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sophb84's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful debut novella from this excellent writer. I've been a fan of this author in various fandoms and this first original work is brilliant.
Superb original characters in Robert and Tomek make this a fast-paced and enjoyable read. A story of self-acceptance and discovery in an atmosphere of prejudice is so well written and has many poignant moments. The development of their friendship is organic and totally believable. The supernatural elements are very well incorporated and it's easy to immerse yourself in their world.
I loved the atmosphere the author creates. You can feel the snow crunching underfoot and hear the wind through the trees. I also very much appreciated the punk rock theme being a huge fan of The Offspring too. Brilliant.
All in all, a super short story that I highly recommend. I couldn't put it down and read it one sitting. Addicted from the first page.
Superb original characters in Robert and Tomek make this a fast-paced and enjoyable read. A story of self-acceptance and discovery in an atmosphere of prejudice is so well written and has many poignant moments. The development of their friendship is organic and totally believable. The supernatural elements are very well incorporated and it's easy to immerse yourself in their world.
I loved the atmosphere the author creates. You can feel the snow crunching underfoot and hear the wind through the trees. I also very much appreciated the punk rock theme being a huge fan of The Offspring too. Brilliant.
All in all, a super short story that I highly recommend. I couldn't put it down and read it one sitting. Addicted from the first page.
smartie_chan's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 / 5 Stars
One of the biggest complaints I have with this book, is its length. Like, don't get me wrong, it's nice for what it is and it's sweet and all but, it's tackling - or trying to tackle - some really serious things. Especially since the author themselves seems 100% capable of doing it realistically.
OK, context. This takes place in an eastern european country that shall not be named. It's very likely Poland, but if you wanna go with any other homophobic eastern country - like Russia - that would also work. I'm not polish, so I might not be the most quallified person to tell you about the very serious problems Poland has had over the years, but let's just say, being a queer in Poland hasn't been the bestest of experiences. It's kinda sad to see that this book takes place in 2004 and it's STILL VERY MUCH ACCURATE. Honestly, could you imagine what this book could have been if it weren't just 100 pages long?
There was so much potential for more. It's why most of the side-characters are pushed into the shadows - which is a shame because we've got some very intersting ones.
Things this book had that might interst you:
+ Friends to Lovers
+ An insight into the Early 2000 East-European Queer Experience
+ Hurt/Comfort
+ Internalized Biphobia
+ Mystical Creatures
+ There was only one bed/tent
It touches some darker things as well, but not in too much detail and not explicitly. But it IS there.
All in all, I felt like this was a nice story.
One of the biggest complaints I have with this book, is its length. Like, don't get me wrong, it's nice for what it is and it's sweet and all but, it's tackling - or trying to tackle - some really serious things. Especially since the author themselves seems 100% capable of doing it realistically.
OK, context. This takes place in an eastern european country that shall not be named. It's very likely Poland, but if you wanna go with any other homophobic eastern country - like Russia - that would also work. I'm not polish, so I might not be the most quallified person to tell you about the very serious problems Poland has had over the years, but let's just say, being a queer in Poland hasn't been the bestest of experiences. It's kinda sad to see that this book takes place in 2004 and it's STILL VERY MUCH ACCURATE. Honestly, could you imagine what this book could have been if it weren't just 100 pages long?
There was so much potential for more. It's why most of the side-characters are pushed into the shadows - which is a shame because we've got some very intersting ones.
Things this book had that might interst you:
+ Friends to Lovers
+ An insight into the Early 2000 East-European Queer Experience
+ Hurt/Comfort
+ Internalized Biphobia
+ Mystical Creatures
+ There was only one bed/tent
It touches some darker things as well, but not in too much detail and not explicitly. But it IS there.
All in all, I felt like this was a nice story.
riahwamby's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
firefly's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
yaaralony's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
2.5
I got interested in this book, because I came across this lovely image on facebook, showing a half-tree dude, whith antlers and green hair and no shirt and it seemed right up my alley. And the author was kind enough to send me a copy for review.
So I thought the general plot idea was good, but it wasnt executed very well.
Something about the language felt a little off. For a short novella there were too many issues, and non of them was explored thoroughly enough.
There were the different types of shiters/magical beings, but we hardly got to see anything happen with those magical ablilties. Honestly, I'd love to have more scenes with the various polish(?) mythical creatures and learn more about it.
There was the whole equivalence between queers and shifters, how they are treated, the history and the medical treatments they recieved, and I really liked this theme, but was disappointed at the shallow exploration it recieved.
Maybe it was the third person narration but I felt like I was getting a briefing of something that happened to someone, and I realise this is what stories do, but in this case, I couldn't feel it and couldn't see it. It was maybe a case of excessive tell/show thingy.
Then again, I got mad at the dub-con scene in the shower. So maybe I did feel it, a little bit
So I thought the general plot idea was good, but it wasnt executed very well.
Something about the language felt a little off. For a short novella there were too many issues, and non of them was explored thoroughly enough.
There were the different types of shiters/magical beings, but we hardly got to see anything happen with those magical ablilties. Honestly, I'd love to have more scenes with the various polish(?) mythical creatures and learn more about it.
There was the whole equivalence between queers and shifters, how they are treated, the history and the medical treatments they recieved, and I really liked this theme, but was disappointed at the shallow exploration it recieved.
Maybe it was the third person narration but I felt like I was getting a briefing of something that happened to someone, and I realise this is what stories do, but in this case, I couldn't feel it and couldn't see it. It was maybe a case of excessive tell/show thingy.
Then again, I got mad at the
spookieboogie's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Xenophobia
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
recepanda7's review
4.0
Whispers in the Woods is a story about Tomek and Robert. Tomek a human boy who had it hammered into his head about living his life in the NORMAL way. Robert is not human and forms a friendship with Tomek that bloomed into a bond that cemented into the foundation of their lives. Tomek struggles with what he was taught to believe and what he feels for Robert. It was Robert that braved his fear and kissed Tomek which tore their friendship apart.
I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more about Tomek and Robert. I would like to see how they handle a relationship after going through their ordeal. I would love to see if their friendship would survive when reality steps in. Would Tomek still mentally struggle with what he feels to what the belief of being normal or would Robert still carry the fear that one day Tomek may reject him again?
I'm very proud to have the chance to read K.C. Carmine's talented story and very looking forward to reading more.
I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more about Tomek and Robert. I would like to see how they handle a relationship after going through their ordeal. I would love to see if their friendship would survive when reality steps in. Would Tomek still mentally struggle with what he feels to what the belief of being normal or would Robert still carry the fear that one day Tomek may reject him again?
I'm very proud to have the chance to read K.C. Carmine's talented story and very looking forward to reading more.
recepanda7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Received ARC Whispers in the Woods by K.C. Carmine
Whispers in the Woods is a story about Tomek and Robert. Tomek a human boy who had it hammered into his head about living his life in the NORMAL way. Robert is not human and forms a friendship with Tomek that bloomed into a bond that cemented into the foundation of their lives. Tomek struggles with what he was taught to believe and what he feels for Robert. It was Robert that braved his fear and kissed Tomek which tore their friendship apart.
I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more about Tomek and Robert. I would like to see how they handle a relationship after going through their ordeal. I would love to see if their friendship would survive when reality steps in. Would Tomek still mentally struggle with what he feels to what the belief of being normal or would Robert still carry the fear that one day Tomek may reject him again?
I'm very proud to have the chance to read K.C. Carmine's talented story and very looking forward to reading more.
Whispers in the Woods is a story about Tomek and Robert. Tomek a human boy who had it hammered into his head about living his life in the NORMAL way. Robert is not human and forms a friendship with Tomek that bloomed into a bond that cemented into the foundation of their lives. Tomek struggles with what he was taught to believe and what he feels for Robert. It was Robert that braved his fear and kissed Tomek which tore their friendship apart.
I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more about Tomek and Robert. I would like to see how they handle a relationship after going through their ordeal. I would love to see if their friendship would survive when reality steps in. Would Tomek still mentally struggle with what he feels to what the belief of being normal or would Robert still carry the fear that one day Tomek may reject him again?
I'm very proud to have the chance to read K.C. Carmine's talented story and very looking forward to reading more.
violet_catte's review against another edition
Whispers in the Woods is a beautiful coming-of-age story. I loved watching Tomek come into his own and fully realize himself. Robert made me long for green hair of my own. The romance was cozy with a bit of second-chance flavor. Highly recommend!