The Whispering Fog

by Landra Jennings

In this spooky and atmospheric debut contemporary fantasy,  Snow White and Rose Red meets the modern world after sisters Neve and Rose’s lives are upended when a swamp witch kidnaps Rose. Perfect for fans of Jodi Lynn Anderson and Katherine Arden. For twelve-year-old Neve, it’s always been she and her older sister against the world, their lives entwined just like sisters in a fairy tale. So, if Rose loves tennis, Neve will play it too—even if secretly she’d rather be home turning cardboard boxes into offbeat art projects. Not even being moved to the piney woods outside Etters, South Carolina, can change what they are to each other—until a mysterious fog seems to swallow up Rose before Neve’s eyes. Naturally, the adults don’t believe that something supernatural is at play. So, with the help of Piper, a classmate with a tomato fixation; Sammy, a boy with memories of an otherworldly stranger; and a stray dog that seems to belong to the woods, Neve discovers that her sister has been taken by a swamp-dwelling witch with a terribly wicked plan. It will be up to Neve to save her sister. Otherwise, she’ll be separated from Rose . . . forever A gorgeous, haunting debut about sisterhood and finding your voice.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Fiction, Childrens, Magic

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2022

About the author

Landra writes fanciful books for young people. She is influenced by folk and fairy tales as well as her Southern-USA roots. She has a MFA in Writing for Children and Young adults from Hamline University.

Reviews

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an incredible story! I loved this, & just flew through it. I love a good retelling/reimagining of sorts, & the author did an incredible job with her take on Snow White & Rose Red. This is very much it’s story in its own right though. The author weaves together spooky with relatable issues & important messages for kids effortlessly. Kids will relate to parents separating/divorcing(sometimes guilt for whatever reason blaming yourself-ITS NOT YOUR FAULT KIDS), changing homes, changing schools, feeling lesser than or different, & the way relationships in our lives change as we start to grow up. Usually friends, or in this case sisters who are best friends. Plus so much more.

I never thought when I picked this up, that I would end up learning so much about tomatoes, but here we are-& I LOVE stuff like that. Anything can have significance for someone, & mean something more-even a tomato. In cases of grief, the sentiment originally behind it can grow to an almost obsession. It helps keep the 1 you lost closer to you. Neve is such a great MC. So many kids will relate to her alone with so much. Her & Rose are so different, but the thing they have in common is their strong love for the other. All of what happens is ALMOST a blessing in disguise. Almost, because I just can’t say what happens to them is “ok” (duh lol), but the aftermath is a blessing for sure.

Such AMAZING character growth/development with Neve especially. When she’s forced to be without Rose. Talking & making decisions all for herself. Making friends besides Rose, & talking about her own passions like art, & not the ones she just does because Rose does/likes them. You can NEED your sister/best friend/family/whoever, in your life. But don’t ever let another relationship take over who you are, or change you. Be proud of who you are, your own interests, & own thoughts. Important message subtly woven in, & I just love that so many kids will be receiving that. Bear has my heart. Also, love that the name-assuming a nod to Grimm lol So good. Piper is such a quirky & lovable character. Sammy is just as amazing. They both help Neve so much-in many different ways apart from with Rose.

Now for the spooky goodness-& man is it good. The descriptions of this town, especially the house & the woods, & going to the swamp….so vividly detailed, I felt like I was experiencing it along with them. The fog especially was so atmospheric all on its own. The voices?? Such a great touch. Just everything about the fog & what it can do is incredible. The swamp witch, & everything about her..including the fascinating backstory. Then the creepy boy..everything about him, including his connection to another character. Also the creepy fairytale book & its connection. The swamp witch & what she tries to do with her evil message has its own lessons/messages woven into it, & you see the sister story in another light..a darker one.

All so intriguing, GRIPPING, imaginative, ATMOSPHERIC, spooky & just full of friendship, sisterly love, adventure, danger, edge-of-your-seat-race-against-time-suspense. While being a spooky fairytale of a story, it’s also a heartwarming tale of sisters who would do anything for the other, & learning to be the MC of their own stories. This just came out, & I HIGHLY recommend. I can’t believe this is a debut, & I can’t wait to see what is to come from her in the future. She will definitely do great things. I’ll be there waiting to “add to cart” & read lol. STUNNING cover by Nikolai Lockertsen too.💜

[Shannon H Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this story about friendship, growing up, and sisterhood. The mystery kept me intrigued and the writing had me on the edge of my seat at times. I’ll be recommending this to everyone! I got a mix of Hocus Pocus and Snow White vibes and I loved every second of it.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was excited to read an advance copy of The Whispering Fog, Landra Jenning's first MG fiction novel! Two sisters who have always been close, practically finishing each other sentences, start to drift apart as strange things start to happen in their town. When the older sister Rose disappears in front of Neve's eyes, seemingly taken by the fog as if by magic, why won't  any of the adults believe her? Neve sets out with a group of friends to find out what happened to her sister and the other girls who have mysteriously disappeared and been forgotten over the years, meeting magical creatures and facing their fears on their way to an exciting showdown with a witch!

I loved this book and the modern yet magical world Landra Jennings sets up -- where teens have (or want) cellphones, but there are still haunted places right outside your back door. The heartfelt and realistic way the author engages us in the stresses of growing up and learning to form your own identity apart from a best friend, in this case an older sister, while remaining close to that person rekindled memories of going through that awkward time in middle school when my best friend wanted to branch out and I was most comfortable with just the two of us. There is a sense of tension and foreboding as the books starts out, from the changes occurring between the sisters, the parents' separation from each other and new living arrangements, and the mysterious things that start happening around them. Are they imagining it, or is there some weird magic in the woods? Who is the strange boy who keeps inexplicably showing up around town? Is the stray dog trying to tell Neve something? What is going on with the fog? The Whispering Fog is well-written, endearing page-turner about two sisters facing a terrifying magical curse while also navigating the hardships of middle school. I can't wait to read Jennings' next book!

[Jo Hackl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must-Read!

THE WHISPERING FOG evokes the swamps of the South—brimming with mystery, magic and abundant heart. Neve is the perfect guide to this strange and unsettling world, and I couldn’t put her story down.

[Tracey Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honored to have been invited to read and review this SCBWI Carolinas annual-writing-contest award-winning debut novel by Landra Jennings—friend, fellow Hamline MFAC 2020 alumna, class critical and creative writing award winner—ahead of its publication.
The Whispering Fog, a contemporary middle-grade retelling of “Snow-White and Rose-Red” by the Brothers Grimm, tells the story of Rose and Neve, two sisters in the seventh grade, who have recently moved with their mother to Etters, South Carolina, to a house at the edge of the woods, near a swamp, as their parents navigate a separation. Immediately, mystery and magic set in: whispers of disappearing girls and townspeople who forget; a fairy tale within a fairy tale book that mysteriously appears. When the swamp fog steals Rose away, Neve must find and save her, but can she before it is too late, before Rose is forgotten? A colorful cast of characters including a magical dwarf disguised as a boy, a comforting stray hound, a friend from school with an obsession for tomatoes, the school bus driver with a collection of ghoulish hats, and an evil witch named Mrs. Katch will either help or hinder in Neve’s quest.
Underlying all the goosebumps and tantalizing plot twists and turns, Jennings has woven a heartfelt tale of two sisters, near and dear to each other, learning to trust their own strengths and desires as they navigate stepping from the shadow of each other’s light in order to shine in their own.
If you love fairy tale retellings, if you are a fan of the brilliant Anne Ursu’s Breadcrumbs, be prepared to settle in and devour Jennings’ delicious, spine-tingling debut.
The Whispering Fog, coming September 13, 2022.

[Lisa Riddiough · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfectly spooky mystery, doused with magic and sisterly love! Neve has always depended on Rose to be the leader of their world. But when their parents separate and the sisters move with their mom to a new home out in the middle of nowhere, Neve’s world is turned upside-down. When Rose mysteriously disappears, Neve embarks on a journey to find her own voice – in order to find her lost sister. I loved the way this story blended a high stakes mystery with the magic of a fairy tale re-telling. A wonderful story about the bonds of sisterhood and the vital importance of independent thinking. So well done!!!

[Erin Bragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Landra Jennings is an exceptionally talented writer with this being her debut novel! This is the perfect fantasy story about sisterhood and figuring out who you are. Neve learns important lessons on how to stick up for herself, make decisions and find her voice. Middle grade ages are going to absolutely love this story.

Neve and Rose are as close as two sisters could be. Just one year apart, they do everything together with Rose making most of their decisions, but Neve happy to follow along. But, things begin to change for these two after they’re moved to the slightly spooky woods of Etters, South Carolina. Neve is beginning to like their new home, until a mysterious fog appears and swallows Rose up before her eyes! Even though Neve explains exactly what she saw, the adults refuse to believe anything supernatural is happening. It’s up to Neve to get her sister Rose back with the help of Piper, her tomato-obsessed classmate; Sammy, a boy who recalls an otherworldly creature from when he was younger; and a stray dog that showed up one night and doesn’t seem to want to leave. They discover Rose has been taken by a witch who lives in a swamp not far from their home and Neve will have to learn how to use her voice and make her own decisions to save Rose before it’s too late!

[Eija · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Whispering Fog is a wonderful Rose-Red fairytale retelling!

Perfect for middle grade readers who want a little bit of spookiness and high stakes with wonderful characters that have to do some hard things to save each other.

I loved the setting, the suspense, and the fantastic cast of characters. A perfect book to read under a pile of blankets this fall.

[maddie rakich · Rating 2 out of 5]

my 7th grade summer reading book choice….😐🫠🥴

[Jan McDougal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book! By the end, I cared deeply about each one of the young characters and the vivid imagery and suspense made this a page-turner. I had as much fun reading this as I did binge-watching Stranger Things. Strongly recommend!

[Megan Matheney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an incredible read. I flew through these pages in a day and then had to go back and read it all over again. I am honored to have read Landra's work before in the MFAC Creative Writing Program at Hamline University and every time I encounter one of her stories I am floored by her masterful characters and building suspense. The Whispering Fog is an enchanting story of sisterhood and determination that perfectly balanced love and magic. There are moments when the goosebumps will rise on your arms (the boy-or not a boy-in the red shirt did it for me) and moments when you'll cheer on Neve and Rose to fight with everything they have. This is the book you want to have on your shelf for the spooky season and year round!

[Dusty Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on a whim and I always try to stay engaged with books for all ages so that I have recommendations for my own children and for book clubs that I sometimes lead. It also fit the prompt for a fairy tale reading challenge that I am participating in.

If you're looking for a modernized take on the tale of Snow White and Rose Red, give this book a go.
This book looped me in quick, even as an adult---two sisters (so many great fairy tales lead off with sisters) named Neve and Rose have moved to a new town that is full of odd rumors and spooky vibes. One sister (Rose)is the born leader and the other (Neve) tends to just follow along, building her own personality on what she thinks her sister wants/likes, rather than finding her own voice and path.

When Neve meets a girl who doesn't fit in with her classmates and loves to wear a tomato hat, she begins to learn about a spreadsheet full of missing girls from the area. Her anxiety around the safety of their new home begins to grow simultaneously with her budding reassessment of if she should always squash herself to follow Rose's lead.

The story is a great mix of spooky + fairy tale + mystery and adds in great insights into children dealing with parental separation, friendship, and sibling dynamics too.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book received from Publisher

This was cute; I loved how she retold Snow White and Rose Red. I was a bit skeptical since this is one of my favorite Grimm fairytales, and I worried about how much would be changed and if it would change the tone of the story too far for me to enjoy it. The story had just enough of the original but changed enough to make the story unique and something that middle graders would enjoy reading today. I identified with Neve and wish there had been more protagonists like her around when I was growing up, so I would have been able to find my own voice in the narrative. Now I have to decide if I want to keep the book in case I want to re-read it or pass it down to one fo the middle graders in my life.

[Lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. It took way too long to get it moving, though. The first 25% of the book dragged without much development until Rose met fog. From there, great development especially for Neve. The last sentiment of the last chapter, the very end of the book, didn't feel as satisfying to be honest. The chapter before felt much more satisfying as an ending. Overall, pretty good though.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
Family dynamics is an underlying story as Rose and Neve try to adjust to their parents’ separation. The sisters are almost inseparable even though Neve is almost a year younger and their parents think they should become more independent. Ruby’s outspokenness balances Neve’s quiet while Neve is able to help Rose with schoolwork and nerves. However, the plot changes when Ruby begins to mature while Neve isn’t ready to face changes in her life, retreating to the boxes in her room. Neve is eventually forced to take control of her own life and reveal the strong young lady within.
The author establishes an eerie setting as the family’s rented house is located remotely out in the country, next to a lake, a forest, and a swamp. At first, it seems like a picturesque scene until Neve hears about girls who’ve gone missing near there, including a classmate named Piper’s sister two years ago. No one in town comes near their home and Piper’s family actually moved away from that area. Then there’s the fog. When it appears, it creeps among the trees and bushes with soft, muffled sounds, seeming to surround unwary visitors. The fog presents itself as an evil character. A mysterious boy adds to the creepiness as Neve sees him appear on the bus, at school, and among tree branches without much information that might reveal his identity.
The author allows the plot to slowly develop and lets the tension gradually grow within Neve’s character. She senses and notices things that bother her but the hint of an explanation isn’t shared until a brief chapter about a witch and her daughters. It reveals a deal made with dwarves that establishes a backdrop for the current problem of missing girls. Much of the early book deals with the changing dynamics between the two sisters and Neve’s struggles to adapt. All of her decisions are based on what Rose would do and she’s reluctant to think independently. She meets Piper and is confused by the girl’s obsession with tomatoes, which is explained later in the story. Neve finally becomes more assertive, with Piper’s help, when she realizes time is running out for her sister.
What didn’t work as well:
The slowly developing plot can also be viewed as a detriment as readers anxiously await new happenings. The character development is interesting but the meat of the story is the disappearance of Rose and the other girls.
The Final Verdict:
The strong bond between two sisters battling a witch’s curse will entertain young readers looking for a spooky story. Many of them will also identify with the struggles of growing up and changing family dynamics. I recommend you give it a shot.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade readers will love this debut scary book about two sisters and an evil, witchy-woman in the swamp behind their home. Rose and Neve, sisters who are as close as their 11 months apart birthdays, have moved into a rental house with rumors of hauntings and are trying to adjust to life with separated parents as well as adjust to a new school. Rose is vibrant, athletic, makes friends easily and makes most of the duo’s decisions while Neve is more thoughtful, artsy, and yields contentedly to her older sister’s lead. But when a dense fog appears to swallow Rose and the police and even her parents seem to give up searching, Neve must take charge and lead new friends Sammy and Piper in a terrifying foray into the mysterious area behind her home that seems to be only visible to children. Author Landry Jennings’ villain stems from a Bros Grimm type story of 3 sisters and a mother’s quest for eternal youth that result in one immortal witch who kidnaps young girls as she tries to recreate a spell allowing her to return the corpse of sister #2 to life. Parts of that folklore are revealed by an odd book that keeps appearing in Neve’s room, other snippets are shared by Piper who has never forgotten her sister who disappeared, and still more by the narrator and a creepy little boy who randomly appears and seems to be invisible to most. The conclusion is suspenseful and does end with all being perfect for everyone, but will satisfy most readers. There are several positive messages gently mixed in with the creepiness-“Be true to yourself” and “Divorce/Separation of parents is not the fault of the children.” Text is free of profanity and sexual content. Violence is present as are references to rotting corpses of various kinds but is not overdone and is appropriate to the genre and the age group. Representation: Physical descriptions, naming conventions, etc do not clearly identify race and neither does the cover so readers are free to assign any that they wish as a they picture characters; Piper lives with her two dads and Neve refers to her friend with two moms but those family configurations are not critical to the plot; Sammy mentions seeing a counselor and wishes that his mother was around more.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whispering Fog is a great story about learning to be your own person and trust your own instincts. Although she always just did whatever her sister told her she should do, Neve did quite well when she had to go out on her own to rescue Rose. The parallel between Neve/Rose and Mrs Katch and her sister was very well crafted. You could have felt bad for Mrs. Katch had she not spent decades murdering young girls. My heart did break a little for Piper when it was clear her sister was really gone, but it was also nice to see that her sister's message helped her to move on. And Sammy turned out to be the perfect kind of friend for Neve - even when he thought she was nuts he was still there to help and support her. The parts about the book dealing with the situation between Neve's parents were also really well done - I was really glad to see they were still separated at the end rather than the fairy tale of them getting back together (her dad had a lot of work to in order for that to happen). I wish that there had been one more with Neve telling her father about how she felt about the way he treated her. I just felt like there was still a lot for Neve to get off her chest with regard to that. I highly recommend this for classroom and school libraries. Some of the parts involving Mrs. Katch might be a little too scary for more sensitive readers.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Because I thought I was only one-half of a whole. Because I wanted to make sure you loved me. Because I thought, in some secret place inside, that if I acted like you thought I should, Dad might love me too… ‘I was trying to be something I’m not. It was a mistake.’” (223)

Twelve-year-old Neve and thirteen-year-old Rose were sisters, barely a year apart and in the same grade in school. But Neve always thought Rose was the stronger sister and that she needed to do whatever Rose did and wanted her to do. Until Rose went missing—swallowed up in a mysterious fog.

When Neve takes the lead in finding her, along with two new friends, Piper who also lost a sister, possibly in a swamp hidden by the fog, and Sammy who has also seen mysterious and magical happenings, she finds herself and her own strengths and talents.

Part mystery, part adventure, part fantasy and folktale, this is an exciting tale of relationships—family and friends—and identity, with writing so visual the reader becomes embroiled in the action.

[Dead Sirius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins Children's Book for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The Whispering Fog follows two sisters Rose and Neve that are never apart. But when their parents get separated, divisions between the sisters begin to form. Rose seems to be heading in one direction, while Neve starts feeling left behind. But when rumors of their new home start floating around, an unsuspecting threat begins to loom.

I enjoyed the sister dynamic between Rose and Neve. I felt like their differences felt like a genuine part of growing up and becoming your own person. I haven't read the Rose Red and Snow White fairytale in a while so I can't offer a constructive review on whether this is a good retelling. But I enjoyed the magic, the family dynamics, and the plot. The characters were also a delight! I loved the little quirks each character, event he minor ones had.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 or 4 stars for me, I think, rounding up
This is juvenile fiction aiming for an age group I'm usually not so interested in, maybe 10-15 years old or so. It's not something I'd call Young Adult fiction (although the YA label has some issues in general), but it's not overly "young".

Some parts that could be gruesome weren't described in detail (as appropriate for this age range).
The sisters deal with a couple different issues related to moving to a new school, coming of age, family disagreements, and also, you know, the witch in the woods. This didn't feel so much like a retelling of Snow White, Rose Red as much as a story "inspired by".

I'd be interested in other work from Jennings, retellings inspired by, or otherwise.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I know that I finished this book, but while writing this review only a few days out, the ending has fled my memory. this Snow White and Rose Red retelling anchors itself in a small coastal South Carolina town that has some eerie fantastical things going on that most people in the town either deny or forget. I would also say that this book dips its toe into horror as well. While I think the overall narrative is fine, it did not work for me, most probably because of the included horror tropes and the fact that I do not have familiarity with the original fairytale.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Whispering Fog is definitely a spooky, fantastical story of sisters Neve and Rose. Neve seems to always do what older sister Rose is doing regardless of what it may be. They are inseparable so it seems, but the fog comes in and swallows Rose right before Neve's eyes. Neve is forced to learn how to become her own person and forced to find her own voice to conquer the witch's plan and save her sister. Middle grade fans of scary or spooky fiction will enjoy this novel.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the Grimm's fairytale mentions with the "Snow-White and Rose-Red" vibes and of course put "swamp-dwelling witch" on a back cover and I'm instant grabby hands.

Other motifs I thoroughly enjoyed:
the sometimes-complicated sister-bond between Neve and Rose
growing pains
finding your voice
omgoodness, the tomato fun facts--yes! I ADORE when a character (and real life people) goes unabashedly full speed ahead with a fun quirk

[Carol Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a surprise because I expected to like it, but I didn't think I'd be saying, "Wow! That's a Seanan McGuire-level version of Hansel & Gretel". It's a perfect challenge for readers who are just starting chapter books and want something Halloween-themed, but it's also good for older readers as well, because it deals with some heavy themes (divorce and codependency) with an empathetic grace that I think kids will eat up. This should be in classroom libraries all over the world!

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a scary version of Snow White and the fairy tale. I don’t have a sister but a brother, but the sibling love is stronger. Also I love tomato but I didn’t realize that I learn so much from this book. The twists and turns made the story interesting and I like the magic realism. Awesome book!!!

[Michelle Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down! Landra Jennings spins spooky mystery and deep emotion to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The book is so beautifully written readers can truly share in the senses of the characters. I have pre-ordered her book, The Wand, with anticipation and confidence that this new book will take me on an adventure as exciting as her first book did.

[Bralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and felt that it showed a realistic example of sibling relationships and how families can be imperfect and yet still loving. Love the symbolism of the dog and how this author gave a modern twist to a classic tale!

[BookishBexx&theCats · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great middle grade contemporary fantasy about two sisters who are inseparable; and a life lesson about learning to be yourself. I really enjoyed it.

***I received free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Niebuhr Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy fun take on the scary witch in the woods type fairy tale. I was reminded of Hansel and Gretel and my childhood relationship with my brother as sisters Neve and Rose grappled with the age old tropes of sibling rivalry, preferential treatment from parents, and self discovery / coming of age.

[Lyssa Schleifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stressful, thrilling, and full of surprises, I really enjoyed this book. The character development is really heart-warming and I loved how scary it was near the end! I can’t wait to read Jennings’s other book.