rebeccawolfe's review
1.0
Sheilagh Fielding is one of my all time favorite characters. The Custodian of Paradise had some weird things happen, but the things *happened*, so I went along, because Johnston writes so well and because Fielding is so fabulous. Now the third book is all, "Oh, wait. No those things didn't happen after all." This third book has Fielding basically saying, "All that stuff I told you in the previous book? Well, LOL, I just made it up." I am so disappointed - and really feeling kinda crushed. Betrayed, even. Sigh.
notsarahconnor's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A mystery, coming of age, and study in obsession and generational trauma First Snow, Last Light is a well-written novel set against a bleak Newfoundland landscape. But it covers a long timeline, fifty years which definitely weakens the story.
Read the full review on my blog!
Read the full review on my blog!
mindygough's review
3.0
3.8
I think this book had a clever plot, memorable main characters, and a good sense of place. I would have rated it more highly if it had been pared down a little; there was a fair bit of repetition and places where it felt like the momentum had stalled.
I think this book had a clever plot, memorable main characters, and a good sense of place. I would have rated it more highly if it had been pared down a little; there was a fair bit of repetition and places where it felt like the momentum had stalled.
penny_literaryhoarders's review
4.0
I read First Snow, Last Light first, and perhaps should have read [b:The Custodian of Paradise|296742|The Custodian of Paradise|Wayne Johnston|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348267939s/296742.jpg|287930] before it, (I do own that one too) but, I don't think my not reading it suffered the story in First Snow, Last Light. It would definitely have provided more of the past/ background story for Shelaigh Fielding since she was a major character in First Snow and is the focus in Custodian.
Both Ned and Fielding are chasing and haunted by ghosts in this story. Ned is left alone at 14 when his parents vanish without a trace. Fr. Duggan and Fielding become the major influences in Ned's life. Fielding is unravelling from the loss of her children, twins she gave up at birth.
Ned's life is consumed with trying to find out what happened to his parents - the Vanishing Vatchers and invests all his money, energy, everything into this mystery. By the end the mystery is admitted to Ned and reveals the layers of tragedy and betrayal in the Vatcher family.
I did feel it a touch too long and drawn out but as the ending comes together this turns into a fine piece of storytelling. I will go back now and read The Custodian of Paradise. I suspect it will be a good reading experience and may just enhance First Snow, Last Light that much more for me - kind of in the way of what happened when I read Itani's [b:Tell|22557361|Tell|Frances Itani|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1418105592s/22557361.jpg|41613097] before reading [b:Deafening|6622805|Deafening|Frances Itani|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434163926s/6622805.jpg|1289949]. There were quite a few pieces that fell nicely into place for me by reading them in reverse order, so I suspect this could very well be the same when I read The Custodian of Paradise with it's focus on Fielding.
** Edited to add: I read [b:The Colony of Unrequited Dreams|95230|The Colony of Unrequited Dreams|Wayne Johnston|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320470124s/95230.jpg|235533] (and even [b:The Navigator of New York|870385|The Navigator of New York|Wayne Johnston|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320476549s/870385.jpg|287934] ) YEARS ago too. Colony is the first in this trilogy but the lengthy distance in years reading it to First Snow doesn't impact it negatively or anything.
Both Ned and Fielding are chasing and haunted by ghosts in this story. Ned is left alone at 14 when his parents vanish without a trace. Fr. Duggan and Fielding become the major influences in Ned's life. Fielding is unravelling from the loss of her children, twins she gave up at birth.
Ned's life is consumed with trying to find out what happened to his parents - the Vanishing Vatchers and invests all his money, energy, everything into this mystery. By the end the mystery is admitted to Ned and reveals the layers of tragedy and betrayal in the Vatcher family.
I did feel it a touch too long and drawn out but as the ending comes together this turns into a fine piece of storytelling. I will go back now and read The Custodian of Paradise. I suspect it will be a good reading experience and may just enhance First Snow, Last Light that much more for me - kind of in the way of what happened when I read Itani's [b:Tell|22557361|Tell|Frances Itani|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1418105592s/22557361.jpg|41613097] before reading [b:Deafening|6622805|Deafening|Frances Itani|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434163926s/6622805.jpg|1289949]. There were quite a few pieces that fell nicely into place for me by reading them in reverse order, so I suspect this could very well be the same when I read The Custodian of Paradise with it's focus on Fielding.
** Edited to add: I read [b:The Colony of Unrequited Dreams|95230|The Colony of Unrequited Dreams|Wayne Johnston|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320470124s/95230.jpg|235533] (and even [b:The Navigator of New York|870385|The Navigator of New York|Wayne Johnston|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320476549s/870385.jpg|287934] ) YEARS ago too. Colony is the first in this trilogy but the lengthy distance in years reading it to First Snow doesn't impact it negatively or anything.
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