BOOKS

Citadel of Whispers

Chooseco Press
320 pages, October 2021
$17.99 Hardcover, ISBN 978-1937133924

Purchase from: Choose Your Own Adventure / IndieBound / Bookshop

From the publisher: From Chooseco, the publishers of the Choose Your Own Adventure® gamebook series, Ali welcomes readers into the world of Elaria, a mountainous land of difficult terrain surrounded by vast oceans that few—if any—have crossed. You are Krishi who, at only 10 years old, was chosen by the enigmatic Whisperers to become one of their privileged students in the arts of magic and combat. You are a fourth-year student, on the cusp of wielding ever increasing powers when a mysterious new student arrives, bringing with him news of imminent war. Now, it’s up to you to go to battle to help Elaria through difficult challenges and decisions that may have dire consequences, or just might save you all.

The first book of its kind, The Citadel of Whispers expands the Choose Your Own Adventure® series with a multi-volume epic fantasy that brings the gamebook into the world of Elaria. Ali—an esteemed poet and literature professor—uses his vivid mind and imagination to bring this world to life for older readers looking for the next great mystical journey. As part of the LGBTQ+ community, Ali also gives readers the freedom of choosing Krishi’s gender based on how the reader identifies. Fans of Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender will enjoy experiencing ancient magic firsthand, no matter the path they choose.

Says Ali, “I wanted to allow the readers to be immersed in the story—part of the story itself—especially since they are creating its plot and meaning as they travel through multiple readings.”

Praise

“The Citadel of Whispers reminds me of my favorite RPG campaigns. The world is filled with magic and mystery, populated by beautifullydrawn characters. Kazim Ali gives us several challenging and compelling stories to explore, and YA readers will love them all.” - Wil Wheaton, Stand By Me, The Big Bang Theory

“Highly imaginative and engaging, The Citadel of Whisper is a fresh adventure on each page. This book is a heart-pounding, magical journey that will keep readers glued to the pages to find out where their choices take them and what new fates await.” - Francesca Flores, author of DIAMOND CITY

“ ...the magic system and political machinations are intriguing, as are the themes of leadership skills, power, and strategies to attain peace during times of upheaval.” - Kirkus Reviews