by Yasmine Galenorn
Series: Whisper Hollow #2
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Crescent Lake in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never really leave. I'm Kerris Fellwater, and I'm a spirit shaman. It's my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don't always stay buried.
My best friend Peggin finds herself under a curse after she is almost taken by the Lady of the Lake, and the Unliving are determined to drag her back to the hungry waters. As Bryan—my guardian and mate—and I work to break the hex, we uncover a dark and violent mystery from the past. One the Hounds of Cú Chulainn will do anything to guard—even if they must summon a legion of the dead to destroy Whisper Hollow.
Shadow Silence is the second book in the Whisper Hollow fantasy series by Yasmine Galenorn. While it looks like this is the last book in the series to be published by Berkeley/NAL, Galenorn plans to continue the series and I could not be more thrilled. From the town on Crescent Lake known as Whisper Hollow to the folklore I love this series and its characters.
Espresso review: Beautiful imagery, mythical beings and nail-biting suspense had me flipping the pages of Shadow Silence.
Whisper Hollow: Where spirits walk among the living, and the lake never gives up her dead.
Shifters, Gods, Shaman and paranormal creatures reside amongst the living in Whisper Hollow. Kerris Fellwater carries the mark, and is the spirit shaman. Her job is to drive the dead back to their graves.She is aided by her protector Bryan and assisted by Ellia who plays the song of the dead. While there is an overall arc concerning the scorned gods and the balance against evil, each book seems to deal with a particular threat or two.
Galenorn quickly pulled me back into this world as events take place a few months after those in book one, Autumn Thorns. Peggin, Kerris’s best friend is cursed by the Lady of the Lake and all hell breaks loose as the unliving try to pull her into the lake’s murky depths. The case was interesting with plenty of action. I enjoyed how the author weaved town history into this story and then linked it to a mysterious object.
While Peggin’s curse was the central theme, we were treated to additional threads that held my interest. The Hounds of Cu’ Chulainn, the silencing of the screaming tree and Magda and her witch bottles. I loved all the spells and rituals combined with lures and supernatural creatures. This tale screams fall and Galenorn brought Whisper Hollow and the surrounding forest to life.
Secondary characters from those belonging to the secret society to Deev, Peggin’s steampunk boyfriend grab the reader’s attention and will have them demanding more details. Deev is unique, and has a strange gift. We learn more about him but these details had me screaming for more. I love Peggin and her retro pin-up girl wardrobe.
The Crow Man continues to delight me with his tongue twisters and the story of the Unliving Queen Veronica was creeptastic and sorrowful. This scene truly highlights this author’s vivid imagination and gave me goosebumps. She adds a sense of realness to these twisted lores and for this reader it’s addictive.
The romance between Bryan and Kerris continues to grow and felt genuine. We gained a little more knowledge about Bryan and his family’s role. I would like to see him take a more centered role in addition to being her protector.
Shadow Silence was a strong, well-developed second novel that delivered answers while teasing about things to come. I for one cannot wait to return to Whisper Hollow. Fans of rituals, gods, and folklore will enjoy this well crafted tale.
Read an Excerpt of Autumn Thorns, book 1
Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn delivered a nail-biting tale perfect for fall. Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Kristin
Am I completely off the mark in thinking this is a mashup of Graveyard Queen and The Others series??? If it is, it sounds fabulous and there does need to be more of this series in the world! I hope she can self-pub these and make oodles of $$$ 😉
Thanks for including the preview for the first book, too!!! I love excerpts!! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I am not sure, but I love all the lores and supernatural creatures in this series Kristin. A lot of very popular authors are going Indie from the UF and urban fantasy genres
Ailyn Koay
well dressed couple in the cover, not sure about their fashion sense. I too have hit and misses with Galenorn.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, not my favorite covers, but love the setting and story
The Bibliophile Babe
I really need to move the first book up my TBR some. Glad you enjoyed this one!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, I hope you get a chance to read them 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
Thanks for sharing! I’m glad you enjoyed this one; you never know with sequels.
kimbacaffeinate
Very true especially in series. 🙂
Laura Thomas
Definitely a series for me. I’ll start with book one!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes Laura you would enjoy the elements in this series 🙂
Emily Alfano
While the first book of the series has kind of a corny cover (sorry) i think the second one looks so cool! And from your review it sounds really good! I love all of the paranormal elements of it. I’m a huge paranormal junkie, so this one is right up my alley!
Great review Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
I almost classified this as paranormal I think you’ll enjoy it 🙂
Katherine
I love the covers on the 2 books. The characters are in pretty typical poses but the background most certainly isn’t! I definitely think I’d enjoy this series. I need to go grab the first one soon!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Katherine. I love all the lores and supernatural creatures.
blodeuedd
Her wardrobe sounds cool 😀
kimbacaffeinate
This is a fun series 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh this sounds perfect for me. Stop finding these! 😉 I have to say although the world and the characters appeal, I don’t care for the cover. Small niggle but they look to stiff and posed.
kimbacaffeinate
I feel the same Melissa 🙂
Paij Slater
I added the first one to my audible wish list! This one isn’t on there yet . This sounds so great! You’re review was amazing!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Paij. I am having fin with it 🙂
Lekeisha
Ooh, I love Irish Folklore and mythology! I really love the covers for this series as well.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, and wait until you see all the different supernatural creatures.
Leona
I have been wanting to read this author’s books for so long just never got around to picking them up! In my procrastination she’s come out with two more series and now I’m like a kid in a candy shop…which one do I read?! I’m glad that this one worked for you Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, of the two ..this one.
kindlemom1
I never would have guessed from the cover that this was UF Kim, thanks for letting me know about this.
kimbacaffeinate
Right..it is the couple thing…if it was a lone women..yes
Heidi
I still haven’t read this author. I think this sounds like a terrific series to dig into. I will have to see if my library has it.
kimbacaffeinate
Awesome Heidi, I hope the library has them 🙂
Rowena
This was the year that I was going to try reading more urban fantasy. That has been an epic failure so far but this review has me curious. I should definitely try it out. Thanks for the review (as always).
kimbacaffeinate
The year isn’t over. This is a light UF with paranormal elements. A good place to start.
Lily B
I wonder why it’s the last book to be published by Berkley. Oh well.. she will be back and thats awesome because the series looks amazing and I hope to read it. Right up my alley.
kimbacaffeinate
All I can tell you is that a lot of UF and paranormal series are being dropped.
Angela Adams
“Whisper Hollow: Where spirits walk among the living, and the lake never gives up her dead.” — a good “sound bite” for a TV series. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, yep it would totally work. I love all the imagery and supernatural creatures is this one.
sherry fundin
Everything about the book makes me want to read it and your review confirms it. I guess it would be wise to start with book I though. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I can totally see you enjoying this Sherry!
Lorna
Glad you are enjoying this series. I don’t remember hearing about it before, but if you reviewed it than I am sure I did! It certainly has a lot of elements I enjoy in a book!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I can see you enjoying this 🙂
Debbie Haupt
I want to go to Whisper Hollow too Kim, this looks fab! It also looks like its best read in order, well at least its only book 2 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, weekend road trip?
Angie
I’m glad you enjoyed this one. I only read one from this author – Flight from Death, and I didn’t care for it. But now that a little time has passed, I don’t remember loathing it, so I’m debating on picking up the second in that series. You make me want to give her another shot. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
This series is very different from that one and actually book two in that series was better 🙂
Angie
Thanks for the heads up! I like to give an author a few books before I give up on them, but with so many new authors coming out, that’s getting harder to stick to! I will make sure to read the second one.
Silvia
This one popped up in my feed yesterday and it got me quite curious. I’m glad you loved it, I’ll probably have to give the first instalment a go 😉
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy them Silvia 🙂
Melliane
I was a bit mixed by her other series so I confess that I don’t really know. Maybe I should try this one!
kimbacaffeinate
I like this series more Melliane 🙂