Book Review: Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis

Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: April 27, 2010
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 288
Source: Received from publicist for honest review

Summary:

I'd love a cup of coffee. . . . I wish she didn't hide how pretty she is. . . . I hope she didn't find out what Ben said about her. . . . I wish I knew how many calories were in a bite of muffin. . . .

Joy is used to Hearing Whispers. She's used to walking down the street and instantly knowing people's deepest, darkest desires. She uses this talent for good—to make people happy and give them what they want. But for her older sister, Jessica, the family gift is a curse, and she uses it to make people's lives—especially Joy's—miserable. Still, when Joy Hears Jessica Whisper I want to kill my Hearing dead, and kill me too if that's what it takes, she knows she has to save her sister, even if it means deserting her friends, stealing a car, and running away with a boy she barely knows—a boy who may have a dark secret of his own.

My Review: Imagine living everyday life with the ability to listen to people's inner thoughts. Would it be a burden or helpful? Joy, enjoyed hearing whispers. She found pleasure in granting hidden desires and making people feel comfortable and happy. On the other hand, Icka, her sister despised her powers. Her whole demeanor was filled with pure misery and hatred. Icka made it her business to hurt others by using there insecurities against them. I found there dysfunctional relationship very entertaining. Icka might of been harsh but quite funny. As for Joy, I liked her personality, however she worried too much about people's thoughts instead of her own.

In the middle of the book, I was on the edge of my seat. The moment Joy heard Icka's call for help her whole life turned upside down. She might of disliked her sister's actions but at the end of the day she couldn't bear losing her. Her plan was to follow the clues from her sister's thoughts with Jaime, a boy from school. Jaime was such a great character, I was shocked when his dark secret was revealed. The suspense and mystery that was building up throughout the book was well executed by Phoebe. I was intrigued by the plot and all the characters including Joy's friends and parents. I can't wait for the sequel, Wishing Well to come out! Overall, a good debut with future potential for greatness.

My Rating:

Author's Info:
Phoebe Kitanidis is a Greek-American writer, author of the YA novel Whisper. She is currently at work on a second teen novel titled Summer Falls. Phoebe grew up in a variety of places, including Athens, Greece; the American Midwest; and the San Francisco Bay Area. She attended five elementary schools and has moved more than twenty times. After her graduation from U.C. Berkeley, she taught Language Arts, then worked in a few high-tech corporate offices. In 2004, she earned her M.A. in Communication from San Jose State University. That year, she also traded the Bay Area’s sunshine for cloudy Seattle, where she began her writing career. A six-year contributor to Discovery Girls magazine, Phoebe Kitanidis wrote Fab Girls Guide to Friendship Hardship as well as dozens of articles for tween girls. Now a full-time novelist and settled Seattle transplant, she lives with her partner, Robert, and their grey cat, Myst.

For more info on Phoebe, visit her site(s):
Website: http://www.phoebekitanidis.com
Blog: http://phoebe-k.livejournal.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/phoebekitanidis
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phoebe-Kitanidis/238441929113?ref=ts
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6516627-whisper