Review: Whispers of the Storm
The beginning of dark series. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Journey into a dark soul
I discovered "Whispers of the Storm" when a couple of authors with huge followings mentioned it in their social media feeds. As a fan of indie works, I was immediately interested.
"Whispers of the Storm" opens with the protagonist, Redlin of the Wolves, telling his story as he makes his way to his own execution for crimes he admits are dreadful. It's an interesting trick, helping to cover that the story begins in a magic academy. Technically, that makes this book (first in a series) a coming-of-age story, except this isn't Hogwarts. Rather, Eilen (the school) is a place where students are periodically subjected to tests that can see them killed, maimed, or simply give up. Almost none of the characters, student or teacher, are innocent of lying, cheating, and worse. When the protagonist and other survivors of the school leave the school, this pattern doesn't change. It's a dark, cruel world where life is cheap, fitting of the grimdark label.
Redlin is blessed in many ways. He's strong, quick, brave, smart, handsome, charismatic, and empathic. Yet he's much more defined by his flaws of pride, dishonesty, jealousy, recklessness, anger, murderousness, and a growing moral flexibility that means his blessings become tools for his flaws. The betrayal of his father very early on has clearly damaged him, and Redlin is too proud to talk it out, which I think is the root cause of his self-destructiveness. Also, he's self-aware enough to know he's got problems, which makes his failures all the more tragic. Yet Redlin is competent or lucky enough that he's usually fails upwards and forwards.
Redlin's companions and how he interacts with them are also well done. They have strengths and flaws too; I could do with a book or two about Rohan, Gare, or Juck.
That brings me the writing. It's good writing because while Redlin is sometimes overcome by self-pity, he's able to come out of it because of his friends. Clearly, he needs people around him, even if he sometimes lashes out at them. The author does a good job with dialogue and action, but could improve the descriptions. The writing flows well, rarely feeling slow or delayed. Except for one or two scenes near the beginning, every word and sentence moves the story forward.
The naming in the book is excellent. "Redlin of the Wolves" is so dramatic, hinting of bloodshed yet diminutive. There are also other well-named characters like Rohan, Gare, Malcom, Mika, Yuna, and so many more. The names are short, distinctive, and often evocative of their roles within the narrative.
For the most part, the physicality of the book felt realistic. Armor, besides cool-looking "leathers," doesn't seem like much of a thing, so violence with swords had consequences. In one case, Redlin and friends exhausted their horses, which had consequences going forward. This isn't a story about heroes, so it felt appropriate and topical.
This is a fantasy story, and magic comes with a heavy price, literally portions of the soul of the caster. This is somehow tied to the gods and religion, which I hope will be expanded on in further books to come. Part of Redlin's path of self-destruction is tied to magic, and the role of magic is integral to the story.
The dramatic finale was excellent. It elevates the rest of the book, making some of the earlier scenes really stand out.
I won't give spoilers. The book also covers the beginning of the repercussions of the climax and Redlin's decisions across the book. The end made the whole book have so much more weight. It was a delight to finish on such a high note, and it made me happy that the sequel is next in my reading queue.
As always, there are some flaws I should mention:
- The descriptions were often sparse. There could be a bit more narration of how things appear to the senses. Not long paragraphs, but rather a sentence here or there, would really help the reader paint the story in their head
- Early on, there were some unnecessary characters, although I have wondered if they'll have some import in the sequel
- Martial arts nitpick: There is a use of reverse grip in swordfighting. Reverse grip is a trope in stage and film, but anyone who has done any swordfight sparring in any sport or martial art will tell you holding a sword this way is ineffective. This use of reverse grip felt a bit wrong in a book that otherwise espoused realism of action