Name: Rachel Kanyid's review of The Whispers of War by Julia Kelly
Item: The Whispers of War
Rating: 4
Author: Rachel Kanyid

Julia Kelly

The start of World War II looms over three friends who struggle to remain loyal as one of them is threatened with internment by the British government, from the author of the “sweeping, stirring” (Kristin Harmel, internationally bestselling author of The Room on Rue Amélie) The Light Over London. In August of 1939, as Britain watches the headlines in fear of another devastating war with Germany, three childhood friends must choose between friendship or country. Erstwhile socialite Nora is determined to find her place in the Home Office’s Air Raid Precautions Department, matchmaker Hazel tries to mask two closely guarded secrets with irrepressible optimism, and German expat Marie worries that she and her family might face imprisonment in an internment camp if war is declared. When Germany invades Poland and tensions on the home front rise, Marie is labeled an enemy alien, and the three friends find themselves fighting together to keep her free at any cost. Featuring Julia Kelly’s signature “intricate, tender, and convincing” (Publishers Weekly) prose, The Whispers of War is a moving and unforgettable tale of the power of friendship and womanhood in the midst of conflict.

The Whispers of War

Natascha Dahl

Rachel Kanyid

Loved the characters, the story, and the overall feel of this book! I wouldn't say it was especially deep or moving enough to reach 5 stars, but definitely enjoyed it, and I liked that it dealt with pre-war time, rather than in the midst of the war.

Kayla 

Happy Publication Day @juliakellywrites . Her newest novel The Whispers of War takes place during the first few months of World War Two in London. We follow three childhood friends as they are forced to deal with the perils of war right at their doorstep. One of the ladies, Marie, is a German immigrant and is classified at a level B meaning she is deemed a suspicious person. Her friends, Nora and Hazel, do everything possible to ensure their friend won’t be sent to an internment camp. 
.
.
✨REVIEW✨⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely LOVED this book! Oh my I was engrossed with every single word and I just kept reading and reading because I needed to know what was going to happen! We also get the perspective of Marie’s granddaughter and an older Nora in this book who are reflecting on this period that changed their lives. This book has strong women who recognize their importance in society and the importance of female friendship. They are loyal and loving and together they are a force to be reckoned with. This fictional story was the perfect way to encompass the very real and terrifying history of German internment camps in England during both World Wars. 
.
.
Julia Kelly is becoming my new favourite historical fiction writer and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

Judy McClure

Really enjoyed this one. The bond between the three friends was wonderful to read about and the historical events were thorough in detail and expertly woven into the narrative.

Sharon Steinman

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for granting me access to this Advanced Reader Copy..

This book was a light read a story of friendship between three women who go to boarding school together and how their lives are affected by World War II.

It was an enjoyable book and can be read in probably 5-6 hours.

Erin 

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It's not a super original plot, but has enough differences to other WWII-era novels that you will always be able to separate it. I loved the friendship between Marie, Hazel, and Nora. They were so close that it actually felt like they were my friends too. I miss them, honestly. I liked how the book was split into three sections, each from their own perspective. In fact, I found myself mourning a bit every time I moved on to the next girl because I loved each of them so much. While I'm not usually a fan of books with more than two POVs, I think doing it this way is best, in large chunks, rather than alternating ever chapter. You really feel like you can get to know your characters that way. I liked how they all had different stories and backgrounds. Even though they were all quite similar, I can't imagine anyone mixing them up. I don't even know if I could pick my favourite, although I have a soft spot for Nora since she's in the present day chapters as well. But I also love Marie and felt her anxiety as the story progressed. But I also loved Hazel's strength and her ability to stand up to others, and herself, and be honest in a way that allowed her to take the reins of her life. They're all so special and will truly be there for each other through thick and thin. (Spoiler alert: I'm also quite pleased that they all made it out alive. That's never guaranteed in WWII novels.)

The only character I was not fond of, unfortunately, was Samantha. I have found that a common plot device in historical novels is to have a modern day plot run parallel to the historical story. Often, especially in WWII books it seems, the present day story is about a descendant trying to piece together the life of their older relative, often after they have already passed away. There's always regret, nostalgia, and a plane ride to a foreign country, where they will meet a friend of their relative's who they had never even heard of, who will treat them like they are family and tell them stories that blow their minds. Tragically, this book falls to the same trick. I would have been just as pleased if the modern parallel was removed - in fact, I almost would have preferred it. The book is emotional enough without it. The only positive part was getting to see Nora as an old lady with an extraordinary life, and being able to hear her tell the stories rather than see them play out explicitly on the page. There were a few touching moments in Samantha's chapters - when Nora gives her Marie's necklace, and the little tidbit about her mother's maiden name being Calloway, which is a hint about who Marie eventually marries. But if I had to choose, I would have preferred more time in the past story rather than focusing on the present.

The other piece of criticism (constructive?) I have is about the ending. I though the book did so well in its pacing. Nothing felt like it was going too fast (thank goodness), but I also never felt that it dragged on. After a build up like that, you can imagine how shocked I was at how quickly it ended and all the loose ends were cleanly tied up. It almost felt like a happily ever after or an epilogue. After Marie gets on that boat, we don't get to read about her journey to Canada, or what life was like as she tried to settle in a new country. We don't get to find out how Nora fared in the Wrens (although she gives us hints in the present). Most of all Hazel, who not only do we not get to hear how she moves through life as a divorced woman, but as she dies 20 years before the modern day story line begins, we don't even get any post-war follow ups. Even though we know Marie went back to England every five years to visit, we hear nothing about what Hazel got up to. And even though I don't want to focus on their marriages, we hardly get to hear about those either (except for Hazel, obviously, oddly enough). We know Marie ends up with Richard Calloway, but we don't get to see their relationship build because of the time jump. It's still brand new to the reader, and feels quite shocking when he announces that he requested a posting in Canada. Last time we checked in with Marie, she was saying goodbye to him. It made it feel unnatural, honestly. And we don't get to see Nora's life with Joseph, either. I thought it was adorable that they met working in the Home Office, and while they were compatible, they also challenged each other. I loved the fact that they lost touch but that fate brought them together again years later. I loved it, and I wanted to SEE it, rather than read about it after the fact.

In the epilogue the author writes about her research process and how she came upon this story. I wasn't hugely impressed, and I do think that despite how it comes off being well-researched and not really having any holes (except not really acknowledging the internment of Jewish people, like, at all), I think the research could have gone a bit deeper. But part of that judgement is from my own research background, which is far less narrative and far more nuanced. There's nothing wrong with taking a piece of history and just running with it. This is fiction, after all. Authors can write about whatever gives them inspiration. On that note though, like I said, it doesn't feel like it's not researched and just pulled out of a hat, because it clearly is, to an extent. 

ANYWAY, if I wasn't reviewing this as an ARC, I bet I wouldn't have all these complaints, which really tells you a lot about how enjoyable this story actually is. I point out those things because as a reviewer I should, but as a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this a lot. It was sweet, it was emotional, the female friendships and bonds are so incredibly strong. It has heart, it has soul, and there's nothing I love more than a couple of girls defying society's expectations and breaking stereotypes. Yes I would have like a better ending, and shoving Samantha and Nora's grandson together seemed too convenient, but whatever, it works. This book does exactly what it promises and I cannot fault it any more for that.

Natascha Dahl &
The Whispers of War by Julia Kelly

Reviews

Join the club

Natascha Dahl &The Whispers of War by Julia Kelly

Reviews

Join the club

Natascha Dahl &
The Whispers of War by Julia Kelly