The Whispering Night is an excellent conclusion to the series, tying up various storylines with skill and emotion. Susan Dennard’s writing is atmospheric, weaving suspense and beauty seamlessly. The characters remain as compelling as ever, and the plot delivers thrilling twists while providing satisfying resolutions. A must-read for fans of the series, this book beautifully completes the journey.

Susan Dennard returns with The Whispering Night, a spellbinding sequel that immerses listeners in a world of eerie mystery, dark magic, and high-stakes adventure. Following the events of The Luminaries, this installment deepens the intrigue, weaving a tale of secrets, survival, and the haunting whispers of the unknown.

The audiobook format enhances the atmospheric storytelling, with a narrator who masterfully captures the tension, emotion, and eerie beauty of Dennard’s prose. The haunting soundscapes and immersive narration pull listeners deeper into the shadowy forests and unsettling mysteries that define this gripping tale.

Packed with unexpected twists, complex characters, and an irresistible blend of folklore and fantasy, The Whispering Night is a must-listen for fans of dark, immersive storytelling. Whether you're drawn in by the rich world-building, the slow-burn tension, or the pulse-pounding suspense, this audiobook is an unforgettable journey into the unknown.

What an epic ending to the trilogy! My heart stopped at several points in this book, and I LOVE the exceptional "YA in the early aughts" vibes!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I enjoyed this one much more than the second one. More action, more resolution. I felt like it was the perfect ending to the series. Definitely recommend.

This was a more enjoyable read than book 2, which seemed to suffer from the middle book blah that was more a task to get through than a book I was invested in and enjoyed reading. That being said, Whispering Night was non-stop action, lots of crazy monsters and magical encounters, big reveals and truths, some kissing, and great internal monologue by the main character Winnie. The ending wrapped up the series nicely, while at the same time hinting that there could be more lurking in the shadows for a spin off. This is a solid magic/drama filled read perfect for any age YA reader (as long as they are not squeamish about blood and death, that is).

A Whispering Night was an interesting conclusion to the trilogy.

I liked the way it drew together all the threads from the previous books, but I did find the actual ending a bit lacklustre and felt that it all came together very quickly and slightly too easily.

I still enjoyed the series overall and would recommend it for those who enjoy the genre.

The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard is the third book in the Luminaries trilogy and I have been so excited for it! This book picks up right where the last left off and hits the ground running. At first I regretted not rereading the first two but the world building and writing quickly reminded me of all the important details from the previous books. What a fast paced and danger filled conclusion to such a great trilogy! The stakes are higher than ever. I also loved the magic behind the silence curse and how it forces Winnie to spout random facts. Winnie remained my favorite character throughout the entire trilogy. This was such a satisfying conclusion and I'm going to miss these characters.

The audiobook was wonderful. Caitlin Davies did a great job with this one. Her voice was perfect for this story.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 44%.

I thought I was strong enough to finish this trilogy, but I was wrong. The first was fine, the second felt like filler, and this third feels pointless. The writing choices have actually made me question if I ever want to read this author again. So many words used are just odd, and she seems to pick a theme that threads through that just ... is so awkward. Last one was tectonic plates, this seemed to be "hope is the thing with feathers." Said repeatedly for reasons I don't get. I also simply hate Winnie's voice. Being in her head actually hurt mine.

Really like the series.
Very interesting ,intriguing story.
Love the characters ,drama ,suspense ,mystery, and romance.
Voluntarily reviewed.

While I really enjoyed the first two books in The Luminaries trilogy, I just wasn't captured by The Whispering Night the way I was with the rest of the series. Even though the plot twists and character arcs accelerated, I still feel like this book lost momentum. I think it's because I enjoyed the simplicity of the early plot of this series, when it was more about monsters and less about Dianas. I'd definitely still recommend this series to people, I just enjoyed the first book the most.

I was lucky enough to meet both the author and the narrator this summer!! They are just as amazing as the stories they tell! I loved the first two books and this one was no different. This series is fun with a mix of mystery, fantasy, and romance!!! I highly recommend!! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review!!

Excellent ending to this trilogy! The pacing was excellent, all of the plot threads were tied up, and I appreciated the focus on the friendship between Winnie, Erica, and Jay (the WTF triangle). The stakes were high, the plot twists were great, and there was a good balance between fast-paced action and quieter character moments. Caitlin Davies' narration is also fantastic - she's the perfect voice for Winnie.

Now that this trilogy is complete I can confidently say that this trilogy is perfect for YA readers looking for a quick and fun contemporary fantasy series to binge read (particularly in the fall).

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: November 19, 2024

5 stars
I just loved this YA trilogy and it wrapped up so well! There is fantasy, tension, mystery, and character growth and reflection. I have recommended it a bunch of folks and plan on reading whatever Dennard puts out next (and reading her back-list).

The narrator was also excellent through the trilogy. She was able to bring a lot of emotion and tension when needed and I get excited to see her as a narrator knowing it will be a great performance.

The Whispering Night, the thrilling conclusion to Susan Dennard’s Luminaries trilogy, is a masterclass in building tension, emotion, and heart-stopping stakes. With this final installment, Dennard delivers everything readers could hope for—twists, romance, danger, and an intense exploration of family and loyalty. Fans of the series will be on the edge of their seats as Winnie Wednesday faces impossible choices that threaten not only her future but the safety of everyone she holds dear.

The novel picks up with Winnie in a somewhat precarious yet hopeful position. After everything she’s endured, Hemlock Falls is no longer chasing her werewolf blood, and her relationships—with Erica Thursday and Jay Friday—are evolving. Just when things seem like they might finally settle into some semblance of normalcy, Dennard pulls the rug out from under us, introducing a masked Diana and an impossible mission that raises the stakes even higher than before.

Winnie’s journey in The Whispering Night is one of both physical and emotional growth. As she faces new enemies, the web of mystery surrounding her missing father, hidden witches, and her family’s long-standing war with the Dianas deepens. Dennard does a remarkable job of intertwining the personal and the larger, more dangerous stakes in this book. The tension between family loyalty and the realization that those she’s trusted most may not be what they seem creates a poignant, often heartbreaking conflict. The character growth here is spectacular, especially as Winnie navigates the complexities of what it means to belong—and to fight for those she loves.

The romance between Winnie and Jay Friday, which has been simmering through the series, reaches an emotional, swoon-worthy crescendo in this book. Their chemistry has always been palpable, but in The Whispering Night, it becomes a central part of Winnie’s motivation and growth. Dennard doesn’t shy away from making their relationship complicated, testing their trust in each other and forcing them to confront their fears and desires. It’s a beautiful, tender aspect of the novel, balancing the darker, more perilous elements of the plot.

What makes this conclusion truly exceptional is Dennard’s ability to craft such a rich, immersive world. The magic, the mystery, and the fantastical creatures are fully realized, but it’s the emotional depth of the story that really stands out. The exploration of what loyalty and family mean when the lines between friend and foe blur is a theme that resonates deeply, especially as Winnie grapples with the painful truth that not everything is as it seems.

The pacing is impeccable, with Dennard masterfully weaving suspenseful action sequences with quieter, more introspective moments. There’s no shortage of surprises, and the climax is as thrilling as it is satisfying. While the stakes are higher than ever, the payoff is worth every twist and turn along the way.

The Whispering Night is an unforgettable conclusion to a series that has captivated readers with its compelling characters, intricate plotting, and emotional depth. Susan Dennard has crafted a stunning finale that is equal parts heart-wrenching and exhilarating, leaving readers with a sense of both closure and longing for more. For fans of the series, it’s a perfect, bittersweet send-off. For those new to the world of Luminaries, The Whispering Night offers an irresistible invitation to dive into a world filled with magic, mystery, and heart.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.

“That’s why we’re called the Luminaries, Winnie: we are lanterns the forest can never snuff out.”

Summary: As this is the third and final book in the series to avoid spoilers, we're just sharing promotional description: The forest is more dangerous than ever as secrets are revealed in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.

My thoughts: I have absolutely loved the twists and turns of this series and watching Winne grow along the way. She was bold from the start, but truly started to feel comfortable in her confidence in this book. The tension from the new and old foes drove this last book of the trilogy, and I struggled to put this one down. The conspiracies continue to grow, the action doesn't slow down, and the end truly brings a wonderful wrap-up to this series.

Per usual, Caitlin Davies did an incredible job bringing this story to life. As she is the narrator for the first two books, I highly recommend the audiobook version of this series.

Read if you like:
🐺 Magical Creatures
🌃 Urban Fantasy
🔎Conspiracies
🥰Best Friends Reunited

This was such a great conclusion to the trilogy. Normal I feel let down about certain things when a series comes to a conclusion, but Dennard delivered a fun, satisfying conclusion.

This one just didn't live up to the rest of the series, unfortunately. I ended up enjoying it still, but I just didn't enjoy it as much as the rest. I'm still so glad that I got the chance to read it and I'm definitely looking forward to more from Susan Dennard. I feel there was a lot that was just too convenient and didn't make sense to me.

More secrets and more lies and she tries to track down the truth as to what happens to her father. I’ve enjoyed this entire series, and the narrators did a great job with this book

This was a great ending to a solid series that I enjoyed very much! The Whispering Night is absolutely action packed and the narration was excellent and kept up that high energy, high stakes feel. The romance is there but it doesn't overshadow the plot, which is nice. I love that we get to see Winnie grow into her own and that we finally get answers for questions that were roaming around my brain since book 1! Highly suggest this series and would've gobbled it up as a teen!

CW: Death, grief, gore.

A big thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.