The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
Title: The Light Through the Leaves
Author: Glendy Vanderah
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: April 1, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Moving • Unique • Rich
📖 S Y N O P S I S
One unbearable mistake at the edge of the forest.
In a moment of crisis, Ellis Abbey leaves her daughter, Viola, unattended--for just a few minutes. But when she returns, Viola is gone. A breaking point in an already fractured marriage, Viola's abduction causes Ellis to disappear as well--into grief, guilt, and addiction. Convinced she can only do more harm to her family, Ellis leaves her husband and young sons, burying her desperate ache for her children deeper with every step into the mountain wildernesses she treks alone.
In a remote area of Washington, a young girl named Raven keeps secrets inside, too. She must never speak to outsiders about how her mother makes miracles spring from the earth, or about her father, whose mysterious presence sometimes frightens her. Raven spends her days learning how to use her rare gifts--and more important, how to hide them. With each lesson comes a warning of what dangers lie in the world beyond her isolated haven. But despite her mother's cautions, Raven finds herself longing for something more.
As Ellis and Raven each confront their powerful longings, their journeys will converge in unexpected and hopeful ways, pulled together by the forces of nature, love, and family.
💠T H O U G H T S
After reading, and loving, Glendy's other two books, I knew I wanted to prioritize The Light Through the Leaves. There's just something about her writing that is so unique and human. And of course, I was absolutely captivated by the stunning cover of this one. Like wow!
It definitely took me some time to settle into the narrative. In the beginning, I wasn't quite sure if it would have the same level of enjoyment as her other books did. But as it moved along, I became more and more invested. Glendy's vast knowledge and understanding of the natural world shines brilliantly in her powerful, atmospheric, and emotive writing. With multiple layers, she interweaves the natural world into the narrative without it being overwhelming. Because the writing is so captivating, I was equally invested in the both storylines running parallel to one another. While there is certainly tragedy, an unspeakable mistake, at the heart of the story; there is also so much more. An ode to the healing power of nature and connection. An ode to flawed and brave women. An ode to truth and forgiveness.
My one criticism would be the ending. It all wrapped up a little too perfectly and contrived for my liking. I don't want to say too much to give anything away, but it just didn't feel believable after all of the build up and emotion sprinkled throughout the narrative. I can understand why Glendy chose to go the route that she did, it just wasn't as powerful as it could have been.
The Light Through the Leaves was the story I didn't know I needed. It certainly tugged on my heartstrings and was one of those stories I'll be thinking about months from now. I greatly appreciated the focus on the healing properties of both nature and human connection. This novel solidifies Glendy as an auto read author, and I really look forward to seeing where she goes with her next book.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• naturalists
• Glendy fans
• readers who like mysterious atmospheres
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Who could know their future with a person they cared about? And even if they did somehow find out something bad was going to happen with that person, would they give up on them? Let them suffer alone? Love couldn’t be removed like a thorn from a thumb."
"People who love each other can stay together in other ways. In their hearts."Â
Author: Glendy Vanderah
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: April 1, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Moving • Unique • Rich
📖 S Y N O P S I S
One unbearable mistake at the edge of the forest.
In a moment of crisis, Ellis Abbey leaves her daughter, Viola, unattended--for just a few minutes. But when she returns, Viola is gone. A breaking point in an already fractured marriage, Viola's abduction causes Ellis to disappear as well--into grief, guilt, and addiction. Convinced she can only do more harm to her family, Ellis leaves her husband and young sons, burying her desperate ache for her children deeper with every step into the mountain wildernesses she treks alone.
In a remote area of Washington, a young girl named Raven keeps secrets inside, too. She must never speak to outsiders about how her mother makes miracles spring from the earth, or about her father, whose mysterious presence sometimes frightens her. Raven spends her days learning how to use her rare gifts--and more important, how to hide them. With each lesson comes a warning of what dangers lie in the world beyond her isolated haven. But despite her mother's cautions, Raven finds herself longing for something more.
As Ellis and Raven each confront their powerful longings, their journeys will converge in unexpected and hopeful ways, pulled together by the forces of nature, love, and family.
💠T H O U G H T S
After reading, and loving, Glendy's other two books, I knew I wanted to prioritize The Light Through the Leaves. There's just something about her writing that is so unique and human. And of course, I was absolutely captivated by the stunning cover of this one. Like wow!
It definitely took me some time to settle into the narrative. In the beginning, I wasn't quite sure if it would have the same level of enjoyment as her other books did. But as it moved along, I became more and more invested. Glendy's vast knowledge and understanding of the natural world shines brilliantly in her powerful, atmospheric, and emotive writing. With multiple layers, she interweaves the natural world into the narrative without it being overwhelming. Because the writing is so captivating, I was equally invested in the both storylines running parallel to one another. While there is certainly tragedy, an unspeakable mistake, at the heart of the story; there is also so much more. An ode to the healing power of nature and connection. An ode to flawed and brave women. An ode to truth and forgiveness.
My one criticism would be the ending. It all wrapped up a little too perfectly and contrived for my liking. I don't want to say too much to give anything away, but it just didn't feel believable after all of the build up and emotion sprinkled throughout the narrative. I can understand why Glendy chose to go the route that she did, it just wasn't as powerful as it could have been.
The Light Through the Leaves was the story I didn't know I needed. It certainly tugged on my heartstrings and was one of those stories I'll be thinking about months from now. I greatly appreciated the focus on the healing properties of both nature and human connection. This novel solidifies Glendy as an auto read author, and I really look forward to seeing where she goes with her next book.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• naturalists
• Glendy fans
• readers who like mysterious atmospheres
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Who could know their future with a person they cared about? And even if they did somehow find out something bad was going to happen with that person, would they give up on them? Let them suffer alone? Love couldn’t be removed like a thorn from a thumb."
"People who love each other can stay together in other ways. In their hearts."Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Moderate: Child abuse, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Homophobia, Animal death, and Vomit
overdose
More...