A Tense and Absorbing Iranian Drama
"Silenced Whispers is a provocative drama with a heart-wrenching and emotional storyline that is gripping and affecting. Bellisario's excellently crafted tale also provides an illuminating insight into the harsh and oppressive social landscape of early 20th century Iran." -Booklife

A Historical Novel Relevant to Our Time
"Silenced Whispers" is a fascinating read from start to finish. Author Afarin Bellisario's distinctive and narrative-driven storytelling style raises her novel to an impressive level of literary elegance." -Midwest Book Review

Riveting
"Silenced Whispers is a riveting and beautifully written tale. Afarin's prose is purely lyrical at times. The story will have you on the edge of your seat. Don't skip this book!" - Raquel Howard, host of The Madness Cafe Podcast

Gripping
"Gohar is strong, resilient, passionate, and driven to do right even when it clashes with her desires. I was on pins and needles as I turned the pages to discover what might happen to her in this suspenseful novel filled with complex and compelling characters." - Jennifer Bolanos, host of The Madness Cafe Podcast

A Sumptuous Feast
"Silenced Whispers, by debut novelist Afarin Bellisario, is a sumptuous feast of a book deeply felt romance, political intrigue, fascinating history, and a female protagonist set in early 20th-century Iran whose goals and desires make her a heroine we can easily root for today. It's a must-read!" - Meta Wagner, author of What's Your Creative Type?

A Captivating Cross-Cultural Love Affair
"A captivating and page-turning tale of a cross-cultural love affair set in Iran at a time of political upheaval and societal change by an author with intimate knowledge of her homeland...Magnificent for its historical, political, and cultural breadth." -Gina Vild, Author of The Two Most Important Days

Midwest Book Review
"Silenced Whispers" is a fascinating read from start to finish. Author Afarin Bellisario's distinctive and narrative-driven storytelling style raises her novel to an impressive level of literary elegance."

"A captivating portrayal of Iran's turbulent early twentieth century, Silenced Whispers follows a courageous young woman as she navigates love, politics, and societal expectations in a gripping, historical narrative." -Foreword Reviews