Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
www.allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com

A sweet, well paced book for Tweens, WHISPER is perfectly written for young readers. Noel handles fundamentally heavy subjects with humor and grace, allowing her heroine to come of age in the afterlife. Riley struggles with crushes, forgiveness, body image, and romance, all while trying to rescue the long tormented ghost of a Roman gladiator.

Though I appreciated the morality tales woven into Riley’s story, it was only the parts regarding forgiveness and lost love that resonated more than intellectually. Perhaps because these themes are as pertinent to adults as they would be for young readers. And though Riley’s crush was sweet and age appropriate, Noel puts a new spin on the genre trope. As a new reader (WHISPER was my first book in the Riley Bloom series), this was a compelling change that made the story all the more readable. Depending on how heavily Noel build up expectations in prior books, returning readers may not be as thrilled with this novel twist.

Despite this being my first book in the series, Noel’s characters and mythology were accessible and charming. Even the sticky issue of a heroine coming of age in the afterlife was handled with aplomb, neither downplaying death nor harping on darkness. While the story tone was a bit too young for my taste (which is what makes this 3bats for me rather than 4), WHISPER is note perfect for a young reader who is already trying to find their place in a teenage world.

Sexual Content: Kissing. ( )

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Riley Bloom is still in the Here and Now and on a new journey to help a soul move on. In this latest installment, Riley's inner most desire almost comes true. After she dies at age twelve, she thinks she will never, ever become a teenager and reach the magical age of thirteen. After Bodhi, leads her to her next challenge, he leaves her and tells her this will be her most challenging case yet. She travels back to ancient Rome in order to help a gladiator named Theocoles move over the bridge. When she is befriended by Messalina, whose uncle owns the gladiator school where Theocoles trains, she finds her innermost wishes suddenly being fulfilled. She now looks like a teenager and actually has her first kiss! There the story takes a strange turn and Messalina forces her to relive the day that Theocoles is killed again and again. It is a wonder that Riley can escape the madness that Messalina has created.

The word whisper plays an important role in this story, where Riley again outwits the souls she is entrusted to help cross over. The world of ancient Rome is seductively described by Noel and you really feel like you are in the Coliseum cheering on the gladiators. I am so glad I just read that this series will continue for another book. I so enjoy Riley's adventures. This is safe for the youngest of teens and is a series that even the most reluctant of readers will get into. I know since I have recommend this series to several kids who say they hate to read but ask me when the next book will be out! ( )

This is another series that I have been following since the beginning. I really each new adventure that Riley goes on. This times she flashes way back to the time of the coliseum.

What I loved most about this book is Riley's own self-discovery. For the past few books. Riley has dealt with issues within herself. I really enjoyed that Riley got honest with herself and came into who she is meant to be.

I like her new adventure into the past. Ms. Noel captured the coliseum times well. I enjoyed the descriptions, the people, even the fights. I enjoyed the Riley growth in her own character as she tries to save another soul.

The love interest isn't where I wanted it to be but I am hoping that Riley will have her day. Riley has changed so much since the fist book and I am crossing my fingers a certain someone sees it.

Whisper is an enchanting story that captures the reader right away. Filled with adventure that blast you into the past, the coliseum times rock. Whisper is an great story! ( )