Collection
Library's review
I enjoyed this novella. I found the ghost story to be creepy. I thought the author did a good job hinting at something not being quite right, but I was still surprised by what the twist was at the end. I liked Satoru a lot, and it was easy to see why Kazuki liked him as well.
Publication
Rainbow Crane Press (2022), 102 pages
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member Carol420
This is a novella...slightly over 100 pages. The story was interesting...especially if you are a ghost story junkie like me. I was intrigued enough to search out some full-length books by this author. I really like the two main characters, Kazuki and Satoru, and how they worked together even though
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Satoru was scared to death through most of the story. I would have loved to see how this story would have come together if it had been longer with more detail about Satoru's abilities as a supernatural and more about the situation with Kazuki's aunt and uncle. So much of it left me wondering. I want to thank the author for allowing me the opportunity to review this book and meet these two characters. I look forward to more like this. Show Less
LibraryThing member DFuruta
LibraryThing Early Reviewer copy.
I wavered back and forth about this book but in the end, I really enjoyed it. I've not had much experience reading novellas so I think a lot of the things that rubbed me wrong about it were due to the fact that I thought things should have been built up or more
The book opens with Kazuki at his aunt and uncle's funeral. Having experienced this type of funeral/cremation in Japan, I already felt very connected to the story. I didn't like the loan shark aspect of the book. Although I can see why the author chose to have it I felt like it sort of jumbled the beginning of the book and took away from the introduction of Kazuki's ability to see ghosts.
The basic storyline was good though and I could imagine the small cabin in the snowy woods. Although the adult scenes felt quite sudden (very sexy times!) due to the novella form, I really liked their relationship and felt it worked well. I would love to have seen this built up a bit more naturally.
The book is wrapped up well with a nice little twist at the end to tie it all together.
I wavered back and forth about this book but in the end, I really enjoyed it. I've not had much experience reading novellas so I think a lot of the things that rubbed me wrong about it were due to the fact that I thought things should have been built up or more
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developed. The book opens with Kazuki at his aunt and uncle's funeral. Having experienced this type of funeral/cremation in Japan, I already felt very connected to the story. I didn't like the loan shark aspect of the book. Although I can see why the author chose to have it I felt like it sort of jumbled the beginning of the book and took away from the introduction of Kazuki's ability to see ghosts.
The basic storyline was good though and I could imagine the small cabin in the snowy woods. Although the adult scenes felt quite sudden (very sexy times!) due to the novella form, I really liked their relationship and felt it worked well. I would love to have seen this built up a bit more naturally.
The book is wrapped up well with a nice little twist at the end to tie it all together.
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LibraryThing member gadosiahe
Whispers of the Dead is a short, fun romp in a ghost-filled modern Japan. The main character is believable, relatable, and an enjoyable narrator. There are a number of graphic, sexual scenes, and they are done very well - steamy indeed! Overall a fun book, and the world its set in is fun enough
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that I wish there were more novels or novellas set in it to further explore the fantasy aspects. Show Less
LibraryThing member apocalypsehunter
This book was provided to me as an early review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Not only is this book gay, but it's horror? Absolutely, I put my chips in for it. While this wasn't my favorite story, I did really enjoy it. Kazuki is a relatable character in that he has anxiety and panic
Not only is this book gay, but it's horror? Absolutely, I put my chips in for it. While this wasn't my favorite story, I did really enjoy it. Kazuki is a relatable character in that he has anxiety and panic
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attacks and sleep paralysis. I'm also a sucker for confident, competent characters like Satoru, though he may have been a little bit too perfect. It's a novella, so the relationship was bound to develop fast, but I think not having them quite as lovey-dovey so quickly would lend a lot of credence to their relationship, then you can lay it on thick in the epilogue. All that being said, I enjoyed the mystery - I definitely didn't see it coming until late in the story - and the world in which ghosts exist and how they mingle with the mortal world is fascinating. It's a very quick and easy read, and you can turn off your brain for a little bit. Show Less
LibraryThing member brittaniethekid
Great classic ghost story ideas but I felt the execution was a little wanting. Inaba has always been able to see spirits but has always tried to suppress his ability. His life is a bit tragic which doesn't help with his mental health.
The book starts with Inaba at his aunt and uncle's cremation
A few twists and turns and of course a bit of Stockholm Syndrome and a big bang (pun intended) of an ending.
For me, it was a bit too cliche. The setting of Japan doesn't add too much to it - it could have been set in New England or even Norway, anywhere with dense forests, and it wouldn't have been that different of a story, so I would have liked more of a cultural emphasis. The romance was also an insta-love kind of thing. One night stuck in snow and you're already cuddling? Hmm. But I'm a sucker for anything ghosts so it was worth the read.
The book starts with Inaba at his aunt and uncle's cremation
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ceremony where he's confronted with yakuza looking for money. He had no idea the couple who raised him was in debt as he's been living a seperate life in Tokyo. Despite the debts, his aunt leaves him with an abandoned cabin in the middle of the forest which he thinks he can clean and sell to make up for the cash. Turns out not only is the cabin haunted but the woods around it as well. He continues to try and pretend that he can't see them though they seem to be acting strange in comparison to most of the spirits he's encountered before. He hires a cleaning company and the owner comes out with him to the cabin for the inspection and quote. A freak storm hits and they're stuck there, where Inaba finds out this mysterious cleaning company owner is also one who dabbles in paranormal arts.A few twists and turns and of course a bit of Stockholm Syndrome and a big bang (pun intended) of an ending.
For me, it was a bit too cliche. The setting of Japan doesn't add too much to it - it could have been set in New England or even Norway, anywhere with dense forests, and it wouldn't have been that different of a story, so I would have liked more of a cultural emphasis. The romance was also an insta-love kind of thing. One night stuck in snow and you're already cuddling? Hmm. But I'm a sucker for anything ghosts so it was worth the read.
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