The Whisperer is a fantasy novel aimed at pre-teens and teens (ages 9–14) by Fiona McIntosh. Plot summary The Whisperer is a fantasy novel. The story is told in third person. It follows the adventures of Griff, a thirteen-year-old boy who works in the circus, and Lute, Crown Prince of Drestonia. Griff can eavesdrop on other people's thoughts. When the circus master discovers Griff's amazing ability, he forces the young boy to appear in his show. Griff knows what he is doing is wrong and escapes from the circus with Tess, a fellow performer, and her magical creatures. Meanwhile, Prince Lute's uncle Janko is scheming to overthrow his brother and become the next king. Lute is forced to flee, and seek help from a bitter dwarf and an angry pirate. One day, Griff hears a mysterious voice crying out for help in his mind. He calls the voice the Whisperer. With the help of his friends, magical and human, Griff realises that the Whisperer, whoever he is, is in great peril, and that it is up to him to save the mysterious voice. Characters Griff : Griff and his two brothers joined the circus when they were quite young. Griff's mother died just after he was born, and his father lived in grief for a long time after that. Griff has the talent of hearing other people's thoughts, but only if they are important to the thinker. Tess : Tess and her sister used to live in the Night Forest with magical creatures. After her sister died, Tess was captured by the Stalkers and employed by a circus master. It was at this circus that she met Griff. Lute : Crown Prince Lute is believed to be the son of the King and Queen. However, Griff and Pilo discover that Lute is actually Griff's twin brother. The Queen longed for a son, and she adopted Lute on the day he was born. Griff and his two elder brothers remained with their father while Lute was trained to be the heir to the throne. He is polite and diplomatic. His most trusted friend is his aide, Pilo. Pilo : Pilo was employed by the Queen after Prince Lute was injured during a hunting accident. He was the Prince's Aide, a bodyguard and friend to the young prince. Duke Janko: Janko is the King's younger brother. He feels cheated out of his