Book Review #3: It Started With A Whisper by A.W. Hartoin
Wishes are powerful things, if you belong to the MacClarity clan. You can ask Ernest for anything and he’ll make it come true, even though he’s been dead for nearly a hundred years. Puppy MacClarity doesn’t take the rumors about Ernest too seriously. But when he’s had enough of his teacher’s harassment, Puppy asks Ernest to take care of Miss Pritchett for him. Ernest does and family secrets start to surface like magic. During a summer filled with both fear and fun, Puppy begins to realize that Ernest isn’t the only special thing about his family, and their oddities aren’t just skin deep. Too bad he didn’t know sooner.
I began reading this novel back in June and was instantly gripped by the characters and plot. It Started With A Whisper is a fantastic YA book about a boy named Puppy and his very weird family.
Puppy has had a horrible year at school with his teacher ‘bitch’ Pritchett. Puppy’s family – the MacClarity’s – always turn to their ancestor Ernest in times of need, and that’s just what Puppy did. He wanted Ernest to take care of his teacher. When the family goes to Camp for the summer strange things start to happen. Puppy discovers a strange, dangerous man on Ernest’s land and his fun-filled summer turns into a scary nightmare.
There were so many characters in this book with big personalities it was a little hard to keep track of them at times. Although the book is long – 900+ pages – I was never bored. The plot moved along at a good pace. There are strange ravens, a vengeful llama, magic and mystery – everything that makes a good book great. There’s a great twist at the end too. I was left with a very satisfied feeling once finished. Would definitely recommend this novel to others.
My rating : 4 stars.

