, their differences and quirks. It felt like a YA buffy the vampire slayer and it was awesome.
I loved what we got of Winnie and Jay in this. Very cute, squeal worthy moments. Perfection.
I really liked getting more of Erica, and the author keeping her slightly prickly, ice queen facade but also showing her awesome side.
I'm sad we didnt get much of Fatima, Bretta and Emma. They were definitely relegated to background characters in this.
We also had some characters , who are very interesting but I didn't feel we got them fully fleshed out (Jeremiah, Lenora, Caterina, funday etc) I wanted to know more about them. Similarly it felt like a few parts were input and then may have been forgotton. Too many ideas in one book perhaps?
I loved we finally learnt what happened to Jenna, Grayson and Winnies Dad.
Although I was a little confused by the Diana's motivations/the spirit /the nightmares at the end. It may be I'll understand it a bit more when I come to reread it. So much was happening and things being repeated that I got a bit lost at certain parts.
The ending was great, I liked it was kind of left open for some characters but now dying for a spin off series...PLEASE
My opinions are my own!
I loved the first two books in this series and couldn't wait for the third and final one. I even have two special editions on the way so I'm incredibly grateful for this review copy.
So I had really high expectations for this... It was a very good ending to this trilogy . Lots of great points, I'll mention below. But I will say, I did prefer the first two books to this one. This had a very fast pace...sometimes too fast and I felt a little lost, especially at a certain lake scene . Id almost describe it as chaotic and left me with some confused/unanswered questions. Also the author put in too much interesting ideas and characters so she set herself an impossible task to throughly explore all them to leave me satisfied.
I still love this world, the weekday clans, their differences and quirks. It felt like a YA buffy the vampire slayer and it was awesome.
I loved what we got of Winnie and Jay in this. Very cute, squeal worthy moments. Perfection.
I really liked getting more of Erica, and the author keeping her slightly prickly, ice queen facade but also showing her awesome side.
I'm sad we didnt get much of Fatima, Bretta and Emma. They were definitely relegated to background characters in this.
We also had some characters , who are very interesting but I didn't feel we got them fully fleshed out (Jeremiah, Lenora, Caterina, funday etc) I wanted to know more about them. Similarly it felt like a few parts were input and then may have been forgotton. Too many ideas in one book perhaps?
I loved we finally learnt what happened to Jenna, Grayson and Winnies Dad.
Although I was a little confused by the Diana's motivations/the spirit /the nightmares at the end. It may be I'll understand it a bit more when I come to reread it. So much was happening and things being repeated that I got a bit lost at certain parts.
The ending was great, I liked it was kind of left open for some characters but now dying for a spin off series...PLEASE
December 19, 2024
Well that was certainly an ending of sorts?
The final battle was extremely muddled though and the ending was just kinda blah.
I'm happy we solved the mystery dad issue in the end but even that was just unsatisfying?? The beginning had such promise but then it just got so repetitive after a while and no reveals were being given. Even now.
The final battle was extremely muddled though and the ending was just kinda blah.
I'm happy we solved the mystery dad issue in the end but even that was just unsatisfying?? The beginning had such promise but then it just got so repetitive after a while and no reveals were being given. Even now.
April 24, 2024
the absolute perfect conclusion to this incredible series. WTF triangle FTW!
November 19, 2024
4.5 stars.
This is a series I have adored and I was so excited to get this third and final book to see how it would all end. I wish I’d had time to go back and reread at least the last book before I started, because it took me a minute or two to get back into the story completely. Once I did though, I loved all the action and even the new types of nightmare creatures, or the new stuff we learned about them in this story. Of course since it was the final book in the series, we pretty much got all our questions answered. And there were a lot of loose ends to be wrapped up! So many things had to be figured out to understand what was happening and how to fix it.
This was an action packed story. Which unfortunately for me being as tired as I was the days I was trying to read it, I wasn’t able to keep up when I was falling asleep while reading, and had to reread some parts when I got up the next day to begin reading where I thought I’d left off. Again there was some of the humor/character interactions that I liked from before. Like when Winnie got a cell phone, an old model, and her texting conversations, especially with her mom, made me giggle.
A few things felt a little rushed or glossed over. Like I know that Jay disappeared in this one a couple times, but I feel like I needed more time with him and Winnie than we got. I did like that the author gave us some of that through memories or flashbacks. The end was just non-stop action it seemed. With Winnie having to figure some things out in the moment, again making it feel a little rushed or I would have to go back and reread parts because in my hurry I didn’t quite get what she’d figured out after a first read through.
Pretty much there was an HEA though, and we got several loved ones back that we thought were missing or might be gone for good. And even those who were gone for good got to come back for one brief moment and appear to their loved ones, so that was neat. Another thing I’ve said after the first two books that I still feel, is that I’d love to have an artist go through and create the compendium with all the drawings of the nightmare creatures. I know I imagined them based on the descriptions, but it’s always interesting to see what the author actually meant.
While this is the final book in the series, I feel like the little bit at the end means maybe there could be a branch off series? Which I’ll be here for!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
This is a series I have adored and I was so excited to get this third and final book to see how it would all end. I wish I’d had time to go back and reread at least the last book before I started, because it took me a minute or two to get back into the story completely. Once I did though, I loved all the action and even the new types of nightmare creatures, or the new stuff we learned about them in this story. Of course since it was the final book in the series, we pretty much got all our questions answered. And there were a lot of loose ends to be wrapped up! So many things had to be figured out to understand what was happening and how to fix it.
This was an action packed story. Which unfortunately for me being as tired as I was the days I was trying to read it, I wasn’t able to keep up when I was falling asleep while reading, and had to reread some parts when I got up the next day to begin reading where I thought I’d left off. Again there was some of the humor/character interactions that I liked from before. Like when Winnie got a cell phone, an old model, and her texting conversations, especially with her mom, made me giggle.
A few things felt a little rushed or glossed over. Like I know that Jay disappeared in this one a couple times, but I feel like I needed more time with him and Winnie than we got. I did like that the author gave us some of that through memories or flashbacks. The end was just non-stop action it seemed. With Winnie having to figure some things out in the moment, again making it feel a little rushed or I would have to go back and reread parts because in my hurry I didn’t quite get what she’d figured out after a first read through.
Pretty much there was an HEA though, and we got several loved ones back that we thought were missing or might be gone for good. And even those who were gone for good got to come back for one brief moment and appear to their loved ones, so that was neat. Another thing I’ve said after the first two books that I still feel, is that I’d love to have an artist go through and create the compendium with all the drawings of the nightmare creatures. I know I imagined them based on the descriptions, but it’s always interesting to see what the author actually meant.
While this is the final book in the series, I feel like the little bit at the end means maybe there could be a branch off series? Which I’ll be here for!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
May 27, 2025
This one kept me on my toes the whole time. And the ending was perfect. Overall the series was probably a 4 stars read but this book was amazing. I would love to see Susan Dennard write more in this world.
November 3, 2024
This was a great ending to a fantastic triology! Obviously, we finally get answers to the many many MANY questions from book 1 & 2. The third and final book in the series is filled to the brim with action and especially the second part of the book is very fast paced. A lot has to happen still in this book so it's definitely a bit chaotic and 'much' at times, but I still found myself enjoying the story that was unfolding. I also liked that romance took a backseat and we got to see more of Winnie and Erica interacting.
We did see less of her other friends (Emma, Fatima, Bretta) as a lot of other characters had roles to play, so that was a pity but understandable.
While I did love this book (and entire trilogy), I feel might have to reread it sometime because of all the things and explaining that happened. It's a lot to handle so be prepared! 😂
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Thank you Netgalley and Daphne Press for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
We did see less of her other friends (Emma, Fatima, Bretta) as a lot of other characters had roles to play, so that was a pity but understandable.
While I did love this book (and entire trilogy), I feel might have to reread it sometime because of all the things and explaining that happened. It's a lot to handle so be prepared! 😂
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Thank you Netgalley and Daphne Press for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
September 29, 2024
Decent ending to the series but really hampered by the writing. Not just the style or the constant repetition, mind you, but the word choices. At times this reads like the author found a thesaurus and tried to dress up the writing (“subsist” instead of “exist”, or cudgeling a gas pedal?! really??).
It also felt as though the world building ended in Book One. The description of the training, the mansions and even some of the people could have been lifted word-for-word from The Luminaries.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
It also felt as though the world building ended in Book One. The description of the training, the mansions and even some of the people could have been lifted word-for-word from The Luminaries.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
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February 24, 2025Page 275 and I am calling it a day. I don't know what happened here as Susan Dennard is an author I really like and I enjoyed the first two books, but man this one... Is boring (i don't care about every second in the masquerade programming), is slow and repetitive and kinda written weirdly?
I have pushed myself to this page expecting it would get better because I wanted to be satisfied by the ending but alas... Not to be becauseI won't keep on reading something I don't enjoy. I just kinda hate when this happens after having loved the previous books on the trilogy.
I have pushed myself to this page expecting it would get better because I wanted to be satisfied by the ending but alas... Not to be becauseI won't keep on reading something I don't enjoy. I just kinda hate when this happens after having loved the previous books on the trilogy.
March 30, 2025
• Pure Heart. Trust the Pure Heart. •
🗡🌙🌲
"The Whispering Night" ist für mich der runde Abschluss einer Reihe mit einigen Höhen und Tiefen. Während mir in den vorherigen Teilen Winnies Sprüche noch negativ aufgefallen sind, sind sie spätestens jetzt Teil des Erzählstils geworden und haben mir das eine oder andere Schmunzeln abbringen können. Die Auflösung der Geheimnisse von Hemlock Falls ist mehr als zufriedenstellend, und das, was Winnie daraus macht, zeigt eine klare Charakterentwicklung im Vergleich zum ersten Teil.
Alles in allem eine tolle YA-Reihe, deren ersten beide Teile ich im Nachhinein sicherlich mit weniger kritischen Augen lesen würde.
🗡🌙🌲
"The Whispering Night" ist für mich der runde Abschluss einer Reihe mit einigen Höhen und Tiefen. Während mir in den vorherigen Teilen Winnies Sprüche noch negativ aufgefallen sind, sind sie spätestens jetzt Teil des Erzählstils geworden und haben mir das eine oder andere Schmunzeln abbringen können. Die Auflösung der Geheimnisse von Hemlock Falls ist mehr als zufriedenstellend, und das, was Winnie daraus macht, zeigt eine klare Charakterentwicklung im Vergleich zum ersten Teil.
Alles in allem eine tolle YA-Reihe, deren ersten beide Teile ich im Nachhinein sicherlich mit weniger kritischen Augen lesen würde.
December 4, 2025
I found that I didn't connect to this book in the same way as the previous books in the series. It was still a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy (with some open ends) but I found the pace a bit slow at times and it felt slightly too long.
January 3, 2025
al principio le iba a dar tres estrellas xq a veces hacían comentarios muy millenials pero después d tres libros tengo apego emocional y son mis tilines así q no
retiro todo el slander hacia jay, sigue siendo un pedazo d místico pretencioso pero winnie y él son MONÍSIMOS, encima actúa super babygirl q la chavala parece la alfa y mira q él es furro auténtico
estoy enamorada d erica, no dudé ni una sola vez d ella ni cuando winnie lo hizo 💝 mi mean lesbian no canon
los cuervos m persiguen en todos los libros q leo
retiro todo el slander hacia jay, sigue siendo un pedazo d místico pretencioso pero winnie y él son MONÍSIMOS, encima actúa super babygirl q la chavala parece la alfa y mira q él es furro auténtico
estoy enamorada d erica, no dudé ni una sola vez d ella ni cuando winnie lo hizo 💝 mi mean lesbian no canon
los cuervos m persiguen en todos los libros q leo
February 10, 2025
I enjoy this world so much. The worldbuilding is masterful and the storytelling sucks you in. I loved the entire concept of Luminaries, Dianas and Nightmares and the importance of balance.
September 29, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for this earc
Okay, my friends. Don’t hate me for this one.
Let’s start with the fact that I really enjoyed the first two books and they really did made me believe in YA again. Like creepy forest and nightmares and hunters. All the spooky vibes I could ask for. Winnie also quickly became my favorite because of how imperfect she was. Every time she losses or breaks her glasses? Speaks to my soul lol.
But this book? Was very long. It’s a 100 pages longer than the first two and I could feel it. In the first two books I felt perfect balance of mystery, romance and friendship. In this one, 80% was mystery. And a lot of was repetition. I found myself putting the book down simply because the story wasn’t really going anywhere. The whole plot line with Jay being “part of the spirit” was kind very confusing. What did his song have anything to do with the spell? I don’t know. I feel like I still have too many weird questions I’ll never get answers to b
The ending did wrap everything up very nicely about how everyone needs to coexist in balance. But I wish we could see how the whole society got restructured overnight?
Okay, my friends. Don’t hate me for this one.
Let’s start with the fact that I really enjoyed the first two books and they really did made me believe in YA again. Like creepy forest and nightmares and hunters. All the spooky vibes I could ask for. Winnie also quickly became my favorite because of how imperfect she was. Every time she losses or breaks her glasses? Speaks to my soul lol.
But this book? Was very long. It’s a 100 pages longer than the first two and I could feel it. In the first two books I felt perfect balance of mystery, romance and friendship. In this one, 80% was mystery. And a lot of was repetition. I found myself putting the book down simply because the story wasn’t really going anywhere. The whole plot line with Jay being “part of the spirit” was kind very confusing. What did his song have anything to do with the spell? I don’t know. I feel like I still have too many weird questions I’ll never get answers to b
The ending did wrap everything up very nicely about how everyone needs to coexist in balance. But I wish we could see how the whole society got restructured overnight?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2024
The Whispering Night is a pulse-pounding and satisfying ending. As ever the illustrations of monsters and creatures is a feature I absolutely love the inclusion of and the end made me smile so so much. In terms of the actual plot, this moves along nicely with new peril, magic, creatures of the night and mystery. How the whole trilogy is relevant and linked shows great writing skills. The writing also creates a unique atmosphere - these books just have their own feel to them - kind of cozy yet terrifying. Highly recommend this series especially for YA readers as I know this would have been my Twilight as a young reader. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
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