Whisper

By: Tal Bauer

Narrated by: John Solo

Length: 25 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

On September 11th, 2001, Kris Caldera was a junior member of the CIA's Alec Station, the unit dedicated to finding and stopping Osama Bin Laden. They failed.

Ten days later, he was on the ground in Afghanistan with a Special Forces team. On the battlefield, he meets Special Forces Sergeant David Haddad. David - Arab American, Muslim, and gay - becomes the man Kris loves, the man he lives for, and the man he kills for, through the long years of the raging wars.

When a botched mission rips David from Kris' life, Kris' world falls into ruin and ash.

After being captured, tortured to the edge of his life, and left for dead by his comrades, David doesn't know how much of himself is left. He vanished in the tribal belt of Pakistan, and the man who walks out almost a decade later is someone new: Al Dakhil Al-Khorasani.

Intelligence from multiple sources overseas points to something new. Something deadly, and moving to strike the United States. Intercepts say an army from Khorasan, the land of the dead where the Apocalypse of Islam will rise, is coming. And, at the head of this army, a shadowy figure the US hasn't seen before: Al Dakhil Al-Khorasani.

David is coming home.

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Tal Bauer (P)2021 Tantor

I knew this would destroy me

The previous book in this storyline (not exactly a series), Hush, is one of my favorite audiobooks. It is one of the very few that I listen to repeatedly. So when I saw this book was released and I saw the description…I knew. I knew it would be amazing and I knew it would destroy me utterly. I was right. I will not share any spoilers. It is absolutely riveting despite the length.

The only complaint that I have is that John Solo voiced Kris a bit differently than Joel Leslie did in Hush (of course), and that was okay but I missed the extra sense of sassiness that Joel was able to give to the character. This did show more of Kris’ serious side and more of his internal struggles, so it fit well enough but I would have enjoyed hearing that sass a bit more when called for.

I was desperate throughout the book. I screamed at my phone (playing the audiobook). I could not figure out how it could possibly end well. It was a complete and total roller coaster ride with the fabulously descriptive detail I have come to expect from Tal Bauer throughout every moment along the way.

I don’t cry often. Not even occasionally. Then there was this book…. At the end, they were happy tears.

Outstanding!

This was a 15 star read! An epic romance spanning decades set in the aftermath of the September 11 attack in New York City. The research involved was phenomenal. John Solo, the narrator, did an incredible job. There were multiple characters speaking a variety of languages and he nailed it! 25 hrs and 55 mins of intense world building that sucked you in until the very last chapter. Highly recommended!

I didn’t know this book could get better!

Honestly this is one of Tal’s best books, but one I said I’d never read again because of the emotional toll it took on me. These characters are absolutely beautiful. The research & care that went into this book. The hours it must have took, how it’s largely historically accurate and paints a picture of the realities of America after 911.

These characters have depth & soul. The book raises so many thought provoking questions. It’s, as all Tal Bauer books are, a complete rollercoaster ride. It’s engaging and anxiety producing. It makes you scream & weep.

So imagine my shock when John Solo brought a whole new layer & depth to these already rich characters. Bravo Sir. This was a masterpiece. And I will 100% be listening to it again.

If you’re on the fence, do yourself the favor of spending that money or credit. This is SO worth it.

I did not choose an LGBT Book

But I got one with this book anyway. I was shocked to hear sexual content of two men giving each other oral sex.
I don’t even come across male on female doing that .
Not cool audible..

A bit hard to listen to but a great story

The story was great and most of the narration was very good. But the warbling voice made me cringe so many times and the over acting at times had me saying out loud "Dude, please stop!" It took me out of the story completely and I had to wait for his voice to be normal again before I could get back into the story.

Amazing!

John Solo was INCREDIBLE! What a fantastic “listen”! 5+ stars for the story and the narrator. TB is one of my absolute favorite writers. Such incredible talent in that brain! I look forward to every book.

Wow, wow, WOW!!!

It’s not what I would call a slow burn, but being a 25 hour book I couldn’t stop listing. I was sucked in just a few chapters in and with the twists and turns it was kinda stressful. John Solo put so much heart and heat into his narration. I feel like my emotions would not have been captured by just reading it myself. Excellent on all accounts!

beautiful story of love vs hate

i was unsure of what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by the overall point of the story.

Tal Bauer!!!!!!!!!!! John Solo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I accidently ran across this talented author recently. My first experience was with The Enemy series- which had me after the first few sentences until the END of the series!!! I missed those characters and ALL of the fast-paced ACTION so very much!!!! It's now my absolute mission to listen to read everything Tal Bauer has written!!! I wished I would have realized there was a story before Whisper...but I am definitely listening to Hush NEXT!!! What The Enemy Series and Whisper had in common for me - is that I got VERY little sleep once starting each! I listened to Whisper in two days! Tal Bauer drew me in with this compelling story - this journey was as awe-inspiring as it was anxiety-inspiring!! It goes without saying that John Solo brought his talent as Always!

Beautiful love story

I thought I wouldn’t like that it was so long but the talented John Solo as the reader & the engrossing talented writing of Tal Bauer made this a story I couldn’t stop listening. The only to disappointment I felt was when the story ended. It was so good with a very satisfying ending.

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.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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.

✨️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.

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.

Enjoyable Story

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

Spellbinding

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

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.

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.