Shadow Whispering is a 2012 Paranormal Romance novel written by R. Von Bones.
Ashley Chaise is a student at Ivory Falls University. She gets wind of a rumor about a Vampire Revolution, and due to this attempts to find out information to do what hunters do: stop it. Along the way, she is encountered by a vampire named Cyril, a blond named Veronica, and another vampire by the name of Darrien, whom are all involved. Ashley also must find out the mystery behind the murders at her university, as well as handle the usual demands of being a student.
It is listed as a lesbian romance, but it also contains important heterosexual pairings as well.
Shadow Whispering is the first book in The Saint Cyril series. The second book, Cyril & Veronica, does not have a scheduled date for release. The tropes below are exclusive to the book Shadow Whispering.
This book contains examples of the following tropes:
- All Guys Want Cheerleaders: Mike Bailey, whom ends up becoming far more interested in Veronica than Ashley.
- Betty and Veronica: For Cyril, where Ashley is the Betty and Veronica is, well.
- Blonde, Brunette, Redhead: Veronica, Cyril, and Ashley, respectively.
- Dating Catwoman: Ashley “dates” Cyril for a bit of time during the book, despite them being a hunter and the hunted.
- For Halloween, I Am Going as Myself: Cyril, at the vampire ball.
- Also, Darrien counts somewhat too, though he's more dressed the part.
- Grey-and-Gray Morality: Humans hunt vampires because they infect humans; vampires need to consume the blood of humans to survive. The usual vampire-human conflict.
- Improvised Weapon: An unarmed Ashley and Darrien combat using a toothbrush and a rolled up issue of Lucky magazine as weapons.
- I don't think anyone can forget Veronica when she goes Ax-Crazy with a metal pipe.
- Journey to Find Oneself: At the end of the novel, Ashley leaves in order to become a Worthy Opponent for Cyril to combat, come the Vampire Revolution.
- Just Friends: Cyril and Darrien
- Kill It with Fire: Played straight as Sara Lain believes this is the only way to save herself from being killed by Cyril.
- Language of Magic: Literally, Shadow Whispering, the ability to manipulate with words.
- Local Hangout: Joey's.
- Meaningful Rename: Cyril, as late into the book she reflects on the fact that it isn't her real name.
- Also, the fact that the series is called The Saint Cyril, and may be referring to the deceased Saint Cyril the Philosopher, who invented the Cyrillic Alphabet.
- As well as the vampire Cyril, the Second Brother.
- No Name Given: The central characters all have surnames, Ashley Chaise, Mike Bailey, Darrien von Rockfellow, Sarah Lain, even Cyril, when Professor Lain calls it out as she lays dying, but Veronica is only ever referred to by her first name, or V, nor is a surname ever mentioned in the book.
- Painful Transformation: Professor Lain is turned into a vampire by Darrien... and Darrien explains the details of the transformation in , well, detail.
- Sequel Hook: The ending leaves the Vampire Revolution on the forefront of everyone's mind, and its impending wait... for whatever book it will be addressed in again.
- The author also leaves an afterword discussing that, at the very least, there will be two other books, the next focusing on Veronica, and another for Darrien.
- Single-Target Sexuality: Veronica to Cyril, but Cyril's interest in Veronica seems up for debate.
- Two Girls and a Guy: Of the “Team Vampire” side; Cyril, Veronica, and Darrien
- The Ghost: Ashley's grandfather Edward Chaise, who corresponds about vampire hunting duties via email.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Professor Sarah Lane, considering she burned down the entire East Hall during the 80's in order to save herself from being killed by vampires.
- What Measure Is a Non-Human?
- You Monster!: Professor Lain to Cyril, when the vampire corners her in a classroom.
- When Darrien finds out, he doesn't seem very happy...
