The Whisperer by Fiona McIntosh

The Whisperer by Fiona McIntosh. Knopf, 2014. 390 pages

Reading level: Middle grades, ages 10-12
Recommended for: ages 10-14

Bottom line: The Whisperer spins a prince-and-pauper tale into swashbuckling adventure told in a classic style.

Young Griff is content to work behind the scenes at the traveling carnival that features his contortionist twin brothers. But he too has an unusual ability: he can hear the thoughts of others. By keeping his distance and focusing on his work he can hold this unwelcome trait at bay, but soon enough it comes to the attention of the greedy carnival owner, Tyren, who can’t wait to exploit it. Tyren has also got his hands on a small menagerie of mythical beasts under the care of an orphan girl named Tess, who is beginning to suspect that the owner’s promises don’t mean much.

Meanwhile, young prince Lute of the realm is awaiting the arrival of his Uncle Janko.  For years, Janko has posed a loyal brother and able soldier, but Lute and his mother don’t trust him—rightly, as it happens, for Janko has chosen this moment to stage a coup. Soon Lute and his loyal companion Pilo are on the run, as are Griff and Tess, who are escaping Tyren’s evil designs. Their paths are bound to collide—but, mysteriously, Griff can hear Prince Lute long before he meets him.

There’s a twist to the plot that many readers will guess within the first fifty pages, but that’s all right—I doubt the author meant it to be that much of a surprise. Though it explains too much in places, the story moves along at a fairly rapid pace. There also might be too much of the telepathic angle, which solves one too many problems at convenient moments (and may make some Christian readers uneasy). But, except for the inclusion of a few swear words (damn and damned), the story has a sincere, anti-ironic tone that’s rather refreshing these days. Fans of classic adventure should be in for a treat.

Cautions: Language (three instances of swearing)

Overall rating: 4 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Artistic value: 3.75

Categories: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grades, Character Values