I really wanted to like this book, but I feel as though it’s just not for me. It could be great for a lot of people, but the writing is just not my style, storytelling is just not my style, and I feel like I couldn’t connect with the story because of how complicated it was. I do think it was very creative, and a very interesting story, but there were so many names, and too many aspects of the world building that I couldn’t connect with and couldn’t remember. Despite all this, I do see the quality of the writing. I feel as though it is kind of reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson‘s writing, and a good book. I also recognize it’s just not something I would enjoy.

This book picks up where The Invisible College left off, so if you did not read book one, please do so as it will set the stage for what occurs here. We have the highly anticipated continuation written as only Jeff Wheeler can in the format that keeps the story linear along the with the chapter setting pages in Isaac Berrow’s voice. The chapter headings denote whose point of view is going to take center stage. The very British feel of the book in the names and dialogue fits right in with the storyline.
If you had predictions of what was to come after reading book one, some of those do come true. Robinson continues to be the hero, reluctant to revel in any fame or glory, and totally devoted to McKenna. McKenna has come a long way in her relationship with Robinson as his wife, but the storyline will have her reverting to her self-doubts. We have a mysterious character introduced who has powers that you won’t anticipate, and a villain who remains as such. Love the storyline of the devices that Robinson is creating and how this brings about actions that take the storyline to places imbued with tension. Oh, and that epilogue! I personally cheered and then thought better of what that meant as to what is to come in book three! Need book three very soon!!!

Lots of twists and turns: every time something seems to go horribly wrong, something else happens that seems to sort things out, only for something new going horribly wrong again, and the cycle starts again. The readers are definitely being kept on tenterhooks, and not quite sure how the story is going to unfold.
In true Jeff Wheeler fashion, a love story is never far away: as Rob's and McKenna's is in the foreground, and it certainly draws the reader in.
The entaglement and conspiracies between the Invisble College, the military, the business world and the strannik and his minions keep the readers hooked, while tyring to understand how it all fits in, with bits of extra information given through the book, but never so much as to give the game away.
I look forward not only to reading the sequel, but also to going back and re-read the series again once I finish the last book, so that I can make proper sense of all the hints that have been dropped throughout the series, in light of the full revelations that are sure to come with the end of the last book. Pretty much the same as with all the other of Jeff Wheeler's fantasy series.

Book Title: The Violence of Sound Author: Jeff Wheeler Genre: Science Fiction- Fantasy
Robinson and McKenna Hawksley begin their life together as winter looms with the danger of another season of Aesir attacks on humanity. Robinson, a magician blessed with the ability to create new inventions, and McKenna, a linguistic ace who suffers from deafness, form an intriguing duo. Her love for words and affinity for languages bring the reader to wonder why she was blessed with such abilities that she will never hear.
Professor Robinson has developed an invention with the potential to reduce human casualties in the war between humans and the mysterious Aesir. The Invisible College, akin to the military-industrial complex, is led by General Colsterworth from the military and the Master of the Royal Secret, the highest-ranked sorcerer and the titular head of the college.
It appears the army has stolen the invention and engaged others to manufacture a lamp that lights up when the enemy is near. The general employs several schemes and individuals to stop the Hawksley family from obtaining a patent. Will the General succeed in his aims? What a way to start a honeymoon. The General may even order a hit on the couple. The newlyweds' honeymoon has all the trappings of an extended attack by the representatives of the armed forces.
Not all is bleak, as Robinson is rewarded with an elevated rank in the sorcerers’ guild. The dynamics of a totally deaf woman using her tremendous lip-reading ability add another layer of excitement to the race for a patent while humans prepare for the winter warfare of the Aesir. The Aesir are immortal but can be killed. They cannot lie, but there seem to be workarounds. There are interesting twists and turns as the winter attacks begin. A ring is discovered that allows the wearers to communicate over long distances. What a cliffhanger we endure at the end. This story is fantasy writing at its best. I can hardly wait for the next volume in the series.

Jeff Wheeler totally nailed it with Violence of Sound! I absolutely loved watching Robinson and McKenna’s relationship grow—those two are just so adorable together. Every moment between them felt so real, and I found myself rooting for their connection the whole way through.

And the drama? Oh my gosh, SO GOOD. Just when things seem to be calming down, General Colsterworth pops up and throws everything into disarray. I expected Robinson and McKenna to be the main focus, but Colsterworth’s plotting added such an exciting layer of tension!

If you love stories with heart, high stakes, and characters you can’t help but get attached to, this book is for you. But...fair warning - there is a cliffhanger at the end which will leave you (and me) hanging. Still, it’s a must-read, and I can’t wait for book 3!

Big shoutout to NetGalley and the publisher, 47North, for letting me read this eARC! All thoughts and opinions here are my own.

I'm in love with this magical steam-punk world! After reading the first book I couldn't wait to read this one, and it didn't disappoint. The descriptive language paints beautiful pictures from snow covered mountains and turbulent water to hot summer days in crowded cities. His settings not only give a view of this world, but also set the mood for the novel by giving us hints of what the characters are feeling and what events could be coming next. I also like the heroine of this book. She is a deaf woman who is strong, intelligent mature and bold; definitely a great role model. I look forward to seeing how the details and loose ends tie together in the next book!

This was a strong sequel in the Invisible College series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. I thought the characters continued to feel like they were supposed to and was engaged with the storyline being told. Jeff Wheeler always does a fantastic job in writing this and am excited to read more.

I really enjoyed returning to this world and diving deeper into it. I really loved learning more about the magic and the politics of this world and I like how the characters got more development and it was easier to read than the first installment

This book was just okay. It had weird grooming just thrown in there, a professor married a student of his so that was a huge ick and red flag from the get go. It was disturbing and misogynistic from that point forward, so it was not a good book to me. Authors can write stories without adding in those gross actions

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

The Violence of Sound plunges deeper into the world of The Invisible College. We are returned to the story of inventor and professor Robinson Hawksley; his once student and now wife, McKenna; and a new point of view from General Colsterworth. These characters create the frame of how we see their world, learn about its magic, machinations, and political schemes. The world, at times, is reminiscent of our world in Victorian to pre-WW I era with a dystopian veil thrown across it. This sets the perfect stage as our plot thickens, we learn more about the magic, and the enemy, and yet, we are left feeling that there is still so much more to learn. The story also makes a few nods to history and fiction of the past. The author even references Alexander Graham Bell and his wife, Mabel, in the author's note. I also picked up on a wink to the E.T.A. Hoffmann story of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" which may be more familiar to many as its ballet adaptation "The Nutcracker". I find it interesting when a writer is able to weave in historic and literary references into their work while still telling a wholly original story. I found this book to be a solid follow up to The Invisible College but the cliffhanger of an ending left me needing to know where this story goes as I eagerly await the next volume in the series.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, 47North) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.