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The Gateway Chronicles #6
The Bone Whistle
Darcy burned with the pain of knowing she’d failed. What happened when a prophecy didn’t come true? It must not have been much of a prophecy in the first place. And if they couldn’t trust in that, then they couldn’t trust in anything at all.
Thrust back into Alitheia through unexpected means, Darcy winds up alone, scared, and without her recent memory. As she struggles to reunite with the ones she loves, she pieces together the prophecies and the oracles to find they all converge into one story — a story that tells her just how much she’ll have to give to save both worlds, and everyone she loves.
Pursued through Alitheia by forces desperate to kill them, Darcy and her friends take a journey fraught with danger that will lead them, inevitably, to the final confrontation with the Shadow. And, ultimately, the greatest courage of all belongs not to those who give something of themselves, but to those who let go of what they could never control.
Thrust back into Alitheia through unexpected means, Darcy winds up alone, scared, and without her recent memory. As she struggles to reunite with the ones she loves, she pieces together the prophecies and the oracles to find they all converge into one story — a story that tells her just how much she’ll have to give to save both worlds, and everyone she loves.
Pursued through Alitheia by forces desperate to kill them, Darcy and her friends take a journey fraught with danger that will lead them, inevitably, to the final confrontation with the Shadow. And, ultimately, the greatest courage of all belongs not to those who give something of themselves, but to those who let go of what they could never control.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2014
17 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
K.B. Hoyle
16 books260 followersK. B. Hoyle’s love of good stories began when she stepped through a wardrobe at age six, and she never looked back. She is the multiple award-winning Young Adult author of THE GATEWAY CHRONICLES fantasy series, THE BREEDER CYCLE dystopian series, The Fairytale Collection, and more.
In addition to her many novels, K. B. Hoyle is the co-founder and CEO of Owl's Nest Publishers, an independent press specializing in books that capture the imagination of adolescents. She is also a sought-after voice in the areas of storytelling and culture, and she has contributed articles and essays to a variety of publications. Her speaking resume includes keynote addresses, leading writing workshops, and international experience as a featured panelist at the 2013 Sydney Writers' Festival.
K. B. Hoyle stays busy at her home in Wisconsin on a winding creek with her husband, their four sons, and the variety of wildlife that frequent their land.
For more information on K. B. Hoyle, visit her website at kbhoyle.com or find her around social media at @kbhoyle.author on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Email her at author@kbhoyle.com.
In addition to her many novels, K. B. Hoyle is the co-founder and CEO of Owl's Nest Publishers, an independent press specializing in books that capture the imagination of adolescents. She is also a sought-after voice in the areas of storytelling and culture, and she has contributed articles and essays to a variety of publications. Her speaking resume includes keynote addresses, leading writing workshops, and international experience as a featured panelist at the 2013 Sydney Writers' Festival.
K. B. Hoyle stays busy at her home in Wisconsin on a winding creek with her husband, their four sons, and the variety of wildlife that frequent their land.
For more information on K. B. Hoyle, visit her website at kbhoyle.com or find her around social media at @kbhoyle.author on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Email her at author@kbhoyle.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 5, 2025
What a finale to The Gateway Chronicles! I was in suspense from the first pages of The Bone Whistle and could not stop turning them! The character development among "the Six" and the whole supporting cast crescendoed beautifully in this book. I reveled in watching Darcy and Tellius grow into the heroic and supportive partnership they are, and seeing Darcy truly settled into her role of a wise, trustworthy leader was a joy. Otherwise, Yahto Veli and Sam probably remain my favorites, and I developed soft spots for Dean and Talutah Shani in this one as well.
Overall, I was amazed at the richness of world building, symbolism, and story arc that came into focus on this final journey to Alitheia. There were times throughout the previous books that I wondered if Darcy and her friends were really moving forward in their ultimate mission in Alitheia, much like the characters themselves also often questioned if they were fulfilling their purpose. But in this grand finale, K.B. Hoyle shows what an intentional master storyteller she is as she slowly ties together threads from every book to reveal the beautiful, golden, Alitheian tapestry she'd been weaving all along, and its shining patterns of loyalty, courage, sacrifice, love, and honor are beautiful to behold.
"The enchantment bound by death is broken by life." ❤️😭
Overall, I was amazed at the richness of world building, symbolism, and story arc that came into focus on this final journey to Alitheia. There were times throughout the previous books that I wondered if Darcy and her friends were really moving forward in their ultimate mission in Alitheia, much like the characters themselves also often questioned if they were fulfilling their purpose. But in this grand finale, K.B. Hoyle shows what an intentional master storyteller she is as she slowly ties together threads from every book to reveal the beautiful, golden, Alitheian tapestry she'd been weaving all along, and its shining patterns of loyalty, courage, sacrifice, love, and honor are beautiful to behold.
"The enchantment bound by death is broken by life." ❤️😭
August 12, 2025
Okay, so this series has been one of my favorites for YEARS now and every time I read it I love it even more! I could probably rant about it for hours but I’ll try my best to keep it simple.
To start, ITS CLEAN!! I say this as a person who is very picky about the content in my books. There is no spice/explicit scenes or language :)
EVERYTHING about this series is the best,
The PLOT? AMAZING. and SO well written! It grips you until the end (even if it is your 10th time reading it…) and I absolutely love the Biblical themes that are evident but NOT in your face or preachy!
The CHARACTERS?? WONDERFUL!! And very realistic!! I have so much to say about these characters but it would require spoilers so I will stick to saying this: They only get better throughout the series and you can’t help but love them all (Though I love some more than others)
The BAD GUY? very good! I don’t like him, but I love how he is portrayed as something that appears beautiful and tempting and not ugly and repelling as some stories are written! It gives a much more realistic view of how evil will try to tempt you!
The ENDING? Made. Me. Cry. (in a good way) it is so so good and I love the epilogue! It tied up the ending so beautifully <3
Anyways, you should definitely go read this series if you haven’t yet because it’s worth it!!
To start, ITS CLEAN!! I say this as a person who is very picky about the content in my books. There is no spice/explicit scenes or language :)
EVERYTHING about this series is the best,
The PLOT? AMAZING. and SO well written! It grips you until the end (even if it is your 10th time reading it…) and I absolutely love the Biblical themes that are evident but NOT in your face or preachy!
The CHARACTERS?? WONDERFUL!! And very realistic!! I have so much to say about these characters but it would require spoilers so I will stick to saying this: They only get better throughout the series and you can’t help but love them all (Though I love some more than others)
The BAD GUY? very good! I don’t like him, but I love how he is portrayed as something that appears beautiful and tempting and not ugly and repelling as some stories are written! It gives a much more realistic view of how evil will try to tempt you!
The ENDING? Made. Me. Cry. (in a good way) it is so so good and I love the epilogue! It tied up the ending so beautifully <3
Anyways, you should definitely go read this series if you haven’t yet because it’s worth it!!
September 18, 2014
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!! 9/18/2014
I and my 18 y/o daughter anxiously awaited The Bone Whistle, the conclusion to the Gateway Chronicles. We each read on a kindle, discussing as we went along. She would hear my gasp and would tell me to wait until she caught up. It was a very enjoyable day of reading.
I have to say, Ms. Hoyle has to have a white board somewhere in her writing room. With notes from each book, with connecting arrows going from book to book...to the final showdown. My daughter and I were both amazed that little threads and bits of information from the previous six books all came together seamlessly in this final one. My daughter had just read the other five in the two weeks leading up to getting our hands on this one. She kept pointing out details from earlier in the series that made such sense in this final offering.
Well done, Ms. Hoyle!
I don't want to give away any spoilers here. You really need to make the discoveries at your own pace. I will suggest you set aside several hours so that you can just read right through to the end. Oh, and keep a box of tissues close at hand...and snacks! Better to chew crackers than your fingernails.
I loved this line: "Darcy's married, we're all twenty-two-year olds stuck in seventeen-year-old bodies..." That was a great way to sum up the years that The Six have lived in two worlds. They've lived each year over while everyone in Alitheia only lives the year once.
The book starts with Roger becoming my new hero. He's "only" Darcy's brother, but he's a hero, none-the-less. When Darcy finally arrives in Alitheia (did any reader really think she wouldn't? Even with that mean cliffie that Ms. Hoyle wrote at the end of The Scroll? Yeah, me either!) she's confused and wondering how it all came about. Once things start to fall into place, this book is one long roller coaster of action, adventure, twists and turns. Oh, and tears.
The Six have grown so much. They were 13 year old kids when the series started, and they've now grown into responsible young adults. Ms. Hoyle has written each of them beautifully. I love how mature they've become, while still able to be just a bit silly.
There really isn't a way to tell what happens here without spilling the beans. You really need to read the series yourself. I truly believe The Gateway Chronicles is the next YA series that should be on every reader and in every library. Oh, and I'd love to see it as a movie! In fact, a LOT of movies.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Read the series. I think you'll love it.
and yes, I'm adding another rating... ;)
*Thank you, TWCS and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read The Bone Whistle
I and my 18 y/o daughter anxiously awaited The Bone Whistle, the conclusion to the Gateway Chronicles. We each read on a kindle, discussing as we went along. She would hear my gasp and would tell me to wait until she caught up. It was a very enjoyable day of reading.
I have to say, Ms. Hoyle has to have a white board somewhere in her writing room. With notes from each book, with connecting arrows going from book to book...to the final showdown. My daughter and I were both amazed that little threads and bits of information from the previous six books all came together seamlessly in this final one. My daughter had just read the other five in the two weeks leading up to getting our hands on this one. She kept pointing out details from earlier in the series that made such sense in this final offering.
Well done, Ms. Hoyle!
I don't want to give away any spoilers here. You really need to make the discoveries at your own pace. I will suggest you set aside several hours so that you can just read right through to the end. Oh, and keep a box of tissues close at hand...and snacks! Better to chew crackers than your fingernails.
I loved this line: "Darcy's married, we're all twenty-two-year olds stuck in seventeen-year-old bodies..." That was a great way to sum up the years that The Six have lived in two worlds. They've lived each year over while everyone in Alitheia only lives the year once.
The book starts with Roger becoming my new hero. He's "only" Darcy's brother, but he's a hero, none-the-less. When Darcy finally arrives in Alitheia (did any reader really think she wouldn't? Even with that mean cliffie that Ms. Hoyle wrote at the end of The Scroll? Yeah, me either!) she's confused and wondering how it all came about. Once things start to fall into place, this book is one long roller coaster of action, adventure, twists and turns. Oh, and tears.
The Six have grown so much. They were 13 year old kids when the series started, and they've now grown into responsible young adults. Ms. Hoyle has written each of them beautifully. I love how mature they've become, while still able to be just a bit silly.
There really isn't a way to tell what happens here without spilling the beans. You really need to read the series yourself. I truly believe The Gateway Chronicles is the next YA series that should be on every reader and in every library. Oh, and I'd love to see it as a movie! In fact, a LOT of movies.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Read the series. I think you'll love it.
and yes, I'm adding another rating... ;)
*Thank you, TWCS and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read The Bone Whistle
October 22, 2014
I've been waiting to write a review until I finished reading the final book in The Gateway Chronicles. And now I have! Fantasy, Adventure, Friendship, Romance - The Gateway Chronicles has it all. Six teenagers attend a summer family camp and find themselves transported to a parallel world, Alitheia. There, they find the world filled with every fantastical creature you'd expect to see in a fantasy novel: fairies, dragons, gnomes, and (my personal favorite) Narks (Hoyle's spin on Elves). When the six friends arrive in Alitheia they discover that they are the answer to an old prophesy stating that they will save the land from the Shadow that has taken power.
Sometimes I don't like stating the premise because it sounds just like Narnia. But while Hoyle may have been inspired by Narnia (And why not? Narnia is wonderful!), the premise is not a summation of the books. I assure you, this is its own story.
Having grown up going to the real "Cedar Cove," if someone told me that they had found another world there, I would say to them, "of COURSE you did!" It's that kind of place. And I loved seeing that other world imagined and coming to life through Hoyle's imagination.
The series, from start to finish was a stunning achievement. I was so impressed with the character development, especially of our protagonist, Darcy Pennington. Truth be told, Darcy is not very likable in the first book, sullen and ungenerous in her attitude and assumptions, she is every bit the quintessential teenager. But by book 6 she has grown into a wise, thoughtful, and loyal woman, worthy of ruling the kingdom she was destined to save. The overarching plot was masterful. You find out things in the last book about all the other books you read and are able to see how everything ties together, things you had no idea would again come into play. Very well done.
There were a lot of bits and pieces to tie up at the end, and Hoyle does so with aplomb. I had no idea how she was going to make the ending work - which had less to do with tying up loose ends, and more to do with worrying that it would just be too bitter a pill to swallow. But, she manages to make the ending bittersweet, but mostly sweet, and I found myself teary, and happy, and glad that I had the chance to know each character.
Please do yourself a favor and read these books!
Sometimes I don't like stating the premise because it sounds just like Narnia. But while Hoyle may have been inspired by Narnia (And why not? Narnia is wonderful!), the premise is not a summation of the books. I assure you, this is its own story.
Having grown up going to the real "Cedar Cove," if someone told me that they had found another world there, I would say to them, "of COURSE you did!" It's that kind of place. And I loved seeing that other world imagined and coming to life through Hoyle's imagination.
The series, from start to finish was a stunning achievement. I was so impressed with the character development, especially of our protagonist, Darcy Pennington. Truth be told, Darcy is not very likable in the first book, sullen and ungenerous in her attitude and assumptions, she is every bit the quintessential teenager. But by book 6 she has grown into a wise, thoughtful, and loyal woman, worthy of ruling the kingdom she was destined to save. The overarching plot was masterful. You find out things in the last book about all the other books you read and are able to see how everything ties together, things you had no idea would again come into play. Very well done.
There were a lot of bits and pieces to tie up at the end, and Hoyle does so with aplomb. I had no idea how she was going to make the ending work - which had less to do with tying up loose ends, and more to do with worrying that it would just be too bitter a pill to swallow. But, she manages to make the ending bittersweet, but mostly sweet, and I found myself teary, and happy, and glad that I had the chance to know each character.
Please do yourself a favor and read these books!
July 8, 2014
I really enjoyed this series from the opening pages of THE SIX, where we meet 13 year old, solipsistic, angst-ridden Darcy, through to the final pages of THE BONE WHISTLE where we leave her behind, matured and likely as grown as she will ever be.
Author K.B. Hoyle has taken us on a high-fantasy adventure through THE GATEWAY CHRONICLES to an alternate reality replete with dryads, gnomes, narks, alchemists, princes and displaced humanity. We have journeyed to visit Oracles, encountered foul beasts and evil plots. We have sailed seas urged on by living winds and quested towards magic. Hearts have been broken and loved ones lost - families rent asunder and new lives begun.
Through it all, six contemporary friends have grown, matured, lived, laughed and loved, while seeking to rescue Alitheia, a land of elemental magic, from the Tselloch - destroyer of worlds.
In THE BONE WHISTLE, Darcy, cracked and battered by her return to our world, struggles to maintain her sanity in a reality she no longer believes in. Forced to leave her home in Alitheia by the annual cycle of her visits through the gateway joining her two worlds, she struggles to find her equilibrium. Marked by her experiences in Alitheia, Darcy no longer truly belongs. Regarded as unsound by her concerned family, she struggles to remain convincing in her 'real life'. However, while she cannot maintain her place in contemporary human society, neither can she return to her husband or her kingdom in Alitheia, until her earthly year has passed again and the gateway reopens. Darcy is stuck between two worlds.
THE BONE WHISTLE tells the story of Darcy's return to Alitheia and the sacrifices she must make to redeem it.
I cannot praise this novel enough. It is a fitting end to an excellent series. Well done K. B. Hoyle. Your stories remain as true to their world-building as do the works of J.K Rowling and J.R.R Tolkien. Thank you for sharing Darcy's tale with the world.
Author K.B. Hoyle has taken us on a high-fantasy adventure through THE GATEWAY CHRONICLES to an alternate reality replete with dryads, gnomes, narks, alchemists, princes and displaced humanity. We have journeyed to visit Oracles, encountered foul beasts and evil plots. We have sailed seas urged on by living winds and quested towards magic. Hearts have been broken and loved ones lost - families rent asunder and new lives begun.
Through it all, six contemporary friends have grown, matured, lived, laughed and loved, while seeking to rescue Alitheia, a land of elemental magic, from the Tselloch - destroyer of worlds.
In THE BONE WHISTLE, Darcy, cracked and battered by her return to our world, struggles to maintain her sanity in a reality she no longer believes in. Forced to leave her home in Alitheia by the annual cycle of her visits through the gateway joining her two worlds, she struggles to find her equilibrium. Marked by her experiences in Alitheia, Darcy no longer truly belongs. Regarded as unsound by her concerned family, she struggles to remain convincing in her 'real life'. However, while she cannot maintain her place in contemporary human society, neither can she return to her husband or her kingdom in Alitheia, until her earthly year has passed again and the gateway reopens. Darcy is stuck between two worlds.
THE BONE WHISTLE tells the story of Darcy's return to Alitheia and the sacrifices she must make to redeem it.
I cannot praise this novel enough. It is a fitting end to an excellent series. Well done K. B. Hoyle. Your stories remain as true to their world-building as do the works of J.K Rowling and J.R.R Tolkien. Thank you for sharing Darcy's tale with the world.
December 18, 2024
This has probably been one of my favorite book series I have ever read. It’s a great fantasy, and always a great next read. I highly HIGHLY recommend these books💗
August 23, 2023
The ending of this was a little weird, but it also tied everything together pretty well. Tellius is amazing, and Darcy’s character development was so much better in this book.
September 16, 2014
I’ve been looking forward to reading this final book in the Gateway Chronicles series for such a long time now, and wow, it was every bit the epic ending I had been hoping for.
Prophecy within prophecies: The convoluted tale of the Six companions started five years ago when Darcy and her friends stumbled through a gateway between worlds and were transported from Cedar Cove campsite to the world of Alitheia. Since then they’ve lived through five years in each world, saved each other countless times, learned all about their abilities and have certainly done a lot of growing up. Now it’s time for the final showdown with Tselloch and his forces. The fate of three worlds is in their hands.
If you’re new to this series, there are a lot of similarities to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe what with the gateways, the prophecies and the “god” figure of Pateros, but it (thankfully) feels completely different. The world of Alitheia is rich and diverse, and the characters in it are believable. The relationships between the six friends from our world and those of Alitheia are what makes this story really enjoyable. It’s one of the best middle grade series I’ve read in a while.
Its always sad when a long series comes to an end, especially one where the characters have grown up and developed so much along the way. At the start of this series, Darcy was an insufferably sullen and whiny thirteen year old, but we’ve gradually seen her develop into a strong, loving and selfless leader, while not losing her impulsiveness and sense of humour. I also love Darcy and Tellius together – they just make such a great team.
The other characters have also become more important in these later books, except perhaps for Dean, who always seems to get glossed over with events. In any case, my favourite is still Sam. Simply a lovely person, someone I’d love to have as a friend. The narks are a special part of this story too, with their dual personalities and fierce loyalty.
With the cliffhanger at the end of The Scroll, I was on tenterhooks waiting to see if KB Hoyle could pull off the epic finale I was hoping for, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed! The Bone Whistle has excellent pacing and a much darker feel to previous books, and even though I pretty much knew exactly what was coming, the ending was still very satisfying. Highly recommended for readers of teen or early YA fantasy!
This review was originally published on Tea in the Treetops review blog in September 2014.
Prophecy within prophecies: The convoluted tale of the Six companions started five years ago when Darcy and her friends stumbled through a gateway between worlds and were transported from Cedar Cove campsite to the world of Alitheia. Since then they’ve lived through five years in each world, saved each other countless times, learned all about their abilities and have certainly done a lot of growing up. Now it’s time for the final showdown with Tselloch and his forces. The fate of three worlds is in their hands.
If you’re new to this series, there are a lot of similarities to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe what with the gateways, the prophecies and the “god” figure of Pateros, but it (thankfully) feels completely different. The world of Alitheia is rich and diverse, and the characters in it are believable. The relationships between the six friends from our world and those of Alitheia are what makes this story really enjoyable. It’s one of the best middle grade series I’ve read in a while.
Its always sad when a long series comes to an end, especially one where the characters have grown up and developed so much along the way. At the start of this series, Darcy was an insufferably sullen and whiny thirteen year old, but we’ve gradually seen her develop into a strong, loving and selfless leader, while not losing her impulsiveness and sense of humour. I also love Darcy and Tellius together – they just make such a great team.
The other characters have also become more important in these later books, except perhaps for Dean, who always seems to get glossed over with events. In any case, my favourite is still Sam. Simply a lovely person, someone I’d love to have as a friend. The narks are a special part of this story too, with their dual personalities and fierce loyalty.
With the cliffhanger at the end of The Scroll, I was on tenterhooks waiting to see if KB Hoyle could pull off the epic finale I was hoping for, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed! The Bone Whistle has excellent pacing and a much darker feel to previous books, and even though I pretty much knew exactly what was coming, the ending was still very satisfying. Highly recommended for readers of teen or early YA fantasy!
This review was originally published on Tea in the Treetops review blog in September 2014.
October 27, 2023
This was exactly the epic conclusion I hoped it would be. If I could sum up in one sentence, this has the character growth and depth in teen characters like Prydain with the hopefulness and sacrifical significance of Narnia, but for our modern age.
These books are ridiculously well-written. They are page turners, yes, but there is so much real growth in the characters and the plot is tight and without those nagging holes that so often show up in books for teens. There were so many plot points to wrap up in this book and I truly had no idea how many things from the earlier books had far more significance that they first appeared. All the characters we've met along the way had a role to play in this one too.
This final book is long, but it also covers more time than the other books. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that I found that element refreshing and exciting. Sort of like how the final HP is so different in form. I remember when I got near the end of the final Wingfeather book the first time and I was realizing how things would play out and how beautiful it was. Reading the Bone Whistle left me similarly amazed. I just loved watching things unfold, and ultimately, it was even more beautifully done than I could have imagined.
I can't wait to reread these...I know that I will enjoy them even more because this time I'll get to spot all the breadcrumbs dropped for observant readers along the way.
My 12 year old son read the whole series in two weeks. I'd feel very comfortable handing these to ages 12+, and really younger readers who don't mind a good bit of peril and violence would enjoy them also, but they are truly fantastic books for teen readers.
These books are ridiculously well-written. They are page turners, yes, but there is so much real growth in the characters and the plot is tight and without those nagging holes that so often show up in books for teens. There were so many plot points to wrap up in this book and I truly had no idea how many things from the earlier books had far more significance that they first appeared. All the characters we've met along the way had a role to play in this one too.
This final book is long, but it also covers more time than the other books. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that I found that element refreshing and exciting. Sort of like how the final HP is so different in form. I remember when I got near the end of the final Wingfeather book the first time and I was realizing how things would play out and how beautiful it was. Reading the Bone Whistle left me similarly amazed. I just loved watching things unfold, and ultimately, it was even more beautifully done than I could have imagined.
I can't wait to reread these...I know that I will enjoy them even more because this time I'll get to spot all the breadcrumbs dropped for observant readers along the way.
My 12 year old son read the whole series in two weeks. I'd feel very comfortable handing these to ages 12+, and really younger readers who don't mind a good bit of peril and violence would enjoy them also, but they are truly fantastic books for teen readers.
June 3, 2019
These books were so good.
I haven’t been sucked that wholly and completely into a story in a long, long time. They were unputdownable. I’ve been having dreams about the characters - I don’t think that’s ever happened to me. I was desperate to know how it ended but dreading it being over. Basically this is what I imagine reading Harry Potter would have been like without knowing the outcome beforehand.
I’m really deeply impressed by this author’s talent and ability to weave a plot so intricately. The worlds are creative and new, with really unique creatures and magic systems. The plot piles up and up and up on itself as the books go on to the point I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to resolve all the threads she had left dangling. But she did. And brilliantly.
Other than a handful of typos and grammatical errors I found in the last couple of books (they’re self-published, I mean, come on) the writing was really good. The characters are what sells this though. I care very very deeply for each of them now and I’ve lost count of how many times I cried for them at this point.
All in all, fabulous series. It’s going on my favorites shelf for sure and I look forward to revisiting Darcy, Sam and the rest of the gang in the future.
I haven’t been sucked that wholly and completely into a story in a long, long time. They were unputdownable. I’ve been having dreams about the characters - I don’t think that’s ever happened to me. I was desperate to know how it ended but dreading it being over. Basically this is what I imagine reading Harry Potter would have been like without knowing the outcome beforehand.
I’m really deeply impressed by this author’s talent and ability to weave a plot so intricately. The worlds are creative and new, with really unique creatures and magic systems. The plot piles up and up and up on itself as the books go on to the point I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to resolve all the threads she had left dangling. But she did. And brilliantly.
Other than a handful of typos and grammatical errors I found in the last couple of books (they’re self-published, I mean, come on) the writing was really good. The characters are what sells this though. I care very very deeply for each of them now and I’ve lost count of how many times I cried for them at this point.
All in all, fabulous series. It’s going on my favorites shelf for sure and I look forward to revisiting Darcy, Sam and the rest of the gang in the future.
September 22, 2018
I recommend re-reading The Scroll before starting The Bone Whistle. I usually have my niece remind me of what happened, but she wasn't available and it took me a little while to orient myself to the story. The Bone Whistle jumps right in without much preamble and the intensity does not let up. A great ending for the series. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.
June 19, 2025
This was my 4th time reading through the whole series and it has remained my favorite since middle school. Every time I read it I notice even more Biblical parallels and I continue to think about this book series almost every day. I wish there were more to read!!!
July 24, 2024
Loved it. So good. So satisfying. It was such a beautiful ending that echoes the character and sacrifice of our God. I am already planning to reread! Though I was so irresponsible in reading EVERY free second to find out what happened, I will probably need to read it more slowly in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 11, 2014**Warning, this is a LONG review because I just couldn’t help it! I *think* I left out spoilers, but as with all reviews it is POSSIBLE that there may be something said that you did not know**
How do I even begin to express my thoughts on The Bone Whistle?!
This has been one of my favorite series of ALL TIME! I was a little skeptical at first, but that may have been because I was just beginning to get into reading books that weren’t traditionally published so it was a new experience for me… I mean a book I couldn’t purchase at my local Chapters? It made zero sense to me! (Don’t worry I have since wizened up and I am love ALL books regardless of how they are published and where they are sold)
So, let’s give this a shot shall we?
The Bone Whistle, it’s the last book in a FANTASTIC series surrounding the lives of typical teenagers who visit camp with their families each summer. When the series began they were 13, when the series ends they are in their 20s. I think the best part of this series, is that we really got to see each character grow as a person, I mean we basically lived the most formative years of a kids life with them you know?! The fact that they were immersed into a world full of magic and war, well that’s definitely going to have an effect on everyone. There were also so many unanswered questions I had after each book, so to read the final book, although bittersweet because I don’t want to say goodbye to anyone (especially my fave couple Darcy and Tellius) I was super excited to finally get all my questions answered!
About the Characters, I am going to give you my thoughts on the characters that always stood out for me in this series; I will try to keep each one short and sweet.
Darcy: I will be the first to admit that I was NOT a Darcy fan until probably the third or forth book, she always just rubbed me the wrong way and was too selfish and well just not a nice girl. But she definitely grew on me, and as she aged and matured I realized that I had to go through those rough awkward years in order to love her and cheer for her as much as I did to the very last page of The Bone Whistle.
Tellius: When we first met Tellius he was a spoiled royal on the run, he grew up into a man that loves like no other. I fell for Tellius a lot faster then I did Darcy, but their upbringing was totally different and Tellius HAD to grow up faster. I laughed with Tellius, I cringed, and I cried, I experienced everything with him… I would totally not be opposed to a novella on his experience of the events, not everything obviously but just the major points ;) *cough* K.B. Hoyle make it happen please *cough*
Sam: I liked Sam, I mean you really couldn’t help but like Sam, she was just that freaking sweet and sincere. She was a loyal and devoted friend and just to freaking cute.
Perry: Honestly? Perry was my least favorite of The Six, he was cocky and arrogant, and yea not my fave but he served his purpose well.
Louis: I loved him! He was such a cutie, but then again I tend to like the nerdy guys.
Amelia: She was a bit of a B**** but that was just the way she was, it wasn’t done to be mean. She was just a very straight forward this is how it is kind girl, which I totally appreciated because she was a very strong girl from the get go.
Dean: I still shake my head over Dean, I feel like we really got to know the other part of The Six, but Dean was always such a mystery and even now, after reading the whole series, I feel like I never knew him… but I don’t feel like I am missing a part of the Story
Yahto Veli: I loved Yahto Veli, he was a totally different character then I have ever read (probably because he was technically two people in one) But, I loved how right from the start he believed in Darcy and stood by her side to the very end.
Colin: Then there was Colin, I will admit, I held out hope for him from the very beginning, he was obviously a very confused kid and I wanted a happy ending for him…
Phew, ok, so those are some small thoughts on a few of the characters I feel played a big role in the story…
So, what are my final thoughts on The Bone Whistle? Well let me tell you… if was AMAZING! This is by far my favorite book in the series, each thread was tired up, I was left with no questions, however I still wanted MORE. I loved how it ended! It is so hard to put into words what I really thought when it’s a book that you really have to read to understand the full amount of thoughts and emotions that I experienced.
As I said at the beginning, this is probably my favorite series, and I will one day have these books on my bookshelf because I will totally need to re-read them all, I am sad that The Gateway Chronicles is over, but I was super impressed with how it ended! Thanks K.B. Hoyle for a FANTASTIC series, I will definitely be watching for your upcoming books!
This review was originally posted on [Paperbook Princess]
January 10, 2024
This is such a roller coaster for me. Alitheia is at its worst, and Darcy’s parents say she can’t go to Cedar Point. Alp six feel like everything’s coming to a close. Darcy’s curse continues to spread and it gets so hard to control it.
September 15, 2020
An absolutely wonderful ending to a superb series of books.
December 27, 2024
The Bone Whistle intricately weaves together the rest of the series into a beautifully redemptive finale! I could just keep reading about these characters forever. Just so beautiful.
September 22, 2014
I bought this book for my 13 yr old daughter with the caveat that she had to write a review if I did. Here is her review with spelling/grammar/run on sentences and all. WARNING, This review contains spoilers for last book and the series
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I don't think I can write a review for each book, there wouldn't be enough space! So I will write one for all 6 books. (6 books, one for each character, ironic)
Yahto Veli was always my favorite until Talutah Shani came in. In the first book I was kind of bored for the first few chapters, but that is with all books. But as I continued reading, I discovered that I fell in love with the books and I never wanted to stop reading. As I continued reading the series, really quickly(finished first 5 in about 2 or 3 months), I noticed all the details. The details in these books made the book so much better, yet so much worse. It made it better because I could picture everything so perfectly, but worse because I could picture all the deaths and injuries. When I came across when Cadmus died I was crying. But the last book had me crying over and over again. I cried mostly when Darcy, Sam and Talutah Shani died, them being my favorites (that died). I fell in love with all the characters, don't get me wrong, but some I liked better. Yahto Veli and Tellius were my favorite male characters.
I some how felt connected to Darcy, she is a lot like me. She has gray eyes, same as me(although mine are bluish grey). Brown hair, same as me. And her attitude and personality, almost exactly like mine.
As I read through the 6th book I was amazed to learn all about the prophecy(which was written perfectly!!) and the hidden meanings behind all the oracles. Rubidius was....interesting. He was so different then anything I expected, but in a good way. I was mostly surprised at the odd names. I have never heard of the majority of them.
Going back to the prophecy, I was again amazed how all of it fit into the end. I had a feeling Darcy would die as I was reading the 2nd book when she got her oracle, but I never ever thought the rest would have to die. I also figured Darcy would stay in Alitheia but the others never coming back was a shock.
The 4th book was really good when Tellius and Darcy admit their love, so adorable!!!
The 5th and 6th book were my favorite out of the series. The 5th had so much love and everything. I was sad when Tellius died(I cried there too) but then I realized there was a 6th book(which I waited for like a year to come out, thanks a lot mom! :P) and I figured he survived. The 6th book was basically the unraveling of the mysteries. The red and gold hair, just like Talutah Shani, she got near the end was a big shock. And I was very pleased with the outcome for Colin. I know he killed his dad and Darcy in the other world but I don't think death was the answer, so again very pleased with that. I was not pleased that Talutah Shani never lived, that got my very mad. But I guess she had to die in order for Voitto Vesa to be Darcy's 2nd bodyguard. Oh! And I was very happy Yahto Veli and Voitto Vesa got married and had a kid(and lived). Also with the Neterus or something guy(sorry forgot his name) how he turned out was really cool. I very pleased how the tsellodrin were saved, did not think Darcy would save something she might turn out to be(even though I knew she wouldn't).
Also, I had a feeling Roger would end up with Amelia, Sam with Perry, and Darcy with Tellius(the obvious one)but what happened to Dean? I know the book said he is in the military but does he have a wife/girlfriend, kids? Anyways, thank you for writing my favorite series of all time. I have a friend who is about to read or reading the 5th book. I have a feeling she will want the 6th soon. She is a fast reader. She is really hooked, not as much as me but still hooked. Again thank you for writing the series, you and the MORE series are tied for my favorite. Can't wait for the last book in More series. Eeee!!! Thanks so much!!!
-Kristin
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I don't think I can write a review for each book, there wouldn't be enough space! So I will write one for all 6 books. (6 books, one for each character, ironic)
Yahto Veli was always my favorite until Talutah Shani came in. In the first book I was kind of bored for the first few chapters, but that is with all books. But as I continued reading, I discovered that I fell in love with the books and I never wanted to stop reading. As I continued reading the series, really quickly(finished first 5 in about 2 or 3 months), I noticed all the details. The details in these books made the book so much better, yet so much worse. It made it better because I could picture everything so perfectly, but worse because I could picture all the deaths and injuries. When I came across when Cadmus died I was crying. But the last book had me crying over and over again. I cried mostly when Darcy, Sam and Talutah Shani died, them being my favorites (that died). I fell in love with all the characters, don't get me wrong, but some I liked better. Yahto Veli and Tellius were my favorite male characters.
I some how felt connected to Darcy, she is a lot like me. She has gray eyes, same as me(although mine are bluish grey). Brown hair, same as me. And her attitude and personality, almost exactly like mine.
As I read through the 6th book I was amazed to learn all about the prophecy(which was written perfectly!!) and the hidden meanings behind all the oracles. Rubidius was....interesting. He was so different then anything I expected, but in a good way. I was mostly surprised at the odd names. I have never heard of the majority of them.
Going back to the prophecy, I was again amazed how all of it fit into the end. I had a feeling Darcy would die as I was reading the 2nd book when she got her oracle, but I never ever thought the rest would have to die. I also figured Darcy would stay in Alitheia but the others never coming back was a shock.
The 4th book was really good when Tellius and Darcy admit their love, so adorable!!!
The 5th and 6th book were my favorite out of the series. The 5th had so much love and everything. I was sad when Tellius died(I cried there too) but then I realized there was a 6th book(which I waited for like a year to come out, thanks a lot mom! :P) and I figured he survived. The 6th book was basically the unraveling of the mysteries. The red and gold hair, just like Talutah Shani, she got near the end was a big shock. And I was very pleased with the outcome for Colin. I know he killed his dad and Darcy in the other world but I don't think death was the answer, so again very pleased with that. I was not pleased that Talutah Shani never lived, that got my very mad. But I guess she had to die in order for Voitto Vesa to be Darcy's 2nd bodyguard. Oh! And I was very happy Yahto Veli and Voitto Vesa got married and had a kid(and lived). Also with the Neterus or something guy(sorry forgot his name) how he turned out was really cool. I very pleased how the tsellodrin were saved, did not think Darcy would save something she might turn out to be(even though I knew she wouldn't).
Also, I had a feeling Roger would end up with Amelia, Sam with Perry, and Darcy with Tellius(the obvious one)but what happened to Dean? I know the book said he is in the military but does he have a wife/girlfriend, kids? Anyways, thank you for writing my favorite series of all time. I have a friend who is about to read or reading the 5th book. I have a feeling she will want the 6th soon. She is a fast reader. She is really hooked, not as much as me but still hooked. Again thank you for writing the series, you and the MORE series are tied for my favorite. Can't wait for the last book in More series. Eeee!!! Thanks so much!!!
-Kristin
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
Review for the whole series.
Ugh. I wanted to love this series. I really did. I do very much like the author’s Breeder cycle. But while I enjoyed The Six and found it valuable, for me the series went a bit downhill from there.
K.B. Hoyle’s plotting and ability to weave mysteries and then bring them all together at the end is as well-executed here as in the Breeder cycle. The books are page-turners, and you HAVE to know how it all fits together in the end. But it was just too brutal for me. The last three books were a slog to get through, as everything just felt continually awful; and while a fragile thread of hope ran throughout, for me the darkness all but drowned it out, and the light, when it finally came, felt like too little too late to offset the trauma.
SO much violence and far too much shocking gore for what I’d like to see in middle grades lit, and emotional gut punch after gut punch with no blows withheld. I am too sensitive in my late 30’s to be the target audience for these books.
Parents should know there is oblique reference to the sexual relationship between married characters, including them being naked together. It’s delicate but present. For younger readers, it’s not going to teach them the birds and the bees but IS going to raise questions. Violence and gore are pervasive and brutal. Elements of very ugly occult dark magic are also present - definitely portrayed as bad, but present. Overall, given the material in this final volume, the entire series is far better suited to high school and up.
I think the first book has a lot of value as a really well-executed look at temptation and how it preys upon our weaknesses. It is also by far the mildest of the six books. For readers who are comfortable with explicit violence, darkness, and gore, there are valuable themes in this series of trust, faith, love, self-sacrifice, temptation, forgiveness, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming loss and impossible odds. I recommend a parent pre-read if in doubt, particularly of The Bone Whistle.
Ugh. I wanted to love this series. I really did. I do very much like the author’s Breeder cycle. But while I enjoyed The Six and found it valuable, for me the series went a bit downhill from there.
K.B. Hoyle’s plotting and ability to weave mysteries and then bring them all together at the end is as well-executed here as in the Breeder cycle. The books are page-turners, and you HAVE to know how it all fits together in the end. But it was just too brutal for me. The last three books were a slog to get through, as everything just felt continually awful; and while a fragile thread of hope ran throughout, for me the darkness all but drowned it out, and the light, when it finally came, felt like too little too late to offset the trauma.
SO much violence and far too much shocking gore for what I’d like to see in middle grades lit, and emotional gut punch after gut punch with no blows withheld. I am too sensitive in my late 30’s to be the target audience for these books.
Parents should know there is oblique reference to the sexual relationship between married characters, including them being naked together. It’s delicate but present. For younger readers, it’s not going to teach them the birds and the bees but IS going to raise questions. Violence and gore are pervasive and brutal. Elements of very ugly occult dark magic are also present - definitely portrayed as bad, but present. Overall, given the material in this final volume, the entire series is far better suited to high school and up.
I think the first book has a lot of value as a really well-executed look at temptation and how it preys upon our weaknesses. It is also by far the mildest of the six books. For readers who are comfortable with explicit violence, darkness, and gore, there are valuable themes in this series of trust, faith, love, self-sacrifice, temptation, forgiveness, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming loss and impossible odds. I recommend a parent pre-read if in doubt, particularly of The Bone Whistle.
September 2, 2014
The Bone Whistle closes out the adventure that started six years ago with Darcy and her five friends stumbling into another world. It's a bittersweet conclusion to their story and I enjoyed it a lot.
Darcy and her friends have come a long, long way since we met them in The Six. They've grown and matured, loved and lost, been revered and betrayed, cursed and blessed. Now, approaching their last crossing into Alithea, they're beginning to realise that their quest will ask more of them than anyone anticipated.
Oh how I hated Darcy in the beginning! She was so thoughtless and selfish, but now she's grown into the leader the prophesy always said she'd be, and I've grown very fond of her. All the characters have grown into themselves, but none more so than Darcy and Louis. Sam is still the amazing best-friend who keeps everyone together, and her now-boyfriend Perry is still abrasive and silly. It's Dean who still intrigues me the most because he tends to get lost in this large cast. I feel like we never really got to know Dean at all.
The romance between Darcy and Tellius is so0o0o0 cute! They really love and respect each other and work together to get through this war. It's crazy to think they're married though, remembering how they met!
I'd never been able to hate Collin, so I really enjoyed his story-arc in this book.
This final book has answered all the questions about the prophesy and the roles that the Six are expected to play. The Bone Whistle is intricately plotted and the author does an admirable job of unfolding it very carefully so we're kept guessing until the end.
I have enjoyed every step of my journey with these six kids who were prophesied to save another world, and will miss their adventures. I think The Gateway Chronicles will appeal to readers who like fantasy fiction, but I warn that Darcy is pretty unlikeable in the first book!
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
Darcy and her friends have come a long, long way since we met them in The Six. They've grown and matured, loved and lost, been revered and betrayed, cursed and blessed. Now, approaching their last crossing into Alithea, they're beginning to realise that their quest will ask more of them than anyone anticipated.
Oh how I hated Darcy in the beginning! She was so thoughtless and selfish, but now she's grown into the leader the prophesy always said she'd be, and I've grown very fond of her. All the characters have grown into themselves, but none more so than Darcy and Louis. Sam is still the amazing best-friend who keeps everyone together, and her now-boyfriend Perry is still abrasive and silly. It's Dean who still intrigues me the most because he tends to get lost in this large cast. I feel like we never really got to know Dean at all.
The romance between Darcy and Tellius is so0o0o0 cute! They really love and respect each other and work together to get through this war. It's crazy to think they're married though, remembering how they met!
I'd never been able to hate Collin, so I really enjoyed his story-arc in this book.
This final book has answered all the questions about the prophesy and the roles that the Six are expected to play. The Bone Whistle is intricately plotted and the author does an admirable job of unfolding it very carefully so we're kept guessing until the end.
I have enjoyed every step of my journey with these six kids who were prophesied to save another world, and will miss their adventures. I think The Gateway Chronicles will appeal to readers who like fantasy fiction, but I warn that Darcy is pretty unlikeable in the first book!
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
August 4, 2014
Book Review-The Bone Whistle by K. B. Hoyle
In the final book of the Gateway Chronicles, Darcy finds herself living in Tennessee in her Aunt’s house. Her parents are refusing to let her go back to camp in Cedar Cove. She knows she has to find a way there, but she doesn’t want to leave things unsettled with her family. She knows she won’t be coming back.
The prophesy reveals that she has to die in order to stop Tselloch. When she makes her way through the gateway, she doesn’t remember how she got there. She enters onto a battle field covered with blood. She is disoriented and the gnomes have to direct her to safety. It is a bittersweet return and she needs to find her friends, hoping they made it through all right.
Her escape is perilous and she is bitten while being rescued. The madness sets in and takes a hold lasting weeks. Tselloch’s forces are converging, building the gate to her world and readying themselves for his transfer.
It takes all of Darcy’s wits and strength to continue on her journey to stop him. With the help of her friends, the fight of their lives is on.
I am sad to see this series end. I have enjoyed reading about the six and their adventures. Watching them grow from the beginning to the end is what I truly like as a reader.
However there were parts of the story that were difficult to read. Darcy had to say good bye to good friends along the way. Darcy was devastated to lose those people around her on top of the fact she was going to die herself. You could feel the pain she and the other characters felt. It brought tears to my eyes. It is an excellent series and an action packed way to end it. I give it a 4 out of 5.
In the final book of the Gateway Chronicles, Darcy finds herself living in Tennessee in her Aunt’s house. Her parents are refusing to let her go back to camp in Cedar Cove. She knows she has to find a way there, but she doesn’t want to leave things unsettled with her family. She knows she won’t be coming back.
The prophesy reveals that she has to die in order to stop Tselloch. When she makes her way through the gateway, she doesn’t remember how she got there. She enters onto a battle field covered with blood. She is disoriented and the gnomes have to direct her to safety. It is a bittersweet return and she needs to find her friends, hoping they made it through all right.
Her escape is perilous and she is bitten while being rescued. The madness sets in and takes a hold lasting weeks. Tselloch’s forces are converging, building the gate to her world and readying themselves for his transfer.
It takes all of Darcy’s wits and strength to continue on her journey to stop him. With the help of her friends, the fight of their lives is on.
I am sad to see this series end. I have enjoyed reading about the six and their adventures. Watching them grow from the beginning to the end is what I truly like as a reader.
However there were parts of the story that were difficult to read. Darcy had to say good bye to good friends along the way. Darcy was devastated to lose those people around her on top of the fact she was going to die herself. You could feel the pain she and the other characters felt. It brought tears to my eyes. It is an excellent series and an action packed way to end it. I give it a 4 out of 5.
June 10, 2016
One day while hiking a young girl discovers a portal to another world, the magical land of Alithia. She soon learns of a prophecy claiming that she and five others are destined to save this mystical place. At first the six are unsure of their part in this ancient prophecy. But eventually they learn to work together as a team, united in their efforts to fulfill their destiny and save this enchanted land.
Author K.B. Hoyle pens scenes that pop with vibrant details, making the world of Alitheia vivid and very much alive for the reader. There are new and exciting twists with the turn of each page as this dynamic series unfolds. Hoyle is a gifted author whose stories flow smoothly from one exciting chapter to the next, leaving the reader heartily anticipating the next adventure.
The Gateway Chronicles are a phenomenal and entirely compelling series. As the story progresses all the characters are fleshed out as each grows and develops in maturity. The six encounter struggles to which we can all relate and from which we can all learn. Each book in the series expertly builds upon the last. Hoyle guides her readers through a gauntlet of magic and fantasy adventure as the series builds to a resounding crescendo. The world of fantasy fiction is brought to an entirely new level with this outstanding series. The Gateway Chronicles are destined to become a timeless classic.
Author K.B. Hoyle pens scenes that pop with vibrant details, making the world of Alitheia vivid and very much alive for the reader. There are new and exciting twists with the turn of each page as this dynamic series unfolds. Hoyle is a gifted author whose stories flow smoothly from one exciting chapter to the next, leaving the reader heartily anticipating the next adventure.
The Gateway Chronicles are a phenomenal and entirely compelling series. As the story progresses all the characters are fleshed out as each grows and develops in maturity. The six encounter struggles to which we can all relate and from which we can all learn. Each book in the series expertly builds upon the last. Hoyle guides her readers through a gauntlet of magic and fantasy adventure as the series builds to a resounding crescendo. The world of fantasy fiction is brought to an entirely new level with this outstanding series. The Gateway Chronicles are destined to become a timeless classic.
September 18, 2014
She did it! K.B. Hoyle took us on an amazing journey to another world through the eyes of 6 average American teens and what a thrilling journey it was. Every cliff hanger from the other 5 books, every question raised, every loose end, every side story-line, was all beautifully tied together in a heart stopping final book. I found myself holding my breath and turning pages as fast as I could. I actually gasped out loud and shed a real tear in several places. These characters have become my friends and I find it hard to say goodbye to them. My daughter has the paperback version and I have the Kindle version and we will both be re-reading the entire series over and over again. This series most certainly should be a movie and Peter Jackson should direct. No, seriously. Buy the books. It's a no brainer. You will have a new favorite author for sure! Can't wait for her new "Breeder" series that comes out in December.
March 15, 2022
Short Review: This the last book of a series. So I don't want to give anything away. My longer review on my blog has some clearly marked spoilers, but I won't give any spoilers here. At the end of the series, I can affirm again that this is a very well constructed book (and series). The plotting and character are solid. There are layers to the story that will probably be missed by some of the young adult readers, but adult readers will enjoy and it adds to the depth of the reading.
I put together a "best books I read this year" list every year and this series will be on the list. The only question is whether I will read them again before the end of the year. Audiobooks are coming, so I might wait for those.
My fuller review (about 1000 words) is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/bone-whistle/
I put together a "best books I read this year" list every year and this series will be on the list. The only question is whether I will read them again before the end of the year. Audiobooks are coming, so I might wait for those.
My fuller review (about 1000 words) is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/bone-whistle/
September 24, 2014
Very well written and edited. The characters are well fleshed out and develop nicely along the story. The plot has great pacing with no slow spots to lose your interest. This is the last book in the series and wraps up all the strings very nicely. This is a series well worth the read. I feel very pleased with how things wind up. An evaluation copy was provided by The Writers Coffee Shop in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2024
I don't usually want the epilogue to be longer but in this case..... I just wanted more Amelia in the end!
March 6, 2019
Okay, this one gets less stars simply because it's dark and slightly depressing, and if you know me, you know that I like my entertainment to be light and fluffy. I will, however, say this; this series has taught me multitudes about faith, love, and grace. While it's not obvious at first glance that this has Christian roots, you can clearly see its influence and it is astounding how this book managed to teach me what grace looks like, what sin looks like, what sacrifice looks like, and how it all plays together. If that's getting a bit too deep and spiritual for you, no worries, because this book delivers in lots of other areas.
The plot got a bit muddy for me, simply because I didn't understand some stuff. (Complicated plots and I do not get along, as I have trouble keeping track of too many facts.) The way everything worked together, however, was wonderful. Everything was connected in a way that (mostly) made sense, even the parts that you thought might not fit. It was a great way to tie everything up.
Also, do not, THIS IS NOT FOR YOUNGER READERS. Darcy is finally married, and while everything is kept clean, that does mean that her life changes. Not to mention, they're going through a war, which means blood, gore, death (LOTS OF IT, brace yourselves; the only way I made it through is because I knew spoilers from Pinterest, so I was prepared) and other stuff. Things tended to work out, but you are still left with loss. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Overall, I've loved this series and the ending that it gave. It was a solid conclusion with a bittersweet ending that fulfilled promises and left the reader feeling satisfied. While I won't reread this series in a hurry (the emotional effects of this book run deep), it definitely ranks as one of my favorite series of all time.
The plot got a bit muddy for me, simply because I didn't understand some stuff. (Complicated plots and I do not get along, as I have trouble keeping track of too many facts.) The way everything worked together, however, was wonderful. Everything was connected in a way that (mostly) made sense, even the parts that you thought might not fit. It was a great way to tie everything up.
Also, do not, THIS IS NOT FOR YOUNGER READERS. Darcy is finally married, and while everything is kept clean, that does mean that her life changes. Not to mention, they're going through a war, which means blood, gore, death (LOTS OF IT, brace yourselves; the only way I made it through is because I knew spoilers from Pinterest, so I was prepared) and other stuff. Things tended to work out, but you are still left with loss. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Overall, I've loved this series and the ending that it gave. It was a solid conclusion with a bittersweet ending that fulfilled promises and left the reader feeling satisfied. While I won't reread this series in a hurry (the emotional effects of this book run deep), it definitely ranks as one of my favorite series of all time.
January 11, 2026
Ahhh I love the Gateway Chronicles so much!!! Since this is the last book, this is kind of my review of the whole series because there's some things I absolutely have to say!
First off, the characters! These characters hold my heart in so many ways...two in particular.
Yahto Veli ~ Ahhhh he's so loyal and amazing and sweet!!! I love seeing Yahto's growth especially throughout the series, especially after what happened in the second and third books...
TELLIUS!!! YOU'RE SO AMAZING AND AWESOME AND TRAUMATIZED AND AHHHHH So if it wasn't clear, Tellius is fantastic. The enemies to lovers was incredibly done and the character growth through the whole series??? Seeing him turn from this moody little boy into this strong, loving man was so sweet!!! Needless to say, I've had my fair share of book crushes, but Tellius is number one in my book.
If there's one thing that K.B. Hoyle does really well, it's foreshadowing. I won't say too much due to spoilers, but the way she ties all the threads together from the whole series makes my writer brain do a happy dance. Things that don't seem important in the first couple books come back and were suddenly insanely important. I still have to process all of it...the plot was amazing and complex in the best kind of way.
The worldbuilding was also super fun! I loved the elemental magic elements and all the prophecies and oracles and lore. They all fit together so perfectly and helped make Alitheia come alive.
And can I just say that the ending to this book is so perfect. The epilogue...it was the right way to end everything, even if I didn't want it to stop.
All in all, the Gateway Chronicles is a captivating series and I am so glad I got to read it! K.B. Hoyle is a very talented writer!
First off, the characters! These characters hold my heart in so many ways...two in particular.
Yahto Veli ~ Ahhhh he's so loyal and amazing and sweet!!! I love seeing Yahto's growth especially throughout the series, especially after what happened in the second and third books...
TELLIUS!!! YOU'RE SO AMAZING AND AWESOME AND TRAUMATIZED AND AHHHHH So if it wasn't clear, Tellius is fantastic. The enemies to lovers was incredibly done and the character growth through the whole series??? Seeing him turn from this moody little boy into this strong, loving man was so sweet!!! Needless to say, I've had my fair share of book crushes, but Tellius is number one in my book.
If there's one thing that K.B. Hoyle does really well, it's foreshadowing. I won't say too much due to spoilers, but the way she ties all the threads together from the whole series makes my writer brain do a happy dance. Things that don't seem important in the first couple books come back and were suddenly insanely important. I still have to process all of it...the plot was amazing and complex in the best kind of way.
The worldbuilding was also super fun! I loved the elemental magic elements and all the prophecies and oracles and lore. They all fit together so perfectly and helped make Alitheia come alive.
And can I just say that the ending to this book is so perfect. The epilogue...it was the right way to end everything, even if I didn't want it to stop.
All in all, the Gateway Chronicles is a captivating series and I am so glad I got to read it! K.B. Hoyle is a very talented writer!
June 18, 2019
The Bone Whistle satisfies on so many levels as K.B. Hoyle takes threads from all the previous books of the series and weaves them into a breathtaking tapestry. All the riddles, characters and settings fall into place like the final twists of a Rubik’s cube.
Teen fantasy often veers into either dispassionate heroics or angsty self-absorption, but Hoyle skillfully avoids both. Instead, she offers us a group of friends who struggle with very real temptations and limitations, yet keep courageously taking the next hard, right step forward. Each of the six teenagers from our world must face their own ultimate challenge as they fully enter their unique roles of Companion, Scribe, Musician, Spy, Warrior and Life-Giver. It’s a joy to see each of their personalities shine through in powerful, unexpected ways—no cookie-cutter heroes here.
Read my full review
Teen fantasy often veers into either dispassionate heroics or angsty self-absorption, but Hoyle skillfully avoids both. Instead, she offers us a group of friends who struggle with very real temptations and limitations, yet keep courageously taking the next hard, right step forward. Each of the six teenagers from our world must face their own ultimate challenge as they fully enter their unique roles of Companion, Scribe, Musician, Spy, Warrior and Life-Giver. It’s a joy to see each of their personalities shine through in powerful, unexpected ways—no cookie-cutter heroes here.
Read my full review
November 18, 2019
>Book Review – The Bone Whistle
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 6th and last in the Gateway Chronicles series and ends with an HEA. Darcy and Tellius are now married. It was funny watching Darcy try and do normal stuff, like going to prom, while being secretly married. Lewis was her date and he was funny when he slow danced with Darcy from 3 feet away! This quest is different, because everyone realizes it will be the final one. The 6 travel again and the heavy descriptions seem a bit unnecessary, as most of the terrain has been travel upon already.
>The prophesy reveals a shocking reality that all of the 6 must leave Alitheia before the gates close. How they all leave is difficult to read and really sad. I really liked the redemption of Colin. His character was a bad guy, but he was never shown love from anyone. There was a lot more romance and subtle innuendo, but the story still stayed in the “G” range.
This book is appropriate for a young adult (16+) audience. I am giving this story 5 stars. The HEA was hard fought. The Epilogue was really fun to read. I wish there was a chapter showing Darcy and Tellius as parents, not just through the mirror.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 6th and last in the Gateway Chronicles series and ends with an HEA. Darcy and Tellius are now married. It was funny watching Darcy try and do normal stuff, like going to prom, while being secretly married. Lewis was her date and he was funny when he slow danced with Darcy from 3 feet away! This quest is different, because everyone realizes it will be the final one. The 6 travel again and the heavy descriptions seem a bit unnecessary, as most of the terrain has been travel upon already.
>The prophesy reveals a shocking reality that all of the 6 must leave Alitheia before the gates close. How they all leave is difficult to read and really sad. I really liked the redemption of Colin. His character was a bad guy, but he was never shown love from anyone. There was a lot more romance and subtle innuendo, but the story still stayed in the “G” range.
This book is appropriate for a young adult (16+) audience. I am giving this story 5 stars. The HEA was hard fought. The Epilogue was really fun to read. I wish there was a chapter showing Darcy and Tellius as parents, not just through the mirror.
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