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Ghost Whispers: Blakewell Mages Book One
She bargained with Death. She didn’t expect him to be beautiful.
Sonia Byrd sees ghosts—and they whisper their deaths into her bones.
It’s a dangerous gift in a city ruled by mage politics and bloodlines. A gift that makes her a target. When a murdered mage’s ghost starts haunting her, Sonia’s hunt for answers leads her straight into a forbidden House of magic, the ruins of her own past, and the arms of a grumpy, infuriatingly attractive mage-detective who keeps secrets like they’re sacred texts.
But the dead aren’t the only ones watching her.
There’s something older—darker—lurking in the veil between worlds. A dangerous being who calls himself Death. And he wants her. For her magic. For her blood. For something she doesn’t understand.
Now Sonia’s caught between two men with power—and hunger—that could destroy her. As the bodies pile up and ghosts begin to scream, Sonia must decide who to trust, who to betray…
And whether her heart can survive the war between the living and the dead.
Perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, forbidden magic, and morally grey love interest who whisper your name like a prayer.
Sonia Byrd sees ghosts—and they whisper their deaths into her bones.
It’s a dangerous gift in a city ruled by mage politics and bloodlines. A gift that makes her a target. When a murdered mage’s ghost starts haunting her, Sonia’s hunt for answers leads her straight into a forbidden House of magic, the ruins of her own past, and the arms of a grumpy, infuriatingly attractive mage-detective who keeps secrets like they’re sacred texts.
But the dead aren’t the only ones watching her.
There’s something older—darker—lurking in the veil between worlds. A dangerous being who calls himself Death. And he wants her. For her magic. For her blood. For something she doesn’t understand.
Now Sonia’s caught between two men with power—and hunger—that could destroy her. As the bodies pile up and ghosts begin to scream, Sonia must decide who to trust, who to betray…
And whether her heart can survive the war between the living and the dead.
Perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, forbidden magic, and morally grey love interest who whisper your name like a prayer.
- GenresFantasy
533 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2025
7 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 14, 2025
I received this book from RR Book Tours, and it turned out to be such an incredible surprise. It’s the perfect blend of paranormal intrigue, mystery, and a journey of self-discovery. What begins as a mission to contact a loved one quickly spirals into a hunt for the truth—not only about Sonia herself, but also about the dark past of the magical community.
Sonia is a mage without a house, rejected for her lack of “active” magic. Her rare ability to see and speak with ghosts makes her an outsider even among magical beings. She leans on her family and her lifelong companion Phontine (Pixie, sassy and protective) for comfort when her world begins to spin out of control, but after a tragic event, Sonia is forced to confront her so-called gift and the secrets of her past. Determined, she returns to her birthplace to uncover what happened to her birth parents and to learn how to truly harness her abilities.
Sonia straddles the world of the living and the dead—so much so that she stumbles too far into the Deathscape and comes face-to-face with Death himself. The MMC, Death, is powerful, possessive, and impossibly ancient, yet Sonia manages to both captivate and amuse him. Claiming her as his own, he brands her, marking a dangerous bond.
Throughout the story, he “helps” Sonia while constantly reminding her who she belongs to. I especially loved the moment when he told her she was the master of death—it was such a powerful, touching display of confidence and support. Their banter, his sarcastic humor, and even his jealous streak kept me hooked. There’s a magnetic pull between them, and I can’t wait to see how their relationship unfolds.
Later, we’re introduced to McDara, a detective who becomes entwined in Sonia’s search for answers. Stubborn and hardheaded, yet fiercely loyal, McDara has a protective streak but remains guarded about his own past. Though he and Sonia clash at first, they soon realize they’re on the same side. As feelings begin to grow between them, Sonia finds comfort in unexpected ways—though betrayal and secrets threaten to shatter that fragile trust.
I loved experiencing this world through Sonia’s eyes. The character development felt balanced, and the worldbuilding was rich, blending modern and old-world elements seamlessly. The writing was engaging and detailed without ever feeling drawn out. The cliffhanger left me with so many questions, and I can’t wait to see if my theories about what’s to come are right.
Overall, this was a captivating read, and I’m so glad I was introduced to a new author. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story with me!
Sonia is a mage without a house, rejected for her lack of “active” magic. Her rare ability to see and speak with ghosts makes her an outsider even among magical beings. She leans on her family and her lifelong companion Phontine (Pixie, sassy and protective) for comfort when her world begins to spin out of control, but after a tragic event, Sonia is forced to confront her so-called gift and the secrets of her past. Determined, she returns to her birthplace to uncover what happened to her birth parents and to learn how to truly harness her abilities.
Sonia straddles the world of the living and the dead—so much so that she stumbles too far into the Deathscape and comes face-to-face with Death himself. The MMC, Death, is powerful, possessive, and impossibly ancient, yet Sonia manages to both captivate and amuse him. Claiming her as his own, he brands her, marking a dangerous bond.
Throughout the story, he “helps” Sonia while constantly reminding her who she belongs to. I especially loved the moment when he told her she was the master of death—it was such a powerful, touching display of confidence and support. Their banter, his sarcastic humor, and even his jealous streak kept me hooked. There’s a magnetic pull between them, and I can’t wait to see how their relationship unfolds.
Later, we’re introduced to McDara, a detective who becomes entwined in Sonia’s search for answers. Stubborn and hardheaded, yet fiercely loyal, McDara has a protective streak but remains guarded about his own past. Though he and Sonia clash at first, they soon realize they’re on the same side. As feelings begin to grow between them, Sonia finds comfort in unexpected ways—though betrayal and secrets threaten to shatter that fragile trust.
I loved experiencing this world through Sonia’s eyes. The character development felt balanced, and the worldbuilding was rich, blending modern and old-world elements seamlessly. The writing was engaging and detailed without ever feeling drawn out. The cliffhanger left me with so many questions, and I can’t wait to see if my theories about what’s to come are right.
Overall, this was a captivating read, and I’m so glad I was introduced to a new author. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story with me!
October 3, 2025
GHOST WHISPERS
“Blakewell was wrong. This city, this place, was wrong. Coming here might have been the worst mistake of my life.”
“And sometimes—you walked straight into the fire just to prove you could survive the burn.”
“Careful, Little Bird. You keep wrapping yourself in his scent and wearing his clothes, and I might start to think you’ve forgotten who you really belong to.”
“I will learn every spell, tear through every barrier, and break every law if I have to. I will walk into the Deathscape myself and drag you back if it comes to that. You are not his to take, Sonia.”
“I like it when you look at me like that. Desperate. Needing.”
Magic, ghosts, mages, trolls, and more! Oh… and a pixie sidekick!
👻Sonia is a ghost whisperer; she can see and talk to ghosts. But its an ability she hasn’t learned to control or fully understand. An unfortunate event and a death of a mage, sends Sonia on a dangerous path leading to answers from her past and into the arms of a grumy mage-detective. But Sonia also ends up grasping the attention of Death himself who claims she is his.
“And Death—Death never let go of what he claimed.”
👻This magical, ghost-filled murder mystery was such a good time and perfect for spooky season! And honestly anything with Death incarnate, I’m in! I wanted more of him anytime he was in a scene. Take me to the Deathscape!🖤
“Blakewell was wrong. This city, this place, was wrong. Coming here might have been the worst mistake of my life.”
“And sometimes—you walked straight into the fire just to prove you could survive the burn.”
“Careful, Little Bird. You keep wrapping yourself in his scent and wearing his clothes, and I might start to think you’ve forgotten who you really belong to.”
“I will learn every spell, tear through every barrier, and break every law if I have to. I will walk into the Deathscape myself and drag you back if it comes to that. You are not his to take, Sonia.”
“I like it when you look at me like that. Desperate. Needing.”
Magic, ghosts, mages, trolls, and more! Oh… and a pixie sidekick!
👻Sonia is a ghost whisperer; she can see and talk to ghosts. But its an ability she hasn’t learned to control or fully understand. An unfortunate event and a death of a mage, sends Sonia on a dangerous path leading to answers from her past and into the arms of a grumy mage-detective. But Sonia also ends up grasping the attention of Death himself who claims she is his.
“And Death—Death never let go of what he claimed.”
👻This magical, ghost-filled murder mystery was such a good time and perfect for spooky season! And honestly anything with Death incarnate, I’m in! I wanted more of him anytime he was in a scene. Take me to the Deathscape!🖤
September 28, 2025
Ghost Whisper by Brittany Arden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of my favorite reads perfect for the spooky season. Sonia is a rare age called a ghost whisperer. No main house will accept her and teach her how to control her abilities. When her adopted father dies, all she wants is to use her ability to reach her father one last time. She goes in search of her bio parents in the hopes that they can teach her. What she gets it’s a murdered mage that haunts her, a grumpy, mage detective that doesn’t trust her, and a being called Death who won’t leave her alone.
I loved everything about this read! The Gothic urban world, the magic, the ghost! Sonia is fierce. McDara is grumpy, hot, and full of secrets. Death is a morally gray character, but he grows on you. I’m really not sure who I like better for her. The murder mystery was full of twist and turns. The cliffhanger left me begging for more. I need to see how this love triangle plays out (hoping for a why choose scenario)and what is going to happen next! You’re going to want to add this one to your TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of my favorite reads perfect for the spooky season. Sonia is a rare age called a ghost whisperer. No main house will accept her and teach her how to control her abilities. When her adopted father dies, all she wants is to use her ability to reach her father one last time. She goes in search of her bio parents in the hopes that they can teach her. What she gets it’s a murdered mage that haunts her, a grumpy, mage detective that doesn’t trust her, and a being called Death who won’t leave her alone.
I loved everything about this read! The Gothic urban world, the magic, the ghost! Sonia is fierce. McDara is grumpy, hot, and full of secrets. Death is a morally gray character, but he grows on you. I’m really not sure who I like better for her. The murder mystery was full of twist and turns. The cliffhanger left me begging for more. I need to see how this love triangle plays out (hoping for a why choose scenario)and what is going to happen next! You’re going to want to add this one to your TBR.
September 28, 2025
So, Ghost Whispers was such a spooky, gothic ride and I was here for it. Sonia can hear ghosts whisper their deaths (which is equal parts creepy and fascinating) and it drags her into this whole mess of forbidden magic, secrets, and one very broody mage detective.
But let me just say… her pixie friend totally stole the show for me. I LOVED the humor and lightness that character brought in…every scene they were in made me smile and broke up the darker vibes perfectly. And Death? Yeah… I might’ve had a bit of a crush (sorry not sorry! ) He was mysterious, dangerous, and every time he showed up I was like: “ohhh here we go.”
The atmosphere is exactly what I wanted: gothic, spooky, but with enough wit and banter to keep it fun. It was such a great way to start off October! Sonia herself is such a witty, strong character, and I loved watching her push back against everything thrown at her. The world was intriguing, and the ghosts definitely gave me chills.
I thought this book was fun and exciting, with a spooky twist and had an amazing flow!
But let me just say… her pixie friend totally stole the show for me. I LOVED the humor and lightness that character brought in…every scene they were in made me smile and broke up the darker vibes perfectly. And Death? Yeah… I might’ve had a bit of a crush (sorry not sorry! ) He was mysterious, dangerous, and every time he showed up I was like: “ohhh here we go.”
The atmosphere is exactly what I wanted: gothic, spooky, but with enough wit and banter to keep it fun. It was such a great way to start off October! Sonia herself is such a witty, strong character, and I loved watching her push back against everything thrown at her. The world was intriguing, and the ghosts definitely gave me chills.
I thought this book was fun and exciting, with a spooky twist and had an amazing flow!
October 2, 2025
Absolutely perfect for a fall TBR filled with mystery and paranormal elements!
Anything that will mix spooky with perfect banter has my immediate attention. Then to add in an FMC that is such a intense character with wittiness to boot, yes ma'am. There were a perfect number of twists, turns and edge of your seat plot but also shadowed in romance that just kept those pages turning for me. I loved the world building and even with the amount of mystery and paranormal, it wasn't hard to follow and yet so immersive at the same time.
This is definitely a slowww burn but that tension and ache did lead to 'butterfly' moments in your stomach, I was kicking my feet for sure. Loved this so much and highly recommend for your TBR if you like that slow burn, paranormal, ghost, mystery and forbidden magic.
Anything that will mix spooky with perfect banter has my immediate attention. Then to add in an FMC that is such a intense character with wittiness to boot, yes ma'am. There were a perfect number of twists, turns and edge of your seat plot but also shadowed in romance that just kept those pages turning for me. I loved the world building and even with the amount of mystery and paranormal, it wasn't hard to follow and yet so immersive at the same time.
This is definitely a slowww burn but that tension and ache did lead to 'butterfly' moments in your stomach, I was kicking my feet for sure. Loved this so much and highly recommend for your TBR if you like that slow burn, paranormal, ghost, mystery and forbidden magic.
September 30, 2025
Ghost Whispers by Brittany Arden is a dark, fantastical adventure with the whisper of lust looming in its shadows — and it kicked my fiction-fearing ass ! As a total non-reader who took a chance on this romantasy, I found myself kicking my feet in the air and blushing like a young teen in love more than once; nose deep between the pages and fingers quick to send coy lines to a friend.
Sonia Byrd’s on her way to learn her magic after she loses her father, but discovers a lot more waiting for her in the city where magic doesn’t have to hide.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next in the series. It served as a reminder to me that creativity still blooms within all of life’s chaos.
But be honest. . .
Team McDara or Team Death?
Sonia Byrd’s on her way to learn her magic after she loses her father, but discovers a lot more waiting for her in the city where magic doesn’t have to hide.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next in the series. It served as a reminder to me that creativity still blooms within all of life’s chaos.
But be honest. . .
Team McDara or Team Death?
September 24, 2025
This was actually my first romantasy book that I’ve read, and I’m so glad it was! The romance and fantasy aspects cloak a murder mystery fueled by a relatable, but unique protagonist, Sonia, who finds herself in a love triangle with a sexy, mysterious Mage detective and Death himself. The twists and turns in this book are enough to keep readers engaged and the love scenes are tantalizing enough to have you kicking your feet back and forth while giggling. The urban fantasy world building in this isn’t too complex to follow, but still allows the reader to fall in love with the setting of this wild plot. Really enjoyed this read and look forward to the next books in the series!!!
September 29, 2025
This book is the perfect spooky season read! I really enjoyed the FMC and her unique ability to see ghosts. It was very interesting to learn about her magic and where she came from. There was the perfect amount of mystery with trying to solve a murder.
I loved our MMC, but I love Death even more. I’m very curious to see where book two goes with the romance part of the story. There were definitely some things I didn’t see coming at the end, so it’s got me on edge to find out more.
Highly recommend picking this one up, especially for the spooky/fall months! I rate it 4 ⭐️.
Thank you to Brittney and rrtours for gifting me this ARC for an honest review.
I loved our MMC, but I love Death even more. I’m very curious to see where book two goes with the romance part of the story. There were definitely some things I didn’t see coming at the end, so it’s got me on edge to find out more.
Highly recommend picking this one up, especially for the spooky/fall months! I rate it 4 ⭐️.
Thank you to Brittney and rrtours for gifting me this ARC for an honest review.
October 3, 2025
What a perfect way to start off the spooky season especially it having paranormal elements, there’s mystery and fantastic character development. There’s tragedy but determination is a strong quality to have and who doesn’t love a good cliffhanger it just keeps you coming back for more
October 2, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️ (slow-burn) Foreplay for the series
Where should I start this review? There's the slow-burning ache that lingers throughout the story, and then there's the captivating magical world that feels so real I could open my door and step right into it. Brittany Arden masterfully crafted each detail, from Sonia's highs and lows to the complex relationships among the characters. Sonia grapples with the conflict between what her mind tells her is right and what her souls feels. It has been a long time since a book has captivated me with its suspense and world-building, while romance takes a backseat.
⭐️Romantasy
⭐️Forbidden Magic
⭐️Murder
⭐️Suspense
⭐️Found Family
⭐️Slow Burn
Spice Level: 🌶️ (slow-burn) Foreplay for the series
Where should I start this review? There's the slow-burning ache that lingers throughout the story, and then there's the captivating magical world that feels so real I could open my door and step right into it. Brittany Arden masterfully crafted each detail, from Sonia's highs and lows to the complex relationships among the characters. Sonia grapples with the conflict between what her mind tells her is right and what her souls feels. It has been a long time since a book has captivated me with its suspense and world-building, while romance takes a backseat.
⭐️Romantasy
⭐️Forbidden Magic
⭐️Murder
⭐️Suspense
⭐️Found Family
⭐️Slow Burn
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews