Y. R. Liu

Book source ~ BBNYA Tour

Talia is impulsive and reckless. After she’s grounded from hunting because she shot her cousin’s pet bird, she's finally allowed to go hunting again, but only under the supervision of her older brother. So what does she do? She sneaks away and shoots the Whisperer’s Voice who is in the shape of a white cat. All because she didn’t take a moment to make sure what she was aiming her arrow at was actually game. Again. I have to tell you, not feeling any liking for show more Talia at this point. When the Whisperer declares he is taking her prisoner for a year and a day I feel Tal is getting off lucky though she doesn’t feel that way. Too bad.

Tal’s life as the Whisperer’s prisoner is hardly torture. She has chores to do, but they aren’t anything onerous and then she can spend the rest of the time doing whatever she wants. I wish I was a prisoner of the Whisperer. With all his books I’d never be bored. Plus, an island to wander on? Oh, yeah! Sign me up. *sigh* Anyway, life (and the year) goes on and as the 100 year ritual approaches, more and more tears in reality happen as seals start to fail. All 13 Whisperers are working hard to make sure the monsters don’t cross over into their reality. But that’s not the worst thing happening. There’s something else, something the Whisperers thought they’d contained. And Tal is about to do something stupid. Yet again.

This is an entertaining fantasy with an interesting world. The monsters are creepy and Tal can be an impetuous idiot at times, but her heart is in the right place. The ending seems a bit rushed, but there’s obviously more to come. I’m invested enough to read Book 2. show less