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Whisper #1
Whisper
“Lengard is a secret government facility for extraordinary people,” they told me.
I believed them. That was my mistake.
There isn’t anyone else in the world like me.
I’m different. I’m an anomaly. I’m a monster.
For two years, six months, fourteen days, eleven hours and sixteen minutes, Subject Six-Eight-Four — ‘Jane Doe’ — has been locked away and experimented on, without uttering a single word.
As Jane’s resolve begins to crack under the influence of her new — and unexpectedly kind — evaluator, she uncovers the truth about Lengard’s mysterious ‘program’, discovering that her own secret is at the heart of a sinister plot … and one wrong move, one wrong word, could change the world.
I believed them. That was my mistake.
There isn’t anyone else in the world like me.
I’m different. I’m an anomaly. I’m a monster.
For two years, six months, fourteen days, eleven hours and sixteen minutes, Subject Six-Eight-Four — ‘Jane Doe’ — has been locked away and experimented on, without uttering a single word.
As Jane’s resolve begins to crack under the influence of her new — and unexpectedly kind — evaluator, she uncovers the truth about Lengard’s mysterious ‘program’, discovering that her own secret is at the heart of a sinister plot … and one wrong move, one wrong word, could change the world.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2018
About the author
Lynette Noni
23 books9,796 followersLynette Noni is the #1 bestselling author of the globally renowned young adult fantasy trilogy, The Prison Healer, the seven-book YA fantasy series, The Medoran Chronicles, the award-winning duology, Whisper, and the standalone contemporary, Wandering Wild. Her newest book, Shadow Reaper, released in June 2026 to international acclaim.
To date, Lynette has won four ABIA Awards (Australian Book Industry Awards) as well as a Gold Inky Award, with her books having sold more than one million copies in over 25 countries. She is also a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, and has works in development for film and TV.
When Lynette isn’t writing, you can find her living on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, strolling along the beach, watching Disney movies, and—always—dreaming of new adventures.
To date, Lynette has won four ABIA Awards (Australian Book Industry Awards) as well as a Gold Inky Award, with her books having sold more than one million copies in over 25 countries. She is also a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, and has works in development for film and TV.
When Lynette isn’t writing, you can find her living on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, strolling along the beach, watching Disney movies, and—always—dreaming of new adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,819 reviews
February 26, 2020
"Words are too precious to throw around carelessly."
Stranger Things meets X-Men meets The Divergent in this ah-mazing book! Just imagine!
This book had me glued to it and I absolutely loved everything about it. The plot, the story, the characters, writing style, and most importantly the mystery it creates! Omg!
We are introduced to a mysterious girl who is silent since don't know when. She is at a secret research facility, Lengard, for almost three years where she is called 684. They also gave her a fake name Jane Doe because she refuses to give them any info about her including her name. She is told that Lengard is a place for extraordinary children like her. She is experimented on and tortured just to get anything out of her but she is one tough cookie. One day, the Director of the facility warned her that if she won't respond or co-operate with the evaluators within a month, she will be removed from the program. As her last chance, she is assigned to a new evaluator Landon Ward and that's when things start to change. In a state of panic she utters some words and strange things start to happen. Stranger things come ahead as you read it because guys! I don't want to give any spoiler just so the illusion of this wonderful world created by Lynette Noni doesn't break. Trust me when I say, go into this book blind. The lesser you know the better and get ready to hooked on it until you devour it in one sitting.
Lynette Noni has done a great job. Her wtiting style is superb. The world building is great and all the characters are awesome! Each character has a distinct personality. It feels like you are seeing everything how each character is talking, walking, smiling, acting etc.
When I read a book I hardly remember the names of side characters but with Whisper I have a list of my favorite side characters. Enzo is the sweet guy and I loved his sense of humor. Cami is so adorable and huggable. Keeda is sassy. Ward is that mysterious guy you would never know what he is upto but he will melt your heart with his dimpled smile. Kael is just awesome! He radiates an aura of strength and power yet he is super caring and considerate. Now the character I really wanted to punch in the face - Vanik. I hate Vanik! Just so you know, after Voldemort, Vanik is my most hateable character.
Lynette Noni has created a masterpiece of a book with living and breathing characters in an amazing world that feels so real. I could even see the places in my head so clearly. I walked side by side in the dead white corridors with Jane Doe. I got exhauseted while running after her in the catacomb. Even her cell where she was imprisoned gave me chills. My most favorite scene from the book is:
"I have never seen such a beautiful sight. So many words. So many wonders."
Yes! You get it right! Reader's paradise!
And the ending..... omg! I want next sequel now...right now!
Cover Art
The cover art is simply amazing. We see the face of a girl with eyes open amd staring directly at you. There is an element of mystery and wonder on her face. Her eyes are blue and her lips are pink and other than that we don't see any colors. The title of the book Whisper is written accross her lips. Just perfect!
Conclusion
I absolutely loved it. This is a must read for fans of X-men and Stranger Things. If you are a fan of X-man and Stranger Things you are definitely going to like it and even if you are not a fan, you are still going to love it for its strong plot, awesome characters, the suspense it creates and how fast-paced it is. It will make a great movie too. (Yo Netflix! 21st Centuray Fox! You hear that). This book is the one everyone will be talking about this year so go get your copies today.
An eARC of this novel was provided by the publisher Pantera Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My Blog
April 28, 2018
Science fiction set in Sydney! Goodies versus baddies but we take a long while to discover which is which. Deep tunnel complexes under Centre Point Tower and Taronga Zoo. What more could you ask for:)
I really enjoyed this young adult novel. Okay so there is a love triangle and our main character has amazing powers but does not know how to use them and the bad guy's laboratory is like something out of Frankenstein. It is still a fun book. It moves fast and a lot of very interesting world building takes place. I enjoyed all the characters and their different skills.
The ending wrapped this book up nicely but at the same time left it wide open for a sequel. I look forward to it.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy to read and review.
I really enjoyed this young adult novel. Okay so there is a love triangle and our main character has amazing powers but does not know how to use them and the bad guy's laboratory is like something out of Frankenstein. It is still a fun book. It moves fast and a lot of very interesting world building takes place. I enjoyed all the characters and their different skills.
The ending wrapped this book up nicely but at the same time left it wide open for a sequel. I look forward to it.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy to read and review.
September 9, 2017
Loved this story! It's coming out in May 2018 and it is wonderful! The main character is afraid to speak and with good reason and I just was pulled in an couldn't stop reading! Plus Lynette is the sweetest person you'll ever meet - she's from Australia and I got to know her when I was there and she's lovely - just lovely and I was happy to give her a blurb for her US debut!
June 2, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book.
--2.5 stars--
A way to describe my experience with this book would be akin to that of the rush of a new relationship with someone. In the beginning I was hooked, because I was eager to see what would happen next, but after a while my interest waned because I came to realize... Oh. You're just like the others.
I couldn't put this book down during the first half, because I really wanted to know what was going on and the way the author kept you guessing made it a pretty addictive read. For a while, at least. And then I reached the halfway point where things get explained, and sadly I didn't find anything out of the norm when it comes to supernatural/sci-fi YA. Some people might make comparisons to Shatter Me, but at least Shatter Me had a unique writing style, and even though the protagonist was melodramatic and arguably annoying for some people, she definitely had more of a personality than the one in this book.
Let's pull up The List™:
- Heroine with minimal personality so self-insert is still somewhat possible ✓
- Supernatural teens ✓
- Love triangle where both guys are kinda dickish ✓
- Rebellion plot line ✓
- Predictable villain whose only motive is taking over the world, mwa-ha-ha ✓
As you can tell, you won't really find much originality in this story. I've read so much YA that at this point I've become very cynical towards any new YA book I read that doesn't do something unique.
I thought the supernatural powers in this book's universe was pretty unique at first, but I feel like it's not much different from anything else now that I think about it. What makes it unique is that it's all about Speaking with a capital S. At first I thought it was sort of clever, like maybe the author wanted to make a commentary on the real world because har har, words have power and it's not the word, it's the intent lol get it? Because real life. But nope, that wasn't even the moral of this book. I wasn't even sure what the moral was or if it had one. The whole words thing is just set dressing, the actual abilities these characters have are nothing you haven't seen before.
And let's talk about the most annoying part of this book; the introduction of a love triangle in the second half. My opinion and interest on it immediately plummeted from that point onward. It's bad enough the first guy, Ward, was kind of a douche already, but then they introduce us to a guy that's even douchier. He's one of those assholes who call you "princess" all the time. I've NEVER understood the appeal of that. I don't find it charming or hot in the least. Frankly I think it's condescending and sexist. It just makes me think of Link in that old Zelda cartoon from the 80's.
Seriously, who finds that stuff appealing? It's not cute and it needs to stop.
What I did like about the book was, like I said, the addictive quality of the first half. And I also liked Cami as a character; she was just genuinely a nice person, and I think this book would've benefited more if they showcased the friendship between Jane and Cami a lot more. Or heck, have the protagonist be gay/bi and let Cami be the love interest, that certainly would've been much more interesting than another average hetero love triangle.
This book is currently "Read Now" on NetGalley, and it's up to you if you wanna pick it up or not. It's a pretty quick read so you won't be wasting too much of your time, but don't go into it expecting anything new or out of the box. It's just your average, run-of-the-mill YA book, and if that's your thing then go for it, sis. I, on the other hand, am sure I'll be forgetting about this book by tomorrow.
--2.5 stars--
A way to describe my experience with this book would be akin to that of the rush of a new relationship with someone. In the beginning I was hooked, because I was eager to see what would happen next, but after a while my interest waned because I came to realize... Oh. You're just like the others.
I couldn't put this book down during the first half, because I really wanted to know what was going on and the way the author kept you guessing made it a pretty addictive read. For a while, at least. And then I reached the halfway point where things get explained, and sadly I didn't find anything out of the norm when it comes to supernatural/sci-fi YA. Some people might make comparisons to Shatter Me, but at least Shatter Me had a unique writing style, and even though the protagonist was melodramatic and arguably annoying for some people, she definitely had more of a personality than the one in this book.
Let's pull up The List™:
- Heroine with minimal personality so self-insert is still somewhat possible ✓
- Supernatural teens ✓
- Love triangle where both guys are kinda dickish ✓
- Rebellion plot line ✓
- Predictable villain whose only motive is taking over the world, mwa-ha-ha ✓
As you can tell, you won't really find much originality in this story. I've read so much YA that at this point I've become very cynical towards any new YA book I read that doesn't do something unique.
I thought the supernatural powers in this book's universe was pretty unique at first, but I feel like it's not much different from anything else now that I think about it. What makes it unique is that it's all about Speaking with a capital S. At first I thought it was sort of clever, like maybe the author wanted to make a commentary on the real world because har har, words have power and it's not the word, it's the intent lol get it? Because real life. But nope, that wasn't even the moral of this book. I wasn't even sure what the moral was or if it had one. The whole words thing is just set dressing, the actual abilities these characters have are nothing you haven't seen before.
And let's talk about the most annoying part of this book; the introduction of a love triangle in the second half. My opinion and interest on it immediately plummeted from that point onward. It's bad enough the first guy, Ward, was kind of a douche already, but then they introduce us to a guy that's even douchier. He's one of those assholes who call you "princess" all the time. I've NEVER understood the appeal of that. I don't find it charming or hot in the least. Frankly I think it's condescending and sexist. It just makes me think of Link in that old Zelda cartoon from the 80's.
Seriously, who finds that stuff appealing? It's not cute and it needs to stop.
What I did like about the book was, like I said, the addictive quality of the first half. And I also liked Cami as a character; she was just genuinely a nice person, and I think this book would've benefited more if they showcased the friendship between Jane and Cami a lot more. Or heck, have the protagonist be gay/bi and let Cami be the love interest, that certainly would've been much more interesting than another average hetero love triangle.
This book is currently "Read Now" on NetGalley, and it's up to you if you wanna pick it up or not. It's a pretty quick read so you won't be wasting too much of your time, but don't go into it expecting anything new or out of the box. It's just your average, run-of-the-mill YA book, and if that's your thing then go for it, sis. I, on the other hand, am sure I'll be forgetting about this book by tomorrow.
October 9, 2018
4.25 Stars
She has been locked away from the world for more than two years. She’s known as “Subject Six-Eight-Four” and "Jane Doe".
I am nothing. No one.
I am a test subject, not even worthy of a name.
In these years she has been experimented on or should I say tortured! She can’t speak, oh no, she can but won’t! Words have cost her everything.
I can do the unimaginable; I can Speak the impossible into being.
And with just one wrong word she can change the whole world! But how much she can fight with herself and keep going like this??
Loved it so much! My first read by this author and it was a winner! So good! I’m not a big fan of Sci-Fi (I don’t have the brain) but sometimes it’s good for the change of scenery and this one doesn’t need so many grey cells to understand it! Loved what she created, it’s like magic! Loved all the characters! Main and secondary ones! They all are well developed! So well-written, well-paced with a perfect story-line! Told in single POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in the "Whisper" series and it ends on a cliffhanger (a mild one). Looking forward to reading the next one! Overall, I had a good time with this one and hope you enjoy it as well!
She has been locked away from the world for more than two years. She’s known as “Subject Six-Eight-Four” and "Jane Doe".
I am nothing. No one.
I am a test subject, not even worthy of a name.
In these years she has been experimented on or should I say tortured! She can’t speak, oh no, she can but won’t! Words have cost her everything.
I can do the unimaginable; I can Speak the impossible into being.
And with just one wrong word she can change the whole world! But how much she can fight with herself and keep going like this??
Loved it so much! My first read by this author and it was a winner! So good! I’m not a big fan of Sci-Fi (I don’t have the brain) but sometimes it’s good for the change of scenery and this one doesn’t need so many grey cells to understand it! Loved what she created, it’s like magic! Loved all the characters! Main and secondary ones! They all are well developed! So well-written, well-paced with a perfect story-line! Told in single POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in the "Whisper" series and it ends on a cliffhanger (a mild one). Looking forward to reading the next one! Overall, I had a good time with this one and hope you enjoy it as well!
February 17, 2020
Re-read 02/20
So this was just as good the second time around! I think it helped that I'd forgotten most of it. That fact also makes me glad I re-read it before moving on to book 2 because otherwise who knows where my thoughts would be.
I'm so keen to jump into book 2 with a renewed love for Kael and Cami and see whether I can forgive that JERK or not. He has a LOT to make up for.
Otherwise, I stand by my original review.
***
Original Review 05/18
What book lover doesn't love a great story about the power of words?
Naturally I was hooked from the first page, and completely unsurprised that I read this in a day. (It's why I waited for a day off to start it.) As a fan of The Medoran Chronicles, I was expecting this new offering from Lynette Noni to be pretty addictive and it didn't disappoint. That being said, I'm glad it went in a totally different direction from the fantasy world of TMC, because it made this book that much more refreshing to read.
So here is Jane, trapped in a secret government facility and experimented on. She refuses to speak. When her rigid schedule changes up and she's introduced to a new 'evaluator', things take an interesting turn.
Always fun when the cast involves a handsome, protective gentleman, who only wants the best for our heroine. The best part of YA (or any book, really) is forming unhealthy attachments to fictional characters, right? Ward, Enzo, Cami, Kael ... love them all. They are such a great crew, and really fun characters to get to know. There's also that splash of grey to give them depth, and flesh them beyond typical stereotypes.
I actually rather enjoyed how broken Jane was. There's the whole 'superpowers' angle that's alluded to in the blurb, but there's real pain in Jane's emotions, and how she reacts. I felt quite distressed by her pain, so I really loved the progression of that journey.
This is an origin story that has beautiful development made fun by colourful characters. As a lover of words myself, the theme really spoke to me (see what I did there) and I rather enjoyed that exploration, even if there was a lot to take in. The info-dumps were modulated so it wasn't too much of an overload, but it's still pretty rich in detail.
The Sydney setting was fun, too!
There were a few occurrences that I kind of expected, and the formula of the story seemed familiar, but these things made it no less enjoyable for me. I'll admit it, though - I'm a bit biased by my love of TMC. I'm so looking forward to the next installment, though, because I'm expecting it to get pretty badass.
Lovers of The Medoran Chronicles - Akarnae, Raelia, Draekora, Graevale should enjoy this new series just as much, even if it's a little different. Noni's writing still grabs you and refuses to let go. I'd also recommend this to readers who enjoy YA and dystopian, and suggest 'give it a go' for anyone looking for an easy read with some memorable characters.
I'll be eagerly awaiting book 2.
So this was just as good the second time around! I think it helped that I'd forgotten most of it. That fact also makes me glad I re-read it before moving on to book 2 because otherwise who knows where my thoughts would be.
I'm so keen to jump into book 2 with a renewed love for Kael and Cami and see whether I can forgive that JERK or not. He has a LOT to make up for.
Otherwise, I stand by my original review.
***
Original Review 05/18
What book lover doesn't love a great story about the power of words?
Naturally I was hooked from the first page, and completely unsurprised that I read this in a day. (It's why I waited for a day off to start it.) As a fan of The Medoran Chronicles, I was expecting this new offering from Lynette Noni to be pretty addictive and it didn't disappoint. That being said, I'm glad it went in a totally different direction from the fantasy world of TMC, because it made this book that much more refreshing to read.
So here is Jane, trapped in a secret government facility and experimented on. She refuses to speak. When her rigid schedule changes up and she's introduced to a new 'evaluator', things take an interesting turn.
Always fun when the cast involves a handsome, protective gentleman, who only wants the best for our heroine. The best part of YA (or any book, really) is forming unhealthy attachments to fictional characters, right? Ward, Enzo, Cami, Kael ... love them all. They are such a great crew, and really fun characters to get to know. There's also that splash of grey to give them depth, and flesh them beyond typical stereotypes.
I actually rather enjoyed how broken Jane was. There's the whole 'superpowers' angle that's alluded to in the blurb, but there's real pain in Jane's emotions, and how she reacts. I felt quite distressed by her pain, so I really loved the progression of that journey.
This is an origin story that has beautiful development made fun by colourful characters. As a lover of words myself, the theme really spoke to me (see what I did there) and I rather enjoyed that exploration, even if there was a lot to take in. The info-dumps were modulated so it wasn't too much of an overload, but it's still pretty rich in detail.
The Sydney setting was fun, too!
There were a few occurrences that I kind of expected, and the formula of the story seemed familiar, but these things made it no less enjoyable for me. I'll admit it, though - I'm a bit biased by my love of TMC. I'm so looking forward to the next installment, though, because I'm expecting it to get pretty badass.
Lovers of The Medoran Chronicles - Akarnae, Raelia, Draekora, Graevale should enjoy this new series just as much, even if it's a little different. Noni's writing still grabs you and refuses to let go. I'd also recommend this to readers who enjoy YA and dystopian, and suggest 'give it a go' for anyone looking for an easy read with some memorable characters.
I'll be eagerly awaiting book 2.
December 6, 2017
About: Whisper is a young adult fantasy written by Lynette Noni. It will be published on 5/1/18 by KCP Loft, an imprint of Kids Can Press/Hatchette Book Group, 320 pages. The genres are young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. This book is intended for readers ages 14 and up, grades 9 and up.
My Experience: I started reading Whisper on 11/28/17 and finished it on 12/6/17 at nearly 1am. This book is a fantastic read! I love the plot and the characters. Enzo’s upbeat attitude is one of my favorite as well as Cami’s niceness. I love Abby and her kid-ish ways. I love the humor. That fire-water-ice cracks me up as well as Crew and Enzo’s bickering. I love the different abilities each person has and it’s a real treat to read them all in action. Kael’s humor is awesome as well and I can’t decide who I like more, Kael or Enzo. They are definitely great supporting characters!
This book is told in the first person point of view following Jane Doe/subject 684, being held captive by Lengard, a secret underground research facility. She has been kept there for over two and a half years. She is treated like a prisoner with handcuffs and guards when moving from one room to the next. She is on a strict daily schedule for analysis like a lab rat. She doesn’t utter a word during that entire time. When the program is about to lose hope on her, Falon, the Director assigns her to Landon Ward for a one-on-one session. Landon introduces her to being normal. She gets to read books and treated with respect. One day Landon offers to take her aboveground for a change of scenery. Something happened and she spoke her first word in over two and a half years. Her word have an effect that will shock readers!
This book is very well written and developed. I like the emphasis on the main character’s reactions with one word sentences. I like the mystery and suspense. I like not knowing what will happens next. I love the whole underground secretive world. I’m surprised how quickly Jane trust Kael. Vanek gives me goosebumps. I enjoy the writing and the story because it keeps me hooked. I like how the title is weave into the story multiple times. There is a start of a possible romance, but it’s up to readers’ imagination. This book is an excellent read and I highly recommend everyone to read it!
Pro: easy to read, fast paced, page turner, mystery, suspense, humor, couldn’t put down, underground world
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Many thanks to Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
My Experience: I started reading Whisper on 11/28/17 and finished it on 12/6/17 at nearly 1am. This book is a fantastic read! I love the plot and the characters. Enzo’s upbeat attitude is one of my favorite as well as Cami’s niceness. I love Abby and her kid-ish ways. I love the humor. That fire-water-ice cracks me up as well as Crew and Enzo’s bickering. I love the different abilities each person has and it’s a real treat to read them all in action. Kael’s humor is awesome as well and I can’t decide who I like more, Kael or Enzo. They are definitely great supporting characters!
This book is told in the first person point of view following Jane Doe/subject 684, being held captive by Lengard, a secret underground research facility. She has been kept there for over two and a half years. She is treated like a prisoner with handcuffs and guards when moving from one room to the next. She is on a strict daily schedule for analysis like a lab rat. She doesn’t utter a word during that entire time. When the program is about to lose hope on her, Falon, the Director assigns her to Landon Ward for a one-on-one session. Landon introduces her to being normal. She gets to read books and treated with respect. One day Landon offers to take her aboveground for a change of scenery. Something happened and she spoke her first word in over two and a half years. Her word have an effect that will shock readers!
This book is very well written and developed. I like the emphasis on the main character’s reactions with one word sentences. I like the mystery and suspense. I like not knowing what will happens next. I love the whole underground secretive world. I’m surprised how quickly Jane trust Kael. Vanek gives me goosebumps. I enjoy the writing and the story because it keeps me hooked. I like how the title is weave into the story multiple times. There is a start of a possible romance, but it’s up to readers’ imagination. This book is an excellent read and I highly recommend everyone to read it!
Pro: easy to read, fast paced, page turner, mystery, suspense, humor, couldn’t put down, underground world
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Many thanks to Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
July 23, 2019
Subject Six-Eight-Four had been locked in a cell during the night and experimented on during the day for over two and a half years. The place was called Lengard; it was filled with guards and evaluators – she knew there were others, but she didn’t see them. Until the day she was taken to the head of Lengard and things changed. She was still a monster and she still refused to speak. They called her Jane Doe as she wouldn’t tell them her name…
Gradually the kindness of the new evaluator caused Jane’s resolve to stumble. But still she had no trust for anyone. She didn’t trust herself; therefore, she trusted no one else. But was something changing within the walls of the facility that she now called home? Jane learned startling news – was it true? Could it possibly be that all she’d thought was true, was lies? And could she change anything with the powers she had no idea how to control?
Whisper by Aussie author Lynette Noni is the first in the Whisper series and I was captivated! Nothing like I’ve ever read before. Set in Sydney – or under Sydney to be precise – directly below Centre Point Tower and Taronga Zoo. A fascinating young adult speculative fiction novel (and for the older among us), Whisper is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to Pantera Press for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
Gradually the kindness of the new evaluator caused Jane’s resolve to stumble. But still she had no trust for anyone. She didn’t trust herself; therefore, she trusted no one else. But was something changing within the walls of the facility that she now called home? Jane learned startling news – was it true? Could it possibly be that all she’d thought was true, was lies? And could she change anything with the powers she had no idea how to control?
Whisper by Aussie author Lynette Noni is the first in the Whisper series and I was captivated! Nothing like I’ve ever read before. Set in Sydney – or under Sydney to be precise – directly below Centre Point Tower and Taronga Zoo. A fascinating young adult speculative fiction novel (and for the older among us), Whisper is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to Pantera Press for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2021
Great first book!
I had trouble putting this one down, loved the concept and the way the story unfolded looking forward to seeing where this story is going to go.
Happy Reading 📚📚📚📙📖📗📘📕📒📓📖📚📙
I had trouble putting this one down, loved the concept and the way the story unfolded looking forward to seeing where this story is going to go.
Happy Reading 📚📚📚📙📖📗📘📕📒📓📖📚📙
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July 5, 2026
🌷.4.75 stars.
Lynette Noni just loves to leave me surprised at her books. Somehow when I was reading this book, I was like 'why is this kinda reminding me of The Prison Healer?' (fyi I have only read book 1 but still) and I REALISED she was the ONE who wrote it!!!
It was midnight when I started reading this, I was so hooked that the next morning I woke up I was so delirious that I even imagined reading MMC pov😭😭 LMAOO but wow this book was such a wild ride and I don't know what to say I just want to read book 2 and end my suffering.
˚₊‧꒰ა summary. ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ .
In Lengard, a person is being used for experimenting, her name she goes by is Jane Doe, or more so 684. She hasn't spoke a word since 2 years and more so. She absolutely refused to let anyone make her speak. So when there's a new trainer with her, everything, every white washed wall or the blank space she has known of, is filled with rainbows and colours, warmth and care and she doesn't know what is happening.
˚₊‧꒰ა characters.☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
Lyss, 🫧
I love you so much, her perspective was so understandable and the fact that she was so strong💗. The trauma and torture she went through I wanted to hug her. Her every moment, every smile meant something and when she spent time with the 3 kids? Has my heart forever like stop. There were so many heartwarming moments and I really was terrified and in love with the fact how Lyss was able to feel comfort and care, even though later on everything just broke my heart afterwards.
💌 Ward,
OH GOSH i kept imagining him as Aaron Warner LMAOO but he was so sunshine coded and I really liked his behavior in the starting, even though his rude behavior is something that I don't wanna talk about but I still understand why he did it omg he's so yk he has dimples stop. He's also good with kids and calls abby sweetheart and baby girl🤭😝😝 down bad and he calls her Chip and it was kinda cute.
Cami is also such a cute character and I did like her eventually. Enzo my man I also really loved him a lot because he was such a funny character in general😭 like one of those amusing ones. There's a lot more in this book but I don't want to reveal since it may spoil but I would definitely recommend this series. I don't get why this is so underrated because like wym. K was also a character that I insanely liked!! I felt like I was more close to him like I need Kael for myself right now.
I loved when Ward and JD trained together it had my heart because when she would do those amusing things and his eyes would just light up mwahhh I love them both together. Though I genuinely wish we get to see more of them but now I think so in the second book I don't know if it would be much possible.
I loved the world building and the concept of these who hold power. Jane and Ward reminded me Aaron and Juliette sometimes (Aaron and Ward may differ in personalities, a bit, but I don't know think so a lot, just that Ward is more pookie). Enzo reminded me of Kenji sometimes, anyways and Crew and Keeda were also amusing. I also really really loved Ethan, Isaac and Abby and my cute sneak💗🥰 love them all. It does have shatter me vibes but even though I rated the first book 3 stars because it was okay this first book is just so better than that. Dinger my CUTIE I LOVE YOU💗🥰
🌷.final thoughts. - I'm absolutely in love and highly recommend this underrated series! This had such a charm and so many twists. The side characters were also really charming and loveable. I have an 25 marks PA tomorrow yet I'm busy gushing over this book haha.
If you loved Shatter Me; Aaron and Juliette this one would be for you!
-
He has golden hair and green eyes...
Close enough welcome back Aaron Warner Anderson (jk he is so much different and sunshine).
ִֶָ ๋𓂃🫧 .preread. ⋆
This is giving me shatter me vibes but genuinely I am so excited to read this!
˚₊‧Words are too precious to throw around
carelessly. I don’t need to have a supernatural power over them to know that. I’ve seen it. Words demand respect. They are beautiful; they are terrible. They are a gift and a curse. I will never forget what they can do.
Because words have cost me everything.
Lynette Noni just loves to leave me surprised at her books. Somehow when I was reading this book, I was like 'why is this kinda reminding me of The Prison Healer?' (fyi I have only read book 1 but still) and I REALISED she was the ONE who wrote it!!!
It was midnight when I started reading this, I was so hooked that the next morning I woke up I was so delirious that I even imagined reading MMC pov😭😭 LMAOO but wow this book was such a wild ride and I don't know what to say I just want to read book 2 and end my suffering.
˚₊‧꒰ა summary. ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ .
In Lengard, a person is being used for experimenting, her name she goes by is Jane Doe, or more so 684. She hasn't spoke a word since 2 years and more so. She absolutely refused to let anyone make her speak. So when there's a new trainer with her, everything, every white washed wall or the blank space she has known of, is filled with rainbows and colours, warmth and care and she doesn't know what is happening.
˚₊‧꒰ა characters.☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
Lyss, 🫧
I love you so much, her perspective was so understandable and the fact that she was so strong💗. The trauma and torture she went through I wanted to hug her. Her every moment, every smile meant something and when she spent time with the 3 kids? Has my heart forever like stop. There were so many heartwarming moments and I really was terrified and in love with the fact how Lyss was able to feel comfort and care, even though later on everything just broke my heart afterwards.
💌 Ward,
OH GOSH i kept imagining him as Aaron Warner LMAOO but he was so sunshine coded and I really liked his behavior in the starting, even though his rude behavior is something that I don't wanna talk about but I still understand why he did it omg he's so yk he has dimples stop. He's also good with kids and calls abby sweetheart and baby girl🤭😝😝 down bad and he calls her Chip and it was kinda cute.
Cami is also such a cute character and I did like her eventually. Enzo my man I also really loved him a lot because he was such a funny character in general😭 like one of those amusing ones. There's a lot more in this book but I don't want to reveal since it may spoil but I would definitely recommend this series. I don't get why this is so underrated because like wym. K was also a character that I insanely liked!! I felt like I was more close to him like I need Kael for myself right now.
I loved when Ward and JD trained together it had my heart because when she would do those amusing things and his eyes would just light up mwahhh I love them both together. Though I genuinely wish we get to see more of them but now I think so in the second book I don't know if it would be much possible.
I loved the world building and the concept of these who hold power. Jane and Ward reminded me Aaron and Juliette sometimes (Aaron and Ward may differ in personalities, a bit, but I don't know think so a lot, just that Ward is more pookie). Enzo reminded me of Kenji sometimes, anyways and Crew and Keeda were also amusing. I also really really loved Ethan, Isaac and Abby and my cute sneak💗🥰 love them all. It does have shatter me vibes but even though I rated the first book 3 stars because it was okay this first book is just so better than that. Dinger my CUTIE I LOVE YOU💗🥰
🌷.final thoughts. - I'm absolutely in love and highly recommend this underrated series! This had such a charm and so many twists. The side characters were also really charming and loveable. I have an 25 marks PA tomorrow yet I'm busy gushing over this book haha.
If you loved Shatter Me; Aaron and Juliette this one would be for you!
-
He has golden hair and green eyes...
Close enough welcome back Aaron Warner Anderson (jk he is so much different and sunshine).
ִֶָ ๋𓂃🫧 .preread. ⋆
This is giving me shatter me vibes but genuinely I am so excited to read this!
November 1, 2024
Divergent meets Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children in this unforgettable thrill ride. An absolute MUST READ!
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 stars
Recommendation: BUY IT—for yourself and a friend. This is a story you’ll want to share!
Would I read another book by this author? Absolutely. I’d preorder, pay full price, and read it the second it lands in my hands. Consider me officially obsessed.
Who will love this book? Fans of Divergent and Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children—you’re in for a treat.
Overview:
Meet “Jane Doe.” That’s not her name, but it’s the one she’s been assigned at Lengard, a high-security research facility where she’s been a test subject for nearly three years. Jane won’t speak—not her name, not anything—because she knows what happens when she does. Her silence protects her… or so she thinks.
The tension cranks up when Jane is assigned to a new evaluator, Ward, and given a month to make progress or face removal from the program. Ward’s kindness is unexpected, a crack in the cold, clinical environment. He begins to chip away at Jane’s defenses, but as he does, her carefully maintained silence begins to unravel.
Then, in a split-second decision, Jane shatters her vow of silence—and opens a door into the hidden world of Lengard’s darkest secrets. She’s left with a choice: who can she trust? And will choosing the wrong side have deadly consequences?
Tormented by her past and the haunting power she struggles to control, Jane stands on the edge of an all-out war. The ending had me begging for the sequel. Action-packed and cinematic, every page felt like I was watching an intense, mind-bending thriller.
Special Thanks: Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced copy through Goodreads Giveaways. This review reflects my genuine love for this book, unaffected by the fact that I received it for free. Every word here is inspired by the rollercoaster of emotions I felt turning each page.
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 stars
Recommendation: BUY IT—for yourself and a friend. This is a story you’ll want to share!
Would I read another book by this author? Absolutely. I’d preorder, pay full price, and read it the second it lands in my hands. Consider me officially obsessed.
Who will love this book? Fans of Divergent and Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children—you’re in for a treat.
Overview:
Meet “Jane Doe.” That’s not her name, but it’s the one she’s been assigned at Lengard, a high-security research facility where she’s been a test subject for nearly three years. Jane won’t speak—not her name, not anything—because she knows what happens when she does. Her silence protects her… or so she thinks.
The tension cranks up when Jane is assigned to a new evaluator, Ward, and given a month to make progress or face removal from the program. Ward’s kindness is unexpected, a crack in the cold, clinical environment. He begins to chip away at Jane’s defenses, but as he does, her carefully maintained silence begins to unravel.
Then, in a split-second decision, Jane shatters her vow of silence—and opens a door into the hidden world of Lengard’s darkest secrets. She’s left with a choice: who can she trust? And will choosing the wrong side have deadly consequences?
Tormented by her past and the haunting power she struggles to control, Jane stands on the edge of an all-out war. The ending had me begging for the sequel. Action-packed and cinematic, every page felt like I was watching an intense, mind-bending thriller.
Special Thanks: Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced copy through Goodreads Giveaways. This review reflects my genuine love for this book, unaffected by the fact that I received it for free. Every word here is inspired by the rollercoaster of emotions I felt turning each page.
July 28, 2019
What if you knew that if you spoke out loud everyone around you would be affected. This is the case with Jane Doe, or subject 684. This book is quite gripping with many twists. Who to trust? For over 2 years Alyssa Scott has been confined to a prison like situation with each day methods used to try and get her to speak and identify herself. It takes sometime before out of desparation a change in tactics is introduced one where 684 begins to trust. However to her dismay this is all an act and her sense of desperation returns. Through circumstances she accidently does speak and the consequences are that time stands still. Through encouragement she is able to reverse the situation. It is eventually revealed to her that a certain medication given to pregnant women has resulted in the children inheriting certain gifts, some can control other people's emotions, some can make others do harmful things to others etc. Furthermore, 684 is kidnapped and taken underground to a seperate group, one she was lead to believe were corruptors but where much more is revealed to her. This read shows that the author has a fabulous imagination and this book will appeal to young readers in particular.
May 19, 2018
This review was originally posted on Happy Indulgence Books. Check it out for more reviews!
When a mute test subject called Jane Doe suddenly finds her routine disrupted by a kind boy called Ward, her whole world changes. Unlike the confinement in a cell and the torturous laboratory tests she’s been undergoing, he actually talks to her and treats her with kindness. What does he want from her? Is this just a trick? Whisper opens up with the core mystery: Who is Jane Doe and what do they want with her?
After reading and loving the Medoran Chronicles, I had high hopes for Whisper, but unfortunately I found it to be a fairly standard supernatural sci-fi story. If you’ve read or seen anything involving test subjects with people with special abilities and an evil corporation, it pretty much isn’t anything you haven’t seen or heard of before. There’s lots of twists and turns in the story, as we slowly find out more about Jane, where she came from and what happened in her past, along with the motivations of the people surrounding her. It takes a while to get off the ground, peaks in the middle when we find out about the heroine’s abilities, and then wanes again after this happens.
I tend to lose interest when a character has an all powerful special ability that she just naturally knows how to use, and when everyone is in awe of how incredibly special she is. That narrative runs strongly in this book which is part of the reason why I wasn’t particularly invested in Jane. I did like the concept of Speak and garnering the power of words, and how Jane could achieve anything that she wanted with her ability, as long as she learnt how to use it. My favourite scene was when she summoned a full room of animals as part of the training, which was a lot of fun! I wish we saw more of the other character’s abilities though, many of them felt like throwaway characters who didn’t have much of a personality.
I’m kind of glad that a romance didn’t evolve between the many guys who Jane encountered her, although that’s not to say that it won’t happen in a sequel. I found the love interests to be kind of irritating – first there’s Ward, who is really kind to her but obviously has an ulterior motive for doing it and was a jerk after a while. Then there’s Kael, who knows more about her than she knows herself and can’t stop calling her princess despite her pushing back. I really didn’t care enough for any of these characters unfortunately.
While I liked the concept of Whisper and the supernatural ability of speaking, there wasn’t anything unique that kept me reading. I didn’t care enough for any of the characters or for Lengard and the secret research facility. Although the book wasn’t for me, I can definitely see others enjoying it especially if you like supernatural sci-fi reads! As for me, I’ll stick to the Medoran Chronicles (which I love).
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When a mute test subject called Jane Doe suddenly finds her routine disrupted by a kind boy called Ward, her whole world changes. Unlike the confinement in a cell and the torturous laboratory tests she’s been undergoing, he actually talks to her and treats her with kindness. What does he want from her? Is this just a trick? Whisper opens up with the core mystery: Who is Jane Doe and what do they want with her?
After reading and loving the Medoran Chronicles, I had high hopes for Whisper, but unfortunately I found it to be a fairly standard supernatural sci-fi story. If you’ve read or seen anything involving test subjects with people with special abilities and an evil corporation, it pretty much isn’t anything you haven’t seen or heard of before. There’s lots of twists and turns in the story, as we slowly find out more about Jane, where she came from and what happened in her past, along with the motivations of the people surrounding her. It takes a while to get off the ground, peaks in the middle when we find out about the heroine’s abilities, and then wanes again after this happens.
I tend to lose interest when a character has an all powerful special ability that she just naturally knows how to use, and when everyone is in awe of how incredibly special she is. That narrative runs strongly in this book which is part of the reason why I wasn’t particularly invested in Jane. I did like the concept of Speak and garnering the power of words, and how Jane could achieve anything that she wanted with her ability, as long as she learnt how to use it. My favourite scene was when she summoned a full room of animals as part of the training, which was a lot of fun! I wish we saw more of the other character’s abilities though, many of them felt like throwaway characters who didn’t have much of a personality.
I’m kind of glad that a romance didn’t evolve between the many guys who Jane encountered her, although that’s not to say that it won’t happen in a sequel. I found the love interests to be kind of irritating – first there’s Ward, who is really kind to her but obviously has an ulterior motive for doing it and was a jerk after a while. Then there’s Kael, who knows more about her than she knows herself and can’t stop calling her princess despite her pushing back. I really didn’t care enough for any of these characters unfortunately.
While I liked the concept of Whisper and the supernatural ability of speaking, there wasn’t anything unique that kept me reading. I didn’t care enough for any of the characters or for Lengard and the secret research facility. Although the book wasn’t for me, I can definitely see others enjoying it especially if you like supernatural sci-fi reads! As for me, I’ll stick to the Medoran Chronicles (which I love).
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2018
Words demand respect. They are beautiful; they are terrible. They are a gift and a curse. I will never forget what they can do.
I have been a fan of Lynette's work ever since i started her Medoran Chronicles series and i was very interested in seeing what she would do with this new series.
Plot: I would say this story is like x-men meets stranger things and another story that i can't quiet put my finger on but if you like x-men or stranger things then defiantly pick this one up and give it ago. I love Lynette's work and have ever since i picked up her series The Medoran Chronicles and this series is so much different to her other one and i don't think i enjoyed it as much as that series but this one is totally and completely different and i still very much enjoyed it.
This first book in the series is so much darker and thats one thing i really enjoyed about this book because it's something that i would never expect Lynette to do but she did it so well. However there were a few plot points that didn't quiet match up and they were left unexplained so i hope in the next book they get answered or i will be left very clueless. One thing Lynette is really good at is her world building and characters and each character has their own voice and you can really tell the difference between each person your reading and that's one thing Lynette hits on the head.
I really enjoyed the characters that were introduced in this story from the main characters and all of the side characters they all play such an important role in the story. That's one thing you can expect in Lynette's books is to like nearly every single character even if they are bad because she writes such likeable characters.
I’m different. I’m an anomaly. I’m a monster.
Overall i absolutely enjoyed this book because it was darker and had something that i didn't think Lynette could come out with but she did and i can't wait to see where she takes the series in book two.
I have been a fan of Lynette's work ever since i started her Medoran Chronicles series and i was very interested in seeing what she would do with this new series.
Plot: I would say this story is like x-men meets stranger things and another story that i can't quiet put my finger on but if you like x-men or stranger things then defiantly pick this one up and give it ago. I love Lynette's work and have ever since i picked up her series The Medoran Chronicles and this series is so much different to her other one and i don't think i enjoyed it as much as that series but this one is totally and completely different and i still very much enjoyed it.
This first book in the series is so much darker and thats one thing i really enjoyed about this book because it's something that i would never expect Lynette to do but she did it so well. However there were a few plot points that didn't quiet match up and they were left unexplained so i hope in the next book they get answered or i will be left very clueless. One thing Lynette is really good at is her world building and characters and each character has their own voice and you can really tell the difference between each person your reading and that's one thing Lynette hits on the head.
I really enjoyed the characters that were introduced in this story from the main characters and all of the side characters they all play such an important role in the story. That's one thing you can expect in Lynette's books is to like nearly every single character even if they are bad because she writes such likeable characters.
I’m different. I’m an anomaly. I’m a monster.
Overall i absolutely enjoyed this book because it was darker and had something that i didn't think Lynette could come out with but she did and i can't wait to see where she takes the series in book two.
April 20, 2020
Whisper
Lynette Noni
Rating: 1/5
Note: Special thanks to Kids Can Press for providing an ARC for review.
I am so disappointed and angry that I don’t even know where to begin. The premise seemed like something I would love but the poor execution of the plot and horribly developed characters prevented that from happening. The prologue had an interesting hook and I actually didn’t want to stop reading. Despite the first few interesting chapters, the book lost me past Chapter 2.
(An excellent depiction of my reaction while reading this book)
Let's start off with the protagonist. The all-star shining, shimmering, very VERY powerful Jane Doe who's supposedly harboring a deep dark secret and an ability so dangerous that she willingly surrendered herself to the secret government facility called Lengard. She's the typical Mary Sue you find in poorly written fanfiction where she can do nothing wrong, all the side characters love her, and she manages to learn her true powers quickly regardless of the fact that this is the first time she's experimenting with it. I have major issues with her. She remains underdeveloped as the story plows on that it becomes unbearable to read in her point of view. This is a book that I wish had alternating POVs of different characters to save me from reading in her bland and special snowflake voice.
Jane is described as someone who's physically fit, stubborn and who everyone, especially the guards, greatly fear because of her mysterious powers; however, instead of being a strong female protagonist, her actions and thoughts don't reflect that any of those qualities. You get a brief sense of her tenacity only at the start of the book but that trait quickly disappears, and you can even pinpoint the moment that happens; as expected, the second a young and attractive man appears, the Mary Sue character has to turn into an utterly useless female who needs saving from the brave and kind-hearted man. The amount of paragraphs that describe the male gaze on her bare skin, comments about her outfits from Ward, and how frequently she falls or slips and needs him to catch her is innumerable (she actually repeatedly flails, squeaks, and yelps). She turns into an entirely different character than what we see in the first few chapters, and this is all due to the fact that Ward is kind, relatable, and young/handsome enough. He's her white knight. Sadly, that's not all.
Not only does Mary Sue Jane Doe turn into a total klutz, she also needs saving from every situation she comes across. She can't seem to handle these perils by herself. When she doesn't need saving, she then becomes a master at harnessing her hidden powers as if she has been using them all her life. What is the POINT of keeping her powers a secret for a large portion of the book if she can easily use it the first time someone tells her how to?!? Every single trick taught to her is learned within seconds of them telling her she can do it. Where is the anticipation? Where is the learning curve or moments of frustration because she hasn't been using her powers all her life so the difficulty level shouldn't be akin to breathing? The more I continued, the less believable this became. Continuously telling the reader that the character is special does not make it true.
I am a strong believer that plot points should be revealed with a build-up to the discovery and not always by dialogue. What we get here instead are information dumps every few chapters from other characters directly unveiling these "secrets." Not only are these plot points just simply tossed out for readers to try and comprehend, it comes in the form of pages and pages of dialogue.
Another thing I am partial to is side characters having a role beyond their schtick as the comedic relief or love interest. They should have a life that does not revolve around the protagonist. Authors who do an excellent job writing these secondary characters are people like George R.R. Martin, Patrick Ness, Neil Gaiman, and Victoria Schwab just to name a few. Whisper is definitely not an example of this. Readers learn nothing about the large cast of characters outside of their interaction with Jane Doe, which is surprising because Noni does focus on Ward, Cami, and Enzo quite a bit. As a result, they turn into mediocre and insignificant characters.
What I really don't understand is how could something with such a remarkable concept turn into an uninspiring story? There are moments of tension (both sexual and situational) that don't work because it seems like it's thrown in there for the sake of having any sort of conflict. These events are highly predictable; this includes the "plot twists" and boy were there many. When that many plot twists are thrown into the story, I find myself becoming immune to them and find the shock factor extremely numbing.
Despite the many issues I had with this book, there were still some things that Noni handled well. I noticed some development towards the end, but why did it have to happen when the story is nearly over? Surprisingly, Jane actually becomes a more likable character with her own distinct voice by the end of the book. It's a shame it took so long for that to happen. I also enjoyed the light and fluffy scenes between Cami and Jane, and quite liked their friendship.
Is this the best book I read this year?
Will I be anticipating its release in 2018?
Lynette Noni
Rating: 1/5
Note: Special thanks to Kids Can Press for providing an ARC for review.
I am so disappointed and angry that I don’t even know where to begin. The premise seemed like something I would love but the poor execution of the plot and horribly developed characters prevented that from happening. The prologue had an interesting hook and I actually didn’t want to stop reading. Despite the first few interesting chapters, the book lost me past Chapter 2.
(An excellent depiction of my reaction while reading this book)
Let's start off with the protagonist. The all-star shining, shimmering, very VERY powerful Jane Doe who's supposedly harboring a deep dark secret and an ability so dangerous that she willingly surrendered herself to the secret government facility called Lengard. She's the typical Mary Sue you find in poorly written fanfiction where she can do nothing wrong, all the side characters love her, and she manages to learn her true powers quickly regardless of the fact that this is the first time she's experimenting with it. I have major issues with her. She remains underdeveloped as the story plows on that it becomes unbearable to read in her point of view. This is a book that I wish had alternating POVs of different characters to save me from reading in her bland and special snowflake voice.
Jane is described as someone who's physically fit, stubborn and who everyone, especially the guards, greatly fear because of her mysterious powers; however, instead of being a strong female protagonist, her actions and thoughts don't reflect that any of those qualities. You get a brief sense of her tenacity only at the start of the book but that trait quickly disappears, and you can even pinpoint the moment that happens; as expected, the second a young and attractive man appears, the Mary Sue character has to turn into an utterly useless female who needs saving from the brave and kind-hearted man. The amount of paragraphs that describe the male gaze on her bare skin, comments about her outfits from Ward, and how frequently she falls or slips and needs him to catch her is innumerable (she actually repeatedly flails, squeaks, and yelps). She turns into an entirely different character than what we see in the first few chapters, and this is all due to the fact that Ward is kind, relatable, and young/handsome enough. He's her white knight. Sadly, that's not all.
Not only does Mary Sue Jane Doe turn into a total klutz, she also needs saving from every situation she comes across. She can't seem to handle these perils by herself. When she doesn't need saving, she then becomes a master at harnessing her hidden powers as if she has been using them all her life. What is the POINT of keeping her powers a secret for a large portion of the book if she can easily use it the first time someone tells her how to?!? Every single trick taught to her is learned within seconds of them telling her she can do it. Where is the anticipation? Where is the learning curve or moments of frustration because she hasn't been using her powers all her life so the difficulty level shouldn't be akin to breathing? The more I continued, the less believable this became. Continuously telling the reader that the character is special does not make it true.
I am a strong believer that plot points should be revealed with a build-up to the discovery and not always by dialogue. What we get here instead are information dumps every few chapters from other characters directly unveiling these "secrets." Not only are these plot points just simply tossed out for readers to try and comprehend, it comes in the form of pages and pages of dialogue.
Another thing I am partial to is side characters having a role beyond their schtick as the comedic relief or love interest. They should have a life that does not revolve around the protagonist. Authors who do an excellent job writing these secondary characters are people like George R.R. Martin, Patrick Ness, Neil Gaiman, and Victoria Schwab just to name a few. Whisper is definitely not an example of this. Readers learn nothing about the large cast of characters outside of their interaction with Jane Doe, which is surprising because Noni does focus on Ward, Cami, and Enzo quite a bit. As a result, they turn into mediocre and insignificant characters.
What I really don't understand is how could something with such a remarkable concept turn into an uninspiring story? There are moments of tension (both sexual and situational) that don't work because it seems like it's thrown in there for the sake of having any sort of conflict. These events are highly predictable; this includes the "plot twists" and boy were there many. When that many plot twists are thrown into the story, I find myself becoming immune to them and find the shock factor extremely numbing.
Despite the many issues I had with this book, there were still some things that Noni handled well. I noticed some development towards the end, but why did it have to happen when the story is nearly over? Surprisingly, Jane actually becomes a more likable character with her own distinct voice by the end of the book. It's a shame it took so long for that to happen. I also enjoyed the light and fluffy scenes between Cami and Jane, and quite liked their friendship.
Is this the best book I read this year?
Will I be anticipating its release in 2018?
August 4, 2019
Held in a secret underground facility in Sydney for two and a half years, subject six-eight-four (or Jane Doe as she likes to refer herself), has refused to speak or co-operative with her captors. She has a secret ability that they want her to show them but she is too scared to use it because of the damage she has already caused.
This is a nicely paced YA scifi novel about a group of people with paranormal abilities. As in all good paranormal novels there are people who want to use those with special abilities only for good and those who want to exploit them for their own gain. Jane must not only work out how to use her secret powers but also who she can trust. She also needs to escape the clutches of a very evil man who is trying to find the secrets of her special skills. The novels ends on a good note with the promise of a sequel to conclude the story. Recommended to all those who enjoy YA paranormal fiction.
This is a nicely paced YA scifi novel about a group of people with paranormal abilities. As in all good paranormal novels there are people who want to use those with special abilities only for good and those who want to exploit them for their own gain. Jane must not only work out how to use her secret powers but also who she can trust. She also needs to escape the clutches of a very evil man who is trying to find the secrets of her special skills. The novels ends on a good note with the promise of a sequel to conclude the story. Recommended to all those who enjoy YA paranormal fiction.
June 19, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5
"WHOA!" That is one word that comes to mind when I think about Whisper by Lynette Noni. This is a fast-paced YA novel that completely overcame all of my expectations.
Whisper is about subject Six-Eight-Four, aka Jane Doe, who is being kept in a secret underground government facility. She is poked, prodded, and tested every day because she has a gift; we just don't know what that gift is until a ways into the book. She has been here over 2 years but still refuses to speak when the director basically insinuates that she has 1 month left to make some progress or she will be disposed of. What happens after this is an incredibly intense, wild ride to the end of the book.
For quite awhile I was getting some serious Stranger Things vibes, until it turned into something else... Even though that vibe went away I still loved it. This is YA science fiction, and it was an incredibly quick read with plenty of action (especially towards the middle/end) and short chapters. I loved a lot of the characters even though there isn't really a ton of character development in my opinion. I also love the world that Noni was able to build in such a short amount of time as it is only just over 300 pages long. I also think a lot of the characters are relatable even though it is a sci-fi book. I especially loved Jane and I felt so bad for what she was going through.
Warning, this book does get a little... detailed, towards the end. I was cringing while reading it, but it seemed necessary to the story and I get why the author got so descriptive.
Final Thought: I absolutely LOVED Whisper and the only reason it wasn't a 5 star for me is I felt like some parts were a little slow in the beginning, but overall it was fast-paced. I had a hard time putting this one down and it was such an addictive read. I'm very excited to see what the next book of this series brings!!
Whisper in 3-ish words: Addictive, Brilliant, Futuristic
"WHOA!" That is one word that comes to mind when I think about Whisper by Lynette Noni. This is a fast-paced YA novel that completely overcame all of my expectations.
Whisper is about subject Six-Eight-Four, aka Jane Doe, who is being kept in a secret underground government facility. She is poked, prodded, and tested every day because she has a gift; we just don't know what that gift is until a ways into the book. She has been here over 2 years but still refuses to speak when the director basically insinuates that she has 1 month left to make some progress or she will be disposed of. What happens after this is an incredibly intense, wild ride to the end of the book.
For quite awhile I was getting some serious Stranger Things vibes, until it turned into something else... Even though that vibe went away I still loved it. This is YA science fiction, and it was an incredibly quick read with plenty of action (especially towards the middle/end) and short chapters. I loved a lot of the characters even though there isn't really a ton of character development in my opinion. I also love the world that Noni was able to build in such a short amount of time as it is only just over 300 pages long. I also think a lot of the characters are relatable even though it is a sci-fi book. I especially loved Jane and I felt so bad for what she was going through.
Warning, this book does get a little... detailed, towards the end. I was cringing while reading it, but it seemed necessary to the story and I get why the author got so descriptive.
Final Thought: I absolutely LOVED Whisper and the only reason it wasn't a 5 star for me is I felt like some parts were a little slow in the beginning, but overall it was fast-paced. I had a hard time putting this one down and it was such an addictive read. I'm very excited to see what the next book of this series brings!!
Whisper in 3-ish words: Addictive, Brilliant, Futuristic
November 5, 2019
Wow, Lynette Noni what a great book! Why did I take so long to read it. I devoured it in 2 days and now I cannot wait to read Weapon. Love that this was set in Sydney and was so different to what I normally read. Fantastic read
November 26, 2019
2,5. Es war okay. Der erste Teil hat mir richtig richtig gut gefallen und dann ab den ganzen Enthüllungen, so nenne ich das jetzt mal, haben sich die beiden Hauptcharaktere sehr verändert was mir persönlich gar nicht gefallen hat. Sie vergisst plötzlich alles was vorher war und er ist einfach nur noch ein Idiot, weil, muss ja??
Die Kräfte waren mir nicht gut genug erklärt und nicht nachvollziehbar. Das spannende Ende? Ja das hat man schon arg kommen sehen.
Das Buch enthält halt alle typischen Elemente und das ist ja nicht schlimm, ich mag sowas, hab teilweise auch nicht in dem Buch mit verborgenen Kräften und ein paar anderen Dingen gerechnet. Es gab sogar keine kitschige (oder arg kitschige) Liebesgeschichte, Pluspunkt. ABER der Anfang war halt so gut und hat sich nach einem neuen Etwas angehört doch die Umsetzung der Autorin war mangelhaft. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass sie selbst ihr Buch nicht wirklich durchdacht hat und ihr nicht klar war, wie sie es dem Leser beibringen soll. So als hätte sie eine großartige Idee, aber wir können halt nicht in ihren Kopf reinschauen.
Sehr schade, denn auf weiterlesen habe ich gar keine Lust! Alles war sehr Klischee-belastet gegen Ende und jeder konnte auch plötzlich alles machen obwohl es zuvor Einschränkungen gab. Die Spannung blieb da natürlich auf der Strecke und kam auch nicht zurück. Dafür habe ich mich immer weiter von den Charakteren distanziert - und sie sich auch von der Linie die sie wahrscheinlich am Anfang befolgen sollten.
Der Anfang war gut, der Rest dann nicht. Wenn ihr noch nie was im Bereich Jugendbuch mit einer ausgewählten Gruppe die besondere Fähigkeiten haben gelesen habt, dann kann ich euch das Buch empfehlen. Kennt ihr allerdings schon mehrere, dann wird euch das eher fad vorkommen, so wie mir nach einer Weile.
Tja kann sich sehen lassen, dafür dass ich das hier müde um 00:51 geschrieben habe was? Gute Nacht 👏
Die Kräfte waren mir nicht gut genug erklärt und nicht nachvollziehbar. Das spannende Ende? Ja das hat man schon arg kommen sehen.
Das Buch enthält halt alle typischen Elemente und das ist ja nicht schlimm, ich mag sowas, hab teilweise auch nicht in dem Buch mit verborgenen Kräften und ein paar anderen Dingen gerechnet. Es gab sogar keine kitschige (oder arg kitschige) Liebesgeschichte, Pluspunkt. ABER der Anfang war halt so gut und hat sich nach einem neuen Etwas angehört doch die Umsetzung der Autorin war mangelhaft. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass sie selbst ihr Buch nicht wirklich durchdacht hat und ihr nicht klar war, wie sie es dem Leser beibringen soll. So als hätte sie eine großartige Idee, aber wir können halt nicht in ihren Kopf reinschauen.
Sehr schade, denn auf weiterlesen habe ich gar keine Lust! Alles war sehr Klischee-belastet gegen Ende und jeder konnte auch plötzlich alles machen obwohl es zuvor Einschränkungen gab. Die Spannung blieb da natürlich auf der Strecke und kam auch nicht zurück. Dafür habe ich mich immer weiter von den Charakteren distanziert - und sie sich auch von der Linie die sie wahrscheinlich am Anfang befolgen sollten.
Der Anfang war gut, der Rest dann nicht. Wenn ihr noch nie was im Bereich Jugendbuch mit einer ausgewählten Gruppe die besondere Fähigkeiten haben gelesen habt, dann kann ich euch das Buch empfehlen. Kennt ihr allerdings schon mehrere, dann wird euch das eher fad vorkommen, so wie mir nach einer Weile.
Tja kann sich sehen lassen, dafür dass ich das hier müde um 00:51 geschrieben habe was? Gute Nacht 👏
February 26, 2018
Eighteen year old Jane Doe was removed from her self-imposed stay at a psychiatric institution and held for the last 2-1/2 years at Lengard, a secret underground government facility. Jane thought of herself as a monster for reasons that aren't immediately explained. At Lengard she was analyzed, tested and experimented on to the point of torture, but she steadfastly refused to speak or tell her real name. This part of the book was sort of interesting, but the tease went on too long. Then, when I finally did find out the story behind Jane, the book started to go downhill.
The book was too young adult for me. Jane was constantly petulant. There were three cute guys all fixated on Jane. There was a group of teenagers with super powers, one being more super than the others. There were also adults with powers, who were of course the bad guys, including an evil mad scientist. The powers varied from person to person, but the person with just the right power (or the ability to block other powers) always conveniently appeared when needed. It was all pretty simplistic. It's the start of a new series but I doubt that I will continue with it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
The book was too young adult for me. Jane was constantly petulant. There were three cute guys all fixated on Jane. There was a group of teenagers with super powers, one being more super than the others. There were also adults with powers, who were of course the bad guys, including an evil mad scientist. The powers varied from person to person, but the person with just the right power (or the ability to block other powers) always conveniently appeared when needed. It was all pretty simplistic. It's the start of a new series but I doubt that I will continue with it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
June 14, 2018
MY REVIEW FOR WHISPER WAS FIRST POSTED ON MY BLOG. CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE
I always try to support Australian authors and Lynette Noni has been on my radar for a while. I just haven’t had the time to pick up one of her books. I was scanning the bookshop for a read for a flight when I came across Whisper, which I had just seen one of my close friends rave about. So, I picked it up and I am not regretting the choice at all.
Whisper by Lynette Noni follows a girl who is simply known as Jane Doe. For over two years she has not said a word. As the reader, we don’t know why for around half the book so I won’t say why in my review. Jane goes through a series of tasks each day, there is a routine. It is boring, it is torturous and it is not a way to live. Overall, Jane has no quality of life after being taken after checking herself into a mental health ward. This is ultimately one day there’s a change in the routine. She now spends time with a boy, who slowly slips in under her defences by simply being kind. However, that is not all this book is. There is betrayal, there is deceit and the class ‘the government is full of liars and people who need to be locked up’ plot lines. There are some iffy things throughout the books, which I’ve tried to mention in the trigger warnings, but overall I really did enjoy the second half of this book. The first half was incredibly flat as we get to know Jane and everyone around her. It is simply following her routine several times and learning what she knows (which is nothing).
Enough dribble because I’m trying to keep this review short. Time to jump into what I liked and didn’t like about Whisper by Lynette Noni.
L I K E S
✗ SECOND HALF OF THE BOOK WAS AMAZING
The second half of this book basically had it all. I was so enthralled in it and could not put the book or my kindle down (I alternate reading). I was shocked by some of the reveals and I was definitely kept on my toes.
✗ REMINDED ME A LITTLE OF SHATTER ME
If you know me you know I didn’t initially like Shatter Me but it is now one of my favourite series. I really did get some Shatter Me vibes throughout this book. The whole government, powers and weird love triangle really do feel very similar. However, Whisper does stand on its own with it’s twists and turns.
✗ A GOOD SET UP FOR BOOK TWO
I feel like what Whisper really was, was a set up for book two. The characters are still slightly undeveloped and there is still a long way to go with the plot. So ultimately, an incredibly good set up for book two which I hope will blow this one out of the water.
✗ SET IN AUSTRALIA
Not much to say here, I just get really excited whenever anything is set in Australia and I’ve actually been to the locations mentioned. I guess this is how people in the UK and America feel because this is literally one of the first books I’ve read that is set in Australia (Sydney to be exact).
D I S L I K ES
✗ 50% OF THE BOOK WAS FLAT
I mentioned it earlier in this review but the first 50% really was brain numbingly boring. I was ready to throw it on the DNF pile. However, I pushed through because Whisper did come some highly recommended by a friend. I’m glad I did but that beginning really should have been tightened or shortened. The repetition of what I was reading did get to me at some points.
✗ POSSIBLE LOVE TRIANGLE TO ARISE AND I HAVE A FAVE
This was a big one. I can feel a love triangle rising. I want love triangles to die unless they’re polyamorous. They’re truly the bane of my existence, especially since I think my favourite of the two guys is not going to get the girl. Seriously, I hope Lynette Noni shoots this in the foot in the next book or I will riot.
✗ FELT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE MENTAL HEALTH INCLUSION
If you’ve kept quiet for over two years due to a trauma you experienced I think there would be some side effects. Particularly with mental health. Including the fact that Jane says that she has been tortured by one of the people for two years. However, there was no mental health apart from panic attacks/anxiety (which were well represented). I feel there should have been some depression or PTSD to really solidify Jane as a character and make her appeal to me in a greater sense. I don’t believe that she came out of a lot of trauma with only anxiety.
Ultimately, Whisper did have its flaws and I am sincerely shocked by how much I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the sequel. Hopefully the next book will be a bit more diverse as well because this…wasn’t. I really don’t know what to say about this book and I’m realizing the more I type that this review is a straight up mess. I hope it makes somewhat sense and helps you decide whether to pick up Whisper or not.
I always try to support Australian authors and Lynette Noni has been on my radar for a while. I just haven’t had the time to pick up one of her books. I was scanning the bookshop for a read for a flight when I came across Whisper, which I had just seen one of my close friends rave about. So, I picked it up and I am not regretting the choice at all.
Whisper by Lynette Noni follows a girl who is simply known as Jane Doe. For over two years she has not said a word. As the reader, we don’t know why for around half the book so I won’t say why in my review. Jane goes through a series of tasks each day, there is a routine. It is boring, it is torturous and it is not a way to live. Overall, Jane has no quality of life after being taken after checking herself into a mental health ward. This is ultimately one day there’s a change in the routine. She now spends time with a boy, who slowly slips in under her defences by simply being kind. However, that is not all this book is. There is betrayal, there is deceit and the class ‘the government is full of liars and people who need to be locked up’ plot lines. There are some iffy things throughout the books, which I’ve tried to mention in the trigger warnings, but overall I really did enjoy the second half of this book. The first half was incredibly flat as we get to know Jane and everyone around her. It is simply following her routine several times and learning what she knows (which is nothing).
Enough dribble because I’m trying to keep this review short. Time to jump into what I liked and didn’t like about Whisper by Lynette Noni.
L I K E S
✗ SECOND HALF OF THE BOOK WAS AMAZING
The second half of this book basically had it all. I was so enthralled in it and could not put the book or my kindle down (I alternate reading). I was shocked by some of the reveals and I was definitely kept on my toes.
✗ REMINDED ME A LITTLE OF SHATTER ME
If you know me you know I didn’t initially like Shatter Me but it is now one of my favourite series. I really did get some Shatter Me vibes throughout this book. The whole government, powers and weird love triangle really do feel very similar. However, Whisper does stand on its own with it’s twists and turns.
✗ A GOOD SET UP FOR BOOK TWO
I feel like what Whisper really was, was a set up for book two. The characters are still slightly undeveloped and there is still a long way to go with the plot. So ultimately, an incredibly good set up for book two which I hope will blow this one out of the water.
✗ SET IN AUSTRALIA
Not much to say here, I just get really excited whenever anything is set in Australia and I’ve actually been to the locations mentioned. I guess this is how people in the UK and America feel because this is literally one of the first books I’ve read that is set in Australia (Sydney to be exact).
D I S L I K ES
✗ 50% OF THE BOOK WAS FLAT
I mentioned it earlier in this review but the first 50% really was brain numbingly boring. I was ready to throw it on the DNF pile. However, I pushed through because Whisper did come some highly recommended by a friend. I’m glad I did but that beginning really should have been tightened or shortened. The repetition of what I was reading did get to me at some points.
✗ POSSIBLE LOVE TRIANGLE TO ARISE AND I HAVE A FAVE
This was a big one. I can feel a love triangle rising. I want love triangles to die unless they’re polyamorous. They’re truly the bane of my existence, especially since I think my favourite of the two guys is not going to get the girl. Seriously, I hope Lynette Noni shoots this in the foot in the next book or I will riot.
✗ FELT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE MENTAL HEALTH INCLUSION
If you’ve kept quiet for over two years due to a trauma you experienced I think there would be some side effects. Particularly with mental health. Including the fact that Jane says that she has been tortured by one of the people for two years. However, there was no mental health apart from panic attacks/anxiety (which were well represented). I feel there should have been some depression or PTSD to really solidify Jane as a character and make her appeal to me in a greater sense. I don’t believe that she came out of a lot of trauma with only anxiety.
Ultimately, Whisper did have its flaws and I am sincerely shocked by how much I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the sequel. Hopefully the next book will be a bit more diverse as well because this…wasn’t. I really don’t know what to say about this book and I’m realizing the more I type that this review is a straight up mess. I hope it makes somewhat sense and helps you decide whether to pick up Whisper or not.
December 23, 2017
Lynette Noni’s American debut novel will be the next sci-fi series that everyone will love.
I had never heard of Noni before this novel and went into this book with an open mind. From the description, I knew this book would be sci-fi, but I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the plot. I was largely mistaken.
Whisper is a science fiction novel that will appear in stores on May 1, 2018. It follows a young woman, who goes by Jane Doe in the beginning of the novel. We find that Jane Doe is a sort of prisoner in a top secret government facility in Australia for the past two and a half years. We find out that Jane’s time is running out in the facility and the director wants her to prove her commitment to the “program”. From the description of the novel, we know that Jane Doe has some sort of supernatural abilities that causes her to be apprehensive to speak. We do not find out what exactly that ability is until about a third of the way through the book and I do not want to spoil the amazing world that Lynette Noni has created. However, I will say that once Jane’s ability is presented, new information is brought to her attention about the “secret government group” that she now resides with from an outside party. This information forces her to confront demons from her past and overcome them to decide what is right and what is wrong in her present day life.
Whisper has all of the makings of being the next big science fiction novel that everyone will fall in love with. Noni does a wonderful job with making Jane Doe’s character relatable and loveable without her talking for a big chunk of the first half of the book. The supporting characters she adds into the mix each bring their own fun quirks. By the end of the book, you will know that this book will have a sequel and could even be the makings of a trilogy. And my favorite little nugget that I picked up on and am excited to see how it will play out is that there is the potential for a love triangle in the future.
This book starts off fast and puts you right in the middle of the story. Which may be frustrating for some because it produces a lot of questions that you want answered as a reader, but I thought it was extremely clever. Why? Because it made you read on to discover the answers to your questions. I found myself becoming invested in the characters’ futures and wanting them to succeed, which is amazing for a book that is barely 300 pages.
Noni could have a big hit on her hands and I suggest marking your calendars for this one.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I had never heard of Noni before this novel and went into this book with an open mind. From the description, I knew this book would be sci-fi, but I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the plot. I was largely mistaken.
Whisper is a science fiction novel that will appear in stores on May 1, 2018. It follows a young woman, who goes by Jane Doe in the beginning of the novel. We find that Jane Doe is a sort of prisoner in a top secret government facility in Australia for the past two and a half years. We find out that Jane’s time is running out in the facility and the director wants her to prove her commitment to the “program”. From the description of the novel, we know that Jane Doe has some sort of supernatural abilities that causes her to be apprehensive to speak. We do not find out what exactly that ability is until about a third of the way through the book and I do not want to spoil the amazing world that Lynette Noni has created. However, I will say that once Jane’s ability is presented, new information is brought to her attention about the “secret government group” that she now resides with from an outside party. This information forces her to confront demons from her past and overcome them to decide what is right and what is wrong in her present day life.
Whisper has all of the makings of being the next big science fiction novel that everyone will fall in love with. Noni does a wonderful job with making Jane Doe’s character relatable and loveable without her talking for a big chunk of the first half of the book. The supporting characters she adds into the mix each bring their own fun quirks. By the end of the book, you will know that this book will have a sequel and could even be the makings of a trilogy. And my favorite little nugget that I picked up on and am excited to see how it will play out is that there is the potential for a love triangle in the future.
This book starts off fast and puts you right in the middle of the story. Which may be frustrating for some because it produces a lot of questions that you want answered as a reader, but I thought it was extremely clever. Why? Because it made you read on to discover the answers to your questions. I found myself becoming invested in the characters’ futures and wanting them to succeed, which is amazing for a book that is barely 300 pages.
Noni could have a big hit on her hands and I suggest marking your calendars for this one.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
May 15, 2018
I received an e-ARC from NetGalley and Kids Can Press.
My review was originally posted at www.cafemanon.nl
Before starting this e-ARC, I had never read anything by Lynette Noni and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I adored this book.
The story is written in first person from the point of view of a mysterious girl. She stays at a secret government research facility named Lengard. The people who work there, call her ‘Subject Six-Eight-Four’ or ‘Jane Doe’. She refuses to give them any information about her name, or about anything else. She has been silent for years.
At Lengard every day is the same for Jane. She eats and sleeps at set times and every day she takes part in various experiments with different evaluators; Enzo trains her physique, Manning assesses her psyche, Vanik pokes at her brain and subjects her to painful experiments. None of these training sessions or experiments succeed in making Jane talk. She keeps quiet.
And then one day the Director of Lengard, Falon, wants to see her. He tells Jane that is she won’t co-operate with her evaluators, she will be removed from the program. It sounds a bit like a threat and she is given an ultimatum. Also she is assigned to a new evaluator, Landon Ward. He is just a year older than Jane and he is different than the other evaluators. When Jane starts to work with Ward, things are beginning to change. Not long before something happens and Jane utters a word.. The silence is broken and something strange and supernatural happens.
The thing I loved most about Whisper, are the characters. I really feel like I got to know Jane and I could relate to her. Also there were a lot of amazing side characters. Landon Ward is loveable, but he also has a mysterious side. Cami is sweet and she is best friend material. Not all characters are sugar-coated. Vanik is an evil being, but this character is well-thought-out too.
Lynette Noni did a wonderful job describing the research facility Lengard. I can picture the white corridors in my mind and they give me chills.
The beginning reminded me of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi; a mysterious girl in a cell-like room and every day is exactly the same, until a guy enters the story. Whisper also reminded me of X-men and Jessica Jones. If you’ve enjoyed any of these, I would highly recommend you reading Whisper.
My review was originally posted at www.cafemanon.nl
Before starting this e-ARC, I had never read anything by Lynette Noni and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I adored this book.
The story is written in first person from the point of view of a mysterious girl. She stays at a secret government research facility named Lengard. The people who work there, call her ‘Subject Six-Eight-Four’ or ‘Jane Doe’. She refuses to give them any information about her name, or about anything else. She has been silent for years.
At Lengard every day is the same for Jane. She eats and sleeps at set times and every day she takes part in various experiments with different evaluators; Enzo trains her physique, Manning assesses her psyche, Vanik pokes at her brain and subjects her to painful experiments. None of these training sessions or experiments succeed in making Jane talk. She keeps quiet.
And then one day the Director of Lengard, Falon, wants to see her. He tells Jane that is she won’t co-operate with her evaluators, she will be removed from the program. It sounds a bit like a threat and she is given an ultimatum. Also she is assigned to a new evaluator, Landon Ward. He is just a year older than Jane and he is different than the other evaluators. When Jane starts to work with Ward, things are beginning to change. Not long before something happens and Jane utters a word.. The silence is broken and something strange and supernatural happens.
The thing I loved most about Whisper, are the characters. I really feel like I got to know Jane and I could relate to her. Also there were a lot of amazing side characters. Landon Ward is loveable, but he also has a mysterious side. Cami is sweet and she is best friend material. Not all characters are sugar-coated. Vanik is an evil being, but this character is well-thought-out too.
Lynette Noni did a wonderful job describing the research facility Lengard. I can picture the white corridors in my mind and they give me chills.
The beginning reminded me of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi; a mysterious girl in a cell-like room and every day is exactly the same, until a guy enters the story. Whisper also reminded me of X-men and Jessica Jones. If you’ve enjoyed any of these, I would highly recommend you reading Whisper.
July 23, 2019
Provided by the State Library Victoria as part of the Inky Awards.
This was a fun book to read, with a lot of quirks and fun parts, very loveable(and hated) characters and a keeping you on the edge of your chair plot. More detail on everything below, plus some things I didn’t enjoy about the book in this review. And in case if you missed the green spoiler thing, there are major spoilers below, so beware!
Like I said, this was a very fun book to read and while there were parts that were absolutely traumatising, such as the parts towards the start where that little bastard, Vanik was torturing her with some sort of mental brain surgery, and later where we have ‘Jane Doe’s’ friends getting bits of themselves extracted, followed by herself being drained of her blood, and also for the fact that Vanik has a taking over the word scheme and a creepy secret lab of his own. Yep, apart from that it was a fun book to read. In all seriousness though, it was a fun book and the interactions and chemistry between the characters felt very real and that part for me was especially well done. Which leads me to say…
that the characters themselves were some of my favourite parts of the book. The beginning interactions with Chip(because that’s what Ward calls JD or Alyssa or whatever you want to call her) and Ward were incredibly sweet and heartwarming, considering the situation that she’s been in for the past 2 and a half years. Despite her not wanting to like him, she can’t help herself and later when Ward betrays her(or supposedly does), Ward clearly likes her still with the odd smiles that weren’t hidden very well, which did make it very predictable what was going on, but also made me like the character even more for trying to restrain himself from orders. There’s all of the other supporting characters like Cami, who were awesome and Vanik was a bastard and I want to rip his face in half.
Vanik was part of the book that I didn’t enjoy so much, as I felt the whole bit of taking over the world and survival of the best, feels too overdone and the explanation of ‘revenge’ doesn’t feel special. I guess that the thing, nothing feels entirely original. People with superpowers, look at X-men or the badly done(in my opinion) Red Queen. Secret government agency that’s actually not, feels clichéd. Evil guy that want to take over the world out of so called revenge? Poof, pretty much every villain every in existence for some wrongdoing someone else had done to them before. It also felt a bit too predictable for my liking. It was so very clear from the start that there were things she(Alyssa) didn’t know, Ward clearly liked her, despite him being iron faced, the terrorist group was obviously not a terrorist group and as soon as it was mentioned, I already knew that our protagonist would be joining/helping them.
I did like to very enough to finish it in a day, though that is simply just me and since I’m reading this during holidays, I don’t have anything better to do with my life anyway, and also that the pacing is very fast, very steady which does add to the book’s appeal. It’s also nice that it is set in Sydney, of which I have been so I actually know the locations for once(yay!). The ending was also done fairly well, leaving us on a cliffhanger with plans for what’s going to happen next, but not a cliffhanger in those really cliffhanger books where someone may die on the last page. A book two is also in the works I think, so it’ll be cool to see where the story sets off from here. 8/10
This was a fun book to read, with a lot of quirks and fun parts, very loveable(and hated) characters and a keeping you on the edge of your chair plot. More detail on everything below, plus some things I didn’t enjoy about the book in this review. And in case if you missed the green spoiler thing, there are major spoilers below, so beware!
Like I said, this was a very fun book to read and while there were parts that were absolutely traumatising, such as the parts towards the start where that little bastard, Vanik was torturing her with some sort of mental brain surgery, and later where we have ‘Jane Doe’s’ friends getting bits of themselves extracted, followed by herself being drained of her blood, and also for the fact that Vanik has a taking over the word scheme and a creepy secret lab of his own. Yep, apart from that it was a fun book to read. In all seriousness though, it was a fun book and the interactions and chemistry between the characters felt very real and that part for me was especially well done. Which leads me to say…
that the characters themselves were some of my favourite parts of the book. The beginning interactions with Chip(because that’s what Ward calls JD or Alyssa or whatever you want to call her) and Ward were incredibly sweet and heartwarming, considering the situation that she’s been in for the past 2 and a half years. Despite her not wanting to like him, she can’t help herself and later when Ward betrays her(or supposedly does), Ward clearly likes her still with the odd smiles that weren’t hidden very well, which did make it very predictable what was going on, but also made me like the character even more for trying to restrain himself from orders. There’s all of the other supporting characters like Cami, who were awesome and Vanik was a bastard and I want to rip his face in half.
Vanik was part of the book that I didn’t enjoy so much, as I felt the whole bit of taking over the world and survival of the best, feels too overdone and the explanation of ‘revenge’ doesn’t feel special. I guess that the thing, nothing feels entirely original. People with superpowers, look at X-men or the badly done(in my opinion) Red Queen. Secret government agency that’s actually not, feels clichéd. Evil guy that want to take over the world out of so called revenge? Poof, pretty much every villain every in existence for some wrongdoing someone else had done to them before. It also felt a bit too predictable for my liking. It was so very clear from the start that there were things she(Alyssa) didn’t know, Ward clearly liked her, despite him being iron faced, the terrorist group was obviously not a terrorist group and as soon as it was mentioned, I already knew that our protagonist would be joining/helping them.
I did like to very enough to finish it in a day, though that is simply just me and since I’m reading this during holidays, I don’t have anything better to do with my life anyway, and also that the pacing is very fast, very steady which does add to the book’s appeal. It’s also nice that it is set in Sydney, of which I have been so I actually know the locations for once(yay!). The ending was also done fairly well, leaving us on a cliffhanger with plans for what’s going to happen next, but not a cliffhanger in those really cliffhanger books where someone may die on the last page. A book two is also in the works I think, so it’ll be cool to see where the story sets off from here. 8/10
September 29, 2019
3.5 stars
I read this out of curiosity, I had never heard about this book before. It was a positive surprise and I quite enjoyed it!
Whisper is a mix of ya science fiction and thriller with a hint of the paranormal/supernatural. A quite interesting mix that made for an exciting, mysterious and fast paced read, although there are some ya clichés.
The first half was more on the mysterious side. We get to know the characters, but since the book is written in 1st person, we only get a very limited view on what's going on, being as confused as the main character herself. Why is she there? Where exactly is 'there'? What's going on?
If I hadn't spoiled myself by reading other reviews first I probably wouldn't have seen the plot twist coming as early as I did - but anyway, it's a nice twist! This book took a direction I didn't expect. Although I have to admit, I've read enough ya dystopias by now to know very early on who the good and the bad guys are. The book doesn't offer the most original concept of good vs evil ever (and the reasons these two sides have) and the rebels/revolution aspect was pretty cliché.
Still, I enjoyed Whisper. I enjoyed how quick a read it was, it had action and a hint of romance and a girl discovering her voice - quite literally, since Jane doesn't speak for about 50 % of the book. The ending was very fast paced and quite gruesome (although that may be just me and my needle phobia^^), so I wouldn't recommend this for younger or inexperienced ya readers (I'm talking torture and experiments. But then, I'm a very sensitive person when it comes to those things). I'd recommend it for 14+.
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Edit: I lowered my rating to 3.5 stars because, thinking about the book now, nothing of the plot really stuck with me. And considering I've only read it a month ago that doesn't speak in the book's favor.
I read this out of curiosity, I had never heard about this book before. It was a positive surprise and I quite enjoyed it!
Whisper is a mix of ya science fiction and thriller with a hint of the paranormal/supernatural. A quite interesting mix that made for an exciting, mysterious and fast paced read, although there are some ya clichés.
The first half was more on the mysterious side. We get to know the characters, but since the book is written in 1st person, we only get a very limited view on what's going on, being as confused as the main character herself. Why is she there? Where exactly is 'there'? What's going on?
If I hadn't spoiled myself by reading other reviews first I probably wouldn't have seen the plot twist coming as early as I did - but anyway, it's a nice twist! This book took a direction I didn't expect. Although I have to admit, I've read enough ya dystopias by now to know very early on who the good and the bad guys are. The book doesn't offer the most original concept of good vs evil ever (and the reasons these two sides have) and the rebels/revolution aspect was pretty cliché.
Still, I enjoyed Whisper. I enjoyed how quick a read it was, it had action and a hint of romance and a girl discovering her voice - quite literally, since Jane doesn't speak for about 50 % of the book. The ending was very fast paced and quite gruesome (although that may be just me and my needle phobia^^), so I wouldn't recommend this for younger or inexperienced ya readers (I'm talking torture and experiments. But then, I'm a very sensitive person when it comes to those things). I'd recommend it for 14+.
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Edit: I lowered my rating to 3.5 stars because, thinking about the book now, nothing of the plot really stuck with me. And considering I've only read it a month ago that doesn't speak in the book's favor.
May 27, 2019
Trigger warnings: torture, imprisonment, violence, blood.
This was...generic? Is possibly the best way to describe it? It just felt like something I'd read before. The beginning kind of reminded me of Shatter Me. The whole powers thing felt like The Darkest Minds crossed with X-Men. The whole underground thing was reminiscent of the start of Mockingjay. Etcetera.
Like, there was nothing WRONG with it, per se. It just felt like any other young adult dystopian story, and it didn't do anything out of the ordinary. Admittedly, I'm not the target audience here, so maybe to them it will feel new and exciting. But to me, it just kind of felt like more of the same. Womp.
This was...generic? Is possibly the best way to describe it? It just felt like something I'd read before. The beginning kind of reminded me of Shatter Me. The whole powers thing felt like The Darkest Minds crossed with X-Men. The whole underground thing was reminiscent of the start of Mockingjay. Etcetera.
Like, there was nothing WRONG with it, per se. It just felt like any other young adult dystopian story, and it didn't do anything out of the ordinary. Admittedly, I'm not the target audience here, so maybe to them it will feel new and exciting. But to me, it just kind of felt like more of the same. Womp.
March 22, 2018
Thanks to Dymocks Karrinyup for an Advance Readers Copy of this book.
I love Lynette Noni and I'm head over heels for her series, The Medoran Chronicles. Noni brings her amazing ability of creating exceptional friendship dynamics into this new series, Whisper. I really enjoyed reading about the characters. The writing keeps you turning the pages whilst having this magical flow.
I really, really, really wanted to love this book just as much and in all fairness, I wasn't sure if anything could topple my love for Alex and her gang in the Medoran Chronicles and Whisper sadly didn't top it. I went into this book with high expectations and although I loved the idea of this story, it didn't meet the hopes I had for it.
I don't want to spoil anything but the main character was a big let down for me. I found myself rolling my eyes at many of the choices she made. It didn't help that there were side characters that I would've loved to have learnt more about and gotten to know better.
I most likely will pick up the next book because LYNETTE NONI but I'm really, truly, deeply hoping it will be better. I'm happy to talk about this book with anyone but I don't want to post any spoilers so this is my sort-of review :)
I love Lynette Noni and I'm head over heels for her series, The Medoran Chronicles. Noni brings her amazing ability of creating exceptional friendship dynamics into this new series, Whisper. I really enjoyed reading about the characters. The writing keeps you turning the pages whilst having this magical flow.
I really, really, really wanted to love this book just as much and in all fairness, I wasn't sure if anything could topple my love for Alex and her gang in the Medoran Chronicles and Whisper sadly didn't top it. I went into this book with high expectations and although I loved the idea of this story, it didn't meet the hopes I had for it.
I don't want to spoil anything but the main character was a big let down for me. I found myself rolling my eyes at many of the choices she made. It didn't help that there were side characters that I would've loved to have learnt more about and gotten to know better.
I most likely will pick up the next book because LYNETTE NONI but I'm really, truly, deeply hoping it will be better. I'm happy to talk about this book with anyone but I don't want to post any spoilers so this is my sort-of review :)
July 12, 2020
I think about this book and it makes me mad. Original thoughts (despite new rating) down below:
- First off, the pitch is a fraud. It lied. When you compare something to Divergent, the story needs to have something in common with it, and no - a dystopian setting shouldn't be the parallel as there are many other dystopians this book in particular could have been compared to.
This isn't Stranger Things Meets Divergent. The pitch should've been "The Next Shatter Me"
Because this book contains:
- An Asylum-type setting - an so does Shatter Me
- A protagonist locked up because of a unique ability that could make or break any situation - and so does Shatter Me
- A morally grey character who is related to the opposition - and so does Shatter Me
- Two potential love interests who are vastly different from each other, and dare I say it - so does Shatter Me
and on top of that, Shatter Me and Whisper are both YA Dystopia.
As a die-hard Divergent fan, I'm sad to say it - but I was disappointed. I know that it's meant to be a different story, but that shouldn't have been the pitch when it CLEARLY parallels ANOTHER popular YA dystopia.
- Like I mentioned, the potential love-triangle. HONESTLY I'M DONE WITH THIS TREND IN YA DYSTOPIA! I was rooting for Ward, but his intentions were bad and if Kael called Jane princess one more time, I swear I would have screamed on the one of the train rides I took while reading this. AGHHH!
- I couldn't emotionally connect with anyone, not even Jane. In high-pressure dystopians like this, that's the thing I look for - and some dystopians deliver like Divergent, The Hunger Games, Shatter Me, The Darkest Minds, etc and some don't like Legend and Reboot. Unfortunately this dystopian falls under the latter, and that's the last thing I wanted :(
I'm sad because I anticipated this book so much. But I'm naturally critical with Dystopia now, as it is one of my favourite genres. It if is compared to my favourite book series or uses my favourite book series as a pitch, my criticism will run even deeper.
That is the case here.
I still love and respect Lynette Noni and read more of her books in the future.
This one was not for me though.
- First off, the pitch is a fraud. It lied. When you compare something to Divergent, the story needs to have something in common with it, and no - a dystopian setting shouldn't be the parallel as there are many other dystopians this book in particular could have been compared to.
This isn't Stranger Things Meets Divergent. The pitch should've been "The Next Shatter Me"
Because this book contains:
- An Asylum-type setting - an so does Shatter Me
- A protagonist locked up because of a unique ability that could make or break any situation - and so does Shatter Me
- A morally grey character who is related to the opposition - and so does Shatter Me
- Two potential love interests who are vastly different from each other, and dare I say it - so does Shatter Me
and on top of that, Shatter Me and Whisper are both YA Dystopia.
As a die-hard Divergent fan, I'm sad to say it - but I was disappointed. I know that it's meant to be a different story, but that shouldn't have been the pitch when it CLEARLY parallels ANOTHER popular YA dystopia.
- Like I mentioned, the potential love-triangle. HONESTLY I'M DONE WITH THIS TREND IN YA DYSTOPIA! I was rooting for Ward, but his intentions were bad and if Kael called Jane princess one more time, I swear I would have screamed on the one of the train rides I took while reading this. AGHHH!
- I couldn't emotionally connect with anyone, not even Jane. In high-pressure dystopians like this, that's the thing I look for - and some dystopians deliver like Divergent, The Hunger Games, Shatter Me, The Darkest Minds, etc and some don't like Legend and Reboot. Unfortunately this dystopian falls under the latter, and that's the last thing I wanted :(
I'm sad because I anticipated this book so much. But I'm naturally critical with Dystopia now, as it is one of my favourite genres. It if is compared to my favourite book series or uses my favourite book series as a pitch, my criticism will run even deeper.
That is the case here.
I still love and respect Lynette Noni and read more of her books in the future.
This one was not for me though.
September 25, 2023
EDIT - SECOND READ:
wow! i don't know what i was talking about in my previous review! sure, this wasn't Medoran standards, but few books are, and i still really loved this book! Kael is a definite plus - i'm so ready for him and our MC (i'll call her Jane for this non-spoiler review) to become absolute besties. they'll be the sweetest, i can already tell. and damn, SJM wasn't kidding when she said this book is addictive! i couldn't stop reading it, i finished it in a series of hours. as always, Lynette Noni managed to make me feel a ridiculous amount of emotions for our characters, i was ready to beat up everyone for my girl Jane. there better be some hardcore apologies coming her way...
anyway i loved this reread and i'm so glad i decided to reread before starting Weapon!
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i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. this in no way affects my rating or review.
I was super excited for Whisper because it's by Lynette Noni! Who wouldn't be excited! However, though I enjoyed this book, I didn't find it as good as the Medoran Chronicles. I really liked the plotline and the superpowers but I didn't think that the characters were as strong as in Lynette's other series. However, this is still a good book and one that I would recommend. Maybe I'm just being too harsh because of how amazing the Medoran Chronicles are?
thanks to the author and netgalley for the free ARC copy!
wow! i don't know what i was talking about in my previous review! sure, this wasn't Medoran standards, but few books are, and i still really loved this book! Kael is a definite plus - i'm so ready for him and our MC (i'll call her Jane for this non-spoiler review) to become absolute besties. they'll be the sweetest, i can already tell. and damn, SJM wasn't kidding when she said this book is addictive! i couldn't stop reading it, i finished it in a series of hours. as always, Lynette Noni managed to make me feel a ridiculous amount of emotions for our characters, i was ready to beat up everyone for my girl Jane. there better be some hardcore apologies coming her way...
anyway i loved this reread and i'm so glad i decided to reread before starting Weapon!
~~~~
i received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. this in no way affects my rating or review.
I was super excited for Whisper because it's by Lynette Noni! Who wouldn't be excited! However, though I enjoyed this book, I didn't find it as good as the Medoran Chronicles. I really liked the plotline and the superpowers but I didn't think that the characters were as strong as in Lynette's other series. However, this is still a good book and one that I would recommend. Maybe I'm just being too harsh because of how amazing the Medoran Chronicles are?
thanks to the author and netgalley for the free ARC copy!
May 21, 2022
It’s been a while since I have picked up a sci-fi novel, but now I definitely want to get back into the genre. Whisper is an incredibly secretive book with a main character who has not spoken since her capture. The writing style is also fitting for the story, making it even more enjoyable.
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Full Review on The Candid Cover
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