The Whispering Night is the dramatic conclusion to Susan Dennard's Luminaries Series. Join Winnie Wednesday, Jay Friday, and Erica Tuesday, along with a host of others, as they try to find the whispering nightmare taking over the forest. Add in a search for Winnie's missing father, a deadly witch with an agenda, and a nightmare festival with people everywhere, and you are sure to find some adventure. I enjoyed this series. Really hated for it to end! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. The audiobook was excellent.

I thought this was a really good time, everything you would want in a finale. I did think all the action at the end dragged a bit (for me, personally), but overall I enjoyed the mystery-solving aspect of it. The relationships, the witch magic, how relatable Winnie is, how bad she is at texting—all of this just added to the enjoyment all around. I was really satisfied with how everything resolved.

"The Whispering Night" presents a captivating blend of fantasy and mystery that immerses readers in its atmospheric setting. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery is both compelling and relatable, showcasing her strengths and vulnerabilities as she navigates a world fraught with danger and intrigue. The world-building isn't anything crazy, and I wish we saw more nightmares throughout this series. It has a vibe similar to if you mixed the 'Wednesday' tv show with 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them'. I found the pacing to be a bit uneven. Some sections felt drawn out, leading to moments where my interest waned. Overall, I felt myself finishing this trilogy wanting a bit... more. Despite these pacing issues, "The Whispering Night" delivers enough charm and depth to engage fans of the genre, and I'm sure this novel will find it's audience. The themes of friendship, loyalty, and self-acceptance resonate strongly, making it a worthwhile read.

This fun conclusion to the Luminaries series has Winnie once again circumventing the rules and the leadership to rescue her loved ones.

Plenty of foreshadowing about the big bad, who isn't explicitly revealed until the end. I love the sweet relationship between Winne and her boyfriend. The setting is a small town where everyone knows everyone, like a magical Mayberry, and you know who is related to whom because their last names are all days of the week.

I enjoyed this series and while I wouldn't call it cozy, it's not exactly dark either.

I love Caitlin Davies. She does a superb job as always.

4.5 rounded up
As one of my most anticipated releases for this year, I found this to be a great conclusion to the trilogy. The writing is lyrical and the mythology solid. This book was full of action, a little romance and a few twists that kept the story moving along.

Jay is forever the best boyfriend; his use of science terms is so endearing. We finally find out what happened 4 years ago.

The narration was well done with different voices for each character. I think it helped pull the lyrical qualities out of the text.

I was given a copy by the publisher via NetGalley (thank you!) and all opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an early copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own!

I have adored this series, and this book definitely does not disappoint! Winnie is such a fun character to watch learn and grow, and I really enjoyed seeing her bloom in this book. I love the way that this book ties everything up while still being full of intrigue to the very last page. It so easily kept my attention from start to finish, and I appreciate that even the slower moments kept me guessing and wondering where things were going.

I love the evolution of Winnie's family and friends and the way her priorities switch but also stay the same. She is such a loyal person, and she maintains that until the end, even if some of her people change. She truly went on a journey of self discovery and she was such a joy to watch on it with her strength and resilience.

The worldbuilding of this series is amazing and part of what makes it one of my new favorite series. The way that nightmares are described makes everything seem so real and really gets your heart pounding.

If you're looking for a spooky new series for this fall, look no further, your new favorite is here!

This was a really great ending to the story! We learn a lot of new information, see character growth, and find out the answers to questions from book 1. Where is Winnie's father? What was he really involved in? What's going on with Jay? While there is still a romance, it felt like there was a lot more going on in this book than in book 2. The Whispering Night is action packed and has lots of danger, atmosphere, and twists. A very solid conclusion to the trilogy! The audio narration is good and keeps the energy up for the plot. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

4.25⭐️
When I saw this audio offering in NetGalley it automatically pulled me in despite it being #3 in a series.
I was thrilled when I was accepted to get the audio ALC so I quickly looked up the first two and was able to listen to the first followed by the physical copy of the second book, both through my library.
So I want to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC for free so I could leave my voluntary review.

I’ll admit it did take a hot minute to wrap my head around the world that was created by the author trying to sort out the families (names by the day of the week), their “job” or purpose within the community and then Diana’s, Luminaries and other creatures and beings. But after a while I wrapped my head around it.

I loved following Winnie a strong willed talented Wednesday who on her 16th birthday sets out to prove herself and become a hunter and get her family back on then”right side” of the community since her father seemingly betrayed them and became the enemy.

Winnie showed such strength throughout that you couldn’t help being pulled into her story. The book has everything. A magical world and system, action, mystery and romance all rolled into one.

The Whispering Night was a great ending to the series. It wrapped every up in an awesome way. I love reading strong young female characters that don’t fall victim to the silly tropes and mindless stereotypes that happen many times in YA book series.

As for the production of the audiobook it was great. While I did speed it up to listen, that was personal preference as the published rate was a good one and not slow like so many narrations are these days. I enjoyed the narrator, Caitlin Davies voice as well.

This book comes out November 19th 2024 and would be a great gift (with the first two) for you favorite teen readers as well as to have on library and school shelves.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

"The Whispering Night" by Susan Dennard, the third book in The Luminaries series, is narrated by Caitlin Davies. I thoroughly enjoyed this final installment; it provided a perfect conclusion to an entertaining series. Caitlin Davies excels at bringing the characters to life, and the musical introduction was a delightful touch that matched the book's atmosphere perfectly.
Winnie and her companions return to Hemlock Falls forest, their werewolf hunting days behind them, and her relationship with Jay Friday is now clear.
As the Nightmare Masquerade approaches, unexpected guests arrive, and Winnie faces a daunting challenge from a masked Diana, endangering everyone she holds dear.
In the midst of battling new foes, Winnie discovers her missing father's involvement in her quest to find the concealed witches. This revelation uncovers an age-old conflict between the Luminaries and the Dianas, exposing a division within her own family.
I found this series to be an enjoyable young adult fantasy horror, incorporating romance in a manner suitable for younger readers.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Whispering Night is the final book in The Luminaries trilogy, and it was the finale I needed it to be. This book was everything I hoped for and more. It was an absolutely satisfying conclusion while still leaving the door cracked for future spin offs. I loved that Dennard managed to still keep readers on their toes while dropping mind blowing revelation after mind blowing revelation. I’m impressed by the number of twists and turns this book took while still being satisfying. The plot pacing will have you dreading having to put the book down because it’s so fast and amped up with action. The tension is palpable and will leave you on the edge of your seat hoping the characters survive. I read this via ebook and audiobook, and I can’t recommend the audio enough. Caitlin Davies was amazing in her role. You could easily feel Winnie’s emotions in Davies’s narration from her excitement to panic. It was an amazing performance worthy of this series conclusion.

Rounded up from 4.5 stars.

Although I have been moving away from YA fiction, I have been so invested in this series since the first book, and couldn’t possibly miss out on the conclusion to this trilogy. The first two books were riveting, and this book is even more so. I received a copy of the audiobook, which was perfect since I was just finishing an audiobook reread of the first two. Caitlin Davies is a wonderful narrator, and she did a fantastic job with not just this book, but the entire series.

Winnie is a character that has some strong character traits, but I appreciated them and how she made them work for her. She’s smart, but seems to deal with some level of anxiety, as evidenced by her clicking her teeth when she’s stressed or anxious. She has stayed true to a clan that ostracized them, and her only goals had been to be a hunter like her mother was, and to restore her family’s standing in the community of Hemlock Falls, a Luminary community. Loyalty is another admirable trait of hers, and we can see her staying true to the friends that she has developed over the course of the series, as well as rekindling tentative friendships with the two best friends she grew up with. When it comes to Jay, Winnie is happy with where she fits into his life. But he’s not in this book nearly as much as we’ve become used to, and I really missed him. Finally, Winnie is stubborn, another trait that I can identify with. Even while they were shunned, Winnie never gave up on her dream, which had the potential to restore her family to the status they enjoyed before Winnie’s father was revealed as a Diana (witch). There’s also something about her sarcastic sense of humor that always makes me laugh, like this zinger from when she was facing a crisis that was beyond her ability to get out of:

“The time is basically panic o’clock.”

It becomes clear that Winnie and the other Luminaries are in trouble during the preparation for the Nightmare Masquerade. Winnie encounters a masked Diana and is given a task that she can’t possibly complete without endangering every aspect of her life, including her relationships. However, we also get to see a few chapters outside of Winnie’s perspective, getting a peek into ‘the werewolf’ and ‘the witch’ involved in the conclusion of this trilogy. I enjoyed learning more about the witches and the whole Diana organization, and it was part of the expansion of the world-building involved in this book. We get more of a view of Luminary society as well as actually getting to learn more about the Dianas, who we haven’t really gotten to see firsthand until now.

This book moves even faster than the first two. There’s a lot of action, and it occurs throughout the book. I know a lot of books claim to be unputdownable, but this one seriously was. And the closer to the end that I got, the more intense the story became. That type of book is like the human version of catnip for me—I am a sucker for a book that races at breakneck speed to a conclusion that I’m not expecting. Speaking of not expecting, there were quite a few plot twists that had me absolutely floored. I love a book that surprises me!

Overall, I think this was the best book out of the trilogy. I personally love when a conclusion answers all the questions I have stored up while reading earlier books. I had so many questions stored up throughout the series, and this book answered all of them: what the Whisperer actually is, what really happened with Winnie’s dad, and what actually killed Erica’s sister, to name the questions I was most concerned with having answered. But I can say that this book, and the series overall, is everything that YA fantasy reading should be—immersive, intriguing, fun, and featuring realistic characters. Don’t miss this one if you like stories with a lot of action, urban fantasy (okay, this is more like suburban fantasy? But still), slow-burn romance, and satisfying endings.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, Tor Teen, Susan Dennard, and Caitlin Davies (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of The Whispering Night in exchange for an honest review.

As The Luminaries and The Hunting Moon answer some questions, they continue to leave the readers with even more. The Whispering Night is the dynamic conclusion to The Luminaries trilogy, no questions unanswered, ending exactly how the series is meant to.

The Calm Before the Storm
Winnie Wednesday’s future is looking bright. The werewolf hunt in Hemlock Falls has ended (and a few know who it is), she’s managed to form a cautious friendship with Erica Thursday (again, and hopefully it will go better than the past), and she finally understands where she stands with Jay Friday (lovers!).

Facing Impossible Challenges
With everything finally on track, Winnie is looking forward to the Nightmare Masquerade, a week-long celebration of all things Luminary. Luminaries from across the world flock to the small town, but not everyone appears as they seem. Winnie is confronted by a masked Diana and charged with an impossible quest that may put everyone she knows and loves at risks, but she knows she can't back down. She continues to sleuth in seeking out the secret of the Dianas and her missing father.

Quest and Cost
Unable to tell the differences between a Diana and a Luminary, Winnie no longer knows who she can trust, and her understanding of Diana and Luminary culture is turned upside-down. Winnie digs deeper into the long-standing war between the Luminaries and the Dianas, discovering rifts within her own family she never could have imagined. With the help of Erica Thursday and Jay Friday, together they make team WTF (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) and seek the truth, hoping the cost won't be too high. What does loyalty mean when Dianas and Luminaries can be anyone?

Final Thoughts
More Jay and his band. Stronger friendships between Winnie and the other young Luminaries. A masquerade with devious intent. A hunt to solve the secrets of the Dianas, upturning secrets about the Luminaries that are unexpected. Forever seeking her missing father. This book is the ultimate adventure and wrap-up to The Luminaries trilogy. It has excellent craft, good pacing, continued characterization, and a nice development for Winnie in the realms of family, friendship, romance, and her own growth as a Luminary.

I am sad to see the end of Winnie's adventures, at least relating to the Dianas and her father, but the end leaves a little wiggle room for more possible stories in this world. The end is everything it needed to be and more, and any teen paranormal fantasy lover should invest in this trilogy for young adults. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to listen to this audiobook!

I’ve read the first two books in the series and this one was just as well done! I enjoyed following the growth of Winnie!

I felt there was more action in this book so it was quick to listen as I couldn’t put it down!

It’s a must read!

This was a really great conclusion to the trilogy. I did find each book became less interesting and more predictable as the series went on. That being said, it was still fun and interesting. I really love her writing style and how each book we get more and more information and the character arcs are really complex.

The third and final book of the Luminaries series comes out on 19 November 2024.

The Whispering Night takes us back to Hemlock Falls as Winnie and her friends are preparing for the week long Nightmare Masquerade celebration. However, it would not be Hemlock Falls without new enemies trying to take out the Luminaries.

Overall, I enjoyed this one and felt like it was a perfect ending for this trilogy. I recommend this entire series if you enjoy fast paced mythology based fantasy books filled with thrills, magic, and a dash of romance. I have listened to all 3 audiobooks in this series and loved this format since the narrator, Caitlin Davies does a wonderful job of bringing the characters and Hemlock Falls to life!

Thank you @macmillan.audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review. This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website.

What a fun ride this series has been. Winnie has grown into such a strong character by this third installment. My only gripe with this book is this feeling of “well what next?” It feels like we are not done in this world. The Diana’s are still out there, I don’t trust Jeremiah, and Winnie’s family seems to easily forgiven. I am hoping for a spin off series but we shall see! 4/5 ⭐️

MUCH thanks to Susan Dennard, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beware potential spoilers!

Love love love love LOVE this trilogy! I relistened to the first two before venturing into this one and it was no hardship. I like them more every time. I adore down-to-earth bespeckled Winnie and her strong arc, I love Darian and Andrew and Mom and the twins and Fatima and Erika and all the other secondaries. And of course Jay, though he could have been a smidge more fleshed out. We were light on Jay in this book, which is unfortunate, but he just didn't have much to do. C'est la vie.

It was great to have so much of the mystery solved, and to learn more of the lore. Buuuuut to be honest I still don't understand everything. Collectively I've listened to these books several times and I'm still baffled by the world building, the spirit and the nightmares and how it all works. I get that luminaries want to suppress the spirit, which is magic or something, and that Dianas want to let it free, but......I still don't get what exactly the whisperer or spirit is or how exactly it relates to nightmares or what the pure heart is or how it all came about. Or why luminaries condemn magic. Or how Jay became a werewolf. Or if it's all supposed to be one huge intricate metaphor or something; I'm not sure how deep it's meant to be.

I'm honestly not sure if it's my failing to put the pieces together cohesively in my brain or if Dennard was vague about the whys. Both? It feels so ironic for me to have any confusion while Winnie is a walking Nightmare encyclopedia and Luminary rulebook, lol!* I feel like I need a 2D animated historical reenactment with narration please. Complete with "Once upon a time." Or perhaps a prequel novella: How the Luminaries Began.

In that vein, the entire scene at the lake in the end was a fever dream. Right? I had no idea what was happening. From the attack at the party through the climax, it was nonstop action and revelations to the point of overwhelming my brain. A couple times I wished there had been a narrative time-out to help process, like a brainstorming sesh between Winnie and someone else, recapping all that had happened and explaining the significance/consequences. It's good to have a fast pace, high stakes, and high tension, but I need time to digest or I'll just stop absorbing and information will just run off.

If anyone cares to help me understand any of the above, by all means comment.

*The way Winnie recited the compendium to distract or focus herself, or later because of her curse, reminded me of Violet Sorrengail's similar habit in Fourth Wing. Gotta deliver that exposition. ;) Some might think the method heavy handed or clunky, but it didn't bother me.

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read a YA fantasy---I suppose urban fantasy is more accurate---that doesn't so much as mention sex, yet the romance is just as hot and satisfying as anything explicit. The chemistry between Winnie and Jay was amazing, though it debatably peaked in book 2. With the romantasy trend gaining momentum, it's nice to find a story that isn't propped up by unrealistic and gratuitous carnality. Sex as character/relationship development is fine, but so many books these days are more porn than plot. It's maddening.

I have to say, I expected the masquerade ball to be a plot point rather than the denouement, for the Dianas to do some sort of coup, what with their notable masks. Not sure if that's a missed opportunity or sidestepped cliche. Though if Dennard dodged that cliche, she stepped right into a steaming pile of high school dance cliche, complete with giddy girls getting ready montage. But I'll forgive it because it was fun and romantic and a good demonstration of Jay's arc.

I could describe more small similarities to other YA series, but I won't. None of them bothered me or made me think less of this book. YA gonna YA, I guess.

I have a terrible habit of thinking of things to mention in the review while I'm listening, but because I'm listening that means my hands are busy doing something else, so I can't make a note at the moment I think of it, and I end up forgetting. Due to my ADHD, I recently learned. So there's more I wanted to talk about, but I can't remember now. However, the important things are above---my joy in the story, my lingering confusion. I want so bad to give this five stars, but that confusion means it's only four.

The epilogue kinda-sorta hinted that this world could continue to be explored, and I'd be up for that, so I'll be keeping an eye on Dennard's future work.

This whole series has been a five star series for me. I absolutely adored all three books. The finale was action packed from start to finish! I don't want to give too much away because - spoilers! The audiobook was an absolute stunner and the narrator did a fantastic job. I felt the tension and suspense all the way through.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This 3rd installment was just as exciting if not more exciting than the first two books. Dennard writes so vividly that I felt like I was right beside Winnie racing through the forest and battling the Nightmares with her. I enjoyed the rekindling of friendships and seeing the new friendships develop. Lots of questions are answered, BUT the last few lines makes me wonder could there be more??? We will be purchasing this book for our high school library.

Winnie Wednesday has once again gotten through a rough patch and has reconnected with Erica and Jay. However, the path getting there was hard and things are still in a fragile state. In comes the Nightmare Masquerade and a new handful of stressors - - from what to wear, to a Diana threatening her with impossible demands, to still trying to uncover the truth of what really happened that fateful day four years ago when everything changed for the worse. Will Hemlock Falls come out of this week unscathed?

The audiobook was once again well done. The narration is spot on capturing Winnie’s smart, spunky and sarcastic nature perfectly. The pacing is lighthearted (even during more intense scenes), flowing and enjoyable to listen to (I have it on 1.5x speed). No distractions - - just high quality, enjoyable narration through and through.

As a novel, this is a perfect conclusion to the trilogy. I really feel like this series got better and better with each novel. Winnie is a perfect protagonist and narrator, pulling in the reader so easily that you cannot help but lover her and root for her. The story is a great yarn as well. The town of Hemlock Falls and the greater lore of the Luminaries and Dianas is interesting and not forced. You have characters that you love to love and those you hate to hate (and those you love to hate too!). Go out and pick up this trilogy. It will not disappoint. 5 stars.

Review based on an Advanced Audiobook provided by Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners and NetGalley. Thank you!