Once again, I've been drawn into the world of Jeff Wheeler - and as always, I'm hooked. The Violence of Sound is set in a fantasical steampunk world where the power of sound holds immense societal and political power - if you know how to harness it. The characters are layered, dangerous, and compelling, and the plot twists just enough to keep you guessing. Wheeler's signature storytelling - thoughtful, morally complex, and magical - shines through in this richly imagined world. If you've loved his other series, you'll feel right at home. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page.

The two main characters are a young married couple that are gifted with magic. Robinson Foster Hawksley and McKenna Aurora Hawksley (he takes her last name so she can get credit for the invention) keep working together with the purpose to stop a war between the Aesir (immortals) and the Mortals by using sound. Erlking rules the Aesir who's honor is bound to the truth while the Mortals use any means to archive their goal like duplicity and conniving. It reminded me of how's is nowadays 😔 even though to me the time in the story is the19th century.

General Colsterworth frequently participates in the narrative even with all the duties he has at the Gresham College in Bishopsgate and continues to pursue McKenna because he's sure she is semblance. His superior Master Drusselmehr starts harassing him because of all the things he has done.

It seems that everyone has conspired against Robinson so he won't be able to present his invention at the exhibit. And with all disputes inside the Invisible College it complicates things.


This book has a cliffhanger but I recommend it while you have book 1 fresh in your mind. I don't always remember the prior book and Mr Wheeler made me very happy when he wrote snippets of things that happened in book 1. I don't know where he get some of the words so I had to look them up to find out there are not in the dictionary.

I thought this was an incredible sequel to the Invisible College. I have really loved getting to know these characters and new realm. One of my favorite things about reading Jeff Wheelers series is the world-building and the intertwining of all the storylines and characters (I am very interested to see if this one does the same and we will get glimpses of Kingfountain or Muirwood). Being a more Industrial Revolution / steampunk type seating, it is definitely different than the other stories he’s written, and that seasoned readers know and love. I think he’s built up this new setting so well, and the Violence of Sound just augmented it. The mystery and intrigue of McKenna and Robinson’s connection and that to the Aesir is quite gripping. Time will tell what happens next… Needless to say, I am very much looking forward to reading the final installment of the trilogy!

A great second book to this series. It had been awhile since I read book one, so I had a lot of “oooh yeah!” moments as I remembered what had happened. I think I liked this one better. We got to see Rob and McKenna grow in their relationship. There were times that they each wanted to protect the other, but they definitely work best as a team. I love how we get to see the pov of the other side in this series. At one point it even humanizes one of them- not enough, but you can see that there may be something redeemable there. I can’t wait for the next book to release because that was one heck of a cliffhanger!

The Violence of Sound, is author Jeff Wheeler's intriguing newest addition to The Invisible College arc. In this refreshing novel, Mr. Wheeler stays the course with his consistently clean and interesting stories. While this book is a bit slow to get started, my advice is to stick with it because the adventure is worth it. As always, I enjoy letting my kids read Mr. Wheeler's novels too.
Catch up with newly-wedded characters Rob and McKenna who are experiencing honeymoon bliss. Or are they? Of course they are not doing anything of the kind. Rob and McKenna both have some interesting developments regarding a dangerous, life-altering secret. My kids' favorite part of The Violence of Sound was the demise of one of the antagonists. They thought that it was so creative because many authors won't go this route. Most authors kill of characters with magic swords, guns, or with epic battles. This death is subtle and ingenious.
For myself, I really liked how Mr. Wheeler portrayed more of the practical side of marriage in The Violence of Sound. It definitely is not all sunshine and lollipops, especially when the shine is still on the wedding bands. Marriage is hard work, sacrifices, mistakes, surprises of all varieties, and lots of snoring for all parties. Rob and McKenna still have a cute and magical relationship but it was nice to read a novel where the protagonists don't have a swimmingly great time on their honeymoon. It made the characters more relatable which is something that Mr. Wheeler excels at writing. I feel that this novel really captures a great moment in time of what is sure to be an epic love story for Rob and McKenna, complete with their pet dog intelligence.
This was a really fun read and I am very much looking forward to the next installment of The Invisible College arc.
As ever, I am grateful to Mr. Wheeler and his publisher, 47North, for the advance readers copy.

Overall this book was fantastic. Kept me interested all the way through and was much better than the first book! (I had a lot of qualms with the suddeness of the romance last book where it seemed like Rob lost all of his critical thinking and decision making skills) I felt like the characters were developed well and we got to see some morally grey characters show their colors. We also got to see more of the bad guy. I was hoping for a reveal of who Rob really is in this book but alas we shall continue to wait for that! Overall I am very pleased and will definitely continue eagerly reading this series!

Spice: 2/5 with fade to black



This was my only main frustration from this book:

In ch 11 we found out that Robinson needed to apologize to McKenna to get the intelligences to listen to him and lend him magic. Instead of Rob now needing to find some other way to overcome this challenge now that Mckenna is headed out of town on the train, Jeff promptly changed the narrative to where the dog intelligence was just taking a long time to get there. If the intelligences are founded on the honor of those who use them, then that needs to be consistent. Rob should not have been able to use the dog intelligence if he hadn't reconciled with McKenna.

I struggled with the first book. This sequel was so much better. Maybe because it was not dragged down with world building. I loved the dog intelligence and Mckenna's sister Clara. Would like to see more of her. Very interested to see what is going to happen with McKenna. Really hope she and Rob get a happy ending.

Jeff Wheeler has become an auto buy author for me and his latest work, The Violence of Sound, does not disappoint. I read the first book in the Invisible College series before starting this one so I wouldn't have any questions. And I'm glad I did. (It, too, was excellent.)

McKenna and Robinson, a young married couple are navigating life in the time of war. We have a steampunk Victorian setting, a magic system using sound, a College that isn’t a typical college, and an alien enemy who can completely take over their family, friends, or associates. What’s not to love? Add in a smart and talented deaf main character (McKenna) who is determined to join the College despite her disability and you've got a book that is difficult to put down.

This is as good a fantasy as I’ve read lately. The characters are fun, there are lots of family and friends who want to protect or help or caution the young couple. The cliffhanger of an ending has me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

4.5⭐ rounded up to 5

I’m usually not that much into sci-fi or SFF, but this series has a little *something*. It’s the perfect blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and sci-fi, with steampunk and regency vibes. Every time I read something from Wheeler, I’m impressed by his sharp and evocative, but also unpretentious, writing style. I know writing a novel takes tons and tons of time and effort, but he makes it feel effortless, and I always feel immersed in his books.

I feel like this book was the perfect follow-up to the first installment, and that the aspect that felt weaker in book 1 significantly improved: the characters. In this one, the MMC still doesn’t care (much) about what people think, but he’s not immature and rude like he was in The Invisible College. He’s also deliciously nerdy, and I’m here for that! But there are two side characters that really stood out: Wickins and Clara. They are the perfect Black Cat vs. Golden Retriever couple, and I’m here for that as well! I also feel like the stakes were higher in this one, with even more suspense and tension. However, there was some dragging in the first 20%, repetitive dialogues and struggles, and some romance scenes that felt unnecessary.

Pros and cons of the series so far:

❤️ Captivating magic system
❤️ Multiple POV system including a “bad guy”
❤️ Unpredictable plot twists
❤️ Interesting side characters
❤️ The Dog Intelligence
❤️ That ending! Again!
❌ Hard-to-root-for main couple (I have a theory about that)
❌ Some dragging
❌ Unnecessary repetitions

Trigger warnings for the series so far: violence (incl. gun violence), murder, death (incl. of children) and grief, war, audism, gaslighting, poverty, fire and fire injury, blood and gore, pandemic, drowning (mentioned, off-page), possession, power imbalance, etc.

I must admit I was disappointed with this book.
I lost interest in quite quickly. and struggled to finish it.

4.5*

At last, we get to dive into book two of the Invisible College series by Jeff Wheeler, and I was so excited to get my hands on it. McKenna and Robinson are such great characters, and I love their relationship. They truly seem to listen and care for each other in a time where marriage for the sake of status seemed to be more of the norm. Since this has some sci-fi/ fantasy elements, anything can be possible, and I think that’s a trademark of the novels I’ve read by Wheeler.

In this installment, Robinson is trying to protect his wife while also trying to keep away from nefarious characters who seem to be coming out of the woodwork. McKenna, on the other hand, has a target on her back and with her deafness, is unable to fully protect herself unless she stays close to Robinson (she gets kidnapped a couple of times). Some great secrets come out, but I am trying so hard not to spoil any details. Readers should read book 1, The Invisible College, before diving into this book. Their story continues from the first one, so I do not recommend reading them out of order.

We are still, more or less, on a mission to prevent the Aesir from decimating the human population, but are they as bad as we previously thought? If you like period inspired mysterious adventures, this is a great one to dive into

I received an advanced reader copy of The Violence of Sound, and I can confidently say this is one of Jeff Wheeler’s most emotionally layered works to date. As the second installment in the Invisible College series, it builds beautifully on the foundation laid in the first book, deepening the world and the characters in ways that are both powerful and unexpected. Wheeler’s prose is, as always, stunning. He doesn’t just tell a story—he evokes feeling with every page. The way he explores the complex world of the characters, the subtle politics of the Invisible College, and the creeping danger of the Aesir, all while threading in philosophical questions about the nature of power and communication, is masterful.

What stood out to me most—beyond the high-stakes plot and fascinating magical concepts—was the emotional depth and vulnerability woven into McKenna’s journey. As a deaf woman in a world where sound is central to power, communication, and even warfare, McKenna grapples with her place in it all. Her deafness is not romanticized; at times, she feels the weight of it as a painful limitation. Wheeler doesn’t shy away from showing the grief and frustration that can come with that. And yet, McKenna’s resilience is stunning. She continues to support those around her, to trust her instincts, and to wield her intelligence and growing magical insight with grace. Her arc is not just one of survival, but of self-acceptance and emerging strength.

Wheeler’s use of language in this book is truly remarkable. I was especially moved by how he illustrates McKenna’s love for certain words—not because she hears them, but because of their shape, their meaning, the way they feel on her tongue or settle in her memory. These moments are intimate and poetic, offering a different kind of sensory experience that adds layers to her perspective. It’s such a unique and touching way to explore language through a different lens, and it gave me goosebumps more than once.

Professor Robinson Hawksley—Rob—is another standout. As a scholar and inventor, Rob is visionary and determined, but he’s also deeply human. What I appreciated most was the balance Wheeler strikes in Rob’s character: he’s not just the “genius inventor” trope. He’s a husband, a protector, and a man trying to navigate responsibility and love in a world that’s shifting beneath his feet. His relationship with McKenna is beautifully written—deeply affectionate, marked by quiet moments of respect and tension, and layered with unspoken fears. Their dynamic feels like the emotional spine of the story.

The supporting characters truly round out the emotional landscape of this book. McKenna’s sister is fiery, opinionated, and full of heart—always ready to protect her family even when she doesn’t fully understand the paths McKenna and Rob are walking. Wickins doesn’t seek the spotlight, but his quiet support and unwavering friendship add depth to Rob’s arc. He’s the kind of character who slips into your heart without fanfare—always present, always steady, and ready when it counts. There’s a tension between them that feels real, born of love and fear colliding. Her parents, too, are given space to be more than background figures. They each carry grief in different ways, shaped by the changes in their daughter’s life and their own roles in a society that values things McKenna cannot access.

The rest of the cast is equally compelling. The scholars and students at the Invisible College, the enemies lurking in the shadows, and the mysterious Aesir threat all add depth and complexity to the plot. No one feels one-dimensional, and every character seems to carry a hidden motive or vulnerability, which makes the world feel richly lived-in.

The Violence of Sound is more than a fantasy novel—it’s a story about the things that connect us when voices can’t be heard, the quiet resilience found in silence, and about the dangerous beauty of invention. With lyrical writing, powerful themes, and unforgettable characters, Jeff Wheeler has created something truly special.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an Arc reader.

I absolutely love this new world and magic and technology. And the 2nd book didn't disappoint. The plot was well written and well paced. Every time I think there's going to be a lull, something happens so I had to keep turning the pages just to find out what's going to happen after that.

The plot continues to unfold as the Aesirs are awakened and professor Robinson Hawksley and McKenna need to help fight this war.

I've always loved the world that Jeff creates and this isn't any different. If you're looking for a clean, well written, more adult protagonists, less romanstasy and more adventure like fantasy books, this is one that you must read. Can't wait for the third book to be released and see the plot unfolding even more.

Thank you NetGalley and 47North For the ARC!

First of all, I was so happy to get the Arc! I had been needing a push to get into the IC series and receiving this arc finally pushed me to finally reading it. Now I'm just dying to read the sequel, The Alchemy of Fate! I genuinely didn't know what to expect this book, but it took me in quite the roller coaster! I loved that we got to see Rob and McKenna again and gain some insight on what truly happened to McKenna in book 1, and the being that accompanies her. While there are a few things I wish were more elaborated on earlier on or explained differently were the feelings McKenna felt of unease, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the ending! I can't wait to see what the third book has in tale for our two favorite main characters!

Firstly I wanna thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in advance.
I read the first book through Netgalley as well and I'm grateful you allowed me to read the second book before its release, once again.
Here goes my honest review... At the beggining I was struggling with it. I don't know why but I couldn't advance a chapter without falling asleep on the first day, it happened both at lunch break at work and then in the evening at home. The day after, I continued at work but I was struggling with it, I wasn't feeling the story and the characters but I kept through cause, on the first book, the beggining was slow for me but then it paid off to continue. And yes, it happened the same here.
About 20% into the book, the story started to connect for me, Robinson and McKenna (who I love dearly) started to connect to me as well and I devoured it in 2 days after that. Gotta say that I absolutely adore his friend Wickins. I love their friendship and how loyal they are to each other, I was afraid for him at one part of the book cause I want him with Robinson until the end: he's a loyal chap, as he says😊
I'm a person who's loved by character but in this series, I'm moved by the plot. It has such a unique plot with a unique enemy and specially a wondrous and spectacular magic system. The communication they have and how Robinson is so damn smart that he can replicate it astounds me every time. The plot regarding McKenna and the new developments we had about her left me shook but I wasn't surprised cause it had to be something important.
I was in shock with the ending, more specifically with the very last 2 chapters. The one with Coronel Colsterworth (which I despise) and the McKenna part 😯 I wanna know what happens next 😱

Realised after requesting that this is book 2. I’ll not be reviewing at this time, but may in future.

In the second installment of the Invisible College series, readers follow Robinson and McKenna as they present Rob’s Aesir-detecting lightbulb invention to the world. While the military seeks to steal this technology and credit a different inventor with the patent, the newlyweds are also dealing with an Aesir problem much closer to home – a possible Semblance in the family. With ingenuity, foresight, and a lot of love and trust, Rob and McKenna will try to thwart their enemies from all sides while also trying to save mankind.

When this book ended I immediately wanted more! The characters are evolving in important ways while staying true to who they are at the core. The conflicting interests between our protagonists, the military, the government, and the Aesir are intertwined in realistic and interesting ways. While the world this story takes place in is fictional, the types of dilemmas the characters face are relatable, as is the fight about who is doing the most “right” thing for everyone.

This story is creative, smart, and full of heart. I would highly recommend reading the first book in the series to understand the magic in this world and to fully appreciate the development of the characters. A wonderful book for lovers of fantasy!

Jeff Wheeler has an uncanny knack for taking things that are familiar to us and working them into fantasy in a fashion where they fit together seamlessly and yet harken back to reality, giving the reader something to relate to... even if what is being presented isn't remotely possible in the real world.
Those who are familiar with what influenced Jeff Wheeler will find themselves with a more than passing understanding of things that transpire, but there's enough of an original twist that keeps you turning the pages to see where the ride is going next.

In this latest installment in the *Invisible College,* the line between enemy and ally blurs further. Our Deaf heroine McKenna's quandary that was started in book one continues as she struggles with the fact that while she understands multiple languages in lip-reading, she is unable to *do* magic, being that it is based upon sound.
She understands the concept; it just exceeds her grasp, and perhaps she is skirting around her own understanding of why. Robinson might be on the path to figuring it out... but life happens at the speed of war and the machinations of jealous men don't help.

It's worthy of being read twice. Jeff Wheeler packs enough in his stories that it might even take a third reading to notice everything and start piecing things together.

[My review is based on an ARC and is unbiased. I have received no compensation or consideration for my review.]

Jeff Wheeler has done it again. I absolutely love this world that he has created. I loved the world fair feel to the expo in this book and of course I have loved getting to know Rob and McKenna even better in this book. The tension is also top notch. I could hardly put it down.
The worst part is that I have to wait to read the next one!
100% recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Honestly, I was very bored when reading the sequel. I just felt like we didn’t really add much to the overall story. I do agree that there were some interesting elements including the “dog intelligence” and the strenikk but overall i felt like the plot points that were added were very small and just gave the reading an overall sense of the distrust in government and war.