Whale Song review: "I would recommend this book to anyone."

5 STARS! "Whale Song is full of colorful images and descriptive passages. Cheryl Tardiff brings her characters alive with words. The reader is thrown into the lives of the characters and shares their emotions. I would recommend this book to anyone. Read it. You will enjoy it. I promise." -- Susan Schmelzer

Whale Song review: "This is, hands down, one of my top five favorite books."

"I would describe this book as a beautiful piece of fiction that reads like a memoir. I've never read a book quite like this...it's very unique...This is, hands down, one of my top five favorite books. It's beautifully written, gorgeous detail, a unique story line and is fast-paced enough that we keep turning the pages but not so much so that it loses the reader. It touches on important issues, like bullying, abuse and losing a parent, in a way that's informative but not overwhelming. What I really loved is how it shone the light on the Native culture and spirituality in such a beautiful way. Plus, Tardif had me with the title: I love whales and dophins!

Tardif went through alot to get this story out there, and later on went through alot to help keep the story out there. I have always had such a tremendous respect for her as a writer and author. Now after reading this work, and knowing her reasons for wanting to keep it out there (do be sure to read her dedication to her brother, Jason) I respect her even more as a humanitarian. This is a must-read...a good and important read for everyone."

--award-winning author Chynna T. Laird

Read Chynna's full review at The Gift blog.

Whale Song review: "What an amazing story..."

"What an amazing story...After going Whale watching for the very first time in January, the title of this book caught my attention! This was such a heart warming story about family and having a close relationship, making new friends, losing loved ones and forgiving. The characters were very real and I could really envision seeing this played out while I read...I absolutely loved this book..."

--Kimberly A. Berry

Whale Song review: "Cheryl has a great gift in keeping you up at night..."

"What a wonderful story. I always like to discover new authors, I was so captivated by this story, I downloaded The River, Divine Intervention and Remote Control. Cheryl has a great gift in keeping you up at night and wanting to get to the end of the page, then the end of the chapter. I am hooked on her books."

--Donna Holloway, aka Rawhideranch

More Whale Song reviews

"I really enjoyed this book. It was a really moving story about love and family and coming of age. If you love whales and a heartwarming story, this book is for you." --Pam Lowe, Amazon reviewer

"This was such a good book. It touched on so many things: friendship, families, loss, life, death, love, bullying, forgiveness, and growth...The story is sweet, sad, somewhat melodramatic at times, but beautiful...I thought the writing was terrific. I recommend this book heartily and look forward to reading more from this author." -- Kindle Addict, Amazon reviewer

Whale Song review: "What a wonderful story."

"I was so captivated by this story, I downloaded The River, Divine Intervention and Remote Control. Cheryl has a great gift in keeping you up at night and wanting to get to the end of the page, then the end of the chapter. I am hooked on her books." --Rawhideranch, Amazon reviewer

Whale Song: "a very touching/heart warming book"

Here is the last critique or book review I received from a student at ESC Trillium. Robyn's class studied Whale Song for their English novel study.

After I read Whale Song in my grade 11 class let me tell you that it wasn’t what I expected at all. I believe it was an appropriate time to read this book because my age group is probably the most difficult time for anyone, even though any age could read this book. Honestly the cover made it seem like the book wouldn’t of been what it turned out to be. It was a very interesting book. 

You know how some books you need to read a few chapters before it to starts to get interesting? Well Whale Song caught my attention the second I started reading it. I just loved the fact one of the main points was about native legends. I would recommend this book to the people who are able to read. I think anyone would like this book because it’s about situations that everyone can go through. 

From someone who just wants to read a book to pass time or someone that’s going through a difficult time, it’s a good option. By reading this you can learn a variety of things such as the native culture and their legends, bullying, killer whales, etc. This novel is a very touching/heart warming book so before I strongly suggest anyone to read it I warn you that you might cry. More than once. --Robyn                                    

Robyn, I really appreciate your review and your warning to readers. I agree; they may need a small box of Kleenex when reading. ;-)

"Whale Song is a very touching and very admirable novel"

Another critique from an ESC Trillium student, this time from a young man:

Whale Song is a very touching and very admirable novel that makes you want to just keep on reading and it keeps you interested throughout the whole book. The fact that there is many things that are going on at the same time usually causes a sense of confusion for the reader but in this case the story is very well written and that makes the novel exceptionally fun to read for almost any levels or readers and for people of all ages.

Out of all the books I have read this novel is one of the most interesting and fastest books I have read. The fact that at the end of every chapter that you read you want to know more and that is why the novel is very easy to read. Also the fact that this novel is not only adults or only for children makes it a great book for anyone to have no matter what type of person you are there is something in the book for everyone to like.

My opinion on this book is that everyone should read it. It’s not only a good book to read but it touches many aspects in real life that some people can refer too suck as assisted suicide if if they have someone in their family that is very sick. Even bullying. People can learn so many things from this novel because there is so many themes involved.

The biggest reason that I liked reading this book and that I finished it so fast is because i can refer to it and some parts relate to my life and any book that relates to someone’s life is worth reading and even if it isn’t related at all it is still very interesting. --Jeffrey 

Whale Song is currently only available as an ebook. You can read it on your PC, laptop, smartphone and select ereaders. Online retailers include Amazon's Kindle Store, KoboBooks, Smashwords and more.

Whale Song is "the best book I ever read in school"

Here's another Whale Song review from an ESC Trillium student.

I read “Whale Song” by Cheryl Kaye Tardif in my grade 11 English class and I think that it was the best book I ever read in school. The characters were really charming. I loved the way that she used old native legends or even just a wise phrase at the beginning of the novel and came back to it later on. By doing that, I was able to connect to the story more than other books. The reason why I loved it so much was because we saw the main character’s whole journey and I really loved how the author never forgot about anything. At the end of the novel, there were no questions left except for “Is she gonna marry him?” I love how the author gave us the choice to finish it ourselves, if we want her to marry him or not.

I really want to have the book because I would love to re-read it and lend it to friends and family and let them read it. It’s a really awesome book and I really recommend it to everyone. It’s the kind of book that everybody can enjoy. There are so many different feelings. Some parts, you laugh and others you cry. I got really attached to the characters and when stuff happened, I was really sad, but it also makes you think how fast everything can turn around and ruin everything. 

When[Sarah] first moved to Canada, she had absolutely no idea of what was coming up. Her biggest problem was that she was leaving her best friend behind. It made me think that my parents are really precious and you really need to keep them close to you no matter what. Don’t ever let a little fight get in between you and your parents because you have absolutely no idea of what is coming up.

So all of this is to say that the book is awesome and I would definitely read it again. I would also love to read the other books that she wrote. If they are one quarter as good as “Whale Song”, they will be excellent. Cheryl Kaye Tardif really inspired me to continue with my work and to never give up. It's possible to share with the world a story, no matter how hard it may be. --Marie-Eve

Thank you, Marie-Eve. I really appreciate everything you wrote here. I am so glad you enjoyed my "heart book".

Whale Song: "I’ve never really read a book that good; and I’ve read a lot of books!"

Receiving reviews from fans always makes my day. Receiving reviews from students who read my novel in school is even more special, because I sure remember the novel studies I did in school and the book reports that followed. I feel blessed to have touched so many people through my words.

‘Whale Song’ was a wonderful novel. It is rare and I’ve never really read a book that good; and I’ve read a lot of books! I guess it was all in the way that everything started out so good, and so perfect and then it all fell to pieces to be brought back together again in the end. It kept you wondering, guessing and even made you feel frustrated and sad. It made me cry...I had to put the book away, at some point to remember that it was just a book. It felt so real, I felt so touched by everything that I had trouble separating her reality from mine.

If I had the power to change something about the book, I would not. I guess it was meant to be that way and there is no apparent reason to change it into something different. Books, I usually want to re write the ending or the beginning because somewhere and somehow I wasn’t satisfied. ‘Whale Song’ has a lot of details. Which permits you to imagine everything very detailed and lets you feel and be a part of the story in some unexplainable way. You feel like you're watching from afar everything that’s happening.

There is one thing I’m especially glad about...the end. I was so happy, I mean who doesn’t like a cute happy ending? I love romance and I’m just glad that it found its self in the novel. At least that made you realise that in life you have to move on, and just because something terrible happens, your life is not yet over. Even if you want it to be.

And there is also ONE thing that I was kinda disappointed about: how once everything was good and joyful again, the book ended. I mean, it has to end somehow and not a lot of people want to read about ‘how wonderful it is and how much they love etch other’; people need action.

But for some reason, I like it better when its all lovey dovey; but apart from that it was a good ending. The author didn't explain everything, she kinda gave them their privacy and let the readers imagine how the rest may of happened. Which is good.

All the legends, the heartbreaks, the bullying and the racism. Who would of thought it was possible to glue them all together and to make them work in such harmony for the benefits of a novel? It was different, and new and exciting and obvious at some parts. I don’t know what else to say about it, it was just a good novel. --Marianne

 Marianne, I am so glad Whale Song made an impact on you and I hope you'll always keep reading. :-)

Whale Song "always leaves you wanting more"

Students from ESC Trillium High School in Ontario studied Whale Song last year, and here's another critique from a student there.

The novel Whale Song has been my favourite book read thus far during my high school career. From the minute I picked up Whale Song, I was hooked. The story develops at a good pace and always leaves you wanting more. The story that this novel recounts has aspects that everyone can relate to, from living through a move or the death of a loved one. 

The character of Sarah is very relatable to people of all ages because her age progresses throughout the novel.  Sarah also experiences many obstacles that a lot of people experience growing up, such as making new friends, facing a bully and finding your first love.  

I believe reading this novel in a grade 11 pre-university English class is very appropriate.  The novel does contain some material that can be very emotional and requires a certain maturity to comprehend. I would definitely recommend this book to family and friends; it was a very smooth read. Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a very gifted author and I cannot wait to read more of her novels. --Cailin

Thank you, Cailin. This is an awesome review and I can tell you really "got" Whale Song. :-)

Another review from an ESC Trillium student

Students at ESC Trillium High School in Ontario studied Whale Song last year and as part of their novel study, they wrote reviews of my novel. I'm printing them here with their permission. Please keep in mind that many of these students do not speak English as a first language, but French.

Here's a critique from one of the young men in the class:

I will be totally and truly honest on what I think of the story that is told in Whale Song. I think that this story is a good one because there are a lot of little details that are based on true story. A lot of people can identify their self to the story or even just to one part of the story. I loved the story in general but I disliked all the parts where they were in the hospital because it remember me bad memories. I’m sure that there’s a lot of people that had a flashback reading this story because the author is able to write so well that we can feel what the characters feel. 

That book have taken a long time before being finished but at least the book was well done. I think that when Sarah saved her bully from the drown and after that they have became friends isn’t reflecting the reality. I know that this part of the story is essential but I wouldn’t have put this solution to bullying in this story. I would have make both girls drown and being saved by Goldie and she would be asked what she want and, that would be the peace between those two girls. 

One other thing that I liked is that there’s suspense...That book is good for people of our age because there is a lot of issue that we face as teenagers that are present in the story. --Kevin

Thank you so much, Kevin, for all your comments here. I'm glad you enjoyed Whale Song. One of the great things about being a writer is that I can allow my characters to tell ME the story, and that's what I've done here. Happy reading!

'Eclipse' actress Jodelle Ferland "loved" Whale Song

A couple of years ago, I connected with Canadian actress Jodelle Ferland, who recently played Bree Tanner in the popular Twilight sequel, Eclipse. I actually "met" her and her mother online as a result of a friend of Jodelle's who had contacted me regarding Whale Song, which has been very popular with people in the film industry. I am determined that one day Whale Song will be a major motion picture.

I arranged to send Jodelle a copy of Whale Song. Her mother emailed me and told me they'd both read it and enjoyed it.

Then just the other day, Jodelle graciously gave me permission to add her review blurb to my website and blog, so here it is--short and sweet, but it says it all. I value her words so much, not just because she's a celebrity, but because she's a young woman who read Whale Song and really "got" it. Thank you so much, Jodelle!

"I read Whale Song and loved it." --Jodelle Ferland

Check out Jodelle's Facebook page and follow her on Twitter.

P.S. I'd love to hear from any of Jodelle's fan club organizers. 

"Whale Song is an extraordinary story"

Check out this critique from another ESC Trillium student who studied Whale Song in her Grade 11 English class.

Whale Song is a story about a little girl who faces a lot of obstacles in her life. Even though she gets hurt a couple of times, she has friends and family to help her get through it and that is the reason why I loved that book. 

This book tells us a lot about Sarah who is in her teenage years. Yet she moves into a new town, she meets new people, she gets bullied...She hits a lot of bumps in the road. But thanks to Goldie’s friendship and Nana’s native stories, Sarah learns more and more about life and you can see that she grows up and making decisions. 

There’s a lot of emotions behind it all like sadness, happiness, anger etc. Whale Song also teaches you that you will get some bumps in the road, but you have to keep going and finish the life that you started...Whale Song is an extraordinary story. The feelings inside the character’s are moving. You can see them growing and changing. This story is what can happen during a teenager’s life. 

I can read this story over and over again since I’m a teenager and there’s a lot of things that we go through like relationships, bullying, friendship and a lot of feelings that we discover. Teenager are kids that are growing up to become someone that they want to be. This book can get you thinking about feelings. --Jade

Thank you, Jade. This is an awesome review and I can tell Whale Song reached you where I wanted it to--your emotions.

Whale Song review: "Cheryl Kaye Tardif will leave you overwhelmed with emotions"

Here's another Whale Song review from an ESC Trillium student. ESC students studied Whale Song as part of their English studies. My novel has been used as part of the curriculum for a couple of years now, along with my thriller The River.

Here's Mélanie's critique:

Whale Song is a book that opens new emotions...you feel the emotions of joy, sadness, anger, sympathy, and frustration, all in one book of 22 chapters. In all the emotions you feel in this book it is really impossible not to show them, because they just explode and you don’t want to keep them bottled up inside you. Whale Song is really appropriate for kids be coming of age, in their teens and for adults of any age, the emotions are the same.

In this book you can see many different themes like euthanasia, bullying and racism. Usually when there are many themes, it is too much to handle and understand, but in Whale Song you can understand the different themes and keep in to mind the meaning of them. Cheryl Kaye Tardif really represented the themes well in this book because if she didn’t you wouldn’t be able to feel the sadness...you wouldn’t have felt the joy within Sarah and Goldie’s friendship, the anger you feel when Annie bullies Sarah and how you want to go and stop her, but at the same time you wouldn’t feel the sympathy for Annie...with Sarah you wouldn’t feel the frustration, because she doesn’t remember and she doesn’t want to remember, but if she did remember...maybe the story wouldn’t have went as far as it did.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif will leave you overwhelmed with emotions. This book will leave you with a smile, on your face and in your heart. --Mélanie

Thank you so much for your review, Mélanie. I appreciate everything you've said.

Whale Song review: "Out of 1 to 10 I’d give this book a 10"

Here is another review from an ESC Trillium student. Most of the students in this class are French-Canadian hoping to improve their English skills.

The Whale Song book was a really good book. It was honestly the first book that I actually finished on my own because most of the time when I read books I just give up in the middle of it. It is now one of my favorites. But while I was reading Whale Song I just felt like I always wanted to read, I just wanted to keep reading to know what was gunna happen. That is probably the thing I love the most about reading books, is that while I’m reading I never wanna stop because I know that something interesting is going to happen. 

While I read books I don’t expect myself to get many different emotions towards it, but while I was reading Whale Song I got so many different emotions which where sad, happy, confused and more... Out of 1 to 10 I’d give this book a 10 and I do recommend this book to other people. The thing that bothered me the most is that I really wanted to know what was going to happen with Sarah and Adam, I figured that they just lived there life’s together and that they got married later on in there life, I felt like I never wanted this book to end. 

It is probably a book that I will read a couple of times and I won’t even mind. I heard that there was a movie coming out and I seriously can’t wait for it to come out if the movie is as good as the book this could possibly become like twilight, lol --Melissa

"I’ve never had a book affect me the way Whale Song affected me"

Here is another critique from an ESC Trillium student. I've removed any major spoilers.

Friendship, death and love are just a few of the things that were portrayed out of the book I read in my grade 11 class with Mme Pam. It was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a great book full of emotions.

Whale Song was an easy read so I believe we could have read it in grade 9 or 10, but I’m not complaining. The story was amazing, it’s wonderful how deep the emotion is behind the book. For example: When Goldie's brother was the boy who died trying to swim out to the island, the amazing friendship between Goldie and Sarah, Annie the bully, the friendship between Annie, Goldie and Sarah, the friendship between the Dixons and the Richardson’s.

I’ve never had a book affect me the way Whale Song affected me. Here are some examples of when the book affected me: ...when Adam came back in the story near the end of the book and when I found out why the book was called Whale Song.

I was so into the book that I finished it in 3 days. That’s a record for me because it usually takes me a long time before I finish a book. It was interesting from the beginning, that’s a good thing because when I find the beginning of a book boring, I probably wouldn’t read it. When you watch a really good movie, all the viewers will be “on the edge of their seat”, well that’s what I felt when I was reading Whale Song. The suspense was killing me, I just wanted to find out what was going to happen next.

For a long time, I imagined Sarah staying down for the rest of her life. So when Nana got into the car accident, I had mixed emotions, I was hoping that would help Sarah, but at the same time I was sad Nana was in a car accident. Nana was such a strong character...happy, loving and full of life even after the accident. Those are just a few of the reasons I enjoyed the novel Whale Song. --Katrina

Katrina's entry was a close second for the contest I held, in which the winning reviewer received a Chapters gift card for his or her review. Thank you, Katrina! I really enjoyed reading your critique.

ESC Trillium student wins a Chapters gift card with her Whale Song review

ESC Trillium is a high school in Ontario that has been incorporating two of my novels--WHALE SONG and THE RIVER into their English novel study curriculum. This has been a very rewarding experience for me. I've been able to speak with the students during Skype conferences and read their critiques or reviews. From what I hear from their teacher Pam Morin, this has been a great experience for the students too.

Last year, students studied WHALE SONG and I decided to hold a contest. The winner would receive a Chapters gift card. Students would submit their critique and I was the judge. It wasn't easy picking a winner from all the great entries, but in the end I had to give the prize to the one student whom I thought really got all the messages and themes in WHALE SONG.

And the winner is...JULIE. Here is her entry (I have edited out all spoilers)...

After reading the novel Whale Song, I can safely say that I loved the book. I liked the way every character played an important part in the book, no matter how often they appear. I also loved the native legends that were mentioned, because they can be applicable to everyday life. A perfect example of one of the native legends I really like, would be the legend of Seagull, because it applies to everyday life and helps to deal with difficult situations, such as death. 

This novel stirred up a lot of emotions, I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I could feel what Sarah felt. Whale Song is certainly a good novel to read in an 11 grade English class, because it deals with issues that we are old enough to comprehend, and we are not to old to no longer understand all of Sarah’s feelings. As you age, you tend to forget how you felt as a youth, but when you are closer to that age, you tend to remember the feelings you felt, such as Sarah’s crush on Adam, Sarah’s strong friendship with Amber-Lynn, Sarah’s friendship with Goldie, etc. Adults tend to put less emphasis on their friends and more on their life and jobs. 

Another thing I like in the novel would be the love of a parent... My favourite character in Whale Song would certainly be Nana, because of her spiritual beliefs and powers. She really would be a fascinating woman to meet. She helped Sarah get through the loss of her mother, by telling her multiple native legends. She always knew exactly what to say and when to say it. 

Finally, I love the way we find out [the] big secret in the end...[which] adds an unexpected twist to the story.  I was not in any way expecting that. Whale Song is a great novel, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good book.   --Julie

Congratulations on winning my contest, Julie. Thank you for sharing with me and my readers how you felt when reading Whale Song.

"I read Whale Song in one day"

"I am an avid reader and am sometimes frustrated that my favourite authors' don't write more books. It is so exciting to find a new, competent and interesting author! Cheryl Kaye Tardif has a writing style that is so refreshing - she has the confidence to leave some of it to the readers' imagination - I love it! I read 'Whale Song' in one day." --Roseann

5 STAR review for Whale Song: "A powerful story of love and loss"

"I read Whale Song over a few nights and was unable to put it down at the end. Whale Song is a powerful story of love and loss, family and friendship, bullying and ultimate forgiveness. Cheryl draws you into the lives of the Nootka Indians and allows the reader to experience Indian folklore firsthand. I experienced a myriad of emotions...I laughed and cried and my heart soared at the ultimate act of love. I will recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a great book." --Virginia Stephens

Printed with permission from the reviewer.

Whale Song is available at Amazon's Kindle Store, Kobo Books, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and more. You can read it on various ereaders, tablets, smartphones, laptops and your PC.