Thought provoking and highly entertaining book

Brilliantly written with really deep characters, thrilling story and amazing research. A really page turner. The pace and quality of writing perfect.

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Enjoyable Story

A well written story with and interesting  concept.  The characters are likeable and the narration is very good.

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John Solo? OK I guess...

I know this will come as a shock but I quite enjoyed this one 😏, even though John Solo was narrating. His irritating habit of over-emphasising and inability to pronounce certain words correctly notwithstanding, I was as ever engrossed in this wonderful story which to this day, still remains one of my absolute faves. I'll leave the rating at 5 stars as I would've given 4.25 or thereabouts for the narration. It was indeed a whopper!!

***Book Review 2018***

Just as Hush was one of my fave reads of 2017, so Whisper already is and will remain one of my top reads of 2018!! All the stars for this blockbuster of a story, which unfortunately will not be to everyone's taste in view of the savagery of some of the scenes (view spoiler) AND the fact that the romance is not 'in your face' all day, everyday. This story spans nearly two decades and does not pull any punches...is brutally honest in fact in its retelling of the inhumanity used by BOTH the CIA and Al Qaeda. Tal really surpassed himself with the writing and it's definitely up there with Hush for me.

Kris and David [Dawood]'s love for each other was deep and abiding [Soulmates....they were indeed soulmates] and it had had to be in view of some of the awful things they'd had to endure [even from their own colleagues]; all of course due to the US's extremely tough lockdown measures after 9/11. I would say that at least 65-70% of this story is set before the time that we actually meet Kris in Hush, so it could therefore probably be read as a standalone cos Tom and Mike do make an appearance [but not until the last 10% or so]; however, you'd be missing out on a fantastic backstory of the evils of men and their wars, huge betrayals, and the shocking lengths to which some people will go to justify their own disgraceful actions.

Religion...or should I say Dawood's religious beliefs, plays a huge part in this story, and he was without doubt my favourite character. I can honestly say that I was quite shocked by some of Kris's behaviour, and luckily for him, he finally came to his senses at a critical moment. As far as the CIA 'mole' is concerned, yes I had him pegged from the time he was announced and have never wanted to happy dance more for the death of a character in a story.

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Powerful and Deeply Moving

I feel my words will be totally inadequate to describe how profoundly moving, beautiful but also harrowing this book was.
Tal Bauer has always been a favourite author of mine but this story totally overwhelmed me. It was meticulously researched and despite being ex forces personnel myself, I learned so much I did not know about 9/11 and the following years of war on terror and the positive and true image of the Islamic faith.
Tal writs beautifully in an almost poetic way, his vivid descriptions immerse you totally into the characters and situations, which was delivered outstandingly by John Solo in his narration.
I wish I could give more than 5 stars for this audiobook but alas I can’t,
It’s definitely the best book of my year.

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Amazing!!

This was my first book from Tal Bauer and it certainly won’t be my last. It might be a bit early to say he’s a favourite author now, but Whisper was just that damn good!

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Spellbinding

Whisper is one of the most amazing books brought to life by a fantastic narrator...love it!

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✨️Unforgettable✨️

Whisper kept my stomach clenched, pulse elevated and spat me out emotionally wrecked! I oversimplify that it is about twin flames whose love was forged in battle. Again, I oversimplify considered characterisation to say, David’s primary battle was spiritual, essentially his dark night of the soul. The elegant sentiment of ‘Whisper’ is revealed in David’s journey. Whip smart Kris’ primary battle was against bigotry in its overt and micro-aggressive forms. As always, Tal Bauer thoughtfully and maturely explores contemporary themes. My favourite? There is no homogenous ethnicity, language, culture, nation or region and this holds true in politics and Abrahamic religions ✝️🕎☪️ Why is this then always forgotten with the Arab World, Islam and Muslims? My words cannot articulate its full majesty but know this, Whisper is unforgettable.

🎧 John Solo gave David his deepest bass and kept his delivery contained with a slightly stilted speech pattern. Kris’ words are missiles and JS gave him a rapid, fluid, snappy sass. The narration is exceptional when they exchange their first ‘I Love You’ because it is a masterclass in soulful and multi-lingual vocal acting. The diversity of the human condition and the huge cast of characters was conveyed by Mr. Solo’s accents. I highlight the different rhythms of American accents but absolutely adored JS articulation of Rumi’s lyrical language so that when he snarled out the harsh diatribe of fundamentalists, it jarred.

✨️ I am unbothered that JS could not perform Hispanic accents or by his staccato modulation | vibrato when he read in the third person. Why? He magnificently breathed life into the dialogue by how naturally he switched languages or transitioned between accents and effortlessly shifted from high emotion to low. Mr. Solo tenderly performed romance; he reverently recited prayer; he furiously emoted anger and vitriol; and he choked out anguish and pain as though he too had unshed tears in his eyes. This Bauer/Solo collaboration feels like kismet.

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Enjoyable

I enjoyed this book, though it did get a little theatrical at times. There were some 3 star bits, but loads of 5 star bits, so it balances out as 4 stars.

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I was not ready.

OK. I love Tal. just reminding myself that I do infact love tal, and John Solo. cos I hated them both for a lot of this book. like, I could have throat punched them and put them in time put until they apologised to the characters, and me, and the whole f¤rk!ng world for this awful, amazing, devastating, beautiful, soul wrenching book.

I knew that Tal loves the tears of his readers, his eco car runs on them, f¤rk Dino juice when he can just use our tears right? but I was not ready. I was body slammed worse than if John Cena sh!t on me himself. Then to add John solo to this gut punch of a book. I was wrecked.

but even though I was basically a bloodied savaged corpse, I STILL wanted more. like, when did I become a masochist? f¤cking Tal and John f¤cking Solo. F¤ck you.

P. S. in the words of Oliver Twist "please sir, can I have some more?"

all the stars across the board.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Love Whisper by Tal Bauer

Thank you John Solo for bringing Whisper to audio so spectacularly. Tal Bauer’s book is one of my favourites, and the audio just makes it better, if that were possible. A fitting release this year, in light of recent events in Afghanistan, and no doubt meant for the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Revisiting Kris and Dawood’s world while listening to the news every day this past month, has taught me so much about the War, and the heartbreak of it all. Such a well researched and beautifully written story, and now spoken in such a soulful and understanding manner.

Thank you both, not sure my next read will be up to the challenge.

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