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!

I was anticipating book 3 to be my favorite, but I think book 1 still holds that title in the series. This book finally provides answers as it concludes, but I wasn’t as invested in the answers or what was going on. I didn’t feel connected to the characters in this series because it doesn’t feel like it goes as deep, but still a good conclusion to the series.

4.5 misty stars.

🎧Audiobook🎧 is very well read (as is the entire trilogy - all by the same narrator).

First - a huge pet peeve - will authors PLEASE STOP mis-using the word *petrichor*?!?!? Also, if you have used this word more than once in any novel/series, it is absolutely too many. This has been one of my favourite words for many decades, and it deeply saddens me every time it is is misused/overused.

Now - Susan Dennard really hits her stride in this book, the third in this series. It’s magical, campy fun the same way Veronica Mars is fun and addictive. Some of the camp is taken borderline too far, but it’s the only thing that offsets the ongoing adrenaline. And while I would personally classify this as YA, the romance within isn’t cringey to the point of ruining this book for me (which most YA romantasy is for me), and the breakneck pace seems almost necessary!

Basically, if you enjoy fantasy, Veronica Mars, strong teenage female leads, and the like, this whole series is for you. And it’s like popcorn - you just keep gobbling it down.

Huge gratitude to Netgalley, and the publisher Macmillan Audio, for an Audio-ARC of this book/series, in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the first and the second book so much, but for some reason I think I couldnt get into this one. I found myself losing the story and becoming bored.
I think I need to try this at another time. I am excited to figure out what happens to Jay and Winnies dad but I couldnt make it through the last half of this audiobook.

This was such a fun conclusion the the Luminaries trilogy. Winnie has come a long way since the first book, and watching her grow anf flourish has been incredibly enjoyable. And telling off Jeremiah? Excellent!
Without giving anything away, the mystery of Winnie' s father, the fight with the Diana's and the conflict between Winnie and Erica are all tied up very satisfyingly.

Narration was excellent and really gave life to Winne and her expanding group of friends.

My only frustration, was with Winnie's glasses. As a someone who has worn glasses since the age of 6, I have never experienced such frustrations as Winnie does! Are they just extremely ill fitting? Is she just that terribly klutzy (which doesn't track as she's not tripping over her own self all the time) Just... settle down about the glasses!

Thank you to Netgalley and TOR for the audio eARC.

And finished! This has been a great series and this book brings it all together. I’ve really enjoyed Winnie and the Luminaries.

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This was a perfect ending to a great series! I loved how it wrapped up, and the way it left an open ending for more. I am so glad my fave characters made it to the end too, Dennard had me stressing there.

I need more into the world of the Luminaires now!

Loved Loved Loved. I enjoyed the rest of the series too, this is the third and I think final book. The world building was enough but not too much, detailed without being overwhelming and the characters fleshed out but it didn't feel like I was getting more information than I needed to understand them and their motivations. I was left wondering about certain characters and who might betray (or not betray) who until almost the very end. Excellent story telling all around and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by this author!

I listened to this on audio, and we had the same narrator all the way through which I love. She was excellent, I can't imagine anyone doing better job for the mood and subject matter. I have listened to other books with Caitlin Davies and she's always nailed it for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great conclusion to the Luminaries trilogy. I loved being back with Winnie and co in Hemlock Falls.

The third installment in The Luminaries world doesn't disappoint! I have missed Winnie and the gang and was so excited to return to this world. Winnie's character has certainly grown and I just find how her brain processes things very interesting. I really enjoyed reading how Erica's and Jay's relationship with Winnie grew in this book. The mystery behind Winnie's father kept me listening. I didn't want to pause listening to the audiobook. The narrator, Caitlin Davies does a phenomenal job portraying Winnie and all of the characters. She kept me hooked till the very end. The war between the Luminaries and the Dianas finally came to a head and it was SO good! So many questions are answered in this one. I didn't want this book to end. With the Dianas, Luminaries, and monsters this is the perfect book for those who love urban fantasy.

I am so sad as I sit here and write this review. I don’t want this series to end. I don’t want to not see these characters in different parts of their lives! I am so bummed to be saying goodbye to such a comfort series. Though, with The Luminaries series being my most reread EVER, I doubt I will ever really say goodbye to them. I mean, there could be more… (please)

I listened to the audio of all three of the books in this series, narrated by the same incredible Caitlin Davies, who gave the perfect voice to Winona Wednesday.

This was definitely the most high intensity of the three books, with wrench after wrench thrown into the mix. With each step, Winnie is closer to uncovering the truth about the Dianas and the Luminaries, their complex history, and the casual members of society who aren’t who people think they are. There is more danger than ever before, but Winnie is done sitting on the sidelines.

Winnie is better than ever, becoming this whole self-actualized person, with incredible determination, loyalty and just sense of self. She has had such a great character arc. The friendships in this series are showcased in this book. I wondered if Winnie could ever come to terms with the betrayal she endured from friends that dropped her for years.

The ending of this book is absolutely everything!