Rarely do I read romances, but I enjoyed this one. This is a homosexual romance with a supernatural side-plot and a wholesome happy ending. It was well-written, fast-paced, and held my attention throughout. Although, I felt that the character's relationship came on far too quickly. Maybe a slightly longer book would allow for it to be better explored. ( )

Great classic ghost story ideas but I felt the execution was a little wanting. Inaba has always been able to see spirits but has always tried to suppress his ability. His life is a bit tragic which doesn't help with his mental health.
The book starts with Inaba at his aunt and uncle's cremation ceremony where he's confronted with yakuza looking for money. He had no idea the couple who raised him was in debt as he's been living a seperate life in Tokyo. Despite the debts, his aunt leaves him with an abandoned cabin in the middle of the forest which he thinks he can clean and sell to make up for the cash. Turns out not only is the cabin haunted but the woods around it as well. He continues to try and pretend that he can't see them though they seem to be acting strange in comparison to most of the spirits he's encountered before. He hires a cleaning company and the owner comes out with him to the cabin for the inspection and quote. A freak storm hits and they're stuck there, where Inaba finds out this mysterious cleaning company owner is also one who dabbles in paranormal arts.
A few twists and turns and of course a bit of Stockholm Syndrome and a big bang (pun intended) of an ending.
For me, it was a bit too cliche. The setting of Japan doesn't add too much to it - it could have been set in New England or even Norway, anywhere with dense forests, and it wouldn't have been that different of a story, so I would have liked more of a cultural emphasis. The romance was also an insta-love kind of thing. One night stuck in snow and you're already cuddling? Hmm. But I'm a sucker for anything ghosts so it was worth the read. ( )

This book was provided to me as an early review copy in exchange for an honest review. Not only is this book gay, but it's horror? Absolutely, I put my chips in for it. While this wasn't my favorite story, I did really enjoy it. Kazuki is a relatable character in that he has anxiety and panic attacks and sleep paralysis. I'm also a sucker for confident, competent characters like Satoru, though he may have been a little bit too perfect. It's a novella, so the relationship was bound to develop fast, but I think not having them quite as lovey-dovey so quickly would lend a lot of credence to their relationship, then you can lay it on thick in the epilogue. All that being said, I enjoyed the mystery - I definitely didn't see it coming until late in the story - and the world in which ghosts exist and how they mingle with the mortal world is fascinating. It's a very quick and easy read, and you can turn off your brain for a little bit. ( )

I enjoyed this novella. I found the ghost story to be creepy. I thought the author did a good job hinting at something not being quite right, but I was still surprised by what the twist was at the end. I liked Satoru a lot, and it was easy to see why Kazuki liked him as well. ( )

Whispers of the Dead is a short, fun romp in a ghost-filled modern Japan. The main character is believable, relatable, and an enjoyable narrator. There are a number of graphic, sexual scenes, and they are done very well - steamy indeed! Overall a fun book, and the world its set in is fun enough that I wish there were more novels or novellas set in it to further explore the fantasy aspects. ( )