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cschev's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
acaprice20's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
t_danger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
5.0
On reading the Booklist review of "Lights All Night Long" I wondered how this was going to work--exchange student Illya goes from his raw oil refining hometown in remotest Siberia to an American refining city near Baton Rouge. How similar--or not?--will these places be?
A teacher recognized Illya's facility with languages early and has carefully groomed him to leave Berlozhniki, where the oligarch-owned refinery is the center of everything. He lives in a communal apartment with his mother, grandmother, and beloved older brother Vladimir. We know right away that Ilya will make it to Louisiana, but it will not be in a way anyone imagined.
Lydia Fitzgerald reels the story out carefully, keeping the line taut until the very end. I found the Russian side of Illya's story the most compelling but I also got to love Baton Rouge family with their Christian cheerfulness who stand up for Illya when he needs then. The contrast between one refinery town and the other is nicely, both with their secrets. It's good, and the mystery left behind in Russia comes to a satisfying if heartbreaking conclusion.
"Lights All Night Long" could appeal to both YA and adult readers. I might be a Greedy Reader but I'm also a picky one, and I was glued from the first page to the last.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for a digital copy in return for an honest review.
--Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader
A teacher recognized Illya's facility with languages early and has carefully groomed him to leave Berlozhniki, where the oligarch-owned refinery is the center of everything. He lives in a communal apartment with his mother, grandmother, and beloved older brother Vladimir. We know right away that Ilya will make it to Louisiana, but it will not be in a way anyone imagined.
Lydia Fitzgerald reels the story out carefully, keeping the line taut until the very end. I found the Russian side of Illya's story the most compelling but I also got to love Baton Rouge family with their Christian cheerfulness who stand up for Illya when he needs then. The contrast between one refinery town and the other is nicely, both with their secrets. It's good, and the mystery left behind in Russia comes to a satisfying if heartbreaking conclusion.
"Lights All Night Long" could appeal to both YA and adult readers. I might be a Greedy Reader but I'm also a picky one, and I was glued from the first page to the last.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for a digital copy in return for an honest review.
--Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader
toniclark's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful story. At times heartbreaking, at times endearing. Hard to believe it's Fitzpatrick's debut novel.
mudslide's review against another edition
3.0
Decently good book. Slow moving at times and rarely thrilling. More of a mystery wrapped in emotion and personal turmoil.
book_mouse_4's review against another edition
Language, I didn’t like the brother at all…. Not even sure I like Ilya. I understand they ain’t Christian but I am and I have standards sooo
bridget_h's review against another edition
2.0
This had so much promise - I got really absorbed into the writing at first. But nearly all the characters are unlikeable, so that's a strike. And it seemed to have a pointed commentary on systemic corruption in Russia, which I generally know about but it could have helped if the book provided more context. At some point I was just reading it to find out what happened - because the overall story concept was interesting - but I wasn't really enjoying the book.
nicinny's review against another edition
4.0
The writing was lovely. Very rich. The characters felt different from the same old types you’ve read a hundred times. The plot was slow moving and somewhat predictable. I’d like to see what this author could do with a more substantial plot. It was a great debut.