Review: Whispers in the Dark

Title: Whispers in the Dark
Author: Maya Banks

Series: KGI / Kelly Brothers
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book: 4




First review of this blog and we start with one of my favorite series being published right now! Note that I'll do my best to remain mostly spoiler free and try to keep the following on par with what you'd read if you picked it up and read the back cover.

History:

I came across the KGI / Kelly Brothers books last July and ate through the books in a matter of only a few weeks. Up until this point I mainly read paranormal romance books so the paramilitary aspect of the series was a deviation for me but for anyone who wants to take a foray into this genre I recommend starting with these books.

Reading the books in order (see below) will allow you to get the most satisfaction from the series as possible since the books follow the same characters.

Back Story:

This series follows six brothers (the Kellys') and their paramilitary group KGI. Each of the brothers has served / is serving in some branch of the military and other team members have similar backgrounds.

Included in the Kelly clan are several 'adopted' family members, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly and a mysterious CIA agent who may be more foe than friend.

Whispers in the Dark:

Whispers is the fourth book in the series and follows one of the youngest brothers, Nathan Kelly. The book opens with a bang, following in on the build up from the end of book three where we learn Nathan has gone missing while on tour in Afghanistan.

If torture doesn't sit well with you proceed into this one with caution, though not overly graphic it occurs several times in this book.

Just when Nathan decides to give in and welcome death he begins to hear the soft voice of a woman in his mind. Believing he's losing his mind or maybe an angel has found him, Nathan wraps himself in the soft voice of the woman who calls herself Shea.

Meanwhile a world way in the U.S. Shea Peterson is doing everything she can to stay alive. Separated from her sister Grace, both woman are being hunted by someone out to use their gifts. Unlike Grace, Shea has very little control of her abilities, including telepathy and a way to block pain in others by taking it into herself. In fact she has no idea how she found Nathan, who's being held captive half way around the world but now that she's made a connection to him she refuses to let him go.

When Shea comes through and helps Nathan's brothers find him she goes silent, leaving Nathan lost in the life that only a few months earlier he was so comfortable with. He can't even find common footing with his twin brother Joe.

But when Shea reaches out again, this time being held captive herself, Nathan knows he'll move Heaven and Earth to repay what she did for him. Not just because he owes her, but because he loves her.

Review:

I'll be the first to admit I may be a bit bias with this one. I truly love the KGI books and was so excited when Whispers arrived after going only four months since reading the first three books.

I'll also be the first to admit that when I heard Shea was psychic I was disappointed. The KGI books were my first books away from the paranormal genre and suddenly the author was introducing psychic characters?! Logically I understood the need for a plot device like this, for as many possible hero and heroines in this series there was no way Ms. Banks could keep the series going based solely on torture, kidnappings and hostage situations.

And in all honesty, post-Whispers I have to say the matter was handled very well. I felt like the book was still primarily a paramilitary addition with a major assisting subplot of a psychic-nature. As I mentioned the above section, there were torture scenes, both for Nathan and Shea but I didn't mind, if anything I enjoy some hurt in books as its generally followed by some comfort!

Nathan was a great hero, strong and steadfast but vulnerable and a true honor to the men and women who have served their country and leave their service different than they were going in. Shea was an equally enjoyable heroine. Tough but real when it came to her self-esteem, she was a great compliment to Nathan.

Supporting characters had their moments to shine, each of the former heroes (Ethan, Sam and Garrett) have their moments as well as Donovan and Joe (our only two remaining single Kellys'). I feel like Joe was a weaker link in this one, at least until he met Shea. Non-Kelly supporting characters (the other members of KGI) all have their set ups, with a larger focus on Rio (hero of the next book). Surprisingly Resnick took a major seat in this one, deepening the formerly one-dimensional character and building out a deep history that I hope Ms. Banks explores in the future.

Whispers in the Dark is on par with the other KGI novels, a fast paced military romance novel which you can easily picture on the big screen.  The book grabs hold in the first pages and makes you never want to put it down.

Series (Thus Far):

1. The Darkest Hour
2. No Place to Run
3. Hidden Away
4. Whispers in the Dark

Rating:

Quality of Writing:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Pace:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Plot Development:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Characters:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Enjoyability:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Ease of Reading:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥