kealex02's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. It came with such high recommendations, and the plot itself is interesting and unique. I just found it so difficult to get into. I did finish the book, and I found the ending satisfying, but the slow pacing and the lack of character development of all but the brothers (and Sadie) made this one a less than stellar read for me.
heatherhazereads's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this! Slow to get into but was pleasantly surprised.
scknitter's review
5.0
Ilya and his older brother Vladimir could not be more opposite. Vladimir is a poor student, gets in trouble constantly and eventually turns to drugs. Ilya is brilliant, has a true gift for language, and with the mentoring of a special teacher he has blossomed. But, they both have the same dream – to get out of their small bleak and depressing mining town in remote Russia and go to the US. Ilya idolizes his older brother while at the same time knowing he should not let his bad ways affect his chances of winning a chance in an exchange program. Ilya’s dream eventually comes true and he goes to America to live with a family in a small town in LA. The excitement of this achievement is dampened by the fact that Vladimir after almost dying from drugs, and losing a leg to gangrene, is arrested for the murder of three young women. The plot is driven by the mystery of the murders and Ilya’s determination to try and prove his brother’s innocence while at the same time assimilating into the life of a high school student in America. Lights All Night Long is a beautiful, sad, compelling and totally mesmerizing coming of age story. It paints such a bleak picture of life in the small Russian town that it is no wonder that people will do anything to try and survive, and to achieve the ultimate dream of coming to America. It is also a story of drugs, and how they harm even those who don't use them. But most of all it is a story of family and love and loyalty and forgiveness.
acrossley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
kat07's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book more, but I had a difficult time getting into it. I did liked the overall story, but I struggled connecting with the characters, and the timeline felt slow. Despite that, I'm still glad I read it, and if this sounds like something you might be interested in, I say go for it!
Ilya and Vladimir, two Russian brothers, have always dreamed of living in America together. Ilya is smart and picks up English so well that he is offered to go to America through an exchange program. His older brother Vladimir is the exact opposite as he falls into a life of drugs, and is arrested for murder. Ilya, now in the US, is convinced of his brother's innocence and despite everyone else giving up, he refuses and does some investigating of his own.
Themes addressed:
• Brotherly love
• Coming of age
• The dream of a better life
• Importance of education
• Family sacrifices
TW: drug addiction, death
Ilya and Vladimir, two Russian brothers, have always dreamed of living in America together. Ilya is smart and picks up English so well that he is offered to go to America through an exchange program. His older brother Vladimir is the exact opposite as he falls into a life of drugs, and is arrested for murder. Ilya, now in the US, is convinced of his brother's innocence and despite everyone else giving up, he refuses and does some investigating of his own.
Themes addressed:
• Brotherly love
• Coming of age
• The dream of a better life
• Importance of education
• Family sacrifices
TW: drug addiction, death
alwaysreadingmore's review against another edition
5.0
REVIEW: This novel is an excellent portrayal of sibling dynamics and drug addiction. You can’t help but root for and connect to Ilya because of his strong love for learning and his family. The writing was so well done, it was easy to envision the small town in Russia and picture the harsh weather and rough living conditions Ilya grew up with. This whole book pulled at my heart strings in the best way. Highly recommend!
SYNOPSIS: A touching story about the unbreakable bond of two brothers. 15 year old Ilya is a Russian exchange student staying in Louisiana for a year. The opportunity to come to America is something he has worked and studied hard for all his life. But Ilya is more focused on his brother Vladimir back in Russia because he is spiraling with drug addiction and a prison sentence. The book mostly takes place in Russia and shows Ilya’s hardships growing up with a single mother and struggling brother. During his time in America, Ilya learns everything Vladimir did to help him make it to America.
SYNOPSIS: A touching story about the unbreakable bond of two brothers. 15 year old Ilya is a Russian exchange student staying in Louisiana for a year. The opportunity to come to America is something he has worked and studied hard for all his life. But Ilya is more focused on his brother Vladimir back in Russia because he is spiraling with drug addiction and a prison sentence. The book mostly takes place in Russia and shows Ilya’s hardships growing up with a single mother and struggling brother. During his time in America, Ilya learns everything Vladimir did to help him make it to America.