Reviews

Whispers and the Roars by K Webster

eriiinncole's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

leaps's review against another edition

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5.0

After reading some one rating books i thought this was going to be another of those but boy was i wrong. Got hooked on it from the first chapter and could not stop reading.
Although very confusing and weird at times I love the mental health aspect and how the author explains it and the way it manifests in Kady, times i could realte to that and I've never been able to do that before.

What the fuck is that twist? I NEVER expected that. Now I want to read it again from the start to the twist just to see if I can see some clues.

Could not out this book down. Finished it in one sitting.

sleepycheeks's review against another edition

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5.0

was a bit confused in the beginning, rightly so. just, wait for it.. Also yeo is the best book bf

amandatyas's review against another edition

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3.0

Hard to read. But that ending!! It’s been a while since I was truly surprised at a twist

reading_with_2_book_lovers's review against another edition

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5.0

k webster doesn't disappoint once again, i went into this book a bit "oh what am i going to read" but by 10% in i was hooked.
haven't read a book from the fabulous author i haven't devoured yet.
great job Miss Webster.
Definitely reccomend everyone reading this book.
i voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book

kfriend's review against another edition

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4.0

Whispers and Roars is the type of story that reminds me just how much I love K Webster and her wicked mind- how creative, innovative, and original she is as an author. Always playing outside of trope, giving us provocative and interesting, challenging our psyche and our comfort, and pushing boundaries- K Webster’s stories are always provocative and psychologically intense, and this story is a perfect encapsulation of her dark, perverse story telling- with, of course, a twist.

And, this is also a reminder about why I know that K Webster is also not for everyone- this story isn’t her darkest or most taboo in my opinion, but it has all the hallmarks of her storytelling that make her work perhaps not for everyone- the components that some find triggering. So, take note if this applies to you.

On the surface, this seems like another dark contemporary- where our heroine Kady, broken by trauma, finds connection in childhood friend Yeo- in their second chance to connect after Yeo has gone away to school. The characters here are fascinating. Yeo is perhaps K Webster’s dreamiest man- patient, kind, supportive- he rolls with the punches here in a way that is admirable. And Kady clearly has some personal issues- rooted in her past, exacerbated by all those around her. Parts of her life and experience are just heart shattering (and will be triggering to many), but she’s also clearly a survivor with a big heart- and the love of Yeo and her friend Bones sustain her despite the pain caused by other characters.

Outside of that, I won’t say much. K Webster and those recommending this book recommend going in blind. But, I’ll be honest- I didn’t. Perhaps hypocritical since I’m not going to provide spoilers here even though I myself sought them out- but I want you to decide that for yourself. For me, I love K Webster’s dark mind- I don’t have many triggers, but I also know to expect the unexpected with her and that she will challenge my little societal contrived conception of romance. I like the challenge- in fact thats why I seek her out- she asks us to lean into our darkness, depravity, dysfunction. She asks us to find resonance and beauty in the dark and disturbing, in the wrong and taboo. And I dig it- but I also like to know what I’m getting myself into with her so I can my mind right to lean into her themes- so here, I did. And while I won’t spoil you to anything else, just know that K Webster is suverting herself here. She lulls you into the safety of her own dark romantic paradigm- so much so that you think you know exactly where this is going, and then she shatters it. And how brilliant is that? An author that has created such a deep set niche for herself, such a unique voice, that she can use her own self-created trope to subvert our expectations and shock us. Cause there is a SHOCK, and I’m not sure I would have seen it coming.

This story is definitely different, again even from K Webster’s own cannon. And that’s what I love to see an author doing- pushing not only the boundaries of the genre, but the boundaries of their own imagination, to dig into the psychology of love and connection. Something especially compelling with how proflicially K Webster writes. No matter what - she asks us to examine what unsettles us, make space for it in our hearts- and this is another success at that, just not how I anticipated

sarithaann's review against another edition

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This book is a whole lot of nope for me.   Bad writing...bad dialogue....bad plot .....

thompsonisreading's review

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1.0

I have read a lot of books in my day but this is hands-down the absolute worst thing I have ever read. Absolute garbage. It was completely predictable and very poorly written. Also, this is not important but is a pet peeve of mine, but the only time you should use question as a verb is if you’re talking about an interrogation. Ask is a perfectly fine word.

lisamh68's review

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5.0

This was an interesting story. It was slow in the beginning for me but once I hit the halfway point things picked up and I enjoyed the twisted life in this small town..

kidisitor's review

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5.0

First and foremost... it's best if you go into this book not knowing a thing about it!!! Honestly, it will ruin the whole thing if you read spoilers.

This is not your typical romance. Yes, it's dark. It's intense. It's sad. It's heart wrenching and heart breaking. This book is not about the boy getting the girl. This book is about what the boy will do to keep the girl. The girl was physically and sexually abused by her father when she was a child and has demons. The boy helps her fight those demons. There is a big twist about 60-70% into the book that will totally blow you away. (Also the reason you want to go into this with no knowledge.) There will be triggers for some people... in addition to the abuse mentioned. This book is eye opening, intriguing, very captivating. Until you get to the twist, there may be bits that leave you confused, as some things are not fully explained until that point, but then it will all come together and you'll probably want to go back and re-read parts just to think, "Ahhhh, yes. It all makes since now." The boy is so mentally strong and has such acceptance and open-mindedness in regards to the girls demons, you really appreciate him. Although this is a darker read, it's really thought provoking, and while dark subject matters in romances may not be everyone's cup of tea, I think many people who may prefer rom-coms can appreciate and enjoy this book. It is definitely something different than most books. It's not about the sex and trying to hook up. It's not even about the chase. It's about holding on to what you have that enhances your life and letting go of what hinders your life... and the journey there. I would definitely recommend this for mature readers.