Rose Thenlif, the only student unable to cast spells at the elite Dunhollow Academy of Witchcraft, prefers keeping her nose in books and away from the sneers of her classmates, or the critical eyes of her headmistress mother. But when her fellow classmates begin to go missing, she finds that she alone can see their ghosts.
Worse yet, Rose’s latest ghostly vision is her greatest academic rival, her talented and recently vanished classmate Sylvie. Now the reluctant pair must team up to uncover the deadly secret at the heart of Dunhollow. But neither of them are prepared to uncover their feelings for one another, a love that will take them to the edge of life and death . . .
A Gripping Mystery amidst Academic Pressure
Emma’s Whispers Most Foul is a deft mosaic of mystery and magic, coming-of-age amidst the turmoil of a community. Dunhollow Academy of Witchcraft is where magic and blood join to create the most elite and powerful strata of society. Rose Thenlif is just a tiny witch who does not fit anywhere in might and estate.
Against the backdrop of relentless academic pressure and ruthless competition, Rose—who is an outsider and basically has a meager magic heritage to them—must not only keep up a complex social hierarchy but also live with a haunting secret. This secret is what sets her apart from the rest of her peers and becomes a key to unraveling a sinister mystery shadowing over the academy.
A world full of intrigue and danger. There is a tension in the air with a threat starting from the very first disappearance of students, through to a long shadow cast across Dunhollow. She balanced this tightrope walk deftly, Rose’s mind torn between academic pressure and growing horror against the supernatural threat.
It is also among the strong points of the novel that Rose’s character is actually developed. One gets drawn into her development from scared and insecure schoolgirl to determined and brave young woman, very inspiring and relatable. The mystery grows with her, and she makes for a most compelling lead protagonist.
While the other characters are less fleshed out compared to Rose, they really help to push forward the mood of the story. There are rivalries and friendships at the academy that further flesh out the narrative.
The novel balances everything out, with each chapter alternating between its academic world and its supernatural elements. The approach builds to a certain level of suspense, making the reader get attached to the book.
This bundle of mystery and magic with loads of character growth only adds to the mix for a truly compelling read. It does flow and leaves one looking forward to the next installment in this series.
Whispers Most Foul has everything, or at least almost everything, that readers who love young adult fantasy and mystery wish for.
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