The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars

The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars
Kingdoms and Empires Book Two
Written by Jaclyn Moriarty
Adventure, Mystery, #LoveOZMG
528 Pages
Published November 2018
Thank you to Allen and Unwin Australia
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★★★★★
I was taken by Whisperers at 2:00pm, so I never pulled the lever for the laundry chute.

That's what bothered me most.

This is way ahead in the story, though. A lot happened before that.

The town of Spindrift is frequented by pirates, Shadow Mages and charlatans. It's also home to the Orphanage School, where Finlay lives with Glim, Taya and Eli. Just outside town is the painfully posh Brathelthwaite Boarding School, home to Honey Bee, Hamish and Victor, Duke of Ainsley. When the two schools compete at the Spindrift Tournament, stakes are high, tensions are higher, and some people are out to win at any cost. Before long, the orphans and the boarding school are in an all out war.

And then Whispering Wars break out, and Spindrift is thrust onto the front lines. Children are being stolen, Witches, Sirens and a deadly magical flu invade the town, and all attempts to fight back are met with defeat.

Finlay, Honey Bee and their friends must join forces to outwit the encroaching forces of darkness, rescue the stolen children, and turn the tide of the war. But how can one bickering troupe outwit the insidious power of the Whisperers? And who are the two mysterious figures watching them from the shadows?
Seventeen children have disappeared from Spindrift, thousands of children across the Kingdoms and Empires. The town of Spindrift resides within the Kingdom of Gusts, Gales, Squalls and Violent Storms, each year children within the Kingdom participating in the Spindrift Tournament for prestige, including the children of the Orphanage, reigning defenders of the tournament. Brathelthwaite Boarding School are competing in the tournament, the privileged students and conceited headmaster believe victory is foregone conclusion but when the tournament is challenged, the orphanage and Brathelthwaite Boarding School declare warfare.

Almost eleven year old Finlay is a resident of the Spindrift Orphanage, abandoned as a small child along with best friend and resident storyteller Glim. Twins Eli and Taya washed up upon the Spindrift shore and joined the fray at the Orphanage under the their caregiver Lili Daisy. The children are educated and cared for, although Honey Bee of the Brathelthwaite Boarding School will advise you differently. She'll tell you those unfortunate children are nothing but trouble.

If you ask Finlay, he'll tell you about those entitled children at the Boarding School, sitting on their breeches eating pastries and drinking tea but the Brathelthwaite Boarding School isn't as delightful as Finlay believes. Under the watchful eye of her uncle, the students at the Boarding School adhere to very stern guidelines, anything less could be deserving of a whipping.

When the Orphanage goes up against the Boarding School, revenge ensues until another child disappears. The Whispering Kingdom declares warfare, brandishing Mages, Gnomes and Whisperers in an attempt to destroy the Kingdom of Gusts, Gales, Squalls and Violent Storms. In The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars, our alternating narrators Finlay and Honey Bee are documenting the circumstances surrounding the Whispering Wars, child abductions, a rampant illness and the destruction of Spindrift by the use of illegal shadow magic.

The children must put their differences aside and work together to find the missing children by becoming missing children themselves. The underlying themes of socioeconomics, concentration camps, abduction and child labour are woven throughout the narrative, a wonderful point of discussion for middle grade children. Jaclyn Moriarty sprinkles a delightful whimsicality throughout the narration, creating enchanting characters that are wonderfully illustrated. A born storyteller and a phenomenal read for the young and young at heart. 

14 comments

  1. This sounds wonderful! At first I thought this was a picture book until I saw the length of it. Are there any illustrations? Because I love the art on the cover.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. There are! Charming monochrome illustrations scattered throughout, they're delightfully whimsical. Kelly Canby is the illustrator and did a magnificent job!

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  2. I hadn't heard of this one, but it sounds wonderful. I like the idea that the Boarding School and Orphanage have to rely on each other, and that they realize they didn't quite know what the others were going through or who they were. It sounds like it touches on a lot of important topics, and does it well for an MG audience.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. The messages throughout the narrative are wonderful Lauren, themes of cooperation, respect and the prejudice against low socioeconomic families. Also, you don't need to have read the first book to understand or enjoy this one but there are cameos from previous characters to please readers. I'm really enjoying the series, so magical Lauren.

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  3. I hadn't heard of this series prior to reading your review but it sounds so good. I think my son, who has recently started reading middle grade books, would really get into these characters and the world they live in. I also like that so many important themes are also touched on. Great review!

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    1. And the chapters are reasonably short too Suzanne, which makes reading easier at bedtime for the younger audience. It's a wonderful series, lots of points for discussion and brilliantly entertaining.

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  4. I haven't heard of this series, but it sounds intense! I feel like the author touches on a lot of really important subjects, and it seems like she does it really well. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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    1. Besides the wonderful talking points for middle graders, it's such an entertaining series! The chapters are short and scattered with beautiful monochrome illustrations, perfect for bedtime reading!

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  5. This sounds like such a whimsical read but also one with an important message through it, with the whole Whispering Kingdom and the discussion of concentration camps. Lovely review Kelly!

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    1. Thanks Jeann. The series is truly magical. I love adventure middle grade novels, they're so delightful and make a lovely change from the often heavier young adult novels.

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  6. I am entranced by the cover and the complex themes in what looks to be a gorgeous story.

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    1. It's a wonderful series Verushka, not only for the intended middle grade audience but adult readers looking for a fantastical, light and entertaining read.

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  7. Ahhhh it's been a long while since I've read a book with boarding school and a orphanage involved! This sounds like a joy to read while dealing with important issues.

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    1. You'll really enjoy this one Sophia, I'd love to see what you think of it!

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