I'm usually not into historical fiction but this book was amazing! Every page was fantastic!

A rich epic story. The story takes place during the crusades, only add to that the presence of demons, influencing things to their own end. We follow Suzan and Luca as they try to prevent the demons from getting their way. Some parts dragged and others rushed, but overall, the pace was ok. If you aren't great with large groups of characters, you will be challenged by the wide variety of names. It was listed as historical fiction, but obviously heavy on the fiction side of things.

This was an interesting book, but I could not get into it. The male main character just did not ring true to me. He acted immature and did not seem to thing about how is actions would affect those around him. The female main character was much more interesting. I had a very hard time getting drawn into the world that the author was trying to create, just because I could not relate to the male character.

'Tuscany, 1096 AD. Luca, young heir to the title of Conte de Falconi, sees demons. Since no one else can see them, Luca must keep quiet about what he sees. Luca sees his father murdered in a dream and vows to stop it coming true. Even if he has to go against his father’s wishes and follow him on the great pilgrimage to capture the Holy Lands. When Luca is given an ancient book that holds some inscrutable power, he knows he’s been thrown into an adventure that will lead to places beyond his understanding. But with the help of Suzan, the beautiful girl he rescues from the desert, he will realise his true quest: to defeat the forces of man and demon that wish to destroy the world.'

Thank you to Netgalley for my free preview copy in return for an honest review.

By no means religious myself, I am actually interested in historical fiction that deals with themes of saints, gods and angels etc. A book about the crusades with fantastical elements is a perfect book premise for me! A journey that takes the characters from Italy to Jerusalem on the crusades. Marketed as a YA book, I think it is marketed apprtopiately as although there are some scenes of slaughter/violence, I didn’t think it was a problem.

One of the main genres of literature I read is fantasy and another being historical fiction. This book could have been as much a hitroucsl fiction novel and stood on it’s own as one, without the inclusion of demons. The characters are so likeable and Suzan in particular makes for a great female lead. This book could equally have been a stand-alone historical novel without the inclusion of the Demons. The storyline is strong and the characters likeable.

This story is fast-paced and has a bit of everything for everyone. A bit of romance, magic and adventure as well as the well-researched historical side. The romance for me was a bit too quick to be conceivably realistic, however it was sweet and I can’t fault the execution as such.

Overall, I did really enjoy the pacing of the plot, it was a little slow in places, but this didn't mean I didn't enjoy it. The characters are all highly likeable, and their actions and emotions are all presented are extremely realistic. I also highly enjoyed the fantastical elements, they felt so real and it was placed delicately into the story, so as to not be overwelmhing. Even if you don't enjoy fantasy, I think you could enjoy this novel for the historical elements alone.

Read ‘The Book of Whispers’ if you like historical fiction, particularly the crusades, but also if you are interested in YA fiction that includes demons and magic. I enjoyed the world building and it felt like you were in the foray of the crusades, with the emotions and actions portrayed. I would recommend this book.

The premise of this teen historical-fiction is very interesting. Set during the Crusades, the main characters can see demons and learn about a plot involving the demons that they need to stop. I enjoyed reading about the interesting evil characters in this book, both demon and human. However, in order for me to really enjoy a book I need to be surprised by something. I felt like I knew what was going to happen as soon as I started reading this.

The Book of Whispers takes place during the Crusades and follows Luca, who can see demons, and Suzan, who has a mysterious lineage and gift. Their stories start off separately and then converge as the two journey with the pilgrims of the Crusade, first to fight the Saracens and then to fight a greater threat – the demons Luca can see are planning something disastrous, and only together with Suzan and a mysterious book handed down through the generations of Luca’s family can they possibly defeat the greatest evil.

In my mind, augmented history books are hard to pull off, because integrating the fantastical with history can sometimes be anachronistic or even come off as cheesy. It may not always mix well in other books, but Kimberley Starr’s writing handles this combination deftly and with incredible skill. The demons, the fact that they existed and were tangible, real things was perfectly natural within the book; as a reader I found it incredibly easy to suspend my disbelief and think that yes, demons exist and they were there during the Crusades. As much as I love fantasy, I can’t always let myself let go like that, but Starr made it easy. Starr works together the fantasy/paranormal elements as well as religion, the brutality of the Middle Ages and the Crusades, and even a romance, and she does make it work.

My only complaints were that some of the antagonists, specifically Narlo, seemed very cookie cutter villain – not too complex, but over the top enough that whenever a scene involved him I was ready for it to be over. I also didn’t like that one of the first scenes is the threat of sexual violence against a young girl, and that this issue was something used to propel Luca’s storyline along. This isn’t necessarily an indictment on Starr’s part – Narlo wasn’t for me, though his motivations and demons made sense, and violence against women as a plot device is definitely a turn off, even though I’m well aware it was common and still is.

I was originally going to give this book three stars but after thinking on it, for Starr’s skill at weaving together all the different elements of The Book of Whispers, I give it four out of 5.

This fast paced and well developed story had a little bit of everything to provide you an interesting foray into a historical journey through time. Grief, love, chaos, adventure, magic, and the Christian crusades into Jerusalem all melted together into a beguiling and beautiful novel. Thankfully she adds a bit of lightness to the story with a sweet, albeit quickly begun, romance.

This was a good fictional introduction into the Crusades for anyone with little to no familiarity as Starr does a wonderful job making you feel like you are riding alongside the knights desperate for food, water and sanity. Her descriptions of the settings transported you back hundreds of years to a different time and place; you could practically feel the dust getting kicked up around you as your mind allowed you walk the same grounds as once important historical figures. Though I’ve never been to Jerusalem, through Starr’s book I felt as if I had actually gone there. It was beyond obvious the author really worked hard in her research to get historical details correct along with cultures, religions and settings.

You will walk away hoping she creates a sequel though it does end leaving you filling satisfied even if she doesn’t.

Excellent YA History/Fantasy novel whose plot intrigues while, at the same time, paints a stark, unromantic view of the Crusades showing them for the land-grab that they were. Luca and Suzan are young people from very dissimilar backgrounds caught up in a demon-inspired plot to engineer mass deaths. At the same time, we are not allowed to forget that human beings can be plenty bloodthirsty without demonic aid. At times harrowing, but we warm to the growing affection between the young protagonists as they take on both demonic and human plotters.

Oh the Crusades! I found this book to be utterly romantic. A thrill for the sense mixing magic, history, and adventure rather seamlessly!

This book wasn't entirely my cup of tea. It wasn't horrible, the story was fine. I prefer a little more action in my fantasy and this book was too slow/soft. At times it felt stagnant and too juvenile for what I was expecting. There were times I really enjoyed the pace. I didn't fall in love with the characters; I didn't really hate anyone. It was just a story, neither really amazing, nor really horrible

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my free preview copy in return for an honest review.

Luca lives in Tuscany during the middle ages at the time of the Crusades. Before his father goes of on a Crusade he gives him a secret enchanted book he keep hidden in a cellar. After reading the book Luca discovers he can see demons. Everywhere.

He also dreams about the future. After dreaming of his father’s death Luca joins the crusade, and against his father’s wishes, takes the Book of Whispers with him.

What follows is a bloody journey from Italy to Jerusalem on the crusades. This is marketed as a Young Adult book, but some of it concerned me about its appropriateness for very Young Adults. It’s no worse than vampire slaughters but some of the accounts make hard reading.

That saying it’s a remarkable tale. Luca falls in love with Suzan who through her language skills can read the Book of Whispers.. Suzan can already see demons although she doesn’t realise it. Suzan's back story is more interesting than Luca's and she is a feisty female lead.

As a historical fantasy Kimberlay has done her research. This book could equally have been a stand-alone historical novel without the inclusion of the Demons. The storyline is strong and the characters likeable. The description of life on the crusade is gritty realistic, and informative. It really threads together for a truly enjoyable read.

Though in my view it’s not for children or very Young Adults as it does get gruesome.

I found this to be a great young adult fantasy novel that was very well written. This book is about love, history and adventure which is very much needed for a book that will grab hold of you and pull you into their world. A must read.

As someone who likes to study religion, but is not religious themselves, I often find myself drawn to historical fiction that seeks to explore saints, gods, angels and religious wars. This book, The Book of Whispers by Kimberley Starr, seems to be a well researched historical fiction centered around the Crusades but with additional fantastical elements. Or at least, I consider them to be fantastical, because Luca, our main character, can see demons and he and his father carry a secret book with an indecipherable language. And predictably, the demons connect to the seven deadly sins of Christianity.

Luca de Falconi joins a crusade with her father, the Conte, and their journey takes from Tuscany to Anatolia to Jerusalem. Along the way, Luca takes pity on a girl named Suzan, who as luck would have it can read the secret book that he carries. The mixture of the real-to-them demon war and the blood-soaked fighting around them leads to quite an interesting and tangled tale. The morality lessons were a little heavy handed, but overall the book was enjoyable and fast-paced. The setting was strong and the descriptions well crafted. I think overall this was not a perfect fit for me, but it was worth the read.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley and Text Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read a great many augmented literary classics, but this was my first adventure in augmented history. And I must say, the adventure was truly enjoyable! The Book of Whispers is a delicious blend of history, mythology, adventure and imagination.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, fantasy, or the blending of both. The writing is captivating, the characters engaging and believable, and the imagination that The Book of Whispers inspires in wonderful. And, at a time where dominant ideologies are being aggressively pushed in public forum, this book is as timely as it is entertaining.

This book sounded promising to me because I love things that are set in Tuscany and that grabbed my interest. But for some reason I wasn't getting into it when I was starting it out and it was a did not finish book for me. Maybe it was just a right book, but wrong time kind of thing. That happens every once in awhile and I think that might've been what it was for me. Thank you for letting me download it and read for free though.

I haven't quite finished this yet, but quite honestly it's fantastic. Really enjoying the mythology and lore behind the Book of Whispers and the demons. It's really interesting to see a book focussed on the history of the Christian crusades including fantasy, and it's really kept me hooked.

My only real complaint with this is that I felt like the characters were rushed and not fleshed out enough. I found it very hard to like Luca, and still am not sure about him. Suzan has been interesting but I would have liked to see more backstory from her. Similarly, it felt like her 'attraction' to him was forced, and actually it would have been more interesting to not see that.