OMG THAT WAS SO FREAKING GOOD! I absolutely loved this story. The plot, ideas, everything. I have to say though, some of the end of this first book were somewhat predictable. Even then, I loved the idea and it was so well executed!

While it's easy to draw parallels with other series - X-men particularly - Whisper offers so much more than it might first seem. 

Jane has been imprisoned at some sort of research facility for over two years. In that time, she hasn't spoken a word, and she's clearly traumatised over the death of her parents, the even that precipitated her imprisonment. However, there's more to this facility than meets the eye - and I don't just mean that it's buried in a very central Sydney location. 

The characters we slowly got to know endeared themselves to me quickly, Cami in particular (plenty of readers will feel relief at having an advocate for the "just fricking talk to each other!" method of communication she so enthusiastically promotes). But mostly what I liked about them was the connection between them all - they felt like they were forming themselves into a new family.

I'm on board for the next book - this is a series, though this book absolutely works on it's own. Yes there's threads left undone, but something has to be to keep a series moving!

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. "Well excuuuuuuse me, princess!" 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 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.

DNF

I don't think DNF is even an appropriate title, as I hardly started it. 
Since it's not available for Kindle, I have been trying to read it on my laptop. 
My laptop is crap. The pages freeze with every turn. 
It really bums me out because this book looks really good. When it comes out for sale, I'll certainly buy the e-book.

I am left with two questions as I finish this book. The first is when can I read more? The second is why is this not a movie yet? I found myself being reminded of Hunger Games and the Maze Runner as I read this, two series I loved and sped through with vigor. I did the same with this book. I thought the beginning was a bit hard to get through until I figured out the writing, once I got that, I couldn't put this book down. I was captivated from the second chapter and as I finished it I realized that I just didn't want it to end. The characters were perfectly done, and the action just never stopped. I am completely in awe of this book and this author and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Loved this book!  Having already read Lynette Noni’s Medoran Chronicles I knew it would be good, but I had to read it in one sitting.
I couldn’t put it down.

I wanted to like this more than I did. I just felt like in our current social culture, it was another you-don't-know-who-to-trust and everyone-who's-not-like-you-is-to-be-approached-with-caution and look-what-we've-done-to-our-world... I know that's what dystopian fiction is, but this wasn't unique enough to wow me.  Noni did her best to make the reader flip flop as to 'who's to blame,' but it was too easy to figure out, which made me lose a little sympathy for our hero (victim?). I'm no longer a YA, so perhaps YA readers will enjoy the challenge more of deciding which side deserves their loyalty. Characterizations are diverse enough to get to know them as individuals - this is a plus. In spite of my critique of the thematic premise, the plot was interesting enough that I do plan on reading the next book in the series. My curiosity is piqued.

Amazing read. I did not know what to expect, and i was amazed at every pahe i read at the quality of the writing. The story is original and the plot very intriging! I read it in two days, could not put it down. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read this. I am looking foward to the sequel!!!

I really enjoyed all of the characters. I thought that Alyssa was very flushed out and her story was so interesting. There were so many plot twists. I really enjoyed where things ended up and I can't wait to see what happens next. I really like one of the guys that Alyssa has in her sights so I can't wait to see who she ends up with. If anyone.

I received this book for review from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion. This has not impacted my views.


Holy. Crap. That was phenomenal.

This is the first Lynette Noni book that I've ever read, though having literally just finished the book, I have no idea why I haven't read her other series yet.

I was hooked from the very first page, and am now impatiently waiting for book two in what promises to be a thrilling and captivating series.


Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2334654664

Another great Fantasy book. I love it when I get my hands on one of these, especially when it's going to be a trilogy/series. 

For two years, Jane Doe has been locked away and experimented on. For two years, she has lived without speaking a word. She is afraid to - in fear of what happens when she speaks. But when Jane got assigned a new evaluator, she finally start to open up. She begins to find out more about herself and the secrets in Lengard. 

First of all, I loved the characters in this book. They each stood out in their own way. I liked learning about each of their abilities. I thought the premise of the book was interesting. The thought of having such an ability is realistic enough. 

Judging from the ending, there will be a sequel. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! I would love to see how the author develops this world further. I think it has a lot of potential.
 
Thank you to the publisher Pantera Press, and the author Lynette Noni for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

I was given this e-arc by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I first saw this on NetGalley the description was super intriguing and it seemed like something I would really enjoy. My first instinct was correct. Once I started this book and got into it, I couldn’t put it down. It was well-written, intriguing, and heart-stopping with moments of kindness and harshness that brought everything together in the end. Honestly, if this book was out today, I’d go pick it up right away. 
Whisper is about a girl, ‘Jane Doe,’ who has currently been in a government facility for the past two and a half years being tortured and tested, and yet has stayed silent the entire time. Because she knows that her words hold power, and that power could be dangerous. After changing the way that they treat her by giving her actual human connection, she cracks and proves her ability as a Speaker, people that can manipulate the intent of their words and make it a physical force. From then, she begins to learn things about herself, her life before, and the current life she’s living and begins to discover that not everything is as it seems, and not everyone is careful with their intentions.
This book had me in all kinds of disarray. I loved certain characters and I hated certain characters. I loved things that happened and I hated things that happened. I loved some of the relationships that ‘Jane’ started to build and I hated other relationships that were clearly not good for her. But overall, this was one book that I loved completely and whole-heartedly. 
The one thing I loved most was the main character. Noni has created a main character with such strength, but the character herself doesn’t realize until the very end of the book that she had this strength in her the whole time. She learns to build this confidence in her abilities that wasn’t there before. She learns to see that she’s not a monster because of the influence of her words, but that she’s creative in spite of them to serve a purpose.
I also loved what I gathered as a hidden message throughout the book. Jane’s abilities happen through the words that she speaks. She learns that words have a cost, regardless of how they’re used, so you must be careful with them. In a way, it’s a reminder that our words have the power to destroy or to build; to hurt or to help. It’s our responsibility to use them wisely, to think before we speak, and to think about what our words might cost ourselves or others. 
This book captured my attention and I cannot wait for more. It was fast-paced, intriguing, and full of action. Also, I can’t tell you who I loved more: Landon or Kael -- the verdict’s still out on that one. This will be a book that I pick up more than once. If you’re a fan of the Shatter Me, Reign the Earth, or Divergent, this is definitely one that you should consider picking up!!

I am a huge Lynette Noni fan and this book was everything I could have wanted in one of her books and more. With character you fall in love with, a complex and indepth plot and Lynette's signature style, Whisper has been one of my top reads of the year so far.

This is the worst book I’ve read in a long time. Not only was it frustrating to read on my phone - why no kindle file? - but it was totally lacking in originality. If it had been funny or even vaguely self aware (in this post Brooding YA Hero age) I would have been more forgiving of the total adherence to YA tropes, but this book felt like it was written by a computer. Guilt over dead parents? Check. Mysteriously young and handsome tutor? Check. Bad guys the real good guys? Check. Kindly, innocent friend? Check. Green eyes?! Check. Totally unpredictable reactions? Check. Total personality change of love interest for no reason? Double check. She even created “just one bed”.

Great YA novel! Can't wait to see what happens next in the series. This is a hard one to not give away spoilers* for so there might be a couple slips! Jane Doe has a special power, one that has her isolated from everyone and anyone for fear of their life. After two years locked behind secret government doors being experimented on, she finally has an evaluator she learns to trust. With that unlocking she's able to know what her ability actually is, and discovers there are others like her too. Soon though it's apparent she's not being given the whole story, and she has to decide which side to be on and fight for her life. 
There were a few details of the book that I had a hard time swallowing, namely having two years of psychological damage and to end up ok. As well as the whole mad scientist take over scheme being way over the top with terrorists and government take overs it just seemed like a little too much. But the first works for relationship tension, and the second I guess propels the story on. So oh well for me. Other than that I loved it. Characters were fun to meet and the book had a good pace that drew me in. Have to wait for that second book to come out!

This was an interesting premise that was well written and presented in many regards, but I felt that in between the plot twists and modulations there was often room for a little more development and detail (particularly in the incident of the characters). There is a lot of potential here and I look forward to seeing how this progresses in the authors future content. Overall, a thrilling read.

Book's cover draw my attention at the first glance; and I got even more intrigued after reading the description. I literally couldn't put this book down. From the start I felt sympathy for the book's heroine, Jane Doe or Subject 6-8-4. The plot has many unexpected twists and turns and I'm looking forward to continuation.

Honestly, this story started off interesting, but kind of lost its way somewhere after "Jane Doe" spoke for the 1st time. There was too much stuff going on - like, a lot was thrown at her all at once - which made it seem chaotic. Also, is there going to be a follow-up book? Because it ended on a cliffhanger.

This book has twists and turns, great character development and just the right amount of suspense.  I can't wait for the next one in this series

Whisper by Lynette Noni is a gem of a novel. There is so much I love about this book and I'm so excited for the release of it so I can purchase a physical copy of it on May 1st. It is the first novel in this new series from the Australian author and it's her US debut, being published through KPC Loft (US) and Pantera Press (AUS). I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. And my honest opinion is BUY THIS BOOK YOU WON REGRET IT! #LoveOzYA

SYNOPSIS:

“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.

There is so much I enjoyed in this book for so many reasons. I had to force myself to put it down to sleep because you will just want to keep reading.

Hat's off to Noni for creating such an interesting and engaging lead in Jane Doe. Her view of the world around her and how she describes her situation is so well written and you can clearly picture what's happening like you are in her place as she battles through everything that is thrown at her. And for a character that doesn't actually speak to anyone else until page 83 she is so engaging. And what she does say when she starts to speak has huge ramifications for the rest of the story.

I'm honestly so impressed that I was so invested and intrigued by a character where the entire story is made up of her thoughts until this point, of all the things she wish she could say and won't say for reasons that slowly become clear. When she does start to speak...wow.

The supporting characters in the book are really interesting too with really varied personalities and voices. Vanek is a creep and I honestly hate him so much. Evil scientist whom I will always distrust - tick. But there were some funny moments with the rest of the supporting characters that really brighten up the darkness that lurks throughout the book for our heroine Jane.

As an Australian, and this may just be me, but I absolutely loved that this is set IN AUSTRALIA! Well, Sydney to be specific, and you don't even realise that until you're a decent chunk of the way through the book. It's not common to find fantasy/sci-fi books by Australian authors that take place here. They're usually set in the US for some reason if it's in this urban style.

So thank you Noni for writing something based where I grew up. It makes it feel so much more real! The world building and description of Lengard's facility is so good you can picture standing in the place as if you'd been there a thousand times in your life. It's so clear, but still leaves room for your imagination to go wild with the little details.

Look I wrap this up with this. Whisper is a fantastic read about the power of words and finding your voice. It's a story of strength and survival. It's a quick and easy read that is really well written. It's also packed with complex layers that set the rest of the series up nicely and I can't wait for the next books. I'll be out buying this in May when it's released!

5/5 Stars