Whispers in the Dark (KGI, #4)

Jul 22, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: medium-hot-romantic-suspense, maya-banks, paper-to-kindle

This story was worth the 11 month wait. Great romantic suspense with a little twist of paranormal. But let me say that it just a twist that adds to the story. Don't be alarmed if you don't normally ready PNR.

Nathan was s hero to die for. I loved him every page of this book. Shea is a strong heroine worthy of our hero.

Overall 4.5 star read.

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Apr 24, 2013 Susanne rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romantic-suspense, buddy-reads

This whole book made me so frustrated! If I would describe it with three words, those words would be weird, stressful and painful.

description

Nathan is captured in Afghanistan, and tortured daily. When he thinks he cannot take it anymore, an angel reaches out to him. Or so he thought. Shea can take on pain telepathically, and speak to Nathan. She helps him through it, and helps him escape. But someone is after Shea and her sister Grace for their abilities.

This is romantic suspense with a paranormal element....more

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Jan 07, 2012 SBooks rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspense, paranormal-romance

Very disappointing that Maya Banks decided to introduce paranormal elements to this series. It’s completely messed up the world she established in the other books.

This one read like some sort of homage to Christine Feehan’s books. The characters are standard Banks – alpha male you wouldn’t kick out of bed, and slightly wimpy girl who all the males dote on. It’s fun, but also a tad repetitive.

The cheese factor here was so bad too.

There were some good moments – this is an author who writes very ro...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: pi-bounty-hunter-other, rs-mystery-thriller, hiding-or-on-the-run, paranormal-elements, challenge-2012, own, my-4-star-romances

Fourth in the KGI series. Nathan, one of the Kelly brothers, has been captured by terrorists and tortured. One day he hears an angel's voice that keeps him from giving up. This angel has the ability to take his pain and is instrumental in his escape. The angel is Shea, a young woman on the run from the men who killed her parents. A wonderful romantic suspense with paranormal elements. I can't wait for the next installment!

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Dec 15, 2011 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of tortured, protective military heroes

Shelves: brothers-sisters-cousins-family, cop-bodyguard-govop-merc-military, favorite-romance-series, maya-banks, military-romance, romantic-suspense, series-kelly-kgi, im-a-cover-hottie-ho, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, hh-on-the-run-in-hiding, hh-disfigured-injured-scarred-ill, hh-post-traumatic-stress-disorder, psychic-special-abilities-powers, captive-kidnapped-hostage-slave, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, favorite-romance-couple-hh-pairings, favorite-love-scenes, favorites, made-me-cry, hero-besotted-so-smitten-its-sexy, hero-im-gaga-over, hero-recluse-loner-lonewolf, heroine-i-adore, hh-physical-mental-disability-ill, 2011-reads, 5-stars, arc-review-copy-galley, best-faves-of-2011, hero-alpha‎, hero-brooding, hero-celibate-virgin-virginesque, hero-i-wanna-marry, hero-military-war-veteran, hero-mix-of-alpha-beta, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, hero-stud-mantel-hall-of-fame, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, hh-warrior, steam-3-hot, i-read-borrowed, steam-4-smokin

5 stars – Romantic Suspense

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Apr 19, 2012 Wminbc rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-soon-from-nrr

Started and finished this one last night...My review will be up on NRR soon, but just a teaser...

Nathan: hot, determined and willing to put his life on the line for his brothers and brothers-in-arms.

Shea: sweet, devoted and willing to take on anothers pain to give them reprieve.

Check out my review: www.nocturnereads.com

Wow...I just got this book in the mail! The cover is even better in real life!!! Cannot wait to start reading this one...Happy reading!

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Feb 09, 2013 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: military-govt-agency, maya-banks, kgi

Hands down, the best KGI yet!! This was such a great story. Though I can't wait for Rio and Grace's story because that just might top this one. I loved the psychic connection between Shea and Nathan. It brought a small amount of paranormal into a more realistic story line. And the way Shea continued to take Nathan's torture and pain was amazing. Not to mention how Grace was brought into it to run her gift through Shea and make it that much stronger. Amazing!! I highly recommend this book. There'...more

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Jan 07, 2012 ReaderOz rated it 1 of 5 stars

Too paranormal, too boring and too corny!

Strange to notice, but I don’t understand why Maya Banks writes so many love scenes with her heroines going to work on the heroes with their mouths, but the heroes almost never return the favour. Sometimes I feel like the scenes are written by men – but then all the corny family scenes tell me this author is definitely a woman. Men don’t talk or act the way she writes!

I had trouble staying interested until the end. Though I anticipated racing through this...more

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Jan 21, 2012 Amy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fv-review, ppb

Held captive and tortured for information in an overseas prison, Nathan Kelly believes he may be facing his final days of life. Two things keep him in survival mode – the hope that his brothers of the KGI/Kelly Group International (private hostage/kidnap victim recovery group) are close to finding him and the soothing, comforting voice that now speaks to him in his mind. Shea Peterson has a unique gift of telepathy. Additionally, she is able to use this connection to draw pain from the people sh...more
Held captive and tortured for information in an overseas prison, Nathan Kelly believes he may be facing his final days of life. Two things keep him in survival mode – the hope that his brothers of the KGI/Kelly Group International (private hostage/kidnap victim recovery group) are close to finding him and the soothing, comforting voice that now speaks to him in his mind. Shea Peterson has a unique gift of telepathy. Additionally, she is able to use this connection to draw pain from the people she links to and take the physical pain within herself. She shares this gift with her sister Grace and is able to connect and heal random people. Shea has made a direct connection with Nathan and has begun to feel his agony, fear and physical torture while being held captive. She knows that he is quickly loosing hope of being rescued or escaping so she begins to talk to him and encourage his will for survival. Naturally, Nathan believes he is finally loosing it, but she assures him she is real and more important, that he is not alone. Once Shea is able to gain enough information about Nathan’s surroundings and how to contact his brothers, she sends an email informing them where the prison is located and that Nathan is running out of time. With Grace’s help, Shea is able to aide in his escape, but then her communication with Nathan ceases. Six months have passed and Nathan is no closer to putting the pieces of his life back together since his return. He feels a deep sense of loss within himself and continually seeks solitude from his concerned family. After numerous attempts to connect with Shea again, he begins to question if his “Angel” is indeed real. Then out of the blue Nathan feels her presence. Disoriented, terrified and needing his help, Nathan finally connects with Shea and finds that she has escaped the confines of the people that are after her and her sister due to their extraordinary gifts. Nathan hops on a plane to rescue her. When he arrives and they finally stand face to face, Nathan is relieved to touch her and confirm that she is indeed real. He believes with all of his heart that she is meant to be his and will now do everything in his power to protect both Shea and Grace from the enemies searching to capture them both.

When the KGI series started, it was portrayed as a solid romantic suspense genre. Although Ms. Banks continues to deliver a driven, suspenseful story, the paranormal addition has me cringing. The telepathy was used to form an instant connection, attraction and commitment to both characters even though they had no idea why it worked between them, particularly when they had no prior history with each other. Ms. Banks used this gift to establish an immediate “we are soulmates” type feel that lead to the early “I love you, we are meant to be together” mentality of both characters and therefore resulted in a sappy, sweet union that was entirely unrealistic. When I say sap, I mean like dripping out of a pine tree. It was too perfect and unfortunately for me, became a cheesefest that was beyond believable and extremely disheartening. I literally was asking myself, where did this plot come from and why go there? While I am not washing my hands of the series, I am highly disappointed. Ms. Banks’ saving grace is the family bond and emotional connection she has created within the Kelly clan which comes from well established characters that I became invested in from book one. I can only hope that we get back to the basics with how this series started, otherwise, many like me will continue to be dissatisfied.

Favorite Quote:

“He pulled her against him, enjoying the sensation of her bare flesh against him. He loved her smell. How silky her skin felt against his fingers. How she was plump in all the right places. He loved every curve and swell. How delicate she appeared and yet she was a force to be reckoned with.”

Originally posted at http://www.fictionvixen.com/2012/01/r...(less)

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Mar 19, 2011 Darcie Mae rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, special-ops

This one of the series did not get a 5 star from me (like the 1st) because the paranormal theme did not fit to what "I wanted" this series to be. I was sad to see the Kelly family cross over to the paranormal side. ( I enjoy paranormal... This book was a well written paranormal...)I just had a hard time with the Kellys' having a paranormal theme..... (If I would have read this book and not known the Kellys' I would've given a 5 star).

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Jan 16, 2012 Mandi Schreiner rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: rom-suspense

Nathan Kelly's plan was to serve his last tour in the Middle East, and then join his brothers in their private KGI operations, an elite group who contract with the government and private sector, taking on dangerous jobs. But his plan gets screwed up when he gets captured in Afghanistan. Stuck in a dark cave, tortured, naked, and starved, he is not sure how much longer he can survive. But then he hears a voice in his head. At first he thinks he is crazy, but the voice is persistent.

It turns out t...more Nathan Kelly's plan was to serve his last tour in the Middle East, and then join his brothers in their private KGI operations, an elite group who contract with the government and private sector, taking on dangerous jobs. But his plan gets screwed up when he gets captured in Afghanistan. Stuck in a dark cave, tortured, naked, and starved, he is not sure how much longer he can survive. But then he hears a voice in his head. At first he thinks he is crazy, but the voice is persistent.

It turns out to be the voice of Shea, who lives back in the States. Shea and her sister Grace have a special gift. They can use telepathy to communicate with people — not specific people, it seems, just random people. Shea can take away someone's pain as well, and Grace can do one step better by healing them. But their special powers bring much danger to them. A year ago, their parents were murdered, while Shea and Grace narrowly escaped. Now they are being hunted by people who want to abuse their ability and most likely do worse things to them. They have separated and don't keep in contact, to stay more hidden.

When Shea hears Nathan's torture sessions, she immediately does everything she can to help take away his pain so he can endure and survive. She anonymously clues his brothers in to where he is being held, so he can be rescued. Once she is secure in knowing he is safe, she stops contact with him, as she continues her own battle to survive. But Nathan is not going to forget that voice in his head, and when Shea ends up being hunted again, she calls out for help.

Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks is the first I've read of this series, but I think it does pretty well as a stand-alone. It has a strong beginning, as we watch Nathan truly suffer at the hands of his captors. While I'm not a fan of a supernatural twist being thrown into an otherwise straight-forward romantic suspense series, Shea's telepathic abilities didn't annoy me too much. I did find it odd that throughout the book, she communicates only with Nathan and a few other people. She can't control to whom she speaks with, but it also made it sound as though she would have had others trying to talk to her in her head.

But as I said, the beginning is really good. Once Nathan escapes and the story jumps ahead six months to where he is more physically recovered, comes the time where he meets physically with Shea. Here is where the story started to go downhill for me. The romance didn't work for me at all. I get that they have this bond because of the trauma they suffered while he was kidnapped and then later when she was kidnapped, but they meet face to face and pretty much fall in love instantly. They have sex and it's perfect, Nathan is perfect, Shea is perfect, everything is perfect. Well, except that they forget to use a condom several times. But otherwise, everything is just … perfect. It got annoying and their relationship just turned out … corny. Too mushy, too goody-goody, not appealing to me.

I also questioned how Shea could have this mind-blowing, romantic sex (more than once) with Nathan while her beloved sister, the person she cares about most in the world, is missing, possibly kidnapped by the evil bad guys. Shea didn't seem the type to be all smiles and joyful in bed, while the one person in her life who has always been there for her could be in danger.

Whispers in the Dark turned out to be OK for me. The suspense part gets a high grade, but with a lackluster romance, it was more of a disappointing read.

Rating: C-(less)

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Jan 08, 2012 Auntee rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romantic suspense fans

Shelves: romantic-suspense, maya_banks, part-of-a-series, 2012_reads

This book had an awesome beginning, holding me in it's grip from the start. Youngest Kelly brother Nathan is being held captive somewhere in Afghanistan by (probably) the Taliban. On the verge of giving up after being relentlessly tortured day after day, a voice comes to him out of the dark, urging him not to give up.

You aren't alone. I'm here.

You mustn't give up. I'm with you. I won't leave you.

Is he hallucinating? Losing his mind? Is it the voice of an angel? Or can the voice Nathan hears in...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks

Whispers in the Dark is the fourth book in Maya Banks’ KGI series. This is a romantic suspense series but don’t worry, it’s not one of those kinds of romantic suspense books. You know the type: either there is too much romance and not really any suspense or there is too much suspense – enough that you want to throw the book across the room and curl up into a ball and rock yourself back and forth, back and forth, back and forth – and not enough romance. I...more Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks

Whispers in the Dark is the fourth book in Maya Banks’ KGI series. This is a romantic suspense series but don’t worry, it’s not one of those kinds of romantic suspense books. You know the type: either there is too much romance and not really any suspense or there is too much suspense – enough that you want to throw the book across the room and curl up into a ball and rock yourself back and forth, back and forth, back and forth – and not enough romance. I find Maya has just the right blend. And not only do you get a great romantic story and an enjoyable amount of suspense, but you also get steamy bedroom scenes (that sometimes don’t take place in a bedroom at all *blush*) and outstanding characters.

My favorite character in this series is the Kelly family. Yes, I am aware that the Kelly family consists of mom, dad and 6 sons, but the unit is so solid and incredibly written that even when I didn’t love a book in this series, the family and their chemistry saved the book. The women are fine and all, but the men and their parents are just fantastic.

Whispers in the Dark is Nathan’s story. Nathan is the baby of the family along with his twin brother, Joe. You don’t see much of Nathan in the previous books so I was actually surprised that his book was next. Most of the Kelly boys are ex-military men, but Nathan and Joe are just finishing off their time in the Army. But Nathan gets captured while in Afghanistan and at the very beginning of this book, he is being tortured. Not a fun way to start a book but boy let me tell you, it grabs you right from the get go. Poor Nathan… He’s about to give up hope when suddenly he hears a woman’s voice in his head telling him not to lose hope. This voice also has a way of making the physical pain go away. Thanks to her, he doesn’t lose hope, manages to escape and return to his family.

Before talking about the woman, I want to quickly say that I enjoyed how Maya wrote Nathan after he came home. I think she captured what he would have been going through really well. He didn’t just jump back into things and he didn’t just give everyone a hug, cry big tears and all was right in the world. He struggled and suffered and took things day by day. I respected that Maya kept things real and didn’t try to fluff it just because she’s writing a romance book.

Now back to the woman. Her name is Shea and she has the power to communicate with people through thought and she can take on someone else’s pain then heal herself. Pretty nifty tricks. Who she can communicate with is completely random so it’s pure coincidence that she can ‘chat’ with Nathan. (Her sister Grace has similar talents but there Shea can take away pain, Grace can actually heal a person.) Their whole lives, they have been kept alone and told not to divulge their secret to anyone. Because of this, Shea is used to living a lonely existence. When she ‘meets’ Nathan, both are at a place in their lives where they really need someone – he’s in captivity and she’s on the run. They suit each other very well. Both are survivors of horrible ordeals and understand each other. Both know that time is needed to heal and no magic potion will make you forget everything you’ve been through. Both understand the value of not being alone.

I don’t usually like stories where the hero and heroine are total soulmates almost the moment they actually meet in person but in this case, it worked. Thinking about what Nathan and Shea have gone through together before even having met in person will bring any two people close together. And they are not done going through heavy situations together since there are some pretty awful bad guys who are after Shea and her sister and the KGI gang have to try to figure out who and why. Yes, that is the suspense part in this romantic suspense book. *g*

The whole Kelly clan is in this book and so are the KGI teams. Each and every one of those characters is awesome and they will hopefully each get a book because I am really interested in knowing more about each and every one of them. Rio is off to find Grace and they are the hero and heroine in the next book, Echoes at Dawn. It’s due out in July 2012. Rio is a bit of a mystery so it will be nice to finally know his story. Then it’s PJ and Cole’s turn! They have such an amazing rapport and I think they will make a brilliant couple. Their book, Shades of Gray, is due out January 2013.

I was torn as to what to rate this book. Not because I wondered if I enjoyed it but because I wondered if I enjoyed it as much as the first book in the series. You see, book one is my benchmark for the KGI books because it was fantastic and my favorite in the series. After finishing Whispers in the Dark, I couldn’t say if I liked it more or less than my benchmark book one! After much thought (and maybe even a couple bottles of wine – I’m telling you, I take my ratings seriously ;) ) I decided that I liked it…just exactly the same! Therefore I give this book the same rating as I gave book one – five stars! *queue fireworks*

Maya done good this time and I can’t wait for the next book.(less)

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Jan 15, 2012 Christi Snow rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Review:

I have adored the KGI series so far, and let me just say up front on this review that, hands down, this is my favorite book in the series so far. I cannot fully explain to you how much I truly loved this book, but I am going to try! I love the entire premise of this story.

Shea has special telepathic powers. Overall, they have made her life hell, but she can't ignore the telepathic communications from a soldier being tortured who is on the brink of giving up, Nathan Kelly.

After a month...more My Review:

I have adored the KGI series so far, and let me just say up front on this review that, hands down, this is my favorite book in the series so far. I cannot fully explain to you how much I truly loved this book, but I am going to try! I love the entire premise of this story.

Shea has special telepathic powers. Overall, they have made her life hell, but she can't ignore the telepathic communications from a soldier being tortured who is on the brink of giving up, Nathan Kelly.

After a month of systematic torture and watching two of his friends be murdered, Nathan is ready to die...until he hears Shea in his mind telling him not to give up. Shea can enter peoples minds and redirect their pain. For Nathan these skills save his life and enable him to survive. They also create an incredible bond between these two people.

But when Nathan is rescued, Shea cuts off their connection because she is in her own fight for her life as she is being hunted for her abilities and is on the run. Only when things get desperate and a weak moment on Shea's part causes their connection to flare back to life. That's when the entire KGI team swings into action to save Shea and in turn, save Nathan, who is suffering because of the loss of his mental bond with her.

I loved, loved, LOVED this story! OMG, I LOVE the bond that Nathan and Shea share. The emotional level of it is so incredible to read and experience through them. I love that they are both wounded characters who truly need each other to survive. I love how strong that Shea is. OMG, she takes on the wounds of the person that she takes the pain from and she did this for Nathan over and over again...on purpose to save him...talk about ultimate sacrifice.

I loved that we got to see an even deeper level of the dynamic between the Kelly brothers. They have a huge part in this story as they are all working together to save Shea. I love them together and the way that they worry about Nathan and support him in this book....just so incredible!

To me, everything about this story was just absolutely perfect! But you all know me, I like heavy emotion and angst in my stories. This is going to be one of those books that you either really love or really hate as you roll your eyes because it is too over-the-top. This is where I choose to read for enjoyment and suspend disbelief so that I simply can enjoy the process of reading. But not everyone is like that, SO go into this book knowing yourself as a reader. For me, it was perfect, but it is not for everyone. I cannot wait for Grace (Shea's sister) and Rio's book...it's going to be another great one!! :o)(less)

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Jan 08, 2012 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks
Romantic Suspense –Jan. 3rd, 2012
4 ½ stars

The latest thrilling book in the KGI series, Whispers in the Dark is about a Special Ops group run by the Kelly brothers. Nathan Kelly, finds himself at his lowest ebb. Captured and tortured along with his other teammates, he wants to die. But unexpectedly, he hears a voice of an angel in his head. She promises to help and takes away his pain. He thinks he is growing crazy but a very special woman will really help him ev...more Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks
Romantic Suspense –Jan. 3rd, 2012
4 ½ stars

The latest thrilling book in the KGI series, Whispers in the Dark is about a Special Ops group run by the Kelly brothers. Nathan Kelly, finds himself at his lowest ebb. Captured and tortured along with his other teammates, he wants to die. But unexpectedly, he hears a voice of an angel in his head. She promises to help and takes away his pain. He thinks he is growing crazy but a very special woman will really help him even at a cost to herself.

Shea has the ability of telepathy and to take away another person’s pain temporarily. When she hears a man in pain, she cannot but help him even though she and her sister are running from unscrupulous men who hope to use their powers and using her powers may give away her location. When she helps Nathan escapes his captors with the aid of her sister, she puts her life in jeopardy.

Nathan cannot forget the woman who helped him in his darkest hours and is determined to find and save her but can he find her in time and does he have enough resources before it is too late for Shea?

This my favorite KGI novel to date! I loved that Shea is so compassionate and self sacrificing. Her paranormal powers added a lot to the plot and made it more interesting. The addition of Shea’s sister, Grace who Shea is protecting and is missing also adds a lot of suspense. Grace has the power to heal but at great cost to herself. Both women are very sympathetic characters since they have been hunted relentlessly and just want to live their own lives. Shea’s character has had to be strong so I was so glad she finally gets a hot alpha male to protect her and give her support. Nathan really comes to save her like a true white knight! He is definitely a three dimensional character because really suffers in this book, too. They were the most emotional characters in the series for me, which made them finding each other all the more satisfying.

Intriguing paranormal elements, a courageous and self- sacrificing heroine and a sizzling hero make this the best KGI romance yet!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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Apr 12, 2013 Miraphora rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Oh, bhe. Ad un certo punto, come al solito, in una serie arriva il libro così così. Il libro intermedio, che piace ma neanche troppo e che non soddisfa allo stesso modo dei precedenti.
Bisogna essere sempre preparati a ricevere una piccola delusione, solo che...eddai! una delusione da uno qualsiasi dei fratelli Kelly? Non ci avrei creduto nemmeno per un momento, ma sono stata costretta ad ammetterlo a libro finito. La storia di Nathan non mi ha fatta impazzire. Ecco, l'ho detto.
Il motivo è uno so...more Oh, bhe. Ad un certo punto, come al solito, in una serie arriva il libro così così. Il libro intermedio, che piace ma neanche troppo e che non soddisfa allo stesso modo dei precedenti.
Bisogna essere sempre preparati a ricevere una piccola delusione, solo che...eddai! una delusione da uno qualsiasi dei fratelli Kelly? Non ci avrei creduto nemmeno per un momento, ma sono stata costretta ad ammetterlo a libro finito. La storia di Nathan non mi ha fatta impazzire. Ecco, l'ho detto.
Il motivo è uno solo e non è imputabile né alla trama, né ai personaggi. Il problema di fondo è che la Banks, per non so quale motivo, ha deciso di punto in bianco di inserire in una serie romantic suspance, con uno schema già collaudato e ben definito, un elemento tipico del paranormal. Che significa? In parole molto povere la protagonista femminile ha un potere 'extra' che le permette di sintonizzarsi sulla mente di alcune persone, parlando telepaticamente con questi soggetti. Praticamente legge le emozioni, la mente e i pensieri.
Ma perché, mi chiedo io. Ma perché? C'era davvero bisogno di aggiungere un pizzico di paranormal quando già i protagonisti sono sempre extra tutto? Quando anche la trama ha così tanta azione che non si sente la mancanza di niente, figuriamoci un potere come questo?
Non è nemmeno la telepatia di Shea, il problema. Il problema è che stona con la storia, stona con il tipo di serie e con quello a cui ormai mi ero abituata. Parte la storia e ti trovi a leggere di questa donna che si connette nell'etere a Nathan e mi viene una sincope. Controllo il titolo e l'autrice, convinta di aver scambiato romanzo, eppure no è proprio la Banks. Andando avanti con la lettura questo elemento mi è sembrato un pò cacciato a forza nella trama, come se fosse un espediente usato ad hoc per unire i due protagonisti.
Nathan è prigioniero e Shea è in fuga, non ci sarebbe stata l'occasione di farli incontrare, ma in questo modo ecco che Shea si sintonizza su Nathan e parte la connessione.
Tutto sommato la storia, dopo i primi capitoli, si incastra abbastanza bene e si ritrova il classico schema Kelly. Nathan è in fase recupero anche se non riesce a lasciarsi alle spalle il trauma perché Shea ha troncato la loro connessione. Unita alla preoccupazione c'è il senso di vuoto perché la compagnia di Shea gli aveva dato un motivo per continuare a lottare ed era ormai abituato a condividere con lei i suoi pensieri. Quando i due si ritrovano è un pò come aver perso uno dei momenti più importanti di un romance: la prima scena assieme, quella in cui scatta la scintilla. Per Shea e Nathan la scintilla non è puramente fisica, ma è mentale prima di tutto. Quindi quando si incontrano è come se si fossero conosciuti da sempre. Manca la magia, se proprio devo dirlo. Anche perché non c'è tensione sessuale, non c'è tira e molla ma una relazione che sembra fosse già iniziata e collaudata. Non è come la storia di Rachel e Ethan, perché loro avevano dei problemi, degli scontri che davano alla trama una tensione che qui non c'è. Ogni tensione è dovuta al pericolo che Shea e la sorella corrono e al compito che i Kelly e il KGI si è posto: proteggerle.
Devo dire, comunque, che il tipo di relazione che si instaura tra i due sembra che fili lisci come l'olio e che sia quella 'giusta'. Cioè, c'è qualcosa che stona, ma in linea di massima il livello di coinvolgimento è tale per cui ci si dimentica di quel qualcosa e si arriva alla fine del romanzo con una certa facilità. Che poi io sia particolarmente noiosa e pignola, lo sanno tutti, e proprio non sono riuscita a dimenticare questo elemento paranormale. Quindi il voto è intermedio, perché il romanzo non è assolutamente scadente, però non posso in tutta onestà paragonarlo ai 3 precedenti che sono decisamente molto più belli. Oltre tutto, sono costretta a incontrare nuovamente questo elemento stonante perché il prossimo romanzo è sulla sorella di Shea, anche lei dotata di super poteri. Sono preoccupata, lo ammetto.(less)

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Jan 23, 2013 Musing rated it 4 of 5 stars

Maya Banks does it again with another sensational addition to the KGI series.

Whispers in the Dark ventured down the telepathic path, which rather than detracting from the story, added to the air of mystery and intrigue. Once again, those Kelly's showed their incredible love of family, and its commitment to ensure that each member feels loved and secure.

Nathan Kelly, twin to Joe was captured behind enemy lines and was being tortured along with others in his group. His energy, hope and desire to...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Starfire rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 6-10, pseudo-military, chick-pr0n

Meh. The problem with reading so much excellent urban fantasy lately is that it really shows books like this up.

The heroine - Shea - just felt insipid to me. If I played the drinking game and knocked back a shot every time Ms Banks told me that Shea was "good" "kind" or "sweet" (using those exact adjectives), I'd be under the table before Chapter 3.

Now granted, she had very slightly more of an edge to her than the male lead seemed to acknowledge - she even - *GASP* - used the word "fuck" a few...more Meh. The problem with reading so much excellent urban fantasy lately is that it really shows books like this up.

The heroine - Shea - just felt insipid to me. If I played the drinking game and knocked back a shot every time Ms Banks told me that Shea was "good" "kind" or "sweet" (using those exact adjectives), I'd be under the table before Chapter 3.

Now granted, she had very slightly more of an edge to her than the male lead seemed to acknowledge - she even - *GASP* - used the word "fuck" a few times. But I can still only put up with so much sweetness before I need to find an insulin pen.

Joe was the standard alpha male of romance fare - I didn't dislike him, but there wasn't anything to distinguish him from any other pseudomilitary male lead I've read. (and speaking of pseudomilitary, at least this book didn't feature instances of calling marines "Soldier" in it) Oh - no, wait, I remember now. I got seriously irritated with his constant "Oh, I'm so ugly! She could never love me! I'm not worthy of her because I'm scarred! She's too good and sweet and kind for me!" (You think I'm paraphrasing there, don't you? Nope, he pretty much used those words over and over and over again)

My other major issue with the writing was the sheer amount of telling versus showing. I can't think of a specific scene example here (and the book's gone back to the library, so I can't find one), but I know I could have also played the drinking game with the terms "in intense pain" and "with unimaginable agony". I get it. He hurt. She hurt for him. She hurt. He hurt for her. If you're going to make the whole torture thing an inherent part of the plot, could we please at least involve the thesaurus in the interaction?

I can't remember whether the previous books in this series pushed my "meh" buttons to the extent that this one did. I'll be honest - I have the last one out from the library at the moment, but I'm not sure I'll actually read it.

I have too much other awesome stuff on my reading pile right now.(less)

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Oct 16, 2012 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, romance, science-fiction, suspense-thriller

Nathan Kelly has hit rock bottom. Imprisoned, tortured, all hope gone, he's ready for death to claim him when he hears an angel inside his mind. Only its not an angel, it's a woman with psychic powers reaching out to him from the other side of the world. With her help, he escapes, returns to the bosom of his family, but he can't stop thinking about her, or wondering if it was all a dream.

Then, six months later, she calls out to him. Now she's the one in trouble, and he is determined to help her....more
Nathan Kelly has hit rock bottom. Imprisoned, tortured, all hope gone, he's ready for death to claim him when he hears an angel inside his mind. Only its not an angel, it's a woman with psychic powers reaching out to him from the other side of the world. With her help, he escapes, returns to the bosom of his family, but he can't stop thinking about her, or wondering if it was all a dream.

Then, six months later, she calls out to him. Now she's the one in trouble, and he is determined to help her.

You know I like a bit of the paranormal in my books, so for me this was a welcome twist to a romantic suspense series I was already enjoying. There was a great connection between these two, and decent chemistry, even if there wasn't much romantic tension. I mean, the two forged a mental connection when they were on opposite sides of the world, and Nathan declared her "mine" from the start. So there wasn't anything keeping them apart except that she still had bad guys after her.

I do have to say...I don't normally complain about the execution of sex scenes. In my opinion, whether or not a sex scene is any good depends entirely on the buildup, and how interested I am in the two as a couple. After that, it can be steamy, it can be barely there, whatever. Just as long as I'm feeling the emotions. In this case, though, I was struck by a powerful sense of deja vu. I felt like she had copied and pasted the sex scene from the third book in this trilogy into this one.

Look, here's the real problem: Cooke-cutter heroines. It struck me particularly because Shay is not a virgin. Modern heroines often aren't, and I'm cool with that. It's nice that romance has gotten past the innocent virgin thing. The thing it, though, that modern literature needs to get to a point where virginity (or lack thereof) is influenced by the *character* and not by current trends in modern romantic literature.

Shay lived in a compound with her sister her whole life. she was home schooled. She was in danger and in hiding. Her parents were killed and since then, she's been on the run. So, I ask you, exactly when and under what circumstances did she lose her virginity?

I'm just saying...I didn't buy it.

But putting that aside, it was a fun and exciting ride, far-fetched and sensational, just like romantic suspense should be. :)

(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 Felicity rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, adventure, cop-military-mercenary-boy, crush-on-you, kidnapping, likeable-leading-lady, romantic-suspense, series, squee-worthy, favourites-2012

Fantastic! Definitely my favourite in the series thus far.

Inititally when I first read the write-up, I thought that the telephatic connection between Shea and Nathan was going to ruin EVERYTHING. I felt really unsatisfied with books #1 and #2 (I read #3 first and that was hooked me in the first place), and I made the judgemental call that telepathy was just going to make everything stupid.

Boy, was I wrong. I really, really, really enjoyed it.

I loved Shea and Nathan together. I thought their con...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Coleen Scott rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi

I've read all four of the KGI series, and this is hands down my favorite. I loved the paranormal aspect of this novel; it really made the romance between the two mains shine.

Elevator pitch: While Nathan Kelly is held captive in Afghanistan by the baddies, he's visited by his own personal angel, Shea, who comforts him and even takes away the pain of his injuries. He thinks Shea is a figment of his overstressed mind, even after one of his fellow captives experiences Shea's influence through Nathan...more I've read all four of the KGI series, and this is hands down my favorite. I loved the paranormal aspect of this novel; it really made the romance between the two mains shine.

Elevator pitch: While Nathan Kelly is held captive in Afghanistan by the baddies, he's visited by his own personal angel, Shea, who comforts him and even takes away the pain of his injuries. He thinks Shea is a figment of his overstressed mind, even after one of his fellow captives experiences Shea's influence through Nathan. After being rescued by his brothers (who run their own private army on the side - blows my mind that anyone thinks THAT'S okay), he's haunted by his trauma and his memories. But Shea reaches out to his mind again when she's in mortal danger, and Nathan races to her rescue, his brothers not far behind.

What works: It's my kind of romance. It doesn't bother me that the two mains are separated for a good chunk of the book - in fact, they don't actually meet in person until a good third to halfway through. But the bond that they create through Shea's paranormal abilities is convincing. The urgency of their emotional connection drives the story forward nicely.

What's not as great: I don't think the characterization on Nathan was as strong as it could be - or maybe it's just that the Kelly brothers are all a bit too similar. They're all strong, silent soldiers with hearts of gold, and Nathan is no different. I appreciate them for what they are, but gee, I wish they had a bit more dimension. Or at least some more intellectual depth.

I actually find it easier to swallow that someone could have a paranormal ability to enter into another person's body to take away their pain than I do believing that there are law-abiding US families who make their living running covert ops (including entering other countries with massive amounts of firepower, flying jets around the US, and rescuing civilians all over the place without the government becoming faintly interested). But we've gone over this before - I'm Canadian and the only guns we have are for hunting the moose and grizzlies that wander through our back yards.

All that said, this is a great read, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.(less)

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Apr 04, 2012 Monique Atgood rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this series about a group of brothers who own a paramilitary outfit called the KGI. They all live close together, and even their parents live nearby. Their friends are `mothered' by their mom, and they have all the fantasy relationships that people dream about. The siblings and family members genuinely like each other. The heros all meet and marry strong heroines. Apparently everyone is rich. Every one of the men are pilots, and best of all, they never run out of cold beer or groceries.

Sy...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Pure rated it 4 of 5 stars

What I am about to write, may or not be considered a spoiler, so read accordingly. I admit, I didn't read the back cover before I read this. I just saw it was a new KGI novel and grabbed it. I have been enjoying Romantic Suspense lately, with the KGI series being my favorite. I was not expecting this to delve into the paranormal which is what I consider the telepathic connection between Nathan and Shea to be (I swear I am not giving anything away by revealing that, it says so right on the back c...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Ansu rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not what I expected. This book completely threw me with the telepathic healing theme, I thought I was reading a Christine Feehan Ghostwalker novel. This was not a bad book and it was not a great book. I did not like the telepathic theme at all, Maya Banks should have kept it real like books 2 and 3,(I did not read bk 1). Those books I could relate to and felt a connection with. Also Nathan was a complete unknown to me, he and Joe had a mention as a one liner in other books, we where not introduc...more

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Mar 09, 2012 McKenzie rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, romance-soldiers-and-agents

I'm torn here. I liked the first books in the series, but couldn't stand this one. Nathan and Shea spend so much time agonizing about themselves, how much they aren't worthy of each other, how they didn't matter before they fell in love, etc. Ugh. Why would I want to read about two people who hold so little value in themselves? That's right, I don't. And, the addition of the paranormal element (Shea and her sister, Grace, are telepathic and psychic healers) is just so forced. That old "I'll neve...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Joyfully Reviewed rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: joyfully-reviewed-miranda, paranormal, contemporary, suspense, series

Whispers in the Dark is a Joyfully Recommended Read

Nathan Kelly is about to give up when an angel whispers in his mind. At first he believes the hours of torture have finally cracked him, but the woman soothing his aches and pain from afar slowly makes him a believer in higher power. He knows his time may be short among these Afghani terrorists. If he can get a message to his brothers he knows they will save him.

Shea Peterson doesn’t know where her special ability to connect with other’s minds c...more Whispers in the Dark is a Joyfully Recommended Read

Nathan Kelly is about to give up when an angel whispers in his mind. At first he believes the hours of torture have finally cracked him, but the woman soothing his aches and pain from afar slowly makes him a believer in higher power. He knows his time may be short among these Afghani terrorists. If he can get a message to his brothers he knows they will save him.

Shea Peterson doesn’t know where her special ability to connect with other’s minds comes from. It is something she was taught to hide from a very young age. She and her family have been hunted for as long as she can remember. When she connects with Nathan and feels his immense pain she is determined to do what she can to help him. A bond that cannot be broken forms between the two lost souls.

Nathan may be saved but the danger isn’t over. He knows Shea is out there somewhere running for her life and he needs to get to her before it’s too late. Can Nathan save the woman who kept him alive by Whispers in the Dark?

Whispers in the Dark is a deeply emotional, highly satisfying edge of your seat read! I could not get enough of this take charge story. From the very first page I was mesmerized by Nathan’s stark situation and his fascinating connection with Shea. Before reading Whispers in the Dark I would never have believed that the hero and heroine of a story could form such a deep and magical connection via the mind before actually meeting and that I would like it much less love it. The conversations between Nathan and Shea are much more intimate than anything I’ve read. Ms. Banks characters cut through all the bull and get right to the nitty gritty which turns Whispers in the Dark into a compelling and cutting-edge romance.

Whispers in the Dark takes the KGI series into a bit of a different direction with its addition of telepathic characters. I’m a huge fan of everything paranormal and science fiction so this doesn’t bother me but everyone may not enjoy it. I must say that Shea’s ability makes this story amazing. The paths that it takes the Kelly brothers and their KGI associates down are enthralling. Who doesn’t love a conspiracy theory? I love that the mystery surrounding Shea and her sister Grace’s abilities will continue at least into the next book if not further.

Maya Banks can do no wrong with her Kelly brothers, Whispers in the Dark is perfect!

Reviewed by Miranda
For Joyfully Reviewed
(less)

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Feb 10, 2012 Cogito_ergo_sum rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: really-liked

2.5 stars.
The emotions in the book were well written, and the circumstances of the events were interesting. Furthermore, the events were well described. That's mainly the reason for the 2.5 stars. On the other hand, while it was a good idea to introduce the paranormal into series, it didn't really feel like it belonged there and it didn't really abide by any rules that would somehow make logical sense. It had the feeling like the story was split into two parts: the normal secret organization fil...more 2.5 stars.
The emotions in the book were well written, and the circumstances of the events were interesting. Furthermore, the events were well described. That's mainly the reason for the 2.5 stars. On the other hand, while it was a good idea to introduce the paranormal into series, it didn't really feel like it belonged there and it didn't really abide by any rules that would somehow make logical sense. It had the feeling like the story was split into two parts: the normal secret organization filled world, and the random paranormal bit. It doesn't feel whole, and the two should appear as one. (view spoiler)Other paranormal authors that I've read made the paranormal belong there in the stories, and it followed rules that were set up so that it wasn't random. In addition, the plot didn't really lead anywhere. It seemed to go around in circles. (view spoiler) This might be a series, however other series that are designed to end on cliffhangers have their plots designed to resolve some issue set at the beginning of the story, and throughout the story a new issue arises while the initial issue is solved. The next book's objective would have been to address the new issue. (view spoiler) This book needs an editor who is experienced in editing paranormal stories (addressing the issue of rules in the paranormal world) and ones that are like trilogies and so forth (to fix the plot problems).(less)

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Jan 23, 2012 Sarah Jordan rated it 4 of 5 stars

The story starts as Nathan is being tortured by his captors. He has been a prisoner for weeks and is close to giving up. But he soon hears the voice of Shea in his head, giving him strength and somehow taking his pain away, giving him the strength he needs to hang on. Shea has somehow randomly psychically connected to Nathan, and does everything she can to save him. But Shea has problems of her own, and is being chased by the mysterious men who murdered her parents and are hunting for Shea and h...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Jenifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, but was a little disappointed with the introduction of the paranormal parts. It just seems, given what the Kelly brothers and KGI do, that it wouldn't be neceassary to take this route. While I did find the concept of Shea & Grace being the result of top-secret government testing, I got tired of all the word-less conversations between Shea & Nathan. It's just not what I was expecting with this action-romance-suspense series. While I did like that Shea was so willing t...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Sandy M rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hi, my name is Sandy. And I’m addicted. To Maya Banks’ Kelly boys. Hooboy. I was a goner with the first book, and now with the fourth? Needless to say, I’m not coming up for air anytime soon.

This time it’s Nathan, one of the two youngest Kellys, twin to Joe, who goes through hell to find love. As we learned in the previous book, the twins were finally leaving their military service to come home and join their brothers at KGI. Before that could happen, they are both severely injured, Nathan taken...more Hi, my name is Sandy. And I’m addicted. To Maya Banks’ Kelly boys. Hooboy. I was a goner with the first book, and now with the fourth? Needless to say, I’m not coming up for air anytime soon.

This time it’s Nathan, one of the two youngest Kellys, twin to Joe, who goes through hell to find love. As we learned in the previous book, the twins were finally leaving their military service to come home and join their brothers at KGI. Before that could happen, they are both severely injured, Nathan taken hostage in Afghanistan. He’s beaten and tortured, forced to watch his brothers-in-arms also being tortured, even ultimately killed to try to force him to talk. It’s during a rare moment of solitude that an angel comes to his aid. She soothes his soul, takes his pain away, boosts his spirits - all in his mind, of course. Which can’t be. Has he finally gone around the bend?

Shea is telepathic and has been on the run for a year now. Separated from her sister by necessity of protection - information concerning each other that they don’t have can’t be shared - from those who want them both for their powerful abilities. But when she hears a man in pain, needing comfort, she can’t leave him to suffer alone. Stealing into his mind, she bolsters him enough to give him that extra spark he needs to keep going, enough hope that he’ll make it out alive. Shea stays with Nathan until he’s able to escape his captors and his brothers arrive to take him home. Then she’s gone. Totally. No matter how he calls for her, Shea doesn’t answer.

Bereft at the loss of his angel, Nathan is back home, healing. At least physically. It’s his spirit and mental capacity that he doubts. Was she real? Or just his imagination, a way his brain needed for him to survive his ordeal? And though it was thoughts of his family that kept him going while in captivity, now that he’s with them, he seeks solitude more and more, confusing and worrying his loved ones even further. Then everything changes when Shea reappears, her lovely voice echoing through his mind. But just as quickly her pain and fear overwhelm him, and Nathan knows he has to get to her soon. Wanting to include his brothers but knowing that will take too long, he commandeers a KGI jet, but even that seems to take forever to find Shea.

Once Nathan has Shea in his arms, he knows she’s the one for him. They share a bond like no others. They’ve seen and felt each other’s pain and fear and hopelessness, given each other the will to go on. Shea feels the same, she trusts Nathan and it’s heaven to trust someone again. She’s been on her own for far too long. Now her only concern is to find Grace, her sister. But Grace has gone silent after one last, very cryptic telepathic communication, and now Nathan and Shea are on the hunt to bring her to safety.

Maya Banks is another author for me who makes me feel everything her characters go through. Nathan’s pain and anguish in the beginning are palpable. Shea’s connection with him screams of hope. The love between them when they finally meet in the flesh is electric and soul deep. Then there’s all the intermediate emotions of the Kellys when Nathan’s fate is unknown, Shea’s fear for her sister, and then her own terror when all their plans are thrown into the wind by someone they thought they could trust. There isn’t a page in this book that doesn’t radiate with some type of feeling, even laughter, which is always a must when the Kelly family is together.

While the emotion in these books is what draws me back to them - well, besides the alpha, sexy heroes anyway - the heart-pounding action of ambushes and rescues and the like is also habit-forming. The scenes at Shea’s family home with the panic room never slow down until you’re about to jump out of your skin. There’s a few scenes like that, in fact. The helicopter scene later in the book is the same. It’s shorter but packs the same punch. I also enjoy Nathan and Shea’s telepathic communication with each other, especially in a car full of his brothers and other team members. There’s plenty of surprises throughout this story, fun and otherwise.

We’re now down to two Kelly brothers, Donovan and Joe, and this series will be over. Withdrawal will then be imminent for me. I’m not sure what I’ll do after that. I know I will be lost for a time. Maybe the Kellys have some cousins or other relatives - long-lost brothers? - who will save me. Yes, reaching for straws is a bad sign. I know I don’t want this addiction to come to an end.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunred.com (less)

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