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Whisperworld
Sandstorms have ravaged the earth, and dark, mysterious Stormspheres protect the few remaining cities. While Gardeners tend the precious spheres, their Blackthumbs maintain the peace.
But for Blackthumb Julia Reed and her partner Zach Dias, Angel City's peace has shattered. Someone's murdered a Gardener, and the Blackthumbs' search for his killer takes them from Angel City's crumbling skyscrapers to the salt flats of the Pacific Desert. But what they find out there goes far beyond a simple murder.
All across the world, the Stormspheres are failing and the cities are falling. Julia and Zach may have just discovered why. They can save Angel City – but first they have to save themselves.
But for Blackthumb Julia Reed and her partner Zach Dias, Angel City's peace has shattered. Someone's murdered a Gardener, and the Blackthumbs' search for his killer takes them from Angel City's crumbling skyscrapers to the salt flats of the Pacific Desert. But what they find out there goes far beyond a simple murder.
All across the world, the Stormspheres are failing and the cities are falling. Julia and Zach may have just discovered why. They can save Angel City – but first they have to save themselves.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Erica Lindquist
37 books22 followersI never had any intention of writing. I loved reading, but had no ambition to write myself. But then, in college, the fever hit. I started writing and haven't stopped.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 1, 2021
A VERY solid 4 stars. It'll take some more thinking, and possibly a re-read, but it might be 4.5. There were some really excellent mental pictures this book painted, and it sure did evoke very real emotions.
Can I just start off by saying this was like the holy grail of books for me? Because it's everything I want out of a fiction book. Lemme just list out a few things here and you can tell me if this rings any bells for you. Ahem.
-Lesbian main characters
->>>>>A love story that does NOT focus on coming out or self-realization/sexual awakening<<<<<
-Post-apocalyptic/dystopian
-Indie writers
-Best friends of opposite genders who stay friends and ONLY friends
-Free. Did I mention the free part? Cause it was free. Like, legally free.
-Sci-fi/fantasy elements
-Features a dog (like c'mon, this was written for me)
I loved Kiyu. I got such a wonderful idea of her in my mind, and can I just say, I WANT HER HOUSE. HER CAVE. IS. AMAZING. I just want it. It wasn't even described in excruciating detail but I WANT IT TO BE. Aghhh, just the image of the rock being juxtaposed with stain glass and lace makes me want to happy cry. I love things that are just quirky and different. And I also love glowing algae. Who doesn't love bluey-greeny glowing algae?! The ambiance in that room would be amazing. Mom, Sarah, get me that for Christmas, I'll move out in a couple of years once I can invest in a dishwasher. Thanks. Oh yeah, I was supposed to be talking about the characters. Somewhere I got off track.
Kiyu and Julia both had a defining spunk to them, and they certainly seemed to click. I am a notorious advocate against the dreaded "insta-love", but I don't feel like it really fell under that category. They were both wary of each other at first, and got proof of their gut feelings. They had a hunch, it paid off. Big time. Enough said.
Okay, now I have some critiquing to do, but I, being not an official author or publisher have no kind of authority and I want to make that clear, so y'know. Grain of salt people.
There were a few things that were hard to swallow...and I have no memory, but when I'm actually capable of remembering anything, I'll add some examples. I do remember at times reading something and just kind of taking a lean back and go "Really?"
Also, one thing: when you have a damn good punchline, don't overuse it. I hate something being repeated so many times, and that 'Thorn is a prick' joke? Priceless. But it was used probably at least 10 times in the space of 2 chapters, and it kind of spoiled it. That being said, still a bad ass quote that I shall remember ultimately with fondness and a smirking grin.
Bottom line, this novel featured a story with main characters who were casually gay. That's enough to make me fanboy, but the plot twists and turns, characters, and detail that went into this made for an awesome read that did not disappoint. Thank you so much for your incredible work ladies. *tips hat*
Can I just start off by saying this was like the holy grail of books for me? Because it's everything I want out of a fiction book. Lemme just list out a few things here and you can tell me if this rings any bells for you. Ahem.
-Lesbian main characters
->>>>>A love story that does NOT focus on coming out or self-realization/sexual awakening<<<<<
-Post-apocalyptic/dystopian
-Indie writers
-Best friends of opposite genders who stay friends and ONLY friends
-Free. Did I mention the free part? Cause it was free. Like, legally free.
-Sci-fi/fantasy elements
-Features a dog (like c'mon, this was written for me)
I loved Kiyu. I got such a wonderful idea of her in my mind, and can I just say, I WANT HER HOUSE. HER CAVE. IS. AMAZING. I just want it. It wasn't even described in excruciating detail but I WANT IT TO BE. Aghhh, just the image of the rock being juxtaposed with stain glass and lace makes me want to happy cry. I love things that are just quirky and different. And I also love glowing algae. Who doesn't love bluey-greeny glowing algae?! The ambiance in that room would be amazing. Mom, Sarah, get me that for Christmas, I'll move out in a couple of years once I can invest in a dishwasher. Thanks. Oh yeah, I was supposed to be talking about the characters. Somewhere I got off track.
Kiyu and Julia both had a defining spunk to them, and they certainly seemed to click. I am a notorious advocate against the dreaded "insta-love", but I don't feel like it really fell under that category. They were both wary of each other at first, and got proof of their gut feelings. They had a hunch, it paid off. Big time. Enough said.
Okay, now I have some critiquing to do, but I, being not an official author or publisher have no kind of authority and I want to make that clear, so y'know. Grain of salt people.
There were a few things that were hard to swallow...and I have no memory, but when I'm actually capable of remembering anything, I'll add some examples. I do remember at times reading something and just kind of taking a lean back and go "Really?"
Also, one thing: when you have a damn good punchline, don't overuse it. I hate something being repeated so many times, and that 'Thorn is a prick' joke? Priceless. But it was used probably at least 10 times in the space of 2 chapters, and it kind of spoiled it. That being said, still a bad ass quote that I shall remember ultimately with fondness and a smirking grin.
Bottom line, this novel featured a story with main characters who were casually gay. That's enough to make me fanboy, but the plot twists and turns, characters, and detail that went into this made for an awesome read that did not disappoint. Thank you so much for your incredible work ladies. *tips hat*
April 29, 2015
An extremely well crafted post apocalypse story. The characters, particularly Julia, are compelling and well rounded. One warning, the main character may be off-putting to certain narrow minded, bigoted, mindsets.
July 21, 2021
This book was OK for a portion, but then it just got boring for me. I ended up not caring if anyone survived anymore. It was a great concept, but it was not really my thing.
August 12, 2014
I received a "no strings attached" free copy of the e-book from one of the authors, who suggested it to me because I had read and enjoyed Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre. I'd never (that I recall) encountered the names of either of the authors prior to this, but I'll definitely be adding their other books to my wishlist after reading this one.
Whisperworld is a post-apocalyptic tale set somewhere in our future. God's Wrath has destroyed the majority of humanity, and most of the survivors now live in the remains of previously great cities. Much of the world is desert, and a few survivors—Whitefingers—live outside the safety of the cities, but many of them are mutants, or have psychic capabilities, and if caught in or near the city by the Greenguard (also known as the Blackthumbs) they are executed without hesitation.
Julia Reed is one of the Greenguard. With her partner Zee, she helps to protect the citizens of Angel City, and dispenses justice where it is needed. More protection comes from the Stormsphere, supposedly a gift from God, which holds back the severe dust storms. But the sphere is weakening, and the storms come ever closer to the city boundaries. Refugees start to arrive from Bridge City, as Julia and Zee are called in to investigate the violent murder of one of the Gardeners, the city elite who care for the greenhouses. But they discover more than they bargained for; they are betrayed and drawn into an uneasy alliance with a group of Whitefingers, with terrible consequences.
The story is narrated by Julia. She's tough, sometimes insubordinate, and doesn't necessarily share the belief in the Gardeners held by her partner, Zee. It was good to have a male-female partnership who are great friends, know each other intimately, but have no chance of ever ending up together as a couple—it gets away completely from the usual will-they-won't-they sexual tension between partners, which was refreshing to read. I liked Julia very much as a character—she's feisty! In fact, I was very impressed with the strength of all the characters in this book. I think it would have been wrong to have weak characters who complain constantly, or give up at the first hint of adversity—they simply would not have survived in this harsh future. Kiyu was another delight, especially with the little touches around her collection of tiny things—the scrap of lace, the pieces of coloured glass, the pretty stones. Kiyu and her collection are the beauty within an arid land.
The world building in the book was superb, with a strong balance between giving plenty of details and making everything seem normal. It can't be easy to write about a landscape that is basically sand and ruins without getting into repetition, but the authors did it, and did it well. The world comes alive in the pages of the book, whether it's the bustle of the market, or being lost in an almost featureless landscape. I got a really strong sense of the hierarchy of the society, from little things like Julia "Mirandising" someone they've arrested, or dealing with her nosy neighbour, through to her having to be careful what she says so that she doesn't overstep the mark with a Gardener.
There are some good action scenes in here too, and some great touches of humour. There are occasional expletives, and a couple of sex scenes which are fairly minimally described (for those with concerns about such things). There are a few delicious shock moments that I just didn't see coming. Everything combines so well to make a world and people I could really visualise. I loved this most of all though for the combination of the characters and narrative of the world, two things I always enjoy above all. My only quibble might be that I felt the book ended quite quickly, but that's a personal feeling—just that maybe there could have been a little bit more. The book stands on its own, so you're not left hanging at the end, but there's certainly room there for a sequel, which I definitely wouldn't mind. (Hint, hint....) And one final mention—I was very impressed with the editing and typesetting here—the book was polished, and at the same high standards (if not better) you would get from a professional publishing house. Definitely a joy to read.
Whisperworld is a post-apocalyptic tale set somewhere in our future. God's Wrath has destroyed the majority of humanity, and most of the survivors now live in the remains of previously great cities. Much of the world is desert, and a few survivors—Whitefingers—live outside the safety of the cities, but many of them are mutants, or have psychic capabilities, and if caught in or near the city by the Greenguard (also known as the Blackthumbs) they are executed without hesitation.
Julia Reed is one of the Greenguard. With her partner Zee, she helps to protect the citizens of Angel City, and dispenses justice where it is needed. More protection comes from the Stormsphere, supposedly a gift from God, which holds back the severe dust storms. But the sphere is weakening, and the storms come ever closer to the city boundaries. Refugees start to arrive from Bridge City, as Julia and Zee are called in to investigate the violent murder of one of the Gardeners, the city elite who care for the greenhouses. But they discover more than they bargained for; they are betrayed and drawn into an uneasy alliance with a group of Whitefingers, with terrible consequences.
The story is narrated by Julia. She's tough, sometimes insubordinate, and doesn't necessarily share the belief in the Gardeners held by her partner, Zee. It was good to have a male-female partnership who are great friends, know each other intimately, but have no chance of ever ending up together as a couple—it gets away completely from the usual will-they-won't-they sexual tension between partners, which was refreshing to read. I liked Julia very much as a character—she's feisty! In fact, I was very impressed with the strength of all the characters in this book. I think it would have been wrong to have weak characters who complain constantly, or give up at the first hint of adversity—they simply would not have survived in this harsh future. Kiyu was another delight, especially with the little touches around her collection of tiny things—the scrap of lace, the pieces of coloured glass, the pretty stones. Kiyu and her collection are the beauty within an arid land.
The world building in the book was superb, with a strong balance between giving plenty of details and making everything seem normal. It can't be easy to write about a landscape that is basically sand and ruins without getting into repetition, but the authors did it, and did it well. The world comes alive in the pages of the book, whether it's the bustle of the market, or being lost in an almost featureless landscape. I got a really strong sense of the hierarchy of the society, from little things like Julia "Mirandising" someone they've arrested, or dealing with her nosy neighbour, through to her having to be careful what she says so that she doesn't overstep the mark with a Gardener.
There are some good action scenes in here too, and some great touches of humour. There are occasional expletives, and a couple of sex scenes which are fairly minimally described (for those with concerns about such things). There are a few delicious shock moments that I just didn't see coming. Everything combines so well to make a world and people I could really visualise. I loved this most of all though for the combination of the characters and narrative of the world, two things I always enjoy above all. My only quibble might be that I felt the book ended quite quickly, but that's a personal feeling—just that maybe there could have been a little bit more. The book stands on its own, so you're not left hanging at the end, but there's certainly room there for a sequel, which I definitely wouldn't mind. (Hint, hint....) And one final mention—I was very impressed with the editing and typesetting here—the book was polished, and at the same high standards (if not better) you would get from a professional publishing house. Definitely a joy to read.
July 25, 2014
Note: This book was sent to me without strings.
It was a page turner, a good yarn, and mostly new to me—that is, while I believed the story and recognized the characters and situations as realistic, this SF/fantasy was neither predictable nor outlandish.
Some aspects were impressive—the main character is fun and her partner and the others they meet along the way are compelling; the yin/yang powers play out rationally; the setting on a ruined and desperate Earth drew me in. I had a lot of fun reading this novel. I don't think it has any huge message, but it was an entertaining read and I powered through it in a couple of days!
That says a lot when I just have to keep reading… I don't keep reading anything I'm not enjoying, no matter what. If it's not giving me a good story, I give up. This one had me caught up pretty well.
So why only three stars? I didn't love it. I can't hand it to students (see below). I liked it. Others will love it.
[There are a few sex scenes—not overdone or badly written, though I tend not to enjoy reading other people's sex scenes like I did when I was younger. Lesbian sex, if that makes a difference. I haven't read enough erotic lesbian lit to know how authentic—I tend to think it's mostly men who admire women's asses? Someone is welcome to set me straight about that. … There were a dozen places I marked tiny issues of typos etc.—not bad for a self-published author without a big house editor cleaning up behind. ]
It was a page turner, a good yarn, and mostly new to me—that is, while I believed the story and recognized the characters and situations as realistic, this SF/fantasy was neither predictable nor outlandish.
Some aspects were impressive—the main character is fun and her partner and the others they meet along the way are compelling; the yin/yang powers play out rationally; the setting on a ruined and desperate Earth drew me in. I had a lot of fun reading this novel. I don't think it has any huge message, but it was an entertaining read and I powered through it in a couple of days!
That says a lot when I just have to keep reading… I don't keep reading anything I'm not enjoying, no matter what. If it's not giving me a good story, I give up. This one had me caught up pretty well.
So why only three stars? I didn't love it. I can't hand it to students (see below). I liked it. Others will love it.
[There are a few sex scenes—not overdone or badly written, though I tend not to enjoy reading other people's sex scenes like I did when I was younger. Lesbian sex, if that makes a difference. I haven't read enough erotic lesbian lit to know how authentic—I tend to think it's mostly men who admire women's asses? Someone is welcome to set me straight about that. … There were a dozen places I marked tiny issues of typos etc.—not bad for a self-published author without a big house editor cleaning up behind. ]
August 20, 2014
Full disclosure: I was given a copy in exchange for a review. However, the below are my own thoughts.
I've been reading a lot of apocalyptic fiction lately, and this was a good one. The set-up is interesting, with the world a desert and supplies extremely limited. Julia, the first person narrator, lives in a Whisperward - a protected city whose origin is a mystery. I liked the way the authors revealed little by little the world's setup.
Julia works as a Blackthumb with her partner Zach. They are the equivalent of a city's police force. With a city surviving on limited supplies, their duties are oftentimes distasteful, and we experience this well through Julia's eyes. Julia, however, never stopped questioning her world, trying to understand. She also is not the smartest person around, as she herself freely admits, and tries to do the right thing. It is these characteristics that drive her through this novel and make her a generally likable person.
The storyline was somewhat predictable and some of the side characters were not very well developed, I felt. However, my heart was pounding when I got to the last few chapters. Despite expecting that particular ending, I certainly did not expect HOW that would happen. That was pretty great and very intriguing.
I wouldn't mind reading more stories set in this world, although the novel was written in such a way that it could end here.
I've been reading a lot of apocalyptic fiction lately, and this was a good one. The set-up is interesting, with the world a desert and supplies extremely limited. Julia, the first person narrator, lives in a Whisperward - a protected city whose origin is a mystery. I liked the way the authors revealed little by little the world's setup.
Julia works as a Blackthumb with her partner Zach. They are the equivalent of a city's police force. With a city surviving on limited supplies, their duties are oftentimes distasteful, and we experience this well through Julia's eyes. Julia, however, never stopped questioning her world, trying to understand. She also is not the smartest person around, as she herself freely admits, and tries to do the right thing. It is these characteristics that drive her through this novel and make her a generally likable person.
The storyline was somewhat predictable and some of the side characters were not very well developed, I felt. However, my heart was pounding when I got to the last few chapters. Despite expecting that particular ending, I certainly did not expect HOW that would happen. That was pretty great and very intriguing.
I wouldn't mind reading more stories set in this world, although the novel was written in such a way that it could end here.
August 6, 2014
Note: I was given an ebook copy for free but my review is my own.
Julia and Zach are Greenguards, a.k.a Blackthumbs, a sort of police force in Angel City. They are sent to investigate the murder of a Gardener, one of the elite. They then find themselves outside of the walled Whisperward where they have to survive against the threat of sandstorms, mutant creatures, and the psychic and dangerous dreameaters and Whitefingers. They discover that what they have always been told about the world may not be true and they have to find a way to prevent the Stormsphere, which protects the city, from failing.
I really liked the world-building in this novel. The characters were interesting. The narrator, Julia, is a smart-alecky, snarky, impulsive woman. I also really liked the relationship between Julia and Zach. The story moved quickly and was just a lot of fun.
There are a few lesbian sex scenes, which I didn't feel were too graphic, but I thought I would mention it if that is something that bothers you. That relationship is really sweet. Kiyu reminds Julia to look for beauty in the smallest things.
Julia and Zach are Greenguards, a.k.a Blackthumbs, a sort of police force in Angel City. They are sent to investigate the murder of a Gardener, one of the elite. They then find themselves outside of the walled Whisperward where they have to survive against the threat of sandstorms, mutant creatures, and the psychic and dangerous dreameaters and Whitefingers. They discover that what they have always been told about the world may not be true and they have to find a way to prevent the Stormsphere, which protects the city, from failing.
I really liked the world-building in this novel. The characters were interesting. The narrator, Julia, is a smart-alecky, snarky, impulsive woman. I also really liked the relationship between Julia and Zach. The story moved quickly and was just a lot of fun.
There are a few lesbian sex scenes, which I didn't feel were too graphic, but I thought I would mention it if that is something that bothers you. That relationship is really sweet. Kiyu reminds Julia to look for beauty in the smallest things.
December 14, 2015
Terrible
I don't even know where to begin on this story. So apparently the world has been consumed by sand and is constantly in a state where sandstorm happen every day. The story centers around basically two different types of people. The ones in the Whisperward and those not in the safety of the bubble. Nothing is explained until basically the end of the book. Then the author throws some lesbian sex in the mix, which doesn't make sense. I don't want to spoil the ending, but seriously the world can only be saved by some bugs? This book got five stars by some readers, but I'm not sure they were reading the same book. I wouldn't waste my time with this book, thankfully it was free.
I don't even know where to begin on this story. So apparently the world has been consumed by sand and is constantly in a state where sandstorm happen every day. The story centers around basically two different types of people. The ones in the Whisperward and those not in the safety of the bubble. Nothing is explained until basically the end of the book. Then the author throws some lesbian sex in the mix, which doesn't make sense. I don't want to spoil the ending, but seriously the world can only be saved by some bugs? This book got five stars by some readers, but I'm not sure they were reading the same book. I wouldn't waste my time with this book, thankfully it was free.
October 31, 2014
I received a free, no strings attached ebook copy.
Whisperworld was an enthralling novel that caught my attention quickly and wouldn't let go. Narrated by a strong, female protagonist, Whisperworld is fast paced and packed with action. The main character, Julia, is not like typical YA main characters and isn't really looking to be a hero; she just wants answers.
Whisperworld is a very good and quick read. Although, I will warn you that it contains a few scenes that are only appropriate for more mature readers. Other than that, this is a book that I would recommend.
Whisperworld was an enthralling novel that caught my attention quickly and wouldn't let go. Narrated by a strong, female protagonist, Whisperworld is fast paced and packed with action. The main character, Julia, is not like typical YA main characters and isn't really looking to be a hero; she just wants answers.
Whisperworld is a very good and quick read. Although, I will warn you that it contains a few scenes that are only appropriate for more mature readers. Other than that, this is a book that I would recommend.
March 22, 2017
I loved this book! It has a very unique post apocalyptic concept different from any others I've read or listened to. I'd love to see a sequel to this book and see how humanity handles the new information that is essential to their survival. The authors did a great job with this book and Hollie Jackson was great with the narration!
May 2, 2015
A solid, enjoyable addition to my large collection of post-apocalyptic science fiction literature. Interesting & well-developed premise, great slang & language elements, believable characters with relatable flaws, and plenty of action to keep me turning the pages.
August 4, 2014
Books like this are what reminds me why I love reading everyday. Wonderful, exciting, and a very fast read. Get ready to be blown away :)
March 30, 2015
Great book
Loved the story, could not stop reading. Want more of this storyline, what will the future be for this young couple.
Loved the story, could not stop reading. Want more of this storyline, what will the future be for this young couple.
October 4, 2015
Unique and interesting
I enjoyed the book and would live to see a sequel. Good strong characters and vivid descriptions. A great read.
I enjoyed the book and would live to see a sequel. Good strong characters and vivid descriptions. A great read.
October 18, 2015
Captive mutant butterflys with psionic powers to shield cities from radioactive dust storms. Seriously?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews