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Whispers Beyond the Wall
Rule #1: Never go outside after dark.
In the crumbling remains of a world abandoned by the elite, Sena has nothing left but her grief. She survives in the Outer City, a lawless slum shadowed by the impenetrable walls of Liora.
When Liora announces it will finally open its gates to new residents after twenty-five years of silence, the city ignites with desperate hope. Against her will, Sena, and the only person she’s ever loved, Corvin, are chosen to enter. But inside Liora, nothing is as it seems. The city’s glow masks something monstrous hidden within its shadows. And Sena, broken as she is, may be the only one who can stop it.
As trust fractures and secrets rise, Sena is torn between the boy who once saved her, the man he’s become, and the quiet strength of someone new. With time running out, she must decide who she will a survivor, a savior, or a sacrifice.
A haunting dystopian tale of grief, betrayal, and the fragile fight for hope. Whispers Beyond the Wall is a character-driven survival story where love is not always enough, and healing is a war unto itself.
Includes popular tropes, such Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, found family and slow-burn.
In the crumbling remains of a world abandoned by the elite, Sena has nothing left but her grief. She survives in the Outer City, a lawless slum shadowed by the impenetrable walls of Liora.
When Liora announces it will finally open its gates to new residents after twenty-five years of silence, the city ignites with desperate hope. Against her will, Sena, and the only person she’s ever loved, Corvin, are chosen to enter. But inside Liora, nothing is as it seems. The city’s glow masks something monstrous hidden within its shadows. And Sena, broken as she is, may be the only one who can stop it.
As trust fractures and secrets rise, Sena is torn between the boy who once saved her, the man he’s become, and the quiet strength of someone new. With time running out, she must decide who she will a survivor, a savior, or a sacrifice.
A haunting dystopian tale of grief, betrayal, and the fragile fight for hope. Whispers Beyond the Wall is a character-driven survival story where love is not always enough, and healing is a war unto itself.
Includes popular tropes, such Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, found family and slow-burn.
462 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2026
About the author
J. Jedrisko
1 book17 followersJuanie Jedrisko writes stories that blur the lines between dystopian fiction, romance, and fantasy. Born and raised on a remote farm in South Africa, writing is her only way of attempting to describe such a far-out place and everything she’s found there. Before turning to fiction, she spent years writing music and poetry. Her writing is rooted in heartache and the quiet resilience that binds people together. Through her work, Juanie hopes to reach readers far beyond where she started, proving that even from the middle of nowhere, stories can travel anywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 21, 2026
I received an ARC of this book, so firstly, thank you Juanie!!!
I’m not sure I even have enough words to describe how much I loved this book. Every single element was just top tier.
The Intricate Characters
The way the characters grow and evolve throughout the book is so beautifully done, I almost felt like I was joining them for the journey. Especially Sena, our badass protagonist, feeling and experiencing the book from her perspective.
The Dystopian World
The world building was done in a way that left me feeling satisfied with what I knew, but not overloaded with unnecessary information. It was eerie, familiar, terrifying and gripping all at once.
The Plot
This book had me in a chokehold from page 1. The first chapter alone nearly took me out. I laughed, I gasped, I cried, I wanted to throw the book across the room and scream. And it was brilliant, 10/10 would go through the emotional trauma again. And the spice was so well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to everyone I meet, so beware if we cross paths because I’m not going to shut up about it.
I’m not sure I even have enough words to describe how much I loved this book. Every single element was just top tier.
The Intricate Characters
The way the characters grow and evolve throughout the book is so beautifully done, I almost felt like I was joining them for the journey. Especially Sena, our badass protagonist, feeling and experiencing the book from her perspective.
The Dystopian World
The world building was done in a way that left me feeling satisfied with what I knew, but not overloaded with unnecessary information. It was eerie, familiar, terrifying and gripping all at once.
The Plot
This book had me in a chokehold from page 1. The first chapter alone nearly took me out. I laughed, I gasped, I cried, I wanted to throw the book across the room and scream. And it was brilliant, 10/10 would go through the emotional trauma again. And the spice was so well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to everyone I meet, so beware if we cross paths because I’m not going to shut up about it.
Read
August 5, 2026It's finally release day, so I get to rant about my own book!
This has become a tiresome, long, rewarding journey that I would 100% do again. Whispers Beyond the Wall was my odyssey.
It shook the naivety right out of my bones and left me a completely different person.
But let me tell you what. That person is happy as a clam!
Happy, because she wrote a book that:
1) Will make you FEEL a lot of things (eg. sadness, anger, frustration, joy, love, fear, warmth, toe-curling-goodness...and then a bit more frustration and heartache)
2) Sees a woman step out of the shadow of a man and discover her own strength
3) Gives people a lot of trauma with 0 tools to deal with it (results in pure cinema, I swear)
4) Has a really attractive cowboy-esque main character (swoon)
5) Is guaranteed to make you think of these fictional people and world a lot more than is considered healthy
6) Reminds you that where there is darkness, there is also light
You should definitely read Whispers Beyond the Wall if you enjoy rollercoasters, staring at a wall for several hours, or crying at words on a page. This book will give you all the emotional damage you crave, money back guaranteed (please don't tell me that was legally binding...)
All in all, I hope you enjoy this story! May it bring you as much hope and light as it brought me. And may it be the thing that inspires you to dream.
Happy reading!
This has become a tiresome, long, rewarding journey that I would 100% do again. Whispers Beyond the Wall was my odyssey.
It shook the naivety right out of my bones and left me a completely different person.
But let me tell you what. That person is happy as a clam!
Happy, because she wrote a book that:
1) Will make you FEEL a lot of things (eg. sadness, anger, frustration, joy, love, fear, warmth, toe-curling-goodness...and then a bit more frustration and heartache)
2) Sees a woman step out of the shadow of a man and discover her own strength
3) Gives people a lot of trauma with 0 tools to deal with it (results in pure cinema, I swear)
4) Has a really attractive cowboy-esque main character (swoon)
5) Is guaranteed to make you think of these fictional people and world a lot more than is considered healthy
6) Reminds you that where there is darkness, there is also light
You should definitely read Whispers Beyond the Wall if you enjoy rollercoasters, staring at a wall for several hours, or crying at words on a page. This book will give you all the emotional damage you crave, money back guaranteed (please don't tell me that was legally binding...)
All in all, I hope you enjoy this story! May it bring you as much hope and light as it brought me. And may it be the thing that inspires you to dream.
Happy reading!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I recieved Whispers Beyond the Wall as an ARC, and this is my honest review.
One of the best books I have read this year. Probably my favorite dystopian novel I have ever read.
I was hooked from beginning to end. Every chapter meant something. The pacing was great.
Loss, depression, healing, and love..
Every character was described so well. The FMC and MMCs character building was just so GOOD! Sena, Corvin, and Kiran.
The world building was fantastic. I could picture it like I was watching a movie.
The wallers, the painted faces. It gave me mad max vibes. The high walls made me think of AEon Flux.
There is a creepy small town, with a priestess giving culty vibes. 'Bad business'
Dark shadows that whisper your name before they consume you...
Enemies to lovers 😍
There is a love triangle, and I was so torn between who will be the last man standing.
But the more the story developed, I realized that sometimes what we believe love is, isn't love at all or not the right type of love.
And how the right type of love makes you grow and heal and become the best version of yourself and also just how important trust is in relationships.
There is healing from trauma.
Beautiful found family vibes (one of my fave tropes).
A slow burn so good that when they finally snap 'I want you.. for the rest of whatever is left' 🫠🫠🫠, I melted. 'Naui-bit' - my light ✨️.
Juanie, thank you for this amazing story.
One of the best books I have read this year. Probably my favorite dystopian novel I have ever read.
I was hooked from beginning to end. Every chapter meant something. The pacing was great.
Loss, depression, healing, and love..
Every character was described so well. The FMC and MMCs character building was just so GOOD! Sena, Corvin, and Kiran.
The world building was fantastic. I could picture it like I was watching a movie.
The wallers, the painted faces. It gave me mad max vibes. The high walls made me think of AEon Flux.
There is a creepy small town, with a priestess giving culty vibes. 'Bad business'
Dark shadows that whisper your name before they consume you...
Enemies to lovers 😍
There is a love triangle, and I was so torn between who will be the last man standing.
But the more the story developed, I realized that sometimes what we believe love is, isn't love at all or not the right type of love.
And how the right type of love makes you grow and heal and become the best version of yourself and also just how important trust is in relationships.
There is healing from trauma.
Beautiful found family vibes (one of my fave tropes).
A slow burn so good that when they finally snap 'I want you.. for the rest of whatever is left' 🫠🫠🫠, I melted. 'Naui-bit' - my light ✨️.
Juanie, thank you for this amazing story.
August 5, 2026
This book was SO. GOOD. I loved the dystopian vibe and I could not put it down. I also really appreciated the mental health representation in the story as well. This is a must read if you love dystopian thrillers!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sometimes you need darkness to find the light, and sometimes the shadows will illuminate the truths that we may fear or need. Shadows may reveal the worst in people and break them, but for others, they will create and challenge the best version of themselves.
💡Slow-burn Romance
🔦Enemies to Lovers
💡Forced Proximity
🔦Choose Your People Ultimatum
💡Consent Under Duress
🔦Survival
💡Themes: trust, trauma, forgiveness, healing, sacrifice
🔦Mental Health: PTSD, depression, anxiety, death, grief
"Whispers Beyond the Wall" is a captivating dystopian fiction romance that will grasp your attention every chapter and suspend you from a cliff every chapter end, forcing you to keep reading. The Earth is dying, the world has essentially ended. Only few remain of the population after the selected escaped in The Departure. Sena, our main protagonist is faced with shadows of her own; traumatic loss, poverty living, healing romance and burning conflict. You will cry. You will feel joy. You will feel anger. You will feel sadness. You will feel the warmth and comfort of a tight-knight community. You will feel love and devotion. You will feel every bit of this book because Jedrisko has made it so easy to.
Sena and her lover Corvin are invited into Liora, a paradise blockaded by an impenetrable, unscalable wall, where they find paradise isn’t quite what it seems and Liora has darkness of its own. Here, Sena comes face to face with romantic conflict, a dangerous cult-like leader, self-healing and forgiveness and a place to call home that she will lay down her life for. In Liora, things change and people change most of all.
The novel opens with a scene that will keep you asking “why” in an instant hook. The building of this story is as natural as Jediskro is a writer; it flows, painting a broad canvas, adding color and depth as fluidly as paint on a canvas. We start in the Outer City with Sena, run by gangs and trade for survival, no rules, no laws, no authority. In Liora, there awaits a governing body proving that organized isn’t always better when power is presented to the wrong people.
Sena is a realistic protagonist that many of us can relate to. She is emotionally-intelligent, raw, honest and real. She is human. She has difficulties with trauma and displays strong bursts of anxiety, fear and depression. She puts blame on herself where she feels gnawing guilt while genuinely reflecting within herself and trying to find ways to fix her imperfection and her mistakes whatever it takes. Where Sena is flawed, scarred, haunted by her shadows, she is also selfless, kind, sassy and more than anything just wants a place to call home. She isn’t perfect and she makes mistakes and has the ability to hurt others, but she doesn’t deny her flaws or mistakes, she tackles them head-on. Although a few of her decisions were tough to swallow, she is still an extremely likable and resilient character. “I will never not miss him, or feel completely absolved of my guilt for what I did - what I caused. But that grief is as much a part of me as everything else that makes me who I am”.
The romantic chemistry between characters is the epitome of slow-burn. For the sake of avoiding spoilers, there is very little spice, but Jedrisko makes sure we feel the passion and the longing between the two characters which is brilliant writing in itself. The reader is able to feel the heat and the desire without needing explicit detail. As somebody who enjoys spice, the romance made me feel the emotion of the characters.
In summary, I would absolutely recommend this book to any reader, especially those who read romance, despite a hybrid genre. Dystopian? Read this book. Romantasy? Read this book. Romance? Read this book. Tragedy? Read this book. Contemporary Romance? Read this book. You get the picture. Each chapter was captivating and each character played an integral part of this society. While I feel many novels stretch out the story for a word count or page count, Whispers Beyond the Wall filled every page with importance without needless words or redundancy. Every sentence played an integral part of this story to make it feel as if the reader is living within the communities and beside the characters as if they were alive next to them.
I want to thank Juanie Jedrisko for the wonderful opportunity to read her beautiful, stunning prose and look forward to buying a copy when I see physical copies released! I look forward to seeing more from this author.
💡Slow-burn Romance
🔦Enemies to Lovers
💡Forced Proximity
🔦Choose Your People Ultimatum
💡Consent Under Duress
🔦Survival
💡Themes: trust, trauma, forgiveness, healing, sacrifice
🔦Mental Health: PTSD, depression, anxiety, death, grief
"Whispers Beyond the Wall" is a captivating dystopian fiction romance that will grasp your attention every chapter and suspend you from a cliff every chapter end, forcing you to keep reading. The Earth is dying, the world has essentially ended. Only few remain of the population after the selected escaped in The Departure. Sena, our main protagonist is faced with shadows of her own; traumatic loss, poverty living, healing romance and burning conflict. You will cry. You will feel joy. You will feel anger. You will feel sadness. You will feel the warmth and comfort of a tight-knight community. You will feel love and devotion. You will feel every bit of this book because Jedrisko has made it so easy to.
Sena and her lover Corvin are invited into Liora, a paradise blockaded by an impenetrable, unscalable wall, where they find paradise isn’t quite what it seems and Liora has darkness of its own. Here, Sena comes face to face with romantic conflict, a dangerous cult-like leader, self-healing and forgiveness and a place to call home that she will lay down her life for. In Liora, things change and people change most of all.
The novel opens with a scene that will keep you asking “why” in an instant hook. The building of this story is as natural as Jediskro is a writer; it flows, painting a broad canvas, adding color and depth as fluidly as paint on a canvas. We start in the Outer City with Sena, run by gangs and trade for survival, no rules, no laws, no authority. In Liora, there awaits a governing body proving that organized isn’t always better when power is presented to the wrong people.
Sena is a realistic protagonist that many of us can relate to. She is emotionally-intelligent, raw, honest and real. She is human. She has difficulties with trauma and displays strong bursts of anxiety, fear and depression. She puts blame on herself where she feels gnawing guilt while genuinely reflecting within herself and trying to find ways to fix her imperfection and her mistakes whatever it takes. Where Sena is flawed, scarred, haunted by her shadows, she is also selfless, kind, sassy and more than anything just wants a place to call home. She isn’t perfect and she makes mistakes and has the ability to hurt others, but she doesn’t deny her flaws or mistakes, she tackles them head-on. Although a few of her decisions were tough to swallow, she is still an extremely likable and resilient character. “I will never not miss him, or feel completely absolved of my guilt for what I did - what I caused. But that grief is as much a part of me as everything else that makes me who I am”.
The romantic chemistry between characters is the epitome of slow-burn. For the sake of avoiding spoilers, there is very little spice, but Jedrisko makes sure we feel the passion and the longing between the two characters which is brilliant writing in itself. The reader is able to feel the heat and the desire without needing explicit detail. As somebody who enjoys spice, the romance made me feel the emotion of the characters.
In summary, I would absolutely recommend this book to any reader, especially those who read romance, despite a hybrid genre. Dystopian? Read this book. Romantasy? Read this book. Romance? Read this book. Tragedy? Read this book. Contemporary Romance? Read this book. You get the picture. Each chapter was captivating and each character played an integral part of this society. While I feel many novels stretch out the story for a word count or page count, Whispers Beyond the Wall filled every page with importance without needless words or redundancy. Every sentence played an integral part of this story to make it feel as if the reader is living within the communities and beside the characters as if they were alive next to them.
I want to thank Juanie Jedrisko for the wonderful opportunity to read her beautiful, stunning prose and look forward to buying a copy when I see physical copies released! I look forward to seeing more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ 4.25/5
Some books entertain you.
Others quietly pull you into their world until you can’t stop thinking about them.
Whispers Beyond the Wall was one of those books.
Set in a world divided by a massive wall, this dystopian novel is about far more than survival. It’s a story of grief, hope, resilience, and the unsettling realization that not every sanctuary is as safe as it appears. Rather than relying on nonstop action, it slowly builds an atmosphere that keeps you questioning everything.
One line perfectly captures the feeling of this story:
“The walls… they whisper your names.”
From that moment on, I couldn’t stop wondering what was really waiting beyond those walls.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Liora. It isn’t simply the setting, it becomes a mystery in its own right. Every revelation pulled me deeper into its secrets, and every answer left me asking even more questions. I loved the steady pacing that allowed the mystery to unfold naturally without ever losing my interest.
At the heart of the novel are Sena and Corvin. Sena’s grief feels raw and authentic, while Corvin’s unwavering loyalty provides an emotional anchor that grounds the larger dystopian mystery. Their relationship made me just as invested in the characters as I was in uncovering the truth behind Liora.
While mystery, thriller, and horror are the genres I reach for most often, dystopian and science fiction have always been close favorites. Whispers Beyond the Wall reminded me exactly why I love them. It blends emotional storytelling, immersive world-building, and a quietly unsettling mystery into a reading experience that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
My only reason for settling at 4.25 stars instead of a full five is that there were a few moments where I wanted the pacing to move just a little faster. That said, the atmosphere, emotional depth, and intriguing mystery more than made up for it, and I found myself genuinely eager to keep reading.
Thank you to J. Jedrisko for trusting me with a physical ARC. It was a pleasure to experience this story before publication, and I’m excited to see more readers discover it.
If you’re looking for a character-driven dystopian with layered world-building, emotional depth, and a mystery that quietly tightens its grip with every chapter, Whispers Beyond the Wall is well worth picking up.
Sometimes the quietest stories leave the loudest impression, and this was one of them.
Some books entertain you.
Others quietly pull you into their world until you can’t stop thinking about them.
Whispers Beyond the Wall was one of those books.
Set in a world divided by a massive wall, this dystopian novel is about far more than survival. It’s a story of grief, hope, resilience, and the unsettling realization that not every sanctuary is as safe as it appears. Rather than relying on nonstop action, it slowly builds an atmosphere that keeps you questioning everything.
One line perfectly captures the feeling of this story:
“The walls… they whisper your names.”
From that moment on, I couldn’t stop wondering what was really waiting beyond those walls.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Liora. It isn’t simply the setting, it becomes a mystery in its own right. Every revelation pulled me deeper into its secrets, and every answer left me asking even more questions. I loved the steady pacing that allowed the mystery to unfold naturally without ever losing my interest.
At the heart of the novel are Sena and Corvin. Sena’s grief feels raw and authentic, while Corvin’s unwavering loyalty provides an emotional anchor that grounds the larger dystopian mystery. Their relationship made me just as invested in the characters as I was in uncovering the truth behind Liora.
While mystery, thriller, and horror are the genres I reach for most often, dystopian and science fiction have always been close favorites. Whispers Beyond the Wall reminded me exactly why I love them. It blends emotional storytelling, immersive world-building, and a quietly unsettling mystery into a reading experience that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
My only reason for settling at 4.25 stars instead of a full five is that there were a few moments where I wanted the pacing to move just a little faster. That said, the atmosphere, emotional depth, and intriguing mystery more than made up for it, and I found myself genuinely eager to keep reading.
Thank you to J. Jedrisko for trusting me with a physical ARC. It was a pleasure to experience this story before publication, and I’m excited to see more readers discover it.
If you’re looking for a character-driven dystopian with layered world-building, emotional depth, and a mystery that quietly tightens its grip with every chapter, Whispers Beyond the Wall is well worth picking up.
Sometimes the quietest stories leave the loudest impression, and this was one of them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How do I even put this book into words?
The biggest compliment I can give Whispers Beyond the Wall is that it made me feel everything. I was frustrated, hopeful, angry, heartbroken, relieved, and completely emotionally invested from beginning to end. Few books manage to pull me in like that.
The world immediately hooked me. A city that hasn't opened its gates in twenty-five years. One chance at a better life. The promise of safety... and one chilling rule: never go outside after dark. I loved slowly uncovering the mysteries of Liora and discovering that paradise isn't always what it seems.
I also really enjoyed the farming elements. As someone who lives in the countryside, I loved watching Sena adapt to life on the farm, learning to ride horses and finding purpose in her new surroundings. Those quieter moments made the world feel incredibly immersive.
And then there's the romance...
Without spoiling anything, I have to applaud the author for what she achieved here. I was fiercely loyal to one character at the beginning and couldn't imagine rooting for anyone else. Somehow, over the course of the story, she completely changed my mind - naturally, convincingly and without ever making it feel forced. That takes serious skill, and I was amazed by how invested I became.
The slow burn, the yearning, the emotional tension... it was all so well done.
I also loved the connection through music. Sena's love of singing and playing guitar added another beautiful layer to her character and was something I connected with personally.
This story doesn't shy away from difficult topics, particularly grief and loss. One storyline in particular surrounding infertility and motherhood hit very close to home for me. It was an emotional read, but I appreciated seeing those experiences handled with compassion and care.
This is one of those books that leaves you staring at the wall when you finish because you don't quite know what to do with yourself. I already need book two... even if I'm slightly terrified of what this author is going to put me through next.😅😂
How do I even put this book into words?
The biggest compliment I can give Whispers Beyond the Wall is that it made me feel everything. I was frustrated, hopeful, angry, heartbroken, relieved, and completely emotionally invested from beginning to end. Few books manage to pull me in like that.
The world immediately hooked me. A city that hasn't opened its gates in twenty-five years. One chance at a better life. The promise of safety... and one chilling rule: never go outside after dark. I loved slowly uncovering the mysteries of Liora and discovering that paradise isn't always what it seems.
I also really enjoyed the farming elements. As someone who lives in the countryside, I loved watching Sena adapt to life on the farm, learning to ride horses and finding purpose in her new surroundings. Those quieter moments made the world feel incredibly immersive.
And then there's the romance...
Without spoiling anything, I have to applaud the author for what she achieved here. I was fiercely loyal to one character at the beginning and couldn't imagine rooting for anyone else. Somehow, over the course of the story, she completely changed my mind - naturally, convincingly and without ever making it feel forced. That takes serious skill, and I was amazed by how invested I became.
The slow burn, the yearning, the emotional tension... it was all so well done.
I also loved the connection through music. Sena's love of singing and playing guitar added another beautiful layer to her character and was something I connected with personally.
This story doesn't shy away from difficult topics, particularly grief and loss. One storyline in particular surrounding infertility and motherhood hit very close to home for me. It was an emotional read, but I appreciated seeing those experiences handled with compassion and care.
This is one of those books that leaves you staring at the wall when you finish because you don't quite know what to do with yourself. I already need book two... even if I'm slightly terrified of what this author is going to put me through next.😅😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're looking for a dystopian world filled with monsters and morally questionable characters, then this is the book for you. It's bleak and intense, and the author doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. Juanie does a wonderful job of expressing the characters emotions without romanticising or whitewashing their true feelings. It's not all doom and gloom, though, we see the characters learn and grow throughout their journey.
Whispers Beyond the Wall tells the story of Sena and Corvin, who are living in the Outer City, a harsh place with no law and devoid of hope. Plagued by violent gangs, every day is an exercise in survival for the couple, who have already faced so many challenges. Haunted by grief and the shadow of her former self, Sena is empty and lost. When it's announced that Liora, the city protected by impenetrable walls, will open its gates to new residents. Corvin believes it will bring them the fresh start they desperately need. But is Liora really what it seems, and will it be the salvation they seek?
I truly enjoyed following Sena on her journey as she confronted her innermost thoughts and feelings. Her realisation of her true self is a beautiful thing to witness. Corvin battles his own demons, and his story is just as intriguing. Juanie knows how to worldbuild in a thoroughly immersive way, there's no info dumping here. The plot is multidimensional and authentic. While the ending felt a touch rushed, I found the story well paced overall. I was gripped throughout and eager to keep turning the pages.
Whispers Beyond the Wall is a captivating story of darkness and light. I highly recommend adding it to your TBR and picking up a copy when it's released.
Whispers Beyond the Wall tells the story of Sena and Corvin, who are living in the Outer City, a harsh place with no law and devoid of hope. Plagued by violent gangs, every day is an exercise in survival for the couple, who have already faced so many challenges. Haunted by grief and the shadow of her former self, Sena is empty and lost. When it's announced that Liora, the city protected by impenetrable walls, will open its gates to new residents. Corvin believes it will bring them the fresh start they desperately need. But is Liora really what it seems, and will it be the salvation they seek?
I truly enjoyed following Sena on her journey as she confronted her innermost thoughts and feelings. Her realisation of her true self is a beautiful thing to witness. Corvin battles his own demons, and his story is just as intriguing. Juanie knows how to worldbuild in a thoroughly immersive way, there's no info dumping here. The plot is multidimensional and authentic. While the ending felt a touch rushed, I found the story well paced overall. I was gripped throughout and eager to keep turning the pages.
Whispers Beyond the Wall is a captivating story of darkness and light. I highly recommend adding it to your TBR and picking up a copy when it's released.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Whispers Beyond The Wall” was an amazing book. It is this weird combination of incredibly dark but also strangely cozy that I can’t remember feeling whilst reading any other book.
The thing that really hooked me with the book was the incredibly authentic rendering of the psychological state of the main character Sena. Throughout the entire book, the attention to detail regarding her interiority feels extremely well done. For me, that produces trust in the author. Having finished the book, that trust never felt misplaced.
What I loved most about the book was how much it made me feel. Whilst, sadly, most of those feelings were deeply passionate hate, I very much enjoy a book that manages to invoke those kinds of feelings in me — especially to the degree that the author does here. Apart from hate, it also brought out real sadness, anger, joy and laughter.
Out of ten, this book lands closer to a nine, and this is mostly because I wanted a darker ending (which probably says more about me than the book…).
All in all, this was an amazing read that I will be recommending to friends. The characters are all fantastic (even though some of them should burn in hell), the writing is incredible, the attention to detail is fantastic, and the sheer level of hidden details and easter eggs almost makes it warrant a second read simply to make sure nothing was missed.
Fantastic book. Do yourself a favor and read it!
The thing that really hooked me with the book was the incredibly authentic rendering of the psychological state of the main character Sena. Throughout the entire book, the attention to detail regarding her interiority feels extremely well done. For me, that produces trust in the author. Having finished the book, that trust never felt misplaced.
What I loved most about the book was how much it made me feel. Whilst, sadly, most of those feelings were deeply passionate hate, I very much enjoy a book that manages to invoke those kinds of feelings in me — especially to the degree that the author does here. Apart from hate, it also brought out real sadness, anger, joy and laughter.
Out of ten, this book lands closer to a nine, and this is mostly because I wanted a darker ending (which probably says more about me than the book…).
All in all, this was an amazing read that I will be recommending to friends. The characters are all fantastic (even though some of them should burn in hell), the writing is incredible, the attention to detail is fantastic, and the sheer level of hidden details and easter eggs almost makes it warrant a second read simply to make sure nothing was missed.
Fantastic book. Do yourself a favor and read it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMG, I need more!!
Good
I love this book so much. It built the story so well and the characters were a great representation of a product of their environment while still holding their unique qualities. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance and the relationships between the different characters.
Bad
I feel like the ending was a lot faster than the rest of the book which was a little disappointing but it had me hooked the whole time. I wish the epilogue was a little longer but I was still quite satisfied with the ending.
Overall
It was an amazing read and I am so glad I picked it up, it was so hard to put down. I am now following the author to see what they do next because I’m absolutely hooked. I would love a book from micheal where we see the world collapse and how he adapts and we can see what happens in the wasteland. This is one of the best reads of the year so far.
I want to thank this author for accepting me for their ARC.
Good
I love this book so much. It built the story so well and the characters were a great representation of a product of their environment while still holding their unique qualities. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance and the relationships between the different characters.
Bad
I feel like the ending was a lot faster than the rest of the book which was a little disappointing but it had me hooked the whole time. I wish the epilogue was a little longer but I was still quite satisfied with the ending.
Overall
It was an amazing read and I am so glad I picked it up, it was so hard to put down. I am now following the author to see what they do next because I’m absolutely hooked. I would love a book from micheal where we see the world collapse and how he adapts and we can see what happens in the wasteland. This is one of the best reads of the year so far.
I want to thank this author for accepting me for their ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I genuinely don't even know where to start with this one because WOW. 😭❤️
This was absolutely epic and, without a doubt, my favourite read of the year so far.
I cannot stop thinking about this book. It completely consumed me and had me feeling EVERYTHING. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat, the heartbreak absolutely wrecked me, and the love… my heart. 🥹
There was something so beautiful about the themes of love, loss, heartbreak, healing and mending woven throughout this story. Watching everything unfold and seeing the characters navigate their pain while finding their way back to themselves was just chef's kiss.
I laughed, I hurt, I stressed, I fell in love… and I'm pretty sure a little piece of my soul is still somewhere inside these pages. 😂
This is one of those books where you finish the final page but your brain absolutely refuses to move on. I keep thinking about it, replaying moments and wishing I could experience it all again for the first time.
Absolutely unforgettable. Absolutely epic. Easily a 5⭐️ read and my favourite book of the year. ❤️🔥📖
If you're looking for suspense, heartbreak, love, healing and a story that will stay with you long after you finish… READ THIS BOOK.
This was absolutely epic and, without a doubt, my favourite read of the year so far.
I cannot stop thinking about this book. It completely consumed me and had me feeling EVERYTHING. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat, the heartbreak absolutely wrecked me, and the love… my heart. 🥹
There was something so beautiful about the themes of love, loss, heartbreak, healing and mending woven throughout this story. Watching everything unfold and seeing the characters navigate their pain while finding their way back to themselves was just chef's kiss.
I laughed, I hurt, I stressed, I fell in love… and I'm pretty sure a little piece of my soul is still somewhere inside these pages. 😂
This is one of those books where you finish the final page but your brain absolutely refuses to move on. I keep thinking about it, replaying moments and wishing I could experience it all again for the first time.
Absolutely unforgettable. Absolutely epic. Easily a 5⭐️ read and my favourite book of the year. ❤️🔥📖
If you're looking for suspense, heartbreak, love, healing and a story that will stay with you long after you finish… READ THIS BOOK.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Whispers Beyond the Wall" is that perfect combo of dark and oddly quirky that has you feeling all the emotional feels as well as chuckling out loud at the dark humour.
Set in a dystopian future, the world-building is complex and beautiful. I am a sucker for a simile, and the author has a way of describing things that grabs you and, with a few words, paints such a unique image that is fresh and oddly fascinating.
As a psychology student, what I particularly loved was the accuracy of the dark psychological states: the depression, the resentment, the fear, and hate, but in contrast, the tenderness of found family, the giggle butterflies of a budding romance, and hope. The author has a way of evoking such a wide range of emotions that feel lived in and understood, making it deeply relatable and moving in a way you dont ways find in novels.
I definitely recommend this book if you love a badass MFC who crawls out of the darkness on bloodied hands and knees to fight for her family and what is right.
Do it.
Do it now!
Set in a dystopian future, the world-building is complex and beautiful. I am a sucker for a simile, and the author has a way of describing things that grabs you and, with a few words, paints such a unique image that is fresh and oddly fascinating.
As a psychology student, what I particularly loved was the accuracy of the dark psychological states: the depression, the resentment, the fear, and hate, but in contrast, the tenderness of found family, the giggle butterflies of a budding romance, and hope. The author has a way of evoking such a wide range of emotions that feel lived in and understood, making it deeply relatable and moving in a way you dont ways find in novels.
I definitely recommend this book if you love a badass MFC who crawls out of the darkness on bloodied hands and knees to fight for her family and what is right.
Do it.
Do it now!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Where do I even begin?
Firstly, I'd like to thank the author for this amazing opportunity to have been an ARC reader for this story. Thank you!!!
I was roped into this book from the very start and I stayed roped to the very end.
This book was written with so much passion and it shows in the story.
I enjoyed every single sentence of this book from the characters to the feels. From the world to the plot twists.
Don't even get me started on the plot twists!!! Just when you think you're settling, something happens and you're gaping at the page.
I loved how the certain aspects of the story wasn't just written, but written with the realistic effect/feelings/thoughts those aspects can have and has on a person. The story was Real and it's rare to find that in books these days.
It was absolutely beautifully written and honestly, I don't have enough words to describe how much I liked reading it.
If someone asked me what book I'd like to turn into a movie, I'd say Whispers Beyond the wall by J. Jedrisko.
This is a book I'd read again in a heartbeat and one I'd recommend just as fast.
Firstly, I'd like to thank the author for this amazing opportunity to have been an ARC reader for this story. Thank you!!!
I was roped into this book from the very start and I stayed roped to the very end.
This book was written with so much passion and it shows in the story.
I enjoyed every single sentence of this book from the characters to the feels. From the world to the plot twists.
Don't even get me started on the plot twists!!! Just when you think you're settling, something happens and you're gaping at the page.
I loved how the certain aspects of the story wasn't just written, but written with the realistic effect/feelings/thoughts those aspects can have and has on a person. The story was Real and it's rare to find that in books these days.
It was absolutely beautifully written and honestly, I don't have enough words to describe how much I liked reading it.
If someone asked me what book I'd like to turn into a movie, I'd say Whispers Beyond the wall by J. Jedrisko.
This is a book I'd read again in a heartbeat and one I'd recommend just as fast.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow, can this please be turned into a series/movie because I'd gladly watch it! I haven't quite read a dystopian like this before where everything felt so raw and real, written in such a way that you feel like you're living this life alongside the characters. I'm going to miss this world and living in it, it was quite a special read 🥹
I loved the dystopian setting with such a brilliant concept involving the whispers, shadows, darkness, etc. It created a very moody, creepy and atmospheric read 🌫 My jaw was on the floor quite a few times!
The romance in the book was beautiful and devastating all at once. I HATE love triangles with a passion but this book had me HOOKED and that says a lot! 🤭❤️🔥
Definitely check your trigger warnings because heavy, realistic topics are discussed in this book ⚠️
Thank you to the author for gifting me with a physical, signed ARC copy - it will be a treasured possession 📖
I loved the dystopian setting with such a brilliant concept involving the whispers, shadows, darkness, etc. It created a very moody, creepy and atmospheric read 🌫 My jaw was on the floor quite a few times!
The romance in the book was beautiful and devastating all at once. I HATE love triangles with a passion but this book had me HOOKED and that says a lot! 🤭❤️🔥
Definitely check your trigger warnings because heavy, realistic topics are discussed in this book ⚠️
Thank you to the author for gifting me with a physical, signed ARC copy - it will be a treasured possession 📖
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow… I honestly don’t even know where to start.
I’d never read a dystopian novel before. I was hooked almost immediately. The writing is beautiful, the descriptions are hauntingly vivid, and the world-building is incredible. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. At one point I stayed up until 6:00 a.m. reading and only stopped because I physically couldn’t keep my eyes open. Sena, Corvin, Kiran and the rest of the characters all felt so real. They each had so much depth, and their motivations and personalities made perfect sense because of everything they’d been through. They were flawed, resilient and written with so much nuance.
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, and it completely opened my eyes to a genre I never thought I’d love. I will be recommending this read to just about everyone lol.
I’d never read a dystopian novel before. I was hooked almost immediately. The writing is beautiful, the descriptions are hauntingly vivid, and the world-building is incredible. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. At one point I stayed up until 6:00 a.m. reading and only stopped because I physically couldn’t keep my eyes open. Sena, Corvin, Kiran and the rest of the characters all felt so real. They each had so much depth, and their motivations and personalities made perfect sense because of everything they’d been through. They were flawed, resilient and written with so much nuance.
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, and it completely opened my eyes to a genre I never thought I’d love. I will be recommending this read to just about everyone lol.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This dystopian book had me craving more. All I wanted to do was get home and read more, stay up way late find out what happens to Mouse, the boys and Sena.
Set in a world where poverty is real as is living with the bare minimum, barely scrapping by. Experiencing loss, searching for something better, only to think you’ve found it and having to nearly die to save the one thing you’ve craved your whole life…family. You will feel all the emotions in this book! Might even say wtf a few times. I was absolutely kept on my toes as I NEEDED to know how it ends. I haven’t been this gripped since reading Daggermouth!!!
Sena is relatable, her actions are as well. I think that’s what makes this book so damn phenomenal. Highly recommend!!! Honestly 5 starts isn’t enough for me!!!
**This was an Advanced Reader Copy review. I was not paid or swayed into this review**
Set in a world where poverty is real as is living with the bare minimum, barely scrapping by. Experiencing loss, searching for something better, only to think you’ve found it and having to nearly die to save the one thing you’ve craved your whole life…family. You will feel all the emotions in this book! Might even say wtf a few times. I was absolutely kept on my toes as I NEEDED to know how it ends. I haven’t been this gripped since reading Daggermouth!!!
Sena is relatable, her actions are as well. I think that’s what makes this book so damn phenomenal. Highly recommend!!! Honestly 5 starts isn’t enough for me!!!
**This was an Advanced Reader Copy review. I was not paid or swayed into this review**
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 26, 2026I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC from the lovely Juanie! Thank you so much again for the opportunity!
From the get-go the use of vocabulary drew me in, it was a soulful, realistic way of writing that I found interesting especially being a dystopian book! Makes you think about what life would be like in their shoes. Kind of like you’re watching it go by as a movie in your head. Nothing says a good book like forgetting you’re actually reading pages and feeling like you’re immersed!
The emotional tension, grief, and deep yearning between Sena, Corvin and Kiran is top tier! 🙌🏼 You’ve outdone yourself Juanie! Please tell us that you have more up your sleeve?!
Thank you again for letting me read your fabulous book ☺️
From the get-go the use of vocabulary drew me in, it was a soulful, realistic way of writing that I found interesting especially being a dystopian book! Makes you think about what life would be like in their shoes. Kind of like you’re watching it go by as a movie in your head. Nothing says a good book like forgetting you’re actually reading pages and feeling like you’re immersed!
The emotional tension, grief, and deep yearning between Sena, Corvin and Kiran is top tier! 🙌🏼 You’ve outdone yourself Juanie! Please tell us that you have more up your sleeve?!
Thank you again for letting me read your fabulous book ☺️
Review of advance copy
This book had me hooked from the very first page. It's a fascinating exploration of human nature. How people respond under extreme pressure and how quickly the world can divide into the haves and the have-nots. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but this dystopian future doesn't always unfold in the way you might expect.
What stayed with me most was the protagonist's internal struggle between loyalty and love. That conflict kept me thinking long after I'd finished the final page. The story is compelling, beautifully written, and feels incredibly relevant to the world we live in today.
What stayed with me most was the protagonist's internal struggle between loyalty and love. That conflict kept me thinking long after I'd finished the final page. The story is compelling, beautifully written, and feels incredibly relevant to the world we live in today.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off thank you to the author for allowing me to the chance to read this advanced copy of her dystopian novel. One of the thoughts that always came to my mind while reading this was the types of scenes and stories we don’t see in the in between of Last of Us. The people that are surviving in the day to day and the raw emotions that the people just trying to live go through. Sena’s character was beautifully written showing the struggles that she goes through with grief and finding herself again. And oh Corvin’s character was just heartbreaking. You always have to search for the light in the dark.
Review of advance copy
I was ask to read an advanced copy of this book on my kindle and loved every moment of it. This book follows Sena and Corbin and then later adds in characters. This book starts with deep emotions of sadness and loss. Everywhere is sadness. The world. The characters. Then bam there is hope!! They have the once in a lifetime chance to go in to mysterious city. This book just continues to get better and better the more you read. If you are into a futuristic, mysterious, thrilling book this is the book for you!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all the way!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I’m honored that I was allowed to read this book as an ARC reader!! Can’t wait for more books from this author!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all the way!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I’m honored that I was allowed to read this book as an ARC reader!! Can’t wait for more books from this author!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an excellent journey!
I'm not much of a reader, but this book was one of few that held my attention and basically forced me to spend every spare second I had to read it. I just needed to know what would happen next.
It's the kind of story that makes you swap sides and debate who is right or who is wrong until the end. The emotions and natural reactions are so realistically written, it feels like you're living in the book and end up wanting to shout at the characters to tell them what to do.
It's definitely worth reading whether you're an avid reader or a noob like me.
I'm not much of a reader, but this book was one of few that held my attention and basically forced me to spend every spare second I had to read it. I just needed to know what would happen next.
It's the kind of story that makes you swap sides and debate who is right or who is wrong until the end. The emotions and natural reactions are so realistically written, it feels like you're living in the book and end up wanting to shout at the characters to tell them what to do.
It's definitely worth reading whether you're an avid reader or a noob like me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow I loved this book! This was definitely one of those books where I did not want to stop reading! You could really feel like you were there and rooting for Sena, Kiran, Mouse and the boys. So this is a world where earth was dying so they built ships and some people left to start life somewhere else. This story is about the ones that were left behind. Some people live behind the wall of Liora and others live outside in the Outer City. A story about survival, grief, and love. I thought this was very well done and loved every minute!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could not put this down.
World building is done perfectly. Dystopian but with enough relevance to society today.
A cross between Lost and Fall out.
This tackles the stigma of grief and loss so well, from both sides of the story.
The love story is told so honestly and raw, that you could believe it could happen for real.
"We're falling, Sena" is absolutely swoon worthy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
World building is done perfectly. Dystopian but with enough relevance to society today.
A cross between Lost and Fall out.
This tackles the stigma of grief and loss so well, from both sides of the story.
The love story is told so honestly and raw, that you could believe it could happen for real.
"We're falling, Sena" is absolutely swoon worthy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was absolutely amazing the plot was very interesting and very well detailed and the characters were written so in depth that for those who read can see it pictured it perfectly in the head and the pace of it was nice it wasn’t to fast or to slow but just the speed you would like for a dystopian novel absolutely detailed and absolutely amazing in every way yalll should definitely check it out
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC RECEIVED FROM THE AUTHOR
I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC, and I need to tell you that im not lying when I suggest you pick this one up. It gave me all the good early 2000s dystopian vibes while making the characters old enough to relate to. The story was well written and kept me wanting to turn the page, even when I was begging someone to end a specific character. A five star read from a local South African author!
I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC, and I need to tell you that im not lying when I suggest you pick this one up. It gave me all the good early 2000s dystopian vibes while making the characters old enough to relate to. The story was well written and kept me wanting to turn the page, even when I was begging someone to end a specific character. A five star read from a local South African author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book. Once I was past the first few chapters, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. The world building was incredible. The characters were detailed, emotional and intriguing. I wanted to know even more about each one. The twists gave me whiplash, like I had to stop and process what I had just read. The ending was amazing and heartfelt. This book radiates the love and time the author put into it. Please, give this one a chance and read it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What can I say about whispers beyond the wall? Dystopian isn't usually my go to genre, but I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. I love the journey that sena finds herself on, and was really rooting for her and Kiran. I need more, and cannot wait for more by this author. Amazing job
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was a beta-reader for this book and I absolutely BLASTED through it. I haven't been so addicted to a book in such a long time. Can't wait for the prequel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The world feels mysterious and tense, and I enjoyed slowly discovering what was really going on alongside Sena. She's not perfect(definitely starts off having trigger control issues), and that's what made her feel so real. Watching her deal with loss, learn who and how to trust, and grow throughout the story was an exceptional part of the book.
I also enjoyed that this wasn't just nonstop action. There were plenty of exciting moments, but the quieter scenes gave the characters room to breathe and develop, and made me care about what happened to them, especially Roger. The friendships, the romance, and all the twists felt earned rather than forced and was a good take on human nature.
If you enjoy dystopian stories with strong characters, mystery, and a bit of romance, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. It's an enjoyable debut, and I'm looking forward to seeing what J. Jedrisko writes next.
Disclaimer; I was in no way paid or bribed for this review, all the good things mentioned in the book however was probably inspired by me.👀
I also enjoyed that this wasn't just nonstop action. There were plenty of exciting moments, but the quieter scenes gave the characters room to breathe and develop, and made me care about what happened to them, especially Roger. The friendships, the romance, and all the twists felt earned rather than forced and was a good take on human nature.
If you enjoy dystopian stories with strong characters, mystery, and a bit of romance, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. It's an enjoyable debut, and I'm looking forward to seeing what J. Jedrisko writes next.
Disclaimer; I was in no way paid or bribed for this review, all the good things mentioned in the book however was probably inspired by me.👀
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