DNF

Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book! I couldn’t really get into the book although the plot was promising, the writing style threw me off which was disappointing.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get myself into this book. I think it has a really strong plot and great ideas, however the writing style put my off quite a bit. I feel this would be a great read for most people, but it just isn’t for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book, all opinions are my own.

WIth a fascinating and brilliantly crafted world, I was intrigued by the story right from the start.

Whilst it did take me a little while to wrap my head around the individual characters and their stories, I loved how they all intertwined.

I also loved the seemless blending of history and fantasy. With such an interesting concept, these two ideas definitely worked in the stories favour.

This was beautifully written and deserves all of the hype I'm sure it's about to recieve.

I loved reading this story! Such a good reading! I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

Review of The Whisper of Stars by Cristin Williams

Cristin Williams’ The Whisper of Stars is a haunting and atmospheric blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set in an alternate 1920s Russia where secrets are hidden in whispers, and power lurks in the shadows. Following the journey of Katya Efremova, a young anarchist poet imprisoned on Solovetsky Island, the novel weaves a tale of revolution, mystery, and magic. With the echoes of her mother’s final message—“Listen to the whisper of stars”—guiding her, Katya must navigate a dangerous path filled with cryptic codes, unexpected allies, and the lingering presence of a legendary folk hero.

Williams crafts an immersive world, pulling readers into the frozen, unforgiving landscape of Solovetsky Island, where every step Katya takes could be her last. The tension between political intrigue and supernatural elements is expertly balanced, with the presence of rogue witches and ancient secrets adding depth to the novel’s historical setting. The characters—particularly Katya, aristocratic prisoner Dima Danilov, and the enigmatic Natasha Bobrinskaya—each bring unique perspectives and conflicts, creating a richly layered narrative.

One of the novel’s standout elements is its use of codes and riddles, giving the story a puzzle-like quality that keeps readers engaged. While some may find the plot intricate and demanding, those who enjoy stories that challenge them will likely appreciate the depth of detail woven into the narrative.

Overall, The Whisper of Stars is an intriguing, thought-provoking novel that blends history, magic, and mystery in a fresh and compelling way. If you’re a fan of atmospheric historical fantasy with complex characters and a touch of espionage, this book should be on your radar.

Unfortunately I didn't end up finishing the book.
I found it really difficult to get into the story but it's very well written and is an interesting concept.

A mystic, magical book.

Set in Lenin Russia, with magic all around, this story is both a love letter to that period of time, and the ways of 'old Russia' of the wild blood and beast magic that filled folklore.

The story follows three characters, all trapped on a prison island, all searching for a book and all struggling with the aftermath of revolution. The personal journeys our MFC and MMC go on are great, especially our MFC. She has to come to terms with the idea that the world isn't black and white, right and wrong. That despite being an anarchist and despiser of the nobility, that sometimes - just sometimes - those born rich are also born good. She also has to come to terms with a mother that seemed to use her more than love her, and all the dark secrets that are swirling near her fingertips, just waiting to be unleashed.

There are layers within this story, a frantic cry against the dying of the light, a rage against the betrayal of the promise of liberty.

And the ending.

Oh the ending was beautiful but it broke me.

... more from this author please. That this is a *debut* novel is astounding.

This was a tough one to rate for me.

It took me a HOT minute to follow the plot, and I was hopeful that it would change but unfortunately that wasn’t the case and at the end I was still somewhat confused. Unfortunately this meant that I didn’t build a connection with any of the characters, and I am a very character centred reader.

What I did find intriguing about this story was the code-cracking element, and I loved how the codes were visualised for us, not just explained.

The Whisper of Stars is beautifully written and will definitely find its place in the fantasy genre, I just wasn’t the reader for it. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy!