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Whisper of Shadows and Snakes
A shadow in the night, A secret so lonely, A cruel twist of fate. Deep within a mystical land, a thief with the ability to shift into animals inked upon his skin has stolen an ancient weapon, plunging the world into chaos. Whisked away to a hidden school high in the mountains, Alek and his friends must overcome heartache and betrayal as they learn to master the magic that burns in their veins. With danger closing in and bloodthirsty monsters emerging from the shadows, loyalties will be tested as Alek is inexplicably drawn to a mysterious boy. Who is he? What is he hiding? And most importantly, why can't Alek get him out of his head? Struggling under the weight of the destiny that's been thrust upon him, Alek must learn that the key to unlocking his powers lies in embracing who he truly is. Before it's too late ...
344 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2022
About the author
J.S. Burns
2 books28 followersJ.S. Burns is an Australian author of The Whisper of Shadows Saga, an epic queer romantasy series set in the world of Balathor, where elemental magic, rebellion and forbidden love collide.
Blending heart-stopping adventure with slow-burn romance, J.S.Burns writes the kinds of stories he wished he had growing up — queer characters at the heart of epic fantasy journeys, discovering love, friendship, and power in a world that often underestimates them.
His goal is simple: to give readers books they’ll stay up too late with, hiding under the covers long after the lights are supposed to be out, swept away into a story that feels dangerous, magical, and achingly real.
Away from the page, Jake can often be found in cafés and bars, quietly planning out new realms, weaving betrayals and forbidden romances, and plotting the twists that will one day trap his characters — and his readers — in stories they won’t want to escape.
The idea of Whisper of Shadows and Snakes came to Jake in 2008, when he was just fourteen. Inspired by books such as The Lord Of The Rings and Eragon, he spent many days at the family computer typing out his story, until finally, it was complete.
The book was then shelved, saved to a file on Jake’s computer for eleven years until 2019 when he decided to re-write it with a more mature take on the characters that had only ever existed in his mind. Fast forward a few years and multiple title changes later, and his debut novel is officially published.
Join the journey:
www.jsburnsauthor.com
@j.s.burnss
Blending heart-stopping adventure with slow-burn romance, J.S.Burns writes the kinds of stories he wished he had growing up — queer characters at the heart of epic fantasy journeys, discovering love, friendship, and power in a world that often underestimates them.
His goal is simple: to give readers books they’ll stay up too late with, hiding under the covers long after the lights are supposed to be out, swept away into a story that feels dangerous, magical, and achingly real.
Away from the page, Jake can often be found in cafés and bars, quietly planning out new realms, weaving betrayals and forbidden romances, and plotting the twists that will one day trap his characters — and his readers — in stories they won’t want to escape.
The idea of Whisper of Shadows and Snakes came to Jake in 2008, when he was just fourteen. Inspired by books such as The Lord Of The Rings and Eragon, he spent many days at the family computer typing out his story, until finally, it was complete.
The book was then shelved, saved to a file on Jake’s computer for eleven years until 2019 when he decided to re-write it with a more mature take on the characters that had only ever existed in his mind. Fast forward a few years and multiple title changes later, and his debut novel is officially published.
Join the journey:
www.jsburnsauthor.com
@j.s.burnss
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 26, 2026
"It is a powerful thing to have faith in yourself."
January 21, 2026
Whisper of Shadows and Snakes is a riveting read from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down!
There’s ancient magic and portals to other worlds and a dark force threatening to take over the land.
Our protagonist, Alek, is deeply relatable. He struggles to believe in himself and his own abilities and grows frustrated with himself because of this, which I think is something we’re all guilty of from time to time. He’s also struggling to admit his own sexuality to himself which is a familiar struggle for a lot of the lgbt+ community.
Kai is also a fascinating character. Confident and mysterious, I found myself just as drawn to him as Alek was.
The world Burns has built in this book is beautiful and exciting and terrifying in equal measure - the perfect fantasy world. I could see so much of the valley, the school and their home vividly in my mind.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book were Sarah and Benny, Alek’s two friends. Something about them just rubbed me the wrong way. But it didn’t hamper my enjoyment of this incredible story.
There’s ancient magic and portals to other worlds and a dark force threatening to take over the land.
Our protagonist, Alek, is deeply relatable. He struggles to believe in himself and his own abilities and grows frustrated with himself because of this, which I think is something we’re all guilty of from time to time. He’s also struggling to admit his own sexuality to himself which is a familiar struggle for a lot of the lgbt+ community.
Kai is also a fascinating character. Confident and mysterious, I found myself just as drawn to him as Alek was.
The world Burns has built in this book is beautiful and exciting and terrifying in equal measure - the perfect fantasy world. I could see so much of the valley, the school and their home vividly in my mind.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book were Sarah and Benny, Alek’s two friends. Something about them just rubbed me the wrong way. But it didn’t hamper my enjoyment of this incredible story.
December 1, 2022
Captivating from the very first page!
Whisper of Shadows and Snakes delivered a fast-paced fantasy story that quickly grabbed my attention and left me on the edge of my seat. Packed with action and high stakes, this book weaved a well-balanced story full of friendship, adventure, danger, and self-acceptance.
I think the author did an amazing job when writing this book. His character development, exciting magic system, and vivid world building was absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait for more!
Whisper of Shadows and Snakes delivered a fast-paced fantasy story that quickly grabbed my attention and left me on the edge of my seat. Packed with action and high stakes, this book weaved a well-balanced story full of friendship, adventure, danger, and self-acceptance.
I think the author did an amazing job when writing this book. His character development, exciting magic system, and vivid world building was absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait for more!
September 30, 2022
Actual rating 4.5 stars
I really liked this book, y’all. The way the story is told is really engaging and I was constantly wanting to know where this was going to go. I think the thing I liked the most about this is that the stakes felt very intense, a lot of YA fantasy shirks away from death even though they try to make the stakes feel that high. This book has death as a very key facet to the plot and it makes everything so much more visceral. The characters could be a bit frustrating at times, but it is to be expected and didn’t stop me from cheering for them. Super excited to keep reading this series and see more of what this author has to offer!
Thank you for the gifted copy for my honest review, all opinions are my own.
I really liked this book, y’all. The way the story is told is really engaging and I was constantly wanting to know where this was going to go. I think the thing I liked the most about this is that the stakes felt very intense, a lot of YA fantasy shirks away from death even though they try to make the stakes feel that high. This book has death as a very key facet to the plot and it makes everything so much more visceral. The characters could be a bit frustrating at times, but it is to be expected and didn’t stop me from cheering for them. Super excited to keep reading this series and see more of what this author has to offer!
Thank you for the gifted copy for my honest review, all opinions are my own.
October 22, 2022
The author generously provided a copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. I have always loved fantasy but I was struggling to find a satisfying story that combined the fantasy and lgbt genre successfully. Jake definitely managed to build a magical world and fill it with great characters and an intriguing storyline.
Alek was a great protagonist, who I felt had a much more real reaction after being thrown into a world where magic and myth are real. He had a great development arc over the course of this novel with a rich cast of supporting friends and enemies. I’m so grateful that I was given the opportunity to read this book and I only wish it could have existed when I was growing up. Definitely will be waiting for the sequel!
March 12, 2026
What an adventure! I loved this story. The prologue was very good at booking me in. The beginning after was a little slow until we got back into the fantasy world. Enjoyed the romance but wish there had more details spent on it and Alek’s training. More world building too. Not necessarily more adult content but just getting to know the characters more. Maybe more of that will be in the sequel, which I would love to read!
December 19, 2025
This was… I like this author, but the blurb was a little disappointing, it felt like another fantasy book, with the usual tropes of best friends going into a world of magic and adventure that is new and unexpected, and then… we have adventure, magic, friends, but it isn’t your usual tropes, it isn’t what you expect. For some reason, it reminds me of “The Princess Bride” opening scene in the movie, expecting something cliché and finding instead this incredible treasure. I was torn about Kai from the beginning, and at its end, I’m still torn. He’s a complex character that evokes complicated emotions, and I’m just wondering what is going to happen next, and hoping I can finally figure out if I should be team Kai or not. This is an incredible story of friendship, magical adventures, figuring out who you are, and what you can do., what your choices mean for yourself and others, and it’s a great journey to be in. I felt for Alek and the hard choices he has to make, and what they might mean in the future. Very interesting story, better than I expected from the blurb, and I recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 6, 2026
I thought that this book was cute. I wish that there were more details in this book. More depth with each character. Time spent with each of them expanding on their experiences, challenges, and changes. I will be reading the second book because the adventure for these characters are continuing and I want to see how the author continues to grow these characters.
July 31, 2022
I was a bit stuck when I came to reviewing this book as it definitely has its merits, but there were also things that took me out of the story.
I’d like to start with the positives.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the description when introducing characters and places. The description is thorough enough that you can picture the characters and settings in your head which is a sign of a talented writer.
The shapeshifting aspect with the tattoos was super intriguing for me, it’s not something I’ve seen in a book before and the uniqueness is an appealing quality of this read.
I think the best aspect of this read is it being an own voices novel, you can tell the genuinity of the character Alek, you can feel the emotions and the inner turmoil he experiences as he makes his journey.
Now the drawbacks.
Although the writing style is good, often the author begins sentences with character names and it comes across clunky and stops you being able to fully immerse in the story.
Another aspect that confused me slightly is that we are introduced to a character at the very beginning, and then there is a long while before we see that character again. While he did come back to merge with the story eventually, at first it felt like I was reading two different books merged into one as I didn’t understand what the importance of this original character was.
Overall, an intriguing debut. Although this read wasn’t for me I can honestly say I am excited to see what comes next from this author.
I’d like to start with the positives.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the description when introducing characters and places. The description is thorough enough that you can picture the characters and settings in your head which is a sign of a talented writer.
The shapeshifting aspect with the tattoos was super intriguing for me, it’s not something I’ve seen in a book before and the uniqueness is an appealing quality of this read.
I think the best aspect of this read is it being an own voices novel, you can tell the genuinity of the character Alek, you can feel the emotions and the inner turmoil he experiences as he makes his journey.
Now the drawbacks.
Although the writing style is good, often the author begins sentences with character names and it comes across clunky and stops you being able to fully immerse in the story.
Another aspect that confused me slightly is that we are introduced to a character at the very beginning, and then there is a long while before we see that character again. While he did come back to merge with the story eventually, at first it felt like I was reading two different books merged into one as I didn’t understand what the importance of this original character was.
Overall, an intriguing debut. Although this read wasn’t for me I can honestly say I am excited to see what comes next from this author.
August 28, 2022
This book!!! So beautifully written, the world described is easy to grasp and makes you feel like your there plus the characters you can't help but love and want to root along for (and hate) Romance was amazing with so much chemistry and tension, couldn't stop reading. Will be running to the next one the moment I can, Perfect ending, leaving me heartbroken and begging for the next one 🙇
Recommend for anyone looking for a queer fantasy with lovable characters going on an adventure to a new world, with unlikely heros prepared to sacrifice everything.
Recommend for anyone looking for a queer fantasy with lovable characters going on an adventure to a new world, with unlikely heros prepared to sacrifice everything.
November 15, 2022
A great fantasy/sci-fi read from a new author filling the pages with secrets, Magic and new worlds. The storyline kept me eager to see what would happen to the characters, and I’m eager to see what happens next with Alek and his friends.
I enjoyed the prologue setting up the story from a different point of view and bringing it back into the fold later on. I’m hopeful for more development for Sarah and Benny as the story continues and to see how Alek continues to grow.
I enjoyed the prologue setting up the story from a different point of view and bringing it back into the fold later on. I’m hopeful for more development for Sarah and Benny as the story continues and to see how Alek continues to grow.
October 19, 2022
Would give it even more stars if I could!! The story that’s been created is absolutely amazing, Jake makes it so easy to imagine the world for yourself and had me rooting for Alek from the start! Very excited to see where this story goes.
October 21, 2022
amazing
A tender coming of age story filled with magic. Eager for the next installment. This story had me at hello.
A tender coming of age story filled with magic. Eager for the next installment. This story had me at hello.
January 12, 2023
Ok. I loved this book. I loved the relationships, the drama was on point!
This author’s descriptions had me feeling like I was in the book.
This author’s descriptions had me feeling like I was in the book.
February 21, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow, what do I say about this book?
J.S. Burns has created a world filled with life and magic that, I feel, rivals those created by some big-name authors.
The characters in this book are very well developed, and you can’t help but fall in love with them right away.
Alek, Benny, and Sarah are thrown into a new world, and each of them is changed in different ways because of it. They each have their own journey in discovering their powers and navigating the changing dynamics between their usually tight-knit group.
The side characters in this story are so diverse and great to get to know. I LOVE that they have their own character arcs. Kai is my favourite, and I was not surprised at all with his role in the story. It brought depth to the development of the character of Alek. I just hope that we meet him again in the next book!
Ash is an enigma. I just don’t know how to take her. Maybe it’s because I feel like she was struggling in her own role as principal of the school that she let so many things fall through the cracks.
The lore of this world is so well developed. You can tell that Burns has put a lot of effort into its creation, as it feels well-rounded and complex. As the first book in the saga, this book is jam-packed with bundles of lore, and I just couldn’t get enough of them.
The magic system of this world seems well-developed and unique. It isn’t filled with complex rituals that can easily become confusing, and the use of magic only adds to the unfolding of the narrative, rather than just for aesthetics. I also enjoyed how our MCs have to WORK for their powers, rather than have them handed to them on a silver platter.
I have fallen in love with the magical creatures of Balathor, even though they are kind of terrifying, and I look forward to seeing what other creatures come out of the woodwork as the saga progresses
Wow, what do I say about this book?
J.S. Burns has created a world filled with life and magic that, I feel, rivals those created by some big-name authors.
The characters in this book are very well developed, and you can’t help but fall in love with them right away.
Alek, Benny, and Sarah are thrown into a new world, and each of them is changed in different ways because of it. They each have their own journey in discovering their powers and navigating the changing dynamics between their usually tight-knit group.
The side characters in this story are so diverse and great to get to know. I LOVE that they have their own character arcs. Kai is my favourite, and I was not surprised at all with his role in the story. It brought depth to the development of the character of Alek. I just hope that we meet him again in the next book!
Ash is an enigma. I just don’t know how to take her. Maybe it’s because I feel like she was struggling in her own role as principal of the school that she let so many things fall through the cracks.
The lore of this world is so well developed. You can tell that Burns has put a lot of effort into its creation, as it feels well-rounded and complex. As the first book in the saga, this book is jam-packed with bundles of lore, and I just couldn’t get enough of them.
The magic system of this world seems well-developed and unique. It isn’t filled with complex rituals that can easily become confusing, and the use of magic only adds to the unfolding of the narrative, rather than just for aesthetics. I also enjoyed how our MCs have to WORK for their powers, rather than have them handed to them on a silver platter.
I have fallen in love with the magical creatures of Balathor, even though they are kind of terrifying, and I look forward to seeing what other creatures come out of the woodwork as the saga progresses
January 23, 2026
An engaging, easy to read fantasy with an edge of tragic romance. Three friends pulled into a different world full of magic and monsters and prophecy, told that they are the only ones who can save it all. The cost is established early, the loss, the insecurity, the pressure, all three have different motivations to stay, to train and to fight. Adventure, loyalty, revenge. Their fourth and final ally, the final element of the four, the steadying earth, is missing, and the only clue as to their whereabouts is revealed only after an unsanctioned murderous mission. Their relationships are falling apart, their friendship forever changed and trust is falling apart. Meanwhile, the evil king of darkness that haunts this world is aware of their presence and has the power to crush them all...
An engaging, action-packed and emotionally complex tale. It navigates friendships, romantic relationships, familial trauma alongside magical training, world development and tense battle scenes. I liked the characters, they are young and foolish at times and the dialogue and internal thoughts reflect that, but they are all well-built and I enjoyed all three perspectives, as well as the bonus prologue perspective. I also loved that having that bonus perspective gave the reader the prior knowledge of the final twist and reveal, but the narrative ensured understanding and forgiveness of the character before their initial crime, narrated from their perspective in the prologue, is revealed to the group... It was an interesting element, creating an initial underlying tension then allowing the reader to relax, then rebuilding that tension in a second at the conclusion of the book!
An enjoyable, engaging read packed with action, tension, angst and magic.
An engaging, action-packed and emotionally complex tale. It navigates friendships, romantic relationships, familial trauma alongside magical training, world development and tense battle scenes. I liked the characters, they are young and foolish at times and the dialogue and internal thoughts reflect that, but they are all well-built and I enjoyed all three perspectives, as well as the bonus prologue perspective. I also loved that having that bonus perspective gave the reader the prior knowledge of the final twist and reveal, but the narrative ensured understanding and forgiveness of the character before their initial crime, narrated from their perspective in the prologue, is revealed to the group... It was an interesting element, creating an initial underlying tension then allowing the reader to relax, then rebuilding that tension in a second at the conclusion of the book!
An enjoyable, engaging read packed with action, tension, angst and magic.
September 26, 2022
𝗔 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗪 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧, 𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗬, 𝗔 𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗙𝗔𝗧𝗘.
If you're looking for a quick and engrossing (or a starter) queer YA fantasy read, I have the perfect book for you! I was given the opportuntity to read Whisper of Shadows and Snakes, a debut novel from J.S. Burns, in advance and it was magical!
Whisper of Shadows and Snakes follows Alek, Benny, and Sarah as they learn how to harness the magic running in their veins after being whisked away in a deep mystical land filled with monsters, a stolen ancient weapon, and shapeshifters who can turn into animals inked on their skin.
I love a good YA fantasy book and this is one of them! Jake is a storyteller who has the power to make his readers see how he sees the world inside his books. I got drawn to the characters and how complex some of them are and I gotta admit that I formed a deep connection with Alek. Though I'm not a fan of long narrations, it did not knock some points off the level of enjoyment I had when I finished it. I really hope there's a sequel because the end made me want more, and I know now that I will read whatever Jake writes in the future!
Read this if you're into:
✨ Elemental Magic
🌳 Enchanted dangerous forests
🍂 Magical worlds that needs saving
🐍 Shapeshifters and monsters
Whisper of Shadows and Snakes has not been released yet, but please follow @j.s.burnss on Instagram for more announcements on the pre-sale that's happening soon! 💜
If you're looking for a quick and engrossing (or a starter) queer YA fantasy read, I have the perfect book for you! I was given the opportuntity to read Whisper of Shadows and Snakes, a debut novel from J.S. Burns, in advance and it was magical!
Whisper of Shadows and Snakes follows Alek, Benny, and Sarah as they learn how to harness the magic running in their veins after being whisked away in a deep mystical land filled with monsters, a stolen ancient weapon, and shapeshifters who can turn into animals inked on their skin.
I love a good YA fantasy book and this is one of them! Jake is a storyteller who has the power to make his readers see how he sees the world inside his books. I got drawn to the characters and how complex some of them are and I gotta admit that I formed a deep connection with Alek. Though I'm not a fan of long narrations, it did not knock some points off the level of enjoyment I had when I finished it. I really hope there's a sequel because the end made me want more, and I know now that I will read whatever Jake writes in the future!
Read this if you're into:
✨ Elemental Magic
🌳 Enchanted dangerous forests
🍂 Magical worlds that needs saving
🐍 Shapeshifters and monsters
Whisper of Shadows and Snakes has not been released yet, but please follow @j.s.burnss on Instagram for more announcements on the pre-sale that's happening soon! 💜
February 19, 2026
This just didn’t land for me on several levels which is a disappointment! I love portal fantasy books and this one promises such an interesting premise with a magical amulet, inherited magic, and a mm romance too.
Sadly, Aleks spent far too long whining about just everything in the vicinity. Benny felt closer to a cardboard cutout of Anger rather than a solid third character in the trio. And the POV would cut to Sarah and her revenge mission just when Aleks POV was starting to get interesting, and then vice versa so we didn’t actually see any character growth internally, just informed about it externally.
There is also an issue with the internal timeline of the characters. The amulet is stolen a week before the trio arrive, however Alek (promised saviour etc) is allowed to train with Kai who has been at the school less than a week himself?
Several plot threads are also introduced and not collected again: the suspicion around Ash, Aleks’ brother, the librarian; which could be building up to the sequel but it currently just feels unfinished. The writing itself is fine, but everyone reads as the younger side of YA (even the adults) and then there’s fade to black scenes so I can’t fully work out an age range. All in all, it needs some work to live up to the good bones introduced in the opening chapter which was by far my favourite bit of the story that we didn’t see again.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
Sadly, Aleks spent far too long whining about just everything in the vicinity. Benny felt closer to a cardboard cutout of Anger rather than a solid third character in the trio. And the POV would cut to Sarah and her revenge mission just when Aleks POV was starting to get interesting, and then vice versa so we didn’t actually see any character growth internally, just informed about it externally.
There is also an issue with the internal timeline of the characters. The amulet is stolen a week before the trio arrive, however Alek (promised saviour etc) is allowed to train with Kai who has been at the school less than a week himself?
Several plot threads are also introduced and not collected again: the suspicion around Ash, Aleks’ brother, the librarian; which could be building up to the sequel but it currently just feels unfinished. The writing itself is fine, but everyone reads as the younger side of YA (even the adults) and then there’s fade to black scenes so I can’t fully work out an age range. All in all, it needs some work to live up to the good bones introduced in the opening chapter which was by far my favourite bit of the story that we didn’t see again.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
January 22, 2026
I'm not even ashamed to admit this is a common occurrence for me, all of a sudden I'm at the last page and left wondering 'how did that happen' 🤔
I really had no idea the end of Book 1 was approaching, we had been delivered blow after blow during the last quarter and the anxiety had really set in.
YA
Portal Fantasy
Academia Setting-ish?
Ancient/ Unknown Magic
M/M Love Blooming
High Stakes
Journey into the Unknown type/ Adventure
Evil threats & Danger lurking
This read was highly enjoyable, mid-fast paced & jam packed with action. I would describe this as easy to follow and very mild if only really referenced spicy-ish content.
We follow Alek & his 2 besties Sarah & Benny as they are dramatically thrust into an unknown world beyond their wildest imaginations. Here we are thrown straight into training and discover power we didn't know we had while preparing for an evil threat to our new home.
I love a good adventure/ quest and to be honest I think I'm going to save my physical copy for my daughter I think she's only a year or 2 off being able to enjoy a series like this.
All in all, I think this is a great debut & I really liked it.
I'm lucky enough to have an ARC for Book 2 Whisper of Shadows & Stone waiting for me in my inbox and will be diving straight into once I finish writing this.
3.75 ⭐️'s 💜
I really had no idea the end of Book 1 was approaching, we had been delivered blow after blow during the last quarter and the anxiety had really set in.
YA
Portal Fantasy
Academia Setting-ish?
Ancient/ Unknown Magic
M/M Love Blooming
High Stakes
Journey into the Unknown type/ Adventure
Evil threats & Danger lurking
This read was highly enjoyable, mid-fast paced & jam packed with action. I would describe this as easy to follow and very mild if only really referenced spicy-ish content.
We follow Alek & his 2 besties Sarah & Benny as they are dramatically thrust into an unknown world beyond their wildest imaginations. Here we are thrown straight into training and discover power we didn't know we had while preparing for an evil threat to our new home.
I love a good adventure/ quest and to be honest I think I'm going to save my physical copy for my daughter I think she's only a year or 2 off being able to enjoy a series like this.
All in all, I think this is a great debut & I really liked it.
I'm lucky enough to have an ARC for Book 2 Whisper of Shadows & Stone waiting for me in my inbox and will be diving straight into once I finish writing this.
3.75 ⭐️'s 💜
January 3, 2025
This book was so fun to read! From the very beginning I was hooked into this story and wanted to know more. I was really digging the plot. It was so fun to explore the world with the characters as they joined the school in another realm. Such a magical world with such vivid descriptions that really served to enhance the beauty of the setting. Despite being in love with the world and the story, not everything was great. At times the writing was somewhat lacklustre and basic. Not too sure if this was due to the character's POVs or just the writing. Also a personal opinion but not a lot of the characters were loveable even though they were all distinct. I was happy whenever Alek and Kai were on the page but then lost my excitement whenever it was another character's perspective. Despite the downsides, the book had a really jam-packed ending and I'm really hyped for the sequel!
January 25, 2026
Whisper of Shadows and Snakes is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that pulls you in with its moody tone and sense of mystery. J. S. Burns does a great job building a world that feels rich and immersive, full of secrets, shadows, and quiet danger.
The story unfolds at a steady pace, with strong emotional undercurrents and characters who feel layered and conflicted. I especially enjoyed the darker themes and the way tension slowly builds rather than relying on constant action. The magic and symbolism are intriguing, and the writing style fits the tone of the story well.
While there were a few moments where I wished certain scenes were explored a bit more deeply, overall this was a compelling start to the series. Fans of darker fantasy with a mysterious, almost lyrical feel will likely enjoy this one.
I’m definitely curious to see where the saga goes in next.
The story unfolds at a steady pace, with strong emotional undercurrents and characters who feel layered and conflicted. I especially enjoyed the darker themes and the way tension slowly builds rather than relying on constant action. The magic and symbolism are intriguing, and the writing style fits the tone of the story well.
While there were a few moments where I wished certain scenes were explored a bit more deeply, overall this was a compelling start to the series. Fans of darker fantasy with a mysterious, almost lyrical feel will likely enjoy this one.
I’m definitely curious to see where the saga goes in next.
February 18, 2026
This was shockingly bad and I was actually quite excited to read this.
Being compared to atla is frankly offensive. The writing was juvenile, the characterisation was shocking (please ban this man from writing any more female characters, holy fuck. A girl putting her hair in a ponytail does not change the fucking trajectory of her life…), the internal monologues were so cringe — it was painful to say the least. I don’t really understand the world and the prophecy, super under developed and frankly, boring.
I am intrigued enough (maybe) to read the next book but I also can definitely live without learning what happens next.
The only thing I did like was the romance between Alex and Kia but that ended up being kinda weird.
Being compared to atla is frankly offensive. The writing was juvenile, the characterisation was shocking (please ban this man from writing any more female characters, holy fuck. A girl putting her hair in a ponytail does not change the fucking trajectory of her life…), the internal monologues were so cringe — it was painful to say the least. I don’t really understand the world and the prophecy, super under developed and frankly, boring.
I am intrigued enough (maybe) to read the next book but I also can definitely live without learning what happens next.
The only thing I did like was the romance between Alex and Kia but that ended up being kinda weird.
February 21, 2026
I really enjoyed Whisper of Shadows and Snakes. The mix of elemental magic, adventure, and a slow-burn queer romance kept me hooked from start to finish. The world J.S. Burns created feels vivid and full of secrets, and I loved exploring it alongside Alek.
Alek’s journey of mastering his magic while figuring out who he is felt really authentic, and his dynamic with Kai added just the right amount of tension and emotional depth. Some of the side characters didn’t resonate as much for me, and a few story threads took a while to come together, but overall, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
If you like character-driven fantasy with magic, mystery, and meaningful relationships, this is definitely a book I’d recommend — and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Alek’s journey of mastering his magic while figuring out who he is felt really authentic, and his dynamic with Kai added just the right amount of tension and emotional depth. Some of the side characters didn’t resonate as much for me, and a few story threads took a while to come together, but overall, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
If you like character-driven fantasy with magic, mystery, and meaningful relationships, this is definitely a book I’d recommend — and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
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April 16, 2026*no spoiler*
Holy moly! This book starts off as a ‘just an ordinary world and teenagers’ but quickly pulls the rug out from under you and has you falling into a whole other world, literally!
This coming of age, finding yourself fantasy book will have you drawn in with the lore, the loveable and relatable characters as well as the danger lurking around every corner. Legends, prophecies and magic, creatures, ancient lore and ‘are they are friend or foe’ will have you wanting more!
J.S Burns has done an incredible job with his writing, bringing each character and location to life so vividly I felt like I was there walking alongside them!
A definite must read for lovers of Avatar the last air bender ❤️
5⭐️
Holy moly! This book starts off as a ‘just an ordinary world and teenagers’ but quickly pulls the rug out from under you and has you falling into a whole other world, literally!
This coming of age, finding yourself fantasy book will have you drawn in with the lore, the loveable and relatable characters as well as the danger lurking around every corner. Legends, prophecies and magic, creatures, ancient lore and ‘are they are friend or foe’ will have you wanting more!
J.S Burns has done an incredible job with his writing, bringing each character and location to life so vividly I felt like I was there walking alongside them!
A definite must read for lovers of Avatar the last air bender ❤️
5⭐️
April 24, 2026
Finally! A YA fantasy by an indie author done right! Following the traditional conventions of magic academia, mysterious enemies, twists in the plot, thoughtful character development, somehow it still felt fresh and memorable. I could visualise everything so clearly. It was so exciting to have met the author and then to have delved into the story, giving me a sense of connection to the characters. What a cliffhanger to have been left on! I'm so glad I have the next book to start immediately. The only sticking point was small segments of the book lacked variety in sentence structure and made for a relatively stagnant read, despite everything else piecing together smoothly.
March 23, 2026
Maybe I'm not the target reader of this book. So independently of my opinion I recommend you to read for yourself because it's very well written and the MC is good!
It reminded me a bit of The Tale of the White Serpent, so if you like these type of books you’ll love this one
For me I felt like the plot lacked something, it had a huge potential but I feel like I needed more to actually feel hocked.
Nevertheless thank you for the advance copy, it was a nice reading and once again...I really recommend people to read it because I feel that there's a group of readers that will love it!!
It reminded me a bit of The Tale of the White Serpent, so if you like these type of books you’ll love this one
For me I felt like the plot lacked something, it had a huge potential but I feel like I needed more to actually feel hocked.
Nevertheless thank you for the advance copy, it was a nice reading and once again...I really recommend people to read it because I feel that there's a group of readers that will love it!!
December 3, 2025
This is the first book in a series . I am enjoying the storyline I think it is laying breadcrumbs quite well. Likeable characters all with their own points of view. A sense of mystery . A love story that could go either way . An affect seat third act, all in all a great first chapter. Looking forward to book 2 .
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 18, 2026
4.5 stars. Exceptional world building, with an interesting magic system in a parallel world. The physical world descriptions are excellent - it's almost as if I could see it all. I liked Alek and Kai, but I wasn't particularly impressed by Sarah and Benny. I'm really looking forward to the next part, this is a very promising first book.
February 27, 2026
I give this a 3.5. I have to confess, the second book is what really drew me in but I wanted to read this book first just to give me a better perspective. It was a little slow for me but overall, it had a nice starter to the series. It's getting to know one's self and figuring out what life has in store for you!
November 14, 2024
Very YA. Technically a DNF, but i did flick to the end to see what happened so I’ll give it props for making me want to know it ends.
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