Reviews

Into the Light by Mark Oshiro

jdgammons's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I got this book from the library because I've loved all of Oshiro's previous books and I definitely will say that the plot, characters, and background really got me interested at the beginning of the book. In Anger is a Gift I thought that the plot twists were remarkably predictable (which it was written for a different, ie younger audience) but that even though I saw the plot twists coming the way that Oshiro writes those twists when they come up makes it feel like a fresh wound or understanding. I sobbed when I read Anger is a Gift. With Each of us a Desert I didn't find the plot predictable and thought that the nonlinear writing was really interesting and harder to follow. In this book I again liked the nonlinear writing and I completely didn't predict the plot twist. That being said I walking into this book expecting realistic fiction especially with how in the authors note Oshiro outlines his research. In the end it is not realistic fiction. I found the

whole splitting into two different beings completely lost me.

As I said I was expecting realistic fiction and that is not it lol. However,

I did love at the end that things were left open. It wasn't wrapped up with a neat little bow. Manny acknowledges that his life will change with Carlos is unknown. I also loved that it had to be Elena's choice to leave the cult. I found that very impowering and important to both Manny's and Elena's charater development.

Also as always with Oshiro's writing love the way he writes young gay relationships and love! Gave this book a low rating but I will totally read another of Oshiro's books when next published. The plot twist just ruined this book for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Abandonment

Minor: Incest and Abortion

mdelao630's review

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

thehawk72's review against another edition

5.0

Actual 4.5

So unsettling and uncomfortable the whole time, just like a religious cult in real life!

anibwriting's review against another edition

5.0

Into the Light is an intense, dark story that pushes through limits and boundaries of YA story telling. In the most authentic way, this story grips readers from page one and holds on tight until the end where it spits you out and lingers in your mind. With a focus on Latinx characters, the under weaving of religious beliefs, and abandonment, Mark Oshiro does a fantastic job writing about unseen characters and the negative treatment they receive when left in a predatory system that wishes to white wash them. Readers go through a tumultuous tale of orphan children being abused, abandoned, and found while the main character gradually exposes the toxic under working of religious prejudices, reconciliation programs, and the adoption agencies. This book was so good and uses language and culture in interesting ways to tell the story of each of these children. Oshiro did his thing with this book and I am so happy I picked it up to read.

eventual_ghost's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

chocolatechip's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

niharsatsangi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense

4.0

mildlemons's review against another edition

2.0

Started out so good but it throws in a weird nonsensical element that just ruined it and cheapened everything it had said in the beginning. Super disappointing:/

melodiesofthewind's review against another edition

i cant remember how far in i got but it is very hard, very difficult topic

elfflame's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5