Whispers of the Storm Review
Author: Z.B. Steele
Rating: 9.0 AMAZING
What’s it About?
REDLIN OF THE WOLVES
VANGUARD, LEGEND, ASSASSIN, REAPERListen to my story:
I wasn't always the monster they see me as. Half of the songs they sing are stories of my grandeur. The other half are tales of my misdeeds.
The sad truth is that they're all true.
So, listen to my tale and learn why it all happened. Learn the reason for the war, the reason for all the death.
Listen to my tale and listen well. I won't be alive long enough to tell it again.
Review
Whispers of the Storm by Z.B. Steele is a deeply personal Grimdark story that channels some of the great fantasy authors in recent memory and weaves a captivating and bloody tale that left me awestruck.
“I would adorn myself in an unearned crown of sympathy, I might even bow my head under its weight, but I would walk my cursed road.”
Whispers of the Storm is a retelling of the main protagonist, Redlin of The Wolves, life story. It’s told as if it’s a long reflection of one’s past, akin to a biography. This style has been done before but in my opinion, is difficult to get right. I’m thrilled to say that Whispers of the Storm does almost everything right and provided me with one of the most bloody, poignant, and heartfelt stories I’ve ever read. I’ve seen this book being compared to several other novels written by literary titans of the book industry. That caught a raised eyebrow from me, and after experiencing it, all of the comparisons are justified. In fact, I’d take it a step further and say that this book surpasses them in certain regards. The writing is much more approachable than others I’ve read in this style. While the story does take time to get going, its modern flair remains engaging throughout.
Steele’s writing jumps off the page from chapter one. The world building was excellent. It’s all vividly brought to life in a way that only someone who truly lived the life could tell it. The details of each scene pulled me into every classroom, training room, mess hall, and dark alley. These details gave the story a weight and a realism that had me enthralled. I was concerned about the story slowly starting to feel more like a lecture than an intense and dark decent into ones past. Instead, I was taken on a journey filled with adventure, intrigue, betrayal, and loss. The story isn’t about the destination, as you know about Redlin’s current situation from the start. The author reminded me through his beautiful prose that life is a journey not a guided tour. Redlin knows that all too well from the scars he has now. With a trail of breadcrumbs and a carrot on a stick, the author gives us little glimpses and hints as to how and why Redlin is the way he is in the best and most ingenious ways. It was so engrossing to see direct impacts of seemingly small decisions from the past, have profound effects on the present. It was compelling on several different levels as I cared about Redlin’s past, present, and future all at the same time. Redlin himself felt so relatable. His insecurities and weaknesses on full display in some of the most inopportune times. He is a complicated and conflicted soul who’s in constant battle with his inner demons, always straddling the line between good and evil. Often times, I couldn’t tell the difference, and didn’t really care. This was when I realized how great Redlin is as a character and knew I wanted to see his story through. The side characters were almost as fully realized as Redlin. They all have a deep and interesting story of their own. It’s written in their scars, both physical and emotional. In many ways, they foreshadow Redlin’s story in the most touching ways. Actually, calling them “side characters” would be a disservice. They all could be the main protagonist in their own stories that are just briefly touched on through their interactions with Redlin. It’s all top notch character development with every character having a pivotal role to play.
There’s an odd sense of tension to this story that really resonated with me. I knew that some gut-wrenching answers to questions would eventually surface. It all came full circle in the most satisfying way. I love that the author isn’t afraid to piss you off. The narrative can be heartbreaking, soul-crushing, maddening, but also uplifting and hopeful. You’ll feel many conflicting emotions throughout the journey. Perhaps that’s the point of it all. It will make you feel a lot of different ways and you won’t come out the same way as you went in. The pacing is deliberately slow, but extremely necessary in order to fully appreciate the story that unfolds. However, you need patience, and some readers may not stick around to see it through. Like some other books in the genre, the narrative isn’t long-winded, it’s just not in a hurry. I think it’s important to make that distinction. The feeling of putting that last piece of the puzzle together in this sordid tale was a glorious feeling for me. Everything has a bittersweet tinge to it that I really loved.
In many ways, Whispers of the Storm is a very human story told through a Grimdark lens. I found themes, thoughts, and feelings that mirrored my own. There’s an eerie feeling when a character goes through the same internal struggles as you have. It’s a deeply personal touch that made me feel closer to all characters involved. Z.B. Steele’s writing is nothing short of extraordinary. While the narrative was a bit slow and methodical, Steele’s writing left no stone unturned. It wasn’t until well after the final page that I realized how much Redlin’s story affected me. I reminisced on my own past and hand that I’ve been dealt. Whispers of the Storm is as much about making the most of what you’re given as it is about blazing your own path. Often times, a bit of both. Navigating the path forward can be challenging while being weighed down by the past. I highly recommend Whispers of the Storm by Z.B. Steele. I don’t always read Grimdark, but when I do, I’ll be comparing it with this.