Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Whispers and the Roars

It is impossible to give this novel an adequate review without spoiling it, but wow. I was told to go into this not knowing anything about it and to not read any reviews or synopses and I’m very glad I followed that advice.
Up until about halfway through, this book makes no sense. Almost infuriatingly so. But then, it does. And it punches you in the goddamn face. Masterfully crafted, honestly, and it’s almost disappointing that it is quantified simply as a “dark romance” even though it technically is.

Flagged for spoilers due to this, but I’m still keeping it super super vague:
The *only* reason I can’t give this 5 stars is because I feel like the ending and the tying up of loose ends happened too quickly and inorganically. The “love fixes everything” trope feels wrong here, and, while it’s not my place to speak for it, I can’t help but worry that some of the representation in the final chapters is damaging, or at least borders on it.

Content Warnings

kittyemma9's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

abutler's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

beeber's review

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

8odell's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

sniderbeebooks's review

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I went back to the first several pages after completing the book, but I couldn't identify the exact moment I figured out the twist. Still, I absolutely knew what was going on by page 10. Based on other reviews, that doesn't seem common and I wonder what that reading experience would feel like. Regardless, to be respectful to K. Webster and potential readers, I'll not be spoiling the book here.
Considering the major reveal wasn't a surprise for me, my main issue with the book is how the story is told. The entire execution revolves around concealing a major revelation for two-thirds of the novel and it is NOT an easy thing for an author to conceal. As such, I felt like character and relationship development suffered. I didn't feel like the characters were very genuine, probably because it would reveal too much. I also think the reader loses so much content crucial to bonding with this couple for the same reason. If we knew more intimate details of their story, the twist would disintegrate.
I would love to read this story from beginning to end with no effort made to hit me with a huge twist. I want to find out about Kady exactly when Yeo finds out about Kady. I want to fall in love with him while he falls in love with her, in spite of all that is wrong with her. I want to watch his family try to tear them apart while he begs them to give her a chance. And I would buy an entire trilogy in order to read that story if that is what it would take. Believe me, it is shocking enough to write a romance novel with a character so tragically flawed. That flaw doesn't have to be hidden from us in order to make an impact.

And while I am not personally offended, I really don't like twists based solely upon someone's mental and/or physical health and readers with similar experiences to the character, might not appreciate the gimmick.

I just wasn't satisfied taking so much emotion at face value because the author doesn't let me experience the moments in which that emotion was born.
All of that said, the book was deeply emotional for me in other regards. I think I was triggered for the first time in my life. Again, that had a lot to do with me knowing too early what was going on. I think readers who do a second read-through might feel what I felt the first time. It's hard to read the earlier parts of the book when you know exactly what we're dealing with. I was immediately in a depressed state, almost devastated for the main character. Likewise, the end is traumatic. I don't have first-hand experience of the things in this book, but I felt very deeply for the loss at the end. It should be happy, but I felt so sad for Kady, Yeo, and Bones.
Again, no personal experience with the subject matter, but considering content I've seen on YouTube from people suffering from the same thing as Kady, it seems like K. Webster wrote the character, and all her complexities, with a fair amount of accuracy. I would be interested to know if a medical professional would agree.
Most importantly, please don't enter into this book lightly. Strong warnings for SA involving a minor, domestic abuse, depression, and self-harm.

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