There were some really interesting ideas here but I struggled a little with visualising some aspects and that caused me to feel icky about some of the romantic aspects. But I think that’s on me and not the author. I have a feeling that this will be really popular.
The idea of Rose being haunted by missing student Avaline was really creepy and chilling, especially as Rose was pretty much alone in the school as it wasn’t term time. I liked the beginning of the friendship with Sylvie, the misunderstandings between them were believable. I liked the boarding school aspect, especially the secrets long held by tradition.
But I found the relationship with Fen difficult to fathom, it was mainly in the past with them not being on the page together enough. And the beginning of a romance with a ghost was creepy and chilling, and that’s where I really struggled.

Firstly thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Unfortunately this book was not for me, very nearly DNFed around the 10% mark as it was extremely slow to start. The world building fell flat for me, and none of the characters were particularly likable. Towards the middle the book started to get more interesting, with the murder mystery really fleshing out. The murder mystery aspect was really the only part of this that I felt was done well, the culprit not being easily guessed.
Maybe the book was overall just to young for me? I can't write it off completely but I won't be looking for any sequels.

Firstly, thank you to the publisher for approving my netgalley request!
Now, onto the book - I loved the concept idea: ghosts in a magic school and f/f ghost/human relationship?? Sounds awesome, sign me up.
It didn’t quite end up being as I’d imagined however, even though I overall enjoyed reading it.

Firstly, I could have done with a little more character development to feel closer to the characters. Fen felt a little like an acquaintance to Rose even though they were supposed to be best friends and exes - maybe if he was on the page more we could have seen how he felt about Rose more and I would have felt more whenever he was in danger.

I did think the Sylvie/Rose relationship was nicely done, maybe that’s where the time spent in the book on development went - I could sense their emotions easily on the page.

A likely side effect of this was that I didn’t read Whispers Most Foul for a day and in doing so I forgot 3 side characters entirely and had to flip back to remind myself who they were. Even writing this review now I can’t remember most of the three, only Sylvie’s rude ex.

In general I found the idea to be really interesting but the execution wasn’t for me. They did put in some good twists that I didn’t see coming, but I didn’t feel much of the suspense or the ticking clock towards the big finale, which also felt over before it even started.

Timing is key however, a big reveal at the end of the book seemed to appear just a bit too early for me to really give the most impact. Maybe if this had been shifted a bit later then it would have packed more of a punch and made more sense.

But the thing I noticed the most was that, while I was reading Whispers Most Foul, I kept looking at other books on my shelf and getting the strongest urge to pick them instead. I don’t tend to get this at all when I’m reading a book that I’m drawn in to. When that happens I’m much more likely to not want to put it down than start thinking about my next read.

I think I’ve shredded this book enough right now! Even though it may look like I really didn’t enjoy Whispers Most Foul, it was actually quite a fun spooky read, with some nitpicks things thrown in that would have just made it an awesome read.

Would recommend for anyone who likes magic schools, f/f romance, uncovering nefarious plots, and ghosts. It could be a nice Halloween/autumn read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC

A really good dark academia fantasy with a mystery aspect. I adored the slightly eerie atmosphere and loved the mystery aspect. I truly didn't see that twist coming and was baffled by the perpetrator. And let's just take a minute to appreciate all the good representation. Sexuality, race, disability, the book portrayed it all so well.

I liked the characters and how strong they were. Refreshing!

This book has me second guessing my ability to solve mysteries!
I was promised a gothic fantasy full of mystery, romance, magic and a dash of horror and it delivered!
The wonderful FMC Rose is a bisexual icon. She was written so well, with depth and complexity, I felt all of her emotions through the page. Her love of those important to her really shone through, without repetition or cringey statements.
The characters interacted in a realistic manner, building relationships organically and reacting in ways that are to be expected from their personalities. They were so multi-faceted that I genuinely suspected most of them at some point or another, as their intentions and interactions were realistic and secret rather than bare for all to see.
I adored the representation in this story, from sexuality and race to disability, none of it felt forced but rather a story about ordinary people you may meet on the street (unfortunately they’re in a different realm and mostly have magic but apart from that!). It was comforting to read such non-stigmatised characters and relate them to the diversity of the real world.
Thank you for the ARC, all my opinions are my own.

This book follows Rose, a third year student at a university for magic-users. Whilst excelling in theory, Rose is unable to cast; much to her mother's dismay and fellow-classmates' humour. When students go missing, Rose is the only one who can see their ghosts. Unluckily for her, one of these ghosts is Sylvie, her rival. They must work together to uncover the mystery around these murders at Dunhollow, whilst wrestling with their growing feelings.

I enjoyed this book. So much so I devoured it in one sitting. I did not guess who the perpetrator was, which was refreshing! Looking back there were perhaps little identifiers but I don't think enough attention was given to them to allow the reader to be able to seriously guess who it was. I loved the imagery of the first ghost Rose had been seeing, it was perfectly unsettling and creepy. I enjoyed the library's atmosphere and description especially, I wish we got more detail on the university; I would love to immerse myself completely into this world. I adored the subtle queer rep littered throughout the book, and whilst not as fleshed out as the protagonists (naturally) the side-characters provided exactly what was needed to push the plot along without feeling shoe-horned in.

However, whilst marketed as a rivals to lovers I was not necessarily given that. The dislike at first was evident, but it fell into the telling not showing trap. Perhaps this was because most of the book happens once Sylvie is a ghost and they have to work together, so as the reader you have missed the 2 previous years of true animosity. I did think the relationship fell into place a little quickly, the jump from rivals to them expressing affection felt fast-paced. Although, that is not to say what we got wasn't enjoyable, the budding relationship between the two of them was lovely and frankly they had bigger fish to fry!

I did notice a couple of errors with extra spaces between punctuation etc but I'm sure these will be sorted by the publishing date.

Such a fun read, Emma has done wonderfully with this one and I will be reading the next instalment!

Haunting, this book is somewhat reminiscent of the famed Harry Potter series with its school (university) setting and unique magics from alchemy/potions to herbology and defensive practices.

Although rose thinks she can't cast we find out many a thing in this book, one of which being her jaw dropping ability. Having seen what she believes to be ghosts she winds up on a mission with her best friend Fen to discover what's happening to all these people who are going missing.

It includes heartbreak but also revenge, mystery and danger, platonic and romantic love and is engaging throughout. With subtle non-binary and queer representation throughout they aren't the main plot point but certainly added a heartwarming edge and bond nonetheless to the otherwise chilling tale that we follow uncovering the history of the mysterious Order.

I absolutely adored this book.
There are so many reasons to love Whispers Most Foul, be it the LGBTQIA rep that is integrated into the story so seamlessly (my Bi ass could not keep up with Sylvie and Fen), the fact it's set in the wonderfully spooky Dunhallow academy, there's a bloody murder mystery and ON TOP of all that...there's magic?! Like how could you not love this story?!

I absolutely loved the characters. Sylvie was such a baddie, I would have loved to hear more about her and feel more of the enemies to lovers vibes between her and Rose.

Fen was such a sweetheart to Rose but again, their relationship seemed to have been missing something.

I was constantly guessing who was murdering the girls but I am so pleased to say I didn't guess it!

Would have loved Aveline to be even more spooky. She seemed to trail off when Sylvie entered the scene. Could maybe play that down to her becoming weaker?

Three errors I spotted in the writing:
1."After all, ere there roles reversed, Sylvie...
2. to tell hersomething. I’m only surprised she believed me.’
3. Yet Rose couldn’tt hold her gaze

Really loved the story and grateful to be given the opportunity to read in advance! 🩷

DNF @ 5%

I found this book cringe and I really could not bring myself to read any further. I have no idea why this could be, I thought I would like it as it is set in a uni and I am a uni student but no