Whispers in Autumn (The Last Year, #1)

Jul 29, 2012 Jewelz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Althea is one of those characters that you can't help but feel sorry for. She's a girl who lives in a world full of unknowing, always happy people. I would find it a tad creepy if everyone around me were stripped of all emotion except happiness and I'm over here like, "I'm sad!" I'm sure that's how Althea felt. ;) She also has no idea whatsoever WHY she's different. And she's given super difficult instructions. She's not to trust anyone but then again, there are people out there like her. CONFLI...more Althea is one of those characters that you can't help but feel sorry for. She's a girl who lives in a world full of unknowing, always happy people. I would find it a tad creepy if everyone around me were stripped of all emotion except happiness and I'm over here like, "I'm sad!" I'm sure that's how Althea felt. ;) She also has no idea whatsoever WHY she's different. And she's given super difficult instructions. She's not to trust anyone but then again, there are people out there like her. CONFLICT! I imagine it also gets pretty darn lonely when everyone sees you as the social outcast.

Lucas, Lucas, Lucas. *sigh* That boy. <3 He is swoooony! And every single time I read about him I never get bored! What I absolutely adore about him is the fact that he's willing to protect Althea no matter what. He wants to find answers for the both of them. It made me all happy inside to see that Althea was no longer alone. And it helps just a tad that the person who is the same as her just so happens to be a super cute guy. But I mean, who really notices stuff like that? Come on now.. ;) Lucas also helps Althea learn that outside the boundary isn't as bad as the Others make it seem. Both Althea and Lucas together create an awesome team! The Others better not mess with them! ;)

Goodness gracious were there some heartfelt moments in this book. I'm pretty sure I cried like three times. Something I loved about this book was that it wasn't like other dystopian books. Dystopian has gotten really popular and I've been getting a tad tired of it. But Whispers in Autumn is far from normal dystopian. And don't let the word "alien" scare you off. ;) There are no green creatures with big heads and huge bug eyes.

There were also times where I wanted to scream for Althea and Lucas to JUST KISS ALREADY. For cereal! In this book it seems that in the future things take a step back and become less modern. It is unacceptable to show any affection towards someone until they're partnered. So, sadly there isn't really a good time to do something like that.

Over all, this book is FANTABULOUS! (less)

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Jul 26, 2012 Ashelynn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: recommend, reread-a-million-times

4.5 rating!

While the dystopian market is crowded, Whispers in Autumn stands out with its aliens, Dissidents, and traveling between the seasons. Trisha Leigh makes you feel like you are in Connecticut in the fall with Althea, piecing together why the Wardens are here and what they want. I loved this one and wish you do, too.

You can read my full review here.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Feb 25, 2013 Sarah Hudson rated it 4 of 5 stars

In a market saturated with dystopian novels that taste like chicken, Trisha Leigh has created beef. Her world is vivid, immersive, and distinct. I loved Althea's smooth, poetic voice. And Lucas -- what can I say about Lucas? He's smart, he's sweet, he smells fabulous. (Obviously, he's my favourite character.)

I loved the way the world blended scientific and fantastical elements -- this, more than anything else, is what makes it stand out. I was drawn emotionally into the book from the moment I pi...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Denae rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1st-person-narrative, dystopian

The idea was good.
There was too much talking and speculating in the story. I had things figured out by 10% of the way through, and the characters didn't even guess these things until 70% of the way through. Short-sighted characters don't sit well with me. Also, it just took too long for the story to get moving. It felt like scenes accomplished only one thing, if that, and they should really try to do several things.
I felt really detached from the characters, even the MC. She randomly doesn't kno...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Preet rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's rare of me to say I like a book really early on as I read it. However, after just a few pages of starting Whispers in Autumn, I was completely hooked to the story. Really, what's not enjoyable about alien mind control while trying to figure out secrets?

What I liked most about this book is how detail oriented Trisha Leigh is throughout the story without being annoying. She's almost poetic in her imagery and it made me want to know more. What really helped this story is how we were thrown int...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Whispers in Autumn totally had me in after I read the synopsis. The whole idea of including seasons and the elements and season-travelling into a dystopian novel sounded so original to me that I had to read it!

I was a bit disappointed, though.
I liked this book in the beginning, when the reader was introduced to the story, this whole new dystopian world. The concept of who ruled the world was very different from everything I've ever read before, but then the how was very ... unoriginal.

Whispers i...more Whispers in Autumn totally had me in after I read the synopsis. The whole idea of including seasons and the elements and season-travelling into a dystopian novel sounded so original to me that I had to read it!

I was a bit disappointed, though.
I liked this book in the beginning, when the reader was introduced to the story, this whole new dystopian world. The concept of who ruled the world was very different from everything I've ever read before, but then the how was very ... unoriginal.

Whispers in Autumn reminded me a lot of Matched with the daily routine everyone has to follow and the food that's served in just the right amount and the exercise everyone has to get and how the government chooses your job for you and how Althea had to pretend she was like everyone else while she was clearly not.
The elements that could've been original - as I said the story of how the US became what it is in Whispers in Autumn or who the government really was - ended up being a blur to me. Nothing was really, clearly explained, everything came in bits and pieces that somehow made sense and somehow didn't.
What I was missing, as well, was really fast action. I mean there were a lot of incidences that increased the suspense, very crazy things happened to people and in general, but throughout the whole book there was never that moment when my hands begin to shake and I can't put the book down because there is a very bad fight or a life-saving escape or something.
The story just goes on, the situation gets kinda dangerous, the government is sorta suspicious and the time is somewhat running out for the kids.
And then the book ends and leaves us guessing what will happen next and I'm not sure yet if I want to find out.

Don't get me wrong, though. In retrospect Whispers in Autumn lacked a lot of things for me, but in general I enjoyed reading the book and it was pretty short, so that I would recommend it to people who really liked Matched and who don't need a lot of action in their dystopias.(less)

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Dec 05, 2012 Kayla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour, covet-these-covers, dystopia, ebooks, fiction, kept-me-guessing, read-in-2012, review-copy, romance, series, young-adult

I love dystopian novels, and this is definitely one for any fan of the genre to check out! In the slew of books coming out in this genre, Whispers in Autumn certainly stands out. I can't remember if I've ever read one where the oppressive government is composed of aliens. That's right, aliens now control the Earth, and Althea is one of the few who is even capable of realizing that anything is even wrong.

I loved figuring it all out alongside Althea . . Even if I wish she'd let someone give her a...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Ana rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was really really excited to read this book when I heard that it was about aliens. Truthfully I never thought I would ever be interested in a book about them. But this one wow I was happy that I read. I really liked everything about it there was not one thing that I didn't like. Lucas seemed like a mysterious guy but then again I liked that, pretty much everything about this book seemed mysterious. It was written amazingly well and from beginning to end you were hooked and that's what made you...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-z-reading-challenge-2012, blog-tours

Sixteen year old Althea has always known she was different. She keeps to herself and trusts no one, focusing on blending in and not being noticed as she travels between seasons and time in this dystopian world. Aliens now rule, and they do it by mind control, only Althea has never been influenced by it. She doesn't understand why she's different. She doesn't know how long she will be alone. She only has a note carried in a treasured locket with a promise and instructions to hold onto. Things are...more Sixteen year old Althea has always known she was different. She keeps to herself and trusts no one, focusing on blending in and not being noticed as she travels between seasons and time in this dystopian world. Aliens now rule, and they do it by mind control, only Althea has never been influenced by it. She doesn't understand why she's different. She doesn't know how long she will be alone. She only has a note carried in a treasured locket with a promise and instructions to hold onto. Things are different this autumn. She meets Lucas, and he's not like the other people. He sees her, really sees her. As they become friends, although she is very guarded, they face finding out what they are together, and come to really care for each other in the process. The revelation of who and what they are is not only unique to them, however. Unfortunately, the Others are hunting them also. Can they survive, and if they do will they lose each other in the process?

This was an interesting book that combined dystopia, science fiction, and fantasy, with some romance added in. Trisha Leigh has created a world in which its inhabitants live very controlled lives. Everything is dictated to them, how to dress, where to go, their entire lives mapped out according to the plans of the Others who control them. They live in fenced in cities, supposedly for their protection, but the veil over their minds keeps them from seeing the truth, everyone that is except Althea and Lucas. I liked Althea's character. She was very timid in the beginning, but proved herself to be quite a strong character as the book progressed. She wasn't afraid to stand up for those she cared about. I really loved Lucas. He has a great personality, is fun, loyal, and pretty hot. The relationship and ensuing romance between Lucas and Althea was sweet. I enjoyed the way Trisha Leigh used the elements in her story and tied them to the seasons, then meshed it so well together with the alien theme. I found the story line to be creative and thought provoking. If you are a dystopian, science fiction, and/or fantasy fan, then this is a book you should check out. (less)

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Sep 26, 2012 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-must-reads, atomr-book-tours, sep-2012

First I would like to Thank AToMR Tours for allowing me to read and review this book. I have to say that I have not read a lot of dystopian or sci-fi books but this one is at the top for me. I loved how it had everything from action, to romance to fighting to survive. The book cover does this book justice as well which is big for me because I really love when the book cover screams read me read me!

Imagine it the year 2015 and the world has been taken over by Aliens. Well that is reality for Alth...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour, kindle, review-on-blog

This is a really cool sci-fi dystopian. I love the world that Trisha Leigh created. And by love I mean that I am totally terrified of it but the academic in me is totally fascinated by the idea. I think that anyone that likes science fiction, fantasy, or dystopian needs to get their hands on this series, asap.

Althea is the main character here and she is just the perfect mix, of spunky, smart, and relatable. I fell in love with her. She is someone that I would always want on my side. She is a re...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aliens, dystopian, romance, scifi, ya

GENRE: YA Science Fiction
THEME: Aliens
RECEIVED: Review for Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
I’ve been trying to get back in reading more science fiction lately and was excited to be apart of the tour for Whispers in Autumn, it has a dystopian type world that has been taken over by an alien race. The writing kept me hooked and the world and alien life was really well thought out, even though I couldn’t connect to the lead character as much as I would of liked, I really enjoyed thi...more GENRE: YA Science Fiction
THEME: Aliens
RECEIVED: Review for Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
I’ve been trying to get back in reading more science fiction lately and was excited to be apart of the tour for Whispers in Autumn, it has a dystopian type world that has been taken over by an alien race. The writing kept me hooked and the world and alien life was really well thought out, even though I couldn’t connect to the lead character as much as I would of liked, I really enjoyed this story.

Whispers in Autumn follows Althea, she is different from everyone around her, only with little knowledge that she is called a Dissident. Earth has been taken by an alien race and humans are controlled by them and don’t even know it. Althea has to go through each day knowing she is the only one who knows about what’s really going on, until she finally meets someone who is like her. Together they find out the truth about who they are and work together to keep each other safe.

Althea is a strong and lonely character; all her life has been repetitive. Jumping to each season into lives she pretends to be apart of and parents who aren’t really her own. I felt sorry for her, the whole first half of the book, she was so lonely and I was really looking forward to her meeting someone that connected to her. It was almost creepy how the other humans reacted to her, confused and not knowing why they stayed away from her in away. Leigh did a fantastic job creating the world that Althea lived in and how brave this character was living out each day and really not understands who she is.

Lucas is like Althea and really stole the show in the book. The two have some major chemistry and I liked that there was no insta-love, it was more like they thought “finally someone like me.” He protected Althea like crazy and was determined to find answers about who they are and what happened to their parents.

Now for the world Leigh created it was clever and very enjoyable. While everyone is under the mind control, the world is controlled by the Others, while their leaders are known as the Elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water). It took me a while to figure out all the names and what was really going on. I only wished I was giving a little bit more insight before getting put right in the middle of Althea’s world, just so it didn’t take me so long to figure it all out.

Overall I enjoyed Whispers in Autumn, the ending was fantastic and the secrets that are unfolded near the end got me super excited for the next book. The past of the lead characters really will surprise the readers; this is a science fiction series that will defiantly get you thinking.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult science fiction novel that is a perfect read for all teens and adults. Fans of Jennifer Armentrouts Lux’s series and Cat Patricks novel Revived will love Trisha Leigh’s Whispers in Autumn.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*(less)

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Aug 15, 2012 Misty Baker rated it 3 of 5 stars

Luc de Clapiers once said that:

“Emotions have taught mankind to reason.”

Emotions are defined as: Any of the particular feelings that characterize such a state of mind, such as joy, anger, love, hate, horror, etc.

So imgine for a second if you were stripped of yours. Imagine that you walked through life in a bubble, completly oblivious to changes, or at the very least incapable of responding to them? Sort of like being a robot without all of those pesky wires.

People around you die, or disappear an...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Kari rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-review-from-publisher-author, read-teen

Intriguing and captivating, Whispers in Autumn is one of those books that blends together several known elements in a way that just totally grabs you. Though a little slow feeling at first, there is a strong undercurrent to this one that holds interest.With some great twists, and quite a few thought-provoking moments, Whispers in Autumn is both fun and intense.

Althea is a great character, the kind with a different sort of journey ahead of her. Truly feeling like an outsider because she doesn't e...more

Intriguing and captivating, Whispers in Autumn is one of those books that blends together several known elements in a way that just totally grabs you. Though a little slow feeling at first, there is a strong undercurrent to this one that holds interest.With some great twists, and quite a few thought-provoking moments, Whispers in Autumn is both fun and intense.

Althea is a great character, the kind with a different sort of journey ahead of her. Truly feeling like an outsider because she doesn't exist in a mindless daze, there is a constant layer of fear around her. Being found out in regards to having control of her own head definitely has consequences, and Leigh navigates this area seamlessly. Althea goes through tremendous strides, while still being very much the perceptive and caring girl we meet at the start.

Then there's Lucas, a boy who will completely capture readers from his first appearance. Testing Althea in some pretty big ways, the pair have a few strides to overcome. Once they do, though, things heat up... in some rather awesome ways. There is definitely chemistry between these two, and so many of the pages sizzle with what's going on between them. I fell hard for Lucas, and rooted right there with him and Althea, even in their not as stellar moments.

While this one is a bit confusion to start, being thrown right into things, and the pacing takes some time to really get up to speed, Leigh has enough mystery mixed with well timed reveals to keep reader interest. I had so many questions, where it seemed like each new piece of info only made me want to know more, in that way that lets the book get so into my head. While I admit, I predicted a few of the twists, Leigh still keeps some up her sleeve until the right moment. There are some fantastic elements pulled into this one, woven in a way that I thoroughly loved, and that put a fresh sort of spin on them.

The writing is fabulous, building the atmosphere Althea lives in while also giving a strong voice to who she is. With some amazing descriptions, and an alluring flow, the writing stands out as much as the story and characters do. There is a huge amount of emotions worked into this one, pulling you in right away, and letting you feel everything Althea does, from fear to happiness. Blending some great aspects into something with a new feel, and adding in the right amount of romance and heat, Whispers in Autumn is a great book that shouldn't be missed.

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Aug 25, 2012 Shae Carcar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall Thoughts:
The uniqueness of the summary instantly captured my intrigued, and the actual book definitely didn't disappoint either!

Whispers in Autumn is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Althea, who lives in a world completely controlled by aliens. Humans have become enslaved by mind control and they don't even know it. Animals of all kinds are forbidden, for fear that they will attack and/or bring disease into the world. Everyone looks normal on the outside, but possess a perfection and...more Overall Thoughts:
The uniqueness of the summary instantly captured my intrigued, and the actual book definitely didn't disappoint either!

Whispers in Autumn is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Althea, who lives in a world completely controlled by aliens. Humans have become enslaved by mind control and they don't even know it. Animals of all kinds are forbidden, for fear that they will attack and/or bring disease into the world. Everyone looks normal on the outside, but possess a perfection and exactitude that normal humans aren't capable of having. They're always smiling and content, even if something isn't exactly right; everyone except Althea, that is. Althea is more lucid and sensitive than everyone else, which is not a good thing. She feels fright, unease, and nervousness when everyone else is oblivious. When her uniqueness starts becoming more apparent, she fearfully wonders why she seems to be the only exception.

Then she meets a boy named Lucas. Like herself, Lucas seems to be the only other person in the world who is different; who feels emotions when the situation rightfully wills it. But unlike herself, Lucas embraces his individuality. And when the Others (a.k.a. the alien government) start searching for Althea, the pair team up to discover why they're so different from the rest off their population.

What I liked about this book:
Althea is the kind of character that you automatically have empathy for because she is the outcast and because she is the black sheep. Whenever she's in a pressuring situation she automatically starts to freak out internally; which then entails me to freak out with her! Lucas, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He stayed cool and calm under pressure, and balanced out Althea's fiery and panicky nature really well, I thought.

What I disliked about this book:
The beginning was slightly confusing because of all the new vocabulary like: Dissident, The Others, Wardens, the Cell (or school). I'm happy to say that the further I got into the story, the more sense it made to me.

Verdict:
Leigh definitely has a gift for story-telling because I really enjoyed diving into this adventure of a book!

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Feb 12, 2013 Ranee Clark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Audience: Young Adult (12+)
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: 389 pages
Rating: **** (Really liked it)
The Pros: Totally unique. I've never come across a world quite like it. It was perfectly paced and I never felt frustrated with what I did or didn't know. (If you've read my reviews on books similar to this, you know this is important to me.) Lucas is probably one of my favorite YA heroes. I will absolutely admit two things will drive me to drive a *free* book on Amazon -- covers and how well I know t...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm pretty sure it was Denise Grover Swank who got me reading Trisha Leigh. The two of them are BFF's after all. I read the first chapter of this book and it was different than other books that I have read. It is considered a young adult book, but titles don't phase me. If the story sounds interesting then I will read it. I don't care what the genre is listed as. That's exactly how I like my music and my movies, too.

Althea is a 16 year old girl living in a world where aliens have taken over the...more I'm pretty sure it was Denise Grover Swank who got me reading Trisha Leigh. The two of them are BFF's after all. I read the first chapter of this book and it was different than other books that I have read. It is considered a young adult book, but titles don't phase me. If the story sounds interesting then I will read it. I don't care what the genre is listed as. That's exactly how I like my music and my movies, too.

Althea is a 16 year old girl living in a world where aliens have taken over the human race. Everyone is happy following their directions and plugging along in life, thanks to the alien mind control. But Althea feels different than the others. She has a secret: she can go to sleep and wake up in another time, in another home in another state and it's like she never left. She doesn't know how it happens, when it's going to happen or why it happens. She doesn't know how long she will stay each time she travels. She can't tell anyone about it and it's driving her crazy.

She meets Lucas and realizes that she is not alone. He is a lot like her and there may be more like them. They can't let on that they are different because they will be taken and become "broken." No one has ever come back from being broken. Any one who does not obey or submit becomes broken and disappears. Althea cannot risk that happening. She has been told and believes that she is different for a reason; that she can stop the mind control and release the humans from their prisons. But, at what cost?

I am currently reading book 4 Summer Ruins and because this series revolves around the seasons, I am inclined to believe that this will be the last book. I enjoy this series because Trisha is a fantastic writer. She has given Althea enough fire (hee-hee) and enough vulnerability to be believable. The task at hand is a dauntingly epic one, hence why it needs 4 books to tell it. However, the challenges that she faces and the struggles that she has to overcome don't seem over the top or tend to drag on and on for no reason. There is purpose to the actions and the problems that Althea encounters. This girl is trying to change the world and that doesn't happen in 1 book or without major repercussions or collateral damage. I would REALLY love to see this series become a movie. It has a chance to become something like the Lord of the Rings movies where the epic journey is started on in the first movie and it takes several more to complete it. There are some amazing elements in this series that would transfer well to the big screen. So go read this book and jump on the bandwagon BEFORE it becomes cool to be on it. You can look back with pride knowing that you were here from the beginning and saw this baby all the way from birth to graduation.(less)

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Dec 16, 2012 Veronica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-of-the-best

Having read dystopian novels by Margaret Atwood back in college, I couldn't help but give this book high expectations. The only apprehension I had was the fact that Madame Atwood's writings were too technical in the literary sense, so I immediately thought I'd experience the same with Whispers in Autumn. This book is straightforward, if you want to start liking a distopian fiction I'd recommend this one. For some reason, this book was actually scary than I anticipated. It's more like a psycholog...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Samantha Robey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Trisha Leigh is on tour now with Whispers in Autumn and CLP Blog Tours. I am a big fan of these types of fantasy/paranormal books. I love seeing how authors stretch their imaginations and the worlds they can create. This book is set in 2015, and follows sixteen-year-old Althea. The human race has been enslaved by aliens who use mind control, and has everyone acting like happy robots. But Althea is immune to the mind control – as well as Lucas, a boy her age. The two team up together to find out...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Martha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

There are some books that aren't worth one's time but we don't know it until we read it. Then there are
books that make you make time for.
Whispers in Autumn was the latter for me. It hooked me from page one.
There is no way I can know the true feeling of thinking I'm completely alone in this world as Althea
does, I can only imagine.
That is one of the things I truly enjoyed about this book. Also that there were aliens connected with
the seasons plus brainwashed humans.

There is no worst torture...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: debuts, dystopia, kindle, sci-fi, series, from-author

I was offered a free copy of this book from the author. But before I took her up on it, I waffled for a while, wondering if this was the kind of book I was going to be racing home to read or one I was going to throw in the corner and try to forget about. Obviously, I accepted, because there was enough intrigue from the above synopsis that got my attention.

I ended up really liking it. The story throws you headlong into it with no explanations to start off. You're in Althea's world whether you lik...more I was offered a free copy of this book from the author. But before I took her up on it, I waffled for a while, wondering if this was the kind of book I was going to be racing home to read or one I was going to throw in the corner and try to forget about. Obviously, I accepted, because there was enough intrigue from the above synopsis that got my attention.

I ended up really liking it. The story throws you headlong into it with no explanations to start off. You're in Althea's world whether you like it or not. It's not until later chapters (2&3) that you really start understanding what's going on.

I wasn't sold on the alien aspect of the story until I was well into it. Aliens and I don't really mesh anyway, but this was pulled of in a well-thought-through way that was convincing and brought a new level of mystery to the story.

I found parts of the story to be predictable, but oddly enough, not in a bad way. I tend to think critically about stories as I read to figure out what will come next, so I put a few plot puzzle pieces together and saw what would happen. I don't expect everyone will see these, but if you like to twist the story around in your head to see what could happen, you'll probably see some of these. I say this wasn't a bad thing because it never detracted from the story. These "predictable" parts are rarely obvious to the point of belittling you when it's finally revealed. You have to be inside the story and the characters enough to see these. For that reason, I found this to be an asset to the story.

Althea...what do I want to say about her? Hmm...I don't think initially I was completely rooting for her. That could have just been a side-effect of not knowing what was going on yet. Once I started to understand the kinds of things she has to do to stay hidden from the aliens' attention, I started to respect her a little more. By the end, yeah, I was pretty well on her side. Lucas I liked from shortly after his introduction.

It's an interesting story, filled with mystery and suspense, but also cute characters and evil villains. It vaguely reminded me of both The Hunger Games (in the way the government controlled virtually everything they could) and Divergent (in that there are some people who choose to disobey this government in their own special ways).(less)

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Oct 10, 2012 Lauren Whitman rated it 5 of 5 stars

I picked this up as a free e-book from Amazon, having no idea what to expect. I didn't even fully read the description when I downloaded it to my Kindle. I'm actually glad I didn't because the book was much more interesting than the description would indicate!

I've seen some criticisms that the beginning was confusing, readers having to figure out what was going on with the main character, Althea, traveling. For me, that drew me in much more than if I knew exactly what the situation was beforeha...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Sarah Kalaitzidis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopia

One word comes to mind when I read this book; “Wow”. I have never read a alien book quite like this before, and it was different and exciting. I can see this book being turned into a movie. These aren’t good aliens, they control human minds so that they could take over the earth for its resources. I disliked them right away. In this book the Aliens are called Others. I find that trust is a major theme in this book. Do you trust yourself and your own gut, or do you trust what the ones in charge...more One word comes to mind when I read this book; “Wow”. I have never read a alien book quite like this before, and it was different and exciting. I can see this book being turned into a movie. These aren’t good aliens, they control human minds so that they could take over the earth for its resources. I disliked them right away. In this book the Aliens are called Others. I find that trust is a major theme in this book. Do you trust yourself and your own gut, or do you trust what the ones in charge are telling you?

The book takes place in Connecticut. Our main character, Althea, is living with the Morgans for the autumn season. The Morgans believe that Althea is their daughter. That's interesting, because every season (except for summer) she travels to different cities. Does she have a family for each season, and how does she convince them that she's their daughter?

The plot centers around Althea and how her life has always been a lie. She has to hide her true thoughts from everyone, and doesn't trust anyone because a note she found in a necklace told her not to. Then she meets Lucas at the cell (cells are like schools, but changed when the Others arrived on earth) they both attend, everything changes. She wants to trust him and believe him, but she can’t fully trust him because she lived without trusting someone for so long. When Wardens arrive, they begin to trust each other more. Wardens are Others who watch out for anyone who isn't under the Other mind control. Their arrival leads Althea and Lucas to come together and learn to trust each other, so that they can find out why they are different from everyone. As the truth slowly starts to unfold, they learn that they have powers most humans do not and that they are in danger.

Althea is a great character. She has a strong personality, but when it comes to the Others she’s scared. She also doesn’t trust anyone, even when it came to Lucas. She wants to believe that Lucas is someone she can trust. It’s not until later when the Wardens come that they began to talk. Slowly she starts to let down her guard around Lucas, trusting him and even falling for the boy with golden hair and blue eyes. They do everything to find out what the Others want with them, who and what they are, and how they came to be something the Others can’t control.

Lucas is a great guy. At first he’s careful around Althea, but after a while of talking to her he learns that he could trust her. He does what he can to protect Althea, and shows his strength even when he is hurt in the process.(less)

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Aug 17, 2012 Jeannette rated it 3 of 5 stars

I didn't read the synopsis of this book before I read it. I just opened it and started reading. I'm glad I did. I'm not really big on alien books so it was nice to find myself out of my comfort zone and into a book I might not have picked up in other circumstances. I was intrigued from the first page. I wanted to know who Althea was and why her life was so mixed up. I was scared for her through the whole book. Actually the whole book spooked me a little; in a good way. How freaked out would you...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Lorena rated it 5 of 5 stars

"In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots.

Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone.

The autumn she meets Lucas, everything changes. " Ama...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Kelsey Meyers rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off, I have to say that Trisha Leigh is a gifted writer. Her ability to play on words is not something you see all the time. Whispers in Autumn is an amazing book and it has basically no faults. I think the only bad thing I can say about the book, is the author jumps into the story immediately. She kind of expects you to know some things beforehand. You eventually figure it out and get comfortable with it after about 20 pages, but at first you feel as if you may have a copy missing the fir...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Apzmarshl rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love dystopian fiction and I loved this book. It's another blissful world of stupidity for the future human race, but this time there are aliens. I wouldn't really go as far as to call this sci-fi, mostly because I think I don't like sci-fi.

Althea lives in a world where emotions are kept to a minimum. But Althea doesn't go around with a perma grin plastered to her face. She has emotions. She knows she is different. And unlike the other kids her age, she travels with the seasons. Oddly, each f...more

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Dec 15, 2012 Sophie Sansregret rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful debut novel for this YA (Young Adult) Author. I say this as a NOT young person. Just an adult. I'm old. Very old. Despite this infirmity I thoroughly enjoyed this well thought out narrative. And despite (or because of) the story's tension I felt young again, reliving my first kiss, remembering how it was to be misunderstood, invisible, anxious. Wondering about my identity. Thrilled to break a few rules. I am a firm believer that YA can be for any age and Ms Leigh has proved me r...more What a wonderful debut novel for this YA (Young Adult) Author. I say this as a NOT young person. Just an adult. I'm old. Very old. Despite this infirmity I thoroughly enjoyed this well thought out narrative. And despite (or because of) the story's tension I felt young again, reliving my first kiss, remembering how it was to be misunderstood, invisible, anxious. Wondering about my identity. Thrilled to break a few rules. I am a firm believer that YA can be for any age and Ms Leigh has proved me right.

This is a slightly futurist book. It's 2015. Things are eerily close to what they are today, if you take a step back. Schools called "Cells". That makes sense to me. Who didn't (or doesn't still) see school as a prison? An institution reeking of conformity and control, paying lip service to individuality, uniqueness, difference. I read the beginning of this fine novel and determined that despite its overtones of SF and future, it's painfully topical.

But let me clarify, this is not some simple angst-ridden whinge. I loathe that "woe is me" "no one understands me and who I really am" Emo garbage. I just want to be clear. This is not that book.

Althea is wonderfully complex and comes slowly to her rebellion. This hesitancy and resistance on her part enriches her character. She is not certain whom to trust. Neither are we. This story might seem straightforward at first, but it twists. Lucas, like Althea, is special. Of course they meet. Of course they bond. But this is not trite. Lucas is charming, endearing. The novel is rich in smells and colours. Variously lush and antiseptic, visually.

The parents, the students. All the mind-controlled members of the society at first seem a bit too Stepford but that reflects more, as we come to see, Althea's own isolation (somewhat self-imposed, but not, as we find out, entirely so). As she changes, interacts, we see ruptures in the fine world offered by the Others. At first the Others present themselves as benevolent visitors. We soon know better. Barbaric, controlling, wallowing in one of the ultimate power schemes: unverifiable source of power and information. The Others are rarely seen. Access is limited, and dangerous. This story, insofar as it can be read metaphorically, rings true in our day and age. In fact, it works too well as a metaphor for our current lives and our own near-futures. Our brainwashing takes place at a different level than that of the characters. But it exists.

For those who like their paranormal, we have magic, elements. Aliens. A bit of quantum physics. Suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride.

But enough. This story is grander than mere socio-political commentary and we are left hanging, vividly and desperately, by the end. The narrative is rich in imagery, sensuality (or more often, the lack of sensuality). A deep, filmic, and well-written novel which makes me look forward to the next installment which is already available: Winter Omens.(less)

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Mar 22, 2013 Eisley Jacobs rated it 5 of 5 stars

Trisha Leigh's writing style is like none I've ever seen in my years of reading. She paints pictures with flawless ease and her stories are deep and well thought out. I had the honor of reading Whispers in Autumn before it was published and I absolutely loved it then. It was pristine and complete! And when I bought it (paperback and kindle versions) I've read it again.

This face paced world of Althea's starts off with a gasp and continues. You feel her fear and her pain... and her love. You run...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Mercy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-distopian, free-kindle

In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots.

Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone.

Then she meets Lucas, everything changes.

Althea and L...more

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