Monday, September 29, 2014

Review: Whisper the Dead by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Whisper the Dead
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Series: Book Two in the Lovegrove Legacy
Published By: Bloomsbury Children's (October 7, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Historical Paranormal
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!

Book Description:
Cousins Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope are all dealing with what it means to be a Lovegrove. For Gretchen, it means she often feels like her head is going to explode. As a Whisperer, Gretchen constantly hears the whispers of other witches' spells. And while this does help her to know when one of her own spells is going wrong, the incessant buzzing and pain the whispers cause makes it difficult to use her gift.

But when something evil begins to menace Mayfair, Gretchen must find a way to master her power. Along with her cousins, a madcap named Moira, and the icy yet irresistible Tobias Lawless, Gretchen faces deadly threats and unimaginable loss in the hopes of preventing the terrible Greymalkin Sisters from rising again. 

The second book in The Lovegrove Legacy trilogy, Whisper the Dead will leave readers spellbound.







“One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, and four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told.”

I adore this series and it just keeps getting better and better as it goes. While this is the second book, it by no means suffered from the dreaded second book syndrome, in fact it was quite the opposite for me.

It was even more daring, exciting and action filled and I loved every single minute of it.

While told in multiple point of views, and done quite well I might add, each book is definitely centered around one girl in particular and this time that girl was the feisty Gretchen and I couldn't have been more thrilled. 

I loved her after the first book. There is something to be said about a fierce woman who speaks her mind and goes after what she wants, especially in a time when woman were suppose to be anything but mild and meek.

Oh goodness I loved everything about this story. To the darkness that is the Seven Sisters and Greymalkin House to the lies and betrayal and yes, even death of those the girls loved to the heart fluttering romance and almost non stop action and wonder, it didn't take long until I was wrapped right back up into the vivid wonderful world that Harvey created and I didn't want to escape it. 

I love Godric, Tobias, Emma, Gretchen, Cedric, Cormac, Theo, Pip, Moira, One-Eyed Joe, Penelope...really this is full of characters, that just after two books, really have become my friends and people I care about. 

So many twists I didn't see, so much deceit but also the wonderful bond between the cousins and new acquaintances that makes this story really special and really stand out among others like it, it all why I can't seem to get enough of it. 

It has just the right blend of rich historic detail of the times, with the alluring paranormal, a touch of danger and mystery, with a swoon worthy romance,  that just make it irresistible. 

I devoured this up and when I came to the ending I felt lost and I wanted more. I needed to know how it all ended and sadly, I will have to wait until the next book is out to see how it all comes together. To see how gets their happily ever after and how it all ends.








*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

34 comments:

  1. Sounds great. I am glad you enjoyed this one. I'm adding it to my never ending list :)

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    1. Yay! This series is so worth it Ellen, I promise!

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  2. I heard a lot about this author but I confess that I haven't tried any of her books! I really should. It sounds really good.

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  3. YAY for no second book syndrome! I feel like I'm permanently wary of second books now after reading so many that were letdowns compared to their predecessors, but I love when I find a book that improves upon the first. So glad this was a winner Ali!

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    1. I really am too, especially since I loved the first book so much. I hate it when the second doesn't live up to it.

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  4. It's been such a long time since I read an Alyxandra Harvey book. I'm glad you adored this one so much. :)

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  5. I love this series so much, Ali. I loved the first book but I think I loved this one even more. It was so much fun and Gretchen and Tobias together were so much fun. I love how they were complete opposites. My favorite part of this series has to be the bond between the girls. So much girl power! :D
    I'm so happy you loved this too. Not many people have read this series, so we can fangirl over it together. :)
    Lovely review!

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    1. Definitely can fangirl together. This series is so underrated!!

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  6. Another book with a beautiful cover! I haven't started this series yet, but I think I need to :) Nice review today!

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  7. I adored Gretchen too! She reminded me so much of Lucy, and I missed Lucy so much! Their sense of humor AND sense of loyalty are very similar. I missed Harvey's writing, and this is her at her best.
    Wonderful review, Ali!

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    1. Yes Lucy! That is who she is reminding me of. Gah! I couldn't figure it out but you are absolutely right Maja!

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  8. Wow, this sounds like Whisper the Dead did a fabulous job with the story and characters with no dull secondary book filler going on! I'm so glad it was a great read for you, Ali. The historical touches in the setting and paranormal sound wonderful :)

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  9. I still need to read book one but I'm so glad to hear this doesn't suffer from second book syndrome! You have me convinced that I need this series asap! Lovely review!

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  10. Sounds like a terrific read. I don't recall the first book, I need to go look it up. I am adding this series to my TBR>

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  11. Hi Kindlemom, Great review!! Don't you just love it when a book lives up to expectations :)

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  12. You're love for it is just infectious! I couldn't help but smile reading it :)

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  13. I've been undecided on this series since the first one came out. One minute I really want it, the next minute I decide it's not for me. But it does sound really great... I'M TORN!

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    1. It is a great series, truly worth the read. I say go for it and try it. :)

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  14. I'm loving the sound of this! I'm glad the author handled multiple POV well and that the story stood out for you. Awesome review :D

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    1. She handles it really well, in fact one of the better ones I have seen in both books.

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  15. Great review! As always Ali :). That cover is awesome!

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    1. Thank you and they do have great covers don't they?

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  16. Oh I love her books! I haven't started this series though. I really need to!

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    1. You really should, especially if you are already a fan of her work, you will love this.

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  17. multiple POVs can scare me, glad to hear this one was well done.

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    1. This is done really well Lily, you would like it.

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