What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Gift #2
Whispers of Stone
A God is Dead. A Queen is Missing. Secrets are Unraveling.
On trial for the murder of the King, Elenor and Gabriel must become allies if they want to survive. His magic is spiraling out of control, awakening a mystery hidden in the very walls of the palace. She has one month to pass her Water Rite and find a way out of the marriage her parents set up. But things are about to get much more complicated.
Between sadistic family members intent on taking Elenor’s throne, Tirit Mindel breathing down Gabriel’s neck, and a Golden Dragon appearing in the sky above the Mondaer Desert with an ominous warning, more than the Kingdom of Lirin is at stake.
If that weren’t bad enough, time is ticking down for Fedrik and Fay as well. With the desert turning against them and Daemon as a questionable new ally, figuring out how to control Fedrik’s Gift has become a matter of life and death.
Picking up in the fallout of Where Shadows Lie, In Silence Abiding is the long-awaited and non-stop second instalment of The Last Gift. Dive back into the world of Dracona and hold onto your hats. Things are about to get… salty.
On trial for the murder of the King, Elenor and Gabriel must become allies if they want to survive. His magic is spiraling out of control, awakening a mystery hidden in the very walls of the palace. She has one month to pass her Water Rite and find a way out of the marriage her parents set up. But things are about to get much more complicated.
Between sadistic family members intent on taking Elenor’s throne, Tirit Mindel breathing down Gabriel’s neck, and a Golden Dragon appearing in the sky above the Mondaer Desert with an ominous warning, more than the Kingdom of Lirin is at stake.
If that weren’t bad enough, time is ticking down for Fedrik and Fay as well. With the desert turning against them and Daemon as a questionable new ally, figuring out how to control Fedrik’s Gift has become a matter of life and death.
Picking up in the fallout of Where Shadows Lie, In Silence Abiding is the long-awaited and non-stop second instalment of The Last Gift. Dive back into the world of Dracona and hold onto your hats. Things are about to get… salty.
- GenresFantasyFictionDisability
564 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2021
About the author
Allegra Pescatore
13 books117 followersBorn in a small Italian village, I went on a quest around the world and have finally settled into a magical cottage in PA. I write a lot, and I read a lot. Love all fantasy and sci-fi, especially if it features diverse characters or authors.
My ratings:
5 stars - Wonderful. I loved reading it, had a great time, and will likely read it again and talk about it with my friends.
4 stars - good, solid, enjoyable book. I had fun and while I may not read it again, I'm glad I did.
3 stars - Not particularly memorable, but I'm happy I found it. While it may not have been my cup of tea, I'm glad it exists.
2 stars - This had issues. Not unreadable, but not something I finished or enjoyed in the end.
1 star - DNF or read because I am a masochist to loves pain. Someone else might love it, but it was not for me.
No rating: Either I haven't gotten around to writing a review, I didn't finish it, or it was not my genre of choice and therefore I chose not to review it because I am not the intended audience.
My ratings:
5 stars - Wonderful. I loved reading it, had a great time, and will likely read it again and talk about it with my friends.
4 stars - good, solid, enjoyable book. I had fun and while I may not read it again, I'm glad I did.
3 stars - Not particularly memorable, but I'm happy I found it. While it may not have been my cup of tea, I'm glad it exists.
2 stars - This had issues. Not unreadable, but not something I finished or enjoyed in the end.
1 star - DNF or read because I am a masochist to loves pain. Someone else might love it, but it was not for me.
No rating: Either I haven't gotten around to writing a review, I didn't finish it, or it was not my genre of choice and therefore I chose not to review it because I am not the intended audience.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 12, 2022
9/10 - first posted on Fanfiaddict
Whispers of Stone fulfilled every requirement for a sequel. The world was expanded, the stakes were dramatically raised, and the character development kept advancing.
Before I get into my review, I wanted to highlight something that the author is doing that makes the series sharply different from most already. At the beginning of the book, we learn that The Last Gift is one of numerous series included in a compilation known as Project Ao. The works in this collection are written by a variety of authors and take place in different worlds and genres, yet they all share a common universe and overarching plot.
Whispers of Stone is the first book where knowledge of the other worlds become known, so the author does encourage reading NACL: Eye of the Storm in between Where Shadows Lie (Book 1) and Whispers of Stone (Book 2). Psst… I didn’t do this because I didn’t know about Project Ao at the time– so I wanted to shout this out in case you want to take advantage.
Picking up immediately after the conclusion of Where Shadows Lie, Whispers of Stone is the first half of a two part story that will conclude in These Gossamer Strings (Book 3). Being that it was split into two books due to size, the end to Whispers of Stone may feel rather sudden but it does set things up for the next book. The move to break the story into two books was a great choice because These Gossamer Strings is a beast of book, sitting at 921 pages. It’s just been released too.
Pescatore excels in creating a compelling world and story-line. I really love how the magic system works. The misuse of magic can have serious effects, which heightens the suspense. My favorite aspect of the series has to be the lore and plot. I’d consider this very plot driven. The sheer number of layers that have been carefully considered and developed astounds me. Pescatore expertly controls everything by gradually providing us with information. The amount of time creating the backstories must’ve been immense and there’s nothing that I love more than when threads begin coming together. I love generational family dramas (and toss in immortal dragon gods and a few select individuals) and this is setting itself up for a big payoff. There are shorter interlude’s at the end of each section featuring a look into what’s brewing elsewhere.
The characters’ various personalities and viewpoints continue to be uniquely different– no two characters feel the same. It is obvious that Pescatore is aware of both the positive and negative aspects of human nature. There were many times when I had to guard my heart. Elenor’s family is so vicious and I feel so much for Gabriel’s backstory. My favorite characters remain Gabriel, Daemon, and Fedrik. For those familiar with The Vampire Diaries, Daemon Indigo reminds me so much of Damon Salvatore from some arc similarities to personality and sense of humor to the way he frequently enters and exits the story-line. I admire Fay’s inner fortitude and recognize that she guards her emotions, but I still find Fay a little too rude for my taste. I had hoped to see a little more character development with Fay, but after two novels, it feels a little static. Elenor just isn’t working for me and I’m finding it hard to get into her character journey. I was thrilled to see North have a POV as he is becoming a favorite of mine. The diversity continues to be represented extraordinarily well. Elenor’s physical disability is a part of who she is as is the sapphic relationship.
A compelling plot, fully formed world complete with court intrigue, plotting, and betrayals are all delivered in Whispers of Stone. I’m eager to learn how the first arc concludes.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Shown on page: Ableism, Racism, Rape (non-graphic, non-violent), Drug/alcohol use (medically necessary), Child abduction; Alluded to: Self harm, Homophobia, Child harm
Thank you to Escapist Book Tours for allowing me to join in on the book tour for Whispers of Stone. I received a reading copy and this did not influence my thoughts or opinions.
Whispers of Stone fulfilled every requirement for a sequel. The world was expanded, the stakes were dramatically raised, and the character development kept advancing.
Before I get into my review, I wanted to highlight something that the author is doing that makes the series sharply different from most already. At the beginning of the book, we learn that The Last Gift is one of numerous series included in a compilation known as Project Ao. The works in this collection are written by a variety of authors and take place in different worlds and genres, yet they all share a common universe and overarching plot.
Whispers of Stone is the first book where knowledge of the other worlds become known, so the author does encourage reading NACL: Eye of the Storm in between Where Shadows Lie (Book 1) and Whispers of Stone (Book 2). Psst… I didn’t do this because I didn’t know about Project Ao at the time– so I wanted to shout this out in case you want to take advantage.
Picking up immediately after the conclusion of Where Shadows Lie, Whispers of Stone is the first half of a two part story that will conclude in These Gossamer Strings (Book 3). Being that it was split into two books due to size, the end to Whispers of Stone may feel rather sudden but it does set things up for the next book. The move to break the story into two books was a great choice because These Gossamer Strings is a beast of book, sitting at 921 pages. It’s just been released too.
Pescatore excels in creating a compelling world and story-line. I really love how the magic system works. The misuse of magic can have serious effects, which heightens the suspense. My favorite aspect of the series has to be the lore and plot. I’d consider this very plot driven. The sheer number of layers that have been carefully considered and developed astounds me. Pescatore expertly controls everything by gradually providing us with information. The amount of time creating the backstories must’ve been immense and there’s nothing that I love more than when threads begin coming together. I love generational family dramas (and toss in immortal dragon gods and a few select individuals) and this is setting itself up for a big payoff. There are shorter interlude’s at the end of each section featuring a look into what’s brewing elsewhere.
The characters’ various personalities and viewpoints continue to be uniquely different– no two characters feel the same. It is obvious that Pescatore is aware of both the positive and negative aspects of human nature. There were many times when I had to guard my heart. Elenor’s family is so vicious and I feel so much for Gabriel’s backstory. My favorite characters remain Gabriel, Daemon, and Fedrik. For those familiar with The Vampire Diaries, Daemon Indigo reminds me so much of Damon Salvatore from some arc similarities to personality and sense of humor to the way he frequently enters and exits the story-line. I admire Fay’s inner fortitude and recognize that she guards her emotions, but I still find Fay a little too rude for my taste. I had hoped to see a little more character development with Fay, but after two novels, it feels a little static. Elenor just isn’t working for me and I’m finding it hard to get into her character journey. I was thrilled to see North have a POV as he is becoming a favorite of mine. The diversity continues to be represented extraordinarily well. Elenor’s physical disability is a part of who she is as is the sapphic relationship.
A compelling plot, fully formed world complete with court intrigue, plotting, and betrayals are all delivered in Whispers of Stone. I’m eager to learn how the first arc concludes.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Shown on page: Ableism, Racism, Rape (non-graphic, non-violent), Drug/alcohol use (medically necessary), Child abduction; Alluded to: Self harm, Homophobia, Child harm
Thank you to Escapist Book Tours for allowing me to join in on the book tour for Whispers of Stone. I received a reading copy and this did not influence my thoughts or opinions.
March 14, 2022
I picked this one up after having read the first one pretty recently. I definitely enjoyed being back in the world and seeing our characters again. Elenor has come a long way from the spoilt child she came off as in book 1 and I have enjoyed following her progress through this book where she really had to step up and be a leader.
Daemon is a character I still find mysterious but I think we’ve seen more of his character coming through as we see what he fights so hard to protect and why he’s so guarded. He’s a loveable yet ominous character with an awful lot of power and I think in the next book he will be a force to be reckoned with if he can stay alive. There seems to be a lot of gods and people annoyed with him at all times, so it’ll be a test of whether he can last!
Gabriel is a character I think we see a lot more of in this book. Previously he was talked about a lot but this one shows us more of his upbringing and life and how he came to be the person he is. He’s caring and sweet and definitely someone who is on the brink of greatness with unlocking his magic.
Claire, Paul and the other side characters get more fleshing out here too which I liked seeing. They are all quite well rounded despite being noble and privileged and they’re always there to help with the drama of court that Eleanor has to navigate.
Fedrik and Fay are kind of on their own training/learning journeys in this one. They felt a bit distant to me even though their plots promise big things to come in future.
North kind of just annoyed me in this one as he’s a bit too much of a goody-two-shoes for my liking but I think he will come around with time.
The plot was exciting and quite political in this. We focus a lot on the drama between the different kingdoms, including scheming neighbour kingdoms, and the way that the “palace gang” (my way of talking about Eleanor, Gabriel, Claire, Paul, Eric etc) are fighting just to survive.
We do also have god-drama but this seems to be building up to a bigger climax and in fact the ending of this one felt pretty sudden and abrupt to me as I felt like there was a lot left open and I wanted a little more resolution. It does make me keen to read the next one though. 4*s in the end.
Daemon is a character I still find mysterious but I think we’ve seen more of his character coming through as we see what he fights so hard to protect and why he’s so guarded. He’s a loveable yet ominous character with an awful lot of power and I think in the next book he will be a force to be reckoned with if he can stay alive. There seems to be a lot of gods and people annoyed with him at all times, so it’ll be a test of whether he can last!
Gabriel is a character I think we see a lot more of in this book. Previously he was talked about a lot but this one shows us more of his upbringing and life and how he came to be the person he is. He’s caring and sweet and definitely someone who is on the brink of greatness with unlocking his magic.
Claire, Paul and the other side characters get more fleshing out here too which I liked seeing. They are all quite well rounded despite being noble and privileged and they’re always there to help with the drama of court that Eleanor has to navigate.
Fedrik and Fay are kind of on their own training/learning journeys in this one. They felt a bit distant to me even though their plots promise big things to come in future.
North kind of just annoyed me in this one as he’s a bit too much of a goody-two-shoes for my liking but I think he will come around with time.
The plot was exciting and quite political in this. We focus a lot on the drama between the different kingdoms, including scheming neighbour kingdoms, and the way that the “palace gang” (my way of talking about Eleanor, Gabriel, Claire, Paul, Eric etc) are fighting just to survive.
We do also have god-drama but this seems to be building up to a bigger climax and in fact the ending of this one felt pretty sudden and abrupt to me as I felt like there was a lot left open and I wanted a little more resolution. It does make me keen to read the next one though. 4*s in the end.
Read
January 24, 2022This is an amazing follow up to an amazing debut! I can't wait to get my hands on the next volume!
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy with a lot of political intrigue and full cast of characters.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy with a lot of political intrigue and full cast of characters.
July 14, 2022
“We have chosen to embark on this path together, Merihem. You told me the risks, and I accept them. If the worst comes to pass and I am gone when the Mother in Gold returns to us, promise me that you will help my people…Help them old friend, as I once helped you.” From a letter to Merihem “Moe” Crystal, from Fulsixia the Red Dragon. Allegra Pescatore, Whispers of Stone
Whispers of Stone is the second book in the Last Gift series by Allegra Pescatore. The series continues to be an excellent epic romantic fantasy that I am totally engrossed in. I am invested in the richly developed characters Ms. Pescatore created, most notably the two main protagonists, Elenor Lirion and Gabriel Navarl. All of the characters in these books are so well-developed, and there is such a diversity of features to each one. They elicit such a visceral response from the reader, from the good characters, those that are morally gray, and those that are, quite simply, sadistic. Ms. Pescatore writes each one with equanimity, and it was brilliant. There are more layers of political intrigue in this book than an onion. It keeps peeling back, revealing story lines that keep the reader guessing at to what will happen next, and it is a storytelling at its absolute finest. Whispers of Stone picks up right after the events of Where Shadows lie. Thrust into the position of Queen Regent of Lirin, Elenor must deal with the ongoing betrayals, her loves, her disability and illness, while facing charges of her part in the death of her father. The magic system remains the same, but more uniqueness is added to it, and it was beyond imaginative. Many of the characters remain the same, with some important additions. Elenor is a strong female protagonist, who puts everyone and her country above her own needs and safety. An unlikely, but strong bond forms between Elenor and Gabriel, and she still has her deep love for Claire. They are both, along with her doena, Paul very protective of her. Whispers of Stone continues this exciting, page-turning fantasy that once again drew me in from the first page.
The strong point in this book continues to be the character development. Elenor has taken on a role for which is ill prepared for, given the infighting and politics of court. She has a disease for which she needs daily medication for pain, and often needs a cane or wheelchair. The medication is just as bad as the disease and Gabriel, with his medical training from Tirit Mindel, takes on the role of her doctor. Claire and Paul are always steadfast in their loyalty and love for her. While her disease is addressed more in this book, Elenor still remains a strong female protagonist. Despite her pain, she pushes through and does what she needs to do to put Lirin back together after the cruel policies of her father. While Gabriel, Claire, Paul, are protective of her because of her illness and not wanting to see her suffer, they care about her for who she is. Elenor is kind, caring, loyal and loving, and it is these traits that people love, or some will take advantage of. Gabriel, no longer imprisoned and tortured, finds an unlikely kindred spirit in Elenor. Their budding friendship is truly a joy to see, as Gabriel realizes she is not the cruel, abusive despot her father was.
One of the new characters that certainly needs mentioning is Elenore’s aunt, Sianta Miri, Queen Regent of Miriel. She was mentioned in the first book, but takes on a prominent role in this one. I’ve read my share of fantasy, including grimdark. This woman makes the worst character in grimdark look like a saint. Sianta goes beyond sadistic and Ms. Pescatore wrote her so well. We found out in the last book it was Sianta that injected Elenor, at the age of six, with blood containing the wasting disease. She gets even more cruel in this book. Elenor, rightly so, is very frightened of her as she comes to Lirin for Elenor’s father’s funeral. No one knows how Elenor got sick as she refuses to talk about it. With her aunt on the way, she finally tells Claire, Gabriel and a few other characters what happened. Paul could only watch helplessly as her aunt injected her and he has been at her side ever since. Gabriel is completely stunned, and this is an absolutely perfect reaction:
“What the actual fuck is wrong with your family?” he asked…
“Welcome to court, Gabriel,” Eric sneered, “where everything you say is a tool for someone to use to take you down, and everyone you think you can trust is probably working behind your back to do it.” Allegra Pescatore, Whispers of Stone
Fayrian, and Fedrik are in the Mondaer Desert after running from Tirit Mindel. We know that Fedrik has a dangerous gift, the Gatekeeper, and when it manifested, he accidentally killed the Red, the dragon the Mondaer worship. Fedrik, along with Fay, must work to get this destructive power under control. Much of the other characters are back, but the nobility and Sianta take on more prominent role in the aftermath of the death of King.
As with Where Shadows Lie, the pacing and prose of the story was exceptional. It was absorbed right in from the first page of the prologue. There was the action of the court intrigue, taking care of Elenor’s illness as she tried to maneuver the forces against her, what was happening in the Mondaer with Fedrik and Fay, Daemon’s motives, and the cruelty of Sianta. There was an equal amount of character development, which of course tied into the action, and these were moments where we see some of the true colors of the characters. The narrative is once again told from the third person of the main characters, with the addition of North, Riona, and Alehan. They are pivotal, and their relationship to the other characters is complex and unfolds throughout the story. The dragons are ever present and maneuvering things around like pieces on a chessboard. Even with so much happening in the story, it is never confusing. Quite the opposite. When something was revealed, my thought was, well, I didn’t see that coming. I find Ms. Pescatore’s writing beautiful. When the characters interact, we feel their emotions and reactions. There are so many examples, this is but one as Elenor, with all her mixed emotions, says goodbye to her father:
“Elenor looked down at him one last time, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a spring of evergold she has picked in her garden on the way here. She carefully lifted the shroud and tucked the little yellow flower in his beard, like she had so often as a child.”
“Goodbye, Papa.” She bent to kiss his brow. “I’m sorry.” Alegra Pescatore, Whispers of Stone
Overall Thoughts
Whispers of Stone is the superb second book in The Last Gift series. Leading off right where Where Shadows Lie, is continues the story of Elenor Lirin, now Queen Regent, and Gabriel Navarl, rescued from the king’s torture by Elenor. Their budding friendship is a joy to read, as two broken people find each other, learn to trust and become fiercely loyal to each other. Claire is still her love and will forever be, and Paul is more than her protector, he is more like a father to her. The three do what they can to protect Elenor from forces that are closing in around her, threatening her life and Lirin. Her horribly abusive aunt Sianta, Queen Regent of Miriel, is a character that plays a major role in this book and she is truly a nightmare. She’s that one relative you probably want to drop in the middle of Antarctica and leave her there. Ms. Pescatore wrote each of these characters perfectly, the good and the bad, and the morally gray. They are so well-written, they elicit such a visceral response. Even though I truly hated Sianta, she’s a brilliant character. She is the counter to the kind, good, and selfless nature of Elenor, which unfortunately too many try to take advantage of. It’s always wonderful to have the continued LBGTQ representation, the deep love of Elenor and Claire. The pacing and the prose were excellent, and Whispers of Stone had even more twists and turns than Where Shadows Lie. I could not stop reading, as I wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters, especially with the addition of Sianta. Each chapter is told by a different main character, with the addition of North, Alehan, Riona. Their relationship to the other characters is complex, but we get to know them very well by the end of the story. Ms, Pescatore keept me not only engaged, but always trying to guess what will come next, which was impossible and always surprised me. I love this series and I highly recommend both Whispers of Stone and Where Shadows Lie. I am looking forward to reading the third book, These Gossamer Strings.
My thanks to Escapist Books Tours for an eBook
For automatic updates, subscribe to my blog: https://bookandnatureprofessor.com/
Whispers of Stone is the second book in the Last Gift series by Allegra Pescatore. The series continues to be an excellent epic romantic fantasy that I am totally engrossed in. I am invested in the richly developed characters Ms. Pescatore created, most notably the two main protagonists, Elenor Lirion and Gabriel Navarl. All of the characters in these books are so well-developed, and there is such a diversity of features to each one. They elicit such a visceral response from the reader, from the good characters, those that are morally gray, and those that are, quite simply, sadistic. Ms. Pescatore writes each one with equanimity, and it was brilliant. There are more layers of political intrigue in this book than an onion. It keeps peeling back, revealing story lines that keep the reader guessing at to what will happen next, and it is a storytelling at its absolute finest. Whispers of Stone picks up right after the events of Where Shadows lie. Thrust into the position of Queen Regent of Lirin, Elenor must deal with the ongoing betrayals, her loves, her disability and illness, while facing charges of her part in the death of her father. The magic system remains the same, but more uniqueness is added to it, and it was beyond imaginative. Many of the characters remain the same, with some important additions. Elenor is a strong female protagonist, who puts everyone and her country above her own needs and safety. An unlikely, but strong bond forms between Elenor and Gabriel, and she still has her deep love for Claire. They are both, along with her doena, Paul very protective of her. Whispers of Stone continues this exciting, page-turning fantasy that once again drew me in from the first page.
The strong point in this book continues to be the character development. Elenor has taken on a role for which is ill prepared for, given the infighting and politics of court. She has a disease for which she needs daily medication for pain, and often needs a cane or wheelchair. The medication is just as bad as the disease and Gabriel, with his medical training from Tirit Mindel, takes on the role of her doctor. Claire and Paul are always steadfast in their loyalty and love for her. While her disease is addressed more in this book, Elenor still remains a strong female protagonist. Despite her pain, she pushes through and does what she needs to do to put Lirin back together after the cruel policies of her father. While Gabriel, Claire, Paul, are protective of her because of her illness and not wanting to see her suffer, they care about her for who she is. Elenor is kind, caring, loyal and loving, and it is these traits that people love, or some will take advantage of. Gabriel, no longer imprisoned and tortured, finds an unlikely kindred spirit in Elenor. Their budding friendship is truly a joy to see, as Gabriel realizes she is not the cruel, abusive despot her father was.
One of the new characters that certainly needs mentioning is Elenore’s aunt, Sianta Miri, Queen Regent of Miriel. She was mentioned in the first book, but takes on a prominent role in this one. I’ve read my share of fantasy, including grimdark. This woman makes the worst character in grimdark look like a saint. Sianta goes beyond sadistic and Ms. Pescatore wrote her so well. We found out in the last book it was Sianta that injected Elenor, at the age of six, with blood containing the wasting disease. She gets even more cruel in this book. Elenor, rightly so, is very frightened of her as she comes to Lirin for Elenor’s father’s funeral. No one knows how Elenor got sick as she refuses to talk about it. With her aunt on the way, she finally tells Claire, Gabriel and a few other characters what happened. Paul could only watch helplessly as her aunt injected her and he has been at her side ever since. Gabriel is completely stunned, and this is an absolutely perfect reaction:
“What the actual fuck is wrong with your family?” he asked…
“Welcome to court, Gabriel,” Eric sneered, “where everything you say is a tool for someone to use to take you down, and everyone you think you can trust is probably working behind your back to do it.” Allegra Pescatore, Whispers of Stone
Fayrian, and Fedrik are in the Mondaer Desert after running from Tirit Mindel. We know that Fedrik has a dangerous gift, the Gatekeeper, and when it manifested, he accidentally killed the Red, the dragon the Mondaer worship. Fedrik, along with Fay, must work to get this destructive power under control. Much of the other characters are back, but the nobility and Sianta take on more prominent role in the aftermath of the death of King.
As with Where Shadows Lie, the pacing and prose of the story was exceptional. It was absorbed right in from the first page of the prologue. There was the action of the court intrigue, taking care of Elenor’s illness as she tried to maneuver the forces against her, what was happening in the Mondaer with Fedrik and Fay, Daemon’s motives, and the cruelty of Sianta. There was an equal amount of character development, which of course tied into the action, and these were moments where we see some of the true colors of the characters. The narrative is once again told from the third person of the main characters, with the addition of North, Riona, and Alehan. They are pivotal, and their relationship to the other characters is complex and unfolds throughout the story. The dragons are ever present and maneuvering things around like pieces on a chessboard. Even with so much happening in the story, it is never confusing. Quite the opposite. When something was revealed, my thought was, well, I didn’t see that coming. I find Ms. Pescatore’s writing beautiful. When the characters interact, we feel their emotions and reactions. There are so many examples, this is but one as Elenor, with all her mixed emotions, says goodbye to her father:
“Elenor looked down at him one last time, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a spring of evergold she has picked in her garden on the way here. She carefully lifted the shroud and tucked the little yellow flower in his beard, like she had so often as a child.”
“Goodbye, Papa.” She bent to kiss his brow. “I’m sorry.” Alegra Pescatore, Whispers of Stone
Overall Thoughts
Whispers of Stone is the superb second book in The Last Gift series. Leading off right where Where Shadows Lie, is continues the story of Elenor Lirin, now Queen Regent, and Gabriel Navarl, rescued from the king’s torture by Elenor. Their budding friendship is a joy to read, as two broken people find each other, learn to trust and become fiercely loyal to each other. Claire is still her love and will forever be, and Paul is more than her protector, he is more like a father to her. The three do what they can to protect Elenor from forces that are closing in around her, threatening her life and Lirin. Her horribly abusive aunt Sianta, Queen Regent of Miriel, is a character that plays a major role in this book and she is truly a nightmare. She’s that one relative you probably want to drop in the middle of Antarctica and leave her there. Ms. Pescatore wrote each of these characters perfectly, the good and the bad, and the morally gray. They are so well-written, they elicit such a visceral response. Even though I truly hated Sianta, she’s a brilliant character. She is the counter to the kind, good, and selfless nature of Elenor, which unfortunately too many try to take advantage of. It’s always wonderful to have the continued LBGTQ representation, the deep love of Elenor and Claire. The pacing and the prose were excellent, and Whispers of Stone had even more twists and turns than Where Shadows Lie. I could not stop reading, as I wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters, especially with the addition of Sianta. Each chapter is told by a different main character, with the addition of North, Alehan, Riona. Their relationship to the other characters is complex, but we get to know them very well by the end of the story. Ms, Pescatore keept me not only engaged, but always trying to guess what will come next, which was impossible and always surprised me. I love this series and I highly recommend both Whispers of Stone and Where Shadows Lie. I am looking forward to reading the third book, These Gossamer Strings.
My thanks to Escapist Books Tours for an eBook
For automatic updates, subscribe to my blog: https://bookandnatureprofessor.com/
July 18, 2022
After reading and loving the first book there was no way I couldn’t pick up Whispers of Stone, and I’m glad I got to do so soon after reading book one. Now, it should be noted that this is the first half of a two-part story that culminates in the third book – These Gossamer Strings, which I will be picking up as soon as possible. This series is also part of a collection called Project Ao, which features multiple projects in a shared universe, and according to the authors note this is the first book where knowledge of those other worlds will come into play and Pescatore encourages you to read NACL: Eye of the Storm first, although each series is done so that it might be read alone. Now, I have not read this other book yet, and it did not impede my enjoyment or understanding at all, although I look forward to revisiting Whispers of Stone once I have, to see the connections in play – but you can certainly enjoy this book (as long as you have read book one of course!) without that knowledge.
THE PROLOGUE!
I did not connect instantly with the prologue for Where Shadows Lie, but this one had me hooked instantly – from the fact that there was a mock dragon (honestly, just mention dragon and I’m there), to the emotions on both sides of the events, to the mystery of what was happening. This was a less action-packed opening, but that did not lessen its impact in the slightest. There was one bit of language towards the end that didn’t feel as though it fit in with the rest and gave me pause for a moment, but other than that a great introduction to Whisper of Stone.
It is the characters who continue to really make this series come alive, and it was a joy to return to this world because of that, and because I couldn’t wait to see how Pescatore would continue to bring them to life. This book has picked up right after the previous book, which means that we get to see the immediate impact of those events of the characters, and just as the author did an excellent job of capturing a world in flux in book one (and continues to in this one), she brings to life a cast of characters caught in the maelstrom of events – some they can control, others they can’t, in a way that is not only compelling to read but feels completely organic. These are character arcs that ripple and flow with the events, rather than maintaining a steady path, and it was seeing the reactions and interactions, the shifting relationships, the development of the flaws and likes and dislikes that we got to see previously, in this flux that makes this book so compelling.
Elenor remains a favourite, and in many ways, she is the one that I feel we see this development most strongly in, because the girl that I sometimes wanted to shake and shout at in the first book is forced to mature at pace in light of the events that happened, and continue to happen, She is forced to step up into a role of authority, to deal with the political intrigue and threats that are all around her, along with her personal journey, and it was fantastic to see that develop on the page, and to see the very real impact of events, and I can’t wait to see where her arc will take her. Another character that stole the limelight for me in this one was Gabriel, who was present in the first book, but it felt as though we really got to dive into who he was in this one, and in a world where there is so much drama and conflict, he was such a sweet character and I really liked him. And again it is great to see the variety that Pescatore is able to bring to her cast, and how unique they all feel, with the same care being taken to develop the side characters alongside the main POV characters. No one is left behind or forgotten about, and whether they are training, or caught up in the intrigue, we see them all responding to these events as they unfold in their own ways.
‘Daemon shifted uncomfortably once more. It would be so very easy to lie. The thought of not using a veritable mountain of stored magic for his own ends was downright painful, and he could not promise that he would not for the sake of a mere handful of red-eyed people who would all be dead in less than a century.’
Daemon was the character that I found most intriguing in book one, and that mysterious edge was certainly still evident in this book, but it did feel as though we were starting to peel away some of the layers and see who he really was, and what motivated him. There were also so many moments when I wanted to shake him or give him a slap, so maybe that means he is properly elevated to favourite character status – he’s certainly one that I can’t wait to see what he does in the next book, especially as it seems like he is at the focus of so many people and beings, and not all that popular with it and I can’t wait to see where Pescatore will take him.
The worldbuilding also continues to shine, and in Whispers of Stone as with the characters we get to the see the world developing and expanding. There is a lot more emphasis it felt on the political intrigue and drama in this one, and we get to see the interactions between the different kingdoms and the scheming behind those interactions, which expanded the world while driving forward the plot, and again you can absolutely feel the author’s love for this world and the depth of detail and thought that she has put into it. And beyond this political dance, with assassins and plots and general intrigue, we still have the wonderful magic system and the drama of the gods being directly involved in the world – although I would say that compared to the political side it did feel like that side was still ramping up a little, which makes sense as this is part one of two.
That is also evident in how this one ends as it feels a tad abrupt, although I will say that it did an excellent job of making me want to immediately pick up the next book and find out what is going to happen next. There was a level of menace and urgency, that I think makes up for any abruptness and leaves you with the burning need to continue.
Whispers of Stone is a fantastic sequel to Where Shadows Lie and has certainly not rested on its laurels after having such a strong first book. Pescatore continues to show her amazing talent for creating rich, fleshed out characters who are as multi-layered and complicated as the story and world she has build around them, and the balance of epic events and character moments remains. Again I am left wanting to read more from Pescatore, and I would not hesitate to recommend this series to anyone who loves character-driven epic fantasy, especially with a healthy dollop of political intrigue on top, and I would encourage anyone to give this series a go!
THE PROLOGUE!
I did not connect instantly with the prologue for Where Shadows Lie, but this one had me hooked instantly – from the fact that there was a mock dragon (honestly, just mention dragon and I’m there), to the emotions on both sides of the events, to the mystery of what was happening. This was a less action-packed opening, but that did not lessen its impact in the slightest. There was one bit of language towards the end that didn’t feel as though it fit in with the rest and gave me pause for a moment, but other than that a great introduction to Whisper of Stone.
It is the characters who continue to really make this series come alive, and it was a joy to return to this world because of that, and because I couldn’t wait to see how Pescatore would continue to bring them to life. This book has picked up right after the previous book, which means that we get to see the immediate impact of those events of the characters, and just as the author did an excellent job of capturing a world in flux in book one (and continues to in this one), she brings to life a cast of characters caught in the maelstrom of events – some they can control, others they can’t, in a way that is not only compelling to read but feels completely organic. These are character arcs that ripple and flow with the events, rather than maintaining a steady path, and it was seeing the reactions and interactions, the shifting relationships, the development of the flaws and likes and dislikes that we got to see previously, in this flux that makes this book so compelling.
Elenor remains a favourite, and in many ways, she is the one that I feel we see this development most strongly in, because the girl that I sometimes wanted to shake and shout at in the first book is forced to mature at pace in light of the events that happened, and continue to happen, She is forced to step up into a role of authority, to deal with the political intrigue and threats that are all around her, along with her personal journey, and it was fantastic to see that develop on the page, and to see the very real impact of events, and I can’t wait to see where her arc will take her. Another character that stole the limelight for me in this one was Gabriel, who was present in the first book, but it felt as though we really got to dive into who he was in this one, and in a world where there is so much drama and conflict, he was such a sweet character and I really liked him. And again it is great to see the variety that Pescatore is able to bring to her cast, and how unique they all feel, with the same care being taken to develop the side characters alongside the main POV characters. No one is left behind or forgotten about, and whether they are training, or caught up in the intrigue, we see them all responding to these events as they unfold in their own ways.
‘Daemon shifted uncomfortably once more. It would be so very easy to lie. The thought of not using a veritable mountain of stored magic for his own ends was downright painful, and he could not promise that he would not for the sake of a mere handful of red-eyed people who would all be dead in less than a century.’
Daemon was the character that I found most intriguing in book one, and that mysterious edge was certainly still evident in this book, but it did feel as though we were starting to peel away some of the layers and see who he really was, and what motivated him. There were also so many moments when I wanted to shake him or give him a slap, so maybe that means he is properly elevated to favourite character status – he’s certainly one that I can’t wait to see what he does in the next book, especially as it seems like he is at the focus of so many people and beings, and not all that popular with it and I can’t wait to see where Pescatore will take him.
The worldbuilding also continues to shine, and in Whispers of Stone as with the characters we get to the see the world developing and expanding. There is a lot more emphasis it felt on the political intrigue and drama in this one, and we get to see the interactions between the different kingdoms and the scheming behind those interactions, which expanded the world while driving forward the plot, and again you can absolutely feel the author’s love for this world and the depth of detail and thought that she has put into it. And beyond this political dance, with assassins and plots and general intrigue, we still have the wonderful magic system and the drama of the gods being directly involved in the world – although I would say that compared to the political side it did feel like that side was still ramping up a little, which makes sense as this is part one of two.
That is also evident in how this one ends as it feels a tad abrupt, although I will say that it did an excellent job of making me want to immediately pick up the next book and find out what is going to happen next. There was a level of menace and urgency, that I think makes up for any abruptness and leaves you with the burning need to continue.
Whispers of Stone is a fantastic sequel to Where Shadows Lie and has certainly not rested on its laurels after having such a strong first book. Pescatore continues to show her amazing talent for creating rich, fleshed out characters who are as multi-layered and complicated as the story and world she has build around them, and the balance of epic events and character moments remains. Again I am left wanting to read more from Pescatore, and I would not hesitate to recommend this series to anyone who loves character-driven epic fantasy, especially with a healthy dollop of political intrigue on top, and I would encourage anyone to give this series a go!
December 23, 2022
I loved this book! I enjoyed the first one, and was very excited to read the second in this series. A lot of the worldbuilding took place in the first book, so this one was faster paced. It's fairly long, but it was still a quick read. I had a lot of "just one more chapter" moments! I am looking forward to reading the 3rd installment when it comes out!
January 21, 2023
The ending of the first book was explosive, so I was happy to accept a review copy of this one!
Admittedly, I am not the best judge of high fantasy worldbuilding. The world of this series is highly complex with centuries of history impacting the story's politics. I was confused a lot of the time about what was going on and what different historical events meant. It didn't help that I'd waited a year between reading installments. As a result, I didn't take off any stars for said confusion. Someone who has a better grasp on high fantasy worldbuilding (and doesn't put off reading sequels) will probably be a lot less confused.
The plot of this book was much slower compared to it's predecessor. It's primarily concerned with the fall out of all the giant events that took place at the end of the first. As a result, very few big things happen in this book. It more relies on dissecting and analyzing everything that happened in the previous book and how the world has changed as a result of it. The book suffered a bit from "second book syndrome." At times, it felt more interested in parsing the plot points of the previous book and setting up the tension of the next book more than having any major plot points of it's own. And that's the biggest reason I took off a star.
However, even as the book can feel as if it's spinning it's wheels at times, there is a wonderful tension to everything. There are plenty of situations set up where the reader knows certain things are inevitable, but in a way that invites excitement. The reader knows certain things will be revealed and characters long since separated will be reunited and it leads to a delightful anticipation of what's to come. Even if I wish at least one of those things had happened in this book.
Probably the most impressive part of the story is the fact that the author built up an impressive romantic web and I don't hate it. I usually avoid love triangles like the plague. But this thing has a love octagon that I'm highly invested in. I credit that to the author establishing that polyamory exists in this world (at least in certain cultures). The narrative also shows that the characters have a much more pragmatic view with the way their relationships will have to work, within the confines of the world they live in. And unlike most love triangles, where it is painfully obvious that a specific character will be chosen as the love interest, the book doesn't give away it's cards for who's going to end up with who. Or multiple who's. It, again, makes for great tension.
All in all, while I wish the book had a bit more happening plot-wise, I have to admit the promise of plot to come is incredibly tempting.. and also I want a fluffy dragon, please.
Admittedly, I am not the best judge of high fantasy worldbuilding. The world of this series is highly complex with centuries of history impacting the story's politics. I was confused a lot of the time about what was going on and what different historical events meant. It didn't help that I'd waited a year between reading installments. As a result, I didn't take off any stars for said confusion. Someone who has a better grasp on high fantasy worldbuilding (and doesn't put off reading sequels) will probably be a lot less confused.
The plot of this book was much slower compared to it's predecessor. It's primarily concerned with the fall out of all the giant events that took place at the end of the first. As a result, very few big things happen in this book. It more relies on dissecting and analyzing everything that happened in the previous book and how the world has changed as a result of it. The book suffered a bit from "second book syndrome." At times, it felt more interested in parsing the plot points of the previous book and setting up the tension of the next book more than having any major plot points of it's own. And that's the biggest reason I took off a star.
However, even as the book can feel as if it's spinning it's wheels at times, there is a wonderful tension to everything. There are plenty of situations set up where the reader knows certain things are inevitable, but in a way that invites excitement. The reader knows certain things will be revealed and characters long since separated will be reunited and it leads to a delightful anticipation of what's to come. Even if I wish at least one of those things had happened in this book.
Probably the most impressive part of the story is the fact that the author built up an impressive romantic web and I don't hate it. I usually avoid love triangles like the plague. But this thing has a love octagon that I'm highly invested in. I credit that to the author establishing that polyamory exists in this world (at least in certain cultures). The narrative also shows that the characters have a much more pragmatic view with the way their relationships will have to work, within the confines of the world they live in. And unlike most love triangles, where it is painfully obvious that a specific character will be chosen as the love interest, the book doesn't give away it's cards for who's going to end up with who. Or multiple who's. It, again, makes for great tension.
All in all, while I wish the book had a bit more happening plot-wise, I have to admit the promise of plot to come is incredibly tempting.. and also I want a fluffy dragon, please.
March 18, 2022
If you haven’t read book one of Allegra Pescatore’s The Last Gift books, then I definitely recommend you do, because this book will not make much sense otherwise. If you have read the first book, though, then you will absolutely love this sequel.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book picks up right after Where Shadows Lie, and my goodness, let me tell you the drama is intense. I had almost forgotten what was going on in book one, but once I remembered, I was eager to get right back into the story and see our characters. In essense, the Lirion king is dead and the queen is missing, leaving Elenor in charge with political hyenas nipping at her heels. The death of the Red dragon has left chaos in its wake and the Gatekeeper is trying to control powers that were difficult at best to control. Meanwhile, there is scheming from all sides and by forces that have been meddling behind the scenes since the beginning. I can say no more without serious spoilers, but I can say that this book is one of those that weaves a magical and rich tapestry, threads interconnecting and knotting together in wonderful ways.
2. Thoughts on the characters
While the plot is richly complex and detailed, the characters are what really make the story for me. I am thrilled to have so many characters who struggle with issues that come from within themselves as well as without. It makes them relatable and real and makes each struggle they have so much more intense for me. Elenor is my favourite (not that the others aren’t wonderful) and I cannot wait for the third book, where I fully expect she will kick some tailfeathers.
3. Favourite part
I was going to say the character growth, and while that is truly magnificent, it pales in comparison to the baby mock dragon. Because, let’s be honest, I really want one.
4. Critique
My only real critique is to do with me not remembering events of book one. I had a hard time getting caught up on what was happening and who was where, since most of this book doesn’t reference the first except to move forwards. Perfectly fine as far as construction goes, but it’s been a while since I read the first book and it took me a minute. Definitely recommend reading this book shortly after the first, unless you have a prodigious memory.
Overall, I would say that Whispers of Stone is another great book by an author who manages to weave words and characters together to make a story so complex and real that you can’t help but be swept away. Excellent.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book picks up right after Where Shadows Lie, and my goodness, let me tell you the drama is intense. I had almost forgotten what was going on in book one, but once I remembered, I was eager to get right back into the story and see our characters. In essense, the Lirion king is dead and the queen is missing, leaving Elenor in charge with political hyenas nipping at her heels. The death of the Red dragon has left chaos in its wake and the Gatekeeper is trying to control powers that were difficult at best to control. Meanwhile, there is scheming from all sides and by forces that have been meddling behind the scenes since the beginning. I can say no more without serious spoilers, but I can say that this book is one of those that weaves a magical and rich tapestry, threads interconnecting and knotting together in wonderful ways.
2. Thoughts on the characters
While the plot is richly complex and detailed, the characters are what really make the story for me. I am thrilled to have so many characters who struggle with issues that come from within themselves as well as without. It makes them relatable and real and makes each struggle they have so much more intense for me. Elenor is my favourite (not that the others aren’t wonderful) and I cannot wait for the third book, where I fully expect she will kick some tailfeathers.
3. Favourite part
I was going to say the character growth, and while that is truly magnificent, it pales in comparison to the baby mock dragon. Because, let’s be honest, I really want one.
4. Critique
My only real critique is to do with me not remembering events of book one. I had a hard time getting caught up on what was happening and who was where, since most of this book doesn’t reference the first except to move forwards. Perfectly fine as far as construction goes, but it’s been a while since I read the first book and it took me a minute. Definitely recommend reading this book shortly after the first, unless you have a prodigious memory.
Overall, I would say that Whispers of Stone is another great book by an author who manages to weave words and characters together to make a story so complex and real that you can’t help but be swept away. Excellent.
July 29, 2022
4.5 stars
I was a little bit apprehensive about starting this book immediately after finishing Where Shadows Lie. There was a note from the author at the very beginning of the book letting the reader know that Whispers of Stone was meant to be read after some other books and novellas (she gave a reading list). Honestly, I tried to read NaCl Eye of the Storm before Whispers of Stone, but I just didn’t want to be taken away from the main storyline. It seemed like a good book, but I just wanted to continue the story that I was already so invested in, so I DNF’ed it at about 5% and just continued reading Whispers of Stone without reading the other suggested books first. I may read it later, but it was too weird for me to get into a futuristic fantasy after reading a sword and sorcery medieval fantasy, and I wasn’t in the right mindset to enjoy it.
Anyway, moving on to the book that I did read. Whispers of Stone starts out where the first book left off. Elenor has just killed her father and helped Gabriel and the other prisoners escape and is getting ready to stand trial for the murder of her father. Gabriel has discovered he is a much more powerful Rifter than he thought, and has the potential to destroy entire towns. Fedrik discovered he has the Gatekeeper gift and has just killed a God, and is frantically working to control his gift with Fay. The stakes are raised even higher as the Monader people are mourning the loss of their God, blaming Fedrik for killing her, and are also desperate to discover the identity of the Incarnate.
You also get introduced to some new characters. My favorites are Alehan and Riona. Claire becomes more of a main character and less of a sidekick. Elenor’s aunt, Sianta, is even more evil and conniving than her parents are. You start to discover more about the Gods, and also Gabriel’s identity. It’s a lot of fun.
Unbelievably, it takes place over only three days, and it does end somewhat abruptly. Thankfully, the third book is already out. I’m actually writing this review after having read the third book, so hopefully I haven’t mixed anything up 🤷♀️
I was a little bit apprehensive about starting this book immediately after finishing Where Shadows Lie. There was a note from the author at the very beginning of the book letting the reader know that Whispers of Stone was meant to be read after some other books and novellas (she gave a reading list). Honestly, I tried to read NaCl Eye of the Storm before Whispers of Stone, but I just didn’t want to be taken away from the main storyline. It seemed like a good book, but I just wanted to continue the story that I was already so invested in, so I DNF’ed it at about 5% and just continued reading Whispers of Stone without reading the other suggested books first. I may read it later, but it was too weird for me to get into a futuristic fantasy after reading a sword and sorcery medieval fantasy, and I wasn’t in the right mindset to enjoy it.
Anyway, moving on to the book that I did read. Whispers of Stone starts out where the first book left off. Elenor has just killed her father and helped Gabriel and the other prisoners escape and is getting ready to stand trial for the murder of her father. Gabriel has discovered he is a much more powerful Rifter than he thought, and has the potential to destroy entire towns. Fedrik discovered he has the Gatekeeper gift and has just killed a God, and is frantically working to control his gift with Fay. The stakes are raised even higher as the Monader people are mourning the loss of their God, blaming Fedrik for killing her, and are also desperate to discover the identity of the Incarnate.
You also get introduced to some new characters. My favorites are Alehan and Riona. Claire becomes more of a main character and less of a sidekick. Elenor’s aunt, Sianta, is even more evil and conniving than her parents are. You start to discover more about the Gods, and also Gabriel’s identity. It’s a lot of fun.
Unbelievably, it takes place over only three days, and it does end somewhat abruptly. Thankfully, the third book is already out. I’m actually writing this review after having read the third book, so hopefully I haven’t mixed anything up 🤷♀️
July 15, 2022
This is very much a bridge between Book One and what I imagine is a screamingly good Book Three because of all the dangling plot threads.
In this one, our focus is narrowed to the outcome of the house of Lirion, following Elenor and her friends as they try to overcome seemingly overwhelming machinations surrounding her marriage. Her aunt has been planning her return to Lirion for decades … long enough to imagine herself at the head of more than one kingdom, and long enough that her ambition reaches much further.
At the other end of the world, Fay and Fedrik are learning more about their gifts and how they interact. Fedrik’s in particular has devastating consequences for the followers of the Red God.
Tracking between the groups is Daemon; I can’t determine if he’s the world’s biggest asshole or if he’s letting a more altruistic personality emerge. Just about the time I think he might be okay, he does something despicable.
All of this plays against the backdrop of gods who manifest as dragons and who have their own designs on the world of Cairinn. The more harsh alternatives no longer include the presence of humans. Somehow, Daemon figures highly in the plotting of more than one god .. I haven’t quite figured out the reason yet, but I can be patient for another book. He could be the wild card of Book Three.
Opportunities to save the populations from that razing is going to fall on Daemon, I think, as well as a new character introduced in the last chapter. He’s new, but he’s old; his tale has been told as legend but the dragons have been keeping him on ice and his path will unfold in Book Three.
Plots: awesome, awesome, awesome!
World-building: excellent.
Characters: Even the asshole has a love of children and a soft spot for a particular lady. All the characters are all well-rounded and motivated by their own designs, plans and hopes. Even the less fortunate minor characters can have an impact on the story.
Well done!
In this one, our focus is narrowed to the outcome of the house of Lirion, following Elenor and her friends as they try to overcome seemingly overwhelming machinations surrounding her marriage. Her aunt has been planning her return to Lirion for decades … long enough to imagine herself at the head of more than one kingdom, and long enough that her ambition reaches much further.
At the other end of the world, Fay and Fedrik are learning more about their gifts and how they interact. Fedrik’s in particular has devastating consequences for the followers of the Red God.
Tracking between the groups is Daemon; I can’t determine if he’s the world’s biggest asshole or if he’s letting a more altruistic personality emerge. Just about the time I think he might be okay, he does something despicable.
All of this plays against the backdrop of gods who manifest as dragons and who have their own designs on the world of Cairinn. The more harsh alternatives no longer include the presence of humans. Somehow, Daemon figures highly in the plotting of more than one god .. I haven’t quite figured out the reason yet, but I can be patient for another book. He could be the wild card of Book Three.
Opportunities to save the populations from that razing is going to fall on Daemon, I think, as well as a new character introduced in the last chapter. He’s new, but he’s old; his tale has been told as legend but the dragons have been keeping him on ice and his path will unfold in Book Three.
Plots: awesome, awesome, awesome!
World-building: excellent.
Characters: Even the asshole has a love of children and a soft spot for a particular lady. All the characters are all well-rounded and motivated by their own designs, plans and hopes. Even the less fortunate minor characters can have an impact on the story.
Well done!
January 14, 2022
**Full disclosure** I proofread this book, which was a complete joy to do. I am leaving this review voluntarily because I loved it so much.
Whispers of Stone is a truly epic Epic Fantasy, following a multi-POV cast with beautifully intricate and relatable worldbuilding. The characters and the magic system vie for being my favourite thing about this book along with the setting and plot, sooo, that should tell you all you need to know about this masterpiece. Yes, I said masterpiece, because it is!
The magic system is fantastic. Different complementary Gifts, passed on or given, which the characters struggle with controlling or mastering. There are various coping strategies which were so fun and exciting to explore along with the characters, and some of my favourite moments were rather *explosive*. I loved how metallurgy and physics has been woven in without alienating less technical readers, it was so exciting to see.
The characters, wow. There wasn't a single one I thought, "Oh no, back with this chap again." If anything I want to spend MORE time with them, even and perhaps especially the morally grey ones. And also featured is probably the best villain I have ever read, a truly moustache twirling evil mastermind who still manages to be believable. Each character feels real enough to be touchable, and the reader rides alongside them.
The setting is incredible. There are multiverse elements, time-hopping and complex political plots in place. There is the potential that I could get lost with so much going on, but this is not the case. Every event builds on the last so beautifully and paints a picture of something BIG about to happen.
You do not want to miss this!
Whispers of Stone is a truly epic Epic Fantasy, following a multi-POV cast with beautifully intricate and relatable worldbuilding. The characters and the magic system vie for being my favourite thing about this book along with the setting and plot, sooo, that should tell you all you need to know about this masterpiece. Yes, I said masterpiece, because it is!
The magic system is fantastic. Different complementary Gifts, passed on or given, which the characters struggle with controlling or mastering. There are various coping strategies which were so fun and exciting to explore along with the characters, and some of my favourite moments were rather *explosive*. I loved how metallurgy and physics has been woven in without alienating less technical readers, it was so exciting to see.
The characters, wow. There wasn't a single one I thought, "Oh no, back with this chap again." If anything I want to spend MORE time with them, even and perhaps especially the morally grey ones. And also featured is probably the best villain I have ever read, a truly moustache twirling evil mastermind who still manages to be believable. Each character feels real enough to be touchable, and the reader rides alongside them.
The setting is incredible. There are multiverse elements, time-hopping and complex political plots in place. There is the potential that I could get lost with so much going on, but this is not the case. Every event builds on the last so beautifully and paints a picture of something BIG about to happen.
You do not want to miss this!
July 17, 2022
“Poisons and betrayals so seem to be our main sources of interaction.”
This quote is taken from the very first chapter, and totally encompasses most of this segment of this tale.
We have an accidental God killer being nursed back to health by the heir to the throne, who also happens to be dealing with relatives trying to kill her or marry her off for the most profit. All that kept running through my head was this could easily be a TV series. Every week, we find out who survived what assassination attempt along with the character Moe popping in to torture us with bread crumbs of the future.
Speaking of characters, everything hinges on Elenor and anyone in her satellite. She is on a continuous “learn things the hard way” cycle. I am still on the fence over her. She is the good guy you want to smack some sense into.
Bad boy Daemon, still holding the favorite character crown, with Moe giving him some competition. Daemon is tired of being used and manipulated while knowing he is a pawn on a deadly chessboard.
The magic system is complex yet once you figure out what role everyone plays, it becomes a matter of who survives all the political discourse. And yes, book three is definitely needed. All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
This quote is taken from the very first chapter, and totally encompasses most of this segment of this tale.
We have an accidental God killer being nursed back to health by the heir to the throne, who also happens to be dealing with relatives trying to kill her or marry her off for the most profit. All that kept running through my head was this could easily be a TV series. Every week, we find out who survived what assassination attempt along with the character Moe popping in to torture us with bread crumbs of the future.
Speaking of characters, everything hinges on Elenor and anyone in her satellite. She is on a continuous “learn things the hard way” cycle. I am still on the fence over her. She is the good guy you want to smack some sense into.
Bad boy Daemon, still holding the favorite character crown, with Moe giving him some competition. Daemon is tired of being used and manipulated while knowing he is a pawn on a deadly chessboard.
The magic system is complex yet once you figure out what role everyone plays, it becomes a matter of who survives all the political discourse. And yes, book three is definitely needed. All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
January 15, 2022
This series is amazing! I really enjoyed the first book, but I think I liked this one even more since it was a bit faster paced and I knew most of the characters already. I love the detailed world and magic, they are both fascinating to read about. And I also love the characters. The story is told from many POVs and I like all of them, especially Fedrick and Fay. Each character is their own person with their own flaws and strengths and motives which makes them seem very real. There are some morally grey characters here if you are into that. I’ve also read that there are some tie ins to other books by the author, so I’m going to have to pick up NACL: Eye of the Storm now to see what I’m missing. This is truly a series of epic fantasy and I can’t recommend it enough!
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 3, 2022
I just reviewed the first book in this series today. It rules and the sequel more than lives up to the first. Also, there were more dragons in this one. Pet tiny dragons! Little fish-eating dragons! Ancient dragon gods! Dragons!
This book follows the princess Elenor as she simultaneously is appointed regent in the wake of her father's murder and her mother's disappearance--and also stands trial for the aforesaid murder. A pretty fascinating and high-stakes premise, which the book more than lives up to.
The use of details in this series is so beautifully done, especially when it comes to characterization.
Full review at the link!
https://anyajosephs.wordpress.com/202...
This book follows the princess Elenor as she simultaneously is appointed regent in the wake of her father's murder and her mother's disappearance--and also stands trial for the aforesaid murder. A pretty fascinating and high-stakes premise, which the book more than lives up to.
The use of details in this series is so beautifully done, especially when it comes to characterization.
Full review at the link!
https://anyajosephs.wordpress.com/202...
January 14, 2022
This series —man, I am telling you! It has everything!
Dragon Gods, science-based magic systems, cross-overs from other worlds (looking at you NaCL! 👀) Kings, Queens, and villains so villainous you'll throw your Kindle because you can't strangle them!
TW: Subject matter deals with sensitive topics so read the trigger warning ⚠️ I am SO EXCITED! I love this author and her co-writes with E. Sands and JP Barnes. Wherever Allegra and her team of co-authors at AO Project go, I will always follow their worlds wherever they take me. 🌎 ♥️
Dragon Gods, science-based magic systems, cross-overs from other worlds (looking at you NaCL! 👀) Kings, Queens, and villains so villainous you'll throw your Kindle because you can't strangle them!
TW: Subject matter deals with sensitive topics so read the trigger warning ⚠️ I am SO EXCITED! I love this author and her co-writes with E. Sands and JP Barnes. Wherever Allegra and her team of co-authors at AO Project go, I will always follow their worlds wherever they take me. 🌎 ♥️
July 12, 2023
I absolutely loved this 2nd installment of The Last Gift series. There were so many twists and turns and the E M O T I O N S. The villains are deplorable and there were a few moments that I was yelling, "Fuck you" in the car to the audiobook. Haha. I still absolutely love the world-building, love the characters, love the magic. I can't even imagine how this is going to end and I can't wait to read the 3rd book.
April 10, 2023
Why aren’t more people talking about these books? They are so different than any fantasy I’ve ever read and I love it. There are so many complex characters that are all flawed and redeemable. The magic system is amazing. I can’t wait for the next book. This series is one of my favorites I’ve read ever !!
December 18, 2023
This is book 2 of the Last Gift series and part of a wider Project AO universe (that I hope to share details of with you very soon!), so I definitely recommend reading the books in order for best effect, starting with Where Shadows Lie.
We carry on the story right where we left off in book 1, with Elenor and Gabriel having defeated one evil, only to find themselves harried for it right when they need to start tackling bigger problems. Meanwhile, Fay and Fedrik are in the Mondaer desert, also facing the consequences of their actions and also not enjoying it particularly. And Daemon continues to spy and meddle in the affairs of the Dragon gods with his usual mixed results and at great personal cost.
We find out a lot more about the different gifts, the Dragons and some of the world history in this book, so much so that I started a spreadsheet to try to keep track of the different factions we had encountered so far and how they relate to each other. Yes, I do take my fantasy fiction VERY seriously!
Most of the characters are struggling more against their inner demons at this point in the story, other than Elenor who has a familiar, old, outer-demon in the form of her “Murder Aunt” Sianta persecuting her at every turn. I got particularly invested in this thread of the story and was practically hissing every time Sianta appeared on the pages, like I was at a Christmas panto! “She’s behiiiiiind you, Elenor!”
The whole book is just as utterly immersive and compelling as Where Shadows Lie. That book inspired me to purchase every other title published under the Project AO umbrella, so that I could read them in order without missing anything. Whispers of Stone inspired me to copious notes, spreadsheets and an offer to introduce the whole of Project AO to my readers so that others can be as addicted to the stories as I am… so watch this space for further posts to come on that subject.
And in the meantime, I can’t wait to see what the result of me reading These Gossamer Strings (The Last Gift #3) will be!
We carry on the story right where we left off in book 1, with Elenor and Gabriel having defeated one evil, only to find themselves harried for it right when they need to start tackling bigger problems. Meanwhile, Fay and Fedrik are in the Mondaer desert, also facing the consequences of their actions and also not enjoying it particularly. And Daemon continues to spy and meddle in the affairs of the Dragon gods with his usual mixed results and at great personal cost.
We find out a lot more about the different gifts, the Dragons and some of the world history in this book, so much so that I started a spreadsheet to try to keep track of the different factions we had encountered so far and how they relate to each other. Yes, I do take my fantasy fiction VERY seriously!
Most of the characters are struggling more against their inner demons at this point in the story, other than Elenor who has a familiar, old, outer-demon in the form of her “Murder Aunt” Sianta persecuting her at every turn. I got particularly invested in this thread of the story and was practically hissing every time Sianta appeared on the pages, like I was at a Christmas panto! “She’s behiiiiiind you, Elenor!”
The whole book is just as utterly immersive and compelling as Where Shadows Lie. That book inspired me to purchase every other title published under the Project AO umbrella, so that I could read them in order without missing anything. Whispers of Stone inspired me to copious notes, spreadsheets and an offer to introduce the whole of Project AO to my readers so that others can be as addicted to the stories as I am… so watch this space for further posts to come on that subject.
And in the meantime, I can’t wait to see what the result of me reading These Gossamer Strings (The Last Gift #3) will be!
December 1, 2023
I just wanna start by saying I am enjoying the overarching plot and the characters for the most part. The way the pieces fit together is very interesting. The thing that is continuously ruining the book and series for me is the treatment of Eleanor. The portrayal of her as a disabled protagonist from what I've read so far seems to say "if you're disabled, everything bad is going to happen to you and you'll never have any power or agency". Every single time she is given a sliver of hope or power, it's dashed away extremely fast. I almost stopped reading and am still doubting if I'll get to the next book after Eleanor is raped. What purpose did this serve the narrative? She had all the motivation and drive to move forward without forcing this upon her and from my perspective was just a poor story choice. I understand sexual assault can be used as a motivating factor in stories; though I usually find it in poor taste but as a survivor of a situation where I was also being blackmailed into unwanted sexual advances, I found this to add nothing to the story and put a bad taste in my mouth. Also I see the romance arc moving into a potential thruple and while I'm fine with this and feel polyamory is hardly ever portrayed well in books, I just want to state that there's WAY more focus on Eleanor and her interactions/attractions with men then with Claire and there isn't any with any other women. It's rather frustrating as a lesbian that picked the first book up because of the heavily advertised and reviewed sapphic romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2023
This was a very complex story with intriguing characters. The plot will keep you guessing and turning the pages. It also has a very unique magic involved which I found interesting. I will try to review without spoiling it. All the events have caused quite an uproar in the kingdom. With the death of the red dragon, the gate keepers were frantically trying to control a magic that was difficult to control to begin with. The Lirion king is dead and the queen is missing and that left Elanor in charge. Some are trying to force her to make decisions she isn't comfortable with and she is trying to gain allies to help her thwart the chaos. She will have to think quickly and rely on her friends to help her with all that is happening. A great read & can't wait for answers that will hopefully come in the next one.
November 13, 2023
I'm in awe, all over again, with the incredible talent of Allegra Pescatore. I still can't figure out why more people aren't talking about this series.
I've been listening to this series on Audible, and the narration is fantastic! Marian Hussey takes an already engaging story and uses her incredible voice talent to give the characters even more vibrancy.
No one in this series is perfect, and I love that their flaws and mistakes allow them to grow and make them much more realistic. I've read plenty of fantasy novels where the protagonists can do no wrong, and it's so dull. I want every decision they make to have real consequences that affect the story.
I'm immediately diving into "These Gossamer Strings", and I can't wait to hear what's in store!
I've been listening to this series on Audible, and the narration is fantastic! Marian Hussey takes an already engaging story and uses her incredible voice talent to give the characters even more vibrancy.
No one in this series is perfect, and I love that their flaws and mistakes allow them to grow and make them much more realistic. I've read plenty of fantasy novels where the protagonists can do no wrong, and it's so dull. I want every decision they make to have real consequences that affect the story.
I'm immediately diving into "These Gossamer Strings", and I can't wait to hear what's in store!
October 20, 2023
*audiobook* The series continues to deepen and delight. The writing is captivating and the reader's performance brings the story to life. Seriously, Marian Hussey is a true talent.
And the writing and story telling is rich and delicious. I truly value the depth given to the character with a disability. Well, and the other characters. I respect how they evolve within themselves and the story.
Can't wait to listen to the third book in the series.
And the writing and story telling is rich and delicious. I truly value the depth given to the character with a disability. Well, and the other characters. I respect how they evolve within themselves and the story.
Can't wait to listen to the third book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews