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The Last Whisper of the Orchard
All is still beneath the orchard.
But when darkness whispers, what will you become?
Velm, the reluctant seer of Kahlon, is hunted by visions and shadowed by suspicion—half feared, half revered by those he would save. When a single whisper foretells ruin, he must walk a path where each secret is a wound, each sacrifice a prayer—and every answer may cost more than life itself.
As omens gather and dread coils beneath the apple boughs, Velm stands alone in a village gripped by fear, where only silence may hold the truth. Every shadow conceals a threat, and every act of hope is haunted by the cost of prophecy.
The Last Whisper of the Orchard is a brutal gothic dark fantasy of prophecy, grief, and transformation—where the line between seer and sacrifice blurs, and the silence beneath the roots may be the only answer.
Perfect for fans of haunting, atmospheric fantasy and poetic folklore like Katherine Arden, Craig Russell, or Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book—where myth, horror, and heartbreak entwine beneath ancient trees.
But when darkness whispers, what will you become?
Velm, the reluctant seer of Kahlon, is hunted by visions and shadowed by suspicion—half feared, half revered by those he would save. When a single whisper foretells ruin, he must walk a path where each secret is a wound, each sacrifice a prayer—and every answer may cost more than life itself.
As omens gather and dread coils beneath the apple boughs, Velm stands alone in a village gripped by fear, where only silence may hold the truth. Every shadow conceals a threat, and every act of hope is haunted by the cost of prophecy.
The Last Whisper of the Orchard is a brutal gothic dark fantasy of prophecy, grief, and transformation—where the line between seer and sacrifice blurs, and the silence beneath the roots may be the only answer.
Perfect for fans of haunting, atmospheric fantasy and poetic folklore like Katherine Arden, Craig Russell, or Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book—where myth, horror, and heartbreak entwine beneath ancient trees.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2025
11 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 4, 2025
CN. Religious Abuse, Execution, Torture, Stoning, Crucifiction, Self Mutilation (Glossectomy), Child Death
I received an ARC through Book Sirens for an honest review.
The cover, title, and description all had me instantly intrigued in this dark fantasy novella. I have not read the novel this is a prequel to and this was my first experience with this author.
The story follows a village healer who is granted prophetic visions from the eponymous orchard, the Whispergrove, and the tragedy that leads him into an ominous symbiosis with the ancient trees.
I feel incredibly conflicted and powerfully ambivalent about this novella because at times the writing was sublimely lyrical and poetic and vivid, but then it would feel incredibly overwrought and unnecessarily verbose.
The prophetic dream sequence that the novella opens with is opulent and foreboding and absolutely packed with deliciously descriptive language, but there was something about the use of similes that felt a little strange to me. The tragic and violent events were conveyed with a visceral and distressing detail (complimentary). I did find them incredibly depressing to read, but that's on me.
The real issue for me came in the third and final part in which the devastated healer undergoes an ordeal and metamorphosis. Something about the repetitive and what read to me as overly descriptive and almost self-indulgent prose made me feel increasingly detached from the experience of the Silent One. I feel awful saying this, but it became a real struggle to finish it.
I think my AuDHD, personal preferences, and the uncanny valley of this, on paper, being so unbelievably my sort of thing came together to spoil my experience of this novella.
I cannot stress how beautiful and well crafted I found some of the writing and I could definitely see this being far more appealing to other readers. I also think a great audiobook would really make this style of writing sing.
I received an ARC through Book Sirens for an honest review.
The cover, title, and description all had me instantly intrigued in this dark fantasy novella. I have not read the novel this is a prequel to and this was my first experience with this author.
The story follows a village healer who is granted prophetic visions from the eponymous orchard, the Whispergrove, and the tragedy that leads him into an ominous symbiosis with the ancient trees.
I feel incredibly conflicted and powerfully ambivalent about this novella because at times the writing was sublimely lyrical and poetic and vivid, but then it would feel incredibly overwrought and unnecessarily verbose.
The prophetic dream sequence that the novella opens with is opulent and foreboding and absolutely packed with deliciously descriptive language, but there was something about the use of similes that felt a little strange to me. The tragic and violent events were conveyed with a visceral and distressing detail (complimentary). I did find them incredibly depressing to read, but that's on me.
The real issue for me came in the third and final part in which the devastated healer undergoes an ordeal and metamorphosis. Something about the repetitive and what read to me as overly descriptive and almost self-indulgent prose made me feel increasingly detached from the experience of the Silent One. I feel awful saying this, but it became a real struggle to finish it.
I think my AuDHD, personal preferences, and the uncanny valley of this, on paper, being so unbelievably my sort of thing came together to spoil my experience of this novella.
I cannot stress how beautiful and well crafted I found some of the writing and I could definitely see this being far more appealing to other readers. I also think a great audiobook would really make this style of writing sing.
July 11, 2025
Actual Rating 2.5
I was drawn to this read by the cover, the title, and the promise of dark fantasy. This novella is a prequel to a novel which I haven’t read, but this worked well as a standalone and setup. The atmosphere of this work is strong, saturated with a dark, foreboding feeling that I love. The setting descriptions are also woven throughout the book, aiding the strong atmosphere.
Part of what didn’t work well for me about this one was the writing. This is a very exposition heavy work, especially in the first and last third of the novella. I don’t usually prefer this, and it did make it difficult to stay fully engaged with the character and the story. There were also instances when the writing got unnecessarily wordy, again to the point of making it difficult to stay engaged. This became more true in the exposition-heavy portions of the novella, and things also felt repetitive during the last portion when relating to the protagonist’s thoughts and experiences.
I imagine this is a strong set up for the series and provides some interesting lore and background. While I didn’t love this one, I imagine it’s mostly due to the way it was written since it was a lore-heavy novella. My thanks to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I was drawn to this read by the cover, the title, and the promise of dark fantasy. This novella is a prequel to a novel which I haven’t read, but this worked well as a standalone and setup. The atmosphere of this work is strong, saturated with a dark, foreboding feeling that I love. The setting descriptions are also woven throughout the book, aiding the strong atmosphere.
Part of what didn’t work well for me about this one was the writing. This is a very exposition heavy work, especially in the first and last third of the novella. I don’t usually prefer this, and it did make it difficult to stay fully engaged with the character and the story. There were also instances when the writing got unnecessarily wordy, again to the point of making it difficult to stay engaged. This became more true in the exposition-heavy portions of the novella, and things also felt repetitive during the last portion when relating to the protagonist’s thoughts and experiences.
I imagine this is a strong set up for the series and provides some interesting lore and background. While I didn’t love this one, I imagine it’s mostly due to the way it was written since it was a lore-heavy novella. My thanks to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 20, 2025
📌 Esta história, que é uma prequela a uma série do autor, tratando-se do género de Dark Fantasy.
📌 Se é a melhor história que li até hoje? Não... Mas tem potencial! Não vou julgar toda a série por um conto (embora um grande conto, em termos de dimensão).
📌 A história em si começa interessante, deixa mistério por todo o lado e aquela sensação que tudo está prestes a correr muito mal, no entanto, passados 3 capítulos, aparece uma imensidão de repetitividades até ao último capitulo e subsequente culminar da história.
📌 A escrita é bastante boa, mas o autor é bastante descritivo e repetitivo nas suas descrições, havendo capítulos em que quase senti que por engano tinha voltado atrás...
📌 Em termos de temas, é abordado o tema da perda e em parte a depressão e reconstrução de uma pessoa após passar por algo devastador, e nesta pequena história é-nos constantemente relembrado isso mesmo.
📌 Espero honestamente que a continuação seja diferente em termos de pacing, não tem de ser super rápido, mas talvez meter a 2ª mudança para avançar um pouco enquanto se lê 😅 Novamente, tem potencial a ser explorado, esperam-se os próximos episódios! 😅
📌 Se é a melhor história que li até hoje? Não... Mas tem potencial! Não vou julgar toda a série por um conto (embora um grande conto, em termos de dimensão).
📌 A história em si começa interessante, deixa mistério por todo o lado e aquela sensação que tudo está prestes a correr muito mal, no entanto, passados 3 capítulos, aparece uma imensidão de repetitividades até ao último capitulo e subsequente culminar da história.
📌 A escrita é bastante boa, mas o autor é bastante descritivo e repetitivo nas suas descrições, havendo capítulos em que quase senti que por engano tinha voltado atrás...
📌 Em termos de temas, é abordado o tema da perda e em parte a depressão e reconstrução de uma pessoa após passar por algo devastador, e nesta pequena história é-nos constantemente relembrado isso mesmo.
📌 Espero honestamente que a continuação seja diferente em termos de pacing, não tem de ser super rápido, mas talvez meter a 2ª mudança para avançar um pouco enquanto se lê 😅 Novamente, tem potencial a ser explorado, esperam-se os próximos episódios! 😅
June 9, 2025
Wow. Excellent writing. Great story. Brutal story. Redeeming story? Maybe.
The author gives great depth to the characters even though most are mentioned briefly. The mythology/lore is built as the story proceeds, I liked this effect very much. It was a page-turner for over half of the story and then you need to be in poetry/pondering mode for most of the rest. Finally anticipation at what will happen at the end and it leaves you wanting more.
This is my first reading of this author and can’t wait to explore more of their work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author gives great depth to the characters even though most are mentioned briefly. The mythology/lore is built as the story proceeds, I liked this effect very much. It was a page-turner for over half of the story and then you need to be in poetry/pondering mode for most of the rest. Finally anticipation at what will happen at the end and it leaves you wanting more.
This is my first reading of this author and can’t wait to explore more of their work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 14, 2025
The best way I could describe The Last Whisper of the Orchard is a written account of someone’s journey to achieve transcendence through grief and turmoil. This is a picture perfect example of gothic fantasy. It is written to ensure readers are not only looking through the eyes of the main character, but what all the five senses and emotions are within and around. While I appreciate the heavy amount of details, I had to put the book down several times to digest as I became overwhelmed with the amount of information packed within.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 21, 2025
Emotional and poetic
This book kept me hooked. The writing is very poetic and the story feels mysterious. It’s not a fast paced book, and I think people need to be aware of that. The writing has real emotional depth. If you like dark fantasy, with deep themes and great language, you should read this book. It’s one of those stories that stays with you for a while after you finish.
This book kept me hooked. The writing is very poetic and the story feels mysterious. It’s not a fast paced book, and I think people need to be aware of that. The writing has real emotional depth. If you like dark fantasy, with deep themes and great language, you should read this book. It’s one of those stories that stays with you for a while after you finish.
June 3, 2025
Every single story keeps getting better and better!
This is a prequel to The Curse and tells the tale of the creature Drakko originally met in the Orchard.
the world building is insane, truly gorgeous descriptions.
It has an almost horror story vibe, but most people who find true peace have seen some horrors so that makes sense.
Another magnificent read!
This is a prequel to The Curse and tells the tale of the creature Drakko originally met in the Orchard.
the world building is insane, truly gorgeous descriptions.
It has an almost horror story vibe, but most people who find true peace have seen some horrors so that makes sense.
Another magnificent read!
June 13, 2025
This is a great set up to a series. Definitely a series i need more of. This is so descriptive and interesting. It gave me goosebumps in places. My only thing stopping a 5 star is there were a few bits repeated unnecessarily. But other than that i cant wait to read more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 11, 2025
All is still beneath the orchard.
But when darkness whispers, what will you become?
Visions and omens foretell ruin.
I love the writing and the fantasy style story.
I received an advance review copy at no cost and am leaving this review voluntarily.
But when darkness whispers, what will you become?
Visions and omens foretell ruin.
I love the writing and the fantasy style story.
I received an advance review copy at no cost and am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 18, 2025
What an amazing story. It kept me going and wanting more. It had a steady flow of adventure and surprises. The World building is as always spot on. This is a horror I'd gladly read. It had such good descriptions. I was totally enthralled
June 20, 2025
Received from Booksirens
This book was very poetic and powerful. Grief is never an easy thing to deal with, but this was a very exciting look. The characters were well written and I could not put it down
October 14, 2025
The Last Whisper of the Orchard completely drew me in with its haunting prose and chilling atmosphere. The author weaves a dark, poetic tale where grief and prophecy intertwine beneath whispering trees. What stood out most was the eerie stillness, leaving an echo long after finishing.
December 6, 2025
This was a very dark, deep tragedy. The story is very good and has many different meanings. This is a very dark tragedy that shows the characters true persona.
September 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️ (2.5 rounded down)
The Last Whisper of the Orchard 🌙🌳 has a fantastic gothic atmosphere 🕯️🏚️ and a brilliant premise. The orchard setting feels alive 🍂, and the family at the heart of the novel was a strong point for me 👩👩👧👦❤️, written with real depth. The horrific events that unfold are shocking and powerful ⚡😱. The emotional turmoil was vividly portrayed 💔, and the author’s descriptive writing during these sections really shone ✍️✨.
Where I struggled was with the consistency of the writing 📖. At times, Zoderot’s prose was beautiful, fluid, and engaging 🌊✨, but in other moments, it felt rigid and slowed the pace 🐢. It almost felt as though two different voices were competing within the same book 🎭. The dialogue between the central couple 💑 was another challenge, as the tone shifted unpredictably 🔄, which pulled me out of the story.
The premise itself is brilliant 💡, and I believe this story has real depth and enormous potential 🌟. I especially loved the build-up and gothic world-building 🕸️🌒—those aspects hit the mark perfectly 🎯. Unfortunately, after the major horrific events, I found myself struggling to stay engaged 😔, and the story lost some of its momentum.
That said, this would not put me off reading more from Alexander Gabriel Zoderot 📚. The flashes of brilliance in his descriptive writing 🖋️ and the originality of his ideas 💭 make me believe he has incredible talent 🌟. With more confidence and refinement ✨, I think his future works could be extraordinary.
I’m grateful I read The Last Whisper of the Orchard 🙏📖. While this one wasn’t quite for me in execution, it has made me excited to see what Zoderot brings next 🚀. I’ll definitely be picking up his future works 🔮.
The Last Whisper of the Orchard 🌙🌳 has a fantastic gothic atmosphere 🕯️🏚️ and a brilliant premise. The orchard setting feels alive 🍂, and the family at the heart of the novel was a strong point for me 👩👩👧👦❤️, written with real depth. The horrific events that unfold are shocking and powerful ⚡😱. The emotional turmoil was vividly portrayed 💔, and the author’s descriptive writing during these sections really shone ✍️✨.
Where I struggled was with the consistency of the writing 📖. At times, Zoderot’s prose was beautiful, fluid, and engaging 🌊✨, but in other moments, it felt rigid and slowed the pace 🐢. It almost felt as though two different voices were competing within the same book 🎭. The dialogue between the central couple 💑 was another challenge, as the tone shifted unpredictably 🔄, which pulled me out of the story.
The premise itself is brilliant 💡, and I believe this story has real depth and enormous potential 🌟. I especially loved the build-up and gothic world-building 🕸️🌒—those aspects hit the mark perfectly 🎯. Unfortunately, after the major horrific events, I found myself struggling to stay engaged 😔, and the story lost some of its momentum.
That said, this would not put me off reading more from Alexander Gabriel Zoderot 📚. The flashes of brilliance in his descriptive writing 🖋️ and the originality of his ideas 💭 make me believe he has incredible talent 🌟. With more confidence and refinement ✨, I think his future works could be extraordinary.
I’m grateful I read The Last Whisper of the Orchard 🙏📖. While this one wasn’t quite for me in execution, it has made me excited to see what Zoderot brings next 🚀. I’ll definitely be picking up his future works 🔮.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews