The concept of this book is so cool, futuristic vibes, weird mysteries, space elements but it just didn't really hit for me. I'll give it a solid 3, it was enjoyable but also i felt a little bit like it was more vibes than plot at times. The writing is gorgeous and kinda lyrical/poetry feeling at times but I felt that the plot got a bit lost in that at times and it didn't quite hit up to a 4 for me. If you like things that are a little slower, more thoughtful and spacey in vibes then this could be the. book for you! Sadly it wasn't really for me!

The Whisper of Stars by Cristin Williams is a dark enchanting tale set in Russia following Katya, a poet, who is an inmate who has been experimented on. Along with many other prisoners they endure some horrendous experiments, resulting in injury and often, death, all in the aim of twisting magic.

The pacing was slow, which I enjoyed. I found the writing intricate and full of twists and turns which kept me hooked. Katya follows her harsh Mothers final message of 'Look to the Whisper of Stars' in order to find answers.

This is full of politics, war, brutality and magic.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a cool concept! A futuristic, spacey, and kind of dreamy but it didn’t totally land for me. It follows a young woman trying to figure out her place in a distant future where humanity’s looking to the stars for answers.

The writing is really pretty, almost poetic, but the story moves slow. At times I felt more lost in the fog than swept up in the plot. That said, if you like thoughtful, atmospheric sci-fi that’s more vibe than action, you might still enjoy it. Just go in with patience.

The Whisper of Stars is the debut novel of author Cristin Williams and is set in 1920s Russia. This book mixes historical fiction with fantasy, where magic is central to those in power. We follow Katya Efremova, a young anarchist, imprisioned on Solvetsy island trying to decode her mother's last message.

The pacing of the book was slow, but the story was so intriguing that I kept wanting to read, trying to solve the mystery of Katya's mother's final message and the puzzles/codes was what kept me interested. The dynamic between our two main characters develops as the story unfolds going from enemies on opposite sides to allies to something more.

I don't know if this book is for everyone, as it will play with your emotions. The setting is one where everyday could be the last, nothing is for certain and everyone is looking out for their own best interests and survival.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

The Whisper of Stars was a beautiful mix of magic, history and mystery. The heavy use of riddles and codes and puzzles kept me engaged in the story. But it wasn’t only those aspects that made for a great read. Williams’ writing is immersive and emotive and beautiful. The character development is phenomenal as is the world building.
The story is heavily character driven, which means if you’re looking for action and a fast paced read, this isn’t that.
What it is, is magic and mystery woven together in a complex and moving story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Whisper of Stars is set in an alternate 1920s Russia in the midst of magic and mystery. Katya was transferred to a new prison on Solovetsky Island after breaking out of her imprisonment in a government laboratory. But was the location of her new prison merely coincidence? With ciphers, poetry and secrets this book definitely is filled with many twists and turns to keep readers on their feet.

I know many books make a reader lose interest in the story, but the pacing in this book was a bit too fast in my opinion, at some points it felt like getting reading whiplash from all of the reveals and betrayals. I really enjoyed the premise of the story and do believe I could have enjoyed reading the book more if it was slightly slower paced. Other than that, I thought the book was refreshingly different to my usual reads.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book but with the warning to readers to read with a well supported neck to avoid too much whiplash.

Thank you to Gollancz and Orion Publishing Group for the eARC of this book. This review was left honestly and voluntarily.

Going into this story I was so excited - hoping for a magical reimagining of early 20th century Russia. However what I got fell quite short of my expectations. The magical elements, while present, felt not quite fleshed out and somewhat disconnected from the main plot. Instead of adding value to the story, the magic seemed more like an afterthought, and I couldn’t help but feel that the story would have worked just as well without it.

The characters also lacked depth and it was impossible for me to grow attached to any of them. They felt more defined by their actions than by their personality and lacked a distinctive, recognizable voice.
The chemistry between the fmc and the mmc was just not there, which made it difficult to really care about their dynamic.

The pacing was slow paced with very little that felt truly engaging or significant. At times, it felt as though the story lacked direction or momentum.
The writing style felt very anticlimactic to me as pivotal moments completely lost their emotional value and parts that were supposed to feel exciting felt rather bland.

I came into this book with high hopes, and that’s probably on me.
After finishing the book I even reread the synopsis, wondering how my initial expectations diverged so much from what I read. It feels like the story promised one thing and delivered another.

That being said, I don’t think that it is a bad book - it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction with elements inspired by russian mythology will find a lot to appreciate here. But if you’re looking for an intriguing, immersive fantasy, this one might leave you feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Thanks to NetGalley & Orion Publishing Group for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I had high hopes for this one because if there's one thing I have a soft spot for, it's Imperial Russia-inspired fantasy.
When I was notified by NetGalley that I had been approved for an ARC copy, I was beyond gleeful. It's also the reason why it saddens me so much that I couldn't get through this book until the very end. Let's get one thing straight, though, it is by no means the fault of the writing - the narrative style is actually pretty solid and the story flowed easily and cohesively. For this being a debut novel, it was done well. However, it was the lack of tangible action that inevitably forced me to drop this.
I understand character-driven novels; I've read a few so I know how compelling they can be. In the case of The Whisper of Stars I just failed to connect with the characters enough to overlook the fact that we were missing some solid action and gritty parts. On one hand, I recognise that this is not the nail-biting, kickass type of fantasy story and the author rather wanted to focus on the bleak and dark reality that was the Bolshevik regime. On that front alone, I applaude the author because she did capture the cruelity and helplessness of those times amazingly. On the other hand, it read more like a historical fiction rather than fantasy and the amount of drama was too overwhelming for a novel that has been marketed as fantasy.
Simply, it felt like reading a completely different kind of a book than I've been promised. The whole concept of shapeshifters and different practices of witchcraft felt unique and intriguing, there just wasn't enough of it to keep the story afloat - at least, not by fantasy genre standards.
As I've mentioned, the book has certain strengths and for people who enjoy existential and character-driven stories, this will be a great hit. Personally, though, I've struggled with this title more than I was enjoying it, which is a deal-breaker when you have limited time for reading and there are so many other titles out there that deserve a chance. I'm going to keep an eye on the author because I did find her style captivating, and her ideas clever, but as of now, The Whisper of Stars is a book with failed potential.

The Whisper of Stars is a richly imagined, high-stakes historical fantasy set in an alternate 1920s Russia—layered with magic, rebellion, and grief. It’s a book full of sharp edges and deep sorrow, and I genuinely admire the ambition and emotional force behind it.

Katya, Dima, and Natasha are compelling leads, each scarred by what they’ve lost, each carrying the weight of revolution on their shoulders. The story explores resistance, memory, and identity with unflinching intensity—and that intensity never lets up.

And that, in the end, is what made this a difficult read for me. The pacing is relentless. There are no moments of quiet, no space to breathe between betrayals, conspiracies, and emotional reckonings. While this works thematically—it mirrors the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a crumbling empire—for me as a reader, it became draining. I found myself needing more stillness, more contrast to fully appreciate the emotional peaks.

So while I deeply respect what this novel set out to do—and recognize the skill in how it’s told—it wasn’t the right fit for me. But for readers who thrive on constant tension, layered politics, and tragic, determined characters, this could be exactly what you’re looking for.

DNF

Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book! I couldn’t really get into the book although the plot was promising, the writing style threw me off which was disappointing.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get myself into this book. I think it has a really strong plot and great ideas, however the writing style put my off quite a bit. I feel this would be a great read for most people, but it just isn’t for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book, all opinions are my own.

WIth a fascinating and brilliantly crafted world, I was intrigued by the story right from the start.

Whilst it did take me a little while to wrap my head around the individual characters and their stories, I loved how they all intertwined.

I also loved the seemless blending of history and fantasy. With such an interesting concept, these two ideas definitely worked in the stories favour.

This was beautifully written and deserves all of the hype I'm sure it's about to recieve.

I loved reading this story! Such a good reading! I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

Review of The Whisper of Stars by Cristin Williams

Cristin Williams’ The Whisper of Stars is a haunting and atmospheric blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set in an alternate 1920s Russia where secrets are hidden in whispers, and power lurks in the shadows. Following the journey of Katya Efremova, a young anarchist poet imprisoned on Solovetsky Island, the novel weaves a tale of revolution, mystery, and magic. With the echoes of her mother’s final message—“Listen to the whisper of stars”—guiding her, Katya must navigate a dangerous path filled with cryptic codes, unexpected allies, and the lingering presence of a legendary folk hero.

Williams crafts an immersive world, pulling readers into the frozen, unforgiving landscape of Solovetsky Island, where every step Katya takes could be her last. The tension between political intrigue and supernatural elements is expertly balanced, with the presence of rogue witches and ancient secrets adding depth to the novel’s historical setting. The characters—particularly Katya, aristocratic prisoner Dima Danilov, and the enigmatic Natasha Bobrinskaya—each bring unique perspectives and conflicts, creating a richly layered narrative.

One of the novel’s standout elements is its use of codes and riddles, giving the story a puzzle-like quality that keeps readers engaged. While some may find the plot intricate and demanding, those who enjoy stories that challenge them will likely appreciate the depth of detail woven into the narrative.

Overall, The Whisper of Stars is an intriguing, thought-provoking novel that blends history, magic, and mystery in a fresh and compelling way. If you’re a fan of atmospheric historical fantasy with complex characters and a touch of espionage, this book should be on your radar.

A mystic, magical book.

Set in Lenin Russia, with magic all around, this story is both a love letter to that period of time, and the ways of 'old Russia' of the wild blood and beast magic that filled folklore.

The story follows three characters, all trapped on a prison island, all searching for a book and all struggling with the aftermath of revolution. The personal journeys our MFC and MMC go on are great, especially our MFC. She has to come to terms with the idea that the world isn't black and white, right and wrong. That despite being an anarchist and despiser of the nobility, that sometimes - just sometimes - those born rich are also born good. She also has to come to terms with a mother that seemed to use her more than love her, and all the dark secrets that are swirling near her fingertips, just waiting to be unleashed.

There are layers within this story, a frantic cry against the dying of the light, a rage against the betrayal of the promise of liberty.

And the ending.

Oh the ending was beautiful but it broke me.

... more from this author please. That this is a *debut* novel is astounding.

This was a tough one to rate for me.

It took me a HOT minute to follow the plot, and I was hopeful that it would change but unfortunately that wasn’t the case and at the end I was still somewhat confused. Unfortunately this meant that I didn’t build a connection with any of the characters, and I am a very character centred reader.

What I did find intriguing about this story was the code-cracking element, and I loved how the codes were visualised for us, not just explained.

The Whisper of Stars is beautifully written and will definitely find its place in the fantasy genre, I just wasn’t the reader for it. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy!