A Whisper of Solace

By: Milena McKay

Narrated by: Abby Craden

What makes an Ice Queen?

Neve Blackthorne, head of one of the most successful Studios in Hollywood, is the one to rule them all. Powerful, beautiful, and aloof, she's ruthless, yet irresistible. Above all, she has an unquenchable survival instinct.

Surely a fleeting entanglement with one Audrey Avens, a bright, young, rising star in her company, won't bring down the Wicked Queen of Tinseltown. Or will it?

Neve's public persona has no chink in the untouchable armor, but when the lights go out and the cameras stop rolling, what becomes of an Ice Queen whose heart is ruled by love and fear?

Contains mature themes.

©2022 Milena McKay (P)2022 Tantor

It’s Long

Beginning this story I found myself somewhat bored up til the 4/5 chapter. The dialog seemed a bit technical and somewhat confusing for me. After that there was more to the characters and their interactions.

The MC is such a terror showing no kindness towards the people who she interacted with. Later on you will eventually learn of the PTSD she is suffering and lack of self-worth but I don’t want to give too much. It became exasperating at how she seemed to be on a journey to self destruct which became even more exasperating during most of the story. About the middle I even consider just putting it aside and not finishing. Know that most of the story carries this theme. Not until the last 30% of the story did I begin to feel invested in completing the story anxious to see what would happen.

By the end I was hooked to finish wondering if it would be a loss for our MC or somehow she would be saved from her destructive life.

I will probably revisit this one simply to really understand what I seemed to have missed in the first few chapters.

It’s a story of a lot of disappointment and
Negative feelings although when I consider the complete story I am very glad I used this credit.

A new author for me perfect narration by AC. I would recommend this but with caution that you may find it hard to stick with it in the beginning but it was worth it.

Amazing!!

Honestly the best overall story I’ve listened to on here! Highly recommend and will probably reread.

WOW

Awesome story, amazing narrator. Such moving content, every sense is touched to where you feel.

Wonderful audiobook

This was a fantastic audiobook. Performance was excellent. I read the book, but listening to it was a deeper, more intimate experience. so moving! I sat on the bus on my way to work in tears over Neve's therapy sessions... would love to see this as a movie. Masterfully done by author and reader!

My favourite book/audiobook this year

Damn, this book… Seriously. So. Many. Feelings. I’ve said and written my love for A Whisper of Solace so many times since it was released in April that I don’t think anyone who reads my reviews, even only occasionally, doesn’t already know about it. I don’t see what I can add to my original review, not without saying too much, so I’ll focus on the narration. There’s a reason, many reasons actually, why so many authors of sapphic fiction want Abby Craden to narrate their books. She’s not the only fabulous narrator but she’s obviously in my top 5. I do find certain books better suited to her style, however, and Milena McKay’s are definitely in this category.

Her narration of A Whisper of Solace is exactly what I hope for in an audiobook: it takes a brilliant story and elevates it even higher. Everything is more but never excessive. With Neve Blackthorne, McKay wrote one of the most complex characters and Craden’s talent shines in the voice she lends her, giving life to all the layers the author bestowed on her. I was especially looking forward to hearing Craden voice her. The others too but Neve first and foremost. Then there’s Audrey, her youth, her naiveté, her pain, her love… The contrast is magnificent and poignant.

This story includes quite a few fantastic secondary characters, and to them as well Craden’s narration adds even more substance. Juno Buchanan is one, and I can’t think of a better word than glee as to what her part in the denouement made me feel, a feeling I’m convinced she shares, judging from her tweets (I’m trying so hard not to spoil!). Harlan is another, his young boy voice perfect, tender and strong. Gustavo, Morag, Livia… I love them all, I didn’t want to say goodbye, didn’t want the audiobook to end. And if all this makes me sound like I’m fangirling, so be it. Abby Craden’s narration is a work of art. As much as I loved her in McKay’s other books, The Headmistress and The Delicate Things We Make, she takes this one to another level, full of nuance and texture. Like the book itself, my favourite so far by this author.

Wow, I loved it.

Wow, okay this was truly an exceptional story. And right off the bat, let me say that Abby Craden has the sexiest voice ever. The MC's are truly very well developed and I alternately hated, loved, and adored them. The pacing of the backstory was slow, but deliberately so, in order for the readers to fully understand the depth of angst underlying the story line. The last third of the book was my favorite. Truly spectacular and fulfilling. I listened to it, then immediately started it again. Simply to reexperience the magic.

Loved this audiobook

Even though I almost gave up initially… I’m really glad I stuck with it…it’s an amazing story and Abby Craden is just the best…! I love stories that introduce me to all of the different psychological aspects of our personalities… I appreciate this as it opens up my mind…!

Fantastic twist on an iconic trope

I wasn’t too sure for the first couple of chapters. It felt too much like other lesbian ice queen stories and then the author completely made it her own. I’ve never read a story like this that dives so deep and real into the IQ’s full character development. I could not stop listening. Finished it in a day and will definitely listen to it again soon. Abby did amazing with the narration as always. This is now my favorite book from this author. My favorite book in 2024 so far

Master piece

Extremely well acted. Both main characters are so well represented it's like I could hear them in my head. So intense.
Perhaps one of the best interpretations I've ever heard.

Recommend

Emotional and lovely.
Heart wrenching and happy.
Turmoil and solace.

Good job. Well done and unique.