Reviewed by Kellie Nissen
What if you found out, at the age of 16, that you were adopted … and
that you had a twin? And what if you missed meeting your twin by a week but
could suddenly hear his voice in your head? And what if you then discovered
that your birth family was touched by an ancient curse … and that you are the
only one who can break it?
Meet Harry.
Harry is a self-confessed computer nerd who prefers the company of
online gamers and most definitely cannot talk to girls, opposite to his
outgoing and adventurous best mate David.
Part fantasy, part coming-of-age, The Whispering Stone had me
hooked from the first chapter and cheering for Harry as he first steps out of
his comfort zone to accompany David on a holiday to his hometown and then finds
himself embarking on this quest to lift the curse.
Dawn Meredith has created a relatable cast of teens – each with their
own quirks, issues, and strengths – and supporting adults who, in many ways,
are just as messed up and in need of Harry’s help. Every reader will resonate
with at least one of these real and believable characters.
The strong plot with its multiple storylines kept me turning the pages
to the end, which was somewhat predictable but satisfying, nonetheless. The serious
themes of guilt, grief and loss are bolstered by the injections of dry humour
that only teens can muster, while still being dealt with in an appropriate
tone.
With the main characters in their mid-teens, this YA novel could be seen
as best suited for the younger end of the YA readership; however, readers (and
teachers) should be aware of the mentions of suicide and self-mutilation when
considering this novel. Dawn Meredith flags these topics in her promotions for The
Whispering Stone and deals with them as necessary, and in a very sensitive
manner.
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