I loved this book. A story so beautifully written with gorgeous Illustrations alongside the story. Every sentence was just pure magic capturing the emotions of death and human nature beautifully. A story of a young boy called Miles who's family help transport the dead across the sea so there spirits can wander freely. It has compassion, heart and most importantly a gripping powerful story. A perfect gift for any child!

An entrancing read which will haunt me for a lot longer than the afternoon it took me to read it. Beautifully illustrated and completely mesmerising. A worthy five star read. Thank you for the eARC of this.

A gorgeous story that takes the classical trope of the ferryman guiding souls over the river after their death and updates it for a wilder, rawer and to me, more beautiful setting. Milo was never meant to be the successor of his father the ferryman, but events conspire to put him in charge of a ship full of souls. What should be a peaceful journey is ruined by a Lord's desire to get his daughter's soul back by foul means. Milo must find the strength to deliver his cargo and avoid the pitfalls of the journey en route. This has all the brilliance of Hardinge's writing coupled with exquisite illustrations by the wonderful Emily Gravett.

An excellent novella, listed on the publisher website as 12+ which felt right. The themes and nature of writing would not be for some younger readers.

The story starts with Milo, the son of a Ferryman who transports souls who cannot leave an island without assistance, preparing for the last voyage of the season. One soul is the daughter of a Lord whose vengeful actions soon lead a reluctant Milo to undertake the task. A story of at times difficult themes of grief, loss and isolation handled in great care in an adventurous fantasy tale. A difficult journey toward understanding, growth and peace of mind.

Illustrated in what seems a very good way, a bit hard to tell from digital what the printed edition will be like though I expect a visually strong book in tandem with the story.

The Island of Whispers is a terrific, melancholic, coming-of-age story. On the small Island of Merlank, the spirits of the dead cannot linger lest they'll cause death and decay. It is the Ferryman's role to carry them from the mortal realm to the enchanted island of the Broken Tower from where they can move on. Subsequent the Ferryman's sudden death, his youngest son, fourteen years old Milo, is thrust and trusted with taking the helm. Despite its short length, the story manages to pack a punch with its nuanced discussion on grief, kindness and empathy, and carving your own path in life. While the setting may be fantastical and strange, the story beautifully captures a young person's coming of age on his own terms. Starting his imposed journey, Milo is uncertain and afraid, having heard often how unsuitable he is to be a ferryman, at least in his father's understanding of how a ferryman should engage the dead. With his father's spirit constantly at his back, both guiding and looming oppressively, Milo faces many obstacles on his way, proving that things can be done differently nevertheless. Hardinge's prose is as beautiful as always. The story is creative, captivating, and heart-wrenching. Unfortunately, Emily Gravett's illustrations were the lowest point of the book. I found that they didn't relate to the text in an interesting way, didn't add anything to it in their rather blandness. Instead, at times they disrupted the flow and one time even were inconsistent with the description. This book is clearly aimed at a younger audience than Hardinge's previous books, as indicated by the illustrations, the short length and the division to titled chapters, but it is such a unique, beautiful story that will appeal all ages.

Frances Hardinge's latest book is a beautiful dark fairytale produced in collaboration with illustrator Emily Gravett which combines gripping adventure with a moving exploration of grief.

Milo is the son of the Ferryman who is responsible for taking the souls of the dead to the Island of the Broken Tower. His older brother Leif is due to become the next Ferryman, but when the local Lord tries to stop his daughter's soul from departing, Milo has to take on the role of Ferryman and finds himself pursued by two magicians determined to stop him completing his journey.

As with all of her stories, Hardinge's world-building is thrillingly original: for instance, the idea of a Ferryman transporting dead souls is rooted in ancient mythology, but Hardinge cleverly makes the shoes of the dead an integral part of this process. The sea-chase offers plenty of suspense but Milo's emotional journey is also deeply touching as he finds himself thrust into a role for which he feels ill-prepared and ill-suited. I particularly loved his father's words about kindness and imagination: "You imagine the way everyone else feels. It puts you in danger... Kindness is not a weakness. To be kind in this unkind world is walking through a battlefield without armour or sword. It takes courage and strength to be kind." These traits make Milo an unlikely but wonderful hero.

The brilliance of Hardinge's story is perfectly complemented by Gravett's stunning illustrations in blue, black and white. These looked magnificent even when reading on the screen, so I'm sure they will be even more glorious in print.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was just beautiful, I read it on kindle and I thought the illustrations were amazing so I cannot wait to see what they are like in print. The story itself is utterly enchanting, we follow 14 year old Milo who is the youngest son of a ferryman who’s job it is to carry the souls of the dead on his fathers boat to a mysterious island. The writing is enchanting and explores the importance of being yourself and navigating your own way in the world.

Frances Hardinge is fast becoming a favourite author, her stories are just magical. I will definitely by adding a copy of Island of Whispers to my physical library on publication.

Such a beautiful and original story about growing up and finding your way in the world. Thoroughly engaging, gorgeously illustrated. Just gorgeous!

A really great and intriguing read. I loved the characters and the story. Will look out for more from this author.

An adventure story with a difference, which I read in one sitting! When Milo’s father dies, it falls on him to become the ferryman for the dead. He doesn’t know what to do and to make it worse, he is being pursued by the grieving father of one of his passengers. The use of language in the book paints vivid images which are complemented by the simple, yet stunning, illustrations. This is a story of resilience, kindness and courage. We should all be more Milo!

A short but beautiful story. Not only the story itself id gorgeous, but the illustrations are wonderful. I loved that not matter how treacherous or fearful the story felt, the underlying feeling of hope was maintained throughout the story.
I wish the illustration translated better onto kindle, but I suppose the intended audience would probably have te pleasure of the physical book in their hands.

A really beautifully told story about bravery, growing up and following your path in your own way. It's quite short and beautifully illustrated and would make a fabulous gift.

Another cracker from Frances Hardinge, this time accompanied by delightful illustrations that added much to the reading experience. A story suitable for all ages ,considering that it is about death and loss, it is gentle and uplifting. A tale of what some would do in their grief to recover their list loved ones. It truly speaks to the soul.

On the island of Merlank the Dead linger. It's down to the Ferryman to escort them to the island of the Broken Tower from where they can move on. When the Ferryman dies suddenly it's down to his son, Milo, to take the helm. With Island of Whispers Frances Hardinge has crafted a Gaimanesque coming-of-age tale that is both enchanting and tragic. It may be a slight volume at only 121 pages, but manages to pack more story and characterisation into those pages than some much larger books. The prose is accompanied throughout by Emily Gravett's beautiful, blue-tinged illustrations that add an extra dimension. While this book is clearly aimed at a younger audience than myself, I can see many other adults reading it with their children while enjoying it themselves.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Two Hoots for an advanced copy.

If Frances Hardinge has a million fans, then I'm one of them. If Frances Hardinge has one fan, then I'm that one. If Frances Hardinge has no fans, that means I'm dead.

Frances Hardinge has done it again, 'it' being 'causing me immense emotional damage in a small number of pages'. Island of Whispers is about a young boy - Milo - who is unexpectedly thrust into the role of the Ferryman, the person whose job it is to transport the dead across the sea to a place where they can finally move on. Milo navigates this strange and perilous journey while being pursued by a vengeful lord as threats whisper in the mist, and he discovers if his courage and imagination are enough for him to complete this task. It's incredibly atmospheric even without the illustrations, and I was swept away on this journey as I always am with anything that Hardinge writes.

I can't wait for my preorder to arrive so I can admire those beautiful illustrations (specifically the lighthouse ones) in person.

Strange, alluring and utterly beautiful in story and in illustrations

Frances Hardinge is a mesmeric and utterly imaginative writer. One who hooks into the soul of any adult who does not seek to bury their earlier, childlike sense of wonder. And of course she will hook into the soul of children too. She is a wonderful writer. Period. She happens to write for children.

Anyway, Island of Whispers is a novella, or a longish short story. What is different here from other Hardinge’s I’ve read, is that this is a collaboration between author, artist and illustrator Emily Gravett and Hardinge. Emily Gravett as author, writes for much younger children, with the focus really being on her sumptuous illustrations. Hardinge writes for children who would have been confidently immersing themselves in narrative, character and literary complexity for quite some time.

The narrative in this concerns a family on a small strange island. For generations they have been Ferrymen, carrying the ghosts of the dead to another strange island, home of a ruined tower.

Hero and central character of this book is Milo, an imaginative and empathetic boy of 14, youngest son of the rather grizzled, grim Ferryman a man with “a stillness, a stern calm in his eyes like a winter evening sky”

This wonderful novella is made equally so by Hardinge’s extraordinary writing and Gravett’s extraordinary illustrations, in black, white and judicious blue wash. The pictures, as much as the words, should be savoured and lingered over.

I read this on Kindle, and realised that though the illustrations were beautiful, just in black and white, that I needed to experience them in better format, so downloaded again in the NetGalley app for Android. I really hate reading on any digital device other than Kindle, but could at least read on Kindle and flick for the illustrations on Android.

Really, this will definitely be a book to buy as a physical copy, for full and glorious appreciation. This is a heavenly marriage between visual and literary art forms. Enchanting, truly.

This is a very tiny book, with a half hour read time. It’s a beautiful story about a young man who has to take over the role of Ferryman unexpectedly after the death of his father.

I’m led to believe that this book is as much about the illustrations as the story, and this is lost completely by a kindle version, but from the illustrations that I could see, I can see that this will be stunning in paper form, and I will look out for it in the bookshop.

Overall, a lovely story, and I’m sure, beautiful illustrations!

My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Frances Hardinge is a talented and highly creative author - pulling readers into new worlds and building imagery that leaves you stunned, bewildered and amazed.

The Island of Whispers - superbly and movingly illustrated by Emily Gravett - is at first a ‘simple tale ‘ of the journey between life and death ; but the touching and deeply profound way that young Milo has to take the helm of navigating the ship that carries the dead to their afterlife whilst being followed by a Lord who wants his daughter’s body returned to him is moving , exciting and laden with adventure.

The descriptive prose of the journey alongside the illustrations bring Milo’s conflict of doing the right thing astoundingly alive. (No pun intended)

“To be kind in this unkind world is walking through a battlefield without armour or sword. It takes courage and strength to be kind.” This sentence alone has such power and depth and like the story stays with you long after reading.

Ideally for the 11+ reader and a book that could promote discussion about how we make choices during tough times.

Simply Outstanding

This is a beautiful, curious, and compelling story from a master storyteller and illustrator. Island Of Whispers has the feel of a traditional tale newly retold although it's entirely original. The worldbuilding is rich, the characters perfectly drawn for the space of this novella and the pacing is perfect. Something about this book reminds me of the incredible books that Joan Aitken and Jan Pienkowski created together- I really hope that this is the beginning of a collaboration that will bear more rich, dark fruit.

I've read a few of Frances Hardinge's books and Island of Whispers didn't disappoint. Much more a short story than The Lie Tree or A skinfull of Shaddows but still as good. I enjoyed Milo's story and rooted for him throughout. A great little read.