The Whispers

The Beautiful Dead #4

by Daryl Banner

This book can be read as a standalone. Although reading the Beautiful Dead Trilogy would enrich your experience, it is not required.

Synopsis: Jennifer needs to know the truth about the Beautiful Dead. Do they really exist, or is it all a lie?

She faces punishment from the university if she pursues her forbidden Undeadly studies - but she could also change the world. One reckless decision (that may or may not be totally illegal) sends Jennifer and her friends embarking on an adventure of a deathtime to find the truth at last.

She did not expect, however, to discover the fate of all humanity resting in her little Living hands.

Genres: Zombies, Fantasy, Horror, Dystopia

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

Daryl Banner is a USA Today Bestselling author, composer, and performer. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston Honors College with a degree in Theatre and Psychology. He is happily married to his piano. Theory suggests this is why he writes romance.

During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.

Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...

Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...

Like him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerW...

Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryl...

Fun facts about Daryl Banner:

- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.

- He is a huge video game enthusiast.

- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.

- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner

- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com

Reviews

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5 Oh How I Missed This Series Stars*****

How the heck did this book get by me when I have been such a big fan of The Beautiful Dead series?

I was so excited to start this book and immediately remembered all of the 3 books of the trilogy...and trust me...that NEVER happens. I'm always going back and having to read the prior books again to jog my memory. That shows how much this series impacted me.

And again, Mr Banner rips my heart out with that ending and now has me anticipating when Jennifer and Corpsey's story is going to continue. I want more of these characters and to find out who Corpsey's sister is.

I really hope, Mr Banner, that you are plugging away with the next book in this series and will remember me if you need a review!

[Toni FGMAMTC · Rating 5 out of 5]

FGMAMTC Blog Review + Teaser

I am in love with this world the author has created. I like zompoc books, but he takes everything in a completely unique direction. As stated in the blurb, you don't have to read The Beautiful Dead trilogy in order to understand and like The Whispers, but if you have read it, you will gain more from and love this new story. There are so many bits with significance. They’re like easter eggs for BD fans.

As usual, I never knew what would happen next in the beautiful dead world. I'm so excited for this new adventure. I have these ideas and questions. Some of the characters are changed so much, and yet, they feel the same. Some characters are complete 180's from when we first met them.

I just finished reading this so my mind is still reeling. I definitely need some digestion time and a reread. Every page is filled with important information.
I absolutely recommend The Whispers.

***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Google+ / Pinterest / Goodreads / Tumblr / tsū / Bloglovin'

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

The Beautiful Dead series has quickly become a top favorite. When friends ask for book recommendations this series is always the first to come out of my mouth. Daryl Banner has created something very special in these books. He has such a unique voice and an amazing ability to create extraordinary worlds through his descriptive language.

At the conclusion of Almost Alive (The Beautiful Dead, #3) I thought the series was over. The ending was amazing; perfect even - exactly what it should have been. I loved the series and it's characters. I was sad it was over but also reservedly happy knowing Daryl left room for the opportunity of more. So needless to say I am thrilled that we got the more I wanted in The Whispers.

Well written with elements of humor, excitement and intrigue The Whispers picks up where the epilogue of Almost Alive ended. (Although you don’t need to read the entire Beautiful Dead series before this book, I highly recommend that you do, as it will only add to your reading experience).

Not wanting to rehash the book synopsis which you can clearly read above and not wanting to go into specifics of the story for fear of giving anything away just know that The Whispers really is an adventure. It is the exciting start to an entire new story yet still brings in elements of the first three books that will keep you hooked to every page.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. It was all there, everything I wanted. Now I just need to find it in me to wait patiently for the next book in the series :)

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is absolutely nothing I can say about this book that would not give away too much and spoil the surprises for all the readers who have not yet had the pleasure...suffice it to say that Daryl has done it again. He created that magical, poetic vibe and has taken us on a wild adventure to a place where the "dead" tragically co-exist with the living but in a more "contemporary" type of setting.
If you read and loved The Beautiful Dead series, you will want to read this newest creation and just smile, as you re-live his crazy world in all its "undead" glory and gore.

***** 5 ***** "go to the Whispers if you dare" stars

[Maryann Paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ I received an arc in exchange for an honest review ☆

I highly recommend reading The Beautiful Dead trilogy before this, mainly because it's flipping incredible, but it also will give a better idea of what's going on in The Whispers. I'm a huge fan of Daryl's writing style and his stories always leave me satisfied. This one exceeded my expectations! I loved the trilogy and was so happy when he announced this book!

Jennifer is a student at the University. She studies the Histories and Mythologies and is completely fascinated by the Beautiful Dead. When her professor tells her she needs to leave the so-called beautiful dead out of her dissertation, she is furious. How could he let her take her studies so far just to shut her down? After telling her roommates about what happened, she comes up with a crazy idea. Springing it on John and Marianne, her roommates, at the last second, they decide to follow.

They are stealing a hovercraft from the University and traveling to the Sunless Reach. The place of the undead, or so the Histories say. Jennifer has to prove to her professor and everyone else that they do still exist. She realizes too late that she may have just made the biggest mistake of her life and is dragging her friends along for the ride. Can they survive long enough to get proof of the living dead's existence and get home? Or will it be the last thing they ever do?

Story flows amazingly well and paints a vivid picture in your head. I loved how it drew me in and nothing else mattered at that moment. That's what reading is all about for me. Highly recommend this and the Beautiful Dead trilogy!

[Alex Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Whispers is a fantastic continuation of The Beautiful Dead. You can absolutely read this without having read TBD trilogy first and still enjoy it immensely, but it was so much fun recognizing the significance of people and places throughout the story. I imagine you can get the same thrill if you read this and then discover them in the TBD trilogy after, so either way works.

If you HAVE read TBD already then you already know you're in for an epic undead treat, and I promise, you will not be disappointed.

[Claire Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can. Not. Wait!

[JC82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this story. If you have read the Beautiful Dead trilogy then you already know the exquisite storytelling skills that Daryl Banner possesses and you are already familiar with the amazing, unique story that is the Beautiful Dead itself. Now if you haven't read the trilogy don't worry because you can still enjoy The Whispers in all its magnificence. I will advise however that if you enjoy this story that you do pick up the trilogy because it will make you appreciate The Whispers that much more.

I don't want to get into too much detail about the plot as I don't want to take away all the joy of discovering the immensity of this story so I will keep it brief. Our lead Jennifer Steel is a student at a university where she is studying the mythos of the Beautiful Dead, her hunger and desire for the truth takes her on an adventure that will change the course of life and death as we know it. It will bring her face to face with what she has spent a lifetime learning and studying about. Along with a few of her closest friends and the love of her life, she embarks on a journey based on a risky impulse that leads her to a world where the undead live and its that path that plunges us back into that enchanting and mysterious world that Banner introduced to us in the Beautiful Dead trilogy.

I was so happy to see that Banner was building a new world based on the Beautiful Dead trilogy as I was so sad when the original story ended. I completely devoured this new adventure in one sitting. I was engulfed in the complexities of the characters and enraptured by the intricacies and details that represented so many things that I had come to know, love and cherish from the original trilogy. I still embraced the mystery of the Undead just as I did the first time and it still left me in awe. I cannot wait to see what Banner has in store for the next book in this series and what new characters, magic, love, life and death we will get to experience.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Beautiful dead trilogy and I was sad when the third book came to an end I hoped that I would be graced by an addition to the trilogy and be able to rejoin winter and her friends and now that this book as come to a close I am once again said and hoping they will return with more tales of their adventures....I am well aware it can't go on forever but would it really be so bad if it did.....❤

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhh. I turn and it's the last page! Nooooooooooo. I can’t get enough of the Beautiful Dead. Amina. Amina. Amina… I need more of Jennifer and John, this can’t be the end.

[Declarations of a Fangirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find this review and more like it on my blog, Declarations of a Fangirl.

*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

I don't even know where to start with this book. It's a blessing and a curse all wrapped up in one lovely package. I was so excited to get my hands on this book. I most definitely was not ready to say goodbye to Winter & Co., so when the chance to get an ARC was presented to me, I pounced on it right away. That being said, I think I went into this one with my hopes up just a little bit too high. But let me explain!



I was hoping for more backstory on how the Undead came to be and I was hoping for more glimpses of Winter and John even though I knew they literally blew away in a cloud of glorious undead dust at the end of Almost Alive. I clung to the false hope that maybe Jennifer or John (come on, his name is John!) would have some confusing dreams about Winter and John (which has yet to be confirmed that they are, in fact, Winter and John reincarnated, but I'm going to assume/hope/pray/beg that they are). It just felt like something was missing for me. I think it's because I'm still so attached to Winter and John. And this is my fault.



Now that we've gotten the hard part out of the way, let me tell you that The Whispers will draw you in just like The Beautiful Dead trilogy. You don't have to read The Beautiful Dead trilogy to understand what is going on in The Whispers, but ohhhhh I highly recommend it. Trust me. You will get so much more out it if you do.



Having read The Beautiful Dead trilogy already, this book made me so nostalgic for that world. I loved all of the little nods to the trilogy throughout the story. I was so eager to breeze through the book and see what would happen that I'm sure I missed a lot of the references. It was like finding little Easter eggs. I'm going to have to do a reread, take my time, and make a list...but first I'm going to have to reread The Beautiful Dead trilogy so that all of its wonders are fresh in my mind.



The Whispers completely whetted my appetite for more stories in this world. I have several conspiracy theories about why Jennifer wasn't allowed to further her research on The Beautiful Dead and present all of her truthful findings. I have theories about just who Professor Praun and President Vale really are. I just have so many theories and questions, and the book was only about 200 pages, which wasn't nearly enough. I'll never have enough of this world.

[Victoria Stolte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was anxiously awaiting more of the beautiful dead and Daryl did not disappoint me. I was left craving more of this series at the end of the trilogy and couldn't wait to read this one. We pick up where we left off and I was delighted in the way that the story started, it is hard to say 2 much with out giving stuff away, but I will tell you that the story line was intriguing and left me wondering how it would end at the end. Jen wanting to prove to the world that the beautiful dead exist embarks on a thrilling adventure and but what she finds when she gets there remains to be seen. Can she prove her theory to the world? Or will it all just be whispers in the end?

[Steph Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness

Great read! So glad this was written to satisfy my never ending craving for the beautiful dead. Haunting and exciting, it was awesome to tie in some things from the series to this "adventure". Awesome as always!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Companion Novel

The Whispers is a companion novel to the original series, that tells the story of Jennifer's quest to find out the truth about the Beautiful Dead.

Together with her best friend Mari and her lover John, Jennifer travels to the Sunless Reach. Here she finds out that the creatures of myth, truly exist. And that she may have a big part to play in the future of the inhabitants there.

But, before she can find out the entire truth, the group is whisked back into their world and forced to deny that the Beautiful Dead existed.

Will the 3 friends be able to keep their secrets?

This book was full of new surprises and revelations. An interesting journey back into the world of the Living Dead, with a group of new characters that are reminiscent of some of our original favorite characters.

Overall an enjoyable read and highly recommended.

[Ramona Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whispers is a well written book by Daryl Banner. I guess after writing the trilogy, the author couldn't stop writing about his Beautiful Dead, and he had to find a way to go back to them, and in this book he found an interesting way to do so. The plot was well thought through and executed. The pace of this book was the best of this "series" since this one didn't really belong to the trilogy but it belongs to it, sort of. It piggy backs on the Beautiful Dead and makes you wonder on the "what ifs".

Jennifer is an interesting character and you wonder how she relates to the Beautiful Dead and if the author is trying to open a new door with this book to continue the story, and if so, how can he do that. This series has been an interesting read and I am always curious to see what this author comes up with since most of the time I really enjoy his writings, so we will see what he will write next!

[reneeNaDaCherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Whispers (A New BEAUTIFUL DEAD Adventure (THE Beautiful Dead, #4)

Winter reborn as a Living Jennifer Steele. Does The Undead live amongst us here? The End. Definitely a 5***** rating!

[Bekah the Awesome · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've absolutely loved this series, and this book was not at all an exception. However, if you're hoping for something that answers all of your questions about the beautiful dead and doesn't leave you begging for more, you're going to be incredibly disappointed.

So I guess what I'm saying is: HEY DARYL!!!! I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED MOAR. Pretty, pretty, preeeeeeeeeetty please. KTHX.

[Sarah Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord I love his writing. I would not suggest anyone read this without having read the first Triology. It can be read as a standalone but as a whole it will make more sense if you read the first 3 books. I found the book a little on the short side, from memory the first 3 were quite long. Anyway 4.25 stars